A Rainbow over Brooklyn

I spent the evening at the South Street Seaport. Tonight's main feature was Open Air Opera. The event, which started a few minutes late, went from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.The purpose of the free event was to expand the reach of the arts and culture to residents of the New York metro area.

As if to spite us for the event's free price tag, the audience's resolve to participate in the live event was tested by the weather. The downpour started just as the orchestra began setting up. Space was limited to roughly 300 chairs so the audience had to remain in place, seated, during the evening's showers. When it was over the crowd was pleased to see the event start quickly. Additionally we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow just behind the orchestra and over Brooklyn.


The orchestra was disciplined. Their rapid movement, the uniformity of their sound, their teamwork, all demonstrated the high level of skill and talent this group was sharing with us. The orchestra amazed us but the opera singers absolutely left the audience in awe. Every note was reached. Every motion was calculated and refined. The performance this team put on for us captured the attention of 3,000 people for one hour. Remember we only had enough seating for three hundred. The open air opera drew people from all over lower Manhattan. It pulled people from their restaurant tables, shops, and sightseeing treks. It was magnificent event that was truly a success despite the bad weather and made us all lovers of the opera.

Remebering Neda Agha-Sultani

The current crisis in Iran is unbelievable. Certainly this struggle is teaching world governments that the 21st century has provided the people with the means to keep their government's accountable. It is amazing seeing just how much footage is coming out of Iran. Information on Neda Agha-Sultani can be found all over the internet. Links to video, images and text concerning Neda are listed below.

1. HuffingtonPost.com
2. Wikepedia
3. Telegraph
4. iPouya

5.



What's is most deplorable however regarding the circumstances of her murder are the actions of the Iranian government to ensure her body was placed in a pauper's grave without ceremony or final respects. Such action, such policy is inhumane. Deliberately disrepecting funeral and burial traditions is amongst the lowest form of human cruelty. New websites and blogs report that this woman is the first martyr of the 2009 pro-democracy revolution in Iran. Denying the right to mourn to this woman's family, denying the right to assemble for prayer vigils, and denying the right to hold memorials in mosques for her and others that have been killed are three heavy nails that the current Iranian leadership has just hammered into its own coffin.

Before the Storm...

Sailing from Point Pleasant, NJ on Saturday June 20, 2009. Here's a shot of our departure from the New Jersey shore for an early morning of fishing. This is about three hours before the storm caught up with us. Three hours of fresh Atlantic Ocean fishing just miles from the coast was great fun. The following two hours of rain was not.

Gone Fish'in

The front of our boat.

God's hands on a quilt

"Tuesday's Child: Does God Have Enough Hands?" by Deborah Fell.

This is the image of a quilt at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City's financial district. The church is directly across the street from the site where the World Trade Centers' twin towers once stood. This quilt was sewn after September 11, 2001. It depicts images of that dreadful day. This is an iconic image that is burned into the memories of New Yorkers in those days immediately after the horrific tragedy of that day.

Rainy NY days

These are some really down grey days in New York. I spent part of the morning St Paul's Church.

Iran finds supporters in the West

We have seen four days of demonstrations, protests, and violence. The people of Iran are on the streets literally fighting to be heard by their government. The recently presidential election seems to have all to easily gone to the incumbent. Protesters immediately took to the streets renouncing their results as a sham. In fact the incumbent was declared the victor three hours after polling had ended. Millions of paper ballots were supposedly hand counted in three hours, reflecting a 60/30 split in favor of the incumbent. The people of Iran have risen up denouncing the election and their government. The nation supreme leader has ordered an investigation into the allegations of fraud. Two days into the investigation it appears he is convinced irregularities occurred.

Journalist have been kicked out of Iran. As of yesterday all foreign journalists are barred from filming or photographing events in Iran. All information on the current environment is coming from individuals. Iran has restricted all communications in the country. Cell phone, internet, and satellite services are being interrupted. The mainstream media has its hands tied. The people in Iran are turning into citizen journalist, providing the stories, pictures, and videos. Reports police brutality, widespread violence, and other crimes against humanity have been reported. My information sources are listed below:
1) Huffington Post
2) Twitter: Alyssa_Milano
3) Boston.com



The events in Iran are opening new ties of support and solidarity between Western nations and the people of Iran. By working together over the internet the world is seeing Iran as it is and watching how the theocratic regime responds as its people demand political justice.

Embers of a Settling Day

There is something special about sunsets in New York City that set it apart from other cities. From time to time while walking in the heart this very busy city one can find moments of absolute serenity. The city becomes still. One will look forward, back, then all around; hear no one and see nothing but empty streets and a setting sun. These moments are brief and almost feel imaginary. My memory might be horrible but each of these rare moments has lived within me every since.

The Empire

An atypical shot of New York's tallest building, the Empire State Building. I call this "Imperial Ascension." I do not really like taking photos of New York landmarks because they have been shot to death.

Washington Wisdom

A few days ago I bought "The Hardball Handbook: How to Win in Life." I finally cracked it open today and dove right into it. I parked myself on a bench in a New Jersey park overlooking New York City. I stayed there and read for two hours without distraction. I can say that it's an excellent read. The book gets straight to the point delivering a series of lessons and quick takeaways for the reader.

The book is the latest piece published by accomplished political figure Chris Mathews. Mr. Mathews hosts his own television show. His guests are leaders and representatives of the United States government and other entities. He regularly invites guests from public and private fields to discuss issues critical to the national debate. His journey through life has given him a unique perspective to how decision are made in Washington D.C. This book shares some of the principles that helped lead power figures to achieve success.

Movie Night: The Hangover

You must see "The Hangover". This Hollywood hit will blow your mind and keep you laughing. This movie is the ultimate escape and has been called the mature version of "Superbad".

The trailer does a great job drawing you into this comedy. Four friends have one crazy night in Los Vegas and wake the next morning with a massive hangover and no memory. The plot thickens as they try to recover from their long night. The film is a must see for anyone who loves a laugh and can handle adult humour.

image source:http://www.yourmoviestuff.com