Unfortunately, in this austere fiscal climate, I had to get rid of my minivan.

However, in its place, I got me a new ride: a 1997 Volkswagen Passat GLX Wagon!

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( more pictures behind the cut ) 

I picked it up a few weeks ago in Miami. It's a GLX, which means it's got all the options that VW offered in 1997--except for an automatic transmission. It's got a 5-speed. Cool. Precisely what I was looking for.

It gets better mileage than the minivan. It isn't perfect, but it's mechanically sound, and has ice-cold air. I'll have fun fixing it up.

It's a good thing I got a new wagon--I'm doing Karaoke gigs again! I'm gigging at this little place in Lake Worth. If you'd like details, leave me a message.

I'd forgotten how much fun Karaoke gigs are. I'm very, very happy. Last night the place was absolutely RAWKIN'! I even stayed an extra 45 minutes because everyone was having so much fun.

KJing has changed quite a bit from when I did it four years ago. Gone are the days of schlepping around a rack full of equipment and cases of discs to go with your PA. Nowadays, your whole library can be contained on an external 3.5" hard drive and the whole show can be hosted with a laptop and some microphones. 

No more discs to lose, drop, and scratch. No more illegible song slips written by drunk-ass patrons on a cocktail napkin. Sophisticated software manages the gig for you: I use a program called CompuHost to do the show. It is so totally awesome! It manages the rotation, song lists, plays the music, presents the lyrics to the singers, shows the rotation throughout the bar, and even plays 'tween music between acts automatically.

About the only thing I would change about my current venue is that it's a real bar, and they allow smoking inside. Ecch. Oh, well. They can't all be winners.

Hopefully I'll be getting another gig during the week, too. That'll put some money in the ol' gas tank.