Not stressed or just denial

[Big Tuna]

I was listening to the radio this morning, and there was a therapist on saying that there are a lot of people running around with post traumatic stress even up here in western Canada. She compared it to a large tornado we had in the city a while ago; she said now even now, almost 15 years later, we look at the skys a little differently when a storm moves in.
My wife and I are considering our first baby, but this terrorism has put a new twist on things. It hasn't changed our minds at all, but it sure makes you think about your mortality a little more. As much as we would like to deny that this has shaken our foundation; I think there are a lot more people taking that extra look over there shoulder. My question is has this made anybody else change there plans or deviate from there everyday schedule? Or have you noticed the people around you a little more stressed?

 

[canucklehead]

Well, I finally got off my butt and made my will. Not necessarily because I'm afraid of terrorism, but more because I don't want the government to touch one red cent! Let alone my house. But yes, the Sept. 11 events will (and should) change everyone's attitude in some way. Walking downtown to work in the morning, I still think how huge the WTC was and how scary it must have been for people watching them collapse.

Dave

 

[Wolf]

not stressed AND denial

I am flying all over the place right now. I refuse to be stressed and I am clearly in denial.
I can tell at every airport right now. People act differently. Honestly, once I get back home (Friday) I don't have to fly anymore (different job), I guess I am glad as I think it will do wonders for my mind.
I am currently in Europe and I can honestly say that none of my friends seem to be overly worried and they are definitely not changing their lifes. Aware? Yes! Cautious? Yes! Pissed Off? Yes! But none of them seem to be willing to let it get to them!
My advice? Work on having a baby!!!!:D

 

[Okiewan]

I picked-up a WTC memorial calendar (some of the cost donated to the twin towers fund). Looking thru the fantastic photo's is pretty tough. To this day, I still can't believe what we all saw on the 11th. Just another morning, getting ready for work, watching the news like every other day. That was the last day of our innocence and the first day of "something else". Some things will never be the same, that doesn't mean we won't learn to live with it.

It's happened before. The "happy go lucky" times of Leave it to Beaver where pretty much ruined with the nuke scare, bomb shelters, rooting-out the commies, etc. The Nation got over it. I wasn't around then (although some would have you believe I was), so I can't compare it to what's going on now, but I'll assume the recent events have shocked us all in a worse way.

 

[JPIVEY]

Originally posted by Big Tuna
My question is has this made anybody else change there plans or deviate from there everyday schedule? Or have you noticed the people around you a little more stressed?

In the first couple weeks I would have to say yes it did play havic on the everyday schedule,but things have returned to somewhat normal. As far as the stress goes, I don't see it here with the people I work with, but what's going on is a topic most everyday.

Personally, up to 9/11 I rode 2-3 times a week;In the first couple of weeks after I could not even look at my bike without feeling guilty,before if the whole family could'nt go out on the weekends I still would, now if they don't go nether will I, it just doesn't seem to be that important,I rather stay with my wife and kiddies ( I sick huh )

 

[XRpredator]

I haven't changed any plans, but I have had to explain more stuff to a very curious 6-year old. We got a note from his teacher saying that some of the kids in his class were worried that the Taliban may drop bombs on our podunk town. I've told him that he shouldn't worry about that stuff and just worry about being a kid.

Since I've never seen the WTC in person, it is still hard for me to fathom it being gone. What really hits home is seeing the guys that were there tell their stories, and the widows tell theirs on that Third Watch special the other night. And then they listed the names of all the firemen/police/port authority/etc. that died in the rescue efforts. That list went on for almost five minutes . . .

I guess one way that I've been affected is that I always drop at least a dollar in every Red Cross donation cup I come across.

 

[JuliusPleaser]

The magnitude of what happened didn't hit me until I looked through a copy of "Time" magazine that was filled with photographs of the disaster. Some of the pics were rather graphic in their detail, and some of those are etched in my mind forever.

I've had a tough time shaking some of the images. That's one of the pitfalls of the intense media coverage--it's impossible to avoid seeing WTC footage.

I rode at a local track on the Saturday following the 11th. There were only three of us riding that day. Normally there are at least 20 people there.

 

[bbbom]

The next to the last SX race here was held on September 15th and they said that they had considered postponing it but felt it was more important to just go on with our lives.

They had a big tribute to the WTC and the flag presentation was very formal. They had the American Flag at the finish line as usual except it was at half mast.

All in all, things are pretty much normal around here. I know myself, I think about my kids even more than I did before but we are pretty much doing what we have always done.

You are right Julius, some of those pics are almost mesmerizing and not in a good way. :(

 

[Okiewan]

The pics shouldn't go away.

 

[XRpredator]

Originally posted by Okiewan
The pics shouldn't go away.

No, they shouldn't. But I don't like the bloodsuckers that make money off of the images. If money is to be made, it should go to the Red Cross or other relief funds.

 

[lawman]

the pics that got me the most were the 1s of the people jumping so they wouldn't burn to death. i don't see how anybody who saw those can think we're acting immorally in hunting down the bad guys. i also think they made a mistake by blasting the pentagon; now those guys aren't just doing their jobs, they are getting a little personal payback.

it's amazing to me that people are panicking about the terrorism. the most dangerous thing most people do is drive to work. even this anthrax stuff--3 people are sick, 1 dead (won't happen again since we know what it is) & you can cure it with antibiotics, provided the panickers don't overdo it & make the germs resistant--THAT'S the best they can do? 42,000+ a year die in traffic accidents, 40% of those caused by alcohol. i'm embarassed for the people who are panicking.

i say you should have the new baby.

 

[Big Tuna]

Some of the pics were rather graphic in their detail, and some of those are etched in my mind forever.

JP, you said it. I got half way through and put it down. You know how they say passing by a car wreck you can't help but stare; those pics took me beyond that, and it wasn't just grief that I felt those images really stirred up a lot of anger. I'm sure the images are nothing compared to the reality:(

 

[JuliusPleaser]

The pics of people jumping are the hard ones to shake. One of the photos in "Time" was a long shot of people who were jumping. It was still close enough to see that some of them were holding hands as they jumped. What a horrible choice to have to make--Burn to death or fling yourself out of a hundred story building...

The pics should NOT be withheld though. Everyone in this world should see the horror that was September 11th. I still can't imagine feeling the kind of hatred that would bring someone to commit these acts. Is it hatred...or insanity?

 

[Big Tuna]

I agree these pictures should not be withheld, but, I'm not a parent yet, is all of this graphic easy access information healthy for the younger children. Like XRP said there's a lot more explaining going on in his home. I wonder how much information is being shared in the schools especially at the elementary level?