Sword and Armor

One of my best memories with rush and my son was taking him to see his first concert at age 6 at Montage Mountain in Scranton on the S&A tour. Everyone was so cool seeing a (then) 6 year old at a Rush show, with people high fiving him and asking him what his favorite song was. While he didn't make it through the whole show, we did have a great time! A lifelong Rush fan was born that night, and he DID make it through the whole show the next summer at PNC Bank Arts Center, because "I have to see them play YYZ"

Ah, quite to the contrary, that is an excellent story! I can say that Rush has been a part of some great moments in my life with my kids, so your story is not lost on me!

My wife wasn't a fan, so I just took her to a show on the S&A tour - instant conversion to a fan!

Have to agree - a true masterpiece! I can hear so many different, yet very subtle, layers in this song that it almost seems like they took a "less is more" approach to creating it. My favorite Rush "ballad" since Tears.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention the awful flanger effect on the bass - WTF?

UUUGGGHHHH...... Didn't want to jump in on this, but my iPod just play the single version of Caravan - what a difference. I didn't really notice much of a difference until the instrumental section. Everything is SO clear on that version, but when I played the album version it sounded like all of the instruments (except the snare, which really pops) where played through some kind of filter. Not trying to be a hater, but why the Hell did they remaster something that already sounded great??

Let's not forget the folks that are forever predicting the end of the band

http://www.apple.com/euro/itunes/charts/top10rockalbums.html #1 in Itunes USA and UK Rock Albums

#1 Today! http://www.amazon.com/best-sellers-music-a...ef=pd_dp_ts_m_1

QUOTE (Ghostnotes @ Jun 16 2012, 12:56 AM) In a recent interview with Neil, he stated that their agenda was busy for the next 2 years or so. Yes, Most likely touring, anyone remember a 2 summer tour recently?

The Garden should be next but unfortunately it'll never happen. (Rant On) Rock radio has gone corporate and is absolute shit, It's now all about trends and focus groups and commercials. That's why Nickelback is still relevant and somehow considered a "major" act - pure shit! BTW, since the "merger" of Sirius and XM, that's turned to shit as well. The dummies running radio seem like they don't understand that there's that thing called a iPod that they're competing against. What happened to the days when a jock could actually play what they wanted? (Rant Off)

QUOTE (Ancient Ways @ Jun 13 2012, 05:54 PM) Are you serious? I also hear he used to be into Ayn Rand and may have some references to her work in some songs. Stop it!!! That CAN'T be possible!!!!! You mean that Neil wrote a song (or epic) about a totalitarian society run by autocratic leaders that decided everything for the people????? I'm in shock.....

QUOTE (Gompers @ Jun 13 2012, 06:23 AM) QUOTE (RUSHHEAD666 @ Jun 13 2012, 05:47 AM) Wow you guys!! Has this ever been discussed on The Rush Forum yet after all of these years???? I was at my local used record store as usual going through all the used cd bins as they were playing "The Sound Of Silence." For some reason my brain picked up on the last part of the song and the lyrical content hit a nerve!! Check this shit out my fellow Rush fans!! Did Neil rip off Paul Simon or is it merely a homage or coincidence? "The Sound Of Silence" "And the sign said, the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls And the tenement halls. And whispered in the sounds of silence." "Sprit Of Radio" "For the words of the prophets were written on the studio wall, concert hall. And echoes with the sounds of salesmen. Of salesmen. Of salesmen." WTF?????? Silly RUSHHEAD...of course every seasoned Rush fan knows about this. Especially us old-timers.

Between the Wheels just edges out Natural Science and La Villa in my humble opinion

Right now....... Caravan Seven Cities of Gold The Garden Clockwork Angels This will absolutely change about 2 million times over the next few weeks

Seven Cities of Gold

Neil was driving to the gig then he saw Geddy drinking milk from Alex's nipples. Neil threw up a pint of Macallan and puke splashed all over himself. Alex was shocked! And Geddy was still drinking milk because he was not really Geddy. Alex realized this and panicked. If Geddyfan13 was there Alex would run into his arms and tell what deep, dark secret Neil was hiding. It had to be that Neil had been a robot but was humanized only while offstage. However, while on stage, Subdivided and synthetic!! Neil woke up and immediately saw his BMW motorcycle on fire. He grabbed his hose and tried to extinguish the flaming bike. Suddenly, Alex screamed LOOK OUT! ROLL THE BONES! HOLD THE FIRE! And let's go eat some soup because Howard Ungerleider brought some crackers. Not just any dry, stale crackers... dry FRESH crackers!! Of course, Geddy had always wanted a rap album with Alex playing some African bongos and the spoons. So they decided to bathe Neil in milk. Meanwhile, Geddyfan13 was trying to convince Geddy to sit still and stop spitting on random people. Geddy said, "I'm orally fixated, ok!" Smiling, Neil begins snorting Jell-o shots and gurgling tequila. Geddyfan13 is having intense flashbacks about eating Reddi-Wip and drinking the sour milk that The Analog Kid flew by night. Wow, that's random, remarked Neil, seeing what just happened. Alex started gyrating because Janie wanted to suck face with him. Disco, like Janie, sucked with Force Ten. And may the smile on Alex's face never fade. Expunged of his trousers, Alex was in the middle between Janie and Geddyfan13's milk jug thinking, "I'm thirsty, half naked and hot for Janie." In walked Geddy with an intrauterine in his nose. The operation was "'snot' very pretty," joked Geddy. Meanwhile, Neil's pet lizard wanted to ride to the gig in Geddy's pants and then he jumped with surprise into Janie's bra. And found a reason to live; whereas before, he couldn't give a New World Man What You're Doing. Marathonist, Rush's top fan (besides MMCXII!!) was lounging around before the concert in granny panties. Wondering where his lizard was now, hopefully not in anyone's undergarments, Neil reached for his Kama Sutra book so he could make Marathonist scream at the top of her lungs. "Argh! Earplugs, please!" Then in astonishment Neil's lizard jumped quickly into the glass of Macallan Alex was balancing on his man-part. Now that's talent requiring a sizeable waste of time and a huge investment of valuable reptile balancing apparatii to figure out how to manipulate ones man-bits accordingly. One would think Alex's big advantage might result from excessive Viagra consumption but however, he doesn't need it. Since Geddy's cheeks were turning red from all the exertion from lifting his very large banana of love every time Marathonist sang, "Afternoon Delight." So after guzzling Shasta with unbridled lust and avarice, Geddy turned his attention to Janie, who was already exhausted after her romp with Alex, and said, "let's go get some doughnuts, the jelly kind. Because I have a deathwish." Actually... Isn't that obvious? GeddysMullet said her spleen was sore. "THEN STOP BARFING!" Obviously, Janie and Marathonist were having feelings for MMCXII because they had been slipped GHB. But MMCXII didn't do it! Freewill made the women cringe at the thought of having to sing while standing on top yaoi's shrine dedicated to Neil and several butcher's aprons drenched in ouzo. Quite a challenge since mass hysteria had taken hold of them angels. It was then that Alex realized Janie was going to see her chicken in law and Neil's lizard battle it out on the stage! Everyone's bet was on the chicken since Neil's lizard was drunk from drinking FunkyColdMedina yesterday. But however, the chicken's beak was too big for the suggested application. Neil scheduled a major Rush tour with the lizard to raise funds for herpes research. Gleamingalloyaircar81 suddenly saw everyone dry-heaving enthusiastically because Natural Science was on repeat. Anyone who thinks Neil's love of BMW demonstrates an unnatural desire for chocolate-covered pizza is mistaken. What Neil really loves is too scandalous for anyone under 65 and republican. Yes, it's true. Neil collects Q-tips. It's an obsession. Neil also suffers from a rare taste for flavored catnip chew toys and clawing furniture. Who knew? Neil saught help but Geddyfan13 thought he could subdue Neil by putting milk in his whisky. BIG MISTAKE! It made Neil frolic and polka dance! That was frightening! Yet oddly enticing. When GeddysMullet saw Alex happily tap-dancing she told him his man-bits were swinging impressively low and he needed to get some supportive undergarments, and then Alex, smiling, said, "TA-DAAAA!" Alex's display of immodesty forced Geddy to rethink his plan of showing GeddysMullet his special friend. For you see, Geddy's pants were tightening and tightening, because he was staring fixedly at pictures of Ireland. There were sheep and milkmaids holding flagons of chowder. "That's one helluva big flock of Seagulls record collection," he began, "But me so horny even the sheep are feeling fuzzy." Geddy liked fuzzy, fluffy, warm buns. But he didn't care much for fuzzy navels on milkmaids. He preferred his own navel. Which is convenient. Even Neil occasionally sniffed the wax commonly found in record-pressing plants because it smelled sickeningly sweet. When their accordion shipment arrived, Ray Daniels handed out lederhosen which The Boyz doused in napalm and wrapped around Neil's drum riser. Then they decided to hang mellophones from Neil's belltree and have midgets blow them incessantly. Geddy started coloring the midgets' hair and braiding it in French braids. Hair-stylist Geddy loved grooming people and doing their wardrobe makeovers, because, frankly, who doesn't?!? "The show must... ...be made of... ...munchkins and chickens!" 'The King of Spades isn't the card to play, Jack!' Neil said. Alex was complaining that Janie hadn't delt him a fair share of chicken wings, but Janie always keeps Dirk and Pratt in a special place in her kitchen pantry. It lacked the lustre of a single, perfect cocktail weenie roast. That would be Vienna sausages with a dash of Spanish fly and several butcher's aprons. Alex's chaps were not revealing enough. "More Buns!" shouted Neil, with fervor. Scared, shocked, Geddy leapt into the tub to hide. There, he found a HUGE lobster eyeing his nethers. "Dastardly crustacean! Leave That Thing Alone!" Alex started swinging the llama's suitcases at the shellfish. This was getting on "Crusty's" nerves; so, they decided they'd boil it with a little wine and have naked midget clowns serve it with blanched spinach and a nice Chianti. Hannibal Lechter rolled out of bed and licked the stamps that were supposed to go on Alex's nipples. How much further will this insanity progress before Neil joins TRF and hits on Marathonist, who's libido rivaled ants on speed, fast and tiny! Only Alex knows who will win Neil and Geddy's

Neil was driving to the gig then he saw Geddy drinking milk from Alex's nipples. Neil threw up a pint of Macallan and puke splashed all over himself. Alex was shocked! And Geddy was still drinking milk because he was not really Geddy. Alex realized this and panicked. If Geddyfan13 was there Alex would run into his arms and tell what deep, dark secret Neil was hiding. It had to be that Neil had been a robot but was humanized only while offstage. However, while on stage, Subdivided and synthetic!! Neil woke up and immediately saw his BMW motorcycle on fire. He grabbed his hose and tried to extinguish the flaming bike. Suddenly, Alex screamed LOOK OUT! ROLL THE BONES! HOLD THE FIRE! And let's go eat some soup because Howard Ungerleider brought some crackers. Not just any dry, stale crackers... dry FRESH crackers!! Of course, Geddy had always wanted a rap album with Alex playing some African bongos and the spoons. So they decided to bathe Neil in milk. Meanwhile, Geddyfan13 was trying to convince Geddy to sit still and stop spitting on random people. Geddy said, "I'm orally fixated, ok!" Smiling, Neil begins snorting Jell-o shots and gurgling tequila. Geddyfan13 is having intense flashbacks about eating Reddi-Wip and drinking the sour milk that The Analog Kid flew by night. Wow, that's random, remarked Neil, seeing what just happened. Alex started gyrating because Janie wanted to suck face with him. Disco, like Janie, sucked with Force Ten. And may the smile on Alex's face never fade. Expunged of his trousers, Alex was in the middle between Janie and Geddyfan13's milk jug thinking, "I'm thirsty, half naked and hot for Janie." In walked Geddy with an intrauterine in his nose. The operation was "'snot' very pretty," joked Geddy. Meanwhile, Neil's pet lizard wanted to ride to the gig in Geddy's pants and then he jumped with surprise into Janie's bra. And found a reason to live; whereas before, he couldn't give a New World Man What You're Doing. Marathonist, Rush's top fan (besides MMCXII!!) was lounging around before the concert in granny panties. Wondering where his lizard was now, hopefully not in anyone's undergarments, Neil reached for his Kama Sutra book so he could make Marathonist scream at the top of her lungs. "Argh! Earplugs, please!" Then in astonishment Neil's lizard jumped quickly into the glass of Macallan Alex was balancing on his man-part. Now that's talent requiring a sizeable waste of time and a huge investment of valuable reptile balancing apparatii to figure out how to manipulate ones man-bits accordingly. One would think Alex's big advantage might result from excessive Viagra consumption but however, he doesn't need it. Since Geddy's cheeks were turning red from all the exertion from lifting his very large banana of love every time Marathonist sang, "Afternoon Delight." So after guzzling Shasta with unbridled lust and avarice, Geddy turned his attention to Janie, who was already exhausted after her romp with Alex, and said, "let's go get some doughnuts, the jelly kind. Because I have a deathwish." Actually... Isn't that obvious? GeddysMullet said her spleen was sore. "THEN STOP BARFING!" Obviously, Janie and Marathonist were having feelings for MMCXII because they had been slipped GHB. But MMCXII didn't do it! Freewill made the women cringe at the thought of having to sing while standing on top yaoi's shrine dedicated to Neil and several butcher's aprons drenched in ouzo. Quite a challenge since mass hysteria had taken hold of them angels. It was then that Alex realized Janie was going to see her chicken in law and Neil's lizard battle it out on the stage! Everyone's bet was on the chicken since Neil's lizard was drunk from drinking FunkyColdMedina yesterday. But however, the chicken's beak was too big for the suggested application. Neil scheduled a major Rush tour with the lizard to raise funds for herpes research. Gleamingalloyaircar81 suddenly saw everyone dry-heaving enthusiastically because Natural Science was on repeat. Anyone who thinks Neil's love of BMW demonstrates an unnatural desire for chocolate-covered pizza is mistaken. What Neil really loves is too scandalous for anyone under 65 and republican. Yes, it's true. Neil collects Q-tips. It's an obsession. Neil also suffers from a rare taste for flavored catnip chew toys and clawing furniture. Who knew? Neil saught help but Geddyfan13 thought he could subdue Neil by putting milk in his whisky. BIG MISTAKE! It made Neil frolic and polka dance! That was frightening! Yet oddly enticing. When GeddysMullet saw Alex happily tap-dancing she told him his man-bits were swinging impressively low and he needed to get some supportive undergarments, and then Alex, smiling, said, "TA-DAAAA!" Alex's display of immodesty forced Geddy to rethink his plan of showing GeddysMullet his special friend. For you see, Geddy's pants were tightening and tightening, because he was staring fixedly at pictures of Ireland. There were sheep and milkmaids holding flagons of chowder. "That's one helluva big flock of Seagulls record collection," he began, "But me so horny even the sheep are feeling fuzzy." Geddy liked fuzzy, fluffy, warm buns. But he didn't care much for fuzzy navels on milkmaids. He preferred his own navel. Which is convenient. Even Neil occasionally sniffed the wax commonly found in record-pressing plants because it smelled sickeningly sweet. When their accordion shipment arrived, Ray Daniels handed out lederhosen which The Boyz doused in napalm and wrapped around Neil's drum riser. Then they decided to hang mellophones from Neil's belltree and have midgets blow them incessantly. Geddy started coloring the midgets' hair and braiding it in French braids. Hair-stylist Geddy loved grooming people and doing their wardrobe makeovers, because, frankly, who doesn't?!? "The show must... ...be made of... ...munchkins and chickens!" 'The King of Spades isn't the card to play, Jack!' Neil said. Alex was complaining that Janie hadn't delt him a fair share of chicken wings, but Janie always keeps Dirk and Pratt in a special place in her kitchen pantry. It lacked the lustre of a single, perfect cocktail weenie roast. That would be Vienna sausages with a dash of Spanish fly and several butcher's aprons. Alex's chaps were not revealing enough. "More Buns!" shouted Neil, with fervor. Scared, shocked, Geddy leapt into the tub to hide. There, he found a HUGE lobster eyeing his nethers. "Dastardly crustacean! Leave That Thing Alone!" Alex started swinging the llama's suitcases at the shellfish. This was getting on "Crusty's" nerves; so, they decided they'd boil it with a little wine and have naked midget clowns serve it with blanched spinach and a nice Chianti. Hannibal Lechter rolled out of bed and licked the stamps that were supposed to go on Alex's nipples. How much further will this insanity

I'm wearing a god dammned winter jacket! It's snowing in PA!!!!!

QUOTE (Cygnus The God Of Balance @ May 6 2008, 01:10 PM) QUOTE (Sword and Armor @ May 6 2008, 11:38 AM) This may be well covered ground but in seeing the pictures of the kids in this thread, I'm once again reminded that kids with autism look like any other kid and there is no way for anyone to know they have a disability. I was reminded of this fact again this past weekend. Matthew decided that he didn't want to play baseball this year, he just didn't like it last year, but his brother Brian loves it. This past weekend my wife was away at school, so I had to bring all three kids to the game. When we got to the field Brian sprinted out on the field with his team and I took Matthew and the baby over to the playground. After a few minutes the playground got old so we went over to the ballfield because the game started. Matt knows a bunch of the kids on the team and the coach, so they let him hang around the bench during the game. He decided that he would play umpire and call balls and strikes for his brothers team. He was loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to be a nuisance and no one seemed to have a problem with it. The parents that were with the team last year know that Matt is autistic and they understand. When the other team was at bat, he kept calling balls and strikes. After an inning and a half he lost interest. No harm, right? Wrong. The next time Brian came up to bat, Matt decided to start calling balls and strikes on his brother. Being brothers, and taking the liberty that comes with it, Brian tells Matt to stop, in let's just say, a less than friendly way. With that I hear a father from the other team say in a sarcastic tone, "Yeah, good idea". This is a LL game with 6-8 year olds. This A-Hole then looks at me out of the corner of his eye, trying not to make eye contact but see if I'm looking at him. I bit my tongue and held in my anger and walked away with Matt and my now sleeping daughter. If I didn't walk away, I most certainly would have done something that I would have regretted. I know how you feel. I've said on here plenty of times how I used to be over protective of Tony, to the point where I'd have him at Wal Mart or in a restaurant just waiting for someone to say something if he decided it was time to act up. Certainly the wrong approach by me. Parents at sporting events can be cruel to the kids on the opposing team, regardless of whether the child has a disability or not. I know I've mellowed a lot the past couple of years, and I sometimes try to use those situations, that would have in the past been an altercation, as an opportunity to educate the individual about Autism. In the same vein, but much more difficult, I also try to teach Tony what is 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate' public behavior. I'm not implying that what your son did was inappropriate in any means, so don't take that the wrong way, please. I think it's just as important, however, to teach our Autistic children what is and is not appropriate behavior in public. In the past, I would have given Tony a pass for his behavior and let him do whatever he did and chalk it up to Autism. However, as he's grown and gotten bigger, I think it's important for him to learn rules. We went as a family to Ann Arbor, Michigan this past weekend to visit my girlfriend Sharon's son who's home from the Navy for two weeks. Michael asked us to go to church with him on Sunday. Now, church and Tony have NEVER mixed, so I stopped going years ago. But, I figured we'd give it a try and see what happened. Well, first off it was a college kids church, so the atmosphere was very relaxed. They had a Christian rock band (not really my cup of tea but they were good musicians) and Tony really enjoyed it. He kept checking out the drummer (making Papa very proud). A couple of times when it was more quiet, Tony asked for 'tickles' and was giggling, and I quietly corrected him and told him 'no tickles.....quiet' and made the "shhhh" sign with my finger to my mouth. A few times of that and he was fine. Ironically, the sermon was about tolerance, and I was quite impressed at how tolerant the young man sitting in front of Tony was as he went through 30 seconds of kicking the back of this guy's seat. I guess the point I'm trying to say is put your kids in these situations. Don't hide them from the world, and don't hide the world from them. They need to be exposed to life in our world and we'll get exposed to life in their world. Before this weekend, I never thought Tony would sit for 90 minutes through a church service. Am I going to run out next Sunday and sit him through Mass? No, but at least I know he CAN do that without a big meltdown every time. And if he did have a meltdown, we would have dealt with that. Up next for Tony will be a dance recital that Sharon's kids are involved in. We decided that we'd try taking Tony to that. We'll sit close to the exit just in case. Nothing taken the wrong way at all. We do our best to point out acceptable and unacceptable behavior to all of our kids. In this situation, my issue was with the intolerance of some A-Hole living vicariously though his kid. What kind of J.O. does this at any sporting event that involves 6, 7 and 8 year old kids? I referee hockey, and I stay away from the younger kids for just this reason. I would rather do a college game where this is some measure of respect, not for me or my position specifically, but for the game. If you can educate some of these people, more power to you! I think it's great that you got Tony to sit through a church service and best of luck with the recital!

This may be well covered ground but in seeing the pictures of the kids in this thread, I'm once again reminded that kids with autism look like any other kid and there is no way for anyone to know they have a disability. I was reminded of this fact again this past weekend. Matthew decided that he didn't want to play baseball this year, he just didn't like it last year, but his brother Brian loves it. This past weekend my wife was away at school, so I had to bring all three kids to the game. When we got to the field Brian sprinted out on the field with his team and I took Matthew and the baby over to the playground. After a few minutes the playground got old so we went over to the ballfield because the game started. Matt knows a bunch of the kids on the team and the coach, so they let him hang around the bench during the game. He decided that he would play umpire and call balls and strikes for his brothers team. He was loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to be a nuisance and no one seemed to have a problem with it. The parents that were with the team last year know that Matt is autistic and they understand. When the other team was at bat, he kept calling balls and strikes. After an inning and a half he lost interest. No harm, right? Wrong. The next time Brian came up to bat, Matt decided to start calling balls and strikes on his brother. Being brothers, and taking the liberty that comes with it, Brian tells Matt to stop, in let's just say, a less than friendly way. With that I hear a father from the other team say in a sarcastic tone, "Yeah, good idea". This is a LL game with 6-8 year olds. This A-Hole then looks at me out of the corner of his eye, trying not to make eye contact but see if I'm looking at him. I bit my tongue and held in my anger and walked away with Matt and my now sleeping daughter. If I didn't walk away, I most certainly would have done something that I would have regretted.

QUOTE (Cygnus The God Of Balance @ May 6 2008, 11:17 AM) http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb299/rock101dotnet/100_4203.jpg Rock On Tony!!

http://glendevon.org/fishinggirls/images/Fishing%20with%20Cary.jpg