A true test, and a true sign of things to come, saw light just under a month ago, where an old friend of mine offered me a potential spot in his band as their lead singer. I never got the chance to formally try out, but I made it known that I could work with the material they had, and they equally made it clear that they wanted to work with me. Unfortunately, I never got that chance, as that band split up before things could get going. I was not angry, nor am I bitter or resentful of the former band or the situation, but I feel fortunate that I got to meet a group of some pretty cool guys. But I digress. I bring that situation up because Heather was more than supportive of even the idea of me fronting a band. As a matter of fact, she's surprised I had never even been in a band before. Jenn on the other hand? She made it clear to me many times in our marriage that she didn't want me to be in a band, or even pursue music in any way, shape, or form. Almost that alone makes me feel that much more fortunate of the fact that I married such a wonderful woman this time around. She's made it clear to me that no matter what goals I have in life, she would be in my corner no matter what. Be it music, writing, or even something to do with the world of professional wrestling, I know that she would have my back no matter what. This, above all else, is what I'm thankful for this year.
Another change for us is going to be our move to North Carolina. Heather had lived down here in Florida her entire life, and I've been here almost seven years. My final day with my company will come on March 14 of the coming year, and Moving Day will be on May 1. Since June 9 of 2007, I have gone above and beyond my duties as a grocery clerk, I've trained and work in several other departments in between both of the stores I had worked at, and I can happily say that I've busted my ass, and did it with integrity. I can even go so far as to say that since being at my current store, I've evolved by leaps and bounds as a worker, and developed a work ethic I never knew I had before. Unfortunately, it has gotten me nothing, as I am still in the same situation I was when I started. Couple that along with a couple of good coworkers being wronged by the higher brass, the backwards thinking, and the horrible no-brainer business decisions made over the past several years I have plied my trade, and I feel that it's time to go. No transfer, no nothing. Just pull in whatever is in my retirement fund and use that money for moving expenses. That, and we would be closer to both of our families, and all of my families lol. It's time for me to move on, and time for us to move on as well. Wherever I go, I only hope that my talents will be met with recognition and appreciation, two things that I should have gotten here. I will not miss this place, and I will not be sorry to see it go.
2nd Chance CD of the Year
Rush
Vapor Trails: Remixed (2002, 2013)
Tracklist
One Little Victory
Ceiling Unlimited
Ghost Rider
Peaceable Kingdom
The Stars Look Down
How It Is
Vapor Trail
Secret Touch
Earthshine
Sweet Miracle
Nocturne
Freeze
Out of the Cradle
This album was originally released in 2002, and was basically the big comeback for the Canadian rock trio, although, looking back at the original, I don't think that it was the comeback that Rush was looking for. That would come five years later, with the album Snakes and Arrows. With Vapor Trails, the original mix sounded clunky, crowded, and distorted in most songs, if not all. This is a remixed version of the album, released earlier this year, and needless to say, it sounds a lot smoother, a lot cleaner, and seems a lot more put together. But other than that...since I'm a lazy son of a bitch, I'm gonna cut and paste a review of the original album onto this review...- From June 28, 2006...
Yeah, you freaking know it. The almighty power trio from Canada had to come into this whole thing some time or another, right? Right? Well, obviously, yeah. Namely this little tidbit of music from the wrongfully-ignored Atlantic Records years. I mean seriously, after Rush left Mercury, it seems that everything from 1989 on up to the present day is, as a whole, forgetten by music fans everywhere. Yes I do think that is wrong. I just bought a copy of their Gold compilation, and what the bloody hell is on it? Just stuff from the Mercury Record era. Don't get me wrong, anyone who has ever heard 2112 or Moving Pictures will know that what we have there is some pretty legendary shit. But alas, the Atlantic era gets no love, and Lord knows it should. Case in point, Vapor Trails. After a lengthy absence from touring and recording, mainly due to drummer-songwriter Neil Peart's bouts of personal tragedy, Rush make their triumphant return to the music scene with this album. Rush had never been a band that cared about how popular they were, or how many records they sold. They had always cared about putting on the best shows, the best records for their fans, as possible. The lead single, "One Little Victory" is a perfect way to start off a Rush record, with Peart's off-the-charts drumming. While that may have been the only single to come from Vapor Trails, the greatness does not stop there. Sixty seven minutes of a triumphant and defiant Rush album proceeds, with songs like "Vapor Trail," a song about the end of the world, and "Earthshine," an ode to the moon. The most heartfelt and personal of the thirteen tracks, at least in my opinion, is entitled "Ghost Rider." It is a five and a half minute tune about Neil Peart himself, losing his wife and daughter and riding a motorcycle cross-continent to do some soul searching, soul searching that allowed Vapor Trails to see the light of day.
This is pretty much my last blog of the year. Questions and comments are always welcome. Everyone have a great Christmas, and you will hear from me next year.
Miller
