On 9/11, I was on my way to the office and I remember hearing on the radio about the towers being hit by a plane. The announcer had panic in his voice and I couldn't tell if it was real at first, so I kept turning up the volume, because (to me) it wasn't making any sense. I remember being at a stop light when it hit me that jet planes really hit the towers (at this time they still didn't know why), and it felt like being sucked into a void. It was so surreal, because I couldn't imagine how something like that could be possible. I wasn't paying attention that the light had turned green and the cars behind me were blaring their horns. I saw in my rear view mirror the gal behind me lip, "Go you dumb b!tc#."
Mr. DS was in Colorado hunting Elk. His friend had a scheduled engagement in Tulsa and had planned to leave camp a few days early. When he got to Denver airport -- this was a few days after so it had been determined it was a terrorist attack -- he couldn't believe what he was seeing. There were armed national guardsmen everywhere, and everyone was being searched etc. He, being a Japanese American, said he also felt that strange surreal feeling the whole time. He said probably not even close to what the Japanese American's felt when they were rounded up at the onset of WWII, but still very uncomfortable because he very obviously doesn't look "American"...
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You should fear anything that can bleed for seven days without dying... (as told to Mr. DS on 3-12-10)
Morning all... coming to you live from ICU Rm 330 at Oakwood Southshore. At present, Pambo is sleeping and Richard went back to the hotel to chill out for a bit get showered and changed.
When I got out of the shower this morning, I noted that they were replaying the 9/11 news coverage. Almost made me throw up seeing the buildings on fire. Same reaction I had when it happened. I vividly remember the way that whole morning went from my co-worker meeting me at the door into the office telling me in a panic that a Cessna had hit WTC and that the Network Operations Control Center called looking for me. I had a training class to go teach, so I called them and told them where I would be. Barely finished the class before I got called away. Was sitting at my desk watching my little TV when the second plane hit. Next thing I know, my mom is calling me all freaked out, begging me to tell her what is going on. She figured I was probably getting better information than just what was on the news. Had to get off the phone with her to go up to the NOCC floor with my manager so we could start manning the disaster effort.
Definitely it was a very surreal time. Back then, Pambo and I worked in one of the taller buildings in Overland Park... we had window seats on the side facing in the direction of where Richards Gebauer AFB / Marine Base is located. We had an excellent view of the planes coming and going. I lived right by KCI's back up air traffic control center, so getting in and out of my neighborhood was a challenge. Fortunately I was spending every waking minute on the effort to recover phone service in lower Manhattan so I didn't so much notice. Pambo was stuck with taking care of our normal business, running interference for me with the rest of the crew, and nagging me to eat something every now and again.
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MM
That which does not kill me postpones the inevitable.
The Etch came in this morning and said, "I have good news! I forgot what day it was until I got in here. Isn't that great?!" She claims she used to cry every year.
I know when I watch the DVD I bought I still get a lump in my throat and fight back some tears. I think what gets me every time is seeing the people jumping out the windows.
For me though, watching it every year feels like a necessity. Not sure why.
