So lately I have been excited over the reunion of my all time favorite band blink-182. For most people who know me, they know I love the band and the members greatly. But also with my excitement comes the people who believe that they need to voice their opinion of disgust of the band. Many comments such as "I love Blink, but I'm not twelve anymore", "Puuuuuuuke", "I like GOOD music" etc.
Here is where I shut you the fuck up.....
A lot of people have said that they used to enjoy the band but they no longer do because they are no longer in junior high. In my opinion, (as someone who appreciates music, musicianship, talent, hard-work, devotion, and doing what you love), you can never grow out of music. You can always find in yourself that one thing that attracted you to that musician in the first place. Such is the case with me loving blink-182. I first got into them with their Dude Ranch cd in Elementary School. And as I grew, the band grew. With each album I found something that I could relate with. Which is the beauty with music. It is the same way that some will turn on their old Hanson or Spice Girls CD. We know that they are out of date and no longer a hit. But you listen to them because it speaks to your inner self that once felt that strong connection with the artist or song.
I love blink-182. I KNOW they are immature (have you even met me?). I KNOW they are horrible live 90% of the time. But I see through all of that to find the message that I can relate with. As I do with every artist.
Did you bother to listen to their last album? Or were you just being biased and going off of the radio songs you know of?
With there being so much music that is accessible now, it's hard to find the artists that are truly talented and deserve the credit. But also, I believe that if you find something you are passionate about and care about, you should stick up for it and believe in it. I believe in music. Not what you may hear on the radio, or in a movie, or on a cd. I believe in the music that plays in the soundtrack to my life. And a lot of the time, blink-182 is writing and playing and singing the emotions and thoughts that flow through me everyday.
I do not care for genre's. I just listen for what speaks to me. If you did that, you'd be surprised at the range of artists you will find and enjoy.
No one has better taste in music than you. They are all just personal opinions.
Now go fuck yourselves cock suckers. And keep your self righteous thoughts to yourself.
I appreciate music. Simple as that.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Previous words: Michael Jackson's death...
You can do either two things, and that is show your sorrow for losing Michael Jackson, or not say anything at all.
If you feel the need to show your sorrow, appreciation, and love for Michael Jackson, go ahead and do it.
If you feel the need to show your sorrow, appreciation, and love for Michael Jackson, go ahead and do it.
But if you are someone who wants to be funny, or put down others for being sad about this, you can go fuck yourself.
What this means is bring yourself down to the human level. Because Michael meant something to A LOT of people. Especially over generations. And we all post things on Myspace or Facebook about things that matter to us. Every single one of us. EVERY SINGLE DAY WE DO THIS. We can find many bulletins or status updates throughout the day who are posting about something that made them happy, bummed out, excited, nervous, etc. But somewhere along the line people feel like they need to bring others down for emotion.
If you feel like you need to be one of these people, you can go fucking die. And take Perez Hilton with you. We are all human beings and we do not need to do this to each other. We do not need this bullshit. It really goes back to the old saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
There needs to be more fo a mutual respect for each other.
On a musician level, it saddens me to hear people who "claim" to be a musician say such awful things about a legend. True musicians have a respect for all music. You do not have to like the music, but always respect it. If you ever notice the best musicians are influenced from multiple genres. They have no boundaries. Musicians should respect the fact that, Michaels music, has been labeled timeless. Becoming the highest selling artist in history. You don't have to like him, but you can respect the hard work and dedication to music. FOR MUSIC.
That is all.
What this means is bring yourself down to the human level. Because Michael meant something to A LOT of people. Especially over generations. And we all post things on Myspace or Facebook about things that matter to us. Every single one of us. EVERY SINGLE DAY WE DO THIS. We can find many bulletins or status updates throughout the day who are posting about something that made them happy, bummed out, excited, nervous, etc. But somewhere along the line people feel like they need to bring others down for emotion.
If you feel like you need to be one of these people, you can go fucking die. And take Perez Hilton with you. We are all human beings and we do not need to do this to each other. We do not need this bullshit. It really goes back to the old saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
There needs to be more fo a mutual respect for each other.
On a musician level, it saddens me to hear people who "claim" to be a musician say such awful things about a legend. True musicians have a respect for all music. You do not have to like the music, but always respect it. If you ever notice the best musicians are influenced from multiple genres. They have no boundaries. Musicians should respect the fact that, Michaels music, has been labeled timeless. Becoming the highest selling artist in history. You don't have to like him, but you can respect the hard work and dedication to music. FOR MUSIC.
It's true. Everyone dies. But yes, some people over-react. But the legend and icon that Michael Jackson was, that's what people are so shocked with. Yes people die. But here's the thing, take a celebrity or artist or musician that you love, and wouldn't you be pretty devastated if they died? I know you would. Same thing with me and Blink. Because with MJ, Blink, etc., THATS PART OF OUR YOUTH!! It's a part of us. Its memories etc. And you always want new material or to go see them live. And with Michael Jackson being as huge as he was world wide, and having everyone know who he was and his songs, and his legacy, yea....its a pretty big deal that he is now gone. It's not that they are freaking out that the PERSON THEY KNEW died, its how that person affected their life and is now finished. It will never be more than it is. That's why I said its ok for people to be sad that he is gone. Obviously some people will be WAY OVER DRAMATIC about that, but you're gonna get those type of people with any thing really.
That is all.
We all could use a little advice....
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blind side you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't know.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave it before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess around too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blind side you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't know.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave it before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess around too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
2 opinions
In this day and age people are so caught up in voicing their opinion on every item they possibly can. What saddens me is a lot of these opinions are uneducated and being dished out without being understood. Call me a free loving hippy. Call me whatever you want. I'm just trying to live my life the best I can. The best way I can do this, is rid myself of negativity. Why be so pessimistic about so many things? Why automatically think the negative of something that is different from you? Here I am going to explain a few things and address my opinions on two "hot" topics.
Anti-Mormon: First off, let me say I am not Mormon. A few of my childhood friends may not know this and this may be the first time they are hearing this, but that is the truth. But it is so common in Utah to denounce being Mormon and then being negative towards the religion. This is not me. Frankly, I do not care if you are Mormon or any other religion. It does not matter to me. In so many ways, the Mormon religion has helped hundreds of thousands of people. People who have had a life full of struggles and bad influences have left it all behind by becoming a member of the Mormon religion. I respect anyone who actively tries to better themselves. But I have no negativity towards this religion. I am not the typical non-Mormon Utahn who does nothing but trash talk about it. The religion is just not for me. After actively being a member and being knowledgeable on the religion, I have found within myself that it is something that is great for other people, but not for me. Why would I talk negatively about a religion that does a great amount of humanitarian good around the world? I do not have anything negative to say about the Mormon religion. But their members can be the most negative and most non Christ like people ever. Judgmental, scared of change or anything different, etc. It does go for any religion. I also want to point out for everyone I said the members "CAN BE" and does not refer to all members. I am speaking in generalities here also. I am not speaking about, or asking for your opinion on the doctrine. Keep it to yourself, I don't want to hear it.
Anti-Homosexual: This is and always will be a big issue. I am not gay. Obviously. But honestly, I don't really care. If people choose to be homosexual it has nothing to do with me and does not affect me. Too many people base their opinions on homosexuality, on other peoples words. Which bothers me because everyone needs to have their OWN opinion. If they want to get married, let them. It's the same thing with smoking or personal decisions. If someone wants to live their life and be a certain way THAT doesn't affect you first hand......let them. It's their life, not yours. And you cannot say that you pay taxes for them to GET married. That does not fly because guess what, they pay taxes for YOU to get married.
Frankly, I do not care. I just live my life and try to be a good person. I make decisions for myself and myself only. All I can really say is, be a good person. If a decision you are going to make might put a negative effect on a person, maybe you should reevaluate your decision. Stop trying to make your opinion fact and correct. You cannot argue opinion. I could say Tom Hanks is the best actor out there. But you may believe Morgan Freeman is. Does that make either of our opinions wrong or right? Nope.
That is all I have to say.
Tom Hanks IS the best actor out there though. ;)
Anti-Mormon: First off, let me say I am not Mormon. A few of my childhood friends may not know this and this may be the first time they are hearing this, but that is the truth. But it is so common in Utah to denounce being Mormon and then being negative towards the religion. This is not me. Frankly, I do not care if you are Mormon or any other religion. It does not matter to me. In so many ways, the Mormon religion has helped hundreds of thousands of people. People who have had a life full of struggles and bad influences have left it all behind by becoming a member of the Mormon religion. I respect anyone who actively tries to better themselves. But I have no negativity towards this religion. I am not the typical non-Mormon Utahn who does nothing but trash talk about it. The religion is just not for me. After actively being a member and being knowledgeable on the religion, I have found within myself that it is something that is great for other people, but not for me. Why would I talk negatively about a religion that does a great amount of humanitarian good around the world? I do not have anything negative to say about the Mormon religion. But their members can be the most negative and most non Christ like people ever. Judgmental, scared of change or anything different, etc. It does go for any religion. I also want to point out for everyone I said the members "CAN BE" and does not refer to all members. I am speaking in generalities here also. I am not speaking about, or asking for your opinion on the doctrine. Keep it to yourself, I don't want to hear it.
Anti-Homosexual: This is and always will be a big issue. I am not gay. Obviously. But honestly, I don't really care. If people choose to be homosexual it has nothing to do with me and does not affect me. Too many people base their opinions on homosexuality, on other peoples words. Which bothers me because everyone needs to have their OWN opinion. If they want to get married, let them. It's the same thing with smoking or personal decisions. If someone wants to live their life and be a certain way THAT doesn't affect you first hand......let them. It's their life, not yours. And you cannot say that you pay taxes for them to GET married. That does not fly because guess what, they pay taxes for YOU to get married.
Frankly, I do not care. I just live my life and try to be a good person. I make decisions for myself and myself only. All I can really say is, be a good person. If a decision you are going to make might put a negative effect on a person, maybe you should reevaluate your decision. Stop trying to make your opinion fact and correct. You cannot argue opinion. I could say Tom Hanks is the best actor out there. But you may believe Morgan Freeman is. Does that make either of our opinions wrong or right? Nope.
That is all I have to say.
Tom Hanks IS the best actor out there though. ;)
Previous Words: Explanation....
So I have been saying this to a few people lately. It's something I believe and something I have come up with. And I think it explains itself pretty clearly. But let me lead up to it.
If I say we are friends, we are friends. But today, people change friends as much as they do their clothing. And usually those friendships are ended over stupid things. He said she said bullshit usually. I don't buy into it, I don't talk behind peoples backs, and I don't obtain an opinion on something unless I hear it from the original source. This being said...if I call you my friend, you should know this.
1. You will always have a mind to offer it's opinion.
2. You will always have a body to receive a hug or to have company when you need it.
And last but not least...
3. You will always have a heart that cares about you and loves you.
This is how I treat all my friendships. And you will receive those three things I explained until you show me that you do not deserve them. In which case I will no longer consider you a friend, but more like an acquaintance.
So I offer this to you as well. A challenge. This is not to cause drama, or hurt, or anger. But merely just to let you know where you stand because in the past month, I have realized a lot about who I consider my friends. But the challenge is this. I challenge you to ask yourself, "Do I want to know where I stand in Dan's opinion of him and I?"
If the answer is yes, go ahead and ask me. I will tell you.
One thing that most of you know about me is I am always honest. I don't hide anything and I am upfront from the beginning. And because of that honesty a lot of you consider me to be real. You know that you can talk to me, and that it's easy to talk to me about anything at all, and that I am truly listening. I was explaining to a close friend the other day how I know so many secrets of so many people, and the reason why they tell me those personal secrets, is because they know deep down I would never use them against them or let those secrets out to someone who shouldn't know. I truly love my friends. And try my best to show it to them. I'm not perfect. But I try.
Just wanted to let you know.
If I say we are friends, we are friends. But today, people change friends as much as they do their clothing. And usually those friendships are ended over stupid things. He said she said bullshit usually. I don't buy into it, I don't talk behind peoples backs, and I don't obtain an opinion on something unless I hear it from the original source. This being said...if I call you my friend, you should know this.
1. You will always have a mind to offer it's opinion.
2. You will always have a body to receive a hug or to have company when you need it.
And last but not least...
3. You will always have a heart that cares about you and loves you.
This is how I treat all my friendships. And you will receive those three things I explained until you show me that you do not deserve them. In which case I will no longer consider you a friend, but more like an acquaintance.
So I offer this to you as well. A challenge. This is not to cause drama, or hurt, or anger. But merely just to let you know where you stand because in the past month, I have realized a lot about who I consider my friends. But the challenge is this. I challenge you to ask yourself, "Do I want to know where I stand in Dan's opinion of him and I?"
If the answer is yes, go ahead and ask me. I will tell you.
One thing that most of you know about me is I am always honest. I don't hide anything and I am upfront from the beginning. And because of that honesty a lot of you consider me to be real. You know that you can talk to me, and that it's easy to talk to me about anything at all, and that I am truly listening. I was explaining to a close friend the other day how I know so many secrets of so many people, and the reason why they tell me those personal secrets, is because they know deep down I would never use them against them or let those secrets out to someone who shouldn't know. I truly love my friends. And try my best to show it to them. I'm not perfect. But I try.
Just wanted to let you know.
Being individual and unique...just like everybody else.
I read a quote by an amazing photographer by the name of W Eugene Smith..."an artist must be ruthlessly selfish". It may sound brutal from a fan's perspective, but it's so true. Once you start letting things like "what would people think about this" worry you, then it's not coming from a real place.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Dear Friend,
We used to be close. And you used to rely on me. I always looked out for you and cared for you. You never really appreciated my way of joking, but you dealt with it and shrugged your shoulders saying "thats just Dan." But then you got a boyfriend and that was great for you. You finally found someone who cared for you. I may have not taken it seriously in the beginning and may have said things that were out of line and disrespectful, and I have taken the responsibility for it and apologized. Recognizing my faults and letting you know that I was sincerely sorry. You threw it back in my face. Acting completely immature. And now, you feel entitled to accuse me of things and discredit who I am when you have not even been around me in well over a year. You no longer speak to me, and havent in close to that same amount of time. But yet, randomly on this December afternoon you felt inclined and entitled to say these things about me. I have nothing against you. But your words were out of line, untrue, and disregarded by me. Do not claim to say what I am not, when you do not know what I am. I could not do the same for you, and if i did you would feel the same. So save your breath.
- Dan
- Dan
Saturday, December 12, 2009
lydia...
No one could ever wait for you
And no one, yeah, no one could ever wait for you
I'll wait for you, love
...and you did. And I thank you for that and keep apologizing for the past year. I just want you to forgive me for all of it. You didn't deserve it and I don't deserve you. You truly are amazing.
And no one, yeah, no one could ever wait for you
I'll wait for you, love
...and you did. And I thank you for that and keep apologizing for the past year. I just want you to forgive me for all of it. You didn't deserve it and I don't deserve you. You truly are amazing.
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