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“Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things as a meaningful unity”
- Albert Einstein

So the other day I go around the corner from the office for a brisk walk and some coffee.
I see a few people with video cameras setting up and just looking across the street.
There are 3 NYPD police cruisers and officers guarding the door.
So I ask: What’s going on?
Guy with video camera: Don’t know, but it must be something if 3 cop cars are there.
Me: Is an event? are they guarding someone
Guy with video camera: I don’t know

Just then some other people show up, they look like reporters, taking notes, making a bunch of calls on there cellphones.
Then I hear, its Heath Ledgers apartment and he has been found dead.
More people gather, and overhear the same thing.
A women walks by, and says” Heath Ledger died in the furniture store?”
No! someone says, “His apartment is right next to it”

Just then, MY cellphone rings and the person asked me: “Did you hear Heath Ledger was found dead?”
Me: I know, I’m right in front of his apartment….

There is all these paparazzi here.
At that moment a photographer walks up to me and says: “We are PRESS Photographers.”

Anywho.

Just then, News Trucks from all the major television stations pull up and park.
I’m explaining the scene over the phone.
As the cameraman opens the other side of the van, he hears me and says :
“Yeah, they just announced it on the news, but we are about to PUT it on the air in 5 minutes”

All I could think was :
1. I hope his role as Joker in the Batman movie opening this summer is good.
2. My coffee is cold by now.

See, I actually met Heath Ledger in 2005.
It was at a BAFTA screening for Brokeback Mountain.

He along with the writers and director Ang Lee did a Q & A after the film.

He seemed like a nice guy, a little distant (as most actors are) and not too perceptive of what all the fuss was about the movie. Overall aloof.

I enjoyed him much more in Casanova which came out later that year.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
–Martin Luther King, Jr.

Click to play the entire “I Have a Dream” speech recorded August 28, 1963

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vicelounge wants to thank the many who have helped us this past year.
There are so many to give hugs and handshakes to, so i will not try — at the risk of forgetting someone. but if you are on this list then we more than appreciate who you are and what you did for us.

thanks! and let’s continue moving forward with art, culture, media and positivity. this may sound corny, but usually doing the right thing is the rebellious act!

love and god speed

- jonn nubian + tai allen
with/ craig knight + nyaze + dee ferguson

ps: special shouts to dj junior, kim knox, reborn, moni, dee ferguson cedric watkins, mad max, RV, basic soul, barry king, shae fiol, suzanne (aussie), jay spacek, britt & hard hittin harry for being voices to our movement!

pss: and extra special THANKS to the thousands who have bought or downloaded a VL tune producer or performed!