Just a small vent of frustration:
Had a gig an hour and forty-five minutes away from Lansing in Wyandotte, MI tonight. Work has been slow the last few months, even the national touring work I do, so I'm a bit stretched right now. I took this gig because I enjoy playing with the other musicians but also because I need the money. And the money on this gig was shit to begin with. Gas is $4.29 in Michigan right now and the gig only paid $100. I probably spent $40 in gas at least getting to and from the gig.
Anyway, I'm almost to the gig, flowing with traffic down Southfield Freeway, and I turn right on Jefferson, using my signal. Moments later the flashing lights are behind me. Cop pulls me over. I'm thinking maybe I have a tail light out or something. I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in 6 years or more because I don't speed anymore... used to when I was younger but I got over that shit.
He comes up to the window. License and registration, proof of insurance, all that jive. I'm always friendly and polite to cops. He asks me if I know why he's pulled me over. I tell him honestly no. He said I was going 45 in a 35mph. I said I had no idea what the speed limit was, I was just flowing with traffic, which is true. He looks at my license and asks if I still live in Lansing. I say yes. "What are you doing here?" he asks. Playing a gig in Wyandotte, trying to make a buck.
He goes to his car, comes back and writes me a ticket for "impeding traffic". He's trying to be nice. That ticket means no points on my license, no increase in my insurance. But it also means I cannot fight it and it's a $116 fine. Did I mention the gig only paid $100.
I fucking hate that shit. I could've stayed home with my wife and kids and I would've SAVED money.
That's my rant.