November 22, 1963

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas.  Leading up to today, many television networks have been running specials about the last days of JFK.

Everything I know about day that has been told to me by relatives who remember the day, and news stories I have read and heard.  I was only 2 years of age at the time so I have no recollection of what occurred.  If I had to guess, my sister and I were with my Guereca grandparents on the north side of Fort Worth while our parents were at work.  When it happened, I'm sure my grandmother was watching As The World Turns and CBS interrupted the show to announce that Kennedy had been shot.  After the show ended, I would assume they did another news break to announce his death.

The night before, John & Jackie arrived at Carswell Air Force Base.  My Aunt Lulu was there with Raymond (who would later become her husband).  I remember her telling me that when the plane arrived it was like something out of a movie.  The flood lights were on the tarmac and a big crowd had gathered to welcome the Kennedys to Ft.Worth.  The ramp was brought to the plane and the Kennedys exited the plane to the cheers of the crowd.  Uncle Raymond put her on his soldiers so she could see them.

John & Jackie stayed at the Hotel Texas which is now the Hilton.  Inside of the hotel the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce was gathered in the Crystal Ballroom for breakfast with John & Jackie.  And outside of the hotel, a crowd had gathered to greet the President.  News stories say that inside and outside, the crowds were charmed by the President.

In 2012, a monument of JFK was erected and placed outside of the hotel.  Fort Worth holds it's rightful place in history and it was only right to memorialize that day.

Every generation has a defining moment that scars it.  I was too young to remember November 22, 1963.  I do remember what I was doing when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986.  I remember what I was doing when the planes flew into The World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  And I'll never forget the horror of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

I was reminded the other by my mother that in the days after November 22, 1963, my sister and I asked her if John-John and Caroline could come and stay with us.  Looking back, I guess that day did leave an impression upon me.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has put together a gallery of photos from November 21-22, 1963 that can be viewed here.

And here are photos that I took last year of the memorial in Fort Worth.

Bad Day

How can a day go from great to bad in the matter of a few hours? I'm just asking...

While I am not always good at articulating what I think when it comes to politics, I am VERY GOOD at internalizing things that bug me and get to me. Remember how Jackie Kennedy always kept her cool in public? I'm a bit like her.

About 30 minutes ago, I got a phone call about something that needs to be postponed. To think that I spent all morning getting ready for this. It is what it is...and rainy days and mondays...and you are a child of the universe and all of that other crap.

In the big scheme of things, world peace/whirled peas didn't matter on this taking place and I know others are dealing with bigger things and more pertinent matters but this mattered to me.

So while I was out walking The Calvinator, I started humming this.

BTW...if you call and I don't answer, it is what it is, OK?


Bad Day by Daniel Powter

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad dayYou had a bad day

Will you need a blue sky holiday?
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

(Oooh.. a holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

(yeah...)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day