Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Introspective Reflection After 12 years As Harryoke...
This week will have me celebrating the completion of my 12th year as Harryoke, and starting on my 13th year serving the public. I have spent a lot of time thinking this week...reminiscent of "It's A Wonderful Life", about the impact my decision to do what I do for a living has had on the world around me. I often wonder if I had not come onto the scene, what changes would there be in the lives of myself and those who spend time with me.
I often wonder, if I had not taken the leap back in 1999 to start my business, what path my life would have taken. Would I still be at the same job I had, or what would I be doing? Who would I have met that would have impacted the direction of my life? What would my health and well being be like?
Every decision you make in life affects the rest of it. Go right or left? Maybe if you went the other way you would have been killed...maybe you just missed meeting the person who would change your life by one traffic light. I often wonder what I would have done with all the time I have spent working, but on another job...or what if I had not met the people I have, or what would they done with THEIR lives had they not been spending their time with me?
I think of ALL of the things I have seen and done in the last 12 years. I think of all of the people whose paths I have crossed. I think of the couples who met using my show as a conduit...and the children that have been born of these unions. I think of the doors that have been opened to me, and the doors that I have opened. I think of the people in my life I have met thru my work who have GREATLY impacted my life and my outlook, and vice versa. I wonder what I would have been doing if I had never broken my neck that night...and what I would do with the money I spent on those hospital bills.
I always wonder what business I would have been in had I not found karaoke as a career. I have had an amazing run for a dozen years, and am still looking forward, NOT backward. I really feel the best is yet to come work wise.
I regret not keeping notes or a journal. I used to keep a journal in the 90s, and I quit right before connecting with Lori. Maybe I am a bit jaded by life from things I have seen and done, but it would make an interesting book to compile bits and pieces. I am sure I have forgotten things more bizarre than a lot of people have experienced. A great example of a moment I realized this can be found in this anecdote. Leaving work one night, I was heading toward home and planning to meet a group for breakfast. I drove down the road about 2:00 AM and called my friends to confirm our meeting. As I was driving, I passed two people running. It did not bug me or cause me any distraction at all...especially considering they were both completely naked. I got a few minutes up the road and happened to mention it to the person on the phone. This person was completely blown away by that. They began asking me details that I could not answer, and they could not believe that I could just keep driving and talking while seeing this. Such is my life, and my outlook and reaction to it.
I never let a day go by without realizing how fortunate I am to have carved this niche out for myself. I also realize how lucky I am to live in an area that so greatly supports what I and my colleagues do. I am thankful for those who support me, not only by attending, but also my psychological and financial benefactors over the years who have enabled me to keep moving forward, and keep the pace I do without going insane. I am also thankful not only for the people I have met, but for the life long and life changing friendships I have created along the way.
If you had told me 14 years ago that this was my future, I would have called you crazy. If you had told me 13 years ago that my decision would have turned out this well, I would not have believed you. Here is to more great years, and more great shows....and a tip of the hat to my first show in May of 1999, a mere 3461 shows ago... Here is to a belief in the unbelievable. THANK YOU!
I often wonder, if I had not taken the leap back in 1999 to start my business, what path my life would have taken. Would I still be at the same job I had, or what would I be doing? Who would I have met that would have impacted the direction of my life? What would my health and well being be like?
Every decision you make in life affects the rest of it. Go right or left? Maybe if you went the other way you would have been killed...maybe you just missed meeting the person who would change your life by one traffic light. I often wonder what I would have done with all the time I have spent working, but on another job...or what if I had not met the people I have, or what would they done with THEIR lives had they not been spending their time with me?
I think of ALL of the things I have seen and done in the last 12 years. I think of all of the people whose paths I have crossed. I think of the couples who met using my show as a conduit...and the children that have been born of these unions. I think of the doors that have been opened to me, and the doors that I have opened. I think of the people in my life I have met thru my work who have GREATLY impacted my life and my outlook, and vice versa. I wonder what I would have been doing if I had never broken my neck that night...and what I would do with the money I spent on those hospital bills.
I always wonder what business I would have been in had I not found karaoke as a career. I have had an amazing run for a dozen years, and am still looking forward, NOT backward. I really feel the best is yet to come work wise.
I regret not keeping notes or a journal. I used to keep a journal in the 90s, and I quit right before connecting with Lori. Maybe I am a bit jaded by life from things I have seen and done, but it would make an interesting book to compile bits and pieces. I am sure I have forgotten things more bizarre than a lot of people have experienced. A great example of a moment I realized this can be found in this anecdote. Leaving work one night, I was heading toward home and planning to meet a group for breakfast. I drove down the road about 2:00 AM and called my friends to confirm our meeting. As I was driving, I passed two people running. It did not bug me or cause me any distraction at all...especially considering they were both completely naked. I got a few minutes up the road and happened to mention it to the person on the phone. This person was completely blown away by that. They began asking me details that I could not answer, and they could not believe that I could just keep driving and talking while seeing this. Such is my life, and my outlook and reaction to it.
I never let a day go by without realizing how fortunate I am to have carved this niche out for myself. I also realize how lucky I am to live in an area that so greatly supports what I and my colleagues do. I am thankful for those who support me, not only by attending, but also my psychological and financial benefactors over the years who have enabled me to keep moving forward, and keep the pace I do without going insane. I am also thankful not only for the people I have met, but for the life long and life changing friendships I have created along the way.
If you had told me 14 years ago that this was my future, I would have called you crazy. If you had told me 13 years ago that my decision would have turned out this well, I would not have believed you. Here is to more great years, and more great shows....and a tip of the hat to my first show in May of 1999, a mere 3461 shows ago... Here is to a belief in the unbelievable. THANK YOU!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Just a little something that makes no sense...if you care...
In FL, 7 people a day die from prescription pill overdoses due to abuse. We all know users and victims of users, and if you dont know one, you just arent looking hard enough. Florida is rife with pill mills called Pain Clinics. You can go into them with enough cash and a good story and get what you need, then drive to the next one. This makes FL a haven for users, and dealers to obtain stock to resell, use or take to other states.
A step toward curbing this activity is to database drug transactions so that one pharmacy knows that another has already served that person, which would stop dealers and users from being able to stock up. This would come at no cost to the state, the cost would be absorbed by the drug companies. This plan has the support of law enforcement, and those in the drug counseling/recovery fields.
This plan does NOT have the endorsement of Gov. Rick Scott, and a few of the other lawmakers in the state who deem it as too big brotherish, and not the place of government to get involved. Keep in mind, these are the people who say gays cant adopt children. I am in favor of a little less government, but this is an arena that deserves to be monitored. No one is keeping drugs from those who legitamitely need them, or abuse them in a reasonable fashion, this would merely curb dealers.
Maybe a note to your representative to let them know where you stand, afir or again, is in order. It just seems to me that it makes more sense NOT to endorse drug dealers than to give them free reign.
Just my opinion...
A step toward curbing this activity is to database drug transactions so that one pharmacy knows that another has already served that person, which would stop dealers and users from being able to stock up. This would come at no cost to the state, the cost would be absorbed by the drug companies. This plan has the support of law enforcement, and those in the drug counseling/recovery fields.
This plan does NOT have the endorsement of Gov. Rick Scott, and a few of the other lawmakers in the state who deem it as too big brotherish, and not the place of government to get involved. Keep in mind, these are the people who say gays cant adopt children. I am in favor of a little less government, but this is an arena that deserves to be monitored. No one is keeping drugs from those who legitamitely need them, or abuse them in a reasonable fashion, this would merely curb dealers.
Maybe a note to your representative to let them know where you stand, afir or again, is in order. It just seems to me that it makes more sense NOT to endorse drug dealers than to give them free reign.
Just my opinion...
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Looking At Noise Issues From Both Sides...
Today I heard a local watering hole has to face City Hall tomorrow in regard to a possibility of being denied permission to have outdoor entertainment. The knee jerk reaction is that the bar and its entertainers are the victims, and that the complainers should get over it. This is an argument that I can see both sides of, being both an outdoor entertainer, AND one who enjoys my quiet. Allow me to present both sides for your review...
It is my belief that this issue and your opinion on it should be tempered by the location of the venue in question. Every location has its own issues and challenges, and that is why cities have zoning laws. What does happen occasionally is that the zoned area has a border, or some geographic anomaly that causes a problem. If your business is in the heart of the commercial zone, you can probably be assured that you will have no problems or complaints. If your commercially zoned business is in close proximity to residentially owned property, and you create noise, therein lies the rub. Now you must face complaints and opposition.
Some cities are more fair than others in determining fair times and decibel levels for public outdoor music performance. Any outdoor performer SHOULD be carrying a cheap decibel meter, such as I do, to be able to argue with no guesswork as to what is loud. Noise is subject to opinion, but if the law states a number and you have a meter showing compliance, well then there is no argument. Lets face it, performers do ramp up the volume to get over the crowd. Concerned entertainers should monitor this so as to not be a problem for the employer...or venue managers should have a meter on site if the performer does not.
Whereas I do believe the venues should be able to have outdoor entertainment, and the performers should have a right to play, I also believe that homeowners and renters of residential properties adjacent to the entertainment have a reasonable expectation of peaceful existence. If that peace is breached by excessive noise, or loud music, etc..., then the residents have a legitimate gripe. This is where the history of the location comes into play...I mean, if you build your house next to a known outdoor stage, and then complained, that is on you. If you build your bar in a residential area and add an outdoor stage, and complain that the residents revolt against you, then the bar is the bad guy.
Tomorrow, Hurricane Patty's will have to go to City Hall...just like Mad Dogs did...just like Dockside did...and every other tenant of the under the bridge location they inhabit in Flagler Beach. They are directly on the river, in a residential neighborhood, the only business there. Unfortunately their sound will travel over the water, and the complainers are probably the folks who live on the other side of the river...BUT, these are folks who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their homes on the river, and have a reasonable expectation of peace. Maybe they are being overly sensitive in complaining too much, or maybe they are being bombarded with noise...that would be for those who enforce the ordinances to decide. I don't believe Pattys should be denied permission to have music, but should be good neighbors in policing their noise levels, both from entertainers, and patrons at the waterside bar.
Personally, I wish them luck and hope that things happen in their favor. BUT I also hope that they are sensitive to the fact that they are sitting in a residential neighborhood, and that every business there before them has faced the same problem. With a little thinking, and cooperation with the police, city and the area residents, they CAN coexist with no real problems. But, don't be fooled into thinking that the complainers are music haters or whiners...if that is your reaction, imagine a school for rappers opening next to YOUR house, open til 10pm, LOL! Food for thought....
It is my belief that this issue and your opinion on it should be tempered by the location of the venue in question. Every location has its own issues and challenges, and that is why cities have zoning laws. What does happen occasionally is that the zoned area has a border, or some geographic anomaly that causes a problem. If your business is in the heart of the commercial zone, you can probably be assured that you will have no problems or complaints. If your commercially zoned business is in close proximity to residentially owned property, and you create noise, therein lies the rub. Now you must face complaints and opposition.
Some cities are more fair than others in determining fair times and decibel levels for public outdoor music performance. Any outdoor performer SHOULD be carrying a cheap decibel meter, such as I do, to be able to argue with no guesswork as to what is loud. Noise is subject to opinion, but if the law states a number and you have a meter showing compliance, well then there is no argument. Lets face it, performers do ramp up the volume to get over the crowd. Concerned entertainers should monitor this so as to not be a problem for the employer...or venue managers should have a meter on site if the performer does not.
Whereas I do believe the venues should be able to have outdoor entertainment, and the performers should have a right to play, I also believe that homeowners and renters of residential properties adjacent to the entertainment have a reasonable expectation of peaceful existence. If that peace is breached by excessive noise, or loud music, etc..., then the residents have a legitimate gripe. This is where the history of the location comes into play...I mean, if you build your house next to a known outdoor stage, and then complained, that is on you. If you build your bar in a residential area and add an outdoor stage, and complain that the residents revolt against you, then the bar is the bad guy.
Tomorrow, Hurricane Patty's will have to go to City Hall...just like Mad Dogs did...just like Dockside did...and every other tenant of the under the bridge location they inhabit in Flagler Beach. They are directly on the river, in a residential neighborhood, the only business there. Unfortunately their sound will travel over the water, and the complainers are probably the folks who live on the other side of the river...BUT, these are folks who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their homes on the river, and have a reasonable expectation of peace. Maybe they are being overly sensitive in complaining too much, or maybe they are being bombarded with noise...that would be for those who enforce the ordinances to decide. I don't believe Pattys should be denied permission to have music, but should be good neighbors in policing their noise levels, both from entertainers, and patrons at the waterside bar.
Personally, I wish them luck and hope that things happen in their favor. BUT I also hope that they are sensitive to the fact that they are sitting in a residential neighborhood, and that every business there before them has faced the same problem. With a little thinking, and cooperation with the police, city and the area residents, they CAN coexist with no real problems. But, don't be fooled into thinking that the complainers are music haters or whiners...if that is your reaction, imagine a school for rappers opening next to YOUR house, open til 10pm, LOL! Food for thought....
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
THIS is ridiculous and REALLY pisses me off...in "free" America...
This is not second hand information, this is the adventure of someone I know personally. He has been a Mr Mom for many years, raising his child, putting his career on hold since his wife had a stronger job and was able to support them. As his kid got older, he took part time jobs for cash, and eventually opened his own business once his child was old enough. His business failed, not by any mistake on his part, but an unfortunate zoning issue his landlord was unwilling to correct.
His child is now old enough for the most part to take care of herself, so he is actively either trying to get a job or start some kind of business, but the reality is, his domestic situation has changed, he is not being supported and he does not have any money...no money, no job. He would LOVE to work in a field that is enjoyable, or that he is experienced in, but is willing to take ANY job...ANY job.
Unfortunately, he lives rurally in a small town, and there are limited jobs close to the house. He has exhausted most of the close resources and has been burning up the gas and his car by going and putting in apps and attending fruitless interviews. He recently saw a job offer on the internet, and called me to feel me out about it. I was kind of against it...seemed shady and too far to travel, but left it that maybe some money short term was better than no money at all. I then said that marketing wise, it seemed a better idea to present himself to the greatest number of people by either using the net, or even better, standing on a street corner with a sign that said "READY TO WORK...Not Homeless" or something like that. He is THAT desperate. I figured maybe someone with connections would get his info, or a job offer would come out of it...or at a minimum, the TV station or newspaper would pick up on it.
So waiting to hear back from him today to see how the adventure went, I got this email (edited for privacy):
I went out to do what we talked about. I was in a shirt and tie, I parked off the highway, I was at a very busy 3 point intersection at the edge of ******* where a ton of motorists get stopped. I was off the highway, I had the sign, it was simple it said,
LOOKING FOR WORK
NOT LOOKING FOR HANDOUTS
I NEED A REAL JOB
HELP ME
Well I made it about 20 minutes and the ******** police came, they gave me a rash of shit, they checked my license, registration, the whole bit, then they asked if they could search my car. I don't have anything illegal in there and I figured they'd do it anyway so I let them. They found nothing. So they told me I couldn't do what I was doing, apparantly they have an ordinance against those people begging for money. I told them wasn't begging and my sign was clear that I wanted no handouts.
I told them everything we talked about last night.
Anyway, I asked them if it would be cool to do it on private property. They didn't actually say yes but they couldn't say no. So I moved to a plaza up the road. Well I was there ten minutes and they showed up again and said stop and leave or they would have to arrest me.
So I left. I should have gotten arrested. That would have made a good story on the news. I was scared though.
I seriously think they were just f****** with me, I cannot see how I was any great threat to them.
I seriously think it is a shame when a normal respectable person, willing and able and ready to work, cannot get a job, and is not allowed to make a desperate plea to the public without being arrested. This just really chaps me.
His child is now old enough for the most part to take care of herself, so he is actively either trying to get a job or start some kind of business, but the reality is, his domestic situation has changed, he is not being supported and he does not have any money...no money, no job. He would LOVE to work in a field that is enjoyable, or that he is experienced in, but is willing to take ANY job...ANY job.
Unfortunately, he lives rurally in a small town, and there are limited jobs close to the house. He has exhausted most of the close resources and has been burning up the gas and his car by going and putting in apps and attending fruitless interviews. He recently saw a job offer on the internet, and called me to feel me out about it. I was kind of against it...seemed shady and too far to travel, but left it that maybe some money short term was better than no money at all. I then said that marketing wise, it seemed a better idea to present himself to the greatest number of people by either using the net, or even better, standing on a street corner with a sign that said "READY TO WORK...Not Homeless" or something like that. He is THAT desperate. I figured maybe someone with connections would get his info, or a job offer would come out of it...or at a minimum, the TV station or newspaper would pick up on it.
So waiting to hear back from him today to see how the adventure went, I got this email (edited for privacy):
I went out to do what we talked about. I was in a shirt and tie, I parked off the highway, I was at a very busy 3 point intersection at the edge of ******* where a ton of motorists get stopped. I was off the highway, I had the sign, it was simple it said,
LOOKING FOR WORK
NOT LOOKING FOR HANDOUTS
I NEED A REAL JOB
HELP ME
Well I made it about 20 minutes and the ******** police came, they gave me a rash of shit, they checked my license, registration, the whole bit, then they asked if they could search my car. I don't have anything illegal in there and I figured they'd do it anyway so I let them. They found nothing. So they told me I couldn't do what I was doing, apparantly they have an ordinance against those people begging for money. I told them wasn't begging and my sign was clear that I wanted no handouts.
I told them everything we talked about last night.
Anyway, I asked them if it would be cool to do it on private property. They didn't actually say yes but they couldn't say no. So I moved to a plaza up the road. Well I was there ten minutes and they showed up again and said stop and leave or they would have to arrest me.
So I left. I should have gotten arrested. That would have made a good story on the news. I was scared though.
I seriously think they were just f****** with me, I cannot see how I was any great threat to them.
I seriously think it is a shame when a normal respectable person, willing and able and ready to work, cannot get a job, and is not allowed to make a desperate plea to the public without being arrested. This just really chaps me.
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