Did my last blog sound bitter? No, I'm not bitter, I'm disappointed, I'm disgusted and I'm pissed off! It may not sound like it, but I happen to like Sioux City. If I didn't, I wouldn't continue trying to make it a better place to live... I'd move. Sioux City is pretty nice town, situated on the banks of the Missouri River and the tail end of the Loess Hills. It has the potential to be a very cool place. That is why I get so pissed, when someone in town tries to create a better lifestyle for the town, and the masses choose to stay on the couch in their living rooms. SHIT, GODDAMN, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND JAM! (...a 60's flashback.)

The land of Sioux could be so cool! We have one of the best music festivals in the Midwest in Saturday in the Park, (saturdayinthepark.com) which draws over 25,000 people each year. A merry little band of "Rennies" host a growing Renaissance festival every year. The locals support these events fairly well. However, they are FREE. Sioux City's moto should be "if it's for free it's for me." There are so many "for pay" things happening that don't get any support. A community grows and thrives when it's citizens join together to spread the love... and the cash.

All I can say is, no matter where you live, get off your ass and join the living. There isn't much going on in your living room. There are sporting events, cultural events and new experiences in towns and cities across the land. Don't miss out!

Well, I've had some tough times in my life and things always seem to work out. I've spent most of my adult life trying to climb out of a hole. The key I have found out is that you can't let the hole get too deep before you start building the ladder. Some holes just fill up quicker than others. Every time I get into another deal, I think to myself..."now don't make the same mistakes you made last time." The common factor in every deal I've been in is the lack of start-up money. It's hard when you start out behind. I also think that my ideas are not suited for a small town in the Midwest.

Digital imaging has been sucessful in metropolitan areas around the world. First rate live music venues do very well in most cities in the country. I'm not the first guy to ever try these business ventures. I'm just the first guy to try them in Sioux Town, Iowa, a city full of trailer-billies content to live boring lives in poverty. The select few who have managed to earn a decent living, are no more interested in expanding their horizons than the lower class. The "money people" will occassionally gather only to be seen by their peers. There appears to be no genuine interest in the entertainment.

The average citizen of the land called Sioux, complain about the lack of a major employer or two, the lack of things to keep their narrow minds busy and the lack of an "Olive Garden" restaurant. Yet whenever anyone steps out and tries to bring new technology, new entertainment or new dining to town they resist. This is certainly true if the cost to enjoy these "new things" is more than the "old things". They obviously don't realize that a city has to offer these new things before outsiders, (people who are used to having these "new things" available), will locate here.

So this small city that Lewis and Clark called paradise, remains a little Midwestern town drowning in their own apathy. We've all heard it said that if "you always do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." This must be OK for most of the citizens in the land of Sioux.

Well, in the vain of Leo Da Vinci, Ben Franklin and many more "nuts", I guess I'll press onward. Maybe if myself and others like me continue to force feed these babies, they will stop whining, pull up their collective pants and enjoy the very cool world that is out there waiting.

Life is tough. We are tested almost everyday to see how much we can stand. A minister friend of mine once told me that there would never be more put upon us than we could handle. I like to believe that to be true. That thought gets me through the really tough days.

Talk about tough, my son found out today that he didn't get the job he has been applying for. I hoped with all of my heart that he would get it, he deserves it. He's more than qualified for the position. I got a sick feeling in my stomach when I read his blog. I think I felt as sick as I have when I've missed out on a life changing deal. The cool thing is another big chance always comes along. Knowing that has always helped me move on. I'm confident that he'll get the right job soon.

I had my 30 year class reunion this past weekend. It was cool. Seeing people again that used to be part of your daily life was fun. Of course I don't know these people any more. The best part of the evening began about 3 am in the living room of my house. Five of the guys I spent alot of time with in those early years were sitting in my living room, drinking and smoking, laughing and talking about girls like no time had gone by, I'll remember that night for a long time to come.

I think about writing in my blog every now and then. I just don't take the time to do it. I am still trying to find my way into the future. I am currently focused on the near future, the distant future seems of no consequence at this point in time. I have to get a handle on the immediate future then start thinking long term. I've never planned for the long term. I probably should have, but it never seems to have any relevance. Some people worry their entire life about their retirement, their long term security...what if you don't make it that long. You will have worried all those years for nothing. I guess that's my way of thinking. I live in the here and now. Sometimes it comes back to bite me. Oh well, I think it is the reason that I don't have grey hair.

I'm trying to separate my working lives, graphics and live music. So far, I've done a pretty good job of keeping them apart. Every now and then one doesn't leave the other alone. Then I have to remind myself that they don't play well together. I realized recently that I need the graphics thing to support my terrible live music addiction. It's obvious the live music won't support itself... crap! Does everyone promoting live music suffer from this same problem? Do they all have other means of earning music money? Most of the people I know in the game do. What a great thing it would be if all a guy had to do was deal with agents and artists, witness the best live music shows on the planet and water down a little Jim Beam now and again. Hallelujah! Hey, at least I do get to experience that way of life.

I had a real setback Saturday. James Solberg, a veteran bluesman, was filling the Chesterfield with smooth guitar and unique vocals. This talented musician fills clubs around the country on a regular basis. Yet on a Saturday night in Sioux City, Iowa he played for an adoring crowd of about 50 dedicated music lovers...50! That's less than 1/2 of a percent of the drinking population in this area. This amazes me. For over 20 years I've heard people say..."there's nothing to do around here"..."this town sucks, there's no place to go and party"..."oh sure, Omaha gets that show." The comments are endless, yet these same people don't take advantage of what IS in town.

Well, I guess I'll continue on the crusade with my merry little band of music lovers. Keep the faith, we might enjoy a true live music scene in Sioux City in this lifetime.PEACE