JFK 50 Years

"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on." 

- John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963

"And so my fellow Americans; ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." 

          It's one of the most recognized quotes in history, a quote that began a presidency. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the youngest man to have been elected into office stood before the people of the United States and spoke to them as only he could. In a voice so unique to him he gave the people; his people, hope for a better future. Hope for equality. Hope for peace. 

           He wasn't supposed to be President. That title was held for his older brother Joseph Kennedy Jr. The patriarch of the family, Joseph Kennedy Sr. had put all of his hopes and dreams onto his eldest son Joe and was entwined into getting him into the highest seat in the United States. Sadly Joe Jr. was killed in battle during World War II so the hopes of the father passed down to his second eldest son, John. 

            On September 12, 1953 John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, RI. Jacqueline ("Jackie") was a great asset to Jack in both his life and as his companion as First Lady. Not only a fashion icon, Jackie was also knee deep in the restoration of the White House, bringing back the history of the past Presidents and creating a Museum for people to tour the most famous House in the states. During their marriage they had four children. Arabella, who was stillborn; Caroline, John Jr "John-John" and Patrick who passed away three days after his birth. John Jr. sadly died in a plane crash in 1999 along with his wife Carolyn and her sister. Caroline is alive and well and is married with three children. 

             With two years under his belt as President, an unsuccessful military invasion of Cuba (dubbed "The Bay of Pigs") and a huge success with the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which he negotiated the removal of nuclear missiles from Cuba, it was the hope of a nation for a great rest of term and promising re-election for Kennedy in 1964. So as John F. Kennedy decided to visit Texas for a political tour to help his standing there he asked his wife Jackie to come along with him. This was the first time Jackie would accompany her husband on a political tour in the states. And so it was...November 22, 1963 they would visit Dallas after a brief stay in Ft. Worth. 

               The morning started off dreary, rainy and overcast. And as they landed in Dallas the skies opened up and the sun appeared, what people called "Kennedy Weather". Jackie was wearing Jack's favorite outfit, the infamous pink skirt and jacket with accompanying pill box hat. They stepped off air force one to a cheering crowd. Walking through the crowd, greeting them and smiling they arrived at their limousine, an open top limo, which they wouldn't have used if it were raining.

                At 12:30pm shots were fired and the 35th President of the United States was hit. Once through the neck and then in the head. At approximately 1:00pm at Parkland Memorial Hospital John Fitzgerald Kennedy was pronounced dead. His last words were "Oh my God, I've been hit."

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               I was not alive during that time. My father was in seventh grade and my mom in sixth. They both remember where they were when they heard the news. But even though I was not around during the Kennedy Era, I have a deep appreciation for them. Jacqueline Kennedy is an icon and a true inspiration; she is someone I admire greatly. In a time where women were supposed to be housewives, and take a secondary role in life, she was strong and stood for what she believed in. And one of those things she believed in was her husband.

                Was JFK perfect? No. Did he make mistakes? Yes. But he was a great man who cared about his family and cared about the wonderful country he led. He was charismatic and handsome. He was a husband. He was a father. He was a President. He was a dignified man. He died too soon in a horrible way. And he left a legacy that will continue to live on for many years.

                Was Lee Harvey Oswald the lone gunman? Was there a second gunman on the Grassy Knoll? Are any of the conspiracy theories true? I can't answer that. I can't say to you if the Mob was involved, or the CIA was conspiring to assassinate their President. What do I believe? I'm not really sure. I don't think that there is a conspiracy theory, but if that ended up being true I wouldn't be surprised. However, I also don't think Lee Harvey Oswald was the only man responsible.

                 All in all I think the assassination of JFK was too easy to be done by a single man. A man mind you that was being watched by the FBI for years. So how can that man pull off this immense tragedy? The CIA and all those involved knew that Dallas was dangerous, they were aware of the hatred people in Dallas had for JFK. They saw all of their obstacles beforehand, as they walked through the motorcade route. The tall buildings surrounding the streets, the slower speed the motorcade had to travel due to the large crowd cheering, the fact the limousine was open top. If they knew of all of these obstacles and possible opportunities for an assassination attempt, and the significant and very real danger posed to the President how did this happen, by a single person being watched by the FBI?

                 We will never know these answers. But John F. Kennedy will be remembered for the man he was, the President he was and the life that was snuffed out far too soon. I always think what would the world be like today if he had lived?

                  Today, the 50th anniversary of his death I think of him, of Jackie, of Caroline and of John Jr. I hope he is in the real Camelot with his love and his son. Rest in Peace John F. Kennedy.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." 

- John F. Kennedy

Girl Power - YEAH!

Kate Nash in all her glory

KATE NASH
House of Blues
Boston, MA
11/8/13
Opening Bands: Potty Mouth & La Sera

So here it was, girls night out in Boston with my chicadees Elle and Carrie. 

We had decided it would be fun to dress like the Spice Girls for the Kate Nash concert in Boston, and it worked out so well. Elle was Ginger Spice, I was Posh Spice and Carrie was Sporty Spice. And we even added in adorable cat ears for the hell of it! I mean, you can't go wrong with cat ears right? ME-OW! 

On top of our outfits and cat ears (making us super fly!) we had adorned our incredible rock'n'roll / biker jackets that we had custom made a couple of nights before that represent our little crew -- the "Sexy Ladyboss Gang", complete with the wording in true biker gang style, with the extra touch of a heart on the sleeve. They are pretty darn awesome if you ask me. And I only speak the truth! 

We arrived at the House of Blues in Boston, parked and got our tickets followed immediately by a trip to the bar. Carrie and I both got a Oktoberfest beer. Gotta say - it was delicious! We stood in the un-marked VIP section for the opening band La Sera before being kicked out when Kate came on. But that ended up being the best thing for us. 

Moving on over to the side of the bar area, right by the stairs to go on stage, we had the perfect view. It was unobstructed and we weren't being crowded by the swarm of people who were at the show. Right before Kate Nash came on the song You Don't Own Me came on and let's just say, what a perfect song in general and even more so to open the show for her. A true kick ass girl power song! And that is what Kate is all about. 

L to R -- Elle, Me, Kate Nash, Carrie
*best night ever*

She rocked the house and we had a blast! We danced our own choreographed dance for the song 'Kiss that Grrrl' and were basically having the time of our lives. Little did we know how much better it was going to get! 

The end of the show Kate gave a speech about how as women we have to take control of life and not take any shit from anybody. It was very empowering and amazing. During this time her tour manager (or someone who worked at the venue, i'm not really sure) started bringing up people from the audience to where we were standing. Elle then told me that at the end of Kate's shows she usually has audience members come and dance on stage with her. Elle, being the badass chick she is told Carrie and I to follow the people who the manager guy had gathered up and we'd be set. As the group got up on stage we followed. Elle got up there and then the security guard grabbed Carrie and I. As he noticed that we were all together and with Carrie's scared puppy dog eyes he said we would be the last let on the stage. PHEW!!!! It was so awesome. 

Elle had made her way to the front/center of the stage, directly behind Kate herself so Carrie and I met her there and we continued to dance our asses off to the tune of Kate's song. (The first picture is a picture Carrie took while we were up there). It was so incredible to have that experience, to be dancing on stage with about 20 fans in front of 300+ people was something for the record books!! Definitely up there with coolest experiences of my life. And to be able to share that experience with two of my best friends just made it all the more special and amazing. 

When the song ended she ushered us all backstage for a hug for all of us from her! What a sweetheart!! Then we left the backstage area and towards the merchandise table. We each bought a print of a quote of hers while she came back on for one last song. 

After it was over, we were basically kicked out of the venue by the staff. So we waited outside to meet this awesome performer/rocker/woman! It was freezing and she took a while to come out to say hello to the fans who stayed back to meet her, but totally completely worth it! I would say there was about maybe 15 people out there. When she came out she talked to a few people who she seemed to be friendly with for about 10 minutes and then came over to the line of people waiting ready to sign autographs and take pics. Once she got to us she asked Carrie her name first and Elle told her to show Kate our jackets. So we all turned around and Kate FLIPPED OUT at our amazing Sexy Ladyboss Gang jackets!!!! She loved them, and took pictures of us in them (as a group and individually) and then when she noticed our cat ears and the fact we were dressed as the Spice Girls she was even more excited. We then got a picture with her.

I went into the concert only really knowing her song "Kiss that Grrrl" and liking her enough and left with a deep appreciation for her as a person, respect for her as a woman and a better understanding and love of her music.

I Ran

I started running two years ago to lose a little weight. It started on the treadmill and I found myself feeling a relief I had never had felt before. I was able to do five or six miles at one point.  Soon it grew to nearly seven miles. It felt great, but I couldn't imagine doing any more than that, until I found my way to Central Park. A friend wanted a partner to help him train for a half marathon.  We ran over fourteen miles. I felt it the next day. But no matter what the day was, nobody could take away that I ran. And nobody helped me. I did it. It's amazing what the body is capable of.


I ran my own half marathon in May and shortly after was asked if I wanted to run the New York City marathon in November for charity. I would have to raise the money. What would be harder? The training or the fundraising. They were both a bitch, but I did both and on last Sunday I ran 26.2 miles.
New York City is one of the largest (if not the largest) and one of the most difficult (if not the most difficult) marathons to run. I got to run it with a good friend, which made it something more.
And running in the city that I've called home for almost twelve years made me see the city brand new. My first apartment was on first avenue, where a large part of the course takes place. We ran by my current home, where my parents stood and cheered me on, in Harlem. It looked different, but I was different too.
Four hours, nine minutes, thirty-five seconds.
You start as one person, you end as another. This marathon, it softens and hardens you. It brings you to your knees and takes away your breath. And then it fills you up, with confidence, pride and strength - right as you feel like you're being knocked out. What's really happening is, you're being born again. Is this the end or the beginning?
And then it's over. And your'e body begins to shake. And by the next day, you have to learn to walk again. Because nothing works quite the same way. I walk around the city, and it looks different.  A moment can change everything.