day 2

Tried to give blood this morning at the local Clinical Center - as I predicted they were accepting donations at my job. Unfortunately (or not?) they had filled all of their available storage by around 10 am (!) and said to try back in the next few days, or next week. Which I will do. I think its WONDERFUL that so many people responded so quickly to the request for blood donations, but I do feel like I ought to be doing SOMETHING to help and I don't know what else I can do, other than donate blood.

I have been in contact with most of my friends and family, and they know I'm ok. And I am reassured that they are ok - I know some folks who have to fly fairly often and gratefully none were currently traveling.

I did have a few shocks as I thought about all this though:

I have an aunt who lived in NYC 20+ years ago. She worked in one of the WTC towers.

I have another relative who worked in the Pentagon until a couple of years back when he retired.

I had a friend who lived in downtown DC until a few weeks ago, when she moved to another state. Never thought I'd say it but I'm so glad she no longer lives in the city proper!

This just feels like so many close shaves.

Strangely though, life does go on as usual to a large degree. Work was still work today - the only topic of water-cooler conversation are yesterdays events but work is still getting done. I still have a chiropractor appointment after work. I still have plans for the weekend, but I haven't decided how many of them I'll keep, given that they involve crowds (read: targets). I just don't like the idea of being in enclosed, heavily populated buildings like shopping malls and movie theaters just now.

I am tremendously glad I have no plans to fly anywhere anytime soon.