9/11/01 - Pool Related for Me
- Thread starter sjm
- Start date
Blackjack said:
I wouldn't be surprised if he's one of those thugs over at RSB...
SJM -
I was playing competitively 4 days out of the week and practicing every day back in '01. Because of that, I was constantly getting into work late, usually after 10 AM (9:30 is the latest that we can come in).
On that Tuesday, I decided to surprise my coworkers (mainly my bosses) and get to work on time and I had a coupon for 1 dozen free Krispy Kreme donuts so I figured I'd bring that in too. My stop to get to work is Chambers Street WTC and then from there I walk North to my job. This time I walked South because the nearest Krispy Cream store was located in the WTC.
I get to the store, got my dozen donuts, and to make myself comfortable, I strapped my poolcues across my back so that my hands were free. I had the donuts in 1 hand and my work I.D. in the other. That was about 8:30ish AM. I was about 2 blocks away when the 1st plane hit and that sound scared the hell out of me and I just stopped and looked towards the sound and there it was, a large gaping hole at the top of the North tower. I stood there looking up thinking about the movie The Towering Inferno.
As curiousity would have it, I walked 2 more blocks and stopped and looked again. Since I still had time to get to work, I figured I could still linger around. Time must've passed because all I can remember next was seeing the 2nd plane flying really low and me thinking, "Man that plane is flying low". Next thing you know, that one crashes into the next tower. I'm thinking that this is just an accident--albeit strange ones--but accident nonetheless.
I then tried calling my job because-what a surprise-I was going to be late. I couldn't get through to my job or anyone else for that matter. While my eyes are fixated on this unforgettable sight, I started to see what I thought was debris falling. Though I was wearing my contacts, I found myself having to squint to get a better look and that's when I saw flailing arms and legs almost as if they were floating down to the ground. At that point the first tower started to come down and I started hauling a$$ away from it.
After the dust settled (has it really settled?), I looked back again towards the WTC and couldn't see much, mostly smoke and dust. I started my trek towards my job again when after several minutes, I heard that strange metal buckling sound again. I turned and all I could see of the South Tower was the attena coming straight down. I couldn't take it anymore and ran all the way to Worth and Broadway. I wound up helping a man remove dust off of himself and then continued on to my sister's job on 23rd Street.
Hours later, my sister and I start making the trek downtown to go home to Brooklyn. We wound up stopping at Corner Billiards where I washed up a little. As my sister and I got closer to the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, we heard about 2 explosions and we were told that some cars were blowing up. We got to the bridge where it was covered with about 2 inches of dust. On the bridge, we turned back to look at the skyline and then saw #7 WTC come down. Once on the Brooklyn side, police officers were handing out bottles of water for those that crossed the bridge.
We then got to my Mom's house in Park Slope where she had the news on and it was then that I realized what had happened. Meanwhile, I still had the stupid donuts wrapped around my wrist.
I hope this didn't hijack your thread and I hope it wasn't too graphic for some. It's a day in which I remember every detail and I will never forget.
I was playing competitively 4 days out of the week and practicing every day back in '01. Because of that, I was constantly getting into work late, usually after 10 AM (9:30 is the latest that we can come in).
On that Tuesday, I decided to surprise my coworkers (mainly my bosses) and get to work on time and I had a coupon for 1 dozen free Krispy Kreme donuts so I figured I'd bring that in too. My stop to get to work is Chambers Street WTC and then from there I walk North to my job. This time I walked South because the nearest Krispy Cream store was located in the WTC.
I get to the store, got my dozen donuts, and to make myself comfortable, I strapped my poolcues across my back so that my hands were free. I had the donuts in 1 hand and my work I.D. in the other. That was about 8:30ish AM. I was about 2 blocks away when the 1st plane hit and that sound scared the hell out of me and I just stopped and looked towards the sound and there it was, a large gaping hole at the top of the North tower. I stood there looking up thinking about the movie The Towering Inferno.
As curiousity would have it, I walked 2 more blocks and stopped and looked again. Since I still had time to get to work, I figured I could still linger around. Time must've passed because all I can remember next was seeing the 2nd plane flying really low and me thinking, "Man that plane is flying low". Next thing you know, that one crashes into the next tower. I'm thinking that this is just an accident--albeit strange ones--but accident nonetheless.
I then tried calling my job because-what a surprise-I was going to be late. I couldn't get through to my job or anyone else for that matter. While my eyes are fixated on this unforgettable sight, I started to see what I thought was debris falling. Though I was wearing my contacts, I found myself having to squint to get a better look and that's when I saw flailing arms and legs almost as if they were floating down to the ground. At that point the first tower started to come down and I started hauling a$$ away from it.
After the dust settled (has it really settled?), I looked back again towards the WTC and couldn't see much, mostly smoke and dust. I started my trek towards my job again when after several minutes, I heard that strange metal buckling sound again. I turned and all I could see of the South Tower was the attena coming straight down. I couldn't take it anymore and ran all the way to Worth and Broadway. I wound up helping a man remove dust off of himself and then continued on to my sister's job on 23rd Street.
Hours later, my sister and I start making the trek downtown to go home to Brooklyn. We wound up stopping at Corner Billiards where I washed up a little. As my sister and I got closer to the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, we heard about 2 explosions and we were told that some cars were blowing up. We got to the bridge where it was covered with about 2 inches of dust. On the bridge, we turned back to look at the skyline and then saw #7 WTC come down. Once on the Brooklyn side, police officers were handing out bottles of water for those that crossed the bridge.
We then got to my Mom's house in Park Slope where she had the news on and it was then that I realized what had happened. Meanwhile, I still had the stupid donuts wrapped around my wrist.
I hope this didn't hijack your thread and I hope it wasn't too graphic for some. It's a day in which I remember every detail and I will never forget.
Mr. Hakala, please be very careful.
If you start an argument in a memorial thread again ( or continue this one ) I will give you a temporary ban to start.
Seriously, this is not funny and I will take no pleasure in disciplining you but trust that I will.
If you start an argument in a memorial thread again ( or continue this one ) I will give you a temporary ban to start.
Seriously, this is not funny and I will take no pleasure in disciplining you but trust that I will.
Wow. A thread with a few unexpected turns. Thanks to all of you. I see you've got my back.
I chatted about 9/11/2001 with a few freinds at the office today. We understood that all Americans were attacked that day, and that we all needed reassurance. Arguably, though, those of us whose relatives and friends had died, or even nearly died, needed even more. That's why Rudy Giuliani meant so much to us at the time. Amidst the chaos, he was in control and confident that New York City would endure and stay strong, and his cool-headedness was contagious.
I'll never forget how my mother (an early teen during World War II) related that Giuliani's words soothed her in much the same way that Winston Churchill's words had some sixty years earlier. My mother was evacuated out of her home in London, England, and lived away from her parents, but she had almost never spoken of it around me and my two brothers. Somehow, though, 9/11/2001 seemed to open her up, to motivate her to speak of the most frightening times she had ever known to her children, the youngest of which was already 38. Suddenly, she felt that we would understand what she felt, and she was right.
My mother's words gave me and my brothers a deeper understanding and appreciation of her and her life, a silver lining in the dark cloud of 9/11/2001.
I chatted about 9/11/2001 with a few freinds at the office today. We understood that all Americans were attacked that day, and that we all needed reassurance. Arguably, though, those of us whose relatives and friends had died, or even nearly died, needed even more. That's why Rudy Giuliani meant so much to us at the time. Amidst the chaos, he was in control and confident that New York City would endure and stay strong, and his cool-headedness was contagious.
I'll never forget how my mother (an early teen during World War II) related that Giuliani's words soothed her in much the same way that Winston Churchill's words had some sixty years earlier. My mother was evacuated out of her home in London, England, and lived away from her parents, but she had almost never spoken of it around me and my two brothers. Somehow, though, 9/11/2001 seemed to open her up, to motivate her to speak of the most frightening times she had ever known to her children, the youngest of which was already 38. Suddenly, she felt that we would understand what she felt, and she was right.
My mother's words gave me and my brothers a deeper understanding and appreciation of her and her life, a silver lining in the dark cloud of 9/11/2001.
Dhakala said:
Boy David, I finally got to meet the perfect person. YOU!
Anyone who can use semantics and twist SJM's heartfelt comments into an insincere apology, deserves special recognition here. For being one king sized A Hole. And you can be quite sure of that too.
Dhakala,
FWIW, the definition of apology is what has already been stated by another poster. I believe the word you were thinking of is repentance. From Wikipedia:
Repentance is the feeling and act in which one recognizes and tries to right a wrong, or gain forgiveness from someone that they wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to repenting for a sin against God. It always includes an admission of guilt, and also includes at least one of: a solemn promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
SJM is the classiest person on our AZB planet, and you would do well to try to soak up some of that class. Even if he ever wanted to lash out at you or anyone else, I doubt he would ever need to apologize afterwards. He was only giving us the courtesy of possibly alienating someone due to repetition.
SJM,
For quite a few years
, my birthday was always associated with something good to me. September 11th, 2001 changed all that for me and now I can never associate it with my birthday, but the sadness, terror, and hate for the US that was displayed that awful morning. It sickened me and became a paradigm shift in my thinking.
Thank you for your memories and for sharing your sadness. In word, deed, and action, you are a man of honor and I hope to meet you one day in your beloved city...hopefully over the healing field of green.
Linda
FWIW, the definition of apology is what has already been stated by another poster. I believe the word you were thinking of is repentance. From Wikipedia:
Repentance is the feeling and act in which one recognizes and tries to right a wrong, or gain forgiveness from someone that they wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to repenting for a sin against God. It always includes an admission of guilt, and also includes at least one of: a solemn promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.
SJM is the classiest person on our AZB planet, and you would do well to try to soak up some of that class. Even if he ever wanted to lash out at you or anyone else, I doubt he would ever need to apologize afterwards. He was only giving us the courtesy of possibly alienating someone due to repetition.
SJM,
For quite a few years
, my birthday was always associated with something good to me. September 11th, 2001 changed all that for me and now I can never associate it with my birthday, but the sadness, terror, and hate for the US that was displayed that awful morning. It sickened me and became a paradigm shift in my thinking. Thank you for your memories and for sharing your sadness. In word, deed, and action, you are a man of honor and I hope to meet you one day in your beloved city...hopefully over the healing field of green.
Linda
Sjm wrote:
> 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.
Yea, I guess most of us know where we were on that dreadful day. I had worked all nightlong up at American Zoetrope (Coppola's production company) in San Francisco and drove back home on my Ducati when the first airplane hit. As I jumped into bed, I turned on CNN and just caught the second plane -- it all became like a twilight-zone. I directly called Roy, my super best friend who also worked on this film, telling them all to get the hell out of there since the Zoetrope building is next to San Francisco's landmark building; the Transamerica Pyramid. Naturally, I didn't manage to sleep until late next morning.
Not long after, all of us went to New York (of all places) for the final mix of the movie, to a production company located in Time Square. While there, I decided to take one day off from everything, take my time to reflect on this catastrophic event -- I walked all the way from Central Park down to the WTC and back up again, (my type of funeral procession, I guess). In fact, I was already back then surprised how little most people around me cared about what had just happened, especially compared to back home. For instance, three days after the attacks (early Friday) my mother called from Norway, telling me that all schools there were closed and everyone got the day off, and at noon the entire nation went quiet for one minute -- even cars on the freeways pulled over. All this to honor the victims of 9/11 and to pay respect to America. So did France (even they made their freeways stand still for a minute), so did Ireland (who even closed their pubs the entire day!!), and so did most of Europe. What did US do? Nothing.
When realizing that the Americans didn't even honor their own fallen citizens, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine how such arrogance was perceived around the world -- the word 'phony' comes to mind. The respect fell even further when the Stock marked opened -- as the stockbrokers immediately took advantage of the attacks, although they all had agreed beforehand not to do so. Headlines back home; "The American Way -- Profit from the Dead".
The US (which George Bush has called "the most peaceful nation on earth") has been at war with one country or another every year for the last 50 years, had suddenly become a victim... and the world rose in support. But this tremendous love and respect that the world showed the victims of 9/11 and America is now gradually squandered away. The last straw is sticking it to the efforts of the United Nations.
Since things like this aren't broadcast by the US media, I understand that this might be news to some of you. But yes, the world noticed that America was attacked five years ago, and in my case, I have not only shed a few tears due to this, I have also recurrent nightmares of people jumping out of the Twin Towers, (I watched it live on tv, and somehow can't get those images out of my head, even five years later). I don't know why those images stick to my mind (and nightmares) so much, perhaps because I visited the site while it was still burning -- or perhaps it relates to other issues in my life.
Actually, to make this even more vivid to me, I also have a friend who lost her dad in the 9/11 attacks. When she finally told me this, we sat up the entire night talking about how precious life is and so very vulnerable etc.
Yes, I love this country, I love the people -- but I just hope the leadership could get its act together. No superpower in history has last forever, but sadly, this one seems to head towards a very short life-span.
-- peer
> 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.
Yea, I guess most of us know where we were on that dreadful day. I had worked all nightlong up at American Zoetrope (Coppola's production company) in San Francisco and drove back home on my Ducati when the first airplane hit. As I jumped into bed, I turned on CNN and just caught the second plane -- it all became like a twilight-zone. I directly called Roy, my super best friend who also worked on this film, telling them all to get the hell out of there since the Zoetrope building is next to San Francisco's landmark building; the Transamerica Pyramid. Naturally, I didn't manage to sleep until late next morning.
Not long after, all of us went to New York (of all places) for the final mix of the movie, to a production company located in Time Square. While there, I decided to take one day off from everything, take my time to reflect on this catastrophic event -- I walked all the way from Central Park down to the WTC and back up again, (my type of funeral procession, I guess). In fact, I was already back then surprised how little most people around me cared about what had just happened, especially compared to back home. For instance, three days after the attacks (early Friday) my mother called from Norway, telling me that all schools there were closed and everyone got the day off, and at noon the entire nation went quiet for one minute -- even cars on the freeways pulled over. All this to honor the victims of 9/11 and to pay respect to America. So did France (even they made their freeways stand still for a minute), so did Ireland (who even closed their pubs the entire day!!), and so did most of Europe. What did US do? Nothing.
When realizing that the Americans didn't even honor their own fallen citizens, it shouldn't be too hard to imagine how such arrogance was perceived around the world -- the word 'phony' comes to mind. The respect fell even further when the Stock marked opened -- as the stockbrokers immediately took advantage of the attacks, although they all had agreed beforehand not to do so. Headlines back home; "The American Way -- Profit from the Dead".
The US (which George Bush has called "the most peaceful nation on earth") has been at war with one country or another every year for the last 50 years, had suddenly become a victim... and the world rose in support. But this tremendous love and respect that the world showed the victims of 9/11 and America is now gradually squandered away. The last straw is sticking it to the efforts of the United Nations.
Since things like this aren't broadcast by the US media, I understand that this might be news to some of you. But yes, the world noticed that America was attacked five years ago, and in my case, I have not only shed a few tears due to this, I have also recurrent nightmares of people jumping out of the Twin Towers, (I watched it live on tv, and somehow can't get those images out of my head, even five years later). I don't know why those images stick to my mind (and nightmares) so much, perhaps because I visited the site while it was still burning -- or perhaps it relates to other issues in my life.
Actually, to make this even more vivid to me, I also have a friend who lost her dad in the 9/11 attacks. When she finally told me this, we sat up the entire night talking about how precious life is and so very vulnerable etc.
Yes, I love this country, I love the people -- but I just hope the leadership could get its act together. No superpower in history has last forever, but sadly, this one seems to head towards a very short life-span.
-- peer
Thanks for sharing Peer, that was very informative.
Hang in there man.
RJ
Hang in there man.
RJ
Thank you for telling it like it was from other countries' perspectives. Not every citizen feels as coldly though, in fact, I think the vast majority of Americans felt utterly helpless and was unified as a country at the grass roots level.
After reading yours and Wendy's accounts, it really hits home again, that all our lives have changed since 9-11. The ineffable sorrow that we all shared has shattered our belief system in all that was good and is taking a long time to rebuild. It is so hard to fathom a hatred focused on us, so all-consuming in the name of Allah.
One truth that has not been shaken is that we really are all brothers under different skins.
After reading yours and Wendy's accounts, it really hits home again, that all our lives have changed since 9-11. The ineffable sorrow that we all shared has shattered our belief system in all that was good and is taking a long time to rebuild. It is so hard to fathom a hatred focused on us, so all-consuming in the name of Allah.
One truth that has not been shaken is that we really are all brothers under different skins.
Dhakala said:
Here we have a guy who felt this nations biggest tragedy first-hand. Every year on the anniversary of that tragedy, he repeats his story for all of us.
Dhakala how dare you come in here and taint this thread with your garbage. Ever since I read your first post I knew there was something wrong with you. You are not right in the head. Just leave this forum and don't come back. , I am beyond disgusted with you.
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I still remember this day like it was yesterday. But the weird thing was the I had the nite before off which was monday and 9-11 off too. Well I had troubles sleeping that nite so i was up all nite long watching TV and being online.
I just happend to fall asleep about 8am on the couch. And had my nextel on the floor next to the couch. Well about noon, i wake up to my phone going off, as it was for the past hour or so, but i was still sleeping and just let it ring.
All the while the TV was on ESPN. And I woke up to ESPN looking more like CNN. And couldnt figure out what was going on. Because it was in the middle the broadcast, and i believe Peter Jennings was on TV, talking about it, and they kept on showing the two towers with the smoke pouring out of them, so I originally thought it was just a major fire or something.
About 5mins later they showed the first plane crashing into the Tower1, and I couldnt believe it, and thought it was a accident. So I grabbed my nextel and two-wayed a friend i worked with and was like OMG did you see what happend and so on. And he said yes, he'd been watching it since about 930am, and he filled me in on the whole thing while i watched on ESPN what was going on.
After we got done talking i checked my voice mails and of course, my mom had left about 15messages on my phone lol, which is totally like her, and of course she was all worried, even though i lived in some podunk town. But my brother she was alot more worried about cuz he was at Michigan State.
And couldnt get ahold of him till later in the day, as all his class's had been cancelled like everyone else's.
The weird thing, was later that nite I had one of my bowling leagues, when i did bowl. And the whole time during the nite all anyone could talk about was what had happend, that morning and how it was such a horrible thing to do, and of course people talked about what the USA should to do the terroists too.
It also was in some ways, amazing, because everywhere I went all anyone could talk about was what happend, didnt matter if they was black, white, latino, foreign, some tough bad ass guy, or whatever, they all couldnt believe what had happend.
But thats how my day went. And i wont ever forget it.
Now as for you Dhakala !!!! and need to take a long walk off a short pier!!! is your problem, hijacking this thread.
I just happend to fall asleep about 8am on the couch. And had my nextel on the floor next to the couch. Well about noon, i wake up to my phone going off, as it was for the past hour or so, but i was still sleeping and just let it ring.
All the while the TV was on ESPN. And I woke up to ESPN looking more like CNN. And couldnt figure out what was going on. Because it was in the middle the broadcast, and i believe Peter Jennings was on TV, talking about it, and they kept on showing the two towers with the smoke pouring out of them, so I originally thought it was just a major fire or something.
About 5mins later they showed the first plane crashing into the Tower1, and I couldnt believe it, and thought it was a accident. So I grabbed my nextel and two-wayed a friend i worked with and was like OMG did you see what happend and so on. And he said yes, he'd been watching it since about 930am, and he filled me in on the whole thing while i watched on ESPN what was going on.
After we got done talking i checked my voice mails and of course, my mom had left about 15messages on my phone lol, which is totally like her, and of course she was all worried, even though i lived in some podunk town. But my brother she was alot more worried about cuz he was at Michigan State.
And couldnt get ahold of him till later in the day, as all his class's had been cancelled like everyone else's.
The weird thing, was later that nite I had one of my bowling leagues, when i did bowl. And the whole time during the nite all anyone could talk about was what had happend, that morning and how it was such a horrible thing to do, and of course people talked about what the USA should to do the terroists too.
It also was in some ways, amazing, because everywhere I went all anyone could talk about was what happend, didnt matter if they was black, white, latino, foreign, some tough bad ass guy, or whatever, they all couldnt believe what had happend.
But thats how my day went. And i wont ever forget it.
Now as for you Dhakala !!!! and need to take a long walk off a short pier!!! is your problem, hijacking this thread.
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Emotions don't even describe what I felt. It's weird to see the towers come down on TV news coverages compared to actually being there. On TV it looks like a friggin' Hollywood production but when I was there as the gruesome even unraveled and realized that the towers were coming down, all I kept thinking about was my Mom and Dad, sisters and my neices and nephews because I thought I was a goner. I didn't think the towers were coming straight down onto themselves. I thought they were tipping over like a tree that's just been cut. If that were the case, I and a slew of others wouldn't be here today. I get chills just thinking about it.
My coworkers (we work on the 40th floor of the Federal Building and we had a most perfect view of the WTC) told me that the 2nd plane flew so low and so close to our building that they were actually able to make out the passengers on the plane.
My coworkers (we work on the 40th floor of the Federal Building and we had a most perfect view of the WTC) told me that the 2nd plane flew so low and so close to our building that they were actually able to make out the passengers on the plane.
Peer said:
This is a joke, right. Do you honestly believe that the US did nothing. Maybe nothing that day but come one, the nation was grieving and showing respect EVERY DAY for months. Maybe we were just too busy trying to dig up the wreckage and the bodies that day.
Peer said:
You obviously don't understand how the stock market works. Stockbrokers can't do much about what is bought and sold, their friggin' customers make those calls. All the broker does is fill the orders. Someone should teach your newspaper reporters basic economics and what the effect on the world economy would have been if the market had stayed closed. Actually they probably already learned that anti-American news in Eurpoe sells a lot of newspapers.
Peer said:
You didn't complain much about American foreign policies when it involved having US tanks ready to roll against the Soviets if they ever tried to invade Norway. As I recall they stood on that line for 40+ years. Not long enough to get a little slack, though, I guess.
Peer, you write a good post. But please understand a few things. The first is that the feeling in New York for a good six months after the attacks was indescribable. I lived it, and it can’t be put it into words. It was a feeling evoked from seeing signs at Fenway Park that read “Boston Loves New York”, of reading how Las Vegans flocked to the New York-New York hotel to leave wreathes and messages (and then seeing it myself in 2002), of seeing a picture of the St. Louis Fire Department lined up paying homage to their fallen brethren 1500 miles away, of hearing about an incredibly poor county in Montana hold a town meeting to raise whatever they could to send our way, of playing in a Joss tournament in a small town in Connecticut and seeing a sign in the window of an old, out of the way antique shop, “America will never forget”.
The feeling isn’t much there anymore, but that’s not an indictment. Time passes, people don’t forget but they just don’t always remember. If that is a failing, it’s a human failing, not an American one.
The other thing I would mention is about the moments of silence in other countries. I think this falls into the category of doing something to hold up another people, a people who have gone through something tragic. The only thing I can liken it to now, and admittedly it’s not a perfect analogy, is giving a standing ovation to a team. The team doesn’t clap for itself. It is lifted by the spirits of those who, in this case, grieve for them. I hope this does not sound cynical, but I don’t think most of these moments of silence were entirely about the 3,000 souls we lost that day. I think it was more that, especially at that time, America was looked at romantically as the hope of the free world, and she was in tears.
- Steve
The feeling isn’t much there anymore, but that’s not an indictment. Time passes, people don’t forget but they just don’t always remember. If that is a failing, it’s a human failing, not an American one.
The other thing I would mention is about the moments of silence in other countries. I think this falls into the category of doing something to hold up another people, a people who have gone through something tragic. The only thing I can liken it to now, and admittedly it’s not a perfect analogy, is giving a standing ovation to a team. The team doesn’t clap for itself. It is lifted by the spirits of those who, in this case, grieve for them. I hope this does not sound cynical, but I don’t think most of these moments of silence were entirely about the 3,000 souls we lost that day. I think it was more that, especially at that time, America was looked at romantically as the hope of the free world, and she was in tears.
- Steve