I AM AWESOME.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Today marks the 3 year anniversary of the attacks of September 11th 2001. Some describe it as a modern day Pearl Harbor, some say it was much worse. For those of you who don’t know by now, I’m a lifelong New Yorker. I live on Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. On that day, I heard a news reporter screaming on the radio “oh my god, the tower collapsed!” and immediately ran out to a nearby pier. I lost a cousin that day. Not a close family member or one I even recalled meeting, but still...family is family.
What I saw was incomprehensible. One tower seemingly bleeding think black smoke from the top. One tower. One tower standing defiant amongst a cloud of debris that seemed to cover all of Manhattan. One tower. And then it was gone. As I watched the second tower collapse, I realized that this cocoon of safety was ripped from all of us, and that the so called “age of innocence” was gone.
In the first few days following the attacks, something else occurred. A sense of unity and resilience the likes of which many had probably never seen. I know I never had. Rescue crews from as far away as Moscow came to assist in any way they could. Small towns from all across the country donated money, food, supplies, blood and just general support.
On a stretch the West Side Highway near what is now known as “Ground Zero”, New Yorkers camped out and held up signs cheering the weary rescuers as they walked from what undoubtedly must have been the toughest job anyone could do. This stretch of highway was nicknamed “Point thank you at Heroes Highway”. I realize now, sadly, people are not only forgetting this sense of unity, but forgetting the day itself. Here in New York City, we lost 2,749 people that day. 2,749. In less then three hours.
At the Pentagon, in Washington D.C., 184 people. In Shanksville, PA., Flight 93 lost all 40 on board. Do people even remember Flight 93 anymore? Does anyone remember how the passengers fought back and prevented further loss of life even though it cost them their own? Why does one forget something like this? I can assure the families of the victims have not. As I walk around lower Manhattan, I see a great rebuilding on the site of the World Trade Center. Nearby, World Trade Building Number 7 is being rebuilt at a pace that rivals that of the Empire State Buildings. And, even though it is not the best choice, the “Freedom Tower” is on its way up as well.
Rebuilding is indeed a good thing, but we cannot go forward without forgetting what got us to where we are. It may difficult for some to grasp the enormity of the situation. Not everyone was there to see the jumpers. Can you imagine how bad it must have been up there to make a choice like that? Not everyone smelled it. You didn’t have to say what it was, you knew to well. Miles away you could smell it. Not everyone was kept awake at night by the constant fighter jet patrols. Not everyone.
By now, many, if not all of you know that next year I will be entering the New York City Fire academy, and will one day be a New York City firefighter. By now, many of you remember how the press waxed poetic for months, calling the firefighters and police officers heroes and lavishing them with praise. But now, as if it was a passing fad, that has been all but forgotten. Why? How is it that a pro athlete who makes 300 million dollars a year for playing a game earns more praise then someone who will run into a burning building to save you? How is it that more people would rather thank a singer then a stranger who would jump in front of a bullet for you? Has society really gotten that bad?
Maybe you didn’t see in the days after, people digging on their hands and knees…using buckets. Does anyone even care to thank the countless Ironworkers who did some of the most dangerous work not because they had to, because they wanted to. Men and women hanging by a rope of a melted steel beam above a bottomless pit in order to make sure that some family had something to bury. In some cases, families were given nothing but a small fragment of bone, and worse still, some families had nothing at all. People forget this and it bothers me. It does.
People don’t remember how this great city, New York City has recovered from this…unbelievable horror. You hear it said sometimes that New York City is the greatest city on the face of the Earth, and let me tell you…it is. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, love him or hate him, said it best; “New York is still here. We’ve suffered terrible losses and we will grieve for them, but we will be here, tomorrow and forever.“ It is that kind of spirit that makes me prouder then ever to be a New Yorker.
We never will fully recover from September 11th. Frankly, I don’t believe we should. If you can do nothing else, remember Everyone needs to remember. Remember the bad. Remember the good. That is what you can do to honor those that we loved and lost. You can be the ones that remember.
When I started writing this, I wasn’t really sure where I was gonna go with it, and to be honest, I’m not sure I went anywhere with it. I don’t know who, if anyone will read, but if you do, that is all I ask of you, Just don‘t forget.
What I saw was incomprehensible. One tower seemingly bleeding think black smoke from the top. One tower. One tower standing defiant amongst a cloud of debris that seemed to cover all of Manhattan. One tower. And then it was gone. As I watched the second tower collapse, I realized that this cocoon of safety was ripped from all of us, and that the so called “age of innocence” was gone.
In the first few days following the attacks, something else occurred. A sense of unity and resilience the likes of which many had probably never seen. I know I never had. Rescue crews from as far away as Moscow came to assist in any way they could. Small towns from all across the country donated money, food, supplies, blood and just general support.
On a stretch the West Side Highway near what is now known as “Ground Zero”, New Yorkers camped out and held up signs cheering the weary rescuers as they walked from what undoubtedly must have been the toughest job anyone could do. This stretch of highway was nicknamed “Point thank you at Heroes Highway”. I realize now, sadly, people are not only forgetting this sense of unity, but forgetting the day itself. Here in New York City, we lost 2,749 people that day. 2,749. In less then three hours.
At the Pentagon, in Washington D.C., 184 people. In Shanksville, PA., Flight 93 lost all 40 on board. Do people even remember Flight 93 anymore? Does anyone remember how the passengers fought back and prevented further loss of life even though it cost them their own? Why does one forget something like this? I can assure the families of the victims have not. As I walk around lower Manhattan, I see a great rebuilding on the site of the World Trade Center. Nearby, World Trade Building Number 7 is being rebuilt at a pace that rivals that of the Empire State Buildings. And, even though it is not the best choice, the “Freedom Tower” is on its way up as well.
Rebuilding is indeed a good thing, but we cannot go forward without forgetting what got us to where we are. It may difficult for some to grasp the enormity of the situation. Not everyone was there to see the jumpers. Can you imagine how bad it must have been up there to make a choice like that? Not everyone smelled it. You didn’t have to say what it was, you knew to well. Miles away you could smell it. Not everyone was kept awake at night by the constant fighter jet patrols. Not everyone.
By now, many, if not all of you know that next year I will be entering the New York City Fire academy, and will one day be a New York City firefighter. By now, many of you remember how the press waxed poetic for months, calling the firefighters and police officers heroes and lavishing them with praise. But now, as if it was a passing fad, that has been all but forgotten. Why? How is it that a pro athlete who makes 300 million dollars a year for playing a game earns more praise then someone who will run into a burning building to save you? How is it that more people would rather thank a singer then a stranger who would jump in front of a bullet for you? Has society really gotten that bad?
Maybe you didn’t see in the days after, people digging on their hands and knees…using buckets. Does anyone even care to thank the countless Ironworkers who did some of the most dangerous work not because they had to, because they wanted to. Men and women hanging by a rope of a melted steel beam above a bottomless pit in order to make sure that some family had something to bury. In some cases, families were given nothing but a small fragment of bone, and worse still, some families had nothing at all. People forget this and it bothers me. It does.
People don’t remember how this great city, New York City has recovered from this…unbelievable horror. You hear it said sometimes that New York City is the greatest city on the face of the Earth, and let me tell you…it is. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, love him or hate him, said it best; “New York is still here. We’ve suffered terrible losses and we will grieve for them, but we will be here, tomorrow and forever.“ It is that kind of spirit that makes me prouder then ever to be a New Yorker.
We never will fully recover from September 11th. Frankly, I don’t believe we should. If you can do nothing else, remember Everyone needs to remember. Remember the bad. Remember the good. That is what you can do to honor those that we loved and lost. You can be the ones that remember.
When I started writing this, I wasn’t really sure where I was gonna go with it, and to be honest, I’m not sure I went anywhere with it. I don’t know who, if anyone will read, but if you do, that is all I ask of you, Just don‘t forget.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
I'm watching VH1 classic and i'm exhausted for some reason. I did nothing today and by all normal logic I should be wide awake. I want to be awake. I want to be doing something..dunno know what, but something. I'd like to be in the middle of a 2 alarm apartment blaze right now with flame licking at my feet. That would be something.
Republican convention comes into town this week and the protests have already started. This place is gonna go to hell.
Republican convention comes into town this week and the protests have already started. This place is gonna go to hell.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Why can't I find a job? All I want is a...what the hell kinda name is "Topanga"?..Yea,watching "Best Week Ever" still...anyway..all I want is a damn boring ass office job to fill time till the FDNY test. Is that so hard to find now?
We got a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix by the way. My favorite car. Now if I could only drive it.
We got a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix by the way. My favorite car. Now if I could only drive it.
Friday, July 02, 2004
Jeter...I always knew you were awesome. I always knew you were better then A-Rod or "Nomah"..I always knew you were the man...but damn...did you have to go careening 4 rows into the stands to prove it? That...is probably the best play i've seen. If they made a highlight reel of Derek Jeter's career...it'd take up a 10 episode mini series on HBO..Jeez Jeter..Jeter...you da man!
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
So I have something in my throat. It feels like a chicken bone or something sticking out, it's uncomfortable as hell. I've had it since Saturday. Saw the doctor today, which means a lot, cause frankly...I hate doctors, I hate medication and I only see a doctor once a year if that much. He didn't do much. Prescribed some medication that I won't be able to get till tomorrow. He said it's either a sore throat or a minor "abscess" but couldn't be sure. Some doctor...and people wonder why I hate them. Gotta thank Kate for bringing me though.
My Birthday is Monday. I'm getting old. It's on a Monday, and as we all know, Mondays suck. First one without my mom. Father is busy. Friends are most likely busy. Planned on going to the Skyscraper, Fire , and NYC museums, but they are all closed on Mondays. So even if people took off, there wouldn't be much to do except walk around the city. Have no money, and hey...gonna be alone again. Excellent. Fantastic.
My Birthday is Monday. I'm getting old. It's on a Monday, and as we all know, Mondays suck. First one without my mom. Father is busy. Friends are most likely busy. Planned on going to the Skyscraper, Fire , and NYC museums, but they are all closed on Mondays. So even if people took off, there wouldn't be much to do except walk around the city. Have no money, and hey...gonna be alone again. Excellent. Fantastic.
Monday, June 14, 2004
So, i'm not even done with this book, but already I can tell you that you gotta friggin get it. It's GOOD. GOOOOOOD. Reading this book, I can't freaking wait to get this job. I can't wait to put on bunker gear. I can't wait to jump on the rig going to a call. I can't wait to rush into a building, flames screeching toward the sky. I can't wait to knock down the red beast and experience what it's like to be a New York City Firefighter. I can't wait.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
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