A random observation...

While walking through the parking lot of the local DMV today, I happened to catch a glimpse*-literally a 1 second glance*- of a fellow walking away from me, about 50 yards away. (For you metric readers, that would be approx. 46 meters.) I instantly recognized him by his gait. I hadn't seen the fellow for 22 years! And I only worked with him part-time, on irregular shifts, for about a year.
Granted, he did have a slightly out-of-the-ordinary walk, but nothing on the order of John Cleese at the Department of Silly Walks. (Monty Python, early 70's)
And, it's not as if I had studied his manner of walking, especially from behind! I don't even reacall noticing it at the time.
This is all to say: I find it absolutely fascinating that we're able to instantly retrieve a bit of information of such seeming insignificance from so long ago, tucked away in a dark, neglected corner of our minds at such a trifling prompt as a split-second glimpse of a fellow from 50 yards away and 22 years removed!
And yet, I have trouble remembering where I parked my car after being in the store for an hour...

His name is Tom, a really nice guy, and he harbored dreams of being a professional bowler.


*glimpse/glance: Why do we catch a glimpse of something, and take a glance at something?
Brad