Category: Uncategorized

Before

This was taken in March, and Alessandra (2nd from the right) was due in June. Yesterday we went back out to brunch. By the way, someone asked when we went out to brunch last and I said, “Last summer,” meaning 2006. “Weren’t we all bundled up?” They asked. “I don’t think so” I answered. “Maybe light jackets?” Here is the evidence, of when we went and the further deterioration of my brain.

After

This was taken yesterday, in front of the same restaurant. That’s Dimitra, Mary, Alessandra and a brand new human human being named Ella. Oh yeah, and I said “last summer” with little Ella right next to me, which would make her almost a year and a half old which she clearly isn’t.

I think Ella is taking this whole “I didn’t exist a little while ago and now here I am, please explain EVERYTHING to me” thing rather well.

It’s the little things. I’ve taken a picture of my lamp to show off my new lampshade. The previous one was a mess and I managed to find a new one that is a much prettier shape, and provides more delicate lighting and color.

My new lampshade will sustain me during my marathon writing session today. I’m going to get a ton of editing and writing done today. That is the plan. Here’s my to-do list. Wish me luck.

– Write.
– Give Finney medicine.
– Eat.
– Call Chris later.
– Admire lampshade.
– I will not look at kittens and puppies on Petfinder.

Update: It’s too freaking hot out. And I have been checking Cute Overload periodically, but getting some work done. Finney medicine given and he doesn’t hate me yet. He forgets seconds later, thank God.

You know how some people have problems with their teeth no matter what they do? Poor Finney is like this. I take him for teeth cleaning once a year, but still he has teeth problems. He just had to have three teeth pulled, the poor baby. Here he is, back, hanging out on the desk and giving me a look like, “Yeah, so, what was that about?” I have to give him this God-awful medicine for ten days now. Please don’t hate me Finn. It makes me think of that line in the Nancy Mitford book The Pursuit of Love. The children felt bad for their dogs who had to stay in the kennel. They worried that they would become bored and lonely and cry, “Oh, why can’t dogs read?”

Why oh why can’t cats talk? I long to explain to him why I have to give him this horrible tasting liquid, and bring him to the vet from time to time even though it scares him so. It breaks my heart.

The picture is from Reaper. I’ve already mentioned this one. Best new show so far.

Dirty Sexy Money. I so didn’t expect to like this, but I watched because so many people on Echo posted that they liked it. And I have to say, it was actually kinda thrilling. I don’t know why! I don’t find money or the pursuit of it or the having of it thrilling or sexy or dirty.

Bionic Woman. It’s been getting some bad word-of-mouth, but I got into it. Love a girl who can kick ass.

Pushing Daisys. Hasn’t premiered yet, I downloaded the pilot. Really sweet.

Christ. Watching TV is practically a fulltime job. So pathetic of me! But there it is. I have fun. Oh and I am SO happy Grey’s Anatomy is back. I wish Shonda would post on her blog already.

I posted earlier about how when I read names on 9/11, it occurred to me that the people I was reading names with were the people who went down there to help and lived. The readers this year were first responders and volunteers. When we were lined up to read, I turned around and took pictures of the people in the line behind me.

Some of you may remember me pointing out the sweet faced guy in the white hat.

A firefighter friend IM’ed me. “The Lt with the nice face is Mickey Kross. Mickey survived in the stairwell remember that group?”

Mickey Kross, a Lieutenant with Engine 16, was in stairwell of the north tower when it collapsed. I found his story in his own words. I’m posting a few excerpts, but the full story is here.

“We had finally made it down to about the 3rd floor when we suddenly heard this tremendous noise. Hurricane winds overcame the stairwell and picked me up. I moved towards the railing to try to make myself as small as possible for shelter; I literally tried to squeeze myself into my helmet. Debris hit me from all angles and enveloped the stairwell in total darkness. I didn’t know what was happening, that the entire tower was collapsing down on top of us, but whatever it was, I didn’t think it was something I could overcome. My prayer was that it just be quick. But, just as suddenly as it began it ended, and I was engulfed by a total silence.”

Stairway B, Tower 1.

“We were given rope to help us extricate ourselves from the debris and we crawled out one by one, but at the top, were faced with a minefield of jagged surfaces and beams. You had no idea where you could and couldn’t step. I started walking what I now know now was east but it brought me to a less stable area. I was told to turn around. Everything from the offices was pulverized, like a blizzard, except a two of clubs playing card which I found in the debris and still have today. Eventually, I saw my captain coming up the pile and that’s when I realized that I was probably going to be all right.”

“There was a desk set up on West and Vesey with a list of about 400 firefighters who were presumed dead, including myself. I still can’t believe that I was able to cross my name off that list, but 343 members of my department remained on there permanently, including many longtime personal friends, six firefighters from Ladder 7, the unit we shared our firehouse with, and the officer from engine 1, who I’d just been traveling up the stairs with. I stayed at the site until 10 p.m. that evening, and returned every day for approximately three months to bring them home.”

“I don’t like to revisit the memories of that day, and thankfully some have been erased from my mind, but I feel compelled to try to remember and express what happened there for sake of those who can’t.”

I don’t know what to say. I wish I had shaken his hand. (All of their hands, really.)