Take a look at my 9/11 Remembered article that I wrote last year for the 3rd-year anniversary while attending a memorial service at Ground Zero.

I'm so glad that I do not have to go to such an up-close event again. Just reading over it takes me back to the raw emotion that I witnessed. I also felt like a real shit for intruding on the moment. You'll notice I didn't quote people who lost direct family members, I just couldn't approach them and interfere with their grief.

From my fire escape you can see the honorary lights representing the towers, but from this angle, directly north, it looks like one light and not two. You used to be able to see the real towers from this window though. After 9/11, before I lived at this address, my landlord couldn't come back to the apartment for several weeks since many of the buildings below 14th Street were off limits until the dust settled and debris cleared.

The Postman Always Rings ... the Dead?
I spent this gorgeous Saturday morning in Westchester, New York, visiting my Nanny and then stopping by the cemetery to see my dad and sister's grave. It is a beautiful cemetery actually, up on a grassy hill with lots of trees and sunlight. We once saw deer walking around. Although the prettiest cemetery I have ever seen is in Mystic, CT, there's a large stone archway and iron gates, weeping willow trees and located along the water. I wouldn't mind having my ashes buried there in the way distant future. Yes, I have a morbid fascination with cemeteries. Most likely because I used to visit my sister's stone with my mother since I was a little kid. I even have a photo of me when I'm 5 or so in a purple Easter dress in front of Serina's grave. We'll analyze that another day ;) actually I believe my mother was hoping to find something special in the photo once she got it developed.

Anyway so I'm squinting from the sun and picking at the weeds in front of their plot while chatting away about recent events in my life and trying to keep my emotions in check. Some visits I want to cry when I'm there and other's I'd rather just feel tranquil, reflective and dry eyed. Just when I was about to give in to self pity, a United States Postal truck wobbles up the drive. It took me a second to do a double take. There isn't an office or anything nearby and I doubt the residents located here are still reading mail, and unless the mailman knows a forwarding address that I'm not aware of the sight definitely looked out of place.

The man of course was visiting a loved one too, but I couldn't help but giggle at the sight of a postman possibly making deliveries to the cemetery, effectively banishing my blues :P
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DVD Review: My latest DVDFanatic.com staff review is up Frasier- The Complete Sixth Season .

Hung Over and on Camera
I'm hung over from last night's 5th year company anniversary party. Even worse is that I had an 8 a.m. graduate course this morning and then hustled back to work by noon to finish out the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, my coworker PJ, who sits in the cubicle next to me and likes annoying me by playing funny 80s ringtones, had his reality TV show crew at the office for a follow-up filming.

OK let me explain, last month, PJ took two weeks off of work to be in an upcoming reality show where he learned how to improve his dating skills. He also got to live in a $20 million penthouse in Manhattan. Since he wants to be a comedian and does stand up, we're hoping it will help his entertainment career. Anyway back to me ;) there was a boom mike over my head and a camera interviewing PJ in the cubicle next door. Then I did a little bit in the kitchen with PJ in front of the camera and they also interviewed me at my desk, asking me how he changed after coming back from the reality show. Yeah, I wish I did not look exhausted or felt like shit. Whatever. The show is hoping to get picked up in October and will probably air some time next year. I'll keep you posted.

Just in time to be too late
I took the local subway train to work today, since I was too lazy to continue to wait on the crowded platform for the express to arrive. Especially after having just missed the express by mere seconds due to a woman in high heels who decided to take up the whole stairway tiptoeing and teetering down the steps. I swear I almost pushed her down them. I don't mind if people want to take their time and are not in a rush, that's dandy, but then they should not be standing in the middle of the steps blocking traffic. Simply move to the side and continue walking, while letting the rest of us frustrated commuters pass. I missed the closing doors by a fraction of a second, they literally closed in front of my face. I felt like I was in the movie Sliding Doors.

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For Just in Case...
Since no one programs the word "husband" or "sister" into their cell phone, rescue workers waste precious time sifting through a patient's phone book in cases of emergency. In the wake of the London tubestation bombings, a national campaign was launched to get Brits to add the acronym ICE (for "in case of emergency) before the name of their closest friend or relative or simply add an ICE contact in your address book along with your usual contact names. You should also make sure your emergency contact knows your medical conditions, allergies and what medications you are on if any. For more info read the MSNBC article ICE could save your life.

Katrina Fundraising Efforts
After the tsunami I was very impressed by America's efforts to help victims overseas and of course I was not surprised to see that it has been the same way with Hurricane Katrina efforts.

I noticed that younger kids have especially been getting involved in the relief effort. Over the holiday weekend in Stonington, Connecticut, two young boys probably about 10-years-old, were sitting in the sun collecting donations for hurricane victims. My girlfriends and I donated a few dollars that we had in our wallets, but I didn't have much cash on me so I donated online this morning.

Also in Milford, CT on Labor Day, a bunch of little girls, all under the age of 10, were on the side of a busy cross section selling lemonade, holding signs that were larger than themselves and waving at passing cars in order to get their attention and raise money for victims.

In the lobby of my office building there is also an empty water cooler already filled with money for the Red Cross.

I know many human victims have suffered due to the hurricane but I also can't help but be concerned for the four legged creatures down there too. I think I might donate to the ASPCA's relief efforts as well. Take a look at their pet version of the astrodome HERE.

News: Small survivor: US Airforce Lt. Nathan Brosheal holds a kitten rescued and airlifted to New Orleans International Airport in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

PS: How is it September already, never mind the 6th?

•2: The number of women I saw wearing white pants the day after Labor Day, tsk tsk.