Why is this blog called ”Thirty-Three?” Well, the most obvious answer is that Mike was only alive for thirty-three years. At the time of starting this blog, I am about 3 months away from being thirty-three myself. When I was choosing music for the slideshow at his funeral, without thinking much about the title, I chose the song ”Thirty-Three” by The Smashing Pumpkins to play in the background of the pictures of his life. He loved The Smashing Pumpkins, the song reminds me of him, and the lyrics fit his life well. It was only after the funeral was over that I realized the significance and coincidence that the song was titled ”Thirty-Three” and that happened to be his age at the time of his death. It seemed an appropriate name for a blog centered around him as well.
“Speak to me in a language I can hear
Humor me before I have to go
Deep in thought, I forgive everyone
As the cluttered streets greet me once again
I know, I can’t be late
Supper’s waiting on the table
Tomorrow’s just an excuse away
So I pull my collar up and face the cold, on my own
The earth laughs beneath my heavy feet
At the blasphemy in my old jangly walk
Steeple, guide me to my heart and home
The sun is out and up and down again
I know, I’ll make it
Love can last forever
Graceful swans of never topple to the earth
And you can make it last forever
You can make it last forever
And you can make it last
And for a moment, I lose myself
Wrapped up in the pleasures of the world
I’ve journeyed here and there and back again
But in the same old haunts, I still find my friends
Mysteries not ready to reveal
Your sympathies I’m ready to return
I’ll make the effort
Love can last forever
Graceful swans of never topple to the earth
Tomorrow’s just an excuse
And you can make it last forever
You can make it last forever
You can make it last
Forever you”
Thirty-Three 