Remembering Sept. 11th

So, here it is September 15th, and only now have I been able to put my thoughts together enough to say a few things about the sixth Annniversary of September 11th. On that day, I watched the news rebroadcast from that morning in 2001, watched a couple of documentaries, and just basically sat wondering what I could say that I haven't already said in years past. It wasn't until just a few moments ago when I found a song called I Grieve, by Peter Gabriel, that I found my inspiration to talk about it today. When looking for a good picture of the World Trade Center, I came across this picture of Manhatttan from the view of the Brooklyn Bridge taken by an artist named Henri Silberman, it's amazing, how could I ask for better than this view? I have a feeling that it is this picture that will replace the view I see in my mind when I think of home.

Through the years, friends of mine from back home, some who lost family members and close friends that morning, have stopped by my blog, and have commented on my words regarding September 11th. I thank them for comforting me by saying my words comforted them somehow. So in a message to them, and to anyone else who might be reading this, I pass along the lyrics to that Peter Gabriel song called I Grieve, I found them very fitting in remembrance of the day.....

It was only one hour ago
It was all so different then
Theres nothing yet has really sunk in
Looks like it always did
This flesh and bone
Its just the way that you would tied in
Now theres no-one home
I grieve for you
You leave me
so hard to move on
Still loving whats gone
They say life carries on
Carries on and on and on and on
The news that truly shocks is the empty empty page
While the final rattle rocks its empty empty cage
And I cant handle this
I grieve for you
You leave me
Let it out and move on
Missing whats gone
They say life carries on
They say life carries on and on and on
Life carries on
In the people I meet
In everyone thats out on the street
In all the dogs and cats
In the flies and rats
In the rot and the rust
In the ashes and the dust
Life carries on and on and on and on
Life carries on and on and on
Its just the car that we ride in
A home we reside in
The face that we hide in
The way we are tied in
And life carries on and on and on and on
Life carries on and on and on
Did I dream this belief?
Or did I believe this dream?
Now I can find relief

I grieve...

Yep, life goes on, though we never forget those who helped us get to the point we are. My prayers go out for my city, my friends, and to all those lost that day. I guess this is my way of letting it out and moving on.

Forever THE Voice of Opera to Me

Luciano Pavarotti, finally at peace from his fight with cancer, passed away at age 71.

It was this guy, who I will forever regard as "THE voice of opera", the voice to which all who follow him will be compared. Afterall, when I was in grade school and first heard opera in music class, it was his rendition of Nessun Dorma.

Even now, while typing and listening to the song, I can remember the scenes from that very day, looking around as the sound filled the small room, some kids laughing, some making comments or standing to make wild exaggerated gestures like they were performing opera, the teacher trying to quietly shush them, and one girl in the back of the class who just sat there and listened, eyes closed. I watched her, thinking how I had known her for most of my life, but she never looked as beautiful as she did at that very moment, sitting there, eyes closed until the song ended, then wiping a little at the corner of her eye when it was over, it hit me straight through the heart. She would eventually become my very first girlfriend, we would date until high school when her family moved away, and the memory would always be able to make me both smile and ache a little in my heart for a simpler time when so much in my world was new.

I didn't mean to make this a story about me, but couldn't help but give an example of how his voice not only brought beauty to the world, but also effected the life of just a regular kid in Brooklyn all those years ago. I would grow up to always have a favorite opera song, a favorite opera (Turandot), as well as a good memory to go along with it, all thanks to him.

In my life, if I ever could have, I would have liked to thank the man. I guess all I can think to say now in remembrance of him would be in the form of an answer to the translated lyrics of Nessun Dorma:

No one sleeps! No one sleeps!

Even you, oh princess,in your cold room,

look how the stars, they tremble

with love and hope!

But my mystery it is locked in me.

And my name,

no one will know!

No, no!

On your lips I will say it

when the light will shine!

And my kiss

will break the silence,

and make you mine!

choir:

His name no one will know...

And he shall have,

alas,

to die, to die...!

Disperse, o night!

Vanish, oh stars!

At daybreak, I will win!

I will win! I will win!

Buona notte, ciao Maestro.

In time, everybody sleeps, and as the night falls.... you have won, your name will not be forgotten. Rest now, and may God speed you to your place in the choir of the heavens, now made better by your contribution.