Two things I read every 9/11

The second-by second, as-it-was-happening thread on Metafilter. An indescribable interaction among people of all nations updating one another, panicking, cyber-holding one another, checking in, reacting in every way imaginable.

Sars's (of Tomato Nation) account of being right there as it happened, and her journey out of Manhattan. Oddly dispassionate, in a shell-shocked way, and all the more moving because of that tone.

There's a smoke alarm going off. I find a phone on a desk that's free, get an outside line, and leave a stupid, meaningless message for my brother: "I don't know if you know what's going on down here, but I'm in the Bank of New York and — I don't think, uh, I don't think we're doing lunch today, dude. This is — I'm okay, but I don't — I don't know. Try my cell if you get this." It's the most banal voicemail ever, under the circumstances, but my mind is on autopilot, to the point where I've actually begun wondering where I might find a bathroom and whether they'll let us smoke in here.

Today is a gorgeous day out -- blue skies, sun shining, just like that day.

And this morning, on my way to Starbucks, I heard a Chicago Transit Authority worker (handing out flyers about fare increases and eliminated bus routes) and a Chicago garbage collector on his way to work debating the finer points of Article II, Section 4 of the United States Constitution: Impeachment. I love having my prejudices thrown back in my face. It gives me hope.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, and how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.