h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This morning for a brief instant I honestly thought I’d had a horrific nightmare. Then I turned on my radio as I got ready for work. It all came rushing back with breathtaking clarity.

Yesterday was a day that just kept coming at you. A coworker and I were in a meeting at the St. Regis hotel when someone came in to tell us an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. By the time we got downstairs the second tower had been hit. The smoke rising from downtown was frightening. The silence as we simply walked across the usually crowded Madison Avenue deafening.

After we got to the office I went to the restroom to splash cool water on my face and returned to my desk to learn one of the towers had fallen. Then the next. Somewhere in there I remember the reports that a plane had hit the Pentagon and another had gone down as well. We all wondered who was next and just how many of these tragic missiles were still in the sky.

It’s all so eerie here. There is almost no traffic in the streets and everything is closed. People are very subdued, of course. This morning as I took my bus to work in silence (I live and work in Manhattan I’m not subject to the blocks that keep most out.) as did everyone else. As the bus turned to face the bald patch in the sky we all watched the smoke rise and nobody said a word.

My heartfelt thoughts to all who lost someone yesterday or from any other act of cowardice. Those who are able, please go and donate blood as I will be this evening. In the USA call 800-HELP-NOW. Those from other countries I'm certain there are other ways to help.

Thank you all in advance.

Diana L. Jordan (Batty ACE)

These are the UK emergency telephone numbers:

Metropolitan Police Terrorism Hotline: 0800 789 321

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have issued an emergency number for those worried about friends or relatives in the United States: 0207 008 0000

British Consulate General in New York +1 212 745 0200.

These were taken from the British Government 10 Downing Street website [URL Removed by Moderator]

Batty,

My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you, the people of America and the friends and families of all those involved from all countries.

The UK is in as much a state of shock as the US. We were allowed to finish work early yesterday and (helplessly) watch the television news.

I wish I could help in some way from here, but there is no imformation at the moment.

Take care,
Darren

Darren,

Thank you so much for the information and for your kind thoughts. I cannot tell you how touched the American people, and particularly those of us who were touched personally by all of this appreciate the efforts and the thoughts & prayers from everyone in the world.

I know what is needed most is blood for the hospitals and clothing and food for the workers and the many displaced people. Here in Manhattan everything below 14th street has been evacuated. Many families are unable to go home.

Thank you again,

Batty

Dear Batty, I have just found your contribution written the day after the dreadful attack in New York. You wrote so sensitively and movingly about that horrific event that I think that it should really be part of the history of this site. I watched in growing disbelief as this ignominious atack unravelled. I could not believe it and thought that it was was a living nightmare. I think that you have all risen to wonderful heights of fortitude and courage and wish you all that and also much compassion in the days, months (hopefully not years) to come. Thank you for sharing this with us. Very sincerely, AR1

Thanks AR1. I don't think we could have been even half as strong had it not been for knowing of the kind thoughts and support we had and still have.

For the longest time my bus to work would get rerouted because it passed on 5th Ave, which was often blocked off for funerals. I'd end up trekking to work fully aware of why it was necessary. Right now the saddest thing is the cemeteries. Seeing a stone with a firefighter's helmet resting on top reminds you even more than the bald patch everyone is learning to live with.

The nice thing (there always has to be a silver lining) is seeing the respect the firefighters and police are getting. It was always deserved but we just now really see why.

Thanks again.

Dear , Thank you for your note. And now they have had another "accident" in Milan. It makes one really wonder what on earth goes on in people's minds. Anyway, I suppose that is a good excuse to lose oneself in fantasy on h2g2. the only thing I do not like is when it is nasty and unkind. Have a good day my new friend AR1

I agree things seem awful. Fortunately (if you can call it that) the situation in Milan really seems like a tragic accident. It doesn't lessen the sadness but at least hate is not a factor.

We have a picture in our office (actually it's an award from Cunard Line) that is a painting of the QE2 sailing by the twin towers. It reminds me of what happened when the Queen was finally allowed back into NYC and stopped to lay a wreath at the site on her way in. For us (my office) anyway it made it feel like things might just be getting back to normal (or whatever normalcy could be in a situation like this). It's strange how a gesture can make such a difference. Maybe it was because of our office's tie to Cunard, or because I used to sit in the park and watch the Queen sail out sometimes.

Anyway I'm rambling... thanks again..

Hi Batty
My most sincere condoleances to you and the rest of NY, especially the families of the victims.
I found myself in similar situation few years ago . I left Yugoslavia in 1989 ,a few months after I saw mr.Miloshevich's
first public appearance.A twenty -meter high "BAD NEWS" neon
sign hung above his head accompanied by a red flashing arrow
pointing downwards.You know what really freaked me out?
Nobody else could see it.
So I packed my towel and hiked to planet Amsterdam.
While I was busy studying art , my ex-countryfolk got busy slaugtering each other.It almost drove me insane.You see, although being a Serb, I allways declared myself as Yugoslavian.I truly loved that country with its weird mixture of people, cultures and religions,so when it fell apart I felt undiscribable loss. My country,my spiritual home destroyed by
hate, stupidity and greed.
But a real hell was yet to happen.In year 1999, Slobodan"Bates
Motel" Miloshevich met Madeleine"Mother Bates"Allbright .
Slobodan thought it's allright to kill innocent people of Kosovo and Madeleine thought it's allright to kill innocent people of Serbia in order to protect the innocent people of Kosovo.At that
point my brain refused to compute and went on strike.I started
hearing voices in my head,seeing things that weren't there.
So I borrowed the keys of a small house in a small village in Italy
belonging to a friend of mine(the house ,not the village)and spent three weeks there alone save from the copy of "Blackadder
-the Whole Damn Dinasty" and the sack of magic mushrooms.
Mushrooms helped me big time,God bless them,and if you like to have a rapport on that one , I'll be glad to send it to you.
Anyway,I've learned not to worry and love the bomb.The world we
live in is a mere sketch of a masterpiece in process.Patience and courage are required so don't worry too much about the global events.Make your personal zone of influence, this tiny yet irreplacable bit of the Universe, a good place and remember:
"We apologize for the inconveniences."
Have nice days
Sasha

Doc,

Thank you for your response.

I learned long ago not to panic over that which I cannot personally control. Nonetheless it is horrible to see so many dying all over the world for foolish reasons. I felt this way long before thousands were killed mere blocks from where I happened to be.

Though I believe there is no excuse for the various atrocities that go on today, IMHO religion and politics are about the dumbest 'reasons' there are. I have so many friends from so many different cultures, belief systems, and political backgrounds I simply cannot imagine how different my life would be if I were to do something so silly as to hate what I do not understand or those who do not think and/or look like me.

Thank you again for sharing your story with me.

Hi ty and Sacha,

I read you on Lurcher's Fan club but very seldom feel that I have anything to contirbute. It was very interesting to read your contriubution Sacha. This is the dreadful problem that there are always some people who are "bad guys" and without any sort of problem they turn into "good guys". I think that is where the hypocrisy comes in. I found when I lived in South Africa that I could always get on with a "genuine" Nationalist who really believed in apartheid, or a "genuine" Liberal who really believed in sharing what s/he had. It was those in-betweens who had different morals and standards for every occasion that I could not handle. And I am still like that.

But I have just had a wonderful day sharing the celebratory Mass for a dear couple who have have been married for 25 years. It really was very soothing and wonderful to be with them.

My kind regards to you ty. You make me laugh so much the way you tease Lurcher of direct lupine descent.

I look forward to meeting you again Sacha My kind regards AR1

Hi AR1!

Thanks for your kind words and for adding your wisdom to this discussion. I know people like what you are describing. It is so sad to hear them change their morals based on what they think will 'earn them points'. It's no better than those who seem to apply rules to others that they themselves break regularly (even though they seem to forget they did it).

It sounds like you've had a wonderful day, indeed. It's so delightful to participate in such a celebration.

I do have fun joking around with Lurcher. There are so many wonderful people I have met on hootoo, yourself included. Thank you again, AR1.