This spot has been set aside for the words and wisdom of specific individuals that have influenced our lives in some way. Since this is our premiere issue I wanted to start with someone who influenced my life with not only what he said, but by the way he said it.

The man I speak of is Orson Welles, and on a night in the mid-1970's he was appearing on the Merv Griffin Show. I was about 12 or 13 at the time, and I remember watching with wonder and amazement as this gentleman that I hardly knew anything about told the most interesting of stories with a voice that was so hypnotic, that you hung on every word he uttered. The man had a kind of magic about him like I have never seen before. (One who viewed him would surely say that he possessed the Force. You must admit he would make a hell of a Jedi.)

The words that I took to heart most of all, and that has shaped my life more than anything else, were in the form of a question asked to Mr. Welles by host Merv Griffin.

Merv: "If you had one wish, what would that wish be?"

Orson: "I would wish for a world without borders."

He then went on to explain how ideal it would be in a world where we all could travel around freely under the same ruling body, together as one people. (I wish!) In fact, I wish so much, that I try to improve myself in some small way each day, in hopes that someday I might see this dream come true.

What a profound statement for a human to make, but that was the kind of man Mr. Welles was. Nothing was ordinary when it came to this fine actor/director, and if you study his life you will begin to realize that this is true. After all, is this not the man who shocked all of America with his now infamous 1938 broadcast of his radio drama adaptation of H. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds", and made one of the finest motion pictures to ever grace the screen -- "Citizen Kane." He truly was a visionary, and that's why I honor him today with this article. Not only because of the effect he has had on my life, but also for all of the other souls he has touched and influenced. Mr. Welles, thank you so very much.

(If you would like to know more about Orson Welles, I suggest reading "Citizen Welles", a biography by Frank Brady, or watch the following films: Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, Journey Into Fear or Touch of Evil. Enjoy!)

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Last update: Thursday, April 4, 2002