I am No. 2

Of all the things I did not expect to happen to me in Britain, it was being unseated as the reigning Rush air guitarist.



For years I have embarrassed friends and family (but not myself, of course) by gesturing some approximation of Alex Lifeson's guitar heroism, with appropriate 'guitar face', in public and private places alike. On driving wheels, on broom handles, on people's arms. In grocery stores, restaurants, on public streets. No matter. Upon hearing Rush, one is required to raise your eyebrows, point at the source of the audio nectar, and say, "no, wait..." and then squeeze up your face, and fake your best guitar moves to one (if it is a key note), several (if it is a riff or solo), or the entirety (if you catch it at the beginning).



That being said, this past week, I was invited by a group of Brazilians to their cookout. One of the guys simply outdid my best efforts. It was just an intangible force of presence that could not be beat. That and he carried the broom handle around with him all night and would take any opportunity to play one, several, or all of the notes.



There are pictures. I will get one up as soon as possible.



Until then....