Today I climbed to the top of the Cathedral Duomo, the largest dome in the world. And one of the largest religious buildings in history. This place is more than famous. The doors of it being responsible for starting the entire renaissance they say. O.k. so you wait in this line and then you go into this cave inside of the walls of the cathedral and you begin to climb these ancient stone steps in a spiral going straight up. you get dizzy and very hot and you pray it ends and it doesn’t for 460 steps. The absolute worst part is when you exit the inside of the walls and you think you are there you are actually on this very narrow balcony that encircles the entire dome. You are hundreds of feet up in the air suspended over this very thin balcony. Your walking space is less than a yard. More like a foot. Only one person at a time and no one can pass you. over looking the whole cathedral below you and above you is the beautifully painted dome. I'm not afraid of heights necessarily but this could give pause to anyone. My heart was racing. And then finally you climb a bit more this time it gets really steep straight up these old stone steps and then you come out and you are on the very top of this dome outside of it. overlooking the entire city. It is amazing. and up there are all these other people from all over the world with you who also made the climb. So you may take a picture of a couple from Japan or England or Poland. Its very cool. 

what is the meaning of one life? pondering. If a person does not have a family, and does not have a job they necessarily like, what is the meaning of this life? or more, what is the meaning of any of our lives? I think about it. it is haunting. 

Working on several songs in Italian. One is called a morning in Venice, maybe. And the only lyrics are the Italian pronouns: mi ti lo la ci vi li and le. Because I was so taken by the sound of them all strung together when they teach them. My teacher asks me what kind of a song is that going to be? How strange. ow HowI told her just you wait and see. 

http://soundcloud.com/edhale/morning-in-venice-outtake

Leaning about president Ulysses s. Grant tonight. You know the S. in his name didn't even stand for anything. It was a mistake someone made on his application at WestPoint and he just carried it into the wars and into the presidency. Only in America. A George Washington he wasn't. but a valiant if not ruthless war hero that helped save our country, and who later as president championed for the rights of black people adamantly.