| THE LIST |
[Jul. 20th, 2009|02:28 pm] |
I was given a bit of advice from some friends the other night (2005), and I think this is a good idea: Here you will find the updated list of people banned from IGUN and the reasons why. Replying to this post has been disabled. None of this needs to be discussed on here. So, if you have a question about it, ask me in person.
Sarah Smith (aka Sarah Monster) - Banned for attempting to dismantle IGUN and put employees at risk; both physically and legally.
Mark ? (aka Frakenstein) - Banned for threatening the life of an employee with intent to use a gun. Update on his last name will be up as soon as possible.
Adam Rodriguez - Banned for spiking water and physically attacking employees. Also for threatening the use of a firearm.
Paul Machado - Banned for stealing [money] from IGUN and Sky Bar.
Adam Rough (spelling?) - Banned due to wanton malice (lawsuit) towards Sky Bar and it's employees.
Jason Burks - Banned due to violence, malice, antagonism. Also, has been banned from IGUN 2 times in the past for similar reasons. Now it is permanent.
Dustin Brozene - Banned due to constant belligerence and antagonism of employees and customers. Malice towards employees. Habitual false statements risking the demeanor and existence of IGUN itself.
Jamie Gibson - Banned due to bringing in weapons and threating customers with expressed intent on use.
Don Durham - Banned due to attempts to coup and control IGUN. Belligerent and violent towards employees and customers. Also from trying to conspire acts to eliminate IGUN's existence.
To add a bit of clarity on this: I am in charge. I am an employee of the club where IGUN is located; more importantly, I am the owner of IGUN (not the club/building it is located in). When I first began IGUN, it was meant as a fun and safe location for freaks to enjoy the club atmosphere without having to listen to shitty top 40, techno or hip hop. If a club cannot honor my simple requests of a safe atmosphere, or if the customers are more intent on playing petty bullshit games and causing drama, I have no qualms of pulling the name IGUN and leaving it to whoever wants to try and rescue the night calling it something other than IGUN.
IGUN is not about popularity or fashion; and it is especially NOT about cliques and drama. Keep your troubles outside of the club and enjoy yourself inside @ IGUN. If you find that is too difficult to do, then please do not attend IGUN. I do not want your business if you only have intentions of causing grief or harm towards others.
The newly added strict dress code is in place for a reason. When I first created IGUN, I could only have hoped I would have been able to enforce such a strict rule, but when you start from scratch (1 person the entire night April 21st, 1999), you take whatever you can to get things in motion. Now that IGUN is established and has a strong base, I feel it is time to increase the safety and real "Underground" feel by instituting a zero tolerance for inappropriate dress. If you have to ask what is "appropriate", maybe some research is in order before you attend IGUN. The best approach is look at the pictures online [www.myspace.com/igun]. You can also ask me in person or on my MySpace page, but it will be helpful if you include a picture of the outfit in question.
Try whatever justification you want; In the end it comes down to the most important right of any business:
Any business has the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.
-The Gothfather |
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| 1:34:00 |
[Jul. 8th, 2007|04:29 am] |
I doubt I could even recall a conversation that held so much substance as to warrant my attention for so long. There is hope left in humanity!...
-GF |
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| Vegas |
[May. 31st, 2006|10:36 pm] |
I am here... and I hope to fucking god that i never have to deal with the fucking bullshit and drama and whining and complaining and pussyfooting and procrastination and lack of inspiration and pessimism and... etc... That was all BG seemed to offer. To those who are not like that... you know who you are... get the fuck out of there. Just make sure you're ready for the real world when you leave.
-Gothfather |
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| As always, I will carry you... Kicking and screaming. And in the end, you will thank me. |
[Apr. 6th, 2006|01:48 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  content | ] |
If you have nothing nice or constructive to say... then say nothing at all. I think that was the life lesson of yesterday. Not in the manner you would think. It was nothing I said that got me in trouble, it is what others have said about me where they had to either stick their foot in their mouth, or they will be eventually. These people also believe I obsess over being right. That is fine, but it is not the case. I wonder why there is this small group of people who are hell-bent on either making my life miserable, or have made it a personal quest to debunk me on issues that are trivial. Is my life really that interesting to them, or are they truly that bored and/or boring.
First off, people who go out of their way to make comments, take actions or just interfere with my life... Just stop. I do not bother you, I know this as fact. But for some reason you believe that someone should "take it to the man" and that someone should be you, and more importantly, you believe me to be the man. Well, 1. I am not "the man". I am only a person who has done successful things in life and who has beaten adversity time and time again. This makes some others view me as a threat because I am a living example of what they would like to be able to do. But either these people don't have the drive to do things they dream about or they are so fucking lazy, they do nothing but bitch about others who are accomplishing things (a.k.a. Jealousy).
I either heard about, seen or learned of four such people yesterday. Two of them a friend discussed about with me per hap-chance. Simply discussing her future plans and how they became debunked for the time being brought up this topic. I try to not even take a moment of my precious existence for these people, but every once in a while clarity is relieving. One of these two asshats made my friend's life miserable by constantly ranting about me. I guess on a regular basis, (As a side note, this was one of the many things I guess this little shit did to make her life temporarily a burden), he would have to complain about me. That I was wasting my life starting rumors about him, or how I hurt other people. And it was redundant... day in day out... Mike this, Mike that. I don't even talk to or about the guy and I even told him I want nothing to do with him, yet he still had nothing better to do with his time than to bitch about me. And the other person that came up, well this one believed I had it out for him. He believed I wanted to go out of my way to make his life miserable. He believed I banned him from IGUN. I tried to get the explanation to him, I even argued with him on here about it. Others for a short time believed that it was true, that I gave him the boot from the club. Well, I didn't, it was not my decision, and I just backed the play of my co-worker. It made much more sense to do so. I guess he learned of this many times over, but now gets the point. After months of ignorantly ranting about my actions... it was time to insert his foot into his mouth. Ugh.
One of these other people has this uncanny knack to appear and disappear right when I least expect it. This fat cow that has made it clear she wants nothing to do with me, does. First rule of ignoring a person... Ignore them. I do this all too often. Hence why you rarely ever see me post about crap like this. But once in a while a healthy rant vents the steam to allow for future tolerance. This gapped tooth hag makes subtle comments (sometimes not subtle at all) and takes prissy little jabs at me, just because... well... I have not a fucking clue. I want nothing to do with her, and she wants nothing to do with me... SO LET FINE BE. She rants about how I will not leave her and her friends alone... Yet, when I do not pay attention to her or her friend, they go out of their way to make sure I know they are still there, lingering like a Jester fart, silent at first... then... BAM!. (<-- Joke :)) Let's end it once and for all, stay away from me, I will stay away from you... make no comments about me... and I will continue on my path of not wasting my time with you. Speaking of which...
People, please understand. I do not obsess over being right. It is just that I have learned a lot more than most have in my lifespan. I have gone through trials in my life quicker than others and have moved on from childish things years before my peers. I try to teach others my mistakes or lessons because I know what the outcome is. It is like being a parent. Our parents knew what things we would experience in life. They knew how we would handle them. They knew the outcome and what not to do. They try and warn us or give us advice... and in the end, they tend to be right. Not that they wanted to be or were trying to be arrogant about it. It was just that they were right, and that is fine. They do not win anything, they are not any better than you because of it... they just knew and tried to share. But they ALSO knew when they were kids... they did the exact same thing. That is why they tolerate our quirks and standoff-ish attitudes. They were hoping you didn't have to experience some of the pains that are there in the growing process. Albeit necessary at times for these life lessons, but some are better viewed from the outside.
I guess the short end of this is:
If you don't like me, fine... odds are the feeling is mutual. Leave me alone, because I already let you be. If your friend has a problem with me, it is not your business to get involved... That is drama. Both that person and I will figure it out or we will go our separate ways, you will not make it any better. Also, I am not always right, but I am almost never wrong. Get over it and soon, you too can be correct on a more regular basis.
-The Gothfather |
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| Billboard Reads: Country for Sale |
[Mar. 3rd, 2006|05:22 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  irate | ] |
That is the way I feel right now watching the news. I have been paying close attention to the Dubai ports deal on the news, mainly retrieving my sources from CNN and Lou Dobbs (a CNN Journalist). Everyday I watch as our pathetic president attempts to strong arm everyone into agreeing with this deal. A deal in which a country controlled by the United Arab Emirates (or I should say they are a part of) owns a company that is bidding (or has already bid) on controlling an American port. It seems like president fuckass will do anything to make this happen. But why? Why is he so hell bent on this? Did he just neglect to acknowledge it is an Arab country? What happen to national security? What happened to protecting us from terrorist nations? Granted, Dubai is not a terrorist nation... BUT!!! they have been known to harbor them prior to 9/11, and more importantly 2 of the hijackers on 9/11 came from the UAE...
Now, to give just a small back story to all of this, the American ports have not been estranged to this kind of thing. A type of thing where a foreign company bids and takes control of managing a US port. I guess Britain has a few under their control right now. Hell, 30% of all US ports are owned and/or managed by foreign companies. Which when I hear this, makes me ask one question...
WHEN THE FUCK DID THIS START HAPPENING?!?!????!!!?!?!?
When the hell did we decide to start letting other countries control our harbors? Who thought this to be a good idea? Or even within our best interests as a country?? There are papers documenting how we get rid of some of our foreign debt by allowing this to occur. I guess I can understand... BUT I DON'T! Would it not be wiser to allow the money from the ports to stay completely within our country and not even let another even begin to think about getting their hands on our potential profit? I guess I should also add, out of the 10,000+ ships (all types of major vessels), approximately 360 fly an American flag.
WTF?!?!?
Most powerful nation in the world? Who said?... and when the fuck did we start handing over all this control of OUR PORTS? Hell, at the end of WWII America had the largest fleet of ships and a shit ton of exports spread throughout the world. Now... we are the highest importing country... with limited and still falling amount of exports. No wonder we have to sell ports to other countries, because our own government cannot seem to keep businesses here. Yeah, I would agree in saying part of it has to do with our greed for higher pay rates... but god damn man, when you have to pay for health insurance the way we do in "the land of opportunity"... you need a hell of a pay rate, or 3 jobs just to get a check up and not go broke doing so.
Sorry about the topic loss there, back to this port crap.
So, these Dubai nutmunchers think they will spend this 45 day Investigation Period (which is all just a bunch of bullshit anyways where president dickwad thinks he will convince the American people this is a good idea) showing how nice they are. How we, the US citizens should not fear them or not misjudge their intentions. News Flash!
NO ONE GIVES A FUCK ABOUT YOUR AGENDA!... The only thing we worry about is making sure 9/11 or anything like it does not happen again or at least this time with as much resistance as possible by all the US population. Try to hijack our planes again; you terrorist fucks won't stand a chance.
Seriously though, Dubai can sweet talk us all they want, the fact of the matter is, they view (or viewed) the Taliban as a recognized nation before. They have "windows of opportunity" to unknowingly bring in terror threats to our nation (I mean, we can't bid on being the security or police in their nation to maybe stop shit from happening). And no matter how buddy-buddy you want to be, any country that is not US-of-mother-fuckin-A can pose a threat to allowing a terror cell breach within our borders. Even the Brits.
SPEKING OF WHICH!
I just watched on the news about our borders in Texas. Holy fucking border jumping madness. I guess our border patrols are outmanned, outnumbered and outgunned on EVERY LEVEL. And what are our leaders doing about it? Not too fucking much. The governors and committee members in Border States by Mexico said, and I watched it earlier on CNN, "Until those who are in power decide to do something about it, nothing will happen..." This of course means more Americans will die trying to protect our borders. More illegal Immigrants will over saturate the job market. More Americans will move closer or deeper into poverty...
WOW!... I am sickened by all this and am too tired to continue ranting... I may do some more later...
-Gothfather |
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| Freedoms we must endure |
[Jan. 8th, 2006|02:26 pm] |
***This is in reagrds to a post made in one of my MySpace Groups. The person who made the origianl post was only relaying a message sent to her***
Find the origianl post in here.
The only thing i have to say about this... If it is a right to express ourselves, with absolute freedom... Then freedom to gripe is just another opinion, which is protected by our Constitution. So, i guess the hole in the theory here is self-explanitory. So, to all the people who complain, i guess... continue complaining. Isn't that what the Christians who founded this country wanted? An reason to complain, about anything? Without persecution?... Shouldn't they allow even the non-christians the same freedom? Even if they don't speak the same language all the time?
The only time i feel there is a problem is when someone decides to interject where their damn nose where it does not belong. If it is not harming you, then don't worry about it. If you have the ability to avoid it, then avoid it. If you can change the fucking channel... *hands you a remote*. Solutions can come from the individual without government interjection or implementation. It is only within a controlled environment such as a dictatorship or hostage situation where the individual has no choice that others should protect that freedom of the individual. Not because someone "doesn't like it" or it offends them. If you have the chance to turn and walk away. Do so, no one is stopping you from avoiding your problems.
It is kind of like in a situation of smoking and non-smoking. I quit smoking just over a year ago. I used to believe that smoking bans were infringing upon my rights. Well, they have not banned smoking period, just in certain areas. Which i could understand then, and most certainly do now. When i was a smoker... i had every opportunity to smoke outside a building or within my own residence or during my own time around other smokers. Hell, even resturaunts who CHOSE to have smoking secitons gave me an option beyond what i deserved. The point being that i was not being put in a situation without a choice. Heck, if a resturaunt or club or whatever did not want smoking in their place of business, I SHOULD RESPECT THEIR OPINION to have a non-smoking establishment. If they do not want my business because i smoke, then that is their choice.
But most places now offer a smoking and non-smoking section. In some cases, they even have the smoking section completely partitioned off. No second hand smoke to the non-smokers (which of course is now what i enjoy, the non-smoking). Hence giving you a choice, a chance to express your opinion.
To terminate this, what already is, long and drawn out post, I will say this:
Unless you are put into a situation where you have no freedom or ability to secure your own health and well being, do not complain about someone else taking away your freedom. You still have the chance to turn around and walk away, freely expressing your OPINION while doing so. I will not sympathize for your cause until you show me that your liberty/freedom has been violated where you no longer have control. Parents, know what your kids are watching, who they are hanging out with. Get involved and understand what they are doing. If you wish to influence their lives, you must intercede. People, if you don't like what you see or how something is being done at a private establishment, walk away. Do not attend. Do not give those people your business or time of day. I am the type of person who is more than happy to assist those who cannot help themselves when their freedom is being threatened. But i will not condone the opinions of someone who wants to have things "their way" and tell others they must adapt and assimliate.
You can cry and moan all you want... I will continue to watch my porn, tell my jokes, drink my booze, smoke my cigarettes (although i don't smoke anymore) and simply walk away from you. Because I Can. :)
-Gothfather |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 8th, 2005|05:06 am] |
Kinda tired, so this might seem a bit off... but oh well.
I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on IGUN. I look back at all the years I have spent on this idea. This principal. This creation of mine that I did not let go of. Sure, I could have just let it slip through my fingers a few months ago. I could have left it to others, to see how they could have handled it. But I know this. I am fucking glad I didn't. I could be cheesy and say, I realized something tonight... but no, I have known it for quite a while now. Since about May I would say. It was not whether I trusted my two cohorts (at the time of my termination)... it was more of a question of, "were they prepared?" In a moment of reflection... Not even close. I am glad Ralf is still with me; he is truly a part of IGUN and shows it in his actions and his appearance. I have told him on many an occasion that while I am the voice of IGUN, he is the face of IGUN. He and I work in a wonderful unison, albeit quirky at times.
Ralf and I have been at it for about 6 years now... he joined just before IGUN made it past its first year. When I first saw him... I am sure you could understand it was hard for me to take him seriously. But, I am happy I gave him a shot, after he asked and asked and asked to spin. Reluctant at first, I eventually caved in to what is now history. The history of IGUN...
Well, I am sure at some point I will get back to this... but for now, my sleepy ass is going to bed.
-Gothfather
P.s. Remember kids, IGUN is a success because "it's not personal, it's business". And it's my business to be very personal with all the people I care about at IGUN. And that’s how we roll. |
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| A Tale of... |
[Nov. 8th, 2005|05:31 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | Alright | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Metallica - "One" (yes, i played again) | ] |
You know... I am sitting here and i have this incredibly wierd feeling i need to rant about something. I don't know what, nor does any ONE thing come to mind. But i do know i have alot of things that i need to express.
Hrmmm... Maybe music will help, hold on... Ah, there we go, some Metallica to encourage the mood.
Anyways, i think first off i will restate: This journal is completely open. I doubt i will ever make a locked post, so don't worry, you won't miss anything. How about this, i list the things that are bugging me, and i will decipher from there which i will rant on.
1. Politics. Fucking "War" always pisses me off, doesn't help i just watched Farenheit 9/11 again.
2. Assuming asshats. People who think i hate them, when they have never even bothered asking me.
3. Corrupt club owners. Not the one i currently work for, he is the only cool one i know of.
4. Holidays. I am not very fond of x-mas.
5. Whiny Bitches. You know there is always someone who has to complain, even if it is a good thing.
6. Other Drivers. Doubt i will rant on here, hell knows i do it enough on the phone...
You know what. Actually, life is good. I think that is why i cannot really think of any one thing to bitch about. Hell i am even reaching on the things i listed above. With the small exception that other drivers, whiny bitches, and assuming asshats are always around. Fuck all of them, fuck them in thier fucking assholes.
Anyways, as i was saying. Things are going well. Very well, actually. It does suck being single, though. I have been for just about a year now. Quite a while ago (like 5 or 6 years ago), single would have suited me just fine, but as life transgressed these past few years, i have noticed i am ready for the relationship thing. Being single does have it's advantages, but so does being in a relationship. Simply being single means independence and solitude at the same time. And being in a relationship means dependence or dependability and companionship at the same time. Sacrificing them for each other anytime you make the switch between the two. In a small way, the two act like a Yin and Yang to eachother. A little bit of each is still within the other, creating a good balance. But that is only when you have a strong and healthy relationship, or you are able to take care of yourself to maintain independence. Yes there is companionship with friendships and even with "friends with benefits". But nothing quite compares to that of hope, desire, trust, love...
There are times now i wish i had never felt those feelings. I compare it to that of losing my virginity. If i had never lost it, i would not know what i am missing. If i had never felt hope, desire, trust and love... maybe this pain would not be as great a burden upon my soul at times. Granted, i would not change a thing about my past in any way to alleviate this, but would my ignorance to those feelings have created a different Mike today? Would i be more callous? Would i be less empathic towards others? Would i be nicer? Would i be more difficult to tolerate? Would i even care about this type of shit?
Ah well... speculation of what could have been is wasted breath. Rather i should focus on what could be, or where i am going...
BTW... Metallica definitely helps... Just heard One, Sanitarium and am now on Fade to Black.
I know i wish to have someone as a companion. But i keep my selection limited. Some say i am too picky, but when it comes to matters of the heart, one should be. I am not out to get laid, even though i bitch about it at times, i am only human. I am past that part of my life, now i desire and need that of another to share things with me; responsibilities, experiences, life, love, companionship, intimacy, silliness, adventure...
I am in a world where there is many people younger than i am. I used to be in thier shoes, and i laugh and smirk and harrass them as they journey through thier trials and tribulations. I love to watch and see how others react to things i have already seen, and sometimes i like to give a helping hand. I think sage wisdom interjecting at times is truly helpful to the evolution of our species. It allows us to "skip" steps that have been tried and fail almost every single time, so why even bother. If one choses to experience those things, then it is thier decision, but they were given knowledge before hand.
Good Luck, i say. Maybe your experience is that "Unicorn".
Hrmmm... maybe this is what i needed to vent about. I feel better and will abruptly stop right here. Maybe to pick up this some other day, but for now, i rest and so shall this epilogue.
-Gothfather
P.s. Go Vote! |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 20th, 2005|12:37 pm] |
Well, I was supposed to be heading in for a workout at the gym right now. But that got canceled until Thursday. I guess that is good, because I bowl tonight. So now I have some free time... What should I do? What should I do...
OH! I know!... Finally bitch about something that has been bugging me for quite a while now.
So, as everyone knows, since March 16th Myself, DDC, IGUN, and the vast majority of its community have migrated to a different location. Don't kid yourself into thinking its split. Start being realistic and accept that IGUN is it. As for the people who do not attend IGUN anymore, fine. That's your call and good for you supporting your scene (I am not kidding about that either). But I have wanted to say something about this for quite some time now. Something that has been bugging me and that something has to do with Uptown.
Of course there is going to be those who say I have a very bias opinion of the place, well I say... No, I think I have the most educated opinion out of most people that have ever been going there or worked there. I know the ins and outs of that bar. I know the owner, still a good bit of the staff. I know the health code violations that place has. I know how often they update anything around there. I know how the owner has been committing tax evasion since 1997. I know the brother of the owner (I guess part owner) is a total sexual predator who acts like a severe ADHD victim (although, he just might simply be a fucking mentally handicap case). I know how the greed the owner has running in his blood has over come any sense of decency he may have ever had. I also know how over the course of nearly 6 years of IGUN, I had a fight unlike any other to keep IGUN alive and going at uptown.
I had seen so many people write a line, if not exactly, then it's VERY close to this:
"I think we all, as a Goth community, owe uptown a great deal of thanks for holding a night for us all these years".
As I sit back and laugh at this horrendous statement I am reminded of all the years IGUN was at Uptown. Now, I will give this much. Uptown did help IGUN get on its feet. But never think that Uptown helped it get started. That is far from the truth. It was mentioned before to the owner by me (roughly spring of 1998) and I guess years back (before IGUN) by one or two other people (I don't know how much validity that holds), that a night like IGUN should be started. When I made the first mention, I was laughed at and was given the explanation that no such society really exists in a town like BG and it would never work. So, I took the idea to another bar. A place called Gargoyles, at the time (fall of 1998). I sold the idea as competition to Uptown's Tuesday nights. A way to attract some of the "freakier" crowd to this new bar. The owner of gargoyles was keen on the idea of building up new business and figured it would be something no one else has tried.
Now that last line there makes me scold and banter to those who say Uptown is the only place to try the new things, the crazy things, the alternative things. And yes, both places do it in a prioritized order of business, probability, than maybe personal interest. But the most important thing to keep in mind for this rant, Uptown did not think it would ever work. It doubted it's potential.
Thus began Industrial, Underground, Heavy Metal Night. I am dead serious... That was the first name I had given it. I used to play Metallica, Pantera, Rage against the Machine, etc. Also, a lot of the bands I still play today. Skinny Puppy, Pigface, Ministry, etc. A lot more intense with almost zero EBM and Goth. Well, the short lived story of this night at gargoyles ended when one night the mixer went out. Now, keep in mind, I flyered and spread the word to every freak I saw, I did more leg work than I had ever done in my life at that point. I would scour places to find any freak I could to start bringing them out of the wood work. And as it happens now, back then, the patrons helped as much as humanly possible. The night that should have been the true birthing of the scene in BG was "aborted" when technical difficulties arisen. We had a ton of people there; we are talking like 75, almost 100. This is being compared against the regular 15-30 people we would usually have. The owner was there, the manager was there... hell, it was meant to be a perfect night, until... the mixer just died. And I mean, kaput! Nothing, the back up mixer... Dead as all hell, too. I had nothing but dead air for 1.5 hours. You could knock me over with a pin at that point.
Of course no one came back except the die hards, and the night was failed. Two weeks later I was shown the door and promptly Industrial, Underground, Heavy Metal Night was history. I spent my birthday wallowing in my failure, but did not let it completely get to me. I tried, and at least I could say that, right?
Well, being a new DJ, I was busting ass to find work whenever I could. I was not completely established anywhere and I was still working on building a reputation. At which time I was contacted by Uptown who was in need of a DJ on Wednesday nights. I had worked for uptown in the past, and they needed someone to play in between sets during their live band nights they were trying. To make a long story short... Live band night lasted about as long as Industrial, Underground, Heavy Metal Night. And there was HUMUNGO DRAMA between the owner of Uptown and the producing company who recruited the live bands that was building very quickly. Eventually, the idea was tossed and even the owner of uptown admitted he tried it in the past years prior, and it didn't work then. So, I was left to my vices on Wednesday, and it became, yet again, another top 40 night.
Now, in the timeline of things, we are just hitting April of 1999. The owner is getting pissed that on Wednesdays he would not even make enough to pay me the $40 I was owed at the end of the night (I saw a register make only $8 one night). Yes, for 5 hours of work, as a DJ, that was ALL I was getting even on the busy nights I worked (Fridays and Saturdays). Of course I am paid ALOT more now, but that is because I am worth my talents and experience. So, the owner approaches me one night and asks if I want to try something different. He had heard what I attempted at gargoyles and figured, since he had nothing to lose, to give it a shot. I quickly gathered whatever resources I could and went to work on promoting. A couple weeks later I introduced a night just like the past one, but with a better selection of music more closely knit than before and a better acronym.
I.G.U.N. was conceived.
The next two months, life became a roller coaster from hell. Between a guy named Steve Gadowski and the doubts of the owner, IGUN was hanging by a thread since day one (April 21, 1999). Not only that, but the majority of the staff at the time, hated the night. They despised freaks and only knew of what they remembered in high school. Picking on people like us. It took months before anyone softened up to any of the culture. Over time, of course... there were those who began to understand the underground culture, and who like it to this day. But do not think for a second, IGUN or its community was embraced with open arms. Far from the truth, we were put on the spotlight with guns pointed at our heads. And the occasional ass-fuck would take pop-shots at us trying to take us down.
I guess getting to my point now. After the bar got rid of Mr. Gadowski and having to deal with that bit of drama, the only person I had to worry about was the owner. Now this was hell. He would, in the beginning on a nearly monthly basis, tell me how he thinks he would change the format if business did not improve. He didn't like the night, he didn't like the music, nor did he care for any other the patrons. He thought we were the dredge of society. So, constantly I would hear, "if the registers don't go up soon, I am going to change the music on Wednesdays". Of course this made me sweat bullets and I would practically beg people to come. Then one night, very similar to the fateful night at Gargoyles, we had a burst in people, except this time, the mixer did not go out and the crowd had a wonderful time!
But this only bought me more time. I was still on thin ice. Slowly, more and more good things happened, and the time between when I would get "threatened" of a format change became greater and greater. This next part I find humorous, in that fucked up kind of way. Because this is where I have a problem with people constantly defending uptown.
The numbers and registers were consistently going up over the years. And it wasn't until fall 2003 when I stopped hearing the threat altogether. I fought tooth and fucking nail to keep the night going even though that piece of shit owner was making over 2000% what he had previously made on Wednesdays, and the night only made more about a decade prior when country happened at Uptown. (That night faded within months of its creation, the hype died down and it was temporary). Eventually, come 2005 he was beyond what the night had ever done. The idea I brought was a success. But not without trial and judgment on a near weekly basis. Oh, and there was one point in 2004 the fuck face did threaten to pull the plug once again. He felt he could do better with another night, but once again, we showed the numbers could stay up (we slacked off for about a month).
This next part is where the greed really is shown. Now, I can understand after a while. A business should charge those who are getting entertainment for free. Which is why I believe in a cover for unders. BUT! I did not agree with the view point that he almost made it $5 at one point for unders with appropriate dress (that was a long argument). And JUST BEFORE I WAS FIRED it was going to be instituted when summer began, a cover for over 21. I fought that the entire time cover was ever instated. For years he wanted everyone to pay. He felt, since he was the only person who offered the night, he deserved more money. In his words, from what I remember, "If I am the only club offering a specialty night, then these will pay me for it". Translation, you owe more money than what you are already spending in booze, because he says so. I know there are many bars in big cities that charge overs. But I also know, in all these years, he never charged people on a regular night. Not because he likes them, but because he knows he would lose them. And he wants their money one way or another. But if he can shake an extra dollar out of every, already paying, customer... he was going to be happy doing so.
Least you forget you need to pay him homage for holding the night. That is his same rationalization on Tuesdays.
Now, bringing us back to current times, and I need to tie this off for now, I have to work. The owner of Sky Bar has taken the same risk but with more threat than the owner of Uptown ever had to deal with. Doug, the owner of Sky Bar is trying this with already embedded competition. Starting with no patronage base. In a stereotyped environment of being a preppy club. And many more things I don't have time to list. He had something to lose. But he was convinced the crowd was worth it. And not only that, he loves the people, and thinks the people have a lot to offer. He actually likes us. He likes to talk with us. He hangs out with us. 3 things the owner of uptown will never do.
So before you go touting about that Uptown deserves our respect, know the true story behind the scenes. It seems that everyone likes to think this all happens because it should. Rather, this all happens because I and others have fought tooth and nail to keep it going. IGUN and the Goth community in BG has come at a price.
-Gothfather
P.s. Sorry the ending was crappy, but I need to go to work. I will re-edit it later. |
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| In the wake of a storm |
[Sep. 7th, 2005|01:46 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | infuriated | ] |
This type of shit makes me sick
This is not a complaint about anything local... rather, national. This country makes me wanna break something. Just got done watching this video and i will say this. If we live in a country where saving the lives of people across the world is so much more important and prioritized than saving our own citizens, then maybe living across the globe is more safe and better for my health care. We can dump a few million if not a billion dollars into a war that isn't even a war, it's a vendetta (and we ALL KNOW IT), but not react (for nearly a week) when help is needed after an uncontrollable natural disaster occurs. We vote in an asshole who seemed to be on the ball when an unpredictable event like 911 occurs, but when scientist have been screaming for years (and i saw a special on National Geographic like 6 or 8 months ago, well before the storm) that the city is under a big threat of drowning, he has only made bullshit political statements and has lolligaged on doing anything or pushing others to get into action. Now i am truly BLAMING all those who voted for that fuckhead.
I no longer feel safe in a country who treats any citizen with little to money like the family pet. Oh, we'll save them if we can fit them in the car. Oh, we can leave fluffy and patches behind, they will be able to ride out the storm, they have "instinct". WHAT THE FUCK EVER! Does this mean that most of the people i know, my friends, my colleagues will be given the cold shoulder because we are the "degenerates of society"? When some massive storm that floods out most of the great lake states comes about; will FEMA, the president, our congress sit back grab some popcorn and enjoy the show on natural disaters that is REALLY HAPPENING. I mean, when GW still had another 4 years to look forward to, he made sure he was in the camera, taking action, making statements... blah blah blah... Now, he is having his second term, he doesn't have to worry about a second election, so now it's everyone else's responsibility to do anything, he is just playing the "blah blah blah" game now. No more action, no more on site camera shots. This fuckface flys around the site and goes back to his golf courses and 7 course meals, while these people live in wretched filth and dehydrate and starve. He and the rest of our political system decide to return to work (they were on vacation) when they had to, not WHEN THEY WERE NEEDED! FUCK!... You lazy, incompitent, careless, pompous fucks!
If this is not a cry out to our nation for major reform within the political system, then maybe we should lose a few more thousands, if not a million people before an uprising occurs or major action is taken. After hearing very little from him and seeing him sit on his ass and still try to turn the americans focus on the middle east, i think impeachment comes to mind. Seriously. This no good son-of-a-bitch and his colleagues need to learn a fucking lesson. You were voted into office because in times like this, it was thought you would do something about it. That you would appropriate all things needed for those who are suffering WITHIN OUR COUNTRY.
But don't get me started on things needed and being sent out. I heard about it early, and it was said in this broadcast, and i have seen it in the newspapers. FEMA and our PRESIDENT turned away help. FUCKING VENEZUELA made offers to help in our time of need. We hate the president of that country and even he was able to say, "Hey... it's no longer political, this is civil, how can we help?" FUCKING WAL-MART, the company everyone is so quick to jump at and accuse of being selfish pricks, tried to help because they knew it was no longer about making money, it's about saving lives. JESUS FUCKING AGED CHRIST!...
I am walking away from my computer before i break it.
-Mike |
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