a police state

It seems that I can no longer drive unencumbered. For the past two weekends, I have been accosted by Captain Chatty Cathy and Officer Fife. Guess I should be pleased, they are so concerned about my safety, but I'm annoyed. Don't you have a terrorist to catch?!

Last week's incident occurred after I left The Malcontents concert in Fairview. I pull out onto the major highway, get about a quarter-mile and then SAV {suburban assault vehicle} turns on stadium lighting to pull me over. Capt. Chatty Cathy proceeded to play 20 questions. He stated the reason for my stop was 'swerving' and proceeded to ask about my personal alcohol and drug habits. WTF?! Look at me?! Do I look like a drugged-out skank?! HELL-o!! I have a FULL set of teeth, you moron!! To make matters worse, he started questioning the Army duffel in my back seat. Try explaining that you spend Saturday night, playing Rock Band 2 with your peeps.

Between the hours of 10:30p and 1:00a, I am a sitting duck. This morning's incident was another jaw-dropper. Coming back from the theatre after seeing Friday the 13th, I get less than a quarter-mile from my very own house and the sheriff's car flashes everything. WTF?! He comes up on the driver's side and upon seeing me goes, 'Oh, excuse me. Do you live on this road?' WTF?! No, I am just randomly driving on some country-ass road for my health?! HELL-o! Chi-chi-chi-ah-ah-ah... Jason?! He goes on to say that my dark tint prevented him from seeing me, that they are looking for someone who drives a car fitting this description and that I should 'have a safe night'. FFS!

You can't help but laugh, but d*mn. Just because I drive an amazingly shiny, dark-tinted {factory tint, mind you} black sedan does not give you carte blanche to annoy the Hades out of me. Go beat your wife and leave me alone.

Say it ain't so...

Heard this news?! Live Nation and Ticketmaster are in talks for a merger. Both companies have an element that does work. Live Nation may manage multiple facets of the music industry, i.e. album sales, concerts, merch, and licensing, their ticket platform sucks. In contrast, Ticketmaster can't seem to make a profit on anything but tickets. So this should be a match made in heaven, right?! If you're a shareholder maybe.

Should the merger come to fruition, you are looking at a uber-billion dollar music monopoly. Imagine the return with as many different income producing areas per artist. It's insane. All this is well and good, again for the shareholder.

No matter the anti-trust laws, this merger is bound to happen and when it does Joe Concertgoer-Downloader is screwed. The music industry was a one-trick pony--albums. Now, in the digital era, the industry is scrambling to stay relevant and with the buying power truly in the music lover's hand, the industry is grasping at the feathers of the golden goose.

With Live Nation Ticketmaster, price increases across the board would be inevitable. Whether in the form of additional 'convenience' fees {airlines, people} or straight up increase, tickets for shows would increase two. And while merchandising and licensing fees would possibly be in-house, we, the consumer, would not be on the receiving end of lower prices. Additionally, imagine the dreck {artists or merch} that could be packaged and sold as 'music'. Informed consumers already have to wade through the constant barrage of mediocrity to find true gems.

Skepticism is key with this transaction. Neither company is in real fiscal trouble, both are simply trying to increase market share. The consumer will be the one to truly lose out.

Monday Rant

It's that time of the week! Lucky you.

Well, the bail out didn't happen today. Sweet. I'm not for people losing their homes, but I am for people dealing with the ramifications of their decisions. Whether it's 'Wall Street or Main Street' {seems to be the going catchphrase}, you must take responsibility for your actions.

The sky is not falling!!! Take a pill! Turn off the news, put down the paper, take a deep breath. Much like the dot com bust of 00's, I think most economists will agree that the markets are simply realigning to where they should be after years of rampant inflation. Still, we have far to go. Until citizens of this nation {and out nation's government) get their excessive spending under control and lending/financial institutions act in an ethical manner, nothing is going to change. It's a double edged sword. People we've got to strap in and deal with the giant elephant in the room.

Find out if your deposits are insured to their fullest by visiting www.fdic.gov/edie.

Check it! The Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs baby!! YEAH!! The MLB playoff run should be interesting. The Cubs making a run after what, 100 years? Of course, the BoSuxs are making a last run at the wildcard spot--it wouldn't be the postseason without 'em.

What's with the remake of Knight Rider? What a pile of suck. Val Kilmer, dude, what's happening to you?! You can do better than this.

Monday Rant

Day in, day out, I see my boss' daughter come in from school dressed in an assortment of outfits. Apparently, her school has 'theme days' every freakin' day of the week. 80's day, pajama day, backwards day, dumb-ass day. {Made the last one up. Surprised?!} I don't get it. When is learn something day?

Granted, I don't have children; so the first conclusion is I don't know what the Hades I'm talking about. However, having interacted with this kid (and others) from this community, I'm seriously concerned. What skills are children actually learning in school today? Other than tolerance and how to test well on the TCAPs?

Isn't anyone concerned? Are parents worried? Hades, aren't parents SUPPOSED to worry about this kind of thing? I'm not for not having fun at school, but an atmosphere of education should be fostered first--not 80s day.

So, I heard on NPR {too late, I've already been chastised for listening to it} that the main concern of the class of '08 in this year's election is our economy. Question: Did you come to that conclusion because your professor or the media told you to? No, I will not give you the benefit of the doubt.

I think that's funny. For years now, it's been Iraq (according to NPR's reporter). The class of '08 is concerned about Social Security. "I expect the government to take care of me." I almost had wreck when that came out of some grad student's mouth. Excuse me. What makes you so damn privileged?!

I suppose I wouldn't find it so amusing, if I could understand what they were so concerned about. The economy. You should have to use air quotes when you say that--oh, and look stern. "The Economy" Sure, my economy could be more stimulated. But it's not. I like to think that "The Economy" is righting itself after becoming so bloated. Maybe it will get worse before it gets better, so what. You'll keep on buying and keep on worrying. It's the American way.

On a little more personal note, my left pinkie it totally spastic. I haven't heard about any Rock Band-itis going around, but my pinkie--it's weird. Kinda freaky--might make for a good party trick though.

Yeah, I don't know the purpose of this entry. It kinda sucks. It is what it is. At least I can delete it later. Really the action is elsewhere. Those who know, know where to go.