~ Then and Now ~ But You Look At the Bright Sides...

I have another check up within the morning with my physician but hey it’s a good thing and thus far thus good. Although things are good. I do remember 9/11. I had just left and there were two of my friend a Helena Ver... that worked for Morgan Stanley and there was an Orlando P. whom worked as apart of the NYPD. We came to be good friends and then there was my wife. Prior to the events which were unfolding I left before it all came about.

I had a situation whereby the as ironic as it may seem but honestly true. The FBI had tapped my ex wife’s lines. The entire community which was a host of all people of all decents regarded myself as what they termed, “the Canadian Frank Sinatra“. It all started off with a few which were older and within there seventies.  Joan S. would always be pushing me to head down and make some sort of audition. While my ex wife and my self felt that we would build up and then she wished to come to Canada and live where I lived. Prior to September 11th I had taken a night job on the side and worked on a contractual bases for what was then Deloitte and Touché. I was doing this while I had a secondary office given to me by the senior vice president of Prudential by the name of Ester B. She recognized my work and thereafter I had an office right next to hers in Rockefeller center. I went to Newark, New Jersey and had a full evaluation by three of the heads of Prudential.

One day the FBI knocked on the door – well they rang. Very silly situation as there was no need to illustrate whom you were to all the neighbors. Yet there is much to be said for the FBI. Yet they came in and we talked. I had never seen an of the likes of this nor have I seen where wires could be tapped - until I spoke on another line with my old man which indicated to me that this was a signal and to leave. I reneged. Ironically they knew who I was and as well my wife at the time. As within the discussion I came to understand that the only means and ways they would know what I did within Canada as well as whom my father was – was by a wiretap. When the conversation moved so quickly to my wife at the time – I told them – I knew then that something was up and from my residency I could counter and stop all the questions which not I – but my wife was going through. I told them that and under the laws of the land right now they were pushing it - as I placed a few questions their way. Knowing full well that this could go so wrong or just give some way to what we call ---- TIME. I am not a big fan of the FBI as an entity yet I believe that there have been some changes since the time of some of the practices which they would impose on the average citizen.

Yet ironically they came to be friends ironically with myself. I would get a call now and then from one especially. And it was all within good taste. My wife at that time was apparently under more scrutiny and as a husband – one can’t even fathom what it’s like to have to go through questions after all this meeting as stated above was done. I was used to screening people yet to do it with one that you loved – it was probably the hardest thing at that time within my life. As the taps, which I refer to where obviously, they’re for a time before I had arrived. Yet she had worked as a translator for the NYPD. Along with the areas of work that she had done. We were one and I loved her entire family. For that matter her aunts had deemed myself as a representative for the family as there were no males, which had immigrated into United States.

I wished to stay back then within New York while she had a desire to move here ironically. I had flown her out here and then upon my request we stayed longer. The FBI had requested me to be an agent. To go into some of these places which they were sure were of an enterprise which was obvious that they weren’t and I reneged on the option as I had called one good lawyer at the time which was within Manhattan and within his own words he said, “Jack get out of here – you are way over your head”. I never did yet I had made a call to a person which I know within Washington as well as one within Ottawa and then I indicated to my former wife that we should probably leave and go. I was escorted as there was more at stake prior to Septemeber 11th or at least those of which I can mention had. My former wife then decided to shift gears. I had made preparations and then had a father, which had come down with a near death experience. So I had to make a move. Ironically there was a man from the Canadian embassy that had shown up and called me and I got the terms and eight months before what happened during September 11 – I left by way of those of which I can’t mention. The hardest thing is to make a planned departure and then you leave a day before. That's something which I shall not entirely forget. As it was all for the protection of myself - yet it did leave me with many worries to come thereafter. This friend Jim that I have mentioned. Probably saved my life.

He didn’t know it all but like me he had a good idea as to all that I had been through since the time that they did come and visit. Ironically I left the land I loved not due to September 11th yet who would have known it was just about to happen? Now when you place in the combination of cartels, love, ambition and roots. When I saw what was happening I literally went into a code, which was not negotiable. I was angery at the world and so worried as there was no control over a situation which I saw as my home.  Personally it probably took two years till I could understand and place this all together. I have been asked to have a book wrote by many publisher as the word did get out.

I adjusted and thereafter watch United States from Canada. I am not sure if there is any resolve in matters like this as you leave within a moment’s notice and hope that the other does follow. And for a while there are so many questions within. Yet I have learned that life goes on yet when from afar one could see that there were aircrafts which were obviously seen and calls were being made…. no one knew what to do and then I did get on with a few to see that my ex wife was alive as well as Helena and Orlando. Yet one whom was young and worked for Deloitte died as well as many others – but on that day there was apart of myself that died. My father knew it and those whom I consider soul friends know it all.

I got through it but from up here in Canada at that time no one really understood how much of an impact this was. We can’t go back but until you have been near or had someone which died during that day. You can write about it all you wish. It’s like someone trying to write on what Mona Lisa was thinking according to the painter. Yet you really don’t know until you have been there.

Things are good hear I don’t miss my ex wife, I don’t live in jeopardy due to September 11. But this is apart of my own personal experience and it’s a day to remember but as well there are man which still within NY and those which were in NY at the time had some personal situation which when this happened – everything seemed to stop. Looking back at it is something I do within my own time yet the story is that of truth. I don’t forget a moment of what happened to those whom were so close and yet so far away.

September 11 did happen I have never been back since I have left. Yet things do change. If you were transported to another country so quickly and then saw from another country what was happening - I can tell you that then it was the hardest thing. You almost felt like you were looking at the earth from mars.

As far as how unprepared people were after you just held you breath and hoped that things could carry on.That was then and this is now and the manner which I regard it all is that I could have either gave up or carried on.

For a good year it was hard as there was no one that really understood how I felt up here in Canada. Yet I prevailed and carried on sure a few mistakes here and there but I have ran my courses in tests. Now I see things withing another scope or vantage.

I am glad althought writing this is not easy but it's a true story or part of a lengthy one.