Never a dull moment here in Manhattan
So, yesterday I was on the phone with Duchess. I walked in to my bedroom to start packing for my trip and there was a LARGE explosion that shook my building I looked out the window and saw a huge fireball and realized immediately that a plane had hit the building across the street from me. I watched in horror for a second as windows blew out and burnt pieces of paper started flying through the air.
I proceeded to freak out. I must say I am quite disappointed in my reaction. I basically hung up on poor Duchess and started to hysterically cry. (I called her back about ten minutes later to explain what was going on, but still- can you imagine being on the phone with your friend and all of a sudden they freak out and say "A PLANE JUST HIT THE BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME! I HAVE TO GO!"?)
I dialed 911 several times with shakey hands but I couldn't get through.
I was watching the building. Watching the smoke get worse. And it occurred to me that I should stop watching in case people started jumping.
Then the phone started ringing. Both my home phone and my cell phone rang all day. I must say my friends could not be more awesome. They called and emailed all day to check on me. Some even called several times. They knew I was alone yesterday (The husband was on call last night). They knew what it must have been like for me to see a plane fly into a building. They didn't judge me or say I was over-reacting when they called and I was sobbing. And they kept calling me until 10pm last night. They offered up their offices and apartments. I love them all.
It didn't occur to me to leave until the smoke started to get very think and black and I could smell the fumes. Being pregnant put a whole new spin on the situation. I took a 2 minute shower to wash of all of the nervous sweat. Then I went down to the 16th floor to my friends' apartment (I live on the 32nd floor). By this time the smoke had calmed down so I went across the street to the hospital just so I could give my husband a hug.
Once I found out it was an accident I felt 100 times better. I can't say I didn't have bad dreams last night, but I'm feeling much better today.
In a few hours I leave for my trip to Chicago and Indianapolis.
Along the way I will meet up with Bucky, Jessica Rabbit, Nick, Melissa, and Schnozz.
It's going to be a blogger festival!
Thanks to the new laptop I should be able to check in from time to time.
Comments
Oh Torrie I was watching it on the news and thinking about you but it didn't occur to me you'd be close enough to see and smell it. I know what you mean about the relief. It's awful that people were killed but my sister's visting NY again in a week or so and my immediate thought was, "oh not again". I'm glad you're OK. :)
Posted by: Platypus | October 12, 2006 11:31 AM
So glad you're okay, hon. How very scary for you.
Posted by: LadyBug | October 12, 2006 11:41 AM
Holy crap! That is SOOOOO scary. I am so glad you are ok.
Posted by: Von Krankipantzen | October 12, 2006 12:24 PM
geez i can't imagine. Take it easy, glad you're OK.
Posted by: janasayqua | October 12, 2006 12:27 PM
Have a safe trip! I think we have had all the excitement we can handle for one week.
Posted by: Duchess | October 12, 2006 12:41 PM
How incredibly scary. I'm so glad you're ok and it wasn't what so many people probably assumed that it was.
Have a safe trip and please say "Hi" to Bucky and Jess for me :-)
Posted by: Suzie | October 12, 2006 01:28 PM
WOW, right across the street? Insane!
Safe trip!
Posted by: Hemlock | October 12, 2006 01:37 PM
Wait! You're going to be in Indy? When??!!
(soooo glad you're feeling better)
Posted by: candace | October 12, 2006 01:39 PM
Wow.. So glad ur ok.
P.S your post gave me the sniffles, I don’t know if listening to Cold Play’s "fix you" helped either. hehe.
Posted by: Samantha | October 12, 2006 02:53 PM
My God, you live just across the street from that building?! WOW! I would have freaked too!
Posted by: Mrs. Dr. Dave | October 12, 2006 04:59 PM
The first thing I said to my husband when I saw the plane crash was 'Oh no! Torrie lives in a highrise in Manhattan.' I was worried and checked your blog, then filckr and saw a comment you had left only a few minutes earlier and I knew you were ok. I can't believe it was across the street from you! I would have freaked out a little too.
Have a fun and safe trip!
Posted by: blurry | October 12, 2006 07:20 PM
You know, I heard that on the news, and I thought- wow- hope that wasn't near Torrie- and I had the strangest premonition it *was*. Couldn't shake it. But then I thought, it's ok, she's in Chicago...
Hope you and your little family are ok. Happy cell replication thoughts to your womb.
Posted by: jen | October 13, 2006 07:31 AM
That was across the fucking street from you? Holy shit girl.
Posted by: southernfriedgirl | October 13, 2006 09:31 AM
Whoa! across the street?..I would have totally freaked too!
Posted by: pam | October 13, 2006 01:03 PM
Wow, freaky.
I'll gladly admit to the fact that I would probably still be huddled on a heap on thefloor - you are a brave lady, my darling.
To everyone affected by the accident, many blessings
Posted by: song | October 14, 2006 02:32 AM
stunned. relieved.
so sorry you had to endure that. so glad that you have so much support.
Posted by: greenie | October 16, 2006 09:29 AM
HOLY CRAP! I am so glad you are ok. Excellent that you have great support around you.
Posted by: Tanya | October 16, 2006 09:35 PM
wow.
And again, hope you're having fun! give Jess a big kiss for me... and Bucky too, OF COURSE.
Posted by: Annejelynn | October 18, 2006 12:50 PM
SHIT AND FUCKIN A! I haven't been on your site for a week or so and CRAP I DIDN'T REALIZE that that was right across from you! I am SO glad that it wasn't your apartment, and I am glad that you are okay! I hope you got to take an elevator down to the 16th floor and didn't have to walk! Crap! That is crazy! My sister lives in Brooklyn and it freaked me out enough just thinking it was that close to her. I can't imagine if it had happened right NEXT DOOR to her. Then I would really have freaked out.
Posted by: Snickrsnack Katie | October 27, 2006 09:50 AM
God, that must've been horrible to see... I used to live in NYC, and when I heard about it (all the way across the fuckin country) I STILL flipped out. Four years since I moved, and I still lost it. Started flashing back to 9/11 and half a dozen other things. It was horrible, and it must've been terrifying to actually see that happen. I'm so sorry.
I'm glad you're okay, and I hope the whole situation down there has been remedied (at least to an extent).
Ta,
~Tamora
By the way, no - I don't know you.
I'm just pissed, so I looked up "aargh," "dammit," "apple-knocking pig fuckers" and "I hate everything."
Google has some strange shit. :)
Posted by: Tamora | November 12, 2006 03:36 AM