How perceptions can differ. As a child of rural New England, I hated New York and all it represented. Not just the Yankees … When, after a decade in the southern hemisphere, I returned to the United States and found open courtesy everywhere. Except in New York (and Boston). “Whaddaya want?”

Then, after 9/11, it all changed. At least New York did. Or seemed to from the outside. I became ashamed of Boston, because while New York seemed to become more civilized, Boston got more rude, more aggro.

Portland, Maine just seemed to want to dig a hole and hide in it. Which was hard because of all the New Yorkers who suddenly decided it was time to cash in and move to a lighthouse on the Gulf of Maine. “The Way Life Should Be”.

Qapla’! and be well.

Before 9/11 the only view I had of the New York City skyline was from the top floor of my home in New Jersey. On any day I could look out the window and see the upper 30 floors of the WTC. When both buildings disappeared from view that horrible morn…

Might have to begin guest posts later

Thanks for all your comments

I found your blog at blogexplosion and love it, especially the layout. Have a good day!
D.

That day, everyone in New York was a participant. Now it’s like, if you don’t happen to fit one of the roles – “Widow”, “Orphan”, “Hero” – well, you’ve sort of been relegated to “audience” and here, here’s what happened, here’s how you’re supposed to respond…

best thing you can do is just don’t pay attention to the circus & keep trying to make sense of it (although I don’t know if I’ll ever really be able to “make sense” of it, that’s just the easiest way to describe the process of…well, of processing…) your own way. And maybe talking about how you’re doing that will help people that weren’t there see past the packaging & remember that it was all so much more than any ONE media production can begin to capture…

shoot. Does any of that even make sense?

great post, as usual

i agree with you that 9/11 left wounds that do nothing but fester, but we will only continue to be victimized by all that ugliness if we allow ourselves to be. i have no intention of doing that, and i’m proud of you for understanding the fact that you cannot, either! all the events of your life, both big and small, have provided you with a unique view worthy of self and/or social commentary. yours is a voice to be celebrated, not stifled! thank goodness you’re not allowing that to happen. xox