Friday, September 11, 2015

Remembering Sept 11, 2001
 Back in January 2001 I started working for E&Y as “Office Mgr” in their downtown office on Broad Street.  That office was roughly 6 to 7 blocks southeast of the South Tower [WTC].  Our office on Broad Street was only a stone’s throw away from NY Stock Exchange. Yeah ... we were close to "ground zero". From our 25th floor windows we could only see the South Tower and the North Tower was hidden behind it. Below are my recollections of that day, which I posted on my “Duchess Journal” for the 1st anniversary since that horrible day.

That day started out just like any other for me. I had to be at the office by 8:15am to let in the caterer. As there was an all-day meeting being held in our large conference room ... the breakfast buffet needed to be ready by 8:30am. People started arriving for the meeting between 8:30am and 8:55am. A few made comments that they'd heard talk of a "bomb" going off at WTC. At the time we thought nothing of it. Don't think we're heartless, because we're not, I guess New Yorkers are immune to some things, but not all.

Sometime around 9am we heard a huge explosion and then our building shook. I kid you not! Felt like an earthquake. We all jumped up from what we'd been doing and raced to the windows. Looking out the northern end of our floor and upward we couldn't believe our eyes. A huge, gaping hole in the south tower with smoke, debris and fire coming out of it. Debris was flying everywhere ... even around our building. Bits of papers, fax sheets, reports, etc. Unbelieveable!! I went back to my desk and called my Mom right away. Once I got her on the phone I said I was okay, but to turn on the telly to find out what’s going on. She related to me that it was two commercial airlines and not a bomb. We talked for abit and I said I'd call her later for an update. Then everyone went back to work. Yep, you heard me, back to work and the meeting. I made other phone calls, especially to my friend and ex co-worker Anni; her office is across the street from South Tower. At 9:15am her office was evacuating and I prayed she'd get away from the scene okay.

My boss, Ron G, showed up at office five minutes before South Tower collapsed. Said the action out on the streets was insane and out of a movie. Unreal, but not, yah know? Before Ron showed up, four of my co-workers made it back. Amen! They'd been in south tower at a meeting on 80th floor when plane hit north tower. They'd gotten down the stairs to 30th floor when second plane hit their tower. I was so happy to see them back at office. Gave them bottles of water and the first aid kit. When the south tower collapsed it sounded like another explosion and our building shook again! We ran to the north side windows and couldn't believe what we saw. We were all freaking out at that point. Even though our windows were closed, we could still hear the screams of people on the street below as they ran in terror. The clouds of grey, black and brown smoke/ash were moving with force over buildings and down streets. Next thing we knew our whole building is covered in the stuff. It got dark and you couldn't see out at all. My poor nerves were really jumping at this point. Then building management came over the PA system and told everyone to go down to the lowest level for shelter. Which we did ... after making a few quick calls ... one of which was to Mom. I went down the elevator with Ron and two other co-workers [Joe & Igor]. We stayed downstairs in a kind of fallout shelter until 11:45am. Some people were able to get their laptops running and access to the Internet. Slowly we were getting bits of info on what the hell was going on that morning and it wasn't a pretty picture. I mostly hung out with Ron, Joe and Igor or checked out news on people’s laptops. We were finally allowed back up to our offices, but management told us that if we left the building, they wouldn't let us back in. Yeah, like we want to stick around here. NOT!

Ron told the three of us to collect our things, make a few phone calls and then we'd hoof it out at 12 noon. I called Mom to tell her I was okay and about to head home. She sounded very upset over the phone and I couldn't blame her. She said the news and film footage on the telly was horrible. Mom had to take half a valium just to calm her nerves. Before we left the office, which was deserted except for us four, we grabbed bottles of water and small damp towels. We headed out the back of the building where we were met by paramedics handing out surgical masks. Amen! What a sight to meet our eyes out on those streets. It was like being in a city after a war. Everything was covered in that nasty soot, debris everywhere, abandoned cars & stores, as well as people like us walking east. Away from the disaster and horror. Unfortunately I was wearing clogs that day on my feet and boy did my feet/legs suffer. To this day I still suffer occasionally from shin splints. Ron and Joe walked ahead of Igor and me. Sometimes we talked, but mostly we looked around in disbelief. It was like a mass exodus! By the time we got to the Brooklyn Bridge it was closed off to pedestrians. So we walked past and further north to next one, which was Manhattan Bridge. By the time we reached that bridge the air was clear and we took off the surgical masks. As we crossed the bridge we looked back south ... it seemed so surreal ... like it was a Spielberg film and the credits would roll any minute now. But it wasn't a film; it was all too real and frightening. One thing I was thankful for ... it was a nice, sunny day. I didn't give a damn if I got sunburnt or not. When we reached Brooklyn our first priority was bathrooms and then subways. At the subways [only in Brooklyn, Queens & Bronx were running not in Manhattan] I said goodbye to my co-workers and we all wished each other a safe journey to our respective homes. Ron, Igor and I live in Brooklyn, but poor Joe had to get back to the New Jersey shore. He stayed at Ron's place that night and got transport the next day. As for me ... it took two subways for me to get back to Greenpoint.

Arrived into my neighborhood at 3pm and walked to my friend Larry's place. Wasn't sure if my phone or telly would be working, but somehow knew Larry’s would be. I called Mom from Larry's place while watching the events of the day unfolding on the telly. Couldn't believe what I was seeing, so upsetting and I kept on saying "OH MY GOD". On top of all that I was exhausted emotionally and physically. Once I got to my apartment I found that I could use my computer, phone and only got Channel 2 on the telly. I returned phone calls to family and friends who were concerned. Plus returned emails to many wonderful e-pals who were also concerned about me. I thank you all for your kindness and thoughtfulness. Made me feel soooo good and blessed. Didn't know work was closed the next day, but I still trekked into our midtown office. While there I made phone calls and found out that Anni was alright but had suffered a bad asthma attack. From there I went to get a manicure and then had lunch with a friend in Brooklyn. Yep, the subways were running once again in Manhattan. On Thursday I went back to E&Ys midtown office to help out, sort of like doing temp work. Then my Administrative Manager gave me Friday off as "excused leave" and the following week I enjoyed my vacation time down in Cape May, NJ. By the time I came back to work the downtown area was open [relatively speaking] and it was business as usual at E&Y.

Overall I thought I was fine, but for several months following 9/11, I suffered from strange dreams and nightmares, plus bouts of depression. One heard many different stories from friends and co-workers.  On the day of the one-year anniversary I took a vacation day from work, as did many staff in our downtown office. Since May 2002 my telly died, so I listened to the ceremonies on the radio [1010 WINS]. And like last year, I went and got a manicure. I think the professionals would call it ... getting on with life. It’s not easy, but with every day we do better and better. Though the war with terrorism isn't over yet and probably never will be.

NOTE:  Since writing that piece back in Sept 2002, I’ve developed “lung issues” and all due to 9/11.  Since 2003 my lung situation “appeared” and was finally diagnosed in 2005 with Asthma and Bronchiectasis.  I’ve occasionally been on meds, and inhalers, to keep the lungs working and stabilized, so that these conditions do not progress further.  I was very ill in January 2006 with Bronchitis, hospitalized briefly in August 2008 with Hemoptysis, plus walking Pneumonia and then again in January / December 2011 with Pneumonia. Plus, I’ve visited ER on several occasions for lung condition issues.  Today I am doing well and stable, plus visit my lung doctor on a regular basis. In December 2011 I started seeing an Acupuncturist and that has made a difference in my overall health.  Thoughts and prayers go out to the families who’ve lost loved ones back in 2001, and to those whose health issues have been greatly affected by 9/11/01.  Every day I strive for peace, non violent communication/action, answers to questions and working with others as an activist.  All this stems from what happened on 9/11/01 and since then.  Be well and be peace………………….

Thursday, September 10, 2015

 Visited with Friends
in Salem, MA
on August 31st
[Dinner at Hawthorne Hotel, Marina & Arcade]


 Visited Woodlawn Cemetery
with my friend Margaret K
on August 30th




 My Friend Nancy and I
at the NY Mets ballgame
against Boston Red Sox
August 28th


Tuesday, September 08, 2015

PERSONAL NEWS #246
August 1st, I participated in a 2-hour art class on working with polymer clay, phemo, sculpey, art tools and acrylic paints.  I was fun, interesting, informative and a wee bit messy  J

August 2nd, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice at my apt.

August 3rd, I had a much needed chiropractic therapy session after work.  It had been 3 months since my last visit and my neck down to pelvic area were talking nastily to me.

August 5th, I attended the monthly BFP Fundraising committee meeting at Ken’s apt.  It was a productive meeting regarding details for the November “Pathmakers to Peace” event.

August 6th, I attended the always fun and entertaining monthly TGTSNBN meetup at Uno’s.  We had “show & tell” at this meetup and I brought baby Hedwig with me.

August 7th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice at my apt.

August 8th, after Dana cleaned my apt, I got a much needed manicure and then headed into Manhattan for acupuncture treatment with Dr Tan.

On August 9th, along with TJ and Carole, I hosted the “Cosplay 101” event at Stone Creek bar & lounge for the “NYC Friends of Tolkien” group.  We had a nice turnout to hear our 6 guest speakers [ie: Aislin, Babs, Christine, Wendy, Timdalf and Ken] give fascinating and informative presentations on cosplay.  Afterwards, Wendy and Pauline joined me in going to dinner at Tamba Indian cuisine around the corner from the bar.

August 14th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice at my apt.

August 15th, after dealing with many errands, I did bead style earring work for an upcoming EY event in September.  I then headed off to the gym for a workout.

August 16th, I headed up to CT to visit my good friend Katherine, and we attended the annual SoNo Art Fest.  After having a tasty lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, we did some leisurely shopping at Home Goods.

August 17th, I had a follow up appt with my lung doctor.  Got new inhaler prescriptions and don’t have to see him again until November.  Then I headed home for my private yoga class with Fabric at my apt.

August 20th, I attended a town hall meeting regarding the TPP in Park Slope and Congressional member, Yvette Clarke, attended [spoke] the event.

August 22nd was a productive day around my neighborhood with errands, chores, shopping, and manicure/pedicure and worked out at the gym.

August 23rd, I worked on creating more bead style earrings for an EY event in mid-September.  I then visited Greenwood cemetery to do some photography of the mausoleums and statuary.  That evening I caught up with some friends on phone calls.

August 24th, I stopped by the Halloween Store on 4th Avenue to visit with Wendy and discuss details regarding my Steampunk vest costume.

August 26th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice at my apt.

August 27th, I had lunch with LOTR friend, Mary M, and we caught up on news at Wasabi.

August 28th, attended the NY Mets ballgame with Nancy Pina after work.  We had a great time, but sadly the Mets lost to the Boston Red Sox.

August 30th, I joined my friend Margaret in visiting Woodlawn cemetery up in the Bronx for a warm, humid afternoon outing.  It’s a lovely cemetery and so many impressive mausoleums.

August 31st, I jumped on the 8am bus bound for Albany, NY and the beginning of my vacation.  Picked up car rental from Enterprise in Albany and drove to Salem, MA to visit with friends.  I stayed overnight at the Clipper Ship Inn before heading up to Maine on the Tuesday.