The American Dream

You know what they say about music being therapy for all different types of moods. On my way to work I have the radio playing when Rise Against "Satellite" comes on. I've heard this song dozens of times, but for some reason never really listened to the lyrics. I turned it up really loud and the poetry really spoke to me (cheesy but true).

~
You can't feel the heat until you hold your hand over the flame
You have to cross the line just to remember where it lays
You won't know your worth now, son, until you take a hit
And you won't find the beat until you lose yourself in it

That's why we won't back down
We won't run and hide
Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny
I'm passing over you like a satellite
So catch me if I fall
That's why we stick to your game plans and party lives
But at night we're conspiring by candlelight
We are the orphans of the American dream
So shine your light on me

You can't fill your cup until you empty all it has
You can't understand what lays ahead
If you don't understand the past
You'll never learn to fly now
'Til you're standing at the cliff
And you can't truly love until you've given up on it

That's why we won't back down
We won't run and hide
Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny
I'm passing over you like a satellite
So catch me if I fall
That's why we stick to your game plans and party lives
But at night we're conspiring by candlelight
We are the orphans of the American dream
So shine your light on me

She told me that she never could face the world again
So I offered up a plan
We'll sneak out while they sleep
And sail off in the night.
We'll come clean and start over the rest of our lives.
When we're gone we'll stay gone.
Out of sight, out of mind.
It's not too late,
We have the rest of our lives.

We'll sneak out while they sleep
And sail off in the night
We'll come clean and start over the rest of our lives
When we're gone we'll stay gone.
Out of sight, out of mind.
It's not too late,
We have the rest of our lives.
The rest of our lives

Because we won't back down
We won't run and hide
Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny
I'm passing over you like a satellite
So catch me if I fall
That's why we stick to your game plans and party lives
But at night we're conspiring by candlelight
We are the orphans of the American dream
So shine your light on me (shine your light on me)

Because we won't back down
We won't run and hide
Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny
I'm passing over you like a satellite
'cause these are the things that we can't deny now
This is a life that you can't deny us now
~

I feel like I haven't really started living until recently. I've lived my life with this sheltered attitude, the real me only occasionally peeking out with a tattoo here or there or a tipsy Melody getting over being shy and having a blast. I'm finally on the right track. I'm enjoying my freedom, traveling a lot, in school to finish my degree.
One night last week I laid in bed for hours thinking about what exactly 'I' wanted to do with myself. I decided that when I finish school in a year or so from now, I'm going on the road "Easy Rider" style.

I'm going to reward myself after graduation with a few weeks of vacation on the open road. My ex sold my motorcycle, but I'll buy one. Pack a bag with a few essentials, a sleeping bag, and go. Jen is a little weary I might never come back if I go full biker. Mostly I just want to see the country. People are always talking about backpacking through Europe when I really haven't seen much of my own country. Just head out and turn left, when you can't go any further then turn right. I've made up my mind. No one can change it. I'm sure my parents will worry about the safety aspects of being a woman and alone, but I won't be swayed.
I'm already compiling a list of places I definitely want to see.

Perhaps I'll chronicle the trip here on this blog for all of you to enjoy.

\m/