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Friday, September 28, 2001
Well, maybe the end is in site. We packed up Shannan yesterday and sent her and John on their way with martinis and cigars at Cedar Street and dessert and coffee at Mozarts. The only thing that remains is one more delivery to Good Will, a couple of small boxes that need to go to the new place, and a thorough vaccuumming job. A random someone even came by and hauled off the three broken lawn mowers that we had collected over the past 3 years. I've missed having time to write in my journal. Last weekend, I wanted to log on and wax eloquent on the joys of my new kitchen trash can and it's whisper lid that closes with a soft "swoosh" and not a loud obnoxious "CLANG" like the cheaper model did. I also wanted to mention that Stepan found a diary I tried to keep in 1981 - he had a great time learning all about what I ate for lunch and what I watched on television with occassional vague mentions of my bratty sister....I had a very unimaginative view of my life at age 9!.... ...but speaking of what I watched on television - Angel premeired on Monday. It was a pretty good show with some interesting vibes going on between Angel and Cordelia. All I want to know is how in the world can Darla be pregnant!!!!????!!! Thursday, September 20, 2001
Moving...moving....moving....is it ever going to end? Last night, I spent 3 more hours packing my room, separating the keepers from the give aways, and trying to clean up as I go along. I didn't think I had too much stuff, but maybe I was wrong. I image there's still about 6 hours left of work in my room (that includes going through the papers that have been accumulating since the last time I organized my files....maybe 2 years ago!) as well as finishing up the rest of the house. I guess packing isn't too bad or it wouldn't be if I didn't also have to unpack. Right now, the one thing that strikes me the hardest about this move is finding space at Stepan's....I mean OUR house. Also last night, the refrigerator and dining table were picked up. The kitchen is so empty! It echos when we talk in there now. Tuesday, September 18, 2001
It's been a week since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. While most of the world is uniting to fight terrorism, the leaders of Afghanistan are urging their countrymen to prepare for jihad or a Holy War against the United States (according to an article on NPR this morning). Apparently the Taliban feel that the US is trying to eliminate Islam. So the institution that restricts the freedoms of women and arrests humanitarian aide workers and destroys centuries old emblems of other religions and commits countless other human rights violations fear religious persecution from a country which was founded on the premise of religious freedom! Have they not hear of our Constitution? The Bill of Rights?
Most of my stuff has been moved into Stepan's house. It feels a little weird sharing space so intimately. I'm kinda surprised I feel this way - I've been spending most of my time at Stepan's the past few months and already had a large collection of stuff at his place. But it's different to walk into the closet in the master bathroom and see all my clothes hanging there...open the cabinets in the kitchen and see my pots and pans...my books on the bookshelves...my bedroom furniture in the spare bedroom. It feels very different and odd and not quite real....but it also feels very good! Thursday, September 13, 2001
It's now been more than 48 hours after the attacks on the World Trace Center and the Pentagon. I feel bombarded with information...and images of the burning buildings...and accounts of survivors...and remembrances from those who lost loved ones...and pleas from people desparately trying to locate their brothers, mothers, sisters, fathers, children. It's all so tragic. Last night, as I was driving home, I finally had to shut off the radio hoping to find a single moment of peace. But all I could do is imagine what it would have felt like to be a passenger on the plane at the moment of impact. Or an office worker, pausing to admire the beautiful day in a beautiful city, only to see a huge passenger jet on a head on collission with my window; knowing there was nowhere to run...nowhere to go to escape. Or one of those who survived the initial impact and made it to the top of the tower; hoping and praying someone would find a way to get me away from the heat of the raging fire, desparately trying to breath through the burning acrid smoke that fouls the air around me...then feeling the floor beneath my feet fall away... I've been trying to pray. I know there is solace to be found with God. It just seems like I can't say enough Our Fathers and Hail Marys to adaquately express my thanks that my friends and family are safe, my grief and sorrow for those who weren't as lucky, my hope that those who died so violently are at peace, my fear and anger at the fanatics in this world who inflict so much damage and rejoice for our losses. Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Today is crazy. This morning I hear on NPR that a small twin engine plane has crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. Of course I immediately call Meredith - not really concerned because I was fairly certain that she didn't work near them and even if she did, she usually wouldn't be at work that early. I am so thankful that I was able to get ahold of her...even though I haven't been able to speak with her since the towers collapsed and the attacks on the Pentagon and State Department were reported, I'm certain she's okay - though I wonder if she's stuck in a tunnel since she was on her way into the city as I was talking to her. The repercusions of these terrorist acts are going to continue to surprise me. The stunning loss of life is nearly unimaginable. The unequivocal understanding that we are all vunerable. The grounding of all air traffic, not only in the US, but also in Canada...even most of the Greyhound bus routes are being cancelled throughout the country. The closing of the NYSE and the downward turn in foreign markets...... ...what cause could be so great to justify these acts? what do the terrorists hope to accomplish?... Sunday, September 09, 2001
Garage Sale - Day 2 Money-wise, today wasn't quite as successful as yesterday - I believe I only took in about $120, but I'm relieved to report that I did sell Grandma Sprong's sleeper sofa ($20) and 4 dining room chairs that formerly belonged to Aunt Cynthia ($20). The day didn't start out very well at all. Just as Shannan and I were starting to pull stuff out of the garage, the heavens opened up and poured rain down on us! We rushed like mad to get the book case and books and teak furniture back in the garage. When it didn't show any signs of letting up, we decided to get Krispy Kreme doughnuts to assuage our disappointment. The rain finally did let up around 8am and we had everything set up by 9am. Around 10:30 it started sprinkling again, but we were able to set up the couches in the garage; the remaining items were covered with a tarp or protected by my big, green out-door umbrella. Between 9am and 12:45pm, we probably only had 2 people come to check us out. Then we were swarmed at around 1pm; that's when both Shannan and I were able to sell out couches. Garage sells are a lot of work. I think I'm quite happy only having them once every 5-10 years. I just need to get better at getting rid of items and clothing I no longer need or use! Saturday, September 08, 2001
Garage Sale - Day 1 Not a bad day - though we suffered a 3-hour lull in the middle of the morning. Just as we were getting ready to start putting everything away, a wave of last-minute shoppers came by. My take for the day was about $250. I sold my Mac IIsi ($80!!!), my mom's old rack stereo system ($20), Elizabeth's hand-me-down papasan ($10), a brand new iron and ironing board ($10), a computer desk ($20), a microwave and cart ($30), Jessica McHarg's old vcr ($20) and vacuum cleaner ($10), and a bunch of other little treasures. Sadly, I still have a vintage '70s sleeper sofa - but tomorrow is another day. Thursday, September 06, 2001
I've made an interesting discovery....at 4am, the traffic volume on Lamar (between 29th and Applegate) drops to 27 passenger cars (28 if you include me), 3 heavy vehicles (2 dump trucks and a tractor trailer), 2 police cars (though they were actually hanging out in the parking lot of The Yellow Rose), and a cat. That's a very tiny percent of the roadway's average daily volume - which according to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's 1997's Traffic Volume Report is somewhere around 32,025! |