Aikenrooster

Lorraine, I am sorry you're having to go through this. Life just isn't fair, many times. I hope things get better for your very soon.

I have had bad dreams for a long time, and I can handle it, but, lately, I'm having the same 3 recurring bad dreams. I understand one of them, but not the other two. Is there anyone on here who understands this stuff? And, is there anything that can be done to stop bad dreams?

Who is "the happy fan" that Neil talks about in his book, "Roadshow"?

Indiana absolutely blew it at the end versus Maryland. They had the lead; all they had to do was run clock and not take quick 3s. Ugh.

f**k the Terps.

 

The key was taking a quick three by a mediocre shooter up 7 with less than three to go, and throwing the ball to a non ball handler up 4 with a minute to go setting up Md 3.

Yep. I wonder if the word got out about Kobe and they lost focus? They had it in the bag, right after the alley oop. I hate Maryland.

It's all over CBS now.

Indiana absolutely blew it at the end versus Maryland. They had the lead; all they had to do was run clock and not take quick 3s. Ugh.

Neil would be embarrassed and, I think, touched deeply if he knew the true "measure of respect" he has earned. A measure beyond measure.

 

This is still nearly as raw and staggering as it was eight days ago.

Other than Chris Cornell and BB King, I can't think of too many celebrities that I really gave a second thought about when the news announced their passing.

Neil probably wouldn't even have liked me, but we had a lot in common: Virgo, traveling all over Canada and the US, introvert, philosophical, humble, and losing our wives in a tragic manner. The book "Ghost Rider" "prepared me" in an eerie way for something I didn't know was going to happen. But, I guess it's the music. Most music is absolute garbage, and, even if I like the beat, or whatever, most music has nothing to say. Rush is the biggest exemption to that rule. The songs have so much philosophy, and, when you read Neil's books, you understand where a lot of the other lyrics came from that aren't so obvious.

 

Like many others have said on here, I too held out hope that we'd all meet again, one day, in ATL, when Rush finally decided to give us another tour. I take solace that we got to see them on the last tour.

 

 

We were lucky to have witnessed professionalism of the highest order.

Neil would be embarrassed and, I think, touched deeply if he knew the true "measure of respect" he has earned. A measure beyond measure.

 

Neil Peart and Neil Armstrong had more things in common than their first name.

 

Armstrong also eschewed the limelight. He didn't want any part of the massive adulation from people all around the world. If he had wanted, he could have made a zillion dollars off his Achievement, but he didn't. He was a private man, a humble man, who literally saw himself as undeserving of all the hero worship. The Greatest Achievement in all of human history, and he said that he was undeserving of the all the praise. Remarkable....

 

Not to diss Neil Armstrong who was an exceptional pilot and engineer, but he was part of a huge team that made that achievement happen.

 

Neil Peart on the other hand was in a team of one when it came to delivering what he did.

I think if you read "Roadshow" you'd be surprised (as I was) that there was a lot more to Rush, as the years went by, than "just the 3 guys at work".

"Xanadu" is playing on my stereo right now. Doing the cowbell part with my fingers on my desk.

 

I'm embracing Rush music. It's so soothing to the soul. Progressive Rock Audio Therapy.

 

It works!

 

I’ve had almost nothing but Rush in my headphones during workouts since Friday. Normally they’re not my first choice as workout music; I tend to prefer harder stuff when I am lifting. And for cardio (I run), prog isn’t exactly the ideal choice for maintaining a rhythm! I had an excellent shoulder session earlier today with Grace Under Pressure and then a decent run through most of Signals. I will say that Power Windows and Hold Your Fire are both good songs for running. Hemispheres turned out to be great accompaniment for a leg workout, oddly enough.

Yeah, I can't lift to Rush, either. But, it's ok for hiking.

I thought you were into cycling?

 

That's my (now-ex) husband who was the cyclist. Last time I saw him he was approaching the 300 lb. mark, so I doubt he's still doing that.

 

I lift religiously and run....running mainly as it's my preferred form of cardio. (I'm not supposed to run because of an artificial hip, but we're approaching the 20 year anniversary of that hip and so far, so good).

Been lifting since October. I like it, because I feel better after I go, but there is a lot I can't do and a lot to learn, like how to bring more intensity. Also, I get very fatigued if I go more than 3 days in a row.

 

Really nice to hear from you. I haven't been on here for a long time and I am reminded of how funny your posts are. Glad you're doing well.

 

 

On a side note, Audible is making all of Neil's books available for free until January 28. Very classy of them to do that. I've downloaded all of them and plan to go through all of them. https://www.audible....eart/B000APH4T0

Thanks for the tip!

yessir. I will download these. Thanks!

"Xanadu" is playing on my stereo right now. Doing the cowbell part with my fingers on my desk.

 

I'm embracing Rush music. It's so soothing to the soul. Progressive Rock Audio Therapy.

 

It works!

 

I’ve had almost nothing but Rush in my headphones during workouts since Friday. Normally they’re not my first choice as workout music; I tend to prefer harder stuff when I am lifting. And for cardio (I run), prog isn’t exactly the ideal choice for maintaining a rhythm! I had an excellent shoulder session earlier today with Grace Under Pressure and then a decent run through most of Signals. I will say that Power Windows and Hold Your Fire are both good songs for running. Hemispheres turned out to be great accompaniment for a leg workout, oddly enough.

Yeah, I can't lift to Rush, either. But, it's ok for hiking.

I thought you were into cycling?

Regardless of Neil's thoughts on an afterlife or lack thereof, I'm just glad he spoke out at the hypocrisy of organized religion in America and the GOP party in general. Most people that call themselves "Christians" are anything but. If you have read his books, he goes into detail on his thoughts.

I disagree with that. Christians give and they give to the point to hurting themselves financially. My father gave 10% of his gross paycheck to tithes, plus, other offerings, fund raisers, and his time to church functions. We grew up low middle class and lived in a small asbestos siding house and drove used cars. We didn't do without, but we could've had a lot more. My mom was furious that dad emptied his 401k to give it to the church, and, if she hadn't have died first, it could have been a problem. He's not the only one that gave/gives of their money and time. Many other Christians give in this manner, too, especially after federal and state taxes, and it's a bit unfair to kick them and call them hypocrites, when they're trying to do what is right.

 

Now, whether they're doing it for the right or wrong reason is another debate, and so is the churchs' leaders efficiency in spending that money.

 

No Christian claims to be perfect, and, in this age of political divisiveness, a lot of Christians are getting sucked into political rhetoric, but I think they're trying.

 

I'm an atheist, and, if I go to church, they'll feed me just like any other person.

Pretty much that. We have the time we have, so make the best of it. The rest is illusion.

 

Set that idea to an adaptation of Candide and you've got Clockwork Angels.

 

My father passed away in his 80’s of terminal cancer. He mirrored this thought saying, “I lived my life and it’s time to get out of the way and let the next guy have some fun with it”. And I just think that’s the most admirable way to look at life/death...except he lived a full life. Tragedy makes it different and the sadness I feel at this is to his family, young daughter that he loved, and that he never got to enjoy his later years. I feel sadness knowing Imhe won’t get to write and we won’t get to read his words again.

 

Some bizarre test? Nah. Just life. Value what you have and cherish it. Make the most. It’s all we got.

I'm sorry you had to go through that. That's terrible.

Pretty much that. We have the time we have, so make the best of it. The rest is illusion.

 

Set that idea to an adaptation of Candide and you've got Clockwork Angels.

 

My father passed away in his 80’s of terminal cancer. He mirrored this thought saying, “I lived my life and it’s time to get out of the way and let the next guy have some fun with it”. And I just think that’s the most admirable way to look at life/death...except he lived a full life. Tragedy makes it different and the sadness I feel at this is to his family, young daughter that he loved, and that he never got to enjoy his later years. I feel sadness knowing Imhe won’t get to write and we won’t get to read his words again.

 

Some bizarre test? Nah. Just life. Value what you have and cherish it. Make the most. It’s all we got.

While I accept the possibility that there is something in the quantum realm that no one understands, I don't put any faith in it. We know that here and now exist, and our brains are programed to deal with the reality that our senses perceve.

Although events occur that seem a little too coincidental, and some people chalk it up to "karma", it is just our brain's way of dealing with data, and if someone got justice, then it was just coincidence.

I've seen 2 people take their final breath and I'm convinced that this life is all there is. Tell them you love them NOW. Whatever you want to do, do it NOW. You may not see tomorrow. It really isn't worth holding grudges, because you're only stressing yourself out and damaging your own body.

Any good on this earth is done by us, and any evils that are extinguished and revenged are done by us. Those responsibilities are OURS and we shouldn't shirk our duty.

 

After a nights sleep and time to process all this, not much has changed. Still so very sad. The one part of this I can’t shake is how cruel life can be. Neil deserved to live the life he wanted in retirement. He deserved to be healthy and get that 2nd chance at being a father on his terms. When my mind goes there, I lose it. The man endured so much pain and tragedy. WTF?!

This. He basically lost 2 families in the cruelest of manners. Not fair!

Make no mistake; I think I would have taken Neil's approach with this (but that is a product of my personality).

If you're a Virgo, you probably would have. I'm the same way. I don't even want a funeral or anyone to know I've died, when it happens. Virgos generally don't want attention.

+1 on the cancer explaining the silence.

 

I suspect that he had the same issues that were documented with Gord Downie. Maybe we should be grateful we didn't see THAT.

 

Gord chose to go a different route and maybe Neil saw that and chose to go down a different path that was more true to himself. There's no right answer here..

He might not have chosen anything. It depends on what part of the brain was being affected. My cousin died of brain cancer and it originated in the part of the brain where speech is produced. Everything was normal, but he couldn't get the damned words out. Also, he thought he had an ear infection. My point is, we don't know if he could write or type or how cognizant he was.

I know Glen Campbell wanted his Alzheimer's documented, to raise awareness, and find a cure, but, obviously, Neil didn't want everyone to see him in his condition. I'd wager that he simply wanted to spend what time he had with his new family.

 

A better question might be: did he regret doing R40, not having that time with his family?

I haven't been on here in a while, and I didn't even know he was sick. I don't see any thread titles on here referring to it.

 

Also, I've been getting a lot of bogus "Rush" click bait on my Google homepage, and I thought this might have been some of that, too.

 

I can't believe it, but it makes all the vague answers from Geddy, over the past several years, make sense.

 

This sucks. I just lost my favorite Uncle and now my favorite musician is gone. Rest In Peace.

Dream Theater: April 22, 2019: Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC. Amazing performance. Show was from 8pm to 11pm, with a 15 minute intermission. In the first set they played a lot of the cool songs from the new album, "Distance Over Time", including "Pale Blue Dot", one of my favorites, and songs off of other albums, including "In The Presence Of Enemies" from "Systematic Chaos". The second set, they played all of "Scenes From A Memory". The encore was "Pull Me Under". I'm glad I went.

Dream Theater, tonight, in Charlotte. Went on a whim. No Ticketmaster fees at box office!

Back in the late 90s, I listened to The Chemical Brothers and Prodigy. I remember going out to buy 'Fat of the Land'. He will be missed.

Yeah, I didn't realize these guys were still around. I tried to search for them a while back and I guess there is a "Prodigy" and "The Prodigy" which are two different bands.

Had front row seat for Joe Bonamassa, in Savannah, GA, on Saturday, March 2. Never had front row before and it was incredible. I could see the glare off of the guitar and see him make the chords and bend the strings with no camera assist. The sound was absolutely incredible at the Johnny Mercer Theater. It was heavenly, as there was a sort of vibration coming off of the wall beside me. Incredible performance and 85% of the time he came to my side to play his solos. JB is an incredible and very technical performer?

Saw Tedeschi Trucks Band and Marcus King Band in Augusta, GA, Friday, March 1. They have a new organist/pianist since Kofi Burbridge passed away, and it was kind of a subdued atmosphere with flowers sitting in front of the organ. The new organist is good, but different, but it ain't KB.

Also, they have a new bassist, from Augusta, GA, who flat out kicks ass. He did a lot more than the old bassist, who was basically nonexistent, it seemed. A few minor technical glitches during the show and they played a lot of the new album, which is has some sad songs on it. Marcus King didn't play very long, but Derek Trucks played the last song with them, and, they came out and played 2 encore songs with Tedeschi Trucks. It's was a very good show, but not the best. Still, I'm glad they came to Augusta, so I wouldn't have to drive 3 or 4 hours, one way, to see them.

Or can you? Other than buying CDs, merchandise, and attending shows, why can't you invest money in upcoming bands? You never hear bands ask you for money, via Patreon, like some bloggers and vloggers?

Muhammed makes one of two, Indiana gets rebound and misses 3 to tie. Ugh