Problems Across The World

Ugh.

I HAVE to go to school. My battery's dead. My hair's too long. My tea's too hot. I'm too thin. I'm fat. His music is too loud. I can't sit down here. I need my sunglasses. My sister complains too much. My car is broken down. My phone bill costs too much. Her nails are too long. There's too many people here. It smells like fish. I'm like, allergic to bad coffee. This yogourt is warm. This doughnut is hard. There's no deals. I can't walk in these heels. Fleet Foxes are too, like, old.

I'm an environmentalist... I like, hate wearing fur and shit like that, y'know?



Shut up.

These are problems people across the world are desperate to have you self-centered loathesome ghouls.

Sincerely,

-Dan Tait

Thoughtpuke.

This is all I wanna know.

New York City is evil.

I can't ever do that.

It's all right here.

I've never been so alive... as then.

But it's all right here. All that matters - not the fingers of electricity that has this planet in a cold death grip, heartless - yet pounding...

Like a hammer on steel. Malleating.

The soulless and narcoleptic voice... Catches you everywhere - In the city, in the sprawl, on the rain and at home...

Feel it touch you, moan and sing...

Desperate no more - strong... It's you - desperate to keep up and live.

I can't let this narcolepsy slide.

I can't let this narcolepsy slide.

I can't let this negativity slide.


I dream that I'm awake.




F*CK.

HEY BLOG!

NOG DATES! NOG DATES! NOG DATES! Dan Tait is back in action at the Nog twice this month - February 4th, and February 25th! Come Early - Dan's bringin' friends! :)

Money Money Money

$325 - Damn ticket.

$795 - The rent is due.

$67 - Cogeco is collecting.

$250 - Car payments.

$150 - Insurance.

$140 - Car broke.
_____

$Too much god damn money.00

Technology... 2 Choices.

Some great thoughts to reflect upon thanks to the late Carl Sagan.

Dano - Live Concert At Cafe Ole - Recording

1st Set List...

2:50 Music Start

Grasstock Way
The Seagull
Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
The Road Is My Home
Song Of The Guides

Break....

The Connection Conundrum

So a couple of good friends and I got together for some pints, risk, cookies, and all round debauchery, and got into talking... The world claims to be a better place because everyone is so much more connected to people - they can access their friends' News Feeds on Facebook in seconds, they can text their parents across the country, they can send a christmas card out to hundreds of their friends with a click of a button...

But are we really more connected than we were before?

I know, this question has become a cliche - but really, it's only become a cliche cause we've decided it is - we don't want to face any sort of fact that suggests we're doing something wrong. Why? Cause it feels good. It's addictive. It keeps us from one of the scariest things imaginable - our own thoughts.

That is besides the fact though - what I'm trying to demostrate is that it is a moot argument that we're now more connected than ever. I resolve that although we are about to reach out and access a huge quantity of people, we are not in fact directly connected with them anymore.

Texting has turned from what started as short, efficient exchanges of update-type messages into empty meaningless garbage for the most part. People are texting "ummm" and "uhhhhh", and their text conversations span huge amounts of messages, when a simple phone call would have gotten the information across, been much more efficient, and would have an element of much more direct contact with a human being.

Texting is now an inefficient crutch - it's cheap, and that's what phone companies want; We can text on their systems for much cheaper than talking so they'll mark everything up. Now, even after the markup, texting packages look cheap so you buy it.

How many times have you read on a text the following...

"OK be there in an hour"

"Be about 20 mins"

"Just on your street"

"Here"

... Was it really necessary for that person to send me those updates on exactly where they are? I mean, if they're late, yes, but just a simple 'gonna be late' would be fine. I don't want updates on where you are, I just want you to BE THERE.

It's a popular thing to do, but it's jumbled globs of useless information. You can't have a meaningful, connected conversation over texts. Texting allows you access, not connection.

With immediate direct access, there is no more yearning for intimate contact. We're sedated with thousands of tiny, meaningless interactions that plague our mind and veil the true connections; true connections waiting to be made through opportunities presented every minute of every day.

Imagine living in 1890... you've just finished bringing in the last crop of the season. Every year near thanksgiving the family has a big party to celebrate the end of the growing season, and your favourite Uncle Peter generally shows up from Northern Quebec to visit. Peter missed this seasons party - so of course, you're concerned.

But it's true concern. You only see Peter once a year, and maybe get 2 or 3 pieces of mail from him - depending on what makes it through the weather - but regardless, every time there is an interaction with him it's all meaningful, important interactions. You talk about your families, the growing season, plans for the future - never about what colour you painted your toenails, what smells you smell, or how you've got a crush on your teacher.

You're concerned, but you are also patient - after all, it's Uncle Peter - he's coming from a long way away. Maybe he's running a bit late, got hung up some where, or just couldn't make it down. There's no use in fretting the unknown - the house has to be prepared for winter again, and the firewood isn't gonna split itself - if you waste your time trying to track down Ol' Peter, you may never find him, or you may end up finding out that he's on his way, just a little late. How many times do you get the texts saying...

"Where R U?"

"R U still coming?"

"U shud tell me if ur gona b late"

... My philosophy is that I'm gonna be there. If I'm not, the person in question would probably know when they should be worried. I'm a big boy, I do fine on my own - and so should they. They don't need me to coddle them with reassurances that I'm STILL on my way, and I don't need them to tell me I'm late - cause chances are, I know.

I work in a coffee shop, and I work as an adventure guide - and as a people person I thrive on human interaction. I love working the till and meeting new people every day. Meeting 12 new friends on a raft and teaching them the fun in the whitewater is how I keep my head on straight. But when your face is buried in your phone, not only do you look stupid, but you can't share a human interaction. When your mind is concerned about the drama you're missing on facebook, your letting the world slip past your eyes as you stare blindly, not fully taking in the beauty of a word, a person, the trees around you - or whatever it may be. I know it's not that special - getting coffee from that blonde guy at the same coffeeshop you go to every day - but it's more than "OMG I just saw the cutest bus driverr!!!", and it's therapeutic. Talking to people vents. Talking to people inspires emotion.

Texts are cold. Heartless. Empty. You can't get much out of them. But even in the tiniest exchange of a few words whether ordering coffee or not, you subconciously take in so much more, and you'll feel better about it. You'll be better after it.

So why do we do it?

It's quicker. (In some cases.)

It's easier. (Occasionally.)

It passes the time. (Definetly.)

It's sometimes quicker, sometimes easier, and always passes the time. But it's never as efficient, and it's never as meaningful. It's a distraction from the real world... it's like a hook, pulling us away from the humble abode of reality. And we're not fighting too hard.

I'm personally a big fan of this thing called The Real World. I'm a believer in patience, and human beings connecting.

What about you?

Peter McKay, Stephen Harper - Your Severance Is In The Mail.

We're proud of our troops up here in Canada - ambassadors, warriors, mothers, fathers, family...

But when something slides under the radar like Stephen Harper autonomously extending the stay of troops in Afghanistan to 2014, he's smearing mud in the face of our tired soldiers as it is.


Soldiers are tired... families are tired... and the populace is tired. Let's get something straight here boys - if you don't have family in the military, I don't think you have the authority to makes those sole decisions.

Sign up your sons and daughters, and I'm sure it'll be another issue.


This is a haunting snippet of a radio interview with one of the family members of our beloved troops...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4KCBpQ5x_g


-Dantait


Afterthought: Ever wonder how Politician Christmases go? They always just throw money at these issues - I feel like it would be like robots exchanging bigger and bigger boxes, rather than a real, intimate and traditional Christmas...

So it's come to my attention...

... That I haven't yet achieved what I feel I was meant to.

Rock Needs A Revolution.

The Youth Need Something to Stand Behind.




... I just want noone to get hurt.


I know how to do it, and I know now's the time to do it... but, can it be done?


... can I do it?

Thoughts This Past Remembrance Day...

It is my true belief that Remembrance Day was originally meant to be more than a day to remember those fallen in battle... We do our honorable veterans little justice in simply remembering their sacrifice for a day and then moving on "to the next holiday" in our lives, ignoring the deeper meaning and symbolism behind the day.

Sure, you put on a Poppy for a couple weeks prior to the day, and you fall silent at 11 o'clock - much like the guns fell silent oh so long ago, and you wear your red for the troops on Fridays, and you watch History Television's Week of Remembrance Specials, and so on... We all do that; you, me, and many of the veterans themselves. But what most of us are missing in the hurrah of things is hidden even deeper. It's the black beneath the surface of the water...

Let me try and explain... They have said in the past "The Great War was the war to end all wars...", and for a time it looked like it for the most part; Pacts and Treaties and Armistices were made, agreements, restrictions, and laws were passed to restrict wars and to properly punish war crimes. It looked like problems were solved, until problems arose again in the late 1930s, and then the world was back at it - another Global War.

Again, an unprecedented amount of blood was shed as the stakes grew higher - technology was improving, war machines were deadlier and more effective, the race for nuclear supremacy was just beginning, battles were fought over larger fronts and areas; it seemed that already the tragedies of the First Great War had taken a back seat to an Arms Race... Throughout all of this, the main goal of these countries was to be on top - it was well known that whoever was to be victorious at the end of this Second Great War was destined to lead the world into Nuclear, Space Travel, and maybe more... The stakes were high indeed - worth more than the lives of a country's citizens. Again, thousands upon thousands of men and women crossed the seas, took to the skies, fought bloody battles, and ultimately made the great sacrifice. At the end of it all - another set of treaties, pacts, laws, armistices...

It was a short time of peace, for the Korean War followed, and the Vietnam War, The Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and so many more...

The war to end all wars... The war to end all wars...

It's a dream, for sure - And you could make a case for naivete at the time... But we must be reminded more than once a year that war is not the answer. No coalition, no government agenda, no arms race, and no sense of superiority gives us the right to go and destroy the lives of other people - and none of these reasons are worth the lives of bright and strong young men and women.

Fighting siblings rarely figure out the right answer when they come to blows - so why do we think that we'll find the answer through battle? Besides, when the battles involve communities, provinces, states, countries, continents - it's no longer coming to blows... it's massacre.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

We're pretty lucky here in Canada because of the sacrifice that our soldiers have made for us - and believe me, we really are. We don't have to be personally reminded every day of the atrocities of war. We see it through an emotionless box mounted on our walls as we lean back in a chesterfield with our families around us... We "know" that we're lucky, but since the majority of us haven't personally felt the pain of war, we're actually quite unaware as to how lucky we really are.

I am grateful for all of the men and women who have served in the forces in the past, and serve now - for they were/are willing to put their life on the line for me and my family, and that means a lot to me. If I ever have the chance to defend their freedom as they defend mine, I would take it in a heartbeat...

But my point remains...

They say "On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month... the guns ceased to fire."

But really... have they?

-Dantait

Pearl Jam - Amongst The Waves... A little bit of lyrical beauty for ya.

What used to be a house of cards
Has turned into a reservoir
Saved the tears that were waterfalling
Let’s go swim tonight, darling

and Once outside the undertow
Just you and me and nothing more
If not for love I would be drowning
I’ve seen it work both ways, but I am up

Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel Like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can feel like I
Put away my early grave

Gotta say it now
Better loud
Than too late

Remember back the early days
When you were young and thus amazed

Suddenly the channel changed
The first time you saw blood

Cut to later, now you’re strong
You’ve bled yourself, the wounds are gone
It’s rare then where is nothing wrong
Survived and you’re amongst the fittest

Love ain’t love until you give it up

Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays

Gotta say it now
Better loud
than too late...

Y'Know What Really Groinds Moy Geahs?

Y'know what I love?

Those commercials on tv, the radio, the internet - whatever - that say...

"'ONE TIME ONLY! Customer appreciation sale! We are so greateful for all of (insert city name here)'s business that we're dropping our prices EVEN MORE in appreciation! Come this weekend, cause the sale won't last long!"

...And they really mean...

"You haven't bought enough yet. Come back."

Cause really, you know that the sale isn't going to be THAT good... I mean, there might be the odd good deal, but it's not like you're going to see a sale price and lose your mind at "HOW GREAT THAT DEAL IS!" or "HOW CAN THEY JUSTIFY SELLING IT FOR THIS!?"

There's always a time limit too - notice how it always says "One time only!", or "This weekend only! The sales won't last long!" I mean, I undersdtand the basics of business - you can't sell for super cheap all the time, cause you won't make money. Obviously. But my problem here is that if it were really a customer appreciation sale, why funnell all of your regular customers through your store on two days - It stresses people out. Wait... no, I guess that's the theory behind it, isn't it. When you're stressed out, you get in, buy your stuff, and get out... there's no thought process about the deals and whether they're good or bad...Wouldn't it be nice to have a real customer appreciation day where you got to pick one item free, and they just ticked you off that list they have? (You know the list... the one where they take your phone number everytime you buy something? Yeah. That one.)

Oh well.

Big Business Sucks. Burn it to the ground.

-Dan

Do what you feel now - Electric feel now...

ON OUR FRONT

LYIN' DOWN
ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR
WHILE THE GAZE
OF A CANDLE DRIFTS OVER

AND OUTSIDE
THROUGH THE DARK METAL DOOR
THE BOMB BLASTS
GIVE IT ALL AWAY...

THE WAR IS COME...
THE WAR HAS COME...
THE WAR IS COME...
..TO OUR FRONT.

IT ALL STARTS
WITH A NEWS REPORT
ISOLATE
AND QUELL THE STORM

INFURIATE
AND DISTRUB THE NORM
NOW WE'RE HERE
JUST GIVIN' IT ALL AWAY...

THE WAR IS COME...
THE WAR HAS COME...
THE WAR IS COME...
..TO OUR FRONT.

SO NOW WHAT?
ARE WE LOCKED IN HOUR HOMES?
UNDERGROUND?
THERE'RE SO MANY UNKNOWNS

TESTIFY
IF IT'S ALL THAT YOU KNOW
CAUSE WE'LL DIE
IF WE'RE LOCKED IN OUR HOMES
WHEN THEY COME
TO CLEAN THE MESS THEY MADE
SO NOW'S THE TIME
REPENT FOR OUR SINS OVERSEAS
CAUSE IT'S OUR FAULT
YES - IT'S US, THE DISEASE
IT'S OUR FAULT
GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES
IT'S THEIR FAULT?
IT ALWAYS COMES IN THREES...

This is where it's at...

Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor
And cry your guts out 'til you got no more
Hey man now you're really living

Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl
Made you feel like it's not such a bad world
Hey man now you're really living

Now you're really giving everything
And you're really getting all you gave
Now you're really living what
This life is all about

Well i just saw the sun rise over the hill
Never used to give me much of a thrill
But hey man now you're really living

Do you know what it's like to care too much
'bout someone that you're never gonna get to touch
Hey man now you're really living

Have you ever sat down in the fresh cut grass
And thought about the moment and when it will pass
Hey man now you're really living

Now you're really giving everything
And you're really getting all you gave
Now you're really living what
This life is all about

Now what would you say if i told you that
Everyone thinks you're a crazy old cat
Hey man now you're really living

Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor
And cry your guts out 'til you got no more
Hey man now you're really living

Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl
Made you feel like it's not such a bad world
Hey man now you're really living

People sing
Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor
And cry your guts out 'til you got no more
Hey man now you're really living

Just saw the sun rise over the hill
Never used to give me much of a thrill
But hey man now i'm really living

Will I Breathe Tomorrow?

I'm happy living life in the moment.

I'll make considerations for what happens in the future - but to me, the future is all arbitrary.

Some of my decisions have burned me, just like anything.

Some of my decisions have been life-changing. I feel like I'm one of the only people in the world who can truly say "I don't regret anything."

I'm not saying 'don't think'

I'm saying don't spend unneccessary time stressing. Overthinking. Dwelling.

...It kills you faster than you realize...

In the end, if you make the wrong decision, you learn - and keep your head up.

I know it sounds childish, and stupid because it's so basic.

But we aren't complicated beings. We're just arrogant in thinking we are able to control every variable in our life. We're naive in "knowing" we aren't naive.

Humans weren't meant to think about 'WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 5 YEARS!?'

And if you really ask yourself - do you know anything?





Hell I don't know...

I don't even know if I'll be smiling, blinking, or breathing tomorrow.

There's no point in overthinking anything. It wastes valuable living time.

...in wake of the coming shitshow

So coming up in the next while, I've got a bunch of music to play, and a bunch of drunks to play to... Come see all the hilarity unfold as I figure out how to deal with 700 - 1200 hammered Irish on St. Patty's Day!


Thursday March 11 - 6pm to 9pm
This is the dinner show, so if you wanna bring yer granny out for some tunes, we'd love to have her! (Plus, cheap Keiths - and get there BEFORE the rush for Karaoke!)

Friday March 12 - 10pm to 2am
This is it kids! Flannel Fridays have been getting more and more packed! It's getting better and better, so lets see if we can top it this week!

Wednesday March 17 - 6pm to ???
St. Patrick's Day. Oh good god.

Thursday March 18 - 6pm to 9pm
Granny Day! (Green Hangovers for EVERYONE!)

Friday March 19 - 10pm to 2am
Flannel Fridays!


Hope to see ya in the next week or so! Thanks for reading guys! Much love!

-Dano

A work of brilliance by OK GO...

Ernest Gonzales...

Dancing In The Snow is ridiculously good. Chekit - especially YOU. http://hypem.com/track/1045083/Ernest+Gonzales+-++Dancing+In+The+Snow

Record Label

Bodhi (Sanskrit: बोधि) is both a Pāli and Sanskrit word traditionally translated as "enlightenment", but frequently (and more accurately) translated as "awakening" or "to Know".

-Wikipedia

Oh, and by the way - check out my tunes online. Video action.