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Holiday Inn and Bowling in New Hampshire (continued) |
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Within 30 minutes of our arrival, Vic pipes up and says "Alex just walked in!" And within another 10 minutes, I announced "Heads Up! Geddy's in the House!" We all pondered whether or not Neil would join everyone as we all know that he is very private. Within moments, that question was answered for me quickly and unexpectedly! I had just walked out of the bar to head towards the ladies room (and perhaps to take a peek at what was going on at the other end of the bowling alley), when I about walked into this man coming towards me! My head only came to about under this chin and as I slowly lifted my head to say "excuse me", I discovered that it was Neil Peart! I didn't even act as though I recognized him as he had such a stern look on his face (and did not even mutter a "pardon me"). |
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| I made an immediate *about face* and walked back twards the bar with Neil right behind me. I was pointing towards my stomich mouthing to the guys "Behind me... look behind me...".... but they must have thought I was whacked as Neil didn't make the turn into the bar so there was no one behind me! LOL! Anyway, I told them what had happened and my impression of Neil being "bigger than life". |
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One of the guys approached Geddy for an autograph and he said "Not now...", so I had decided that I would just *share space* and not approach anyone in the band. FYI, I met Geddy in 1994 and I could definitely write another story entitled "There is a God..." but,again, that's another story...
However, awhile later, I see Glenn standing there arm-in-arm with Alex and having his picture taken! Shortly thereafter, Alex is standing 10 feet from me all by himself at the shoe-rental counter. Okay, now how could I NOT walk over -- he was standing right there!! Afterall, he was 1/3 of the 1 reason I was in Manchester in the first place! And, seeing that he hadn't bitten Glenn's head off, I had to go up to him!
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As I turned to walk toward Alex, I had no idea what I was going to say -- my only goal being that I keep it short and sweet so that he could return to his party. I was very relaxed when I walked up to him and said "hello". But suddenly that changed as he turned toward me and flashed the brighest greenish-bluish eyes and beautiful smile! Now, I've never had a crush on any of the guys in the band, but that look really through me for a loop and I felt my throat begin to close! LOL! The conversation went something like this... but with everything running together (as you might imagine)...
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Me: "I just want to say hello and thank you. I've been following Rush around the country -- heck -- maybe you recognize me...?
Alex: "Ahh... No."
Me: *blush* *silly me* "Well, I'm in the first few rows a lot and you've tossed me two picks this tour in Albuquerque and Tampa... Err... well, anyway, I really just wanted to say 'thank you'" and I turned to walk away...
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But suddenly it seemed all important that he know how long I had been a fan, so I made my second *about face* of the night and turned back to him and said...:
Me: "I also wanted to let you know that I've been a fan since 1977 and saw Rush for the first time in 1978 and haven't missed a tour since. Thanks again for your time...
Alex: "No... THANK YOU!"
Alex was very pleasant to me, smiling and very attentive during the entire conversation, but had he tried to continue the conversation I most likely would have completely choked!
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