Much has been said about the politics and history of the current state of the world. In my Brooklyn neighborhood, however, one maxim remains true:"Never Forget." Whatever one's opinions about the causes or the consequences of 9/11, this exercise in historical memory is a cathartic one for those of us who survived that tragic day and continue to bear witness.

As a follow-up to a growing memoir, which includes annual posts from 2001, 2002, and 2003, I offer this interview of"My Friend Ray," a"Not a Blog" exclusive.