A visit to Lower Manhattan and other recent accomplishments

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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I finally went back to the site of the World Trade Center today. Well, not exactly to the site because you can’t get very close, but I got as close as civilians can. It was an odd experience because there wasn’t anything to see. I expected it to be emotional in some way, but there was just… nothing. Literally. I know it’s been said a zillion times, but it is very odd to see nothing where those towers used to be.

When I got to the barrier with the “best” view, I started talking to one of the military-type folks guarding the site. I told him that I used to work in the building and asked him what it was like at ground zero. He said it was bad. While we were talking, a plume of dust or smoke billowed up at the site. Apparently, that happens now and then as the workers reach a new pocket. As I was about to leave, the man I was speaking with shook my hand, hugged me and wished me well. I thanked him for the work he’s doing.

In other getting-back-to-normal news, I finally (finally!) started working out again after a long hiatus. Bringing this element of control (and self-control) back into my life feels even better than my first visit south of 10th St.

Due to the ongoing gravy train in our temporary office space (free lunch every day) I’ve managed to gain back all the weight I’d lost on the “office destroyed in a terrorist attack” diet. Ah, well.

I had a great lunch with Pucette at Vong on Tuesday. If that doesn’t sound like much of an accomlishment, you’ve never tasted Peking duck that’s so tender you can practically eat a whole breast with chopsticks. And the desserts… Thai tiramisu with chocolate sauce and homemade whipped cream. Fruit salad with white pepper ice cream and candied rose petals. Rose petals! Don’t even get me started on the soup.

And finally, this is my 500th post. :slight_smile:

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Congrats on 500 Vix. Glad to hear that you are working and eating.

I know a lot of people thought they were kind of on the ugly side but I really miss the Twins. Sometimes when I look towards downtown I feel disoriented and it takes a second to realize why or when I’ve been out late and I take a cab home to Brooklyn. When we go over the Manhattan bridge I look at the Brooklyn bridge and skyline behind it and the view really bothers me now.

I haven’t been to the site. I don’t have the guts go there. Before I moved to NYC, I came here and visited a couple of times. so of course I went to the (then) tallest building in the world. Now I pull out the old photos of the view from the observation deck and look at them and it breaks my heart to think that I never see those views again.

Is it weird to mourn for a building?

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{{{vix}}}

That’s all, I just wanted to give you a hug. Wish I could give you one in person (I’m gonna try to get up there before January; I’ll call ya iffen I do). Glad things are starting to get back closer to normal. Love ya, sweetie.

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Thanks, you guys.

I was scared, too, Zebra, but as I said, there so little to see that it wasn’t as horrifying as I expected it to be. I think maybe I expected it to be equally as frightening as the last time I was there. Heaven forbid.

Geobabe - if you ever need a place to crash in NYC, my futon is yours. And thanks.

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I’m proud of you for being so brave. I don’t know if I could this soon. And that sounds like a fabulous lunch! Glad for you that the free ones at work aren’t that good or you’d be built like me in no time!

{{{{{vix}}}}}

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This cracked me up for some reason. Probably because I’m sick.

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vix, we’ve only met once (at ChiDope part I), and only emailed in passing, but if you need anything, drop me a line. I can’t offer much more than a friendly ear, but if you need it, I will listen. I still can’t get it in my head that the Towers are no more, and so I’m sorry that you had to go through it.

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“Ground Zero” is on my way to work. I pass it every day, twice. I feel a mix of sadness and anger every time. I have seen old pictures lately, and am amazed at how tall those things really were.

Unfortunately, the image of the towers forever etched in my mind is of standing at the bottom of the towers, looking up, watching them burn. Now they are just gone. The smell permeates all of lower Manhattan on a bad day. They are burning rubber to mask the smell, from what I understand. Not sure this helps. Death-smell + Burning-Rubber-smell is better than Death-smell alone???

I’m usually a pacifist, but these days I find myself getting real mad twice a day, and I’ve shed more tears in the last month than in the last 5 years before that. It’s fucked up. They attacked my backyard, my home, my friends, my country, and the country’s economy. The more I pass the site of destruction, the more I have unenlightened fantasy about the death of those who would encourage such a thing. It really does suck to see that site.

Vix, have fun tonight. A huge comfort to me is seeing New Yorkers still having fun. The first weeks after the tragedy, it was almost as if people felt guilty when they laughed or had fun. But we owe it to all those who are gone to make the very best of this beautiful city while we have the chance. Knock down a pitcher for me, will ya’s?

DaLovin’ Dj

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Hey Vixy!

I am glad to hear that things are going towards normal for you. I cannot imagine what you’ve been through. Hopefully I’ll get to see you again soon since I am moving to the Boston area in a couple of weeks and plan to make lots of trips to the big NYC (I’ve never been there!).

If there’s anything you need…
Joey

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Glad to hear things are slowly improving for you, VIX. Where’s your new offices (not the address, obviously, but roughly speaking)? Has the move screwed up your commute? Are you there permanently or just for now?

It sounds trite, but going to lunch, going out to dinner, living your life – those are all victories, you know? So keep going, and remember that lots and lots of Dopers are thinking of you.

Best from Seattle – Jodi

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It’s good to go back sometimes.

Hell, I am considering moving there in May.

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(((vix)))

Hey, woman! I hope your visit helped make some kind of peace. Glad to know you are eating, drinking, and back in some kind of routine. Give my boy an extra hug tonight. We missed you at ChiDope this weekend.

Hopefully I’ll see you in January.

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I’m like Zebra, I haven’t worked up the courage to go down there yet. It’s still freaky enough to look south and see … nothing.

I’m looking forward to seeing you (Vix) in about um … two hours? And all the other NY Dopers. New Yorkers have been magnificent through the long haul on this one. And so many people across the country have been excellent. I got two notes (actual notes! not email notes!) from Dopers I have never met, and I just about cried as I read them.

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Good on ya, Vix (even if you were in the neighborhood and didn’t email me for lunch ::sniff::).

It couldn’t have been easy, and I’m proud of you for going down there. I hope things are going well for you.

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vix, it sounds like you are getting back on track. fantastic!

i’m not from nyc so i was able to go to the site sooner than you did. the quiet in the area is very unsettling. the sadness comes more from the people around you than seeing the site. the woman next to me started sobbing as soon as she saw the parts of the building. it was seeing her, more than ground zero that got to me. also the firehouse between battery park and south street seaport, the pictures there…

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My mom, a veritable font of wisdom, always says, “Life is short, but it is wide. This too shall pass.” And then she gives me a big hug. It always comforts me. Life is short - too short sometimes - that’s a lesson we’ve all learned after September 11. A month later, I’m still affected by what happened - I know it will affect me for the rest of my life in ways I can’t even imagine. But we’ve still got to eat delicious food and smile and realize that life is good and beautiful and we’re blessed to be here.

So Vix, read my mom’s wise offering again and {{{{Vix}}}}. All the comforts of home. :slight_smile:

My mom also says: Keep you chin up, kiddo skiddo, keep smiling and cover your ass. Same to you, friend. I can’t wait to see you in January.

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Hi again,

Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to everyone, but I no longer have email access at work.

dropzone - I don’t know if it was bravery so much as compulsion. I was headed to dinner in Chinatown and when I got off the train at Canal I just had to go to the site. Obviously, I’m glad I did.

Superdude - Thanks for the kind offer. I appreciate it.

DJ - Will do on the fun and beer. Sorry you can’t make it tonight.

Joey - I would love to get together in NY! At a minimum, you’ll have to join our Thursday night dinners. (Hey, that goes for all NYC Dopers!)

Jodi - My new (temporary) office is in midtown. My commute is a bit longer, but not terrible. Within the next couple of weeks, our office is moving again, and my commute gets even longer, but it’s still not too bad. Although I’m not a fan of midtown, I’m trying to look on the bright side by taking the opportunity to explore the neighborhood. Especially the restaurants.

Maeglin - Um, you’re moving where? Huh?

Mags - I’m so looking forward to your visit! I read the most recent ChiDope thread and was green with envy. Sounds like you guys had a ball.

delphica - Yup, everyone has been great. All of my friends should get medals for putting up with me. :slight_smile:

manny - Next time, I will definitely email you. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be down there every day. Ick.

rocking chair - You’re so right. Seeing so few people on the streets was unsettling.

Sarah - Thanks to you and your mom for the wise words. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Thanks again, everyone!

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Vix honey, us Jews are here for you!!

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My boss, an Amex VP (we’re the Facilities department), went to our building down there for the first time since the 11th on Tuesday. We are, of course, right across the street, and our building was significantly damaged (but isn’t going to fall down). I was in New York for the first time in three years when it happened, and I saw everything from about two seconds after the first explosion. Naturally, I had to ask him about it. My boss is not normally subdued, but he was that day. He said the site is a big mud puddle, essentially, and that, of course, the smoke is still billowing. He didn’t mention the smell. Talking about our building, he said, first of all, that “the Winter Garden is toast.” Which I expected. We have a gaping hole where there used to be a walkway to the north Tower. We have dust and debris on every floor from 26 down (27 up are, apparently, miraculously unaffected and, working on them, you wouldn’t know anything was wrong.) There are enormous pieces of steel still sticking out of the front of the building. And, best of all, we have rats in our food service areas!

I know that I’m not as deeply affected as the New Yorkers among us. vix, manny and all the rest - I feel for you.

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I don’t think so. I don’t live in NYC, and haven’t been there in quite a while, but I have always loved the skyline. The last time I saw it was on a trip to Rhode Island this past summer and I saw it in the distance on a beautiful July morning. I hadn’t been in the WTC since I was 12, and we ate at Windows on the World.

But I cried when the towers fell, and I hate that they’re not there anymore.

I’m going to NYC for the first time in years this Saturday. I will go to Ground Zero, because my destination is near there. I’m just hoping I don’t break down in tears in front of my friends.

Sheri