9/11/01 - Pool Related for Me

[sjm]

Each 9/11, I make this post, so it may seem familiar. If you've tired of it, I apologize.

I live in Manhattan in New York City, four miles from where the two World Trade Center Towers stood until that fateful day, 9/11/2001, the fifh anniversary of which is today.

It was late morning, and both of the twin towers had gone down. I wasn't working that day, and was at home alone, but I was very worried. I didn't want to be alone, so I went to the Amsterdam Billiard Club. There was no bus or train service, and I walked a mile and a half to get there so I could be with some of my pool buddies. Most of them were in the same boat as me, wondering whether friends and relatives were alive. We stuck together and endured one of the longest days of our respective lives. Very few of us actually played pool. My two brothers, both of whom worked at the World Trade Center, occupied my thoughts.

Unbeknownst to me, my brother David was going on vacation that day to San Francisco. He flew out of Newark Airport on a 9:00 AM flight but never got as far as San Francisco on a day when all aircraft were called back to the ground. The 8:00 AM to San Francisco on the same airline out of the same gate at Newark was hijacked and flown into one of the twin towers!

My brother Johnny went to work at the World Trade Center, but nobody could reach him. I got no more than his voicemail, and feared the worst. As it turns out, Johnny left his cell phone in his car, a car now buried in the rubble at ground zero. Johnny himself was OK, but it wouldn't be until almost 5:00 PM that I found out.

I lost a close friend that day, a business colleague, and a few acquaintances, but I was one of the lucky ones that lost no relatives that day, and my thoughts today are with those who lost more than I.

I've always felt that the fact that the poolroom was where I wanted to be on 9/11/01 evidences how much pool, and some people I've met because of it, mean to me. Pool is so much more than what happens over the green felt. The people you encounter through pool are what make pool special, and for me, that includes the many I've had the privilege of associating with on this forum, all of whom I truly appreciate.

And so, as I shed some tears of sadness in commemoration of that tragic day, I'll also allow myself a few tears of joy, because this day always makes me think of how precious, rewarding, and uplifting the associations I've made through pool really are.

 

[pool]

I didn't lose anybody in 9/11, but I also took solace in the pool room on that day. They sent all of downtown Pittsburgh home and I went straight to the pool room where we didn't play much pool either. Just sat and watched the coverage and shared our thoughts aloud.

 

[ScottW]

I had a friend who was supposed to be working as a temp in one of the towers that day. He got a call the day before telling him not to show up, they didn't need him after all. Talk about dodging a bullet!

 

[Irish634]

Great post sjm, I look forward to reading them each year. While I didn't lose anyone that day either, my thoughts are never very far from those that did.

 

[Hal]

I was sitting in this very chair watching TV. My brother and I were emailing back and forth discussing his 10 year old son. He passed away a few months earlier due to a brain tumor (cancer). Once I heard about what happened, I switched to CNN and saw the 2nd plane hit live. It was a day that I'll never forget.

Dhakala, I'm not sure why you said that, but I gave you bad rep.

 

[christyd]

Genuine apologies are not conditional statements, but unequivocal acknowledgements that one has done wrong to others. Sincere apologies always include an oath not to do it again. Your "apology" is the kind that a politician might make after calling black people "monkeys" without realizing that the microphone was on. It amounts to, "If you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. But I'll humor you by saying I'm sorry."

SJM is pouring his heart out and you reply with this nonsense.
Show some compassion.

 

[Eric.]

SJM, a lot of people can sympathize with you. It really was a defining moment for this generation.

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but I can't help but think about my own experience too. I used to work for Morgan Stanley D.W. in the 90's and worked briefly in tower 2. I've kept in touch with a few people and luckily, everyone got out despite annoucements telling people to go back to their offices. Howard Lutnick is a business associate and he missed being on 101 in tower 1 because he took his kid to school and ran late. Every Trader I used to talk to at Cantor Fitz didn't make it. My Pool playing buddy Gary Frank didn't make it. He took a new job working for Aon Ins. a few months before and got trapped. I, myself, was scheduled to commute thru the PATH station at World Trade that morning but cancelled the meeting the day before.

When I do think about it and look back, it's still unbelieveable.


Eric

 

[Williebetmore]

Your "apology" is the kind that a politician might make

DH,
Well I absolutely love and agree with your estimation of politicians; but you are WAY off base in applying such a comparison to sjm.

You have obviously not met him; you have obviously not hung around the forum long enough to know what attacks appear when people post the same information over and over and over (...have I ever mentioned to you my match with Efren as my partner???).

I believe sjm was posting a very pertinent reminiscence which most of us enjoyed; and he was well aware that some members feel strongly about repetition. I believe he just wanted to acknowledge the feelings of those member; but felt that it was interesting enough to warrant inclusion on todays board. No more, no less. Certainly nothing in my view to warrant itinerant psychoanalysis (now breakup's hideously twisted psyche would be a much more interesting area of study - if you're not squeamish).

If I have offended you, I apologize (unfortunately for me, I am probably a lot closer to the politicians than sjm ).

 

[supergreenman]

Communities

SJM, people have often compared the pool hall to a church. In most instances it's because of thier devotion to the game. What you have touched on is another common attribute that churches and pool halls have in common.

While faith may be the common factor that brings people together in a church and the game is the common factor that brings people together in a pool hall, what results is a sense of community. Both of these places are communities, a place to meet your friends and aquantences and find out the latest news. You can play pool anywhere, but the pool hall is where you are a part of a community and have a feeling of belonging, it's most natural thing in the world to go there when you feel the need to be with the people of your community.

 

[Dhakala]

DH,
Wow, are you really sure about this? SJM is one of the most polite and sincere people I have ever met; I'm doubtful he was fibbing

I'm quite sure that anyone who claims to apologize for doing something that he knew in advance would warrant an apology is lying, perhaps to himself as well as his audience.

The most annoying thing about BS is its author's insinuation that his audience is stupid.

 

[cuetable]

Thanks for sharing your feelings, Stu.

I just post something on RSB and I thought I will add it here too:


I rode a bike with a video camera into lower manhattan at noon that day,
as people were runing out. not many cars on the street and the area wasn't
closed yet. I had made sure I wasn't in anybody's way. The red line in the
picture below indicates my route.
http://cuetable.com/zbit/WTC/route.jpg

I stopped at a spot that is about 5 blocks away, both towers have already
collapsed. Therre were police, fireworkers and volunteers around running
around. There is a sign of human spirits in the midst of dust.
http://cuetable.com/zbit/WTC/wtc.mov

Mayor Giuliani was the true leader who helped during the crisis. The
President was nowhere in sight for a while. Every fireworker was well
respected among New Yorkers. The atmsphere between streets was filled with
love and support. It was a moment where people united.

Here is a link to a video with some details imo people should think about:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6323427897709690102

I went to Corners that afternoon. Mike, the formal manager at corner's billiard, decided to work as a firefighter a few years later.

 

[gregory]

I gave bad rep to sjm, who prefaced his heartfelt, touching story with a baldfaced lie.

sjm is one of 15 (out of 5752) members on this forum to have max rep points. I don't think your bad rep point will make much difference to his reputation, nor should it make any difference to him.

 

[GTeye]

I think your doing a good job of proving that at least part of his audience is stupid.

An apology most certainly does not have to mean that you have sworn an oath to not do it again. No matter what the subject, anyones opinion is going to piss SOMEONE off in some way or offend someone in some way but that does not mean that the person does not have the right to go ahead and speak. He is showing that he is caring of the people he may be upsetting or offending and apologising to them but that has no bearing on his right to go ahead and talk about what it is he wants to talk about.

Perhaps we can get your mothers phone number so we can talk to her about the things she did wrong in raising such an arrogant, obnoxious ass.

To sjm:

You keep posting your post and don't let these trolls bother you. I lived in Brooklyn that day and lost friends in the collapse of not only the WTC but knew people who were lost in the Pentagon as well and sometimes talking about it helps. I remember watching the second plane from the roof after finding out about the first crash and it is an image that I will never forget as long as I live.

 

[pharaoh68]

Genuine apologies are not conditional statements, but unequivocal acknowledgements that one has done wrong to others. Sincere apologies always include an oath not to do it again. Your "apology" is the kind that a politician might make after calling black people "monkeys" without realizing that the microphone was on. It amounts to, "If you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. But I'll humor you by saying I'm sorry."

Mr. Hakala:

First, your definition of an apology is absolutley and utterly incorrect. In no way does an apology "include a sincere oath not to do it again". That is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard and it is in NO WAY the definition of an apology.

The word "apology" can be defined in any one of the four following ways:

1. a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another.
2. a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine.
3. (initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.
4. an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift.

This is lifted directly from the dictionary. In no way is there any indication that an apology is coupled with a vow never to repeat ones actions. That statement is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.

Secondly, to unjustly attack an individual for retelling what, to him, like so many of the rest of us, was a horrific day in our own lives and our nation's history, is just plain tasteless.

sjm did not intend to upset, aggrivate, or anger anyone. He was simply retelling a story that had a profound and popwerful impact upon his life. His point in apologizing in advance was that, on the outside chance that someone did object, he wished for them to know that it was not his intention to stir up contraversy, therefor, his apology is appropriate though in my opinion, unneeded. This is a forum for people to share their thoughts and experiences with one another. That is what he did and I applaud him for it.

 

[Barbara]

Mr Hakala,

You're out of line with sjm.

sjm,

Thanks for sharing.

Barbara

 

[gromulan]

It's pool related for me as well, because like a lot of others, I was at the US Open in Chesapeake that week. I'll never forget the call from my dad that morning to wake me up, and tuning in to CNN just about 30 mins before the first tower fell. When I heard about the event I immediately thought about OBL and I knew the world would never be the same again. I think I thougt more than once about the parallel to Pearl Harbor and how that ended. I think about that still. It was very surreal, and both my roomate (a former Navy SEAL) and myself were pretty freaked out through the whole morning.

The matches at the Open continued through the day, which was a controversial decision, but I was glad to be with the people I knew to offer and receive comfort. I had occasion to talk to both Mika and Ginky, both of whom lived in Manhattan, and when Mika told me that he lived only four blocks from there, the gravity of how many people in the New York area were going to be effected really hit home for me.

That night, before they started the evening matches, the rendintion the singer (I wish I remembered her name) gave of the Star Spangled Banner was like nothing I've ever heard. People were sobbing in all corners of the room, some openly crying. Even the toughest, meanest guys you'll ever see had tears coming down their cheeks. I knew a lot of people from the South, who never had a good word to say about New York, probably in their entire lives, who were trying to figure out how to give blood, or to organize into teams to drive up to the city to try and help in the recovery efforts. It was a stirring display of patriotism, solidarity, and human spirit.

For as bad as the events of 9/11 were, the nation has a lot to be proud of for how it responded that day.

 

[pharaoh68]

And so, as I shed some tears of sadness in commemoration of that tragic day, I'll also allow myself a few tears of joy, because this day always makes me think of how precious, rewarding, and uplifting the associations I've made through pool really are.

I've only picked up my playing within the last 3 years so I wasn't in a pool hall that day. But I understand the emotions you felt that morning as so many of us had similar experiences that day. I watched in mute horror as the towers were struck, unsure of what was going on and terrified by what it might mean. My first thought was: "The North Tower! (first building to be struck) Colin (my best friend) works there!" I found out a short while later that Mike (my brother-in-law) whom I am very close with, had a meeting in one of the towers that morning.

All morning long, I made numerous calls to cell-phones that connected due to the extreme amount of calling traffic, and later, the fall of the towers. For hours there was no contact with either of them. Friends made numerous calls regarding Colin but it was to no avail. We didn't hear a word. Family members dialed frantically in hopes of tracking down Mike he, like numerous people in the city that afternoon, would be impossible to contact.

Eventually, after several hours, we discovered that Mike was stuck in traffic and fortunately, was late for his meeting. He averted disaster by a matter of 30 or so minutes. Colin on the other hand was a die hard football fan. The night before, he was up watching Monday Night Football and thus, sleopt late on Tuesday, Septemeber 11th. He stepped out of the subway just in time to hear people screaming and crying. He says he saw one person jump from the Towers and just lost it. He ran to the water and hopped on a Circle Line Boat and just fled. He still doesn't talk much about it. They were lucky. Others weren't.

A friend of mine's father worked for an investment firm that had an office in the North Tower. He worked in Jersey but was required to attend meetings twice a year at the World Trade Center. Tuesday, September 11th was one of those days. He died that morning.

sjm, I understand your reason for heading to Amsterdam Billiards. Sometimes, in the wake of tragedy that defies explanation or reason, we become terrified and confused. We seek solace and comfort in familiar surroundings. I spent the whole day with my family and girlfriend and scarcely uttered a word. We simply mourned the tragedy and counted our blessings.

 

[Gunn_Slinger]

Genuine apologies are not conditional statements, but unequivocal acknowledgements that one has done wrong to others. Sincere apologies always include an oath not to do it again. Your "apology" is the kind that a politician might make after calling black people "monkeys" without realizing that the microphone was on. It amounts to, "If you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. But I'll humor you by saying I'm sorry."

I have read this 4 times and I still have no idea why anyone would hijack a thread with such ignorance and anger. You have attacked one of the nice people on this board for no reason.
I usually just bypass comments that bug me, I chalk it up to maybe they were in a crappy mood, but for this one, you were so far outline as a human being that I am frankly sick to read such crap from.

Since you gave your opinion so willingly I too shall do the same.

SJM keep on rocking in the free world, your words are healing to a lot of people today.
hugs
mrs.g

 

[TATE]

SJM,

I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to be in Manhattan that day. It was terrifying enough to see it happening on TV.

That day had a profound affect on both my personal life and my business life. I pretty much decided at that time that life was meant to be lived HERE and NOW.

Chris

 

[Blackjack]

Genuine apologies are not conditional statements, but unequivocal acknowledgements that one has done wrong to others. Sincere apologies always include an oath not to do it again. Your "apology" is the kind that a politician might make after calling black people "monkeys" without realizing that the microphone was on. It amounts to, "If you don't like it, there's something wrong with you. But I'll humor you by saying I'm sorry."

IMO, you've hijacked more than one thread with this type of nonsense.

Strike 3. Officially "plonked" (as they say at RSB).