Just as long as nobody misunderstands me, I have a pretty good life considering. It's the way that the economy is affecting my family. And now that I'm directly involved in it, because I need a job, it really gets to me. I mean, it just absolutely amazes how bad things are right now because of one of the worst presidents ever.

The American Dream is to work, make a living, and raise a family. I'm not even close to raising a family. But anyway, I want to be able to make myself money so I don't have rely on my parents and I can take some of the burden off their shoulders so it's not so hard for them. But how the hell am I supposed to do that if I can't get a damn job?! No job means The American Dream goes right out the window. And this is a reality to so many people in America now.

It's like saying "Okay, only half of you in this room are allowed to have hopes and dreams, and the rest of you aren't, because we told you so."

I'm sorry about another rant. When I start talking about a subject I can't stop.

Now back to the main thing. I just want to help my parents out by providing for myself. I just angers me that there is nothing I can do but wait for somebody to give me an e-mail saying "You're hired". Or something of that nature.

And let me tell you. Time and Money are not friends of mine. I'll let Pink Floyd do the talking.

Still a little pissed that I can't go to the concert. But I'm getting over it. It's not like I saw the tickets and I really wanted to go. Oh no. That's not the story at all. I've been wanting to go to a concert since I saw Satriani LIVE! when I bought it a little over a year ago. To my misfortune, I became a fan right after the end of the PSATMOR tour. So technically I'll be a fan for four years and not have been to one of his concerts.

I have to be one of the weirdest Satch fans you have ever heard of.

And from all of the hype, this album, although it hasn't come out yet, is rumored to be one of his best albums in a while.

I've told everybody many times that my favorite album is Crystal Planet. And if this album turns out to be just as good or even better, I will be pissed off even more. Call it bittersweet, but that's what it's going to be. Because I'm not going to be able to see it live.

Oxley - I hear what you're saying and it sounds like economically things are pretty bad in your area. It is also a fact that most people earn their living and achieve their dreams (and buy concert tickets) from working at a paid job. So when jobs are scarce it gets tough. If jobs are in fact scarce then that might be the time to find and exhaust other ways that you can legally earn money. It's harder than getting up and going to a job and going home again, but if there are no jobs at least you can look at finding opportunities and try them. You can't control the government or the economy or the amount of jobs there are but you can control what you do, the actions you take, who you meet and introduce yourself to and so on . Best of luck.

Its our turn for a tour Joe!!

Oxley- Your video was awesome ...Thanks for posting for all of us to enjoy. I am sorry you are discouraged because you can not go to see Joe...I think we have all been in that situation at one time or another due to circumstances beyond our control.

A very few years back I would not have been able to go either due to our financial situation..but due to diligence and hard work & a bit of luck this year we are able to do some things we have always wanted to do . Keep your hope alive.. ..we are fans of one of the most optimistic musicians in the business...look what Joe has achieved with his hard work & dedication. :-)

Hi... I posted some songs on www.ultimate-guitar.com (MP3s). My profile user name is logicbdj

hey joe. i'm a gutiarist. i been playin for 3 years and am already better than most of my m8s. i have had a shit year so far and it would make my life if you, steve vai, orianthi, rusty cooley, and jeff loomis could do a song together and release it for charity. i would love to jam with you one day.

Congrats to Kirk Vartan (ksv666) for winning the aftershow pass giveaway for the Chickenfoot Tahoe show!

I figured it was about time for them to pick somebody... I had better go get packing- tomorrow we drive!

MIKE PORTNOY Quits DREAM THEATER - Sep. 8, 2010 Drummer Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has released the following statement:

"I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write.

"After 25 years, I have decided to leave DREAM THEATER... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.

"To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

"After having had such amazing experiences playing with HAIL!, TRANSATLANTIC and AVENGED SEVENFOLD this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in DREAM THEATER.

"Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DREAM THEATER guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break.

"DREAM THEATER was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from DREAM THEATER's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band.

"But I've come to the conclusion that the DREAM THEATER machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DREAM THEATER spirit hungry and inspired.

"We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves'...

"Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

"While it truly hurts for me to even think of a DREAM THEATER without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes.

"Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DREAM THEATER and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'... Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with DREAM THEATER...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

"I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

"I'm sorry to all the disappointed DREAM THEATER fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within.

Michelle- was not expecting that announcement..... The times they are a changing......... :-/

Peace, can't say I was either. I knew he was having a blast with AX7 and his other side projects, but I guess I didn't realize how much fun he was not having with DT. I've heard the buzz many times about how after a show DT all go their separate ways instead of hanging out and gellin'. I mean, to me, MP IS DT!! IMO, MP is the best drummer in the world, having been lead by greats like Peart & Rich. If his heart isn't happy, and hasn't been happy for a while, well then he has to choose the path that's right for him, not us. He says he asked for a hiatus, but the band wouldn't do it, so really they gave him no alternative. Maybe they played hard ball thinking he'd cave - but he didn't. It's sad that they couldn't work it out. Each player in DT was genius at their instrument, so I have no idea who could take MP's place. As for DT, I have no idea what's to come, but for Mike - it's all open skys and sunshine.

C'maaaaaan with it!

Check it!

And if this don't look like fun for all...

And who's gonna teach Max with Mike on tour for a year?

He's a F**Kin' drum God! God Bless him in whatever he does!! lol!

michelle

Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy?!?!?!?No...no,nooo......WAAAAAAAHHHHHH

Ok then,if Portnoy is out then I'M TAKING OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fatape, Here's happy

He can dye his hair green and play with whoever he wants now :-)

michelle

ooh looky...a DOUBLE fatape Sammich!!!

HA!! Where's the cheese when ya need it?