Special Thx
book review: 102 minutes
Well worth the read is 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers. I just finished it and have a quick review linked at Comprehensive Chaos.
Do you remember where you were? Here is the beginning of my quick review:
It was third period, a little after 9:30, our principal interrupts class. “Teachers, if you have access to a radio or television, please turn it on.” My immediate thought, the President has been shot. My television was not connected to the cable outlet. All I had in my room was a radio, so I turn it on and heard that commercial planes had been hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. Shocked and fearful, I looked into the faces of 24, very confused, 11th grade students. We listen for a few minutes and hear that the Pentagon has been attacked as well. One student comments, “What’s the big deal? A plane crashed.” Another student answers that it didn’t just crash, our country has been attacked. Several other students look to me. What do I tell them? I step into the hall, two other teachers are there trying to compose themselves to go back into their room. They are shocked and scared, worried about family. I go back into my room and ask the students to remain seated and quiet, we will listent to the radio. A couple of students ask to work on connecting the cable to the television. I do not remember the rest of the day. I remember the moment we were told to turn on our news source, the student who didn’t understand what the big deal was, and checking with other teachers during the day, but few details. I remember going home and sitting on the couch with my husband, watching the news, and wiping tears away. Our children did not understand. The oldest was only 4. All she knew was some bad men had crashed planes and hurt a lot of people. We tried to limit her exposure to the news.
. . . click here for my thoughts on the book.
102 Minutes
It was third period, a little after 9:30, our principal interrupts class. “Teachers, if you have access to a radio or television, please turn it on.” My immediate thought, the President has been shot. My television was not connected to the cable outlet. All I had in my room was a radio, so I turn it on and heard that commercial planes had been hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. Shocked and fearful, I looked into the faces of 24, very confused, 11th grade students. We listen for a few minutes and hear that the Pentagon has been attacked as well. One student comments, “What’s the big deal? A plane crashed.” Another student answers that it didn’t just crash, our country has been attacked. Several other students look to me. What do I tell them? I step into the hall, two other teachers are there trying to compose themselves to go back into their room. They are shocked and scared, worried about family. I go back into my room and ask the students to remain seated and quiet, we will listent to the radio. A couple of students ask to work on connecting the cable to the television. I do not remember the rest of the day. I remember the moment we were told to turn on our news source, the student who didn’t understand what the big deal was, and checking with other teachers during the day, but few details. I remember going home and sitting on the couch with my husband, watching the news, and wiping tears away. Our children did not understand. The oldest was only 4. All she knew was some bad men had crashed planes and hurt a lot of people. We tried to limit her exposure to the news.
I thought enough time had past that I could read 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers, by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn, without reliving the emotions felt on September 11, 2001. Frequently I had to put the book aside as I imagined the desperation the Twin Tower victims must have felt.
Three stories remain in my mind as I completed this book.
The first is of a father calling 911. He is scared, frantic even, stuck in an elevator in the south tower. Stuck on the 102nd floor he tells the 911 operator, “I am a young man. I have children. I do not want to die.” He pleaded with the operator over and over. “I do not want to die, I do not want to die.” His words are then drowned out by crashing noises, a terrible scream, and then silence. The tower was collapsing.
Stanley Praimnath made his way to the lobby of the south tower less than ten minutes after the first plane’s impact, but was told to return to his office. He answers a phone call in his office. It is a colleague from Chicago wanting to know how he was doing. She asks if he is watching the news. He is and tells her he is fine. As he spins his chair to face the window he sees the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, ships and ferries. Out of the corner of his eye he catches a glimpse of something unfamiliar. Praimnath turns slightly to stare straight at the object. It was the second plane, heading toward his office, his window it seemed. He could make out the red and blue markings and the letter U. He is screaming to God as he dives under his desk, the Chicago colleague still on the phone. Banking slightly at the last second, United Airlines Flight 175 plunged into the south tower. The room was torn to bits, somehow Praimnath was spared, huddled beneath his desk. His journey down is mentioned several times, and yes, he survives.
The third thing that sticks with me after reading this book is the complete disregard for safety surrounding the twin towers. The NYPD and FDNY did not have the best relationship and did not communicate with each other as they should. Communication improving equipment, despite being on hand, was never used. The Port Authority did not meet standards of excellence in building code. The twin towers were not properly reinforced to withstand fire burning for two hours. There were not enough escape routes to evacuate the entire buildings. Doors to the roof were locked. There were serious communication issues between all departments. Individuals who dialed in to 911 were told conflicting instructions. Some were told to evacuate, others were told to stay put. Individuals, such as Praimnath, were told to return to their offices. When it was realized that the structural integrity had been compromised emergency personnel were told to evacuate, but they were not instructed as to the severity of the situation, that the towers were in imminent danger of collapse.
The twin towers can easily be the 21st Century’s Titanic disaster. The marvels of modern construction, the twin towers, were thought to be able withstand the impact of a Boeing 707, the largest plane available when the towers were constructed. In fact, this point had been made only weeks before the towers’ collapse.
So many lives were lost because of ego. So many lives were lost because of lack of communication. So many lives were lost because of a false sense of security.
I could continue on and on about this book. It brings back so many memories from that horrible day in our nation’s history. By far, it is not an easy read. It is an emotional read. It is a work that may even make you angry. However, it is worth it. It is an inside glimpse into the lives of those who lived and died trying to escape the twin towers that day.
How fast can you type?
Found this on Killired‘s blog and thought it was really cool…How fast can you type?
Me? apparently 75/minute according one try!
| speed typing test (c) CalculatorCat.com |
Thursday Thirteen #3
Thirteen Things I love about Djembe
1…He is a provider
2…willing to do what it takes for his family.
3…His dark eyes
4…His dark hair that curls a little at the back when it gets too long.
5…He is willing to help around the house.
6…His Daddy skills.
7…His willingness to put up with my pets.
8…That he secretly loves them too.
9…That he can go to the grocery store and spend less than me, but still get what we need.
10…His warmth.
11…How he recognizes when I need a break.
12…He’s a GREAT cook.
13…He loves me too.
Sappy, I know…but he is one very special person.
***update…there’s proof!***
So I come home from an extremely long day…coaching our mock trial team each night with competition coming up soon. Meals are down on the list of “things I have to get done today”. I try to eat a sensible lunch so it is not a big deal if I skip dinner…or just have a snack bar or something. Anyway, I had started tacos for the family to eat and then had to leave to meet my students. Djembe finished the tacos, AND left my serving for when I got home. I hate to eat late, but being a little hungry I gave in to the urge…It was yummy! See, that’s the sweet guy I chose.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Wendys Whimsies
2. Astrocoz
3. Too Many Kids!
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Thank you, thank you very much!
OK, maybe just yellojkt. Thanks for the encouragement to spend the month of January enjoying a good book. I was able to get through several…The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Skipping Christmas, and several that classify as brainless reading. I plan to continue reading for pleasure, but will now begin adding historical works to supplement my reading enjoyment. Kontan jou, and thanks for stopping by!
It’s a beautiful mornin’!
The sun is shining, reflecting off the water. The kids are playing semi-nicely. Froggy has a friend over to spend the day doing all the wonderful things that 9 year old girls like to do. It is a happy birthday, no questions asked, do what you want to do day for them. They will have a 5 year old tag along, but hey, we’ll have fun. I just can’t get over the beautiful day though. It has been so nasty for the last few days. Rain, rain, and rain…better than some folks have it…
Here’s hoping for a great day with the kiddies and for great pics to show for it! 
***We had a really good day. The girls played around the house this morning then we headed to the mall for lunch…not crowded! woohoo!!! After Sbarro (blah) we saw Nanny McPhee. Really cute movie. Attention is captured early in the movie and maintained throughout. The previews to Curious George are adorable. Jack Johnson does the music. I really like his mellow style. After that I let them play in the mall gameroom for a bit…OK, I will admit that I enjoyed it as well. I rarely allow the girls to waste money in a gameroom. We have a perfectly good game system at home! But today was part of froggy’s fun day so I made an exception. I had a great time playing the snowboarding game…only one token too! No, I did not try Dance Dance Revolution. After wasting money at the game room they chose not the convenience of going through the mall to the put-n-glow, but instead wanted to drive across town to skate. Off we go. I though tweety was going to come home black and blue all over, but she quickly got the hang of it. She is rather good on her roller blades at home, but I guess they do not go nearly as fast as the rented skates. I’m thinking that may become our play date activity and I’ll be taking my blades to play too.
Have a great weekend everyone!
How do you relax?
There are just some days (weeks, months, years) that you just need to put everything aside and relax. Everyone relaxes in different ways though. My husband gets comfy in his chair, our cat usually joins him, and turns on the tv. He will rest comfortably and unwind. I can’t relax too well with the TV. I have a friend who goes for a run. I enjoy playing my trumpet, and it relieves tension, but it does not relax me. I also like to hike or take a brisk walk with music in my ear. However, nothing relaxes like a bath and a good book in my large garden tub filled with hotter than warm water. Sometimes an additional fizz ball aroma therapy is great. It is really the warmth of the water that makes me relax. It doesn’t have to be a long bath, but those sure are nice. How do you relax?
Haven’t forgotten
Thanks for stopping by, I haven’t forgotten this blog. I have taken a lot of time off from research and such. It has been wonderful to enjoy various novels. I must recommend The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Touching story, quick read.
Currently I am reading 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn. It details various stories of the fight to escape the Twin Towers on 9/11. Less than 100 pages in, but I am shocked by the nonchalant attitude of some when the planes hit and everyone thought it was just a bomb. Many recalled the 1993 attack and the struggle to get downstairs in the thick black smoke. More on this when I finish.
The other work I will start soon is The Lincolns in the White House: Four Years That Shattered A Family by Jerrold M. Packard.
Check back and kontan jou!
Thursday 13
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Thirteen Things that annoy the snot out of me:
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Durn groundhog. According to punxsutawney phil we must endure six more weeks of bad weather. Couldn’t the giant rat just close his eyes for one stinkin year and say winter is over lets head to the beach? I shouldn’t complain. Winter here has been rather mild. Of course, we really do not get going good until February. It is not unheard of to have to take a snow day just before or just after spring break! NOOOOOO! *sigh* I’m ready for warm. I’m ready for sunshine. (I’m not ready for hot.) It really isn’t so bad, but days like today where it is rainy, yuck, and dreary I miss the warm sunshine that spring brings. I’m also ready for the cold season to pass. *sniff* Back to work…
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