UPDATE !

Just thought i'd share the latest on my stolen microphone situation..

Apparently, the bar is legally not obliged to show me the security tape, or tell me who the perpetrator is, for fear of my retaliation, and possible legal action taken by the guy, if i so choose to "rip his head off"..

I think it's utter bull5h-t, and they just don't want to be bothered..

Makes no sense because if i wanted to, i can file a police report, and in order to do that and state my case, they need to show the tape to the police in order for legal action to take place. I'm playing there this Saturday, and before i speak with the clueless managers, i'm going to call my buddy who works for the same owner at another bar, and he's the manager for that bar..I will ask him to get a hold of the head office so i can make my case, and nail this son of ***** to the wall..

It's not even about getting my mic back, because i know it's long gone and probably sold or pawned for drug money, because i see no other reason a guitar player would swipe a drum mic, but it's more about justice and restitution.. Even if it takes months, i'm going to bust balls until that guy gets what's coming to him..

I know you're hot about this,and you have every right to be.I've had gear boosted from my home,which was burgeralized years ago.They would be obligated to show that security tape to the police,but they don't have to keep the tape for any length of time.Mose places erase those tapes,and reuse them to save money.As far as the crime committed,it's what is know in most states as petit larceny.In most states,a larceny/theft under 1,000 dollars,where a no weapon or damage to property is committed,it's a misdemeanor...a minor crime,usually punishible with under a year in jail and a fine or both.Most police departments have had funding cuts,so they have to do more with less,and the reprioritize enforcement of most petty crimes.Even the NYPD is down 7,000 cops.

I know you want your pound of flesh,and as I've been there,just the principal of the thing is important,but hopefully,this has taught you to never take your eye off of your stuff....not even for a second.Thieves ,especially druggies,commit crimes of opportunity,since they lack the intellegence to plan anything cogent

You best bet is to let it go.This is over 20 years of the NYPD talking here.Just move on,you'll feel better for it.He'll get his....they always do.

Steve B

> He'll get his...

Steve is saying something important here and I just want to emphasize it. People like the guy who stole your mic, are for the most part, twisted opportunists who do stuff like that -all the time-. It's only a 'matter of time' before he gets nailed and possibly badly injured as a result of his habitual antisocial behavior patterns. He -WILL- be caught at some point.

There is also an important Life lesson and a spiritual exercise here for -you-. "Getting over it" is going to involve feeling some level of true understanding and maybe even a little compassion, for another human being. It's not just as easy as saying, 'forget about it', either. Sure, you can temporarily push it out of your mind, but if goes unresolved, every time the memory resurfaces (and they do,) it'll kick up all the bile in your stomach and you'll feel P.O.'d all over again, each and every time you recall it.

There's only one way... find a way to -in your own heart- forgive him. Then and only then will you be able to completely expunge the experience from your mind, to put it all behind you and move on without having to re-experience the anger and frustration time after time - every time - you remember it.

Every major philosophy and religion on the planet recommend compassion and forgiveness - to cure what ails -you- at this moment. (Anger, hatred, resentment. They are all poisons to you, not the other guy.) It's ancient knowledge and wisdom.

Must be something to it all. :p

John

Why can`t some folks keep there hands off other peoples stuff? Very sorry to hear of this misfortune and i can relate to the feeling you have inside.I had a Shure 57` mike stollen at a Hilton Inn of all places and the worst part about the whole thing was that it wasn`t even my mike,but one i had borrowed from a friend.Hope somehow your gear gets back to you...

Wayne

I have had a few valuable bits of gear "Disapear" over the years.. Mainly during the early years of gigging... a 70's Sound King, some Rogers toms, pieces of Lighting gear, Psychedelic Projector, worst was a 70's, 22" Zildjian Med Ride that I had only just begun a 2 month love affair with.

Just hope that the gear found it's way to someone who would put it to proper use and not some scum bag who was just trophy hunting...

Cheers

Im with John (Purdie Shuffle) this time around. I had a S.O.B. to work on my 1966 Falcon Van. I knew the guy because I worked for him on very low time on my life and I saw he was good mechanic. We even played a couple of gigs together because he plays guitar too. This was a complete restoration project and a dream coming true for me. I spent more than 4 grant on the thing. New this, new that ...you know. The real deal. When the thing was "ready" I took it home and started to overheat like crazy. I took it back. He "tweaked this and that" and had it back. Same story for three times. When I was about to take it to court the guy got shot three times. One on the hip,one on the arm and one on the leg. When I was finally able to tow away my van (the shots were at his workshop so there was a police line in there for a month) he was on a wheelchair and I just didn't have the heart to say anything...It still bothers me to see my van on my backyard and and not having more money to put on it. I hope one day I'll be able to forgive the guy. Because it still hurts inside.

Good advice and if it helps at all consider this - unless one believes that all crime/bad behaviour can somehow be eliminated from humanity, it follows that a certain percentage of humanity is doomed to commit crime/act badly. This may seem like a tautology but I don't see any way out of it.

We emerged into this reality as what we are and not something else, we had no input into what we are either. We simply emerged on the planet and "hit the ground running", no choice in the matter.

However angry I get at whoever for whatever, I always come back to the same place - no individual human being can logically be blamed for exhibiting behaviour, no matter how bad, consistent with the wide spectrum of behaviour associated with humanity. What is always to be blamed is the brain-wiring with which we emerged, and we had nothing to do with that.

As my great aunt used to say, "more to be pitied than scorned", and I believe this is true for the whole human race.

Mitch

As my great aunt used to say, "more to be pitied than scorned", and I believe this is true for the whole human race.

Mitch

Very well said Mitch and i love your great Aunt`s analogy.

Wayne

After reading these last few comments, i would just like to say that i learned a lot..

I learned to be a lot more tolerant and to not let it bother me.. I used to stress out for the littlest things and it always did more harm than good..Whether it was a disagreement with my wife, an argument with a friend, being the butt end of a joke, losing patience with family, friends and especially strangers, i would "lose it" and cause nothing but animosity, feelings of bitterness and resentment, all for nothing..

I think i'm going to take the high road on this one and let it slide..It will be better for my physical and mental well being, with no loss of precious personal time..

Thanks to all of you gentlemen for the sound advice, and words of wisdom..

I'm a Christian, and i recently prayed and made a solemn vow to God that i would put mine and my family's well being and happiness first above all else, not worry or frustrate the ones i love and care about, and that he would guide me to live my life as a much wiser, calmer, more tolerant, patient and more content human being,

God bless..

Cheers !

Powerful, moving words, Human71. I too have let anger spoil things on occasion...maybe too many occasions. It's a struggle, but self-awareness and peace of mind are I believe attainable with effort.

I also love that we can come to the same good place from different paths; I was raised 100% secular, so try to just work through things from a logical standpoint, to whatever degree that's possible :). But I think the great religions all recognize the factual difficulties inherent in the Human Condition, [I mean obviously!], so the logic and the faith often lead to the same destination.

Peace be with you!

Mitch