rickyleepotts …an opinionated realist

According to the United States government, we are officially out of this recession that has forced many businesses to close and pushed a lot of the American people into the unemployment line.  President Obama said that we were experiencing an economic upturn not a month ago.  He also announced that we have hit a 10.2% unemployment rate.  When asked how a country that has steadily been decreasing jobs can claim to be out of the recession we are obviously still in, Obama said that jobs are the last piece of the puzzle when coming out of a downturn like this.

A lot of higher ups out there have had to lay off several people over the last year.  Whether it is because of the economy, because of bad financial decisions, or whatever the case may be, firing someone (or laying off if you want it to sound like a positive situation) is never easy.  I have never been fired, but I have been laid off.  When I worked at Circuit City, right before they went out of business altogether, they restructured their departments and forced the team leads to either take massive pay cuts or be out of their positions altogether.  I was one of those people who suffered the latter.

If you are someone who is in the position of firing another employee, there are a few things to keep in mind during this process.  Just like when you write your resume or you go in for a job interview, there are rules that you need to adhere to.  These are not golden rules, and you are not forced into them by any means.  But the next time you are firing someone, keep these tips in mind as it could make the process go a lot more smoothly.

1. “This was a job elimination and had nothing to do with your performance.”

Why lie to the employee?  Why tell them something that is obviously not true and make them feel like they are still a good worker regardless of the reason for their departure?  Tell him or her the truth.  Let them down gently, sure, but make sure they are aware of the exact reason they are being asked to step down.  If you tell an employee their performance is right in line with everyone else you raise questions as to why they are getting fired.  Or, you provide false hope for when this individual re-enters the work force.

2. “We have carried you for many years. It’s just not possible to continue to do so during these difficult times.”

This is not a reason to fire someone.  You were hired to do a job and you have a daily responsibility to make that company money.  When you come into work, and give 100%, and are still asked to go home and not return there is a deeper reason you are being let go.  No company, regardless of whatever excuse they may bring to the table, can blame this economy for being the reason they are doing poorly.  Our economy has always had spikes, and has seen times worse than this in our history. I work for a company that has hired more than a handful of people since we started this economic slope.  We are also in a field that is struggling right now as everyone is cutting back.

3. ”We have no choice but to terminate your employment.”

Sure you do.  You always have a choice.  I would venture to think that a lot of the people out there looking for work would have stayed with their respective companies if asked to step into a lower paid position.  If you have good health care, a good retirement plan, or whatever the case may be, you would accept this demotion in the thoughts that the US economy has 100% of the time bounced back in situations like these.  Will it happen overnight?  No, of course not.  But if you wait and see, within five years of right now, the economy will be back to where it was and even better because of this recession.

4. “This is just as hard for me as it is for you.”

No, it really isn’t.  You are the one that has a job.  You are the one making more money than me because you have the power to so what you just did: fire me.  You are the one with control here, not me.  You win in the end.  You get to go home tonight and kiss your wife and know you will be back in the office tomorrow morning.  I am going home to tell my wife we have to sell our house because I can’t find a job.  This is not hard for you, and you know it.

5. “I am sorry, but you are fired.”

If I were told this, without any provocation before hand, I would think I was being “punked” on MTV.  You cannot, as a businessman or woman walk into someone’s office and say that without explaining why, be it the economic situation with the company, or even offering to lower his or her income to keep them employed and out of that plus ten percent of unemployed.  That is just rude, unprofessional, and will come back to haunt you if you handle a case like this.

This is just a sampling of some things that you might hear if put in this situation.  I do not wish it on anyone because I know some very well qualified individuals out there who cannot even get an interview.  Is it impossible to find work?  No, I do not think so.  But, I do not want to experience that again for a long time. So if you are in a position where you have to fire someone take it with a grain of salt, vest yourself in their situation, and care for them as you give them this terrible news.

Getting the chance to have dinner at Peterson’s Restaurant was simply not enough.  I also had to meet the man that made all of that food possible.  The executive chef at Peterson’s is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu and it truly shows in every dish that is brought to the table.  He is also a huge Indianapolis Colts fan.  I will not hold that against him as I really wanted to pick his brain on what goes into every dish and his motivations for becoming a chef.  For a man that works as much as he does and is put under the stresses of a fine dining restaurant, he also is a gentleman to boot. His personality matches the quality of his food and I highly recommend that the next time you are in Peterson’s you ask to meet him.  You will not be disappointed in anything Chef Jeff Heaviland brings to the table.  Sit with me as I am happy to introduce you to Chef Jeff.

How long have you been a chef?

I have been here for seven years as of today, actually.  I went to culinary school and came back to Indy to get hired here.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a chef?

I was about nine years old.  I always cooked with my grandpa.  He cans all his own vegetables and makes all of his own soups.  He  makes everything from scratch; still does.

Where have you worked at before here?

Subway, actually. I was fourteen and worked there for three and a half years.  The only reason I quit is because I went to culinary school.

Explain your experience at Le Cordon Blue?

It was a good school.  The instructors were really talented.  There were a few certified executive chefs from different teams.  There were a lot of older chefs that have been around.  The education there was good and they were really strict.  If you were not there at the time class started you were not getting in.  You had to be fully dressed as well.  It was all around a really good school.  Culinary school is good for a start but you learn more in the industry than you do in culinary school.

What is your favorite item on the menu?

Right now probably the trout.  The sea trout is left with the skin on and is served with brown butter and caramelized pearl onions.  It is all around a great dish and is really good on top of that!

Did you write the menu here?

Most of the dishes on there now are mine.  We change the menu twice a year around April and then around September.  We change all of the fish dishes.  However, the scallops stay the same. If we changed that dish people would freak out. People come in and order that every time they are here.  For the most part most of the dishes that are on there are mine.  They have changed over the years since I have been here.  There are a few family items on there as well from the Peterson’s.

What is the last movie you saw?

I just saw Saw IV and the Michael Jackson film.

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Indianapolis.  We moved up to Thorntown and I went to Western Boone.

If you could only prepare one item for the rest of your career.  What item do you choose?

I had it for dinner last night.  A turkey bagel sandwich, with cream cheese, tomato, and jalapenos.  But I would want to make multiple sandwiches.  I want to switch up my sandwiches a bit.

Do you eat a lot being a chef?

Yeah.  I actually went on a diet finally.  I got up to 280 pounds.  I am down to 190.  When I first started here I was 160.  After a year of being here I was 270. It is just from tasting things.  You make a soup, you have to taste it.  You still have to taste everything.  You have to taste a feature.  Its tough.  You have to try to watch what you eat.  It is not easy.  At the end of the night we will have a piece of meat, cover it in béarnaise, and then, well it is not healthy to eat.

Who came up with the nickname Chef Jeff?

There is a cartoon that had a character like that.  I do not remember his name.  And, well, it is obvious and it rhymes.  As executive chef they call call me Chef.  We all have nicknames.

I always let the musicians get the last word.  Why not you?

This is like home away from home.  All of the line guys that I have been with here I have been with for seven years.  Rich, the prep guys.  They are like family when you are not at home.  You have to have people here that are like family.  When I am not here I have a son and a wife and I hang out at the house and try to enjoy life.

As a bonus to all of you I also took the chance to sit and speak with the Peterson’s pastry chef.  She came out first, as Chef Jeff made some final dishes in the kitchen, and I had the chance to get to know her a little better as well.  So, it is my pleasure to also introduce you to Jamie Edmondson.

How long have you been a chef?

I have not graduated yet.  I graduate in May. I have been working in restaurants since I was 16.

Where are you going to school?

I go to Ivy Tech, downtown.

So what does pastry chef actually mean?

I am in charge of all the baked goods.

What is your favorite dessert?

On the menu I would say the apple strudel.

What is your favorite item to prepare?

(Thinks) I enjoy making them all.  I think the Pot de Crème.

What is your favorite TV show?

Top Chef; OK, Project Runway.  I am pretty excited about Lifetime.

Do you eat a sample of everything you make?

Yes, definitely. Quality control. (Laughs) Everyone else gets to try it as well if it is on the menu.

Do you write the dessert menu?

Four of them I did.  The next menu I will hopefully write all of them.

How long have you been at Peterson’s?

I have been here for one year this past September.  I have only been in Indianapolis since August of last year.

Where are you originally from?

I am from Evansville.

If you could only make one dessert item for the rest of your career what would it be?

Can it be a genre of food? It would be a dinner that my grandma makes.  It would be a wienerschnitzel and her German potato salad.  She learned to cook this in Germany.

At about six o’clock on Friday night I had no plans for dinner.  I was sitting at home replying to a handful of emails when I got a text message from a good buddy of mine, Ian Myers, asking if I wanted to join him for dinner.  He said that he had some coupons that were given to him at work for dinner at Maggiano’s.  I had never been to Maggiano’s before and I figured I would give it a shot.  I am not even a huge fan of Italian food but it would be nice to catch up.  I invited another friend of mine, James Northard, and we made reservations for 8:45.

When we first arrived I had to drive around the parking lot three times to find a space.  I would later learn that they offer a valet service but was not aware of it at the time.  So we parked, headed inside, and were seated almost immediately.  Our table was in the back corner and it was pretty fitting for the atmosphere surrounding us.  I felt like Tony Soprano sitting down for a “family meeting”.

As we were looking over the menu, our server came to the table and introduced himself.  His name was Rusty and would prove to be a top-notch server before the night was over.  He never left a glass short of full and was accurate in his return table visits as we were eating.  He even went through and explained the menu, the processes in the kitchen, and some wines that might match our selection.

While looking over the menu we soon realized that the coupons that Ian had were actually not coupons at all.  There was a specials menu that we were handed when we sat down and it had the same menu items as the coupon.  This is why we came and had decided before even seeing the menu we would get the special.  It was actually a really good special as you were served a half order of an entrée for dinner and by the time you were ready to leave you were handed a second choice half order to go.  The meal came in just under $13 and seemed unbeatable.  That was of course until Rusty came back to the table to explain a little bit more about the menu.

Rusty had made mention to the way meals are prepared at Maggiano’s.  Everything in the kitchen is made from scratch.  He apologized in advance for the meals taking a few extra minutes to prepare but promised it would be worth it.  He then explained what their specialty at Maggiano’s is.  They have what is called Family Style dining.  It is made for parties of four or more but because the Indianapolis location sells more of these than any other location they are allowed to serve them to parties of three.  Good thing, because this is a special that you cannot afford to pass up.

There are three options when it comes to their family dining menu selection.  The first is their Light, the second is their Classic, and the third is the Chef’s Choice. With each one of these you are given an incredible amount of food.  With the Light option you get two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, and Vera’s Lemon Cookies.  With the Classic you get two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, two entrees, and two desserts.  The Chef’s Choice is the same as the classic but includes higher quality menu items and a wider selection of seafood.  With each one of these you are allowed unlimited refills throughout the evening.

Each person in the party is given a share plate and all of the items are passed around for everyone to enjoy.  After each course they are removed and you are given a fresh plate.  We were promised that it was a large amount of food and suggested we not only take our time but to pace ourselves with the amount of food from each course we take part in.  Once the meal is over, whatever food is left on the table is wrapped up and given to you to take home for the next day.  It was a five-course meal, with unlimited refills, and an unbeatable selection of menu items.

We chose to go with the Classic, as two of three at the table were not interested in seafood.  The first part of our meal was the salads.  They came at the same time as the appetizers.  After much deliberation we decided to go with the spinach salad and the chopped salad.  The spinach salad was served with leaf spinach tossed with roasted red peppers, sweet roasted onions, Gorgonzola cheese, apple cider vinaigrette and topped with smoked bacon and toasted pine nuts.  The chopped salad, although not as tasty as the spinach salad, was served with chopped iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, green onion, avocado, crispy Prosciutto, and tossed in their signature House Dressing.  The dressing, I will admit, was quite delicious, but the salad, regardless of all of the ingredients, was lacking in flavor.  The avocado did have a lot of presence in the salad and matched the flavors in the dressing quite nice but the spinach salad reigns over the chopped.

As I mentioned, we were also served our appetizers with the salads.  We chose the calamari fritte and the stuffed mushrooms.  The calamari was very crispy as it is coated in egg whites and seasoned flour and then deep-fried. It is served with Maggiano’s specialty marinara sauce.  The sauce was thin, but that ended up being a positive thing as I wanted to taste the calamari more than the marinara.  But the calamari stood no ground on the stuffed mushrooms.  I am a huge fan of mushrooms regardless of whether they are stuffed or not, but these put a new meaning to the word delicious.  These were jumbo mushroom caps stuffed with spinach and topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and house cheese. They were served in a white wine chicken broth. They truly did melt in your mouth.  I had half a dozen and the only reason we did not order more was I was afraid I would get full on mushrooms.

By the time we had finished the appetizers and salads, we were joking that we were already full.  But not too long after the plates were removed from the first two courses, the pastas and entrée portion of the meal arrived.  The three, yes three, servers that had to deliver all of this food laughed when they arrived at the table as we had no room for the plates.  We managed to make room and dug right into our meals.  First came the pastas.

We chose two pastas based on James’s recommendation of him liking chicken.  We started with the Rigatoni “D”.  This dish is rigatoni pasta, herb roasted boneless chicken, mushrooms, and onions, tossed in a light Marsala cream sauce.  We would end up getting two bowls of this because you take one bite and you are addicted to that cream sauce.  Match that with the tender noodles and fresh wild mushrooms and you have a near perfect dish.  Next came the Mom’s Lasagna.  Never having been a big fan of lasagna I figured it was worth giving it a shot.  Mom’s lasagna (note that there is actually no mom in the kitchen serving this dish) comes with whipped ricotta cheese layered with pasta sheets, crumbled meatballs, Italian sausage and marinara sauce. It is then topped with provolone cheese and your choice of their meat or marinara sauce. We chose the meat sauce based on the recommendation of Rusty, our faithful and attentive server.

But this was just the pasta portion.  Now comes the entrées.  This is where I got the chance to make some decisions.  I am not a decision maker when it comes to food but there were to items on this list that I just had to sample.  We started with the lemon and herb crusted salmon.  This dish was a generous filet of salmon sautéed with fresh herbs and spinach.  It was served in a light lemon butter and clam sauce and had an excellent plate presentation.  I however ended up not enjoying the salmon what so ever.  It was dry from the start and even though the sauce and spinach covered the bottom of the plate it still had a standard salmon flavor.  I actually made note to the server that it was dry and he asked if he could bring us something else to replace it off of the list of entrees.  I said no, that I did not want to take advantage of the kitchen in that way.  He stated that it is the Maggiano’s guarantee that if you do not like something they will replace it at no extra charge.

Next came the pork medallions.  I had asked when we ordered these if I had a choice on the temperature of the pork.  You will notice that if you ask for a different temperature on pork at most restaurants they will say no, that it has to be served well done.  However, if you ask fine dining establishments like Peterson’s or Sullivan’s Steakhouse, they will prepare the pork to your desire.  This is for a variety of reasons including the quality of the pork and the talent in the kitchen.  Maggiano’s said they would go as low as medium rare.

These medallions were pan seared and came in a brandied green peppercorn.  They are also served with crispy red potatoes and green beans.  I could have done without the green beans, as the red potatoes were so good I wanted more of those.  They had a fire-grilled taste to them and a crunchy outer shell but did not lose their consistency in the middle.  I do not know how the chef prepares these but he hit a home run with this side dish. We ordered two plates of these as well!

With all of this food being served I asked Rusty how the company makes money.  He said that part of it is their portion sizes.  He stated that recently they began serving more in the first go round in hopes that people would not order more food, therefore cutting down on food cost.  It makes perfect sense as had we all not been as hungry as we were, we might not have ordered another plate of the medallions or the rigatoni “D”. To me, the amount of food for the price that we paid was well worth it across the board.

We were so full at this point we almost didn’t even want the dessert.  However, as “Grandpa” always said there is always room left in your belly for dessert.  So out came the New York Style Cheesecake and the Crème Brulee.   I first dug into the crème brulee.  It was an extremely rich and creamy vanilla custard with a hint of citrus, caramelized sugar crust, and topped with fresh strawberries.  It was your typical crème brulee but with everything else that had happened during the evening it made it just that much better.

Right across the parking lot of Maggiano’s sits the Cheesecake Factory.  As you can imagine the Cheesecake Factory knows how to make a pretty awesome slice of cheesecake.  Well, that was until I had the cheesecake at Maggiano’s.  First off it was about six inches tall and was served with fresh cut strawberries and whipped cream.  But the second part that blew me out of my chair was the flavors in the cheesecake itself.  Again, the cheesecake is made like everything else in the kitchen, from scratch, and you can tell.  It had a very smooth, easy to cut, unfrozen consistency to it, and had a flavor that could stand with the best cheesecake around.  It was a perfect ending to an unexpected night of fine dining.

I had never been to Maggiano’s before that night.  If you could not tell based on how I described the food, I will be back.  I am actually already trying to find an excuse to go again right now.  The food is incredible. The service was top notch.  The atmosphere is perfect.  This is a restaurant that should not have an empty table any night of the week.  So to the staff at Maggiano’s, including our server, Rusty, and the many servers and managers and even the executive chef that came to visit our table throughout the evening I thank you for offering such an unbeatable experience.  This is truly a slice of Italy in your own backyard.

The band that I am sitting with today actually was one I found on MySpace some time ago.  I had sent out a message in hopes of scouting some new votes for my recent nomination as one of the top 50 blogs in the state of Indiana.  These guys not only voted but also saw that I interviewed bands all over the world.  No band goes without attention and after hearing them they deserve every ounce they get.  These guys are screamers, that is for sure, but they add a dash of Warped Tour to the stage and some humor with some off the cuff covers.  Sit with me today, as I am happy to introduce you to Arise.

Where did you come up with the name Arise?

Honestly, Ethan kind of just spit it out one day. We had been practicing for a few weeks and had countless ideas that just did not seem to fit us. So finally, we sat down after one of our practices and Ethan just said why don’t we use Arise. It was a huge transition for us, considering the trend is 2 word band names that get shortened into an acronym such as Attack Attack (AA). We have actually grown pretty fond of it though!

How long have you guys been performing?

As a band, still not even a full year. Individually, too many years to count. Ethan has been playing guitar since age 2, and started performing live in elementary school. Preston has been playing and performing for 4 or 5 years now. Cory is still the youngster but has the most confidence out of all of us on stage, he has only been performing for 2 years but has really taken to the stage. Tom the newest edition to the band has been playing drums for 11 years now I believe, as for myself (Will) I have been on the stage since age 13 doing vocals for various local bands!

What would you do if you were not performing?

Honestly, I think Preston would be doing the best out of all of us. He is really artistic, all though we are all so lazy its not even funny. Honestly, music is the one thing that we all are passionate about and it’s something we can connect with. I do not want to imagine myself not performing.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Preston actually handles graphic design for a clothing company and Cory works for his father’s company. Tom has 2 jobs, one of which is being a kick ass employee at Giant Eagle! (Laughs) Ethan and myself are unemployed and on the search for work.

Any tattoos in the band?

We are all bare, for the moment! We all have piercings of sorts but no ink sadly.

Who is doing all of that screaming?

That’s me, Will! Cory’s vocals are featured on some of the old tracks before he made the transition from second vocalist to the bass. Although he still does some back up vocals for me live!

Does your voice ever get sore?

When we practice I am lucky to make it the full practice without my scream just dying out on me, however when we play live I feel like I can scream for days straight without stopping. The adrenaline kicks in and makes it all work so well.

Who writes all of the lyrics?

Me again! Although Cory, Ethan and Preston do help me revise my lyrics and make any changes to fit the music better.

Is there a ringleader in the band?

We all are on the same level for the most part. We assigned roles once we started making member changes to make sure everyone brought an even amount to the table to keep a balance.

Where do you guys get inspiration for a new song?

Life in general, we all lead such different lives, and for awhile we struggled to put it all together while maintaining familiarity on a song to song basis. But we finally reigned it all in and are starting to define our own sound!

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

Everybody in the band besides myself downplays how important MySpace can be for any up and coming artist. It’s the easiest method of reaching ALL types of people, at any time of the day without moving an inch to do so. It’s a beautiful thing, and we have been blessed to have such a great following on MySpace. Our fans are talkative, and more importantly supportive. Anytime we post bulletins, or blogs our friends respond almost immediately. MySpace was the biggest reason we got on our cities date for the PacTour Battle of The Bands. I cannot stress how important of a tool MySpace is for anybody trying to get themselves out there.

Are you on Twitter?

As a band, yes we are! @ariseoh

Individually we all are well, but those names can be found on our personal pages.

Do you guys have a favorite venue to play?

For sure, the Newport. It’s one of the best venue’s here in our native Columbus and the venue is nothing short of amazing. It has a really nice open raised up stage so we are always comfortable, and the crowd area is rather large as well, allowing a lot more people to watch then some of the other clubs we have played!

What is the largest crowd that you have ever played for?

Honestly, I would have to say Loganpalooza was our biggest turn out. I am unsure of how many people were there. Last I heard of ticket sales were past a thousand though, so somewhere in that range.

The smallest?

Definitely Springfield, Ohio. We got booked on a “huge festival” the turn out was nothing short of jaw dropping. We had maybe 20 kids standing watching us, we felt humiliated for the people who put the show on.

Who did that photo shoot with you guys I see all over MySpace?

Our friend Ethan Beazley.  He is absolutely AMAZING!

Where are you guys all originally from?

I am from Florida and I still miss the heat! Preston is from Cleveland, just a bit north of us here in Columbus. Cory and Ethan are from Columbus, and Tom is from Upper Arlington.

If you could live anywhere else in the world where would you go?

We all agreed that anywhere that consistently stuck to the routine season would be nice. Ohio is an amazing place, but we have some rather odd weather which can be rather frustrating!

Do you guys have any plans on a nation wide tour this year?

We are really hoping to get out on the road, hopefully by this summer. But we have an EP in the works, and financing that will be our first priority.

Have you guys ever thought about playing on Warped Tour?

We hope to one day play every date on the main stage. As far as being voted on to the show, we will try our hand next year! Warped Tour is just an amazing experience even if you are not in a band.

How did you all react to the passing of Michael Jackson?

Very mixed reactions, but the major emotion was surprise. None of us really were following the recent news on him and just out of nowhere Ethan’s mom told all of us while we were practicing that he had passed. We seriously sat in front of the television for a solid 2 hours trying to figure it out.

Describe your genre in one word.

Progressive.

If you were told you only have a week to live how would you spend your last seven days?

Living exactly how we do now, like tomorrow is not a guaranteed. We all try to live life to the fullest, which is why we all probably click so well together. We are just trying to have some fun and make a difference in people’s lives.

Are you using a PC or a Mac?

Gah! I hate this question. I always get made fun of for having a PC! I AM BROKE! (Laughs) Preston, Ethan and Tom make up for me though by having Mac Book Pro’s though!

Do you ever forget the words when you are on stage?

Practice makes perfect. We focus on parts that any of us struggle with until it is just as solid as the recording. The live performance is just as important as the recording!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you during a show?

Our first show, Cory jumped up and somehow managed to lose his mic and it fell and hit him fairly hard on the head. We all laughed about it afterwords, but it was probably rather humiliating for him at the time.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Out on the road, with other bands that are doing the same thing as us. Playing music for anybody who will listen!

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

Honestly all we have ever wanted to do was travel this world, and see everything there is outside of Ohio. We write music as a way of expressing ourselves, and we want to play for everybody who has helped us along the way, whether it be kind words on our band MySpace, or for people out of our local area who have helped us get booked. We just want to play our music for the people who want to hear it, wherever they may be.

I always let the artist get the last word.  Go.

Well thank you for the opportunity, and for choosing us for an interview. You have our continued support, and you have a friend in us forever. We also want to thank everybody who took the time to read this interview, not only for supporting us but for supporting the man who took the time to ask us all these questions. We have so much planned for the future, make sure to check out our MySpace for all of our other information! We love you all

Do you have a credit card?  A Visa perhaps?  Or maybe you carry a Discover Card.  You might even carry an American Express or a MasterCard.  Either way, chances are that you carry one of these magical pieces of plastic in your wallet.  I call them magical because you can anywhere, assuming you are within your credit limit for that month, swipe the card, and buy whatever you want.  You get to go home worry free and enjoy whatever you just purchased.  Whether this is groceries, movie tickets, furniture, or booze for the ball game, credit cards make our lives easy and allow us to spend money in a moment’s time.

With these credit cards comes responsibility.  For instance, I have $15,000 a month credit limit.  This means that each month I am allowed to spend $15,000.  When the next month comes around, and it always does, you will be hit with a bill.  So, let’s just say I spent $2,000 last month.  (The way my credit card works is I have a month and two weeks of spending before I get a bill.  This allows for multiple paychecks to pay one credit card bill.)  With that $2,000 spent I will get a bill offering me a minimal payment.  Last month I was just over that $2,000 mark and my minimum payment was $35.

I pay my credit card bills off every single moth.  I have never missed a payment, I have never paid anything less than the full balance due, and I never plan on it.  Of course, there will probably come a time that I will have to let a bill slip and just pay that minimum amount, but for right now I do not have to worry about that.  I have been lucky enough to learn and set spending limits for myself, not making that overdue bill a reality.

I recently read an article that discussed the four things that can help you with credit cards and building your credit score.

1. Don’t make the minimum payments.

This is an obvious declaration.  If you have a bill that is more than the minimum payments then the next month’s bill will have added interest.  For most credit cards, unless you have impeccable credit, your interest rate will be over 10%.  I have perfect credit and my interest rate is just over 12%.  I have never paid a single month’s bill late, but I pay attention to that interest rate just in case.  If you get into the habit of paying the minimum payment you will hit your credit limit a lot faster and be stuck with an incredible bill that just grows with interest.

2. Don’t carry too many cards.

The experts say that it might be wise for you to carry multiple cards to increase your credit limit.  However, you need to be careful if you are going to use this option.  The main reason is because if you have them you will use them.  It is the same thing with carrying cash in your wallet.  If the cash is easily available then you are going to be more tempted to spend it. And the same goes for credit cards.  If you have multiple credit cards you are going to be tempted to use them just the same.

On top of using the cards, keeping track of what you owe on each and paying them off each month can become a hassle.  I carry one credit card and one debit card.  I never use my debit, except for my Netflix account that automatically withdraws.  I use my credit card for everything else.  Do not ask me to loan you a dollar because I won’t have one in my wallet.  (I have actually gotten into many situations where I needed cash, like pulling out of a parking garage, and had to jump through hoops just to get out of the garage.)

3. Do not miss the bill’s due date.

Outside of the obvious fact that you will be hit with an interest rate that will make your head spin, you will also be hit with late fees.  There are some cards out there that charge upwards of $40 for every missed payment.  That is not included in your interest or your monthly spending, it is just tacked on to the end.  Unless you are watching your credit card statement like a hawk then you will probably never see this charge.  It is one of those things that comes in the fine print that none of us ever read.  So make sure that if you do have a payment due that you are paying it on time to avoid these unsightly charges.

4. Don’t take cash advances.

The beauty of having credit cards allows for you to take a cash advance.  So, let’s say that you get paid on Friday but rent is due on Tuesday.  You can go to an ATM, put your card in the little slot, and take out as much as you want.  Of course, this is based on your credit card limit as well as the limit that particular bank has set on daily withdrawals.  So if you go to the ATM and take out $500 to pay rent, that just gets added on to your monthly statement.  So when the bill comes that additional money that you did not have will be thrown on top of it.  Sure, you might get paid on Friday, but make sure you remember that the money you took out still has to be paid back at some point.

My dad has always told me that credit cards can be the greatest thing in the world but at the same time ruin your financial future.  I take that to heart with every single swipe of the card.  I pay my bill off every month and control my spending by actually looking at what I am purchasing.  I treat my credit card like a debit card as in what I spent will come right from my checking account.  Why don’t I use my debit card instead of a credit card you may ask?  Well, I get 3% cash back on my credit card spending.  So I have an account that money is put in every time I use my credit card.  The bank makes it convenient to use, they pay me for using it, and I am responsible enough as an adult to use it the right way.  I suggest that you to try to use a credit card to your advantage.  But be careful, it very well might ruin your financial freedoms.

This past Monday night I had the opportunity to have dinner at one of the nicest places in town.  This establishment is known for their fresh seafood, prime cut steaks, and unbeatable wine list.  The building sits on the north side of town, stands alone, and always sports a packed parking lot.  They are locally owned and operated, and pay attention to detail-from the girls walking you to your seat to the servers bending over backwards to give you exactly what you desire to the managers who pour the glasses of wine. Having been there numerous times before, I knew this visit would be no different.  I am known for being picky about where I eat and the quality of the food, but at Peterson’s Steakhouse there is no reason to expect anything but perfection.

I arrived a little bit early for my seven o’clock reservation, but was immediately greeted and walked to my table.  I was sitting in the back corner at a round table meant for five which seemed a little overwhelming at first.  But when the food began to arrive I know why they put me at such a larger table.  My date would not arrive for another half an hour or so but that did not stop Mr. Rich Arthur, a manager at Peterson’s, from kicking things off with a glass of wine.

I was introduced to my server, Sara, and she asked if there was anything else that she could get for me, be it a glass of iced tea or iced water.  I asked for water, with limes, and was quickly served a bottle of Voss water.  Voss water, which comes from Iveland, Norway, is a very crisp, refreshing and perfectly balanced water.  The water has actually received national exposure in hit movies such as A Cinderella Story and Click and is often poured on the HBO show Entourage.  The water comes in at $6 a bottle and is not something I would generally order, but for a night at a restaurant like this I figured why not.  I had three bottles before the night was over.

Not long after my first glass of water was poured, Mr. Arthur came up with a bottle of Albarino from Galicia, Spain.  The wine is a very crisp and refreshing white wine that goes very well as a pre-meal beverage.  It had a subtle nose, smooth finish, and even though some consider it to be a cheap wine I felt that at just over $10 a glass it was a great bargain. The wine was from 2007 and still had that young wine flavor at the back of the tongue.  It was a great way to jump-start my palette for the evening.

Sheryl arrived not long after and was greeted immediately by our server.  She asked if she would like anything else to drink but did not hesitate to pour her a glass of water.  (Remember those limes that I asked for with my water?  Well, I was given a handful of limes that were arranged on the plate to look like a star upon presentation.)  Sheryl declined, as she knew we had a big meal coming and did not want to rush through anything.  Just then Chef Jeff Heaviland appeared with the first round of appetizers.

Round one included four grilled oysters.  These oysters are char-grilled Blue Point oysters that come in a champagne shallot cream and have a touch of smokiness to them.  Chef Jeff explained that they are thrown on the grill for just a few seconds to provide the dish with that smoky flavor.

Also on the table with our first course was a sample platter for lack of a better term.  The plate was huge and included an array of fresh choices.  The second piece was the Charcuterie.  I have had a dish similar to this at Bella Vita, but nothing could compare to the absolute freshness on the plate in front of me.  On this dish included prosciutto, house-cured salami and sausage, fresh mozzarella, two-year-old parmesan cheese drizzled in twenty-five-year-old balsamic vinaigrette, toasted baguette, roasted tomatoes, grilled Portobello mushrooms, and marinated red peppers. There were so many flavors on this plate, and with a price of $25, could easily serve as someone’s entrée for the evening.

Our next course was their world famous lobster bisque.  I had never tried this stuff before but have heard nothing but rave reviews on the quality of the dish.  It was served in a large coffee cup with a soup spoon and had a lobster salad on top to give it that extra kick.  There were some micro chives on top as well but that did not add a huge amount of flavor to the dish, as all you could taste was the lobster goodness within.  With the lobster bisque we were served a glass of Ferrari-Carano chardonnay which was another white, but had a little more lasting flavor than the first wine.  Throughout the evening they did an absolute perfect job matching wines with the courses.

Speaking of their wine, before I go any further I wanted to discuss some of the awards that Peterson’s has won.  Peterson’s has not even been here a decade and has not only won Best North Side Restaurant, Best Lobster Bisque, Best Wedge Salad, Best Bar Menu, the Award of Excellence by the North American Restaurant Association, and the Curb Appeal by the Fishers Chamber of Commerce, but also been recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine for their wine list.  On this list you will find every region you can think of and prices ranging from $23 a bottle all the way up to $950 a bottle.  They do offer a by-the-glass program but their selection is very limited.

Since Peterson’s has won an award for their wedge salad it only made sense that they serve us one of those as one of our courses.  A wedge salad is pretty simple for the most part.  You take a big chunk of lettuce, some blue cheese, and there you have it.  Well, Peterson’s does it a little bit bigger than that.  Sure, they use a big hunk of lettuce, but they use Dana Blue Cheese.  They also throw some pears and some walnuts in the mix and a couple of slices of tomatoes on the site to give you the full effect.  The salad was incredible.  The blue cheese matched with the walnuts was a flavor I had never experienced before and one I cannot wait to try again.

With our wedge we were served a glass of Rodney Strong Cabernet.  I am a huge fan of the entire Rodney Strong line and this was no exception.  I had actually just had a few glasses of this the previous weekend at a benefit for the IMSDC.  The dryness in the cab went very well with the blue cheese dressing. It was a perfect combination and although both flavors were extremely dry it managed to work with the crispness of the lettuce and the crunch of the walnuts.

Then it was on to the main course.  We were served two dishes for our main course allowing us the chance to sample a variety of their menu.  First we were served their pan-seared veal.  It came in a 16oz presentation and was served with a dose of foie gras on top.  Underneath came a pile of potato cake, assorted baby carrots, and demi-glaze.  The veal was served at a very nice medium rare and was very tender.  It had the typical veal taste but mixed with the demi-glaze and the potato cake it was a perfect combination.  Next came day boat caught scallops.  I have never seen scallops this big in my life.

At first I did not realize what day boat caught meant.  But Mr. Arthur would later explain that it means the scallops are caught, brought to shore, thrown on a plane, and delivered not hours after they were caught.  These scallops come from the islands of Hawaii.  So to think that these scallops were in the ocean yesterday and on your plate today helps the presentation quite a bit.  These were served with a Pinot Noir and mushroom risotto, an apple relish, crisp Panetta, black truffle oil, and golf crisp apple tuiles.  These were thinly sliced apples dipped in simply syrup and flash fried to give you a crisp apple flavor.

The wine that came with dinner was from my favorite family.  I am a huge fan of Pinot Noir, especially Pinots from Oregon.  This one was not from Oregon but still delightful just the same.  It was a Nobilo Icon Pinot.  It had a soft nose, a smooth finish, and is what I call a “strong finisher” when it comes to an after taste.  It is hard for me to say no to a Pinot.

By this point we are so full we could not even think about what was coming out for dessert.  However we were poured yet another glass of wine and this time we went dark.  We were given the Cline Zinfandel.  This wine comes from ancient vines from the wine making Mecca of southern California, and was bottled in 2007. (The one thing that I will note here is that with every single glass of wine we were given we were also provided a different glass.  Not only were we given a different glass but the glasses matched the wine.  Believe it or not a Pinot Noir should be served in a different glass than a Merlot.)

Out comes a coffee cup filled with all kinds of chocolate.  It was almost like a dark chocolate ice cream.  The spoon on the side of the plate was frozen which made the presentation even more powerful.  On top was a dollop of whipped cream, a chocolate accent piece, and a mint leaf.  But this was not your average mint leaf.  This was an egg yolk battered mint leaf.  There are very few times that I can see myself eating a mint leaf and this is one of them.  It was delicious and matched not only the wine but the chocolate perfectly.  And, on top of all of this there were four fresh raspberries around the edge of the bowl.

By the time dinner was over I was ready to be thrown into a wheelbarrow and taken to my car.  The foot was absolutely fantastic.  The wine selections were irreplaceable.  And the service was top notch.  There is very little that can replace a night out at a restaurant of this caliber.  From the moment that I walked in until the moment that I left I was treated like I mattered.  I was asked what could be done to make my time spent there mean more to me as a guest, not a number.  The folks at Peterson’s-from the management, to the owners, and even the guys on the line in the kitchen-were vested in the experience that I had.  Nothing can replace a night like this and I not only think you need to call and make a reservation right now, but I will gladly go with you.  Peterson’s has done exactly what you would expect them to and I cannot see them every treating any guest less than I was.  I applaud the entire staff and Peterson’s and thank them for being one of the best restaurants in the city of Indianapolis; better yet in the state of Indiana.

There are many beautiful places on our planet.  From the Great Wall of China to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro our planet is filled with sights to see.  Some of these wonderful locations even find themselves on a list known as the Wonders of the World.  There are Seven Wonders of the World and each for its own right.  The current list is not the same as the original list due to individual wonders being destroyed for whatever reason, but I wanted to discuss the original Seven Wonders of the World with you today.

This list is believed to have originated in the 5^th century BC. The Greek historian Herodotus began to compile this list but it was later revised in the Middle Ages.  The revised list did, however, include the original seven wonders that Herodotus had originally discussed. Sadly, the majority of these original seven wonders have been since destroyed.

Hanging Garden of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were seventy-five foot high, multilevel gardens which we are not even sure ever existed.  These gardens were supposedly built circa 600 BC by a man named King Nebuchadnezzar II.  He was said to have built these gardens for his wife.  But in the 1^st century BC, near Baghdad, an earthquake struck, thus destroying these gardens.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

This is a 40-foot statue of Zeus.  The Greek sculptor Phidias created the statue.  The giant statue was constructed in about 435 to 450 BC and was created for the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.  The statue was found in Western Greece.  Again, like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, it no longer exists, as it is said to have been destroyed by a fire in the 5^th century.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is actually a series of temples.  They can be seen in what is now known as Turkey, and they were originally constructed to honor the Greek goddess Artemis.  The first of the series was built around 550 BC.  Before the construction of the next temple could be completed the first one was destroyed by fire.  However, it was quickly reconstructed with 127 marble columns.  Then, in AD 262, the Goths destroyed that temple.  You can still see some pieces of the original temple at the British Museum.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

This is a 135-foot tall tomb.  The tomb is white and was built in 350 BC.  It was originally intended as burial place for Mausolus, a king in the Persian Empire.  The mausoleum was damaged by an earthquake and was eventually disassembled around the 15^th century.

Colossus of Rhodes

The Greeks are responsible for this next wonder and it took them nearly a decade to construct.  By the time of its completion it was over 100-foot tall and was a statue of the Greek god Helios.  Not sixty years after it was build an earthquake destroyed the statue.  The Greeks never did rebuild the statue.

Lighthouse of Alexandria

Hellenistic Egyptians built this lighthouse on a small island near Alexandria known as Pharos.  The lighthouse was built in 270 BC.  It stood at nearly 400 feet.  At its time it was among the tallest structures on earth.  However, like most on this list, it was later destroyed by earthquake in the 14^th century.

Great Pyramid of Giza

Finally we get to a wonder that still exists today.  The Great Pyramid of Giza was built circa 2550 BC and was intended to be the tomb for the fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu.  The base of this pyramid is thirteen square acres and has a height of 481 feet.  Today, however, it only stands 450 foot high as it has lost height over the years.  This pyramid took over 2.3 million blocks of stone to construct.

These are what are known as the original Seven Wonders of the World.  Only one of these still exists today, but they all have stories that will live on forever.  The list is always changing and the current list includes the Great Wall of China, Roman Colosseum, and the Taj Mahal.  There is also a list of natural wonders of the world that includes things such as the Grand Canyon and the Aurora Borealis.  Our planet is always changing and I can imagine this list will again change over time.  I have only seen a couple of these wonders but you can find a handful more on my bucket list.  These are all things that make our planet beautiful.

The city of Indianapolis is not known for live music.  Here in the Circle City we have the Indianapolis 500, one of the most well known races in motor sports.  We have the Indiana Pacers, home to basketball greats like Reggie Miller.  We have the Indianapolis Indians, as close as we will ever get to a pro baseball team.  We even have the Indianapolis Colts, recent Super Bowl champions and the heart of all bandwagon football fans in this city.  This city is not known for live music.

When it comes to live music you do have a few options here in town.  You can go see a show at Conseco Fieldhouse if there is not an Indiana Pacers game or an Indiana Fever game going on.  (The Indiana Fever is our attempt for a professional women’s basketball team.)  You can check out Verizon Wireless Music Center up in Noblesville.  You can go see a show at the Vogue or the Emerson Theater.  You can even catch some more indie style shows at places like Radio Radio or Birdy’s Bar and Grill.

But what if you want to see a DJ spin for a few hours?  Perhaps you have always wanted to see Paul van Dyk drown you in beats for an evening.  Or maybe you want to see the likes of local talent like DJ Matt Porter.  Where do you go to see shows like this?  How about Talbott Street just off of 21^st street in downtown Indianapolis?

Talbott Street has played host to some incredible acts this year including Paul van Dyk, DJ Deanne, and Above & Beyond.  I had the chance to see Paul van Dyk a few months ago and it blew my mind that a DJ of his quality would not only come to Indianapolis but would play a venue as small as Talbott Street. Now, that is nothing against the venue as the place was designed for dance music, but that has a lot to say about the city of Indianapolis.

I recently saw Above & Beyond at Talbott Street to a crowd no more than a couple hundred.  I am not sure the capacity of the venue but the place looked pretty much empty from about half way back.  They do have a VIP section upstairs but there were not enough people up there to impress me all that much.  When one of the biggest DJs on the planet comes to town, DJs that have played for crowds over three million in their time, and can only put a couple hundred in a room here in the states that says something about techno music.

Talbott Street is an awesome place to see a show.  There are speakers nearly everywhere you turn and there is a big stage up front.  Directly in front of the stage there is a dance floor that is usually filled with people stepping out of their skin and letting the music take control of his or her body.  There are a few places to get a better view of the crowd, but you are encouraged to dance on these miniature stages.

If you get thirsty while dancing head to the back of the venue and visit their well stocked bar.  They have a staff of incredible bartenders that seem to always remember not only your name but also what you are drinking. Just past their bar you will find the stairs to the VIP section, as well as a side room that takes you into a more quiet setting. Back here you will find more dance music to feed your soul and can sometimes leave the main stage and see another DJ spinning at the same time.

Again, the venue is not huge, but there are plenty of places to get lost if you want to find a secluded corner to dance in.  The VIP section itself is a place to get lost in.  The upstairs even has a name to go along with it.  Upstairs get lost in the all white atmosphere of the Sky Bar.  Up here you cannot only see the stage but you can get out of the hustle and bustle of the crowds down below.

Talbott Street is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but that does not mean you cannot find a one off random event there on a Monday or Tuesday evening.  Above & Beyond, for instance, played on a Monday night.  They are open all the time for special events, but their in-house DJ and weekly dance music spins until 3:00 AM on Friday and Saturday and until 1:00 AM on Sunday.  Oh yeah, and on Friday and Sunday nights don’t worry about having a wad of cash with you as there is no cover.

If anyone out there likes to dance, and enjoys a little dose of beats and breaks then you need to begin frequenting Talbott Street.  This place is sure to get you out of your seat (although they do have tables and chairs on both sides of the dance floor) and will for certain addict you to the sounds of techno.  Talbott is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to visit here in the city of Indianapolis.  Talbott Street is truly a gem to the Circle City.  So, who wants to dance?

I truly enjoy listening to music that means something.  I enjoy music that offers not only talent and experience in the instrumentals, but also truth and passion in the lyrics.  The lady that I am sitting with today brings everything that I spoke about above and more to the stage with an incredible sense for the word talent.  She also has a very frequently updated Twitter page which helps social media guys like me relate a little more than the next guy.  After one song I was hooked and I encourage you to become the same.  I am happy to introduce to you Victoria Vox.

How long have you been performing?

I’ve been performing “unofficially” since I was about 4…I liked to tap dance and sing to musicals, like Annie.  When I was 10 I started writing my own music and making music videos with the VHS camcorder.  However, it’s only been 6 years that I can say I’m a full time performing, doing what it is that I do.

When did you first realize that you wanted to make a run at this thing they call music?

I was probably about 6.

Do you have a job outside of your music?

Nope!  well…let me take that back.  In addition to making music and performing, I also release and promote my own CDs and book my own shows!

Do you write all of your own songs?

Mostly.  I may do a couple of covers (occasionally) at my shows.  I choose from a repertoire of songs from the 20’s, 80’s, and some songs written by friends.

Where do you get inspiration for a new song?

I get inspiration from anywhere and everywhere.  Most times, I’ll just start playing a chord progression or groove…and it just goes from there.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

Well, early on, I’d have to say Cyndi Lauper, then Madonna and Michael Jackson, then Liz Phair and Jill Sobule, then Ani DiFranco and Peter Gabriel.

Tell me about your homemade guitar case.

I started it because my guitar case said BERKLEE on it.  I didn’t like that it said that, even though I graduated from there.  So I covered the bottom half with bits of fabric that meant something to me.  I finally finished it 3 years later on a day off from work (back in 2001).  It’s a cool case which has become a like a patchwork quilt.

Do you have any thoughts of trying to market those?

Not at the moment… and probably not ever.  I like to do crafty things, but I wouldn’t have the patience to make more than one.

What was it like being featured in Relix Magazine?

It was really great.  A writer from St. Louis submit me as an Artist on the Verge.  I think I’m still on the verge.  Time will tell if it will ever tip.

Staying single while you are out on the road?

I can’t give away all my secrets!

What is your favorite venue to play?

I really don’t have one.  It’s the people that make or break the venue…although, it’s a bonus when the sound is good!

What is the largest number of people you have played for?

A few thousand.

The smallest?

Two cats!

PC or Mac?

Mac.

If you could be any cartoon character whom would you choose?

Betty Boop.

Let’s say that someone offers you a $250,000 record deal but it is someone else’s lyrics and is a rap album.  Do you do it?

Probably not…but…if I liked the music I might…as I actually do like rap music.

Tell me a little bit about OBUS Music.

It’s my company that runs everything Victoria Vox.

I like the design of your MySpace page.  Who is responsible for that?

Thanks.  It’s the same company that did my website. The company is Stump’d Design.

Where can I get a copy of your new album?

It’s available at my website but also on iTunes.

You tell stories in your lyrics.  Tell me a story.

One time at band camp…just kidding!

Any tattoos?

I have one.  I got it when I was 17.  It’s a ladybug. I did try to get another tattoo on my right forearm, but 3 hours after I made the appointment, I rear ended someone in Minneapolis  (at 10 mph…when I looked down ever so briefly to turn the radio on).  So, the money I had put aside for the tattoo now had to pay for my deductible to repair my car.  Funny enough, the tattoo was going to say (in French) “everything happens for a reason” (Tout a un raison d’arriver).  All I can think is that maybe I wasn’t supposed to get the tattoo… although…I am starting to think about it again. Well, there’s your story!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while on stage?

I don’t embarrass easily…but a funny/embarrassing moment was when I was in college performing at the Berklee Performance Center for Songwriter’s Night.  I couldn’t wear underwear with the dress I chose to wear (cuz you’d see the lines) and when my distortion pedal wasn’t working I had to ask the stage tech to bend over for me, so I wouldn’t flash everyone.

Ever forget your own lyrics?

Sure…not often…but it does happen, usually when I start thinking about what I’m doing.

If you could tour with anyone in the market today whom would it be?

Martin Sexton or Jason Mraz.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Let me look into my crystal ball…Oh wait, the world is going to blow up in 2012…(I’m waiting for the movie to come out!)

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

I’d like to be remembered as a great singer and songwriter…but also as a kind person.

I always let the artist get the last word.  Go.

Just my style!

Do you remember when you were in high school and college and all you could think about was the weekend ahead of you? Or the next vacation from school, whether it was Spring Break or Christmas Vacation, when you could just hang out around the house or spend time with your friends.  Well, Brittni Carlini, a twenty-year-old college student from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was excited about one of these said vacations.  She and her friends were about to go snowboarding.

Before they left, Brittni went to her friend’s house, who was in fact going on this same vacation.  His name was Ryan Vigil.  (This is the same Ryan Vigil who in 1996 burnt down the house of a girl who would not date him. I will get to that in a moment.)  All she needed was to retrieve a snowboard.  She never came home.  The next day her parents filed a missing persons report and the search began for her whereabouts.

The first suspect was of course Mr. Vigil.  Ryan has been a proven troublemaker in the past (who burns down a house for a stupid reason like this) and the police felt he would be the best place to start.  Sure enough, when Brittni went to Ryan’s house to pick up her snowboard, an argument started between the two.  Ryan, only nineteen years old, stated that when she was leaving, his friend, Christopher Midyette, grabbed a baseball bat and hit her in the back of the head.  Christopher, only nineteen years old as well, was also going on the snowboarding trip.

The police are baffled as to what the argument could have been over as to lead to such a violent ending.  But the baseball bat to the head was not the end of this tragedy.  After they hit her in the head the boys took her out into the middle of the desert.  Then, the two adolescents then proceeded to set the girl’s body on fire to make sure they finished the deal, so to speak.  After this they tried to cover their tracks and buried the body in the desert.

Midyette has already turned himself in.  He actually told the police where to find the body.  But is this entire incident about the snowboarding trip?  Or is there something more to this crime?  Brittni has a MySpace screen name of Blondstoner420, which leads the police to believe that this entire incident could have been over drugs.  There is no evidence to support this accusation, but it is not something the police are willing to forget.

My question is why was Vigil still on the streets?  He was only sixteen years old yet had already burnt down a house and basically dug a grave in his backyard for a girl that would not date him.  Vigil did two years in a juvenile detention center for his actions in the previous instance.  I am sorry, but does that seem like a very adequate sentence for someone who not only burnt down a house and was caught digging graves (even placing dead animals in some of these graves) in his backyard?  He should have been given an adult sentence for that as he was only fourteen years old but had enough common sense to not only dig the graves but also to burn down a family household.

According to Loni Petry, the girl’s mother, Vigil had a crush on Brittni, but she wasn’t into “douchebags who still rock Counting Crows hairdos”.  But regardless of his hairdo he has in the past been involved in an attempted murder charge.  He now has been involved in an actual brutal killing of a twenty-year-old.  Is there any question in your mind that this murderer needs to spend the rest of his life in jail?  I think now perhaps he will learn a lesson or two spending every waking moment thinking that one swing of the bat put him away for life.