This blog focuses on my scholarship in my five research projects: learning assistance and equity programs, student peer study group programs, learning technologies, Universal Design for Learning, and history simulations. And occasional observations about life.
Vocal Analysis of "Xanadu" by the Progressive Rock Band, RUSH
Another of the analysis of rock songs by the Charismatic Voice podcast. I like the sound and ability of the group to create images in my mind of what this retreat was like. As Elizabeth Zharoff notes towards the end of the analysis, perhaps this is not the magical place that some have believed. Great observation and lesson to learn. In any case, it is another great piece of analysis.
“Xanadu” Performed by RUSH
Here is the YouTube video that Elizabeth was reacting to for her analysis of the song.
Lyrics to “Xanadu”
'To seek the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise...'
I had heard the whispered tales of immortality
The deepest mystery
From an ancient book I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops of eastern lands unknown
Time and Man alone
Searching for the lost Xanadu
Xanadu
To stand within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kublai Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise
Oh, paradise!
A thousand years have come and gone but time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end, weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost
Xanadu
Xanadu
Held within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kublai Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a mad immortal man
Nevermore shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honeydew
And drunk the milk of Paradise
Whoa, is it paradise?
Vocal Analysis of "2112" by the Progressive Rock Band, RUSH
I have liked the progressive rock band RUSH for a long time. However, I did not appreciate the sophisticated lyrics and performances until the epic song “2112” was analyzed by Elizabeth Zharoff on the Charismatic Voice podcast. Enjoy the ride.
“2112” Song Only with Graphic Novel Images
This music video is the version with the graphic novel images to illustrate the storyline that RUSH shares through their music. It is the same video that the Charismatic Voice used for a reaction. I love graphic novels due to my upbringing where I saved nickels to buy what we called a comic book back in the day. Enjoy the images and pay particular attention to the captions to the images. Not all the captions are suny by Geddy Lee. Enjoy.
Lyrics to “2112”
Not all the lyrics that appear below were sung by Geddy Lee, Instead, some of them were included in the introduction to the video or through the graphic novel version that accompanies the song. Brilliant!!!
'I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here, just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple Paper in the evening.
'My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons. I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found something that changed it all...'
[I. Overture]
And the meek shall inherit the earth...
[II. Temples of Syrinx]
...'The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federation city. I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests...'
We've taken care of everything
The words you read, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eye
It's one for all and all for one
We work together, common son
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
Look around at this world we've made
Equality our stock-in-trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh, what a nice, contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
[III. Discovery]
'...Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful...'
'...I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn the keys to make them sound differently. As I struck the wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious sounds and soon my own music! How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait to tell the priests about it!...'
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?
See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain
I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night
[IV. Presentation]
'...In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim, expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall...'
'...Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection! Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet...'
I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know, it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan, no
I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here that's as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Don't annoy us further!
Oh, we have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan!
[V. Oracle: The Dream]
'...I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase...'
'...I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things...'
I wandered home through the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?
I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days
I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes
They left our planets long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home to tear the Temples down...
Home to change!
[VI. Soliloquy]
'...I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last.'
The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams...
Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen!
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh, no!
My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood...
...Spills over...
[VII. The Grand Finale]
Attention all planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control
We have assumed control
We have assumed control
Caring for my roommate, Red Robin
Meet Red Robin. I worked with a pet rescue organization to connect him with me several years ago. He had been abandoned by three successive so-called owners. You would think he was some evil entity. He ended up in a kill animal shelter in Texas and was just weeks away from relocating to kitty heaven.
He is the sweetest cat. Very affectionate. Loves to be petted and purrs like a motorboat. He follows me around the house like a little putty dog. Red reminds me of when I have been working too hard on the computer for too long by gently lying down on the keyboard. That is my cue for cuddy time. I really think he has helped me to reduce my blood pressure. Really.
As a single person, he has become a wonderful companion. That is why I have been so upset about his infection, which is causing him to not eat much and lose weight. Both of those are deadly for any pet. The vet prescribed antibiotics and a pill to encourage more eating (maybe that substance is what coats junk food to encourage me to overindulge).
In the future, I will devote a blog post to the lessons that Red Robin has taught me. But, not for today. We are hopeful that the medication will help him to recover. And I am providing plenty of hugs. People often use the expression of being a pet owner. In my case, I say that I am the pet servant to Red Robin. He has had a hard life and I am dedicated to the highest quality of life for the limited time he has left. Pets are people too!
Not Another Pateron Website
Pateron membership websites can be wonderful ways to provide information or services to subscribers and provided income to the creators. I pay a modest $6 monthly to receive detailed learning technology videos each much. I am grateful for what I have learned and happy to support his globe-trotting ministry of teaching how to use technology for improving learning.
Another content creator has an amazing array of membership benefits depending upon the monthly fee. Those range from five to fifty dollars a month. From each subscriber. I have no argument with what the content creator does and charges. The person and the production team need the revenue to produce an amazing experience.
I thought that maybe adding a Pateron program to this website might be another way to share what I am learning with others. The current website can be a confusing collection of everything that I have learned, published, and spoken. Maybe a Pateron program with differing levels of service could make it easier for interested educators. I could charge the minimum of one dollar each month rather than higher membership levels.
After thinking about it, I decided for not another Pateron website. While many of the technologies used in my work range from moderate to expensive, I can handle it for now. Blog postings can provide a free system to share short and long videos, new publication announcements, and sharing what I am learning.
I will also share a few personal stories along with way as well. My current crisis is helping my cat to recover from an infection that has reduced his appetite and subsequent loss of body weight. That can be deadly. I care about many things, including my roommate and companion. Currently, Red Robin (that’s his name), is sleeping on his cushion beside my computer monitor.
Well, that is enough for this posting. I will be also posting to X and my LinkedIn profile page. Feel free to share comments. That is a way that we can build an online community. Thanks for reading.
Essential Glossary for Increasing Student Success
The College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) Publications Committee is delighted to share with you a new free resource, "Essential Glossary for Increasing Postsecondary Student Success: Administrators, Faculty, Staff, and Policymakers (3rd ed.)," which was a project that I was honored to serve as editor for this third edition. There was a big team that produced this resource. I wrote in the introduction, “Developmental education and learning assistance have changed dramatically in recent years, and so must also the language used to describe and define them. This glossary is useful for the wide field of educators involved with promoting student success. It provides precise language and definitions to use when communicating with peers and more effectively influencing administrators, legislators, and the media” (p. 2). This glossary is vastly expanded from the second edition. Rather than saying more, click on the link to it provided below.
This resource is free to download and disseminate. Click on the following URL for the document from the CRLA website, https://crla.net/images/whitepaper/CRLA_2023_EssentialGlossary_FA.pdf
New Podcast: Peer Group Library Podcast
This is a new podcast that I am providing. The topic are audio summaries of articles and research studies about college peer study programs. Each episode is focused on a different topic. The narration is provided by me and my synthetic voices. I hope you find it interesting and useful. The podcast is available through Apple, Google, and most all the other podcast apps. Happy listening.