I'm In A New York State of Mind....so Get Off of My Cloud

When we booked this trip, the intention was just to get back to NYC and spend a weekend just taking in the holiday feel of the city. Honestly, who hasn't wanted to see the "City That Never Sleeps' bathed in Christmas lights? Well, that intention quickly changed when I scored tickets to the Rolling Stones 50 & Counting concert in Brooklyn. I just knew this was going to be epic!!

 

We will get to the concert in a bit, but first I had another obligation to tend to. I would be lying if I didn't admit that the trip began on a slightly somber note. December 8 is a date that has significant meaning to Beatles fans everywhere as it is the day that John Lennon was gunned down outside of his NYC apartment. I knew that I had to pay my respects since I would be there on that date. So we headed to the Central Park memorial for him; Strawberry Fields. As we walked up 72nd Street I was I began to reflect on Lennon's music and the effect it has had on me over the years. It has brought me so much joy, it has helped to heal at down times in my life, but most of all it has served as a soundtrack of sorts for my life. I couldn't help to stand there at the gate of the Dakota, and stare. I had been there before and felt sad when I looked into that infamous entryway where one of the most heinous crimes took place. But today, the same sad feelings I felt those other times were magnified. It just never has seemed fair; not to me, not to music fans around the world, not to Sean and Yoko. It shouldn't have ended that way.

After that, it was on to Strawberry Fields where a crowd of about 200 people were gathered. It was very cool to be there on this day. There were musicians there along with lots of singers, all huddled around the mosaic tile that has served as an unofficial graveside for Lennon since 1985. It was a sight to be seen and felt; 200 or so total strangers brought together by one man's music, singing his tunes in unison, and celebrating his life that ended 32 years ago to the day.

A fan holds a commemorative magazine with the Dakota in the background

Of course, no Lennon sing-a-long is complete without a look-a-like!!

After about half an hour, it was time to go. I was glad that I had made the pilgrimage to Central Park for this day. I had always wanted to do it, in some ways to personally say goodbye. Yeah, I know I never knew him or met him or even lived through much of life. But I think that speaks volumes to how much he has influenced so many people around the world. Wherever you are John, thanks for all you gave us.

 

What can be said about the Rolling Stones that hasn't been said already? Classic, timeless, ageless, iconic. It's all been done. Well, once again I can vouch that all these titles still hold true. After spending a small fortune to sit in the upper section, I was on cloud 9 at the prospect of getting to see the Stones on their 50th Anniversary Tour. I struggled to even call it a tour seeing as how their were only 5 shows and basically only two cities were on the itinerary; London and the NYC area. With only three shows being held in the US, it added a level of exclusivity to this evening, which helped to soften the sticker-shock to Laura. The Stones ripped through a blistering set of their most classic tunes; Get Off of My Cloud, The Last Time, Start Me Up, Brown Sugar, Satisfaction and Jumping Jack Flash. This being my 5th Stones concert I was excited to hear for the first time, gems like Before They Make Me Run, Paint It Black, You Can't Always Get What You Want (with a full choir), and Midnight Rambler. 

Mary J. Blige duets with Mick on Gimme Shelter

Tumbling Dice

Final Bow

Once again the Stones delivered an energetic 2 1/12 hour set that left even Laura speechless. She was never too happy about the amount we spent on the tickets but did proclaim that it was worth every penny. I hope this wasn't the last time I get to see the Stones live. But if it was, I don't think I could have scripted a better live finale.

 

After spending almost the entire day in bed, Sunday, Laura and I made the most of a few more hours in the city before heading home.

 

Rockefeller Center

 

Laura at Macy's

 

9/11 Memorial

 

Wall Street

 

 Federal Hall

 

After introducing Laura to the magic that is Shake Shack in NYC, we HAD to stop in New Haven, CT to enjoy this deliciousness just one more time before we got home. A great trip needs a great ending!!



"There Are No Faint Hearts In Fort Worth" - JFK 11.22.63

Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas (just a stone's throw from Dallas, for you non-Texans) I always felt so removed from the rest of the world. Nothing ever really seemed to happen there. We always felt just like a small town that lived in the shadow of our big brother, Dallas. Somewhere in my middle school years I became fascinated with the Kennedy assassination. I guess I was intrigued by the fact that such a historical event took place right here in my backyard. You can imagine my amazement when I learned how much Ft. Worth played a role in those final days of our 35th President's life. Today many will bow their heads in a moment of reflection as we acknowledge the 48th anniversary of that horrible day. But I, instead, would like to remember happier moments; the morning of November 22. I have always been fascinated by the fact that JFK spent his last night alive in Fort Worth. Arriving just a little after 11 PM on 11/21 at Carswell AFB the President and Mrs. Kennedy retired to their quarters at the Hotel Texas in downtown Fort Worth. I worked downtown for a while at Del Frisco's Double Eagle which sits across the street from this hotel which is now a Hilton. Many nights as I walked to my car I would pass right in front of this hotel and pause and imagine the scene below. It was always cool yet eerie to look around and know that such a terrible day in our nation's history, began right on that very spot. The building that would become Del Frisco's can be seen in the picture below between the two flags on the right hand side.

The hotel looks almost just as it did in 1963 and the parking lot where the President addressed the crowd of approximately 2,000 is now known as Worth Square and a statue/memorial to commemorate this event is in the works. Below you can see President Kennedy working the crowd which the Secret Service hated. The building at the left of the picture is where the Fort Worth Convention Center now stands. It is on this spot that President Kennedy gave his second to last speech a little after 8 AM in a light rain, telling the crowd "...I appreciate you being here this morning. Mrs. Kennedy is organizing herself. It takes longer, but, of course, she looks better than we do when she does it." He went on to talk about the nation's need for being "second to none" in defense and in space, for continued growth in the economy and "the willingness of citizens of the United States to assume the burdens of leadership."

The President then moved inside to a breakfast in his honor given by the Chamber of Commerce where he gave his final speech of his life. He focused on military preparedness, saying "We are still the keystone in the arch of freedom. We will continue to do...our duty, and the people of Texas will be in the lead."

On that note the President and First Lady departed Fort Worth. Above is a shot of the Presidential motorcade moving north on Main Street just in front of the iconic Tarrant County Courthouse. The President departed Carswell AFB for the short 13 minute flight to Dallas and the rest is history. We all know what took place later that day but as many will always will remember what happened that afternoon in Dealy Plaza, I will always remember that happy morning in my hometown...where it always seemed that nothing ever happened.

Thanks and Goodnight, Steve