Donna will be so happy…. I blogged twice in one night (whoops, make that three times).

I just don’t understand why so many businesses and organizations keep paying for crappy software. There really is no excuse. There is plenty of software out there that is stable, secure, and close to - if not entirely - free. I can understand using a specific software application do to some specific functionality, but most people wouldn’t even notice that they are running something different, as long as you stuck the name Microsoft on it.

I have a friend from way back. We never spent tons of time together, but friends non-the-less. We haven’t talked in a couple years, he’s back in Chicago, I’m now in Bakersfield. I think of him most when running sound (or just listening to a band). I keep listening for another guitar player like him. I’ve only known one other that comes close. You see, this friend has a gift… a wonderful gift. He can make a guitar sing… I mean really sing. Not leads, riffs, speed, dexterity, or all those other things that most people judge a guitar player by (which he can also do)… but giving the guitar a voice. I remember running sound when he played, and I could never mix his guitar like any other player. I had to mix it with the vocals instead of with the other instruments. It was a breath of sound, carrying a harmony… a background vocal with no words, just emotion. As he played, you could feel your heart and soul singing along in a language that can’t be expressed in mere words. I often had goose bumps when he played.

For me, all guitar players will always be rated against him. Although many other guitar players have great talent and ability, and make wonderful music that many people, including me, enjoy…. he was blessed with the gift of bringing mere strings, wood, and electronics to life. A true rarity.

I’m thinking especially of him now, since he is having major medical problems. Heart, liver, kidneys… they’re all in trouble, and he may not make it. I feel sad, not for him - he’d get to play in a much better band - but for his son, for all the people who love him, for me, and for music in general. I’m just praying that he can stick around and bless more people with his gift, and with his love.

Tracy, I miss hearing you play, and playing with you.

Well, so far it’s been a decent month - business-wise. I recently got a new business client who even offered to pay me more than my normal fee… and they have a bit of an IT mess that needs to be cleaned up (so, there are some hours to put in and monies to be made). So why am I so worried and depressed about money right now? Maybe it’s the almost $2500 in unpaid invoices in my accounts receivable…. who knows. All I know, this has got to change. It’s time to come up with a new growth plan.