Dead Guys

When I was 12 I went on a summer tour of Europe with the Philadelphia Boys Choir, of which I was a member. During our trek through Italy, France and Monaco, we sang for various dignateries and important figures all of whom seem to be dying this week. That's right, I once stood in Saint Peter's Square and sang for Da' Pope along side 100,000 common citizens who were there to see the Pope Mobile I assume. Our meeting was brief, but I did kiss the ring (you got to!) and say hello to John Paul the Deuce. The week before this event took place in the Vatican City, we sang at the palace of Prince Ranier of Monaco where I became quite smitten with a young girl named Stephanie. This gal would later go on to become a head case named Princess Stephanie, daughter of Grace Kelly...I guess I missed the boat on that one. Well, I was just reading that Prince Ranier died earlier today. It's kind of odd to have two men that you met 20 or so years ago, in a fleeting situation that has become dulled by fading memories, die in such proximity to each other. At the time I was more concerned with hormonal issues than the "greatness" of what I was doing as an "ambassador" to Philadelphia. I do recall a lot of things from this life altering trip at such a crazy age. I saw my first set of boobs in France. I got crazy sunburn in Monaco by falling asleep poolside for 3 hours. I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks and didn't shit once because I hated all of our food options. See what I mean, it's weird the things that I recall from this trip that take precedence over meeting the Pope. Anyway, I thought I would share.