9/11

We hung around the house yesterday because we were getting the bathrooms painted. I really didn't want to be home, but having things to do on this Saturday made it seem more normal and took 9/11 off my mind for a bit.

We went out for ice cream last night with my cousin and his kids. My cousin was subdued, but we remembered he'd lost a very close friend (Neil Levin, Port Authority Director) on 9/11.

 

I wore a red white and blue shirt yesterday and so did Alan in rememberance.

For some reason, I was very very lucky that day and on jury duty in NJ and not working at 130 Liberty Street (across from the towers, to be demolished due to damage from the towers and mold damage from sprinklers). None of the employees of my consulting firm I worked with or the people at Deutsche Bank were hurt - but I think a few people had close calls (like backing out of a meeting in the towers). The company I am with now lost 4 people that day (they were at the time on the 82nd floor of one tower, I joined them in January 2002, having lost my job at the consulting firm due to the economic after effects of that day in downtown NYC).

I do remember how beautiful it was that morning (just like this past Friday). And how I'd been hanging around the towers the weekend before, walking around while our software project was going into production. I reember much of the underground shopping, even the Halloween store that was just stocking up ready to open. I bought my bedding set the Friday before at Century 21 just across from the towers.

I'd worked at 5 World Trade Center from spring 1993 to spring 1995. This was just after the bombing. People there had complained about dark stairwells, so they were given flashlights - my then boss gave me hers when she left in the summer of 1993 and I left it behind when I left.

My life has changed since 9/11. In an odd way, I wonder if I would have had Alan - I was not working in December 2001 and the company I joined in January 2002 was unusually fertile - over 20 babies for 100 something people in 3 years (going back a little before 9/11).

I could see the towers of light where I am in NJ (althought at first I didn't realize that's what I saw - I thought it was search lights from a grand opening, but as I got closer to home coming back from my cousins  - I realized they weren't moving and what they were). They are sad but beautiful.

I haven't gone to ground zero and really don't like being in the area at all (working on 23rd st is fine). I am not sure if I can ever bring myself to go there. Perhaps someday when Alan is old enough to go, we'll go together.

 

Sold Out

I've been looking for sneakers for Alan. I don't like a lot of cartoon character sneakers or light up ones. He has to have either lace or velcro sneakers (no zippers) because he's got my funny arched foot. He has plain ones I found at walmart but I wanted to get a pair the next size up. I also don't like white sneakers that much, especially in the winter.  And velcro is the fastest for us in the morning not laces.

I ended up getting him Spiderman ones at Target today. Not that either myself or Alan cares, but they were right kind with velcro at the right price, and also had some black on them.

Ah well.

I should be glad Alan doesn't seem to like cartoon stuff. He likes to watch Dora and Sponge Bob. I think he recognizes them, but doesn't react to them when I show him a Dora doll or Sponge Bob. I guess I should enjoy his not wanting everything for tv shows while I can.