thelastasthmatic

the record store is nearly empty this time of night, it's door propped open to
let in the cool breeze. music builds from the corner mounted speakers- the theme
to a late 60's spaghetti western (think clint eastwood's the good the bad and
the ugly). i look up to see a young hispanic teen walk through the door. he is
wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, unmistakable boots at his feet, and a
black felt cowboy hat. "what are the odds...?" i ask, as brian turns to face
this kid who seemingly walked out of the music we were hearing.

"that's got to be in the movie..."

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it is amazing what you can see (and appreciate) if you just take the time to
look. so often the push and pull of daily life numbs our sense of awareness with
it's monotony. we are in such a hurry to get things done-wolfing down meals,
working too hard, driving too fast( unless you get behind the guy that likes to
drive 35 mph in the passing lane). visiting family and friends has even become
drive thru window experience-when is the last time you just talked with someone?
like dennis hopper says in true romance- we need to, "slow it down, man!"

i've always felt that life should be measured in moments instead of minutes. the
exciting part is being able to recognize a 'scene' when it happens. my life is
replete with surreality like the record store showdown above (or maybe i tend to
focus on the slightly unordinary?), but is also filled with beauty. i try to
keep my hand on the gear shift, ready to drop it in neutral, not wanting any
more moments to pass me by.

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I turn my back to the wind
To catch my breath,
Before I start off again
Driven on,
Without a moment to spend
To pass an evening
With a drink and a friend

I let my skin get too thin
Id like to pause,
No matter what I pretend
Like some pilgrim --
Who learns to transcend --
Learns to live
As if each step was the end

Time stand still --
Im not looking back
But I want to look around me now
See more of the people
And the places that surround me now

Freeze this moment
A little bit longer
Make each sensation
A little bit stronger
Experience slips away...

I turn my face to the sun
Close my eyes,
Let my defenses down --
All those wounds
That I cant get unwound

I let my past go too fast
No time to pause --
If I could slow it all down
Like some captain,
Whose ship runs aground --
I can wait until the tide
Comes around

Make each impression
A little bit stronger
Freeze this motion
A little bit longer
The innocence slips away...

Summers going fast --
Nights growing colder
Children growing up --
Old friends growing older
Experience slips away...

-neil peart