September 14, 2001

Where to begin. I’m very tired because frankly, I haven’t been doing a lot of sleeping lately. Earl and I have been watching coverage of the terrorist attacks non-stop and it’s really gets your brain running when you’re trying to fall asleep at night!

I am very proud of America. I am very proud to be an American. With all the flags wavin’, all the candles that are lit, all the signs and such that simply say “God Bless America”, it’s hard not to get choked up driving down the street. It’s good to feel the American people band together again. But I guess that’s what we do best.

I’m a little perturbed at the media. They are doing there best to report what’s happening, but at times I shout at the television “Shut UP ALREADY!” I mean, what good does it do to ask some high government official? “So Mr. Blah Blah, exactly where will we strike first when we go to war?” I mean, let’s just tell our enemies what we’re doing beforehand. And then statements like “President Bush will be in New York at 11:48 a.m.” Great! Let’s just tell our attackers where to find the most powerful man on the planet. For God’s sake, shut up and let’s try to use some common sense on what we’re reporting! And there’s no reason to show those poor victims jumping from the World Trade Center. There was NO reason for that. Journalism? NO. Sensationalism? Absolutely.

Another thing that I don’t understand are these local rent-a-cop installations that are mad that the government is stepping in with airport security. Hello?!? Have you done a shitty job for the past ten years and now we’re finally paying for it? With all the video of security guards snoozing while guns pass by on the x-ray, people in wheelchairs sitting on a machine gun and not getting stopped or undercover CIA agents breezing right through a door and onto the tarmac, I think it’s very safe to say that the current system isn’t working. And who are the American people to think that they should just come breezing into an airport two minutes before flight time, jump on a plane directly from the curb, no questions asked, not pay any attention to what the flight attendants may demonstrate regarding safety rules and then get pissy when the steak tastes like chicken. The Federal government should take over all airport security. I think the passengers should have to get to the airport 2 to 3 hours ahead of time so that full security measures can be taken. I think armed guards should be walking around airports. Screw customer service and trying not to inconvenience the passenger. Get the passenger to their destination SAFELY, and let the rent-a-cops work at McDs. Enough of the soapbox.

I did something I’m very proud of today. I left work, unannounced, went to a local party supply store, and bought a huge 5’x8′ flag. A bunch of us hung it from the 16th floor at work for the whole city to see. You can’t miss it, you can even see it from the Thruway.

Beard progress is moving along nicely, as we are now on day 20.

I also grew a little fuzz on my head to make the beard seem more even. As you can see by my eyes, the allergies have been going wild! ๐Ÿ™‚

Earl and I went to one of our favorite restaurants tonight, Casa Too Mucha. I had some wicked spicy Cajun Shrimp, and it was great. Also a glass of merlot, that knocked me off my keister a bit! ๐Ÿ™‚ I don’t drink hardly at all, and when I do, it knocks me for a loop.

I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend.