Day At Ground Zero

04 November 2001 · 1 comment

It’s nearly 3am, but I just got home from volunteering with the American Red Cross at Ground Zero and I’m just a little too keyed up to sleep right away so I thought I’d take a second and share with you all my experiences and thoughts from today.

When I told my mother I was going to go up and work at Ground Zero on Saturday, her initial reaction was, “Well you’ll be an emotional wreck!” and I, in fact, nearly expected that I would be. Instead, the experience was the most rewarding thing I have ever done and probably more therapeutic than anything else.

I didn’t really know what to expect…not totally anyway. I knew I’d have a hard time going there…I’ve even been afraid of going and seeing the devastation and carnage up close. Not to mention having to see in person the area I used to spend every working day while I lived in NYC not being as I remember it. And it was hard…really really hard…but I think that being there and helping really made a difference. If I had just seen it and then had to walk away and cope with it all, I would have fallen apart. Being there and being part of the effort and feeling productive made such a difference!!

It was a long day… I was going up with a group from Merrill Lynch. We met at 12:30pm and headed up to the Red Cross station in Brooklyn. First we had paperwork to fill out and then we were given badges that would allow us “Full Access & Ground Zero”. Then the put us on a bus to take us down to the sites where we would be working.

They gave us an orientation on the bus that provided us with the ground rules. No cameras because the area is considered a Federal Crime Scene and so highly restricted. Hard hats had to be worn at all times outdoors or else we risked a $2,000-$10,000 fine. We were also instructed as to the sites. Respite Site #3 was our first stop, and then some of us went on to Respite #1. Our job was basically to volunteer for whatever area we felt we could be of the most help and to remember that we were working at RESPITE areas so besides whatever task we were given, we needed to do our best to make the rescue workers, the NYPD, and the FDNY feel like they were receiving some respite from the horrific work they were having to do in “The Pile” (the term they use for the WTC). We were told to smile as much as possible, and make them feel at “home”.

There wasn’t much to see on the way there, but as soon as we stepped off the bus, the stench in the air was enough to knock you over. I don’t even think there’s anything I can liken it to… Something in the vicinity of rotten eggs, but that doesn’t even quite do it justice. The air was thick with it. All shoes had to be hosed off before anyone could walk inside of any buildings so there were people manning the hoses on crude wooden walkways. And badges had to be inspected by military personnel upon entry.

My first stop was Respite #3. I had my shoes washed down and then was taken inside where they gave us a run-down of the facilities. Respite #3 was the Marriott hotel located just behind where the WTC used to be. The first floor was a reception area where everyone entering the building had to come through to show their badges and then sign-in, if necessary, with the Red Cross. The second floor was the dining area (in the elevator the title was simply “Food”). The third floor was the kitchen and also a relaxing area called “The Oasis” filled with Lazy-Boy chairs and a TV and some areas sectioned off for cots where the men could sleep on breaks between shifts. They even had a massage area, a chiropractor, first aid, computers with email access, and Sprint cell phones that the workers could use to call home (free of charge of course). The fourth floor had showers and “Logistics” which was fully stocked with clothing (jeans, shirts, vests, etc.).

My first hour was manning the service elevator. There were a couple of walkie-talkies on which people on the various floors would call for me to run them up and down to the different areas. After which them moved me to greet at the front door, so I opened the door for everyone coming in and leaving. It was amazing how much I got thanked by all the guys!! I wasn’t long there, however, before one of the Red Cross managers asked if I’d mind moving over and working at Respite #1 as they were short-staffed. I gladly went with a few other volunteers.

We had to take a van ride over to Respite #1 which took us directly through The Pile. Seeing the remains of what was once the World Trade Center was one of the most mind-blowing things I have ever EVER experienced. The devastation was absolutely immense. There really are no words, and…I know you all have heard this before, but television truly doesn’t even begin to convey the horror and enormity of what is there.

The Saint Joseph’s University Student Center houses Respite #1 literally a block from The Pile and has pretty much all the same amenities as Respite #3.

The restaurant area was set up with tables holding condiments and in the center of each table were about a dozen cards and pictures made my children across the country that had been sent in to wish all the workers well and thank them for their efforts. Some were really touching!! Every card with a name and address on it receives a response and some of the volunteers spent their time writing back to the children and then having various workers, policemen and firemen sign them before mailing them off. Cards and letters were also posted all over the walls and stacked everywhere…

I was stationed in the warehouse area where the food for the restaurant is delivered and unloaded so I spent a good deal of time outside looking down the street towards the WTC. My best view was of the World Financial Center where the Merrill Lynch offices are located and where I spent a lot of time when I was there (my office was actually at 100 Church Street, just around the corner). The men coming in from the work area looked so exhausted!! Some of my time was spent just leaning against the railing of the walkway where the hoses were and just smiling and saying hello as they’d line up to have their shoes washed. It was honestly all I could do to not hug each and every one of them and I wanted to so badly!! Please pray for them…they have a job I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and it must seem never-ending at times.

I worked from 4pm till midnight…a long shift, but I would’ve kept working if I could!!! Words will never be enough to give you all a real clear view of what those 9+ hours were like, but today was both one of the best and hardest days of my life. I plan to go back and volunteer more of my time…in fact, I can’t wait. I wish you all could do it. It has changed me forever.

A Sober Update

16 September 2001 · Write a comment

Greetings to all.

Forgive me for not writing sooner… For one thing, I was in Atlanta this past week and have only tonight returned. Aside from that, I had planned to write a full-scale update as soon as I had all the little wrinkles ironed out with what exactly I’m doing and where exactly I’m living, etc. etc. etc. But then Tuesday happened which has changed almost everything. I’m not sure if all of you knew, but Manhattan was my last permanent home prior to moving overseas. This hit way too close to home for me and I have been utterly devastated…as most of you know, New York was not only my home, but also my favorite city.

I’m not going to get into details about what I’m doing… I’m really way too upset to get into what I consider to be the relatively trivial details of my life right now…we all have enough to cope with. So to make a long story short, I arrived back in the States on Aug 5th and interviewed for two jobs. One was with Merrill Lynch in Northern New Jersey (which I have accepted). The other was with a company called Temenos which is located on the 52nd floor of the World Trade Center Tower 1…the first tower that was hit. I can’t even begin to tell you how badly it shook me up to think that I had been in the North Tower only a couple of weeks before this unspeakable horror occurred. Over the last few days this has really weighed on me and made me thank the Lord over and over again for His protection.

I’ve found myself regretting things. I regret having taken my time in New York too much for granted.

I used to come up from the subway every morning just down the street from where those huge, beautiful towers stood. I’d cross over Church Street, and walk to my office building which was just a block down on the left. On Fridays I would stop in at the Krispy Kreme shop on the corner of WTC 5 for my end-of-the-week doughnut. Most days I ate lunch from one of the vendors or deli’s or restaurants in the WTC mall under the Towers. On some nice days I’d sit in the courtyard in front of the Towers on the stone benches surrounding the fountain. I took it completely for granted that they would continue to be there…I mean, why wouldn’t they? I regret not looking up at them more.

Just before I left for Atlanta, I was going to go up to the city to meet some friends and see some colleagues from Merrill in the World Financial Center that I hadn’t gotten a chance to hook up with since arriving back. The morning I was supposed to go, I changed my mind…decided I was too tired… If I had known that would be the last time I’d have been able to be in those Towers and walk around that part of the city which had become so familiar to me, I would have gone. I regret not having gone.

These regrets may seem trite to you all, but they’re not to me.

Aside from the personal shock and sadness, I am heartsick for the thousands of Americans that were in the Towers last Tuesday and their families. I know we all are. I ache for the rescue workers as well…and, like so many of us, only wish I could help! I have also been so touched by how much Americans have all banded together over this! On the drive back from Atlanta today, I can’t tell you how many flags and homemade signs I saw… There were even several electric road-work signs which were programmed to read: “PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN”. Apparently stores all over the US have been selling out of flags and patriotic emblems. I do, of course, have a flag attached to my car antenna and a magnetic one on the trunk.

I wanted to pass along to you all the website of Hope for New York which is a ministry of my church in New York. They are working endlessly with other organizations in the city to cover the needs (both physical and emotional) of the people of New York and all the others that are there as a part of the rescue effort. They already get my money, but I thought I’d pass on their website to you all in case you’re interested… They even allow for online donations to be made in case you want to help (they are a non-profit organization and are listed with the United Way so they are legit): http://www.hfny.org

Well, as for me, I’m going up to New York tomorrow. In some ways I feel like I need to… I don’t think I totally believe that this has happened and I know that seeing it first hand will cure me of that. I have such strong memories of downtown NY in my mind, that I dread having them replaced by the reality of the situation, but I know that it is necessary. I also feel the need to spend some time with my friends who are there…not to mention this is one of my homes which is in a great state of grief and shock.

It has been an unbelievable last few days. I fear we have a long and difficult road ahead. The evil cowards who did this will get what they deserve… Of that I have no doubt.

My prayers are with our hurting country and our leaders as they have a lot of major decisions to make. What a weight they bear!! Please keep them in your prayers as well…and write soon!

God Bless America!

Fight Club (1999)

11 November 1999 · Write a comment

It’s difficult to know what to say about this film without giving it away so my words will have to be chosen carefully. We’ve had a lot of “surprise” films coming out recently, and Fight Club would be another one. A “surprise” film defined: just when you think you know what’s going on…SURPRISE you don’t!

Director David Fincher (Se7en, The Game) does another psychological number with this one. From a technical standpoint, the cinematography was great…the angles alone made for an entertaining film to watch. And the story only made it better.

Edward Norton (Rounders, Primal Fear) gives a captivating performance as a basic white-collar worker who is tired of his 9 to 5, Ikea-furnished existence. His life takes a turn for the better (or is it for the worst?) when he meets Brad Pitt who plays Tyler Durden, an energetic soap-maker. Tyler seems to have the answers to everything and shows him a whole world that he never knew existed…a world where other men take out their anger over their own lives in a secret boxing ring. The boxing ring (known as “Fight Club” to its members) is only the jumping off point for a whole string of other events, which Norton gets dragged into. The story is mostly narrated by Norton which is useful in giving us a little more background than we might have had otherwise, and it works well. The only time the narration becomes somewhat distracting was when Norton speaks directly at the camera rather than just being a voice-over. There was only one time that this occurred and seemed rather inconsistent with the rest of the film.
Pitt also performed well, and was enjoyable in this role when he was being something of a visionary as well as when he was just downright devious.

Helena Bonham Carter (A Room With A View, Howard’s End) plays Marla Singer, a girl with some serious issues (drug related and otherwise) who becomes involved with Durden and ends up hanging around more than she is wanted. Carter does an excellent job in this role and definitely seems to have shed any traces of her previous period work.

Another surprise in this film was Meat Loaf in the part of Bob, a guy with testicular cancer that you end up really feeling for due to Meat Loaf’s performance. You can’t help but want to hug him.

As for the violence, there is a lot. But the film has so much more to it that you can’t help but be fascinated anyway. Those who care to look past the violence will find much to mull over. You may find yourself cringing at times, but ultimately unable to turn away. And you may even catch yourself wanting to see it again once you know the ending to try and use your foreknowledge to see what clues you may have missed along the way.

Fight Club turned out to be a great way to kill a couple of hours…but it is not a veg-out movie by far. If you go, be prepared to think.

Arlington Road (1999)

11 October 1999 · Write a comment

In two words: great movie! Of course it had flaws, as all films do, but essentially they were few and far between and relatively insignificant. The basis of the film lies in terrorism. Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges), who teaches a class in extremists at a local university, begins to suspect his neighbors Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusak) of being more than what they appear. Faraday begins to find inconsistencies in the stories Oliver gives him and what the truth reveals and the story unfolds from there.
Jeff Bridges did a good job, but with a lot of heavy breathing, which I’m sure was convey panic and fear, however it tended to get on my nerves. Also in his classes, he would be talking about terrorist groups and events which they clearly must not have been able to use actual names and places where true attacks occurred, so instead they showed the faces of people we all know, but gave them different names which was intriguing, but also somewhat distracting.

Tim Robbins just did a wonderful job, and I was thrilled to see him in such a good film since the last one he acted in was Nothing to Lose in 1997. And Joan Cusak also gave an applause-worthy performance…and even though you didn’t see a whole lot of their kids, they managed to carry off a definite spookiness that really added to the atmosphere and mood of that whole house. Something else that impressed me was that such a relatively small nucleus of a cast managed to pull off such an involved plot and storyline. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the film and couldn’t avoid jumping several times.

The ending which I won’t give away, but have to let it be said that I thought it was incredibly thought provoking and perfect for the film. Couldn’t have been a better ending and that’s important. In many cases an ending can make or break the film. The last movie I saw was great, but the ending could have been a lot better which really hurt the overall film.

Good start, good story, perfect ending…4 stars. This is a film you need to go see in the theatre where you can watch without distractions.

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