9/11 - 10 Years Later

September 11, 2001 started off just like any other day. A bright blue sky with not a cloud in sight.  I got to work as usual and was beginning to start another regular Tuesday when the news came that a plane had struck the one of the towers.  Part of my work involves the FAA and my co worker who has more contact with the FAA than I do said that the FAA had shut down all air traffic and all planes were to land.  As the morning went on we heard about the the second plane hitting the other tower and then the plane hitting the Pentagon.  We could see the smoke coming from the Pentagon from our office windows.  We were ordered to evacuate the building and head home.  I called my mom and told her to turn on the TV so that Dad and her could see what was going on.  (The following day, September 12th, was their 48th wedding anniversary). 

My brother was down at the Patuxent River Naval Base working when he was ordered to leave the base and head home.  He did make it home safely. 

When I got home it was kind of eerie.  My house is about 3 to 5 miles from Dulles Airport and usually we hear planes flying overhead a couple of times a day but on this particular day it was so eerily quiet.  I did manage to see a fighter jet fly over head and later an AWACS jet but the silence in the skies was deafening. 

As the day wore on and the reality of what happened slowly sunk in, I thought that this couldn't be happening here.  What did we do to make people do something this crazy?  I didn't understand it them and barely understand it now except for the fact that evil exists in this world and this is a clear example of it.

In the days following the attacks, the local media put out the message for donations of items to give to the first responders in order to help them out.  I went to a local grocery store with the list in hand and bought some items and drove it down to the Salvation Army which is where they were collecting the items.  It was like a conveyor belt at the Salvation Army because a car would drive up and drop off their items and then the next one and so forth.  It didn't seem like the line of cars would end and that was a good thing.

People who don't live in this area don't know that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has an office near the Pentagon.  I had a friend who worked for State of Virginia and she forwarded me an email about how the VDOT employees helped out the Pentagon that day.  The military basically took over that building and set up a command post there.  I wish I still had that email, It was a very interesting read.

Casey Anthony Verdict

I, like most of the country was surprised at the verdict in the Casey Anthony case. I could not believe the jurya found her nota guilty of the more serious crimes! After hearing the pundits speak and one juror mention their viewpoint, I understood why they came to the conclusion that they did, but I still don't like it! What makes me angry is that we will probably never know what happen to Caylee, but someone out there does and they won't come forward! I wish life was a little less complicated!

Family

Last weekend  members of my family got together for the weekend in Williamsburg, Virginia for a vacation.  We had a lot of fun!  Since my parents died the meaning of the word "family" has changed for me.  There is no longer a central meeting place (i.e. parents house) where all of the members of the family can get together.  Since I have family members north and south of me it is hard for all of us to get together.  This past weekend made me realize how lucky I am to have been born into this family. Sure, it wasn't always roses, but then, whose family is?  I came away from last weekend with a greater appreciation for my brother and two sisters, along with my brother and sister in law.  Words can't describe how much last weekend meant to me.  I would just like to let the world know that I have a great family!

A New Pair of Shoes!

One of the things in life that make me feel good is getting a new pair of shoes!  I don't know why that is but that is the way it is.  I even get excited about going shopping for a new pair of shoes!  Strange, huh? I feel that a person's shoes says something about that individual.  I think it's a sign that they care about themselves and value themselves as a person. 

What I think about on Memorial Day.

Today is Memorial Day.  The day we set aside to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Today I think about my dad and what he thought about on that boat out from Okinawa on the way to the Japanese mainland.  I wonder what is thoughts were. Did he think about home, his family, his parents?  I never got to ask him these questions and wish I would have.  I also think about all of the other members of my extended family, friends and classmates who have performed service to our country.   I still remember going out by the old Riverside grocery store in my hometown to purchase poppies. (the real ones) and the parade that they still have back home.  I think about how Memorial Day was such a big day when I was growing up.  Sometimes I wonder if we have lost some of that specialness.

Review: Hangover Part 2

The Hangover Part 2 was funny but not as good as the first one.  The basic story is the same though.  The monkey in the movie steals the show but I don't think PETA is going to be too happy though.  I give the movie 3 and a half stars.

Welcome to My Blog

Welcome!

I decided to start a blog to share more information about my hobbies and interests.  These include baseball, technology, video games, pro wrestling, books and whatever else comes to mind.  Enjoy!