About an hour ago, I saw frumiousb’s post asking if the Londoners she knows are ok. It was the first I’d heard of the six or more explosions in London’s subway and bus systems and reminded me of September 11, 2001.

It was already nighttime in Japan when that morning in New York City began. I was posting on my cross stitch discussion board and waiting for Marv to get home from work. When I refreshed the page, I saw a post asking if anyone had seen what was happening in NYC. Not knowing what she was talking about, I immediately turned on the TV and saw the second plane hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m. Eastern Time. My parents in California didn’t even know what had happened until I called them.

I was filled with dread for days and weeks. The following day, I went to a Japanese friend’s house and wore red, white, and blue (I’m sure nobody caught on to that). I had wanted to stay home and watch the news obsessively and I should have. My friend didn’t have the TV on at all and was basically not interested in knowing all the gory details.

Reviewing the 9/11 timeline brings back feelings of horror, fear, and disgust. What kind of depraved sicko conducts these acts of terrorism every day around the world? I feel so helpless.

NB: Earlier in the day, I was disgusted by the federal judge’s decision to jail NY Times journalist, Judith Miller, for refusing to betray an anonymous source. As soon as I get the chance, I’ll be buying her books - Germs and God Has Ninety-Nine Names. That’s the least I can do to support someone who is protecting our First Amendment rights.