Subdivisions

[Subdivisions]

When I saw that we were going to have a name-change amnesty, I was quite happy. Back when I joined DU, I chose the name Texas Explorer in my haste to register so I could reply to a post about illegal immigration. While the name has been a good fit for most of my tenure here at DU, it really isn't a username I'm fond of. I took it from a domain I own where I once provided travel information for Texas and then as a venue for selling outdoors equipment and apparel. Also, there's really not much left of Texas I haven't explored. So, after considerable thought, I decided to change my username.

Growing up, I often wondered what progress was doing to our humanity...our...human psyche. As we progress, as our civilization grows, as we conform, do each of us become less significant in the larger scheme of things? I should hope not. For, nowhere is the dreamer, or the misfit so alone, that cannot break free of the subdivisions and the provided opinions that attempt to trap us into that conformity that seeks to deny our individuality.

Soooo, I've decided to go back to the year I graduated from high school, 1982, and began to face the challenges of destiny. I have named myself after this classic rock song by the band Rush. Enjoy.

SUBDIVISIONS

Words by Neil Peart, music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aH3qoQIqig

Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In between the bright lights
And the far unlit unknown

Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone

(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight
Somewhere out of a memory of lighted streets on quiet nights...

(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

[av8rdave]

1. One of my all time favorites...great lyrics!

Thanks for posting!

[Captain Hilts]

2. Very thoughtful!

[flvegan]

3. When will Rush be in the RnR Hall of Fame?

This is the DU member formerly known as I Should Use the Popcorn Smilie Here.

[Subdivisions]

6. Petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/xanstar/

[Dr. Strange]

16. #31295

[texastoast]

4. Thank goodness

the dreams of restless youth can't be subdued.

I'm so proud of our Houston Mayor Bill White who has worked so hard to promote Smart Growth instead of sprawl (not that it has subsided), but the idea of building up, up and keeping more land for green space is starting to catch on. Many young people are buying into downtown, living in our warehouse district that has been converted to lofts. I never thought I would see it happen. Houston's downtown streets used to roll up at 5:00 p.m. Not anymore. It is alive and thriving with theatre venues, cool coffee houses, bistros, and walk-to-work living. Change is coming here too!

[Subdivisions]

5. Ft Worth has gone through a similar renaissance. They are actually

adding to an older building and making whole thing a office/retail/residential complex. Ft Worth and Dallas also have an intermediate public transit system with a regular train between Ft. Worth and Dallas, which has extended rail service. Ft Worth, though, can be seen as a model for reversing sprawl.

[liberalmuse]

7. Love that song!

I was into punk, too, and punkers thought groups like Rush and Pink Floyd were 'pretentious'. While I love the raw garage band sound and simple, anti-establishment lyrics, I also greatly appreciate musicians who have mastered their instruments and who aren't afraid to write lofty songs.

Beautiful! Thanks for posting!

[Subdivisions]

8. You're welcome! I knew there would be some fans here =). n/t

[mmonk]

9. Can we call you sub for short?

[Subdivisions]

10. Sure, if you want. =) n/t

[scheming daemons]

11. We can form a club of people who's names are Rush related...

Mine's from a lyric in "Farewell to Kings"


"Scheming daemons dressed in kingly guise..."

[Subdivisions]

13. I always wondered why your nick sounded hauntingly familiar...

Now I know! =)

[lpbk2713]

12. ... and they all look like ticky tacky.

Seeger.

[Dr. Strange]

14. Oh hell yeah.

My favorite Rush tune!

:toast:

[naaman fletcher]

15. check out this really cool acousting cover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vd9OVLO7Q

[Subdivisions]

17. That is so extremely awesome! Thanks! =) n/t