Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Thirty two years ago today. Some losses you just never get over.
I was in Hawaii attending college, when suddenly finals just did not seem that important anymore.
I am sure that all you remember where you were as well.
Sadly I do remember that day too well. I was driving out of Central Park on my way home and passed by the scene. Seeing the police cars, the ambulance, it was such a heavy feeling in the air, and as I passed by I couldn't help but send out a peaceful prayer, though not knowing until I got home what had actually happened. A heavy feeling indeed. A sad and senseless time that left so many of us so shaken, still to this day. Yet his message carries on... Still shining through, Love is the Answer. Imagine indeed.
That rainy morning, newly and unhappily unemployed, I was momentarily cheered by a string of John Lennon songs presented without commercials on the radio.
Then the disc jockey told what had happened in New York the night before, and I cried along with the skies.
May John's memory continue to endure as a blessing.
Do I ever remember, It was 2am and I was driving home from my girlfriends house, I was listening to a Knoxville Tenn AM station ( The only signal that we could pick up then ) When I heard that John David Chapman had killed John Lennon I stopped right in the middle of the road and listened for more details, You see my best friends name was David Chapman ( we called him "Tick " ) and David had an older brother named John, I hadn't seen either in a few days and a horror flew over me that they had killed someone, I was relieved to find that they hadn't but I like millions of others was shocked & confused for many years as to why anyone would kill this man of perpetual peace, It still hurts today.
"Man of perpetual peace?" Lennon was a creative genius when it came to music, producing soul-searching lyrics and beautiful arrangements in his music. However, don't confuse his talent with his real persona. He really wasn't always a nice man.
This made me think of Obama and the viceral, hating, gun-toting people who scheme to assassinate him.
Today it was announced he would be sworn in as President in a private ceremony the night before the big public swearing in. I think I know why. The potential for assassination is real in such a huge crowd, really impossible to eliminate any threat, and he refuses to stand behind a bullet proof shield. If he were assassinated before the actual swearing in, Biden would not take office in January and a special election would have to be held...an election the haters would cheat, steal an/or kill to put their choice in the White House.
A hero? How was he a hero? Have you ever looked at his children and how he treated them and what he left them after his death? He apparently only cared about one child. He was a talented musician, but he he was certainly no hero in any sense of the word. He was a narcissist. Please don't confuse "talented" with "heroic."
"a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities."
If you read here often enough you would know that WakeUpAmerica is indeed a very judgmental and seemingly unhappy person obsessed with Sarah Palin. Never a kind word for anyone, that one.
Interestingly, yesterday was Pearl Harbor Day, with hardly a mention that I saw, a day with infinitely greater ramifications.
No, I don't remember where I was. Until a few years ago, I had never heard any of their "music." When I decided to, I managed less than a minute, coming to the conclusion that their sound was, charitably, inexpensive.
It was mentioned in the news reports I watched and Turner Classic even ran the film Tora Tora Tora in memory of the events of that day. December 7th did not pass unnoticed. M from MD
I remember that day, the news with preliminary news he had been shot, the hope he would live and then not sleeping watching, waiting for more information, and then the intense sadness when the death was confirmed. John is now in that list of folks who for me it will never be okay that they are gone.
Hey Gryph, I thought you (and the rest of the souls here) might like to see this:
http://www.abbeyroad.com/Crossing
It is a webcam situated at the very crosswalk where the cover to "Abbey Road" was photographed, just a few feet away from the entrance to the fame studio. Perhaps John still walks it to this very day.
Technology is incredible. My stepson stood in front of that webcam about two weeks ago, sent my husband a text saying he was waving, and my husband texted back “I see you!” I then arrived in time to see my stepson cross the street to the left.
I miss the intelligence, the keen wit, the rapid fire personality changes, the can't put me down attitude. Lennon knew the risks and paid the price. His death finally taught me to make no bargains with fortune. Treasure the moments with those you love, and be gentle with people and the earth.
Horrible, especially more horrible knowing that certain elements of the government were involved. I've read a lot about this murder and I used to think only Crapman was behind it, but there is much more to the story. Absolutely sickening. I loved John Lennon and what he had to say. He was brilliant. The idiots live on, but they want to snuff out the real lights.
I think what made it worse then was because we also didn't quite yet have the instant and constant 24 news bombarding us ( heck we get news on our phones now!) But I was at work and a co-worker came in and told us.
Whoopsie! My bad! I remember you talking about Dimond and some of the same teachers a while back. But then I got your age confused with another blogger I knew from AK a ways back... D'OH!
I was sitting on the counter in my friend's kitchen when we heard it on the radio. It was 10:30 p.m. I jumped in my 64 Mustang & drove to Minneapolis (110 miles)in a snow storm to be with my boyfriend, a lead guitar player/singer/songwriter, who loved John Lennon & The Beatles more than anything. What can I say? We cried hard.
The hubs & I watched the two hour American Masters on P.B.S. about John Lennon last night. Very good piece. I had seen it before. I had to leave the room during the last 15 minutes to avoid going into the ugly sobs.
I got to see Julian Lennon play at Aquafest in Austin, Tx. back in the mid 80s. I couldn't believe how much he looked & sounded like his Dad.
Yeah, I DO remember where I was when I heard the news that Lennon was shot dead. I happened to be walking down the sidewalk in front of the courthouse, although I don't remember why I was there.
I remember walking over to the curb and sitting down and just saying "God damn it."
I just sat there for a while. And said "God damn it."
We had moved to Cordova, Alaska because of Mom's new job there with the Forest Service. All we had was the Bush satellite station and it was all snowy, so watching it was actually more like listening to radio. The football game was one and we heard the shooting and the death announced there. I was the only kid (and I was a teenager by then) who wore black the next day to school. All of the kids in my classes were clueless about John Lennon, which kind of shocked me. M from MD
I will always remember when I heard the news. Visiting my boyfriend's relatives in Marshall, Michigan on our way back from camping out for months in northern Minnesota. We heard it on the news, and both went in shock and denial mode. His older brother just didn't get why we were so upset since we didn't know him but really, there is no explanation when someone's art touches your soul so profoundly. I appreciate his music even more today than I did than. Not all that crazy about Yoko's music. But I do believe at the time of his untimely and undeserved death, he had finally put to rest some of his personal demons. It shows in the progression of his works.
The movie, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, has the best soundtrack. I cried throughout that movie and was inspired to carry on speaking out against war. It is not always easy,not that popular but Lennon was consistent with that message until his death. "Working Class Hero" resonates to this day. I often wished he had been alive during the Bush Regime because he would have spoken the truth.
Also "Power to the People" energizes me. Need to find that cd, now!
Thirty two years ago... I find that so hard to believe that it has been that long. I STILL think of anything post- Rubber Soul as "new Beatles music".
I like to think that he would have had a thing or two to say that we would have been interested in hearing. He had a powerful voice. He was a troubled man, to be sure, but he gave us beautiful music and powerful thoughts. I miss him and his brilliance.
I was 22, in college, and was trudging through the snow on my way to the car from the computer lab. I chucked my purse and bookbag in the back seat, cranked up the old vw bug, and cleared the windsheild. I got back in, waiting for the engine to warm up, turned on the radio, and heard the news of his passing on my way home. I just lost it, I got off the road and sobbed, praying they were wrong. It was so surreal. I was a huge fan of his work. I read the biography about his upbringing and how he was as a man, but it didn't change how I feel about his work. Imagine became an anthem for my generation, but "Across the Universe" was my favorite.
Sadly I do remember that day too well. I was driving out of Central Park on my way home and passed by the scene. Seeing the police cars, the ambulance, it was such a heavy feeling in the air, and as I passed by I couldn't help but send out a peaceful prayer, though not knowing until I got home what had actually happened. A heavy feeling indeed. A sad and senseless time that left so many of us so shaken, still to this day. Yet his message carries on... Still shining through, Love is the Answer. Imagine indeed.
ReplyDeleteThat rainy morning, newly and unhappily unemployed, I was momentarily cheered by a string of John Lennon songs presented without commercials on the radio.
ReplyDeleteThen the disc jockey told what had happened in New York the night before, and I cried along with the skies.
May John's memory continue to endure as a blessing.
Do I ever remember, It was 2am and I was driving home from my girlfriends house, I was listening to a Knoxville Tenn AM station ( The only signal that we could pick up then ) When I heard that John David Chapman had killed John Lennon I stopped right in the middle of the road and listened for more details, You see my best friends name was David Chapman ( we called him "Tick " ) and David had an older brother named John, I hadn't seen either in a few days and a horror flew over me that they had killed someone, I was relieved to find that they hadn't but I like millions of others was shocked & confused for many years as to why anyone would kill this man of perpetual peace, It still hurts today.
ReplyDelete"Man of perpetual peace?"
DeleteLennon was a creative genius when it came to music, producing soul-searching lyrics and beautiful arrangements in his music. However, don't confuse his talent with his real persona. He really wasn't always a nice man.
John was a flawed man and knew it. I think he tried to be better and I give him credit for that.
DeleteM from MD
This made me think of Obama and the viceral, hating, gun-toting people who scheme to assassinate him.
ReplyDeleteToday it was announced he would be sworn in as President in a private ceremony the night before the big public swearing in. I think I know why. The potential for assassination is real in such a huge crowd, really impossible to eliminate any threat, and he refuses to stand behind a bullet proof shield. If he were assassinated before the actual swearing in, Biden would not take office in January and a special election would have to be held...an election the haters would cheat, steal an/or kill to put their choice in the White House.
Every time Obama goes out in public I cringe.
I do too. It must be quite a threat to do the swearing in like this. I hope the people guarding him and his family know know what they're doing.
DeleteA hero? How was he a hero? Have you ever looked at his children and how he treated them and what he left them after his death? He apparently only cared about one child. He was a talented musician, but he he was certainly no hero in any sense of the word. He was a narcissist. Please don't confuse "talented" with "heroic."
ReplyDelete"a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities."
It's a bit early to be so nasty, don't you think?
DeleteHe was a human being who had a hard time himself growing up. Why don't you take your comments and go spread your nastiness somewhere else?
DeleteHe left his children very well off and it's not like he walked out the door, he was murdered.
DeleteYou must be a very unhappy person.
If you read here often enough you would know that WakeUpAmerica is indeed a very judgmental and seemingly unhappy person obsessed with Sarah Palin. Never a kind word for anyone, that one.
DeleteInterestingly, yesterday was Pearl Harbor Day, with hardly a mention that I saw, a day with infinitely greater ramifications.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't remember where I was. Until a few years ago, I had never heard any of their "music." When I decided to, I managed less than a minute, coming to the conclusion that their sound was, charitably, inexpensive.
One cannot be all things to all people.
Look,a moron speaks. Wonder if it is one of the Palin family.
DeleteIt was mentioned in the news reports I watched and Turner Classic even ran the film Tora Tora Tora in memory of the events of that day. December 7th did not pass unnoticed.
DeleteM from MD
I remember that day, the news with preliminary news he had been shot, the hope he would live and then not sleeping watching, waiting for more information, and then the intense sadness when the death was confirmed. John is now in that list of folks who for me it will never be okay that they are gone.
ReplyDeleteHey Gryph, I thought you (and the rest of the souls here) might like to see this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.abbeyroad.com/Crossing
It is a webcam situated at the very crosswalk where the cover to "Abbey Road" was photographed, just a few feet away from the entrance to the fame studio. Perhaps John still walks it to this very day.
Namaste.
Technology is incredible. My stepson stood in front of that webcam about two weeks ago, sent my husband a text saying he was waving, and my husband texted back “I see you!” I then arrived in time to see my stepson cross the street to the left.
DeleteI miss the intelligence, the keen wit, the rapid fire personality changes, the can't put me down attitude. Lennon knew the risks and paid the price. His death finally taught me to make no bargains with fortune. Treasure the moments with those you love, and be gentle with people and the earth.
ReplyDeleteNot a clue where I was. Didn't care. Don't care.
ReplyDeleteHe was an abuser. IMO no talent makes up for that.
I'm sorry but I don't understand your remark.
DeleteHorrible, especially more horrible knowing that certain elements of the government were involved. I've read a lot about this murder and I used to think only Crapman was behind it, but there is much more to the story. Absolutely sickening. I loved John Lennon and what he had to say. He was brilliant. The idiots live on, but they want to snuff out the real lights.
ReplyDeleteI think what made it worse then was because we also didn't quite yet have the instant and constant 24 news bombarding us ( heck we get news on our phones now!)
ReplyDeleteBut I was at work and a co-worker came in and told us.
Very talented musician. "Imagine" is one of the best songs ever. However, "Number Nine" is absolutely the worst song ever. Just my opinion of course.
ReplyDeleteGryph: 1980 and college in Hawaii???? You and I went to the same HS in Los Anchorage and I graduated in 1983, a year before you.
Sorry Dave, wrong Gryph.
DeleteI graduated from Dimond High in 1979, and did indeed attend college in Hilo, Hawaii during the 1980 to 1981 school year.
Hell I got married for the first time in 1983.
Whoopsie! My bad! I remember you talking about Dimond and some of the same teachers a while back. But then I got your age confused with another blogger I knew from AK a ways back... D'OH!
DeleteI was sitting on the counter in my friend's kitchen when we heard it on the radio. It was 10:30 p.m. I jumped in my 64 Mustang & drove to Minneapolis (110 miles)in a snow storm to be with my boyfriend, a lead guitar player/singer/songwriter, who loved John Lennon & The Beatles more than anything. What can I say? We cried hard.
ReplyDeleteThe hubs & I watched the two hour American Masters on P.B.S. about John Lennon last night. Very good piece. I had seen it before. I had to leave the room during the last 15 minutes to avoid going into the ugly sobs.
I got to see Julian Lennon play at Aquafest in Austin, Tx. back in the mid 80s. I couldn't believe how much he looked & sounded like his Dad.
Yeah, I DO remember where I was when I heard the news that Lennon was shot dead. I happened to be walking down the sidewalk in front of the courthouse, although I don't remember why I was there.
ReplyDeleteI remember walking over to the curb and sitting down and just saying "God damn it."
I just sat there for a while.
And said "God damn it."
We had moved to Cordova, Alaska because of Mom's new job there with the Forest Service. All we had was the Bush satellite station and it was all snowy, so watching it was actually more like listening to radio. The football game was one and we heard the shooting and the death announced there. I was the only kid (and I was a teenager by then) who wore black the next day to school. All of the kids in my classes were clueless about John Lennon, which kind of shocked me.
ReplyDeleteM from MD
I will always remember when I heard the news. Visiting my boyfriend's relatives in Marshall, Michigan on our way back from camping out for months in northern Minnesota. We heard it on the news, and both went in shock and denial mode. His older brother just didn't get why we were so upset since we didn't know him but really, there is no explanation when someone's art touches your soul so profoundly. I appreciate his music even more today than I did than. Not all that crazy about Yoko's music. But I do believe at the time of his untimely and undeserved death, he had finally put to rest some of his personal demons. It shows in the progression of his works.
ReplyDeleteThe movie, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, has the best soundtrack. I cried throughout that movie and was inspired to carry on speaking out against war. It is not always easy,not that popular but Lennon was consistent with that message until his death. "Working Class Hero" resonates to this day. I often wished he had been alive during the Bush Regime because he would have spoken the truth.
Also "Power to the People" energizes me. Need to find that cd, now!
Thirty two years ago... I find that so hard to believe that it has been that long. I STILL think of anything post- Rubber Soul as "new Beatles music".
ReplyDeleteI like to think that he would have had a thing or two to say that we would have been interested in hearing. He had a powerful voice. He was a troubled man, to be sure, but he gave us beautiful music and powerful thoughts. I miss him and his brilliance.
My feelings exactly.
DeleteI was 22, in college, and was trudging through the snow on my way to the car from the computer lab. I chucked my purse and bookbag in the back seat, cranked up the old vw bug, and cleared the windsheild. I got back in, waiting for the engine to warm up, turned on the radio, and heard the news of his passing on my way home. I just lost it, I got off the road and sobbed, praying they were wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt was so surreal.
I was a huge fan of his work. I read the biography about his upbringing and how he was as a man, but it didn't change how I feel about his work. Imagine became an anthem for my generation, but "Across the Universe" was my favorite.
RIP John