The world mourns. These photos say it all: America's Tragedy as seen by the World.

This explains it very well. What I have been going through in the aftermath: A defiant New York City.

The Terrorists Aren't SO Smart, Afterall. Just How Smart Were the Terrorist Hijackers?: David DeRosa: "And one myth that needs correcting is that the terrorists were smart. It's easy to see why someone might think so at first... Think again."

Large numbers. There were a large number of lives lost in this tragedy as well as a large number of people that have come together to volunteer their blood and their time. I saw a $51,000 food bill at work -- it balanced much too easily (I remember complaining a week or two ago about a $15,000 bill -- I didn't complain this time.) I've heard from so many people concerned about my personal safety. There is a really large number of people affected by this tragedy. 250,000 people live in the neighborhoods surrounding the WTC ruins, all wondering if or when "life" will return to normal. There is a large number of American flags on display across the country. A large number of candles being lit in memory and solidarity. There are a million stories being told about the victims, millions of stories by the witnesses, and millions of pounds of rubble that the rescue workers have vowed to dig through. There is a large number of people who still see the WTC towers when they look out their windows, even though they no longer stand. 4700 people are missing in the rubble, we can only hope that some more survivors are waiting to be saved. A million tears have been cast.

I'm not sure that this post has a certain point, but I am crying while I write this, and i keep looking out my window hoping that the WTC will still be there, but I only see an eerie illuminated cloud of smoke and dust rising up into the heavens. So many lives have been affected by this... what are we going to do?

Missing Persons. As I try to cope with all of this by pretending to remove myself from the situation (that works until i look out my window and see the smoke where the WTC should be) and simultaneously trying to involve myself more (by volunteering, making sandwiches for the rescue workers), I keep finding out that more and more people I have connections to are missing and possibly dead.

According to the SAHS Alumni Newsletter, my high school alumni website, the following graduates are missing: Kristine Ann Irvine '89, Michael Duffy '89, John Schroeder '88, John Muilenberg '95, Kevin Murphy ’79, and Dan Smith '71. My dad's good friend from work is missing his son, Jason, who worked in the WTC. My parents just went to his wedding only a month or so ago. Also, my dad told me that someone who came on the job with him and left to join the New York Fire Department is also missing.

There is no way I can seperate myself from this tragedy. I have been personally attacked.

A different view in photographs. I know you are probably sick of seeign pictures of this horrible tragedy, but these photos taken from a man fleeing the World Trade Center after Tuesday's Terrorist attacks are from a whole different perspective.

San Gennaro Feast Postponed Indefinitely. The annual celebration in Little Italy was supposed to be held starting September 13th: "Due to the terrorist attack, the feast will not be taking place as scheduled. The organizers will be consulting with the city as to when it will be rescheduled. You can check back here for updated info. God bless."

Gasoline at $5 a gallon?!? It happened in several gas stations across the country in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Casey's Sued Over Gas: '"It is unconscionable that anyone would try to use one of the darkest days in American history to take advantage of consumers," Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan said in a prepared statement.'

[link via Steph]

Getting back to a *normal* routine. My personal routine, as well as that of thousands of others in and around the city, has been disrupted by this tragedy. Now, however, it is time to try and regain some sense of normalcy in our lives, while we grieve and give of ourselves to help in the rescue efforts. One of my contributions has been a new section to the economics website I work on, that examines how our economy has been affected, entitled "The Terrorist Attack on America: Economic, Security and Defense Implications." While doing this will not bring any of the victims back, it is one way that I can help others.

Adnan reacts. He doesn't want to talk about the horrific events right now, but his new splash page speaks volumes on the equally terrible backlash across the country and world against Arab-Americans and Muslims. Please pray for peace.

Fly your flag! Show solidarity and your pride and courage in our country, as well as remebering the innocent who we have lost, by displaying the American flag on your website or printing it out and putting it up in your window, courtesy of t h e  p a r t y  c o w. You can also use an American flag ribbon, courtesy of SiteWars.

Metafiter's developing account. Read about how Metafilter users tracked the story of the disaster.

Excellent account. As we all try to grapple with what has happened, I keep coming across personal accounts like that on EastWest Blog, which has pretty much all the photographs I would have normally taken, if, mayeb , I hadn't actually had to deal with the trauma of watching everything happen right outside my window. That is also why I haven't given my account of what I saw. I may, but I am still hurting so much now, that I can't even think about that.

Right now, I am trying to figure out how I will be able to get back to a *normal* routine once school starts back up next week.

Reactions and the aftermath. Likeanorb tells what it was liek to return to a half-empty office after the attack. There are also some telling photographs.

Amazing. My friend Steph IMed me, telling me that "NYC" in the font Webdings looks like this: NYC -- an eye, a heart, and the NYC skyline. After watching some of the services held today on this national day of mourning, I feel so much closer to my fellow Americans and my fellow men and women around the world, as we unite together. I was especially touched by a service in Ottawa, Canada where many of the people in attendance wore shirts with American flags. God bless America! God bless the world!

Interesting. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat donates blood.

Rating the news coverage. AlterNet -- A Media Day In Infamy

Making things worse for the rescuers. As if the search effort isn't hard enough, there is lightning and it is starting to rain. At least it may clear the air, but it will make all the dust on the ground into mud down there. The TV signal just went out, too.

Moby reacts to the tragedy. Moby questions the lapse in protection.

A day of bomb scares and evacuations. New York and Washington, D.C. received over a hundred bomb threats today. My friend Michelle told me that her college, FIT, was evacuated. Paul, who goes to Wagner College, received three bomb threats called in for the building he live din last year. The Capitol Building in DC was evacuated this afternoon after a suspicious package was found. La Guardia Airport and Rockefeller Center also had scares and evacuations. Since the level of fear is so close and so real to everyone, the actions of the cruel people calling in bomb scares need to stop adding insult to injury.

We all need to grieve and start the healing process. This, racism, is not the way.

Addendum: On further review of the article, I noticed that a racist backlash attack had taken place right around the corner from my high school on Long Island: "In Huntington, N.Y., a 75-year-old man who was drunk tried to run over a Pakistani woman in the parking lot of a shopping mall, police said. The man, Adam Lang, then followed the woman into a store and threatened to kill her for "destroying my country." How disheartening.

World Trade Center pictures and facts. I found the entry on the WTC at Great Buildings Online with pictures of the towers standing very interesting and maybe a little comforting, since I will never be able to see them out the window again -- in the day when I just glanced out and at night, just before I closed my eyes to go to sleep.

United Artists Theater holds "Free Movie Day." I was very surprised and appreciative that the United Artists Movie Theater on 13th Street (right below the restricted acces point on 14th Street) was open and showing free movies and giving out free popcorn and soda to everybody. It was a much needed diversion. I saw "The Musketeer" and "Planet of the Apes" for free! There was a little concern about overcrowding, but the theater staff was very good about getting extra people out of each theater.

When I exited the theater at about 11:30 or so, the smoke was really thick outside, which I had begun to smell towards the end of the second movie. People were choking and coughing and it was really scary. The theater employees were thanking us for coming and offered us paper towels or napkins of some sort to hold over our faces. I still had my mask from the hospital across the street, so I used that and partially ran home to get out of the smoke.

When, I got back, both my roommate Evan and my suitemate Steve had gone home. The smell was pretty bad in my suitemates bedroom, so he had to sleep on the couch.

Going to the movies was a good diversion. Sitting down for "The Musketeer," I realized that my breathign pattern was upset, that I had been breathing very shallowly due to the smoke outside. After a half hour or so, I was able to stop my labored breathing. So I relaxed a little. A distraction was definitely needed, even if one of the previews was entirely inappropriate: Before "The Planet of the Apes," a preview for the new Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie came on, complete with loud explosions that sent people flying. Needless to say, these images weren't the best ones to see at that point. One couple sitting in the row in front of me closed their eyes, grabbed each other, and covered their ears. After the preview, both looked visibly stirred. The man, who was probably in his mid 30's, turned to the woman and grimaced. "It doesn't sound like that" he said, knowingly.

My friend Paul remains on duty at Wagner College, Staten Island. According to him, the students were all sent home due to a bomb scare on campus. "Yeah on wednsday they were told to go home. Everyone left this morning after the bomb scare." Apparently, the police there are frantially searching for possible terrorists trapped on the island. He has to stay because he is a resident assistant there and he must remain on duty.

Chaos continues. On the news they are saying that the Capitol building is being evacuated. No one is sure if its a drill or not. The bomb squad just arrived.

My friend's webpage beomes a memorial. My friend Andrea asks for strength to get through this tragedy.

Horrible photos from the disaster. WARNING: Some of these are graphic! They made me cry yet again. Photos on Pixorama.

I've been having trouble breathing outside today. Today the wind changed direction and it came up here from the still smolderign diaster site. And this even with using the face mask I retrieved from Beth Isreal Hospital across the street.

This is what NYU released on air quality:

"Air Quality Statement from NYU Environmental Services
as of Sep. 12, 2001 at 5:09 p.m.

There have been questions about the air quality around the New York University main campus because of the World Trade Center disaster. The New York City Department of Health stated late Tuesday afternoon that they had tested the air quality and found it to be normal even at the disaster site. Rescue and recovery workers continue to use respirators to protect themselves from the large quantity of dust caused by the collapse of the three buildings. We should continue to experience good air quality according to public officials."

NYU is doing its best to help us cope with this tragedy: "As you know from the NYU Home Page, classes are again cancelled today, Thursday, September 13, in accord with Mayor Giuliani's request. Main Building, however, will continue to be open so that we can come together as a community.

Beginning at 10:00am today and continuing throughout the day, the College will host open hours where students can gather informally in Silverstein Lounge (101 Main). Light refreshments will be served.

At 12:00 noon, in Jurow Lecture Hall (101A Main), there will be an opportunity for those who wish to take part in a discussion of the events of the past few days and to reflect on how we can respond as a learning community.

Later, at 6:00pm, the College will host Dean's Tables in Hayden, Rubin, and Weinstein Residence Halls, where students (including commuters) can dine with one of the College deans, discuss concerns, and ask questions.

Finally, any student who wishes to meet one-on-one with an academic adviser can make an appointment or just drop by the College Advising Center, (905 Main, 998-8130). The University Counseling Center is also offering drop-in support groups today at 11:00am and 2:00pm (726 Broadway, 998-4780).

Please note that you may be required to show NYU ID and one other photo ID (e.g. driving license, passport, or state identification card) in order to pass south of 14th Street.

At a time when events have transformed the nation and the world, it is important for us, as members of the College family, to reflect together on the meaning of this tragedy and to support one another."

Everything is still so surreal. My high school and now college friend Brian's away message: "I saw some amazing things today....busloads of firefighters and policemen, trucks filled with pieces of what was once the World Trade Center, military trucks driving down city streets, people walking around with masks over their faces, smoke pouring out of "ground zero," and a candlelight vigil in Washington Square Park. It's been quite a day..."

Amazing Journalism. After reading the following article about hpow the networks responded to this tragedy, I realized why I want to be a Journalist: Network news calls truce in time of tragedy -- "This is why we all got into this business: to help people when they desperately want to understand the world."

"Broome St. and Lafayette St. Residence Halls To Reopen
Sep. 12, 2001 at 6:20 p.m.

The Broome St. and Lafayette St. residence halls are scheduled to open soon. Residents should report to Coles Sports and Recreation Center. As soon as security access has been provided, continuous transportation will be available from Coles to Broome St. and Lafayette St.

Phone service at 400 Broome St. and 80 Lafayette St. is currently down. Internet connectivity is available at Broome. Residents are urged to alert family members of the current phone situation and should use computer labs and the phone banks to communicate with family members. These phone banks are located at Bobst Library's B-level, Coles, the Violet Cafe, and University Hall. Computer labs in Tisch Hall, Bobst Library, and Third Avenue North will be open 24 hours to enable access to e-mail and NYUHome."

Amazing pictures of the seocnd terrorist attack. Amazing pictures of the second plane impacting the second tower.

A fellow blogger tells her experience of hearing about the terrorist attack -- from afar.

All this senseless violence. World Leaders Offer Sympathy, People Watch in Horror: "``This portends the end of the world,'' said Ekima Ibass, a civil servant in Congo's capital, Kinshasa. ``It could be the beginning of a new world war,'' Ibass added."

Here's the NYTimes recap of the story: Thousands Feared Dead as World Trade Center Is Toppled

Staying put tonight. My roommates and I are planning on staying in the building tonight because we have heard reports of looting. Also, knowing the majority of law enforcement is down near the disaster site, I'm not very reassured of our safety here. Also, the air quality can't be so good and we aren't going to take any chances.

Apparently, Giuliani announced that everything below 14th Street, which is near where my dorm is, will be shut down tomorrow.

Thanks to Giuliani, NYU decided to listen to common sense. Here's the latest: "All classes and events were cancelled today. Consistent with Mayor Giuliani's expressed concerns at his 6:00 pm press conference -- that those that who can stay home should do so, and that activities below 14th Street be curtailed -- classes will also be cancelled tomorrow, Wednesday, September 12. The expectation is that classes will resume the following day. With the exception of critical services, University offices will run with minimal staffing; those University employees who live nearby and are able to come to work should contact supervisors to offer assistance. Please check this Web site to monitor any changes."

NYU plans on having class tomorrow! I'm sitting here, after witnessing and being surrounded by all this tragedy, and our RA comes by to tell us that "so far classes are going to be held tomorrow" -- despite the fact that five dorms have been evacuated! I don't understand who will possibly be planning on attending -- professors included. I'll keep you posted. I am still numb from all of this.

The latest news from NYU:"City Terrorist Attack Update
Sep. 11, 2001 at 5:40 p.m.

The New York University community grieves over the dreadful terrorist attack on our city; our hearts and thoughts are with those who have been victims of this terrorism. Students who have not yet contacted their family are urged to alert them that you are safe. If you have difficulty gaining access to a phone, phone banks have been established to make calls home, both international and domestic, at Bobst Library's B-level, Coles, the Violet Cafe, and University Hall. Beyond that, students are asked to avoid using phones unless necessary. The computer labs in Tisch Hall, Bobst Library, and Third Avenue North will be open 24 hours to enable you to use e-mail and NYUHome.

All classes and events are cancelled for Tuesday. Consistent with Mayor Giuliani's decision that New York City function as close to normal as possible, all classes will be held Wednesday, September 12. University offices are also expected to be open and employees are asked to report to work, assuming transportation is available. Please check this Web site before leaving for campus to be sure that the situation has not changed.

Obviously, this enormously tragic event has caused great disruption in the City, and we will rely on the members of our community to use their judgment and discretion about making their way to the University.

No NYU facilities were damaged, and no students, faculty, or staff were hurt, as far as we are aware. For that, we are grateful.

Consistent with the City of New York's evacuation of lower Manhattan, the University evacuated all of our residence halls from Broome Street southward. While it is unclear when these facilities will re-open, we will monitor the situation and let you know when information is available. Since it is unlikely this will be tonight, all students who reside in the affected residence halls -- Broome St., Lafayette St., Water St., Cliff St., John St., and The Ocean -- are encouraged to reach out to friends who were not affected to arrange to stay overnight.

Additionally, the University has arranged for the Coles Sports and Recreation Center to be used as a place for students and other members of the NYU community to gather. Counseling services are available there. The University Health Center will also remain open.

Members of NYU's community unable to make alternative overnight arrangements will be accommodated at Coles. It is the University's intention to insure that everyone has a place to spend the night.

The following facilities will also remain open 24 hours as a place for students to gather: The Violet Cafe, Hayden Hall, University Hall, Weinstein Hall, Rubin Hall, and Third Avenue North. Dinner will be provided at these locations tonight, as well as a breakfast Wednesday morning.

Many have expressed a strong desire to assist in whatever way possible in responding to this act of terrorism. Newscasts have carried information about the dire need for blood, and the following facilities may receive donations today and tomorrow: St. Vincent's Hospital (7th Ave. and 12th St.); the New York Blood Center facilities at 150 Amsterdam Ave. at 65th St. and at 310 East 67th St. between 1st and 2nd Ave.; and at a facility setup at the Citicorp Center at 153 East 53rd St. There is a particular need for type O negative blood, and a preference for those who already have donor cards.

The University will continue to provide updates on this Web site, and information is also available by calling (212) 998-1212 or (212) 998-3333. To the greatest extent possible, please use this Web site to obtain updated information to avoid overtaxing the phone system."

Here are some pictures of the disaster. I found them on another weblog. They are some of what I say today from my window in my dorm in New York City.

From a response I sent to an email:

I am okay. I live in an NYU dorm and saw all of these tragic events take place right out my window. I am still in shock and don't really believe what I saw earlier today. Several NYU dorms were evacuated, but luckily no students that we know of have been injured or killed. My thoughts and prayers go out to every one of the victims in this unspeakable tragedy, this attack on America. You can not imagine what its like to look out your window and see a plane crash into the World Trade Center or to then see them collapse to the ground...

Attack in NYC. I'm still okay, but several NYU dorms have been evacuated, including Lafayette, Broom, and Water Street. The dining halls up here are supposed to be open 24 hours. I am still in shock, but I have calmed down a little at least. I got in touch with my parents, who didn't know what had happened. They told me to make sure I stay in my dorm, which I will. I can still see the smoke from the smoldering remains. Classes were finally cancelled at 11am. They don't know who is responsible for this yet. All bridges and other crossings are in lockdown and the subway system is closed. More later.

NYU Still Has Not Closed! This is what's on the website:

"NYU Update Sep. 11, 2001 at 10:50 a.m.

The New York University community grieves for the dreadful terrorist attack on our city; our hearts and thoughts are with those who have been victims of this terrorism.

No University facility has been damaged by the attack on the World Trade Center, and we do not believe at this point that any NYU students, faculty or staff has been injured.

For the time being, classes have not been cancelled by the University with the exception of SCPS classes starting after 6:00 p.m. However, given the events and the level of disruption, members of the University community should use their judgment and discretion about whether to attend classes or events.

The University is establishing a facility to provide services and permit members of the University to gather at the Coles Sports and Recreation Center.

Further updates will be posted on this Web site."

I am watching the world trade center disaster out my window... i saw the second explosion with the plane, and one tower fall after the other. they closed all crossings in and out of NYC and most of the subways. airplanes around the country are grounded. i am still in shock and was crying a little. i still can't get through to my house -- i'm not sure if anyone's home. and they still haven't closed NYU! the streets are packed with people trying to get home and there is a lot of car traffic. other things are happening in DC...

Early morning. Whoa, I woke up relatively early today -- on purpose. I have to do a couple of things before class. Looking out the window though, the World Trade Center isn't there anymore... its in a giant cloud! That's awesome! Just wanted to let you know. :)

Which class should I take? I didn't like the introduction nor the syllabus for my "Sex and Gender" class -- both seemed a little too biased (which the teacher admitted to us). I placed myself on the waitlist for another Sociology course, "Race and Ethnicity," which I had planned on taking next semester. As of right now, though, I am officially registered in both classes, so I need to make a decision relatively soon, before the system decides to arbitrarily de-register me from one class because my credit load is too high. I guess I will have to attend class, read the syllabus, and meet the teacher on Tuesday before I can decide.

I just don't want to get stuck in a class that I may end up hating, while a perfectly interesting and well-taught class goes on without me. Sort of like last semester when I took what had to be the most poorly taught Criminology class. But, that's a whole other story... Which teacher you end up with really makes the difference between a course that is fascinatig and one that has all the life sucked out of it.

Great search resources. I'd have to say Google, BlogFinder, Daypop, and Blogdex have to be the most useful search resources on the Internet, especially when you want to track current events and their coverage.

Another NYU Blogger. I'm not sure what her name is, but her website is called the fifty-minute hour and she is a "student @ NYU and slacker at NYU Office of Student Activities," according to a post. Addendum: According to Bryan, who actually read her about page: "Her name is amy phillips, she's 20, a philosophy major, and from new jersey." Thanks for the heads up, Bryan.

And two others. There is a two-person weblog at kitties.blogspot.com called "nldp" that has an article posted that says it was written for Culture Shock, NYU's weekend arts section. So, hello Trudy Haley and Rinoa Kazenamida! Actually, nope. Bryan pointed out that if I actually had read the article, then I would have noticed they do not, in fact, go to NYU. Oops.

VMA's Promote Product, Little Musical Culture. Salon writes that the MTV Video Music Awards should have come with the tagline 'Rock stars for sale!': "It was all about the product." Talent that seemed soleyl there to promote their new album or their clothing line or XXX included Outkast, Snoop Dog, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, DMX., Macy Gray, and Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, while Wyclef Jean, Britney Spears, and Aerosmith urged viewers to buy Pepsi and Dodge vehicles during the commercial breaks. Thank goodness for Moby, who was devoid of any commercial representation..

Comic Controversy. Lawrence, the openly gay comic strip character from the long-running "For Better or For Worse" comic strip by Lynn Johnston, who stirred up quite a controversy back in 1990 when he was introduced, will return. He is expected to draw more controversy, but not as much as previously: "'But isn't this crazy? You can't show something as ordinary as a little piece of (butt crack) tissue or say strip joint. But when you look at TV, it's so unbelievably graphic.'"

This is... Just not Cricket (a very amusing Flash game).

In the vein of Napster... this time concerning copyrighted images. Do Search Engines Expedite the Theft of Digital Images?: "So the real question is, are there images — or any other works for that matter — that can be legally copied without asking permission? The answer, it turns out, varies..."

Everyone Jump! UK Children Cause Earthquake in Giant Jump: "Fortunately the world didn't split in two as one of the children surveyed before the event believed would happen, nor did the Earth leave the Sun's orbit as feared by another."

Addendum: Also check out the BBC's take on the experiment.

Think beyond Microsoft. You have to wonder if you are even controllign your own online experience when Microsoft controls your mistakes, referring you to their advertising on their website when you type in a domain name incorrectly. Its high time you take back control of your experiences, don't you think?

A great lyrics site... with a streaming karaoke section, for when the need to sing strikes you while in front of your computer, I guess. Anyway, check it out: LetsSingIt.com.