Saturday, Day 5

I've stayed away from the television today, for the most part. I watched a portion of the ABCNews special with Peter Jennings and kids from New York this morning, as well as the eulogy for Father Mychal Judge, the NY Fire Department Chaplain who died while providing last rites to a fallen fireman. Both were moving, inspiring, and terribly sad. Maybe I am deficient in some way, but I needed to back away, to re-enter my own life to some extent. So I turned the television off and spent some time with my mother and sister. We talked about the tragedy, and found that we were focusing on the 'good' stories surrounding it - the stories of bravery, selflessness and, at the risk of sounding corny, brotherhood. It is not fair that I can turn the TV off and walk away for a few hours when so many are in such pain. But I can, and I do, because that is the only way that I can deal with it. I still teeter on the edge of an emotional abyss, ready to cry with only the slightest provocation, but I need some normalcy in my life. Some room to breathe.

I nearly cancelled it, but I've decided to go ahead with my trip tomorrow to Maine. I will be driving up and staying there alone, for the first time. I am hoping that the peace and quiet will do me some good, help to restore some inner balance. On the other hand, it is just as likely that I will become bored by Wednesday and return home still off-balance, but that's a chance I'm willing to take ;-).

I'm leaving in the morning, so there won't be any posts after this one until at least mid-week, probably later. Have a good week, everyone, and as my Grammy used to say, "Peace be to ya."

TIME.com Photoessays - the one entitled "Shattered" is especially powerful.
New York Times Slideshows
New York Times - The Heroes

posted at 11:15 PM | link |

Help.

posted at 2:37 PM | link |

"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them who have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen,’" Falwell said on the program, which was broadcast nationally.

Mr. Falwell seems to think that the terrorists have acted on behalf of his God. He had better hope that my God has mercy on his soul.

Keep stoking those fires of hatred, Jerry.

[source: brainsluice]

posted at 2:22 PM | link |

Let's Debunk

I'm sure we have all seen the Nostradamus predictions, mathematical date puzzles and the like that have been making the e-mail rounds since Tuesday's attack. Here's a link to a site that debunks most of these rumors, and very credibly.

[source: usr/bin/girl]

posted at 1:21 PM | link |

I, too, wish that President Bush would stop using the word "war" so much.

posted at 10:44 AM | link |

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance



President Bush has declared today to be a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance in acknowledgment of Tuesday's tragedy. If you can, please try to make your way to your nearest house of worship to participate in the observance. The President asks that we do this at lunchtime, around 12:00 Noon. The Immaculate Conception is just across the town green here, and I am hoping to be able to make it to the lunchtime mass.

From the White House website:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. I ask that the people of the United States and places of worship mark this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance with noontime memorial services, the ringing of bells at that hour, and evening candlelight remembrance vigils. I encourage employers to permit their workers time off during the lunch hour to attend the noontime services to pray for our land. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in these solemn observances.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

posted at 9:50 AM | link |

Reeling

I wasn't up to posting today, for obvious reasons. I will hopefully be able to resume that task tomorrow.

Take care, and God bless.

posted at 10:35 PM | link |

BTW, my regular nonsensical posts will resume tomorrow. In the meantime, you might want to check salon.com's coverage.

I hope you're all hangin' in there.

posted at 4:21 PM | link |

CNN's coverage of the latest developments.

posted at 3:34 PM | link |

Yahoo! images relating to yesterday's terrorism.

posted at 2:39 PM | link |

The Day After

I am slowly emerging from the shock of yesterday and now the tears are starting to come as I read the stories of those at ground zero. For those who would like to provide assistance to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, you can do so through the following links:

Via Amazon.com
Via PayPal

I also thought I'd point you in the direction of some of this morning's news items:

Salon.com: Flying with Phantoms
NYTimes: The Response
NYTimes Editorial: An Unfathomable Attack
NPR's All Things Considered: Entire Program for September 11, 2001
ABCNews: How to Help.

The American psyche has been irreparably damaged by this attack, and I believe this marks a defining moment for my generation. I want to say more, but I'm running out of words.

posted at 10:35 AM | link |

Initial Aftermath

I stopped at a Wal Mart on the way home from work today. As I pushed my cart through the aisles, I witnessed something that I could only assume was a result of today's tragic events. There were parents with children everywhere, and instead of scolding their misbehaving children, mothers and fathers were caressing their heads, holding their hands and kissing their cheeks. We have had the rug of security ripped out from under us and in our shock we must embrace those close to us as we try to regain our footing.

posted at 7:34 PM | link |

World Trade Center Images

Here is a link to some truly amazing images of the devastation wrought on the World Trade Center towers in New York City, including some images of the buildings collapsing. (just click on the filename)

These are really the only images I have seen of the destruction, since I have been at work all day. I sit here in my office with my ear pressed to NPR, listening as events unfold. As heart-rending as today's events have been, things can only get worse as rescue workers begin to retrieve the victims and the death toll begins to climb. I say a prayer for all of those who were lost and the families who lost them.

posted at 4:45 PM | link |

I have not been able to concentrate today. My heart is buried under a heavy weight of sadness and it feels almost difficult to breathe. I have all of the same unanswered questions as you - how could something like this happen? how is one supposed to react to such a potentially devastating loss of life? We are all affected by this; whoever carried out these despicable acts has perpetrated what basically amounts to an act of war against the United States. My twisted gut wants retribution, swift and brutal.

posted at 3:27 PM | link |

Red Cross Appeal

The Red Cross has issued an appeal for much-needed blood donors in the wake of today's shocking events. You can contact the American Red Cross at 1.800.448.3543 for more information.

posted at 2:04 PM | link |

Under Attack

This morning's terrorist attacks have sent me reeling. I need something to hold on to.

Many of the NYC casualties are being sent to hospitals here in Connecticut. A co-worker's sister is a nurse here in town, and she was told that the situation may require her to be at the hospital for a couple of days. The number of casualties has been estimated in the thousands.

Reports are still sketchy, but from what I've heard there is at least one more hijacked plane still in the air at this time.

I hope that you and all of your loved ones are safe. God bless.

posted at 12:20 PM | link |

everybody! everybody!

Run to Homestar Runner right now. I'm not sure what it's about and I can't explain it, but this flash site is LOL funny. All I've done so far is drag my mouse over the homepage icons and the hover animation is killing me. 'Toons! Hint: click down into 'toons or characters and then click "back" to return to the homepage. The animation will be different.

This site embodies the term "timewaster". What a hoot.

posted at 4:22 PM | link |

Once upon a time, there were three beautiful girls...

The mystery surrounding the fate of Mulder on The X-Files has been solved. He will exist only off-camera and his presence on the series will be ongoing but will consist only of pre-recorded audio that will be played back over a speaker-phone during conference calls with these three characters. They work for Mulder - Hi, Mulder!

posted at 2:35 PM | link |

Sort of looks like the lovechild of Margaret Thatcher and Martina Navratilova, huh?

(I do like his new song, though).

posted at 1:54 PM | link |

What is it with California and spree killers lately?? It really confounds me - first Soltys, then the security guard this weekend (both in Sacramento), and now this. And then there's the guy out in Iowa who killed his girlfriend, her kids and at least one other person. Since when has killing everyone you know become a solution?

posted at 1:44 PM | link |

I wonder if this poor man ever got his fried chicken?

posted at 1:34 PM | link |

Reblogger

My comments script, Reblogger, and its host were indeed undergoing some server pangs. But all seems to be well now - Jesse has moved to a new host and the script is smokin'. Thanks, Jesse!

posted at 1:31 PM | link |