Curve Dominant Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 The Curve just returned to Philly from NYC. Today was the ASCAP East Coast membership meeting, at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square. I skipped the post-meeting cocktail reception, and instead headed down to the WTC sight in time for the lighting ceremony. Walking south on Varick Street approaching to within a block or so of the site, the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was, in relation to the great number of people there. Never in my life have I experienced such a huge crowd that was so quiet and serene. As ethnically diverse as you can imagine, from all walks of life. Folks from around the world, literally, by the thousands, in an utterly peaceful congregation. While gathered in wait, strangers struck up conversations with each other, candidly, as if old friends, sharing stories of experiences and feelings. Firemen and police officers in dress uniform among us, sharing their stories. All gathered around that huge void that was once the World Trade Center Plaza, as night fell, waiting patiently for the towers to come alight. When the lights came on, it was actually hard to see them in direct line of sight from so close: the floodlights on the site kind of obscured the memorial lights from up close. But, it was when we looked up...Those two towers seemed to reach right through the heavens. As the masses slowly dispersed, we would look back occasionally, and the farther we got from the sight, the more intense and beautiful the towers appeared. Huge throngs of people, speaking a multitude of languages and accented English, moving slowly and patiently, hesitantly even, as if to savor the receding view, under a blanket of collective calm, in downtown Manhattan. That was the most striking thing: the calm. Walking back through the downtown streets, down to the subway platform, on the A train, through Penn Station...it was a beautiful night to be in NYC. It felt like a place where anybody from anywhere could feel at home. The air was chilly but clear and dry, and the city vistas gleamed innocently in a kind of poignant betrayal of the sadness of the occasion. The uppermost layers of the Empire State Building, once again the tallest structure on the Manhattan skyline, were lit resplendantly in red, white and blue, and clearly visible for many miles as viewed from a NJ Transit train travelling away. The twin towers are gone. That is sad and depressing, that void, as is the memory of those who perished as they fell. But New York City, and this great nation, and the faith of the freedom-loving folks around the world who believe in our American dream, are all joyously still intact. I have seen it with my own eyes. God Bless you all, and God Bless America. Eric Vincent Curve Dominant Sound&Vision Philadelphia USA curvdominant@earthlink.net Eric Vincent (ASCAP) www.curvedominant.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackpine Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 I watched it on the tube and was impressed. What a brilliant way to memorialize what happened to us all. The symbolism of the two beams of light is moving. Glad you had a chance to be there Eric. jim www.relayerstudios.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Seems like something they should just leave on there, at least until there is some sort of closure with Bin Laden or "in general".... Very appropriate and effective. Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 I was two blocks away, hurrying for my train. I noticed nothing. Typical New York mindset. ;) I've got a month to check them out. I'll try to take quick a peek tomorrow. The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrmac Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Nicely put Mr. Vincent. Mac Bowne G-Clef Acoustics Ltd. Osaka, Japan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuy Posted March 12, 2002 Share Posted March 12, 2002 Thanks for the beautiful report, Eric! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhouse Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Eric, That was wonderfully written and moving. Your eloquent observations put me there in a way that a film report never could. Thanks. God bless America indeed. God bless you. later, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halljams Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 I still think you are an asshole! :love: But you're working your way out of it :thu: Nice post Mr Vincent. ;) Check out SUPERVIBE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halljams Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 The above post was meant in the lightest heartedest of ways btw. Check out SUPERVIBE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alby Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Eric, Thanks for the post. Alby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not coaster MODERATOR Posted March 13, 2002 Share Posted March 13, 2002 Nice report Curve Glad somebody's lookin' out for the right coast Go NY GO FDNY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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