No Fenders Head Scribe Tomaso poses with one of
Florence’s maritime critters from the nearby Sea Lion Caves. (The Tomaso
Collection)
“Time indeed in a Gypsy Caravan which will leave
you stranded in Dreamland. And Distance is totally a long range filter.” As
sing it Geddy!
Yeah, Arse-sumedly I’m still here Y’all, albeit
still recovering from my very invasive Open Heart surgery!
Meaning I’m subjugating Yuhs to another of the
plethora ‘O Canned stories I feverishly poonded’ out before going to Hospital.
As I’ve just crossed the threshold of one month since having mechanical Heart
valve replacement surgery Or even better yet, having received the Crossed flag
for being Halfway through my recovery period!
As who would know that you cannot push, pull, liftor
carry anything over 10lbs for eight weeks! And putting that into perspective
that a gallon of milk weighs 8lbs. Whilst it’ll be two to three months before
my sternum’s fully recovered, Yikes!
Hmm, what’s that ‘Ol Beatles song about Getting
Better All the Time, Eh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGlo9LzmOME
As the genesis for this riveting No Fenders
yarn came via another of Marshall Pruett’s enjoyable Podcasts. Where Marshall
spoke with John Edwards, the racer, upon His trading one cockpit for another…
As it’s hard for me to believe that I actually saw
Edwards racing for Gerry Forsthye’s Red Bull backed Toyota Atlantics team at
Portland International Raceway Wayback’ in Gory 2007! Not to mention that John
began racing professionally before He’d earned His “pedestrian(civilian) ” Drivers
license!
As Edwards, now 32, pragmatically talks about
His decision to step away from His Werk’s BMW drive with Rahal Letterman
Lanigan Racing in favour of becoming a Aeroplane Pilot to support His Family.
Where Marshall points out the obvious. Telling Edwards
do you realize how few racing drivers get to choose and go “Out” on their own
terms?
https://marshallpruett.podbean.com/e/mp-1459-john-edwards-parks-driving-career-to-become-a-pilot/
And my learning of Edwards career change came
whilst I was also pondering another’s career evolution. As Hoser’ Barry was the
first to inform Mwah ofRush “Frontman” Geddy Lee’s latest book titled My F’ing
Life!
As we debated the merits of Geddy’s singing
voice, for which I still say sounded Horrible Wayback’ in the summer of 2015 when
I last saw Rush performing during their 40th Anniversary tour at the Key Arena
in Seattle, which forever will simply be known as the Coliseum to Mwah…
Next Barry informed me about Geddy having
released at least two new songs. Most notably Gone, a Haunting, melodic tune
obviously devoted to lost Bandmate Neil Pert, thee Rhythm Professor…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt2D2KoeuDo
As listening to Gone made me realize how long
it’s been since I’ve listened to Rush, albeit sporadically pulling up an occasional
old Rush album on Youtube over the years. But still, I realized it had been eight years last winter since I was still
devoted to Rush.
As it was good to hear Geddy’s signature voice sounding
good once again, and having lowered His octive range. Since after all, Geddy’s
70 Freakin’ years old now!
And while the more times I listen to the song,
the more I enjoy it, along with the range of emotions it can bring to me. I
still come away feeling somewhat hollow, since it just doesn’t seem to quite
have the same punch with Peart playing Drums upon it.
Also listened last December to a very enjoyable
38-plus minutes interview, minus it’s sound wonkiness on Youtube with Geddy Lee
when scribblin’ this. Hmm, perhaps my issues with sound quality is akin to Geddy professing He’s a perfectionist, eh?
But as I’ve said repeatedly before. Y’all know
that Blind people have Super powers, Righto?
The interview’s titled Geddy Lee on my F’ing
life, Rush and the story of Neil Peart’s audition.
Naturally the portion about Neil’s death was
very powerful, touching and made me cry. With Geddy explaining how underappreciated
Neil had felt on Rush’s final tour about how nobody praised His epic drum solo.
To which Geddy said, who’d know, Eh?
Yet Geddy also briefly touches upon how living
in the past can be dangerous, and how He’s ready to get on with His life and pursue
His “Pet” projects. Arse-sumedly including recording His own, new music…
All of which left me circling back to what
initially Haunted me after being told by my Heart surgeon that He thought I’d
be a good candidate for mechanical Heart valve replacement surgery.
Asking Mary ellen why did I deserve to get a
second chance? Upon learning what the odds of my surviving without treatment
were.
Further learning that the British Medical
Journal notes upon patient’s symptoms being diagnosed with severe Aortic
stenosis. They have as low as 50% survival rate at two years, and only 20% at
five years if not treated, Aye Karumba!
As we’ve All heard those prophetic words of
make the best of your second chance, as we only get one life!
And we’re
“Only Immortal for a limited time!” So make the best of it.
For which although totally true, has always
come across as a cliché to me. For which now I’m struggling over how to do this
very thing being in the Autumnal chapter of life…
