Working at Players Again

I worked (Security, of course) at Players on Friday & Saturday. Some things have changed. Some of the Security that was there before, like Derett, Martell, and Tiffany, are no longer there. Bags, the old Security Lead, and Mike, one of the Managers, have left. Ryan and Brandy are Managers now. Steve is the new Security Lead. Brandon and Tyler have come back (Tyler quit shortly before I went to Vegas). John ("Big John") is working with us now. Scott, who used to work with me at the Sky Bar, is also working with us. So, basically we have a better Security Lead and a better Security Team.

Friday night Brandon and another bouncer worked the front door and I roamed inside for the first half of the night. Halfway through the night I took over at the front door and Brandon came inside. I was I.D.ing and another bouncer, Paul, was doing pat-downs. He wasn't doing a very good job of searching people. I gave him a little bit of advice but he didn't listen. Throughout the night Brandon kept making remarks to let me know that he still didn't like me. I ignored him. At 1:00 A.M. we shut the front door and I went inside.

Stevo, an off-duty bouncer, and Graham, an ex-bouncer were both in the club that night. Around 1:30, Steve came and told me that there might be a problem outside with Stevo and Graham. I told him to get John. John, another bouncer, and I saw Graham and Stevo chasing after a black guy. A lady who was outside said that Graham had called this black guy a n*gger. John, the other bouncer, and I told Graham and Stevo to quit following the black guy and told the black guy to keep walking. Stevo, Graham, and one of Graham's friends started getting confrontational with us. John is 6'6" tall and over 250 lbs. of pure muscle. His presence definitely helped prevent things from escalating. Brandon came out to help. I was telling Graham to chill and Brandon told me to be quiet and go inside or me and him were "going to have a problem". Steve overheard him and told me to go inside. I went inside and cleared the club because we were closing. After I cleared the club, I came back outside. Stevo had left and John and Graham were talking. They ended up making peace.

After we cleaned up the trash in the parking lot, Steve pulled Brandon and I to the side to tell us that we needed to get along if we were going to work together. I told Steve that I didn't have a problem with Brandon. Brandon told Steve that he didn't like me and din't wnt to work with me because I am a snitch and I don't "have his back" (see A Bad Night for his reason for disliking me). Phil called me to the back so I left Brandon and Steve to continue talking. On Saturday I asked Steve what Brandon had decided. Steve said that he was just going to keep us seperated - we would take turns working the front door and inside.

Saturday night, I roamed around inside at first. Then I worked the door with Scott. Towards the end of the night, Phil pulled me inside to deal with a situation. The situation was that a Polynesian lady who was in the club had threatened to kill Brittany, one of our shot girls (she is so gorgeous and sweet), a while back.. This lady was there with several other Polynesians. I found Brittany and asked her where the group of Polynesians was. She discreetly told me where they were. As I was going to get Steve and a few other bouncers to tell this group to leave, a fight broke out. I later found out that a black guy had hit a lady that was there with Gary Gomez and his friends. Gary and his friends started beating him up. As I approached the fight, some of our bouncers were dragging Gary and some of his friends outside. I helped two other bouncers that were having trouble removing one of Gary's friends. Then another bouncer pushed another one of Gary's friends into the corner by the door. I grabbed him and pushed him out the door. Then I went back inside to make sure that all the combatants were outside. They were. I went back outside and helped the other bouncers prevent Gary and his friends from beating that guy up outside. After the black guy got away we told Gary's group to go home. They eventually did.

When we went back inside I told Brandon and another bouncer about the situation with the Polynesians. We approached them and told them that we needed them to come outside and talk to us. They came outside and we told them that management had said that they had been causing problems and that they neeeded to leave and not come back. The lady that had threatened Brittany said that she knew that it was because of Brittany. We didn't confirm or deny that, we just told them to leave. They left without incident. The rest of the night was mellow.

Killing Rain

Last week I finished reading Killing Rain by Barry Eisler. Killing Rain is the fourth John Rain novel. John Rain is a half-Japanese, half-American assasin specializing in death by "natural causes". Barry Eisler's research of self defense, martial arts, surveillance, weapons, and spycraft makes his books very realistic. Barry Eisler and John Rain stay fit using Matt Furey's Combat Conditioning. I am looking forward to the next John Rain novel.

I'm Back in Utah

Here's what's been going on for the past week:

• I saw Lord of War last Friday. I rate it 3.5 (out of 5) stars.
• I went to Shoutfest at the Prince William County Fairgrounds in Manassas, VA on Saturday. I saw that they were understaffed for Security, so I volunteered to help out. I worked the barricade and then the autograph signing afterwards. I liked Krystal Meyers, Seventh Day Slumber, ZOEgirl, and Jars of Clay's performances.
• The manny job let me go. Joe & Debbie have spoiled Evan which made it extremely difficult to deal with him. I wasn't perfect but I was trying make it work. I was considering quitting and had prayed about it over the weekend. We got into an argument Sunday night and they told me it wasn't working out and that I was done. Joe was going out of town for work on Monday, so they kicked me out that night (Sunday). I couldn't believe it, but it's true. I called Chelle, who is the Young Adult group leader at Centerpointe, and she came and picked me up. The church put me up in a motel for three nights. I made some calls and decided to move back to Utah. The church bought me a ticket to fly back to Utah on Wednesday. I am really grateful for all the church did for me.
• So I'm back in Utah. I'm living with Jake (JakeTheGamer) until I find my own place. I'm working at Players again. Some things have changed there so hopefully I won't be having any more bad nights (Brandon is back - hopefully we can get along). I've been doing some painting at Players because they are renovating and changing their name to The Beach. I'll be working there on Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday.

So I'm basically back to where I was 5 months ago when I left Players to go to Vegas. Please keep me in your prayers. By the way, my birthday is on Monday. I'll be 30.

Family Pass Online DVD Rental

FamilyChristian.com has its own family friendly online DVD rental service called Family Pass. Family Pass is like Netflix or Blockbuster Online but its titles are meant for family viewing. You can get unlimited rentals of great shows such as Veggie Tales, Little House on the Prairie, and Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman for only $17.97/month. Click here to start your free 30 day trial!

House

Last night I watched the season premiere for the 2nd season of House. I like this show. I like Dr. Gregory House's sense of humor. I also like Dr. Allison Cameron's sweet spirit. House airs on Fox on Tuesdays at 9 P.M. E/P. You should check it out.

An Unfinished Life

Yesterday I saw An Unfinished Life at the Fairfax Corners 14 in Fairfax, VA. I rate it 4 (out of 5) stars. An Unfinished Life starred Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Freeman, and Robert Redford. It was good seeing Jennifer Lopez again.

I was planning on seeing Green Street Hooligans this past weekend, but it was only released in N.Y., L.A., and Chicago. It will be released in several major cities over the next few weeks. It will be released in the D.C. area at the Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 in D.C. and the Majestic Cinema 20 in Silver Spring, MD on September 30th. I'll probaby go see it at the Majestic Cinema 20 on the weekend of September 30th. This weekend I'm going to see Lord of War.

The Nicene Creed

Last week I registered at ChristianForums.com. They have a section of the forums that is only for Christians. Part of their definition of a Christian is someone who agrees with The Nicene Creed. Here is the Nicene Creed with scriptural references:

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in (Romans 10: 8-10; 1 John 4: 15)
ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6: 4, Ephesians 4: 6)
Father (Matthew 6: 9)
Almighty, (Exodus 6: 3)
Maker of Heaven and Earth, (Genesis 1: 1)
and of all things visible and invisible. (Colossians 1: 15-16)

And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 11: 17)
Son of God, (Mathew 14: 33; 16: 16)
Only-Begotten, (John 1: 18; 3: 16)
Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1: 2)
Light from Light; (Psalm 27: 1; John 8: 12; Matthew 17: 2,5)
True God from True God; (John 17: 1-5)
Begotten, not made; (John 1: 18)
of one essence with the Father (John 10: 30)
through whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1: 1-2)
Who for us men and for our salvation (1 Timothy 2: 4-5)
came down from heaven, (John 6: 33,35)
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary (Luke 1: 35)
and became man. (John 1: 14)
And He was crucified for us (Mark 15: 25; 1 Corinthians 15: 3)
under Pontius Pilate, (John 19: 6)
suffered, (Mark 8: 31)
and was buried. (Luke 23: 53; 1 Corinthians 15: 4)
And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, (Luke 24: 1 1 Corinthians 15: 4)
and ascended into heaven, (Luke 24: 51; Acts 1: 10)
and sits at the right hand of the Father; (Mark 16: 19; Acts 7: 55)
and He shall come again with glory (Matthew 24: 27)
to judge the living and the dead; (Acts 10: 42; 2 Timothy 4: 1)
Whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1: 11)

And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14: 26)
Lord, (Acts 5: 3-4)
Giver of Life, (Genesis 1: 2)
Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; (John 15: 26)
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; (Matthew 3: 16-17)
Who spoke through the prophets. (1 Samuel 19: 20; Ezekiel 11: 5,13)

In one, (Matthew 16: 18)
holy, (1 Peter 2: 5,9)
catholic*, (Mark 16: 15)
and apostolic Church. (Acts 2: 42; Ephesians 2: 19-22)

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins**. (Ephesians 4: 5; Acts 2: 38)
I look for the resurrection of the dead, (John 11: 24; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-49; Hebrews 6: 2; Revelation 20: 5)
and the life in the age to come. (Mark 10: 29-30)

AMEN. (Psalm 106: 48)

*The word "catholic" (literally, "universal") refers to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ and not necessarily or exclusively to any particular visible denomination or institution.

**This can be interpreted to mean that baptism is a matter of obedience and not a requirement for salvation or a regenerating ordinance.

I haven't heard of this before but I do believe everything in this creed.

Alan Jackson & Marc Anthony

On Friday I worked Security for the Alan Jackson concert at Nissan Pavilion. I did searches at the gates. I confiscated 6 cans of beer and found about 15 knives. They had to take the knives back to their cars. A few people decided to throw them away rather than take them back to the car. A few of them complained that I made them take knives with 1-2" blades back to their car. People don't realize that a 1" blade in the carotid artery can kill you. The night was uneventful for me.

On Saturday I worked Security for Marc Anthony concert at Nissan Pavilion. At first I was going to work "the house", which is the reserved seating area in front of the stage. There is a lawn up above the house. Before the show started they pulled me to work backstage. I was working the back door that led to stage right in between the stage and the production offices.

The highlight of my night was when Jennifer Lopez, who is married to Marc Anthony, walked by me as she was being escorted by her bodyguards to her seat on the right side of the stage. It was cool seeing her enjoy the show. During the last song of the night, a lady got up on stage from the right side and rushed towards Marc Anthony. I was dealing with the stage hands who were showing up for the load-out when it happened. One of the bodyguards grabbed her. I met him halfway from the front of the stage and escorted her out of the backstage area. I gave her to two of my supervisors who took her back to the police trailer to be ejected and trespassed.

Shortly after that girl came up from the front of the stage, another lady, who was a "V.I.P." for that show that was hanging out on stage left, ran out and grabbed Chayanne, one of the other artists. The bodyguards pulled her off and gave her to the guy working Security on that side. She was also ejected and trespassed. After that last was over, Jennifer Lopez was escorted off stage through the door that I was responsible for. There were some stage hands in the way so I moved them out of the way. I'll be working the Coldplay concert at Nissan Pavilion on September 30th.

Oprah on Location: Inside the Katrina Catastrophe

I just finished watching part 1 of 2 of Oprah on Location: Inside the Katrina Catastrophe. Oprah Winfrey and her Angel Network Team brought food, water, and other necessities to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. They also showed the stories that you haven't seen on the news. The thing that made me the maddest and saddest was when Eddie Compass, New Orleans police chief, told Oprah "We had little babies in there (the Superdome), little babies getting raped," he says. "You know how frustrating it is to be the Chief of Police knowing inside these things are being done and you don't have enough manpower to go in there?" Another family, who chose to wander the streets rather than stay in the Superdome, confirmed that childern were being raped when they went to the bathrooms in the Superdome. I keep crying when I think about that. It makes me so angry that people are so evil that they would rape babies and children.

Part 2 of Oprah on Location: Inside the Katrina Catastrophe airs today. Click here to find out where and when it will air in your area. Click here to find out how you can help the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. To donate space in your home for evacuees visit www.katrinahousing.org.

Rogue Warrior: Vengeance

Last night I finished reading Rogue Warrior: Vengeance by Richard Marcinko. I really liked this book. Richard Marcinko is a former Navy SEAL and the founder of Seal Team 6 and Red Cell. He currently lives in northern Virginia, where he is CEO of SOS Temps, Inc. - his private security firm, whose clients are governments and corporations; Richard Marcinko, Inc. - a motivational training and team-building company; and Red Cell International, Inc. (a.k.a. Red Cell II) - which conducts vulnerabilty assessments of high-value properties and high-risk targets.

I have read all of Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior novels. Richard Marcinko's "Red Cell mentality" has made it possible for him to predict future terrorist events and capabilities in his novels. Richard Marcinko's next novel, Rogue Warrior: Holy War, comes out next year.

Mary Mary - Mary Mary

On Friday I bought Mary Mary's new album, Mary Mary. This is Mary Mary's third album. My favorite songs on this album are Believer, Heaven, & And I (featuring Kirk Franklin). You can buy Mary Mary at FamilyChristian.com. Mary Mary's website is www.mary-mary.com.

Transporter 2

On Friday I saw Transporter 2 at the Centreville Multiplex Cinemas. I rate it 4.5 (out of 5) stars. It had some of the coolest fight scenes I've ever seen. Jason Statham was awesome. He was also in two of my favorite movies, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch (both are Guy Ritchie films). Jason Statham will be starring in Guy Ritchie's new film, Revolver, which will be released in the U.S. on January 26, 2006.

Hurricane Katrina & Habitat for Humanity

Harry Connick, Jr. was on CNN tonight. He suggested that in addition to giving to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other organizations, people should also give to Habitat for Humanity. There are many organizations that are helping with the victims' immediate needs such as food, water, and medicine. The most significant long-term need that these people are going to need is shelter. There are thousands of homes that have been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Habitat for Humanity will be helping many of these people build new homes. Please donate to Habitat for Humanity and pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Constant Gardener

Yesterday I saw The Constant Gardener at the Fairfax Corner 14 theater. I rate it 4 (out of 5) stars. Tomorrow I'll be watching Transporter 2. Next weekend I'm going to watch Green Street Hooligans.

Nissan Pavilion

Yesterday I got hired at the Nissan Pavilion. I will be "Event Staff" (Security) for the concerts out there. I will be working the Alan Jackson concert on September 9th, the Marc Anthony concert on September 10th, and the Coldplay concert on September 30th. Working at the Nissan Pavilion will give me a little bit of extra money and something to do on the weekends.

TobyMac - Renovating Diverse City

Yesterday I bought TobyMac's new C.D., Renovating Diverse City, from Family Christian Stores in the Fair Oaks Mall. Renovating Diverse City is a remix of TobyMac's previous album, Welcome to Diverse City. I like it a lot. I especially like the remixes of TobyMac's latest single, Burn For You.

TobyMac is a member of D.C. Talk. D.C. Talk's most recent album is Free At Last: 10th Anniversary Special Edition. Kevin Max and Micheal Tait are the other two members of D.C. Talk. Kevin Max's next album, The Imposter, comes out on October 11th. Tait's latest album, Lose This Life, is available at FamilyChristian.com.

TobyMac's song, Slam, is the featured music in the trailer for Transporter 2. He is also working on a new song tentatively titled Brave New World for the soundtrack to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I got these bits of news from DCTalkSolo.com.