The bills are behind a bit, but things are moving in a forward direction once again. Sorry for slacking off on the updates, but work has had me so exhausted that I don’t even want to look at a computer. They tell me I’m doing just fine, but I feel like I could be doing better… Guess I’ll find out more when I have a review in 60 days.

Just got my new mirrors today! They’re bigger than what I expected tho. Maybe that’s a good thing, as the other ones were just a tad tiny, yet looked good. Hopefully these will look ‘alright’.

Musically, everything is falling apart. I feel like things are going to be drifting like this for some time too….

When we were setting up for a karaoke gig for the Corn Palace festival, there was this guy playing guitar, by himself, before we were to go on. He was pretty good, so I gave him my number and told him we were looking for a guitarist.

I asked if he was in a band already, and he said ‘no’, and then went on about his business. Weird… what the hell is with all these stick fucks lately that are extremely good guitarists, but have NO desire to be in a band. WTF?!?! I mean, you spend YEARS honing your skills, only so that you can sit at home geeking out on how good you are??

“Yeah baby, I’m a guitarist. Band? Uh… NO…. I like to play with myself…”

Certainly, I can see where someone is practicing guitar cause they love it, and as a ’side-note’ thinking it’d be pretty cool to have a shot at a band someday. But to out-right make the conscious decision to NOT want to be in a band? FUCK! Did your dad beat you as a kid? Are you so pussy whipped that you won’t consider a shot at one of the most kick ass past times EVER?

For the love of god, pull the fucking cob outa your ass and DO IT!!

For everyone else - If you played a guitar, bass, drums, whatever… and got asked to audition for a band, would YOU give it a shot? Even if it was just for the fun of it?

Well, my first day on the job at Muth Electric went ‘ok’…. somewhat daunting really. It reminded me a lot of my first night at Dakota Pork, where the information was simply overwhelming. If I step back from the processes and view it as a whole, a lot of it is almost identical to what I was doing at the pork plant.

I’m making just a shade less than what I was at Mitchell Manufacturing, but with much greater potential for income improvement. I even have my own office, and get a nameplate on the door… dorky, but kinda cool. So far my boss’s have been very welcoming, and the head honcho for my division happens to be the father of this guy… how cool is that! We chatted about motorcycles a bit today, and I imagine it won’t be the last.

They’re giving me a couple months to prove myself, and though it’s like working for a ‘corporate empire’, it’s nice to be on a winning team for once.

Now that life’s back on track, I should probably start getting back into music again…. been ditching it the last few weeks for obvious reasons.

Two words…

KICK ASS!!!!!!

I’m still a bit tired as I write this, so the guys might have add anything I missed. Sorry for no pictures, but I just didn’t feel like running around playing Photographer.

The road out there was a bit rougher than expected, but I think our hunger for a good time washed away the pain in our muscles and the stinging sensation on our burnt faces, shortly after we rolled into Marks place (thanks AGAIN Mark, for letting us crash at your place… you have NO idea how much that helped).

We wasted no time…. a quick shower, a change of clothes, and we hit the ground running. First, we ate at Mustang Sally’s. Food was good, waitresses were smokin’ hot, and a cold beer never felt so good. Speaking of beer - we tried the Polygamy Porter and it was the nastiest beer that’s ever crossed these lips. We then slipped down to the Star for some blackjack. I came out 15 bucked ahead, and James more than doubled his money. Maybe I would’ve done better had I practiced before leaving, or looking up some quick tips. Didn’t matter tho… still came out ahead, and had a good time. Beer was free too! After that we went to Saloon 10 and it was packed. Heck… the entire town of Deadwood was packed. Drinks were over priced (just like everywhere else on that side of the state during this time), but we had fun. Mark, trying to be the good sport he is, got us all a shot of Comfort. I think I was yelling for 5 minutes trying to fight back the urge to throw up all over the place…. terrible gag/tolerance for hard liquor. Didn’t matter tho, we had a great time.

Next day, Mark couldn’t get out of work, so James and I made a run for Sturgis to see what all the hype was about. Needless to say, Stugis itself wasn’t all that great. There’s what seemed to be a mile long stretch, on two streets, with nothing but vendors hocking their wares. And since each ‘hock tent’ was nothing more than 20 foot wide (on average), it was nothing more than T-Shirts and food for as far as you could see. Sure, there were a couple places that had something good, but you had to make an effort to find them… sad.

While in Sturgis, James got me my first bell. It’s got some spider web and a spider on it. It really kicks ass, and can’t wait to get it on the bike! My first bell… YEAH! Probably gunna need it too. That link is the best description I could find online, without me repeating the whole thing… but it’s written kind of odd… like by someone that’s NOT a biker.

Anyways, we were looking for a t-shirt too (sort of a ‘must have’ for every biker coming through). But despite 2,000 fricking shops, we only found ONE that had something worth buying. Totally unique stuff, and we walked out with an arm full a piece. Yes… in that store we were like a couple of fricking women, shopping away. By the time I pulled out my wad for the third time, I realized I had better get the heck outa there.

Then, after walking for about 2 miles trying to find a certain store, we gave up the day at Sturgis and headed back to Deadwood. Mark got off work early, and we headed towards Rapid to find… uh… a ‘bar’. Damn… spent quite a bit of cash there too, but it was well worth it. hahahah

Over the next couple days, we rode like hell and drank anything we could get our hands on. But the pinnacle party spot of ‘em all, was the Full Throttle Saloon. Hands down - Best Bar EVER!! Seriously, if I could live there I would. Hard rock, beer in a bottle (hard to find this time of year), hot waitress’s, and the occasional tittle could be seen if you looked over here… or there, or just about anywhere. I WANNA GO BACK!!!! The place was the size of a Walmart. They had two stages for bands, and both were occupied. Saliva put on a damn good show, but I don’t know who the other band was. We didn’t hang out over at that end. James and I battled it out on Joust…. I won 2 out of 3, but that’s only cause James’ poor leg was all f’ed up. It was like fighting a one legged man, drunk.

On the last day, we went for an epic ride. The mother of all rides known to man (or at least to me). We rode over to Custer State Park and went down Needles and Iron Mountain Road (the map don’t show it, but it’s 87 and 16). I almost feel bad for not taking Erin, as she (or any woman for that matter) would have loved going down those roads. Sure, driving it is a total epic win, but you’re also watching out for other riders, handling the turns, etc… doing all the things that make the ride physically possible. If you’re a passenger tho, you get ALL the experience without worrying about anything. So, maybe next year, some other time in summer, Erin and I will go out there for a weekend alone, camp, and ride around.

Finally, we head back to Marks’ and skid on over to Rapid to see the new Batman movie. We ultimately decided not to party cause we had to leave early the next day, and we were getting burned out. I seriously don’t think I did that much partying before, even when I was younger.

The next day we headed back home. Terrible and Painful are just a couple choice words that describe THAT ride. We took 44 in, and the badlands area was bumpy as all heck. I even flew off the seat a couple times. Note to Mark - Do NOT ride at 90mph if you come that way on your bike. You WILL crash…. seriously.

After the badlands, the roads weren’t too bad, but we were so exhausted that every pit stop felt like heaven… despite the fact that we had to peal our busted asses off the bikes. By the time I got home, every single muscle in my body hurt, and my face was burnt to the point of needing medical attention. Thank god my wife’s a nurse… if she’s not too mad at me for taking this trip, then maybe she’ll spoil me all day tomorrow.

Other than coming home, the whole trip was a complete success, everyone lived to talk about it, and I already have some notes for next year….

1) Sunscreen. SPF 1,000,000.

2) Windshield. Bugs were kicking my ass.

3) New seat. My butt feels like hamburger.

4) More money for the… uh… ‘bar’.

It was an absolute killer time, and wouldn’t think twice about doing it all again!

Over the past week I’ve had plenty of time to dissect my current position in life, my family that relies on me, and personal happiness. On one hand, I can choose to to be another cog in the machine. On the other, infinite possibilities.

Becoming a working stiff just means facing the same trials I’ve had for the past ten years. Although, it offers a sense of security for home life…. despite the fact that ’security’ can be an illusion, which was proven here recently.

Doing what I want means having personal happiness, but potentially costing me my family. After all… it wouldn’t be their fault if we lost everything we worked for.

Just by chance, would it all work out in the end? Usually it does, and if you’ve seen some of the video’s i’ve seen lately, people make life sound like it’s an incredible journey where you can do absolutely anything you want. Of course… there should be a disclaimer on these videos that state - “The people presented here, though telling the truth, grew up with silver spoons in their mouths… so if your poor…. then we can’t help you.”

Honestly, one of the people in an interview was Joe Blow such-n-such… and underneath his name was his ‘title’, otherwise known as ‘job description’ - Theologian.

WTF?!?! How the hell do you get paid to come up with theories? That’s gotta be the BEST job in the world, hands down. A job where you can just come up with random shit about things, and if your wrong, you STILL get a check! I guess it’s true - Bullshit sells, and thats the real point behind going to college.

Anyways, I’ve been contemplating telling Erin that I wanna start a business or write music and I already know she’ll support that… that’s just the kind of person she is. However, it’s a huge risk and the damages will directly affect the kids, which just isn’t fair.

Side note - Coincidentally, I’ve been running into a lot of instances lately that’s led me to this crossroad. Like the movies… they just popped on my computer or landed on the kitchen table, just by shear chance. Getting fired, and my boss telling me “security is an illusion and you shouldn’t worry about it”. Several forms of potential business ideas (whether they be selling traditional products or writing music) have quite literally landed in my lap…. and NOT in a ‘Start your own business!!!’ type of garbage advertisement.

So, if there is a god, he’s either….

A) Trying his damnedest to tell me something, short of physically appearing before me.

or…

B) Setting me up for the kill

For the first time in my life, I’ve been fired. I suppose I could go on and on about my boss being cheap, or market values, blah blah blah.

But I’ll spare the useless drivl and get to the point. Fact is, I don’t think that the fishing tackle industry would every be able to afford someone like me (unless I worked in Cabela’s corporate office). Like I told my boss - It’s like trying to make a profit from selling penny candy, and there’s a thousand people out there doing the exact same thing.

In the end, it was probably for the better. Not only am I obviously more grounded now, but it’ll give me the opportunity to explore other options. I highly doubt I’m ever going to make what I deserve anymore… at least, not around here.

The boss and I parted ways on a good note tho, and I certainly don’t regret going to work there. I learned a hell of a lot for new skills…. which is yet another reason I should have my own business now. I have a good understanding of how advertising REALLY works. I’m equipped with different marketing methods. I learned how to operate some pretty high end software. And I did it all pretty much on my own.

The only bad part is, I feel like I let my kids down. Heck, I haven’t even told them yet cause I really don’t know what to say, and I certainly don’t wanna paint a shitty picture of my boss to ‘em, cause the kids can’t grasp the complexity of the situation.

I look at as this - I just couldn’t bring myself to give more of myself to a situation/company that wasn’t going to give me what I required in return. Just because that’s all there is in front of me, doesn’t mean I have to take it.

I’ll probably be ultra broke now working some dead end job, but at least I won’t have a mountain of stress at the same time.

Some of you already know this by now, but for those that don’t, here ya go….

Today, my boss came in all pissed off about the raise I asked for a month ago, and it looks like i’m being asked (politely) to find work elsewhere, because he feels that his company will never be able to make me happy.

Kind of stupid imo. I mean, why the fuck should his company-structure have anything to do with what my skills are worth on the open market?

I dunno… maybe I’m asking too much. Maybe I got it all wrong. Or maybe, just maybe.. he’s being a cheap prick. What the hell took him so long anyways? I think he was just stewing around in his office TRYING to come up with excuses to get rid of me (there’s a long story behind that one too).

Anyways, I finished updating the last section of my resume. Apparently, any company can get all this and MORE for the low jew-tastic price of $27k. NOT shown are the other ten years of business management, cost accounting, etc. Do you think I’m asking way too much?

WORK EXPERIENCE

Marketing Manager (company name), Mitchell, SD 2005—Present

Develop new, cost effective, marketing strategies to promote a fishing tackle product line. Work directly with multiple media companies such as magazines and custom print producers to ensure maximum return on investment dollars. Manage all aspects of web development for six websites including proper presentation of products, secure shopping cart systems, increase ranking on the top three search engines (Google, Yahoo, and MSN) and monitor traffic flow to ensure effective bounce rates and conversions rates. Use multiple software platforms, such as Corel Photo-Paint Pro, Corel Draw, Photoshop and Quarx, to create necessary artwork for websites, catalog layouts, flyers, and advertising. Handle proper assimilation of a newly purchased fly fishing component company, including raw material ordering and maintenance, inventory control, customer relations, vendor accounts, catalog creation, and website management. Work with overseas companies to ensure proper shipment and payment of products, while increasing international sales and consumer awareness.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, mostly with work, but a few updates none the less….

1) Congratulations to Summer on the birth of her baby boy, Freedom Reign. How come I couldn’t have boys? Must be some bad karma floating around out there somewhere.

2) The boss still isn’t talking to me. He must still think I’m not worth the money I’m asking for….. never mind the phone call I just took yesterday - I might have landed another $100,000 account….. asshole.

3) Had a small celebrity appearance at karaoke the other night. Not much into basketball myself, but it was still pretty cool.

4) I finally got a leather jacket for riding. Makes it SO much nicer when riding at night. Spendy, but worth it.

We’re back, and I finally got the time to post some pictures of our vacation out in the Black Hills. This year, we kept it light - No pre-scheduled appointments, itinararies, or pretty much anything written down to do besides a few notes on a couple points of interest. We figured that if the girls waste too much time dinking around, then no big deal. Less stress that way, and for the most part, everyone was happier. Heck, we didn’t even book the campground until about an hour out from Rapid City.

First, on the way there, we decided to stop at the 1880 Town. The girls got all dressed up too…. not that I agreed with their choice in clothing, but I didn’t say anything…

That took a serious chunk of time from the ride in, but we still made fairly good time. We set up camp, and got the fire rolling. The kids wrestled around for a while, then slowly passed out one by one….

The next couple days were spent either swimming at the campground pool, or visiting attractions like Story Book Island (it’s FREE!), Old McDonalds Farm, The Roo Ranch, and Dinosaur Park (not that great)….

What the heck is that?!?!?!

Then on Friday, I met up with Mark in Rapid, and we went on up to Deadwood (actually, this is when we went to the Roo Ranch). Mark was nice enough to pick up the tab, and while we were there, I seen this….

The company slogan underneath, is the BEST! Even if the beer sucks, I’m sure these guys are making plenty of cash from guys that just wanna try one, out of shear curiosity.

Then we strolled downtown and visited a few shops. I was hoping I’d spot a set of bags for the bike, but didn’t notice anything that looked good. But then I ran into this god awful monstrosity….

I went inside with hopes of seeing some cool Harley gear. Maybe some custom hardware, glasses, etc. Not that I could buy anything for myself, but all my friends have Harley’s.

To my surprise, the store lacked the gritty, ‘down-n-dirty’ look that you’d get from any of their other stores. No, this store was nothing more than a fashion stop for your average teenager. From top to bottom, every square inch of this store was nothing more than a Gap or Hot Topic, using the HD name to make some sales. I shit you not…. I actually felt OLD walking in this place. IT’S A FRICKING HARLEY STORE! HOW THE F*** DOES THAT HAPPEN?!?!?!?

During this years rally, the bikers should actually ‘rally’ and burn that place down.

Anyways, moving on….

So, Saturday came and it was finally time - I hadn’t seen my dad (long story if ya don’t know) in 20 years, and thought this would be a good time to catch up on things. Despite the nervousness (from both of us), everything went well. Dad got to meet the girls for the first time, and we got some pictures. Just a couple notes from speaking with him…

1) Had some sort of surgery in his guts (something like a hernia I guess). I’ll avoid the gross part by saying “Things came a little loose in the doctors office”….. How fucked up is that?!?

2) Fell down drunk and hurt himself. Forced himself to crawl to the bed and passed out. Next day, called work, couldn’t make it because of the pain. Went to the doctor to find out he had 4 or 5 broken ribs and a punctured lung.

I guess the old man just don’t know when to quit.

Later that night, my sister Shelly (Johns daughter), swung by the campsite after a softball game. She’s doing good, has four kids, and actually cares about keeping in touch with me… unlike other relatives who just wanna use me for a pay check…..

The next day we just packed up and came home. The kids were driving us nuts on the way home, as none of them wanted anything to do with any of us, anymore.

Yeah, it was good… but damn… I need some ‘me time’…..

I just thought I’d update everyone on some minor BS before I head out.

I got vacation this week, and god willing, we’ll be heading out to the hills for some camping. Mark, you’ll have to call Erin’s cell some time… or I’ll give ya a call. Though, I’m pretty sure you’ll be working the whole time.

I haven’t had a cigarette for just over two weeks. Cold turkey. Almost broke down Saturday night at karaoke, but handed the pack back to James.

Slowly finding the exact pieces I want for recording equipment… the shit ain’t cheap, but I suppose if I want something decent, then I’d better drop the cash for it. Sold my printer, and shortly here I should be selling the other one… on ebay. Picked up another printer at a garage sale for dirt cheap, and I’ll sell that on Ebay also. Plus, I got some other stuff at the garage sale that I’m gunna try selling… don’t wanna say anything just yet tho. Either the idea is going to be good, or it’ll flop hard as shit. Worse case scenario - I’m out $10.

I told my boss I wanted a raise today…..

Boss: Hey, where ya goin! Haven’t seen ya in a while, so whats up?

Me: I need a raise…. like, about $10k.

Boss: <with a half smile>Oh yeah? Sooo… if I don’t, then are you gunna quit?

Me: No, I didn’t say that. I just want what I should be getting.

Boss: Ya know, I gave you a raise last week. Didn’t you see that on your check?

Me: Uhh… yeeeaaaahh… I did. . . . . . . . . Anyways, I gotta run. See ya.

Sure, why not? Lot of things changing this year, on several levels, and since the other blog was infected with some sort of plague, I thought it’d be a good idea to dump the old site and start over…. wasn’t really saving anything important there anyways.

So be patient with me, while I go through the transition and get everything all fixed up around here.