Never Forget - 20 Years Later

It's hard to believe that 20 years have gone by since the terrorist attacks of 2001. But whatever the number of years that pass, I will continue to post a "Never Forget" message on its anniversary. Keep the faith and never give in to the forces of evil.

Never Forget - 19 Years Ago

Hard to believe it's now 19 years since the terrorist attacks of 2001. But even if it's 29 years later, I hope that on every anniversary I can post a "Never Forget" message on this blog.
I will add that this year, given the aftermath of Covid-19, things seem very different in NYC.  Lower Manhattan, even now in September, is a veritable ghost town.  It's difficult to image life in the city returning to "normal" under the circumstance.

But we bounced back from 9/11 and we'll certainly bounce back from Covid-19.

Keep the Faith!

National Chess Day - 2018!

Who knew that the second Saturday in October is National Chess Day!!  Pretty Cool :D

Apparently, it goes back to the administration of President Gerald Ford - he announced it on October 9, 1976 and designated its observation for the second Saturday in October.  Today is its 42nd anniversary. 

I'm going to try and play a game online (at RedHotPawn) to celebrate :D

Never Forget - 17 Years Later

Now it's been 17 years since the attack on the World Trade Centers and, on one level, it seems like it happened just yesterday.   In fact, the train station at the ground zero reopened just last week - after having been closed for the entire 17 years!

I'm writing this post in my office, in the same building where I sat when the first plane crashed into the north tower.

#neverforget

Here is my post from last year (which, in essence, mirrors my earlier ones on the subject):
 __________________________________________

It's hard believe that 16 years have gone by since the cowardly terrorists destroyed so much on September 11, 2001. Despite the physical destruction - and the loss of so many innocent souls - our collective spirit survived intact and emerged from the ashes. Today the Freedom Tower rises in the former Twin Towers site. We have rebuilt and our lives have go on - despite the horror and sadness of that day. And for those reason, we must never forget what happened.

Never forget the evil.
Never forget the survival.
Never forget the innocent souls that didn't survive.

Shays Rebellion kicked off 232 years ago today - August 29, 1786

It was 232 years ago today - barely 10 years after the revolutionary war began in 1776 - that the first major rebellion (revolution) shook colonial America.  On August 29, 1786, protesters shut down the court house in Northampton, Massachusetts, and prevented it from conducting its normal business. 

Shays' Rebellion, as it would come to called, set in motion a number of things - not least of which the Constitutional Convention that would do away with the Articles of Confederation and replace them with the Constitution that we have today.

Why am I posting about Shays' Rebellion, apart for the arbitrary anniversary date (232)?  Because next week kicks off the Fall semester and one of the classes I'm teaching is -- Constitutional Law!  While we don't spend too much time covering it, Shays' Rebellion is on the syllabus for the first class meeting :D

10th Anniversary of Rundangerously 2008-2018!

I find it somewhat astonishing that my Rundangerously Blog has been up and running (pun intended) for 10 years!  When it began - way, way back on March 1, 2008 - I had no idea that it would last this long.  In fact, I had envisioned it as a way to record my training and racing (with race photos and reports the main component).  It actually grew to include much more stuff, if you will - but it primarily focused on the running side of my life.  Over the last decade it's recorded the my running and races - but included family (especially Katie's various milestones: she was in middle school when this blog began, she just graduated from College last year!), travels, radio, and reviews of various things that caught my attention over the years - to mention a few of the things that come to mind. I was also happy (and honored) to include many guest posts - mostly from other runners who shared their race reports and experiences!

I find the longevity even more surprising given my (apparently) belated discovery of Facebook the following year (and Twitter a few years after that).  All the competing venues to post pictures and updates (so to speak) certainly diluted the power of blogging (in general) - to the point it basically seems quaint after all these years.  Almost like trying to explain why bother listening to CDs - or even more shocking LPs (if this generation can dig up a working turntable) - in this IPOD, streaming age of music.  But I will confess to not missing (and never will miss) video cassettes, of any format - haha

So as I enter the second decade of this blog (did I really write second decade), I wonder how much longer it can keep going (and, a bit more practically, how much longer can I keep running and racing).  That first post mentioned that Caumsett Park 50K was the upcoming race - and I'd post a race report....  Now, 10 years later, I find it fitting to point out that Caumsett Park 50K is again on deck for the weekend!  A comforting coincidence (and what's old is new again) :D

Thanks to everyone who has visited over the years - and to those who commented as well.  Here's hoping that you'll continue to visit going forward!

Cheers!

Never Forget 9/11 - 16 years ago today :(

It's been 16 years now - and it could have happened yesterday.  As I write this, I'm sitting in my office, pretty much the same place I sat when the first plane crashed into the north tower.

#neverforget

Here is my post from last year (which, in essence, mirrored my earlier ones on the subject):
__________________________________________

It's hard believe that 15 years have gone by since the cowardly terrorists destroyed so much on September 11, 2001. Despite the physical destruction - and the loss of so many innocent souls - our collective spirit survived intact and emerged from the ashes.

Today the Freedom Tower rises in the former Twin Towers site. We have rebuilt and our lives have go on - despite the horror and sadness of that day. And for those reason, we must never forget what happened.

Never forget the evil.
Never forget the survival.
Never forget the souls that didn't survive.

Happy Birthday Jack Kerouac - 95 Years Young in Heaven

Happy Birthday Jack Kerouac!

He was born March 12, 1922 and died tragically on October 21, 1969 - from the ravages of alcoholism. He was only 47 years old - and this year marks the somewhat grim fact that he has now been dead (48 years) longer than he lived. 

For most people he needs no introduction but, sadly, there are increasing numbers of people who haven't heard of him, his spontaneous prose, or the beat generation (for that matter).  We're all getting older...

Anyway, to keep this upbeat (ha) - pull out your beaten up (ha) copy of "On the Road" and read a few pages - or the entire book!

Today is the 75th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

That iconic quote, taken from FDR's address to a joint session of Congress the following day, December 8, 1941, say it all.

Never Forget.

Never Forget: September 11th - 15 Years Later

It's hard believe that 15 years have gone by since the cowardly terrorists destroyed so much on September 11, 2001.  Despite the physical destruction - and the loss of so many innocent souls - our collective spirit survived intact and emerged from the ashes.

Today the Freedom Tower rises in the former Twin Towers site.  We have rebuilt and our lives have go on - despite the horror and sadness of that day.  And for those reason, we must never forget what happened.

Never forget the evil.
Never forget the survival.
Never forget the souls that didn't survive.

Never Forget - Today is the 14th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

 

Never Forget.  Today is the 14th anniversary of that fateful day when the cowardly forces of evil hijacked four commercial airplanes and caused the death of 2,977 innocent souls. Fourteen years later the World Trade Center site is now the home of the memorial, museum and Freedom Tower. But even with the physical changes and even with the passage of time, the tragic events of that day can never be forgotten.

Never Forget!

Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" Album released 40 years ago today!

It's hard to believe today marks the 40th anniversary of the release of "Born to Run."  While that poster isn't the (ubiquitous) album cover - it symbolizes the not just the album, but everything Springsteen of the 1970's.  The Springsteen of the 1980's and beyond is a different story, and could occupy the musings of an entirely separate post .  I had that particular poster on my bedroom wall and every dorm room that I ever occupied.

Growing up in Sheepshead Bay back then, most of the kids I hung out would easily have included Bruce in their pantheon of rock gods.  Regardless of where you branched out with your musical interests, he was pretty much the common denominator of all things "cool" or so we liked to believe. 

While I loved the song itself, my favorite Bruce tune was a tie between "Thunder Road" (also on that album) and "Spirit in the Night" (from his first album, "Greetings from Asbury Park").  Even today, after all the years, those two song most encapsulate Springsteen in my memories.

Anyway, today is a great reason to listen to some old Bruce tunes!

Happy Anniversary :D

winston churchill died 50 years ago today

sir winston churchill died 50 years ago today, on january 24, 1965 - he was 90 years old.  as one of the most significant individuals of the 20th century, i couldn't let today pass without thinking about his impact on the world.  the most significant, in my opinion, was his role during world war II - in which he almost single-handedly saved great britain from falling to the nazi.

two years ago this month, i read roy jenkins' one volume "churchill: a biography." it was an enjoyable read - and interesting because it presented a non-American perspective.  it was almost like a memoir, written by a politician who witnessed portions of churchill's life up close and personal.  it wasn't like the more comprehensive takes by gilbert or manchester - but it was enjoyable.

the highlight of my own churchill interaction was about two decades ago - when i managed to read all 6 volumes of his "history of world war II" - it was a fun commitment of time.  it's like committing to read all of robert moses' "power broker" - and was just as rewarding.

so take a minute to think about churchill today.  flaws and all, he was a towering figure.

fall of the berlin wall - 25th anniversary!

25 years ago today, bovember 9, 1989, the berlin wall was torn down by the berliners separated by it.  five years ago, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall i wrote:

twenty years ago today, november 9, 1989, the infamous symbol of soviet oppression, the berlin wall, finally crumbled at the hands of free people! that historic event paved the way for the subsequent reunification of germany - and, ultimately, the collapse of the soviet union and end of the cold war. the world hasn't be the same since!

while nothing will take away from the greatness of that moment, in the five years since i wrote that in 2009, it seems as if the cold war is about to return - thanks, singled handedly, to the efforts of president putin and his efforts to dismember and reclaim the ukraine.

but i won't dwell on the negatives - because in those five years i managed a trip back to berlin the following year - in november, 2010!  that closed the circle of my pre-fall of the wall visit back in the summer of 1984 and the post-wall city, 26 years later. that visit even included a fantastic reunion with my old friend from high school, phil - who's lived there since there the early 1980's.

check out this coverage of the city's celebration - which includes 8,000 glowing balloons to recreate the wall!

jack kerouac died 45 years ago today :(

jack kerouac died 45 years ago today, at the tragically young age of 47.  five years ago, on the 40th anniversary of his death from the ravages of alcoholism, i posted a short piece that included a clip of kerouac reading from "october in the railroad earth" - an intensly appropriate work to remember him by.  looking at that post now, the youtube clip has been deleted.  so i'll take this opportunity to repost a similar clip:



i won't repeat the comments i posted 5 years ago (easy enough to read, if you're interested).  but i will repeat that kerouac is easily my favorite writer - across any genre.

here's remembering my favorite fellaheen writer... still safe in heaven, 45 years and counting :D

never forget - today is the 13th anniversary of 9/11

 

 

Never Forget.  Today is the 13th anniversary of that fateful day when the forces of evil hijacked four commercial airplanes and caused the death of 2,977 innocent souls.  Thirteen years later the world trade center site is now the home of the memorial, museum and freedom tower.  But even with the physical changes and even with the passage of time, the tragic events of that day will never be forgotten.

Never Forget!

bonus army evicted from washington 80 years ago today

on july 28, 1932, president hoover ordered the u.s. military to remove the "bonus army" (more than 40,000 marchers, most of whom were world war one veterans and their families) from washington d.c. - following the failed efforts by the local police to disperse the army.  the earlier effort by the metro police had resulted in the shooting deaths of two veterans when the mob assaulted two police officers who tried to disperse the crowd.

it was after the mob assault on the police officers that president hoover ordered the full scale removal of the bonus army.  in charge of the soldiers tasked to "evict" the marchers from their makeshift camps was none other than general douglas macarthur.  assisting him in the operation was then major george patton. macarthur's chief aide was the major dwight eisenhower!  the veterans and their families were driven out of the camps and then the tents and belongings were burned.

the veteran's, in the midst of the great depression, were trying to get congress to authorize immediate payment of their service certificates - that were due to mature in in the early 1940s (20 years after they were awarded to the soldiers).  while the 1932 effort failed, subsequent efforts did result in the 1936 congress authorizing the early payment of the "bonus" certificates.

rms titanic sank 100 years ago today

one hundred years ago this morning the titanic sank in the north atlantic, more than 1500 lives were lost. it was the ship's maiden voyage and just over 700 souls survived the sinking. news of the anniversary has blanketed the media this week. and this weekend has seen hours of t.v./cable programming on the story. james cameron's epic has been rereleased in 3d and is in theatres now (the original was bdcst on t.v. last night).

while i haven't gotten to caught up in the anniversary i have watched some of the documentaries - including cameroon's take on the story.  it was fascinating to learn that since he made the movie he's dived down to the titanic twice - and is still obsessed with the ship.  cameron gathered a dozen experts to definitively recreate the fatal hours of the ship.  while he wasn't going to remake the film, he did recreate an animated timeline of the sinking (redoing the original created when he was made the original film).

my only contribution to the collective wave of nostalgila will be a trip to the southstreet seaport musuem later this week to see the new exhibit, "titanic at 100: myth and memory."  i had wanted to get over there last week, but tax season business prevented it..   when i do get there, i'll post a couple of pictures - inlcuding one of the memorial lighthouse just outside the seaport :D

girl scouts celebrate their 100th anniversary today!

on march 12, 1912, juliette gordon low established the first girl scout troop in savannah, georgia. during the subsequent 100 years more than 5 million girls and women have participated in girl scouts, with over 3 million currently involved in the scouting program!

i'm a huge fan of scouting (both boy and girl) - having participated in boy scouts (and explorer scouts) for most of my teen years.  the family tradition was kept up by katie, who has been a girl scout since her days in elementary school.  one highlight of her scouting career will take place later this month, at the county center, when she and the other recipients will receive their gold awards!

so to girl scouts everywhere - here's to another successful hundred year run!

bobby fischer died 4 years ago today: january 17, 2008

bobby fischer died on january 17, 2008, at the decidedly young age of sixty-four. on the one year anniversary i did a lengthily post on fischer as a chess legend and, subsequently, a deeply flawed human being.  it's hard to believe so much time has passed so quickly (his death occurred before this blog came into existence just a couple of months later, in march 2008).

in the four years since fischer's death, his estate has been in a prolonged litigation for more than three of those four years.  the controversy included the exhumation of fischer's remains and a post-mortem paternity test (which definitively concluded that he was not the father of the alleged daughter making a claim to his estate).  it also included a ruling against his widow, followed by a reversal of that ruling last march - which, apparently, has finally brought the protracted battle to a close - his widow inherits the estate.

aside from the estate litigation (always fascinating stuff for me, as a trusts and estates attorney), in those four years a full length documentary was released, and a comprehensive biography published.  while neither did much to change opinions (at least mine, of the post- 9/11 fischer), they did further the quest to understand what made him tick - and eventually implode.