Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Do You Remember?
"You once told me, our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch. Is that true for everybody, or is it just poetic bullshit?"
- Tyler, Remember Me
Hard to believe it's been 10 years already. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 has now become Sunday, September 11, 2011. American lives have returned to normal, unless you're traveling, in which case TSA governs all. Though whenever New York City, the Pentagon, or open fields in Pennsylvania are brought up your mind seems to wonder back to that early September morning.
Growing up I would hear people recall where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked, when Kennedy was assassinated, when Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated, what it was like to see the Challenger shuttle explode. 9/11 was one of those days for me. I will always remember, just like everyone else, where I was, what I was doing, etc.
I remember that day as an overcast day in Live Oak and being with Mrs. Bonds (8th grade) class outside working on a science experiment (oddly enough we were working on recording speed and time for air propelled rockets). When we walked inside one of the other teachers was in the room waiting to talk with Mrs. Bonds, who, after some brief words, silently walked across the room with tears in her eyes and turned on the television set. Some of us, as we watched her, thought something had happened to her youngest child as she walked with the tears swelling, before we realized what was really happening miles away. As we sat there in silence reading and watching the news unfold I realized George W. Bush was suppose to be in Florida on that day. When it was revealed the Pentagon had been hit and they were most likely going after the President I became worried for my father who was working in Tallahassee at the capital...where Jeb Bush, the President's brother, was also working. Luckily my mother worked at the Middle School and when I was allowed to go see her she had just talked with my father, who, like most people, was given the rest of the day off.
The rest of the day was spent watching the news unfold, news about all 4 flights that had been hijacked, news about the towers and surrounding buildings that were damaged, the estimated death/injury toll, and who was already traveling to help respond to the horrifying event.
It's funny to have watched 10th anniversary interviews of people who survived or lost loved ones on that day because they recall how beautiful a morning it was, the cool crisp autumn air, the sun rising in the sky. But I remember the chill, overcast clouds of Live Oak. It's like the Florida sky knew something terrible was going to happen, while the sky over where these events took place wanted those affected by it to remember it's beauty.
It still scares me that I know people who were suppose to be in the towers that day. It scares me to think that I was in the towers just 3 years prior, that my grandparents had just flown out of New York City just days before. This event changed the Nation, and the world. It changed a societies way of thinking. What is safe if an airplane can become a weapon so easily?
On this day, the 10th anniversary of the attacks, the Nation has been asked to come together and unite as one again. We will always remember where we were, we will never forget. We will have our moments of silence, we will continue to pray for those who are still suffering from this loss.
Growing up I would hear people recall where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked, when Kennedy was assassinated, when Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated, what it was like to see the Challenger shuttle explode. 9/11 was one of those days for me. I will always remember, just like everyone else, where I was, what I was doing, etc.
I remember that day as an overcast day in Live Oak and being with Mrs. Bonds (8th grade) class outside working on a science experiment (oddly enough we were working on recording speed and time for air propelled rockets). When we walked inside one of the other teachers was in the room waiting to talk with Mrs. Bonds, who, after some brief words, silently walked across the room with tears in her eyes and turned on the television set. Some of us, as we watched her, thought something had happened to her youngest child as she walked with the tears swelling, before we realized what was really happening miles away. As we sat there in silence reading and watching the news unfold I realized George W. Bush was suppose to be in Florida on that day. When it was revealed the Pentagon had been hit and they were most likely going after the President I became worried for my father who was working in Tallahassee at the capital...where Jeb Bush, the President's brother, was also working. Luckily my mother worked at the Middle School and when I was allowed to go see her she had just talked with my father, who, like most people, was given the rest of the day off.
The rest of the day was spent watching the news unfold, news about all 4 flights that had been hijacked, news about the towers and surrounding buildings that were damaged, the estimated death/injury toll, and who was already traveling to help respond to the horrifying event.
It's funny to have watched 10th anniversary interviews of people who survived or lost loved ones on that day because they recall how beautiful a morning it was, the cool crisp autumn air, the sun rising in the sky. But I remember the chill, overcast clouds of Live Oak. It's like the Florida sky knew something terrible was going to happen, while the sky over where these events took place wanted those affected by it to remember it's beauty.
It still scares me that I know people who were suppose to be in the towers that day. It scares me to think that I was in the towers just 3 years prior, that my grandparents had just flown out of New York City just days before. This event changed the Nation, and the world. It changed a societies way of thinking. What is safe if an airplane can become a weapon so easily?
On this day, the 10th anniversary of the attacks, the Nation has been asked to come together and unite as one again. We will always remember where we were, we will never forget. We will have our moments of silence, we will continue to pray for those who are still suffering from this loss.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
If You Cheer, They Will Play.
"Football is like life,
it requires perseverance, self-denial,
hard work, sacrifice, dedication,
and respect for authority."
-Vince Lombardi
It is here. FINALLY. If you guessed College Football season you were correct. It’s like God opened the gates of heaven, haha. The second the Wisconsin game started on Thursday night I knew it was going to be a good season. AHHHHHH I’m so excited that I don’t even know where to start!
Okay, the obvious: FSU beat University of Louisiana-Monroe 34-0 (my prediction had been 42-0, so I was close). Can I just say I’m impressed by Mark Stoops and our defense. I mean I loved Mickey Andrews, don’t get me wrong, but in the start of his second season with Florida State he’s created what looks to be one of the best defenses I’ve seen, as least since 1999. EJ Manuel had his first start of the season and as his nerves went away you could see that he means business this season, which is exciting. Clint Trickett also looks promising as our backup quarterback (and is 100% for the season, so far, in an AWESOME touchdown pass). In the end we looked like the Top 10 team that we are, and after looking at the new polls that came out today Top 5!
In other football news UF looked good under their new coaching staff. It surprised me that they allowed Florida Atlantic to score as much as they did, but they still got the job done. The biggest surprises were Notre Dame being upset by South Florida, Central Florida shutting out Charleston Southern, Auburn pulling a win against Utah St out of their butts, and Clemson struggling early against Troy (but getting the win in the end). All I have to say is I can't wait to watch the rest of season unfold, especially this Saturday.
Some interesting stats for you coming out of the first week: of all the games played, starting Thursday night through Monday night, 4 teams shut out their opponents (Ohio St, FSU, Rutgers, and UCF) and the ACC teams finished 8-4.
It feels so good to be back in the element of college football. I did hit a little bit of overload at dinner after the FSU game though, but I think it's because there were so many great games on that I was trying to pay attention to. All I know is I love not having to worry about homework on the weekends so I can get lost in the games, forget my troubles and just relax.
This weekend Justin and I (and you, if you'd like to join) will be watching the FSU vs Charleston Southern game at The Varsity (formerly Buffalo Wild Wings) before the real game of the evening starts at 8, Notre Dame vs Michigan. I'll try to do better about posting my sports blogs right after game day instead of waiting until the middle of the week.
Lastly the NFL season kicks off tomorrow as does my fantasy league. Mallory and I are heads up this weekend and I'm nervous to see how my team does. I'll let you know next week though :)
In other football news UF looked good under their new coaching staff. It surprised me that they allowed Florida Atlantic to score as much as they did, but they still got the job done. The biggest surprises were Notre Dame being upset by South Florida, Central Florida shutting out Charleston Southern, Auburn pulling a win against Utah St out of their butts, and Clemson struggling early against Troy (but getting the win in the end). All I have to say is I can't wait to watch the rest of season unfold, especially this Saturday.
Some interesting stats for you coming out of the first week: of all the games played, starting Thursday night through Monday night, 4 teams shut out their opponents (Ohio St, FSU, Rutgers, and UCF) and the ACC teams finished 8-4.
It feels so good to be back in the element of college football. I did hit a little bit of overload at dinner after the FSU game though, but I think it's because there were so many great games on that I was trying to pay attention to. All I know is I love not having to worry about homework on the weekends so I can get lost in the games, forget my troubles and just relax.
This weekend Justin and I (and you, if you'd like to join) will be watching the FSU vs Charleston Southern game at The Varsity (formerly Buffalo Wild Wings) before the real game of the evening starts at 8, Notre Dame vs Michigan. I'll try to do better about posting my sports blogs right after game day instead of waiting until the middle of the week.
Lastly the NFL season kicks off tomorrow as does my fantasy league. Mallory and I are heads up this weekend and I'm nervous to see how my team does. I'll let you know next week though :)
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