In response to one of my posts:

Knetzar (698216) on Tuesday November 01, @04:51PM (#13927024)
Got head while laughing at a chick...I don't know if I should look up to you for being the ultimate man or look down upon you for degrading women.


by kin_korn_karn (466864) on Tuesday November 01, @05:28PM (#13927410) (http://slashdot.org/) congrats for your man whore skills. the *AA shit would make me limp.

by nettdata (88196) on Thursday January 20, @03:38PM (#11423812)
(http://www.orageek.com/)
" I know more then one artists getting fucked this way."

Yeah, cuz they had a gun pointed to their head when they signed those contracts, right?

I worked in the music business for years (head of tech for Nettwerk, home of Sarah McLachlan, Lilith Fair, Bare Naked Ladies, Avril Lavigne, to name a few, as well as Virgin, EMI, Sony), and have seen my fair share of artists come in to see the A&R guys.

It amazes me how stupid some of the new artists are; they totally fail to prepare themselves for entering into any agreements with the labels, and then blame anyone but themselves later on when the light bulb clicks on and they realize that the contracts, written by the labels, are in the label's favour.

Maybe they're just too stupid to know they're stupid, but that's still no excuse. Even the most least expensive entertainment lawyer should be able to describe the situation outlined by the paperwork.

Sure, some of the "smart" guys I've known (who were some of the best musicians I've EVER heard), walked away from the userous loans/contracts, but there were always 100 willing idiots waiting in line to take their place.

Even the most simplistic moron of an "artist" should find themselves someone to handle their business/legal affairs, because that makes up 90% of the music BUSINESS.

A bad contract or two may be just the wake-up call that some musicians need to get a little grounded in reality. (Don't even get me started on the "I'm an artist, so I refuse to deal with boring things like business/contracts" crap).

Mind you, most of the "artists/musicians" I know think that they're just the cat's ass, and will be making millions in no time, so this little "loan" won't be that bad; it'll get paid back in no time, and then it's on to the fame and fortune.

They need a serious dose of reality (and a smack in the head). Just watch 10 minutes of American Idol to see how freakin obliviious 99% of the entrants are to their complete lack of talent.

END RANT

PS: I've been a musician all my life; played the violin since I was 5, was offered a scholarship to Tanglewood, and have played lead guitar in Van Halen / SRV cover bands and other paying gigs for years, so it's not like I'm against musicians... I am one. I'm just against STUPID musicians that whine and complain.

REALLY END RANT

So I had my annual review this year. And I am happy to say that the words "/." did not appear anywhere near it.
On an even better note - a 10% increase is great in this day and age - although the actual number is not that great - but companies look at percentages so its good.

I just got back from Israel. It is annoying how many people told me to have a safe trip and asked if I had a safe trip instead of saying "have a great trip" and "did you have a great trip?" Come on people - Israel is an awesome place. I heard there was some terrorist bombing that happend while I was there - I didnt know about it until I got back to the states...the media hypes up the news. I have a greater chance of getting killed in Philly then in Israel. While in Israel, Madonna was there - she had an awesome time also from an interview! But to emphasize a point I still have a co-worker that everytime she see's me, smiles and says "I am glad you didn't get blown up, I am happy to see you are safe"...frustrating!
I went to the beach each morning and had clear blue beaches, sunny skies and low humidity every single day, partying until 4 or 5 AM, awesome food (I eat more there and actually lose weight).
The head of the counter terrorist unit for Jeruselum gave my moms fiancee, his brother and me a tour of Jeruselum. It was great - we got past all the security check points, special access to areas...just awesome!
On the flight back I flew over a lightning storm which looked awesome!! Purple, red, blue, and white bolts of lightning arcing from cloud to cloud (hundreds of them). And after that we flew over the Swiss Alps ---again a sight to behold!

Is this anything like my first kiss? My first love? My first headache due to my first love?

Who knows...but everyone else has a Journal, so I want to be like them. :)

I live in center city Philly. Got my own pimpin sugar shack. Got a good job (its a job, so its gotta be good).

Now I need to get me a good two or three girlfriends - preferably all at once :)