I haven’t had a family doctor for years. When I moved to London in 2007, I became independent of my family and lost access to our family doctor. I don’t have children, I’m not pregnant, I’m not trying to conceive, and I don’t have any time-sensitive chronic issues that need to be dealt with, so I get to sit at the bottom of the waiting list while those with “greater needs” get assigned doctors. If you’re young, single and in good health, you’re not important.

Fine, that’s great. I don’t have any health issues that require me to see the same doctor repeatedly over a long period of time. In fact, this is possibly better, because I can use walk-in clinics. If I need something, I can go the same day. There’s never a wait, there’s always one nearby. If I get assigned a doctor, the chances they’ll be as convenient as using a walk-in clinic is virtually nil.

And while I don’t need continuous tests or observation, I do have a prescription. Because I use a walk-in clinic and don’t have a family doctor, they’ll only give me ONE refill at a time. This means that every month, I’m back at the walk-in clinic, spending an hour of my life waiting, so the doctor can spend 30 seconds writing me a prescription. If I had a family doctor, they’d write me a year at a time and I’d be on my way, but because I don’t see the same doctor every time, they can’t (and won’t) do that. Because, y’know, whether you’ve been gifted a doctor or not makes SUCH a huge difference.

And then the Ontario government unveiled this awesome new plan where your pharmacist can renew your prescription for you, right on the spot. This is awesome! Now instead of spending an hour at the clinic and another half an hour at the pharmacy, I can skip the clinic all together and just get my pharmacist to renew my prescription!

So I tried it today. I walked into my pharmacy; “So, you guys can renew prescriptions, right?” “Of course! You’ve been here before?” He asks for my name and my information and finds me in the system.

“… Oh… I see here that you don’t have a family doctor.” “Nope! That’s why this is awesome! So much better than going to the clinic all the time!” “Actually, we can only renew prescriptions for people who have family doctors.”

…Sorry? So what you’re telling me is that now, instead of providing a NEW service and making it easier for people who are already shafted out of a doctor to get prescriptions (a lot like you’ve been advertising), you’re actually just offering people a redundant service. If your doctor already gives you a couple years worth of refills, hell, I’ll give you refills too, not that you need them. But despite having a COMPLETELY non-risky medication that isn’t going to pose ANY threat of mis-use or abuse, you still have to go and get a NEW prescription from a doctor for every refill.

What difference does it make? My walk in clinic has my full medical history. Just because someone is “assigned” a doctor, they somehow don’t need to be seen? They’re just trusted with medication? But god forbid I’m low-risk and don’t need to see a doctor on a regular basis…. better not take any chances with her and make sure we see her for 30 seconds every month so we can ask absolutely no questions and just write the script regardless. A whole lot like my pharmacist could actually be doing.

This service adds absolutely NO value, to anyone. If you’re already entrusted a year’s worth of medication, nothing changes because a second person is also entrusted – a second person you’ll never need to use. If you’re not already given multiple refills, your pharmacist can do nothing. The only difference is whether you’ve been deemed deserving of a family doctor by passing the giant waiting list created by doctor shortage.

I’m really glad that all that money went into advertising a completely USELESS service that’s supposed to make people’s lives easier, but really does absolutely nothing for anyone.

In COMPLETE contrast to this post from just a few months ago. The last few months have been amazing. I’ve found my passions, I’ve met so many amazing people all over the world, and I can finally say I’m truly happy for the first time in my life. I’ve been working on a blog post describing everything but the chances it will ever get finished or published are pretty slim.

Because apparently I’m 14 again – the age when posting song lyrics is cool.

Antillas & Blinders feat. Jenson Vaughan – Top Of The World (Original Mix)

I’m lost in this moment the kind where it feels like everything is meant to be
And I’m gonna own it cause the spotlights got nothing on me
I’m shining so bright
When I’m walking and the music hits like adrenaline
Oh, what a feeling
I feel so alive
Take a deep breath
Now I realize

[Chorus]
Nothing’s gonna stop me now
Nothing’s gonna bring me down
Yea – I’m feeling good tonight
I’m on top of the world tonight (tonight)
(x2)

I’m on top of the world tonight
Yeah, I’m on top of the world tonight (tonight)

Just let your heart open
All your inhibitions, watch them all fly away
You got to let love in
It’s the one thing that matters today
So let it shine bright
It’s your moment
Make the most of it
There’s your chance to live
Oh what a feeling
Don’t you feel alive
Take a deep breath
And realize

[Chorus]

Yes I have, you say? Oh, okay then.

If DJ Mag Top 100 ratings mean anything (it doesn’t), Dada Life were my #1. Seeing them play at sunrise at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas this year was one of my life-defining moments, and on September 20, 2012, they made their 3rd annual stop at London Music Hall, here in downtown London, Ontario.

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NOTE: This is one of those old old posts that never quite got finished. I worked on it for HOURS. I gathered links. I tried to remember and I wrote endlessly. By the time I was nearing completion, half my links didn’t work and I couldn’t remember enough to finish the uncompleted sections. Regardless, I’ve had a couple requests for it to be posted.

So, for those that are interested: My EDC 2012 Artist Rundown. Enjoy!

FRIDAY:

• Hardwell – This is the second time I’ve been Hardwell, the first being at Cobra London. His set this time was infinitely better. I was only able to catch the last 1/3 of his already short set, but it blew me away while it lasted. (kineticFIELD) (Hardwell Set Link – Youtube)
• Knife Party – Amazing. Knife Party is fairly new on the scene, but they put on a good show. No children died during their set. (kineticFIELD) (Knife Party Set Link – MixCloud)
• Gabriel & Dresden – I’m not big on Trance, but I needed a place to sit down for awhile. The trance family loved it, and I did enjoy the show, but it wouldn’t be my first choice of stages to visit again. (circuitGROUNDS) (Gabriel & Dresden Set Link – MixCloud)
• Datsik – This was my favourite show of the night. Datsik played early, and on one of the smaller stages, but it was still packed. We found a calmer area near the front with a clear view of the stage. My only complaint was that they didn’t drop my favourite song (Lightspeed), but other than that it was a mind blowing show. (neonGARDEN) (Datsik Set Link – SoundCloud)
• Erick Morillo – I can’t even remember being at this stage for Eric Morillo but I definitely noted in my phone that I was there. Can’t comment on how the show was. (cosmicMEADOW) (Erick Morillo Set Link – MixCloud)
• Afrojack – I’ve never been a huge fan of Afrojack to be honest. For me, his set was nothing remarkable. Of course I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t something I was going crazy over. (kineticFIELD) (Afrojack Set Link – Mixjunkies)
• Kaskade – After Kaskade’s amazing Coachella set, I’m not surprised that this was one of the most packed shows of the entire festival. Luckily we’d already made our way into the middle of the field for Afrojack, and there was quite a bit of room to move around. However, we moved on before the set was over – getting out of kineticFIELD was endless. Even nearing the end of his set, people were still steaming in. It took us a good 15 minutes to navigate our way out. Needless to say, Kaskade did it again and put on a great performance. (kineticFIELD) (Kaskade Set Link – SoundCloud)
• R3hab – Another show that went hard. I’d never heard R3hab before this, but another member of my group wanted to see it. I’m glad I went, because he was fantastic. Would definitely make sure I catch R3hab next time he’s around. (neonGARDEN) (R3hab Set Link – Youtube)
• Aoki and Afrojack - This was the first set Aoki and Afrojack (or “Afroki”) had ever played together, and I must say that they nailed it. Despite Afrojack’s sub par show earlier in the night, this show was incredible. neonGARDEN is not a massive stage, but it was probably the most packed in that time slot. Thousands of people filtered in over  the first half of the show, and the crowd went on throughout every space from which the stage was visible. Aoki, always the show off, floated over the crowd in a blow up raft, and yes, someone did get caked. I’m in love with this set. (neonGARDEN) (Afroki Set Link – SoundCloud)
• Fedde le Grand – Put your hands up for Las Vegas! Fedde le Grand was so packed we couldn’t even get into kineticField. We watched from an area outside the field, but still in view of the stage and it was still insanely busy, even being in the last time slot of the night. I called it a night before he finished his set. (kineticFIELD) (Fedde le Grand Set Link – MixCloud)

SATURDAY:

• Dodge & Fuski (bassPOD) (No Set Link)
• Manufactured Superstars - Another of the sets I missed in London and another that surprised me. (kineticFIELD) (No Manufactured Superstars’ EDC Las Vegas set was recorded, so here is their EDC New York set.)
• Sander Van Doorn – I never expected Sander to blow me away like he did. I missed his show in London when he was around, for no good reason except that I wasn’t familiar with his work. Oh, how I now regret that decision. Sander’s show was incredible, and definitely helped contribute to an excellent first half of the night. (kineticFIELD) (Sander Van Doorn Set Link – EDMHub)
• Borgore - This is a set I was excited to see. We stopped by bassPOD to check it out, but I just couldn’t get into their act. We didn’t stick around long. (bassPOD) (Borgore Set Link – MixCloud)
• Bassnectar (kineticFIELD)
• Martin Solveig (kineticFIELD) (Martin Solveig Set Link – Mixjunkies)
• Feed Me – WOW. Feed Me was one of the sets of the weekend that I refused to miss, even if it meant leaving my group and seeing him solo.  (neonGARDEN)
• Zeds Dead (bassPOD)
• (Wind Storm)
• Marcus Schulz (Pirate Ship)
• Steve Aoki – I’ve never been a huge fan of Aoki, because I find he spends more time showboating – taking off his shirt, crowd surfing, spraying champagne – than he does actually playing music. Some people love that aspect, but I’ve never been a fan of  the type because I feel he has the wrong priorities as far as what I go to a show to see. I think I did gain a little more respect for the guy, however, when he stepped up and played a set on the portable pirate ship stage. He was scheduled to perform with the Blue Man Group at the end of the night, which is unfortunate because I’d have liked to see them, but Aoki definitely turned what could have been a terrible night into an awesome, special experience. (Pirate Ship)

SUNDAY:

Note there are a few artists I can’t comment on too much here. I was super tired, especially early in the night, and we spent a good portion of the first part of the night moving around, so I never really caught more than half a set. The set times were also adjusted to add artists who missed sets on Saturday, meaning we’d leave to catch a set and find that the previous only was only half way done. I don’t want to comment on something I didn’t hear the majority of, but I’ll comment on what I do remember. Because we moved around so much and saw so many acts, the night was a bit of a blur. I’m also having trouble finding some of the set links from Sunday, but I’ll update when (and if) I can find them. Word on the street is that some of the recording equipment may have been damaged in Saturday’s storm, affecting what was recorded on Sunday.

• Black 22s – The Black 22s are not a well known act – they were part of a small project run by Insomniac called the discoverySTAGE. discoverySTAGE accepts entries from unknown DJs and offers the best of the best a spot on a small stage in the Neon Garage at EDC. Despite being a small stage, this is where food vendors and the air conditioned areas are, meaning these DJs get a ton of traffic. As far as I can tell, the discoverySTAGE was not recorded, but you can find the Black 22s on their Facebook Page. I won’t be surprised if you hear about these guys again in the future – their set exploded with energy. (discoverySTAGE).
• Bunny – Another act at the discoverySTAGE. WOW. Despite the name, Bunny was GREAT. If I remember correctly, he was a little closer to dubstep than anything else. His set was energetic and got the crowd going. I spoke to at least 3 other people who also saw Bunny, and had nothing but praises. Another act you’ll be hearing about again, without a doubt. EDC made this guy famous, even if no one knows it yet. Unfortunately, I can’t even find this guy’s Facebook or anything, but I’ll be sure to update with a link if I find anything on the guy. (discoverySTAGE)
• Chuckie – There was a lot of chatter for Chuckie before EDC. I saw him, not because he was my first choice, but because a friend wanted to see him. His was alright, but it certainly wasn’t anything special for me. I don’t think he really lived up to what most people expected to come from him. I wouldn’t say he was exactly a waste of time, but that particular performance of his seemed sub-par. (kineticFIELD) (Chuckie Set Link – Mixjunkies)
• Dirty South – This is the second time I’ve seen Dirty South, and for a guy that’s not all that popular in EDM, his sets are awesome. His show at Tent Party in London was one of the best  I’ve been to, and this set matched it for sure. (kineticFIELD)
• BT – Because of the shifted set times, I missed the majority of BT’s set. However, I’ll leave you with this picture of BT and his daughter in the DJ booth.   (circuitGROUNDS) (BT Set Link – MixCloud)

• Tritonal – I’m not usually huge on Trance, but after hearing Tritonal’s EDC NY Set, I HAD to catch them at EDC Las Vegas. Of course, we again ran into shifted set times because of Saturday’s mishap and didn’t catch the entire thing, but what we did manage to see was phenomenal. (circuitGROUNDS) (Tritonal Set Link – SoundCloud)
• ATB (circuitGROUNDS) (ATB Set Link – Mixjunkies)
• Major Lazer - (neonGARDEN)
• David Guetta (kineticFIELD)
• Armin Van Buuren – I did catch a little of both Armin’s first and second set (kineticFIELD) (Armin Van Buuren Second Set Link – MixJunkies)
• Avicii - Before I start, I’ll be honest. I strongly dislike Avicii. Personality is a big thing to me with DJs – If you come across as a jerk, I am extremely biased towards your music. If you’re a dick, your music is automatically garbage. Now, Avicii. He’s the wonderchild of EDM right now. He’s the Justin Bieber. Sure, he’s got a couple good songs, and I’ll admin to loving Bromane, but aside from a couple singles, he’s a garbage DJ. His sets are BORING. We headed over to kineticFIELD because another act was scheduled to play (AVB maybe?), only to find that Avicii was actually on deck – the storm had him rescheduled.  (kineticFIELD)
• Laidback Luke – Another set that was way more amazing than I expected. I saw LL back in London in October, and I didn’t find him to be anything special. This set was different – on the Super You & Me Stage at neonGARDEN – I think he made me change my mind. The guy is fantastic live. The highlight of this set for me was two cops dancing through the crowd before being approached by a shirtless raver. Raver than proceeded to teach them the PLUR shake and give them some kandi singles. The cops then asked for a picture, which all 3 looked rather enthusiastic about. (neonGARDEN) (Laidback Luke Set Link – MixCloud)
• Bingo Players – I was really impressed with Bingo Players. I wasn’t all that excited to see them; they played at the same time as Porter Robinson, but since I’m seeing Porter again next week I gave in and decided I didn’t mind going to the set of my friends’ choosing over Porter. They always seemed one-hit-wonder-ish to me with Cry Just A Little, so I wasn’t expecting what I got from them; one of the best sets of the weekend. I missed them at Club Rouge here in London a few months back. The club’s advertising was terrible, and though I know about most shows, I didn’t know about Bingo Players, right down the street, until they were already on the tables. I’m sorry I missed it now, and I’ll definitely be listening to more of their mixes in the future. (neonGARDEN) (Bingo Players Set Link – SoundCloud)
• Porter Robinson – This was my third time seeing Porter after first being introduced to him as the opener for Tiesto at the JLC in London and then playing Cobra London a few months later. Every time, I’ve enjoyed him immensely. We only caught the last few tracks of his EDC set, but we did hear him drop Language. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him again next week. Not only is he an amazing musician, he just comes across as a nice guy and a good person; I like that. (kineticFIELD) (No Set Link…. booooo!)
• Dada Life – Dada was my must-see act of the weekend, and being the 4am-5am set on Monday morning, they definitely closed out the weekend on a high note. Between Dada’s monthly mixes and their new Dada Land show, I love these guys. They come across as goofy, talented, and honest. Their Dada Land commentary is amazing and hilarious. (kineticFIELD) (Dada Life Set Link – SoundCloud)

HONOURABLE MENTION (I missed a few sets I wanted to see because of schedule overlaps, including thiers) goes to Kill The Noise. Awesome!

* I’m writing this because I need more than the 140 characters twitter will let me use. Pardon any terrible grammar/spelling mistakes. LIterally a 10 minute post.

This morning I was walking to work, my usual route. It’s a largely student area, so it was reasonable quiet. An elderly man was riding through the intersection on his bike, moving pretty fast – when he hit a patch of sand. The bike slipped out from under him. I was right across the street. He landed head-first on the pavement.

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