Kevin Mileski: Journal

So, I'm driving down the highway today and I'm cruising at about 72 mph. I get passed v-e-r-y slowly by a minivan with a mother and her son in the front seat. Not a problem, noteven that big of a deal; but I noticed something on the slow-motion drive-by. I noticed the mother had a blue tooth earpiece in her right ear and the son was playing video games while listening to his i-pod.

Now I remember growing up when the car ride was not only something you enjoyed for the first two hours; but it was something that you feared and had to pay attention to because, if you didn't, the Pinto might very well catch on fire and then EVERYONE would have to pile out the windows because the doors didn't function correctly in an effort to escape the possibility of death by burning. Of course, we didn't go anywhere without fire-extinguishers; but that's the way it was then.

I was having a conversation with my neighbor Derrick about how cars have changed over the years. I still own my '69 VW Van which has it's own sounds and smells that let me know it's alive and breathing albeit not that well. If I were to smell or hear what I do in the bus in my current car, I'd flip out and spend $600 on filters, spark plugs, tires, a bad-ass grease gun, and ear plugs. But cars today are quite different and much more complicated and more computer-literate than the average 5th grader with a degree in computer science. I suppose that's why no one really pays that much attention to their cars anymore. If the car isn't running well, it tells you and sometimes emails you with the specific problem. If not, you hit a button that calls the people at On-Star and they diagnose the problem before you get to the next gas station. I suppose it just goes along with the whole idea of not speaking to the person you're riding with. I mean, why bother with an intelligent conversation when you can simultaneously see where you're going, get yourself to the level 50 elf-killer, and listen to death metal?

Hold on...I have to take this call.

It's official. I do not drive a big SUV anymore. I'm still driving the same car I always have; but it appears that it is not considered oversized. The good thing is that I save $5 at the carwash; but now I feel slightly inadequate. Do I really need to go out and buy that darn Dodge 3500 diesel duelie with the mega cab and a small country in the back? Naah.

I just seems that, while other countries are trying their hardest to meet the environmental needs of the world, the US keeps getting bigger and bigger vehicles for fewer and fewer things. Every time I think of getting rid of my Jeep for something smaller, we get hit with four feet of snow at which point I drive my neighbors to the local coffee shop because we "can't get to work". Perhaps the Hummer isn't that bad of a choice.

The Colorado Springs Utilities Office is a wonderment to society altogether. Why, just today, I headed on over to their office to pay a bill for the compay here. They have this very convenient drive-through (or "drive-thru" which always pisses me off) that is good for dropping off payments without getting out of the warmth of your vehicle.

Yes, the drive-thru -- where they cannot issue receipts, accept payments without your bill, or talk through a correctly-functioning speaker. Somehow, they've not only managed to do this with unbelievable efficiency, they've also managed to get you to come in to the office to get a receipt.

huh?

So, after I peeled out of the drive through, around the corner, looked for a spot to park in downtown Colorado Springs during lunch hour, I decided to actually walk in the door...which didn't open. They have the handicapped doors; but these won't open at all until you press the button which is a good 15 feet from the door. Now, the catch is that, when you do press the button, the door opens all the way, stays there for less than three seconds and immediately closes without resistance. Now, tell me how someone in a wheelchair can make that time? Brutal. Well, that's not even the point. As I'm walking in, there's a guy waiting inside who, as soon as the door opens, comes barreling through it right into me. Doesn't say "excuse me" or anything. Again...brutal...and that's not the point either.

So, I make my way in to the clerk area where usually you might expect to wait in a short line. But it appears that they've complicated the system to a degree that I'm completely unfamiliar with...ooh, sorry about that dangler there. When you walk in the door, there's a police officer waiting there to "greet" you. That'd be nice if he actually said something or even looked at you. Nope, he was playing some kind of game or something on the computer. AWESOME! I can see why though -- there wasn't a soul in there. Literally not one soul. So, I make my way up to the counter where the clerk says, "Did we call your number?"
"Um, no?"
"You need to take a number, sir."
"There's no one here." At which point, the guy looked like I just pulled a gun out of my pocket.
"Well, it's required, sir." Now, I gave him my biggest what-the-fuck look I could muster and turned around to grab a number. Now comes the surprise. Before you get a number from the computer, you have to tell them what you want to do. Now, keep in mind, there's only ONE CLERK. So, i pick "other" and sit down in one of the 20 empty chairs because...again...there's not ONE person in there. And I laughed...out loud...because they started calling numbers that weren't there. I can deal with maybe one number; but this was about 5 or 6. Isn't that great?! Oh, so, I finally get to the counter and the guy has the nerve to say, "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"You're kidding right?"
"No, at least the wait wasn't that long." And I tried my hardest to see the sarcasm in his face and pulled up that same look again.
"No...I guess."
"What can I do for you?"
"You can take my check and give me a receipt."
"OKay, did you go through the drive-thru? It's usually faster."
"I needed a receipt and they wouldn't give me one."
"Well, that's understandable. If they printed receipts for everyone, the line would be out to the street."
"Yes, the banks really have a hard time with that too."
"I know. I know. You're preaching to the choir." At that time, he took the check from me, pulled up the account on the computer, entered my check amount into it, printed a receipt and had me out of there in less than 1 minute.

A perfect model of efficiency.

Well, I have to say I was thrilled with the show at the Walnut Room in Denver this past Thursday. I had the opportunity to share the stage with some really talented guys and it made for a wonderful night. Not only were we able to keep a perfect listening crowd listening; but we all had a great time as well.

I find it hard to understand why it is that I honestly knew three people out of the whole audience. I guess I can say that my home is on stage. Regardless, it was really nice to feel the absolute NEED to play.

More to come on this for sure.

Kevin

Okay, that's in quotes because I read it on Ms. Joey's page today. She was talking about all the killing that's been going on lately. School shootings, war, you name it -- it's all very surprisingly normal.

Makes you want to go out on tour in your '69 VW van, doesn't it? Maybe I will. Are there any potential drivers out there?

it's my newest thing. It's called a vehicular bitch slap. Basically, you know, when you're driving, and the guy getting on the highway SLAMS on his brakes because he doesn't know if he'll fit in that big ass hole you left him and he's half way in? Well, if you manage to get around that guy, you can just wave your hand from side to side which inadvertantly makes the steering wheel jerk to the right while you're bitch slapping. It works and I usually don't see the person again. THIS DOES NOT WORK IN MONTANA! EVERYONE KNOWS YOU THERE.

Well, I'll tell ya, friends. It's been a rough ride here in Colorado. I don't know what to think of the music scene here. I've seen some truly amazing artists out here who seem to be struggling quite a bit; but that doesn't mean anything. Perhaps there's something I don't know about that I should.

The other day, we had our first snowfall here and it was absolutely beautiful. You see, I live on what's called the "front range" which means we get the foothills of the biggin's . During the summer, it looks a lot like...Nevada; but the winter really makes it truly a spectacle here. I love that part of it here.

For right now, I'm working. I've written a few new songs that I'm really excited to play for the Chicago crowd on October 7th. Can't wait.

See you then!

Hey, friends. Wow, it's been a long time since I added to this journal. Lately, it's been pretty tough getting music rolling in Colorado. Turns out it's not the scene I thought it should be. Of course, I'm generalizing about Colorado when I should be just including right where I live. Brittany and I live at 7200 feet and love it. There are photos of the view from our front porch on the photos page. Yup, I finally posted new stuff on this new site. It's so much easier for me. I have to get the link to Tricia Muelbauher's site. She's the photographer who took the pro shots. All the ones that look weird are mine. So, I'm looking forward to another show at Lamplighters in Palatine on October 7th. Mark it in your calendars!! Okay, well, that's about it for now.

Now that it's so much easier for me to write in the Journal, I think I'll probably do it a lot more often.

Until next time!

Holy shit. No seriously, holy crap. I live about 15 miles up the mountain from my place of work right now and it took me over an hour to get home!!

So, Dear Colorado, please understand that we all have a morbid curiosity that pulls at our gas pedals to see what happened to the person with three police cars and an ambulance around their car. The truth is, Colorado, it's not necessary to stop! You can take a quick glance, make your assumptions of what happened and discuss it with the hitchiker you just picked up. Also, the windshield wipers in your car DO turn on without the assistance of your brake pedal. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin

So, I can't complain anymore. In the last two days, I've been contacted by many people regarding my music and it's been wonderful. I've had a HUGE great review from the Independent Artists Registry -- an elite group of musicians who are chosen on many different merits. More to come on that later. For now, I hope you enjoy the new site as it's making me happy