and the road goes on forever........

THE EVENT WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. The Allman Brothers Band recently paid a visit to their home town of Macon, Georgia. The original members of the band hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at their former home (now a museum)"The Big House". The night was reserved for music.

You would have to be from Macon to understand the emotional tie this city has for the music of the Brothers. It has been with us since the late 60's. Not all Maconites feel the depth of dedication to which I refer. Many do.

This band, like no other in my humble opinion, provides the listener with a comparable range of emotions. The tunes are alive. Those of us who are part of the family can equate our entire lives with the music. It is our soundtrack.

The recent show in Macon was a religious experience. The time and place were right. The band felt it, and the crowd responded. As the music swelled, something was happening on a biological level. We were one. I know it sounds hokey and cliched, but it is a plain fact.

I used to travel a lot and people would frequently ask about the band, equating them with my home town. I would always react with pride. Our love of the Allman Brothers is something we cherish. We will share it with everyone. You will not turn on VH1 and see Gregg and the boys stuck between Kanye and Lady Gaga. They are in all the appropriate halls of fame, however, the band has never received it's deserved exposure on a mainstream level. I feel that this is part of their mystique. Videos are fine, but their level of creative expression needs to be experienced live.

I would like to thank the band for what they have meant to me for the last 40 years. I would like to thank them for a memorable evening at home. I would also encourage all to find a show and go. You can enjoy any band. There are very few out today that you can truly experience. So join the family. We always need a few more brothers and sisters.

Facebook People

I remain undecided on the current state of social networking.  Once, when I was between jobs, I built a facebook page, and yes it was rather amusing for a few months.  A different blast from the past would hit the old inbox about every other day.  I made the all so common mistake of conversing with  an old girlfriend or two.  My wife quickly informed me how pathetic and inappropriate that idea was.  Old friends are important.  Old aquaintances are not, and most should remain deeply rooted in the past.  But hey, if a bad choice shows back up, you can always drop them back into the unknown by cutting them from your list of accepted contacts.  I wish that were possible in everyday life.  I don't like you and I never want to see, smell, hear, or even consider your mere existence again (Click).  Aaaaaaah, that's better.
In short, there are pros and cons to the whole set up.  My wonder lies with those that spend half of their day posting pictures, discussing shit that happened in 1983, posting everyday  BS that doesn't matter, and generally assuming that everyone gives a flying monkey turd about their every move.  As a point of reference, here are a few recent post from my "friends" :
1. Going to the store, I need butter and some Salem lights.
2. Loving life at the beach, I am having some great seafood. (post picture of their plate)
3. I'm Smiling
4. Went to the doctor for stomach problems, I still don't know what's wrong.
5. Go Dawgs (there is no UGA team competing at any level on June the 9th)   Maybe tennis or golf, but trust me, this post came from a person that could not put together another organized thought.

What the hell is going on?  Are you lonely?   Is this some type of exhibition fetish.  Do you want someone knowing every detail of your day?  Because look here, we don't give a damn about who won the little league game, or how much you enjoyed your last bowel movement.  If you want to sit and post, fine, but, give us something worth reading.  Tell us something about yourself that noone would know.  Better yet, throw a little fiction on top of the story.  Spice it up.  Tell us who you screwed last night and how you hid it from your husband.  These are things that are not important, but they do carry a little entertainment value.  I enjoy communicating and creating, however, I would never just go online to let everyone know what I am cooking for supper. 

I know the lack of personal presence results in feelings of confidence ,when communicating with others online.  I have one word of advice.  Use that confidence.  Say some shit that you would never say over the dinner table.  Make it fun, not weird.  Those of you who are guilty of posting worthless info know who you are.  Please be aware that all of your friends are talking behind your back.  We all think you have deep rooted mental problems and should seek professional help.  Please, quit.  It makes everyone feel awkward and uncomfortable.

P.S.  I am currently feeding the dog.  He is a very good boy.