Image: Trees

Letchworth State Park

Life is Beautiful

Today, on her way to work, a 23 year old woman was killed 250 feet from my office door when an armored car hit her while she rode her bike. It is not known yet exactly what happened, other than she was hit, then pinned, then died before they even got an ambulance there. Her bicycle was mangled into a horrific twist of metal, pedals, and parts.

This morning, before I knew what happened, I went about my day and took care of business. My coworker came into my office to tell me what happened, and choking back tears I immediately called Tara at work to tell her I love her. You see, Tara walks that same sidewalk everyday, and crosses in front of cars everyday, and 100s of people, literally, stand, everyday, where that woman was killed. She died today. She started out her morning like any other morning, ate the same breakfast she always eats, and rode her bike like she does everyday. Who knows what could have changed what happened to her today. Maybe if she forgot her wallet in her apartment or stopped to pet the cat one last time -- or didn't -- she would still be on earth right now, watching tv and thinking about her bike commute tomorrow morning.

Things change on a dime. Hundreds of thousands of people on the Gulf coast, in Asia, and in Iraq are learning that and living that everyday. Some of these things we can't control, but it underscores the importance of always and everyday treating people the way you want them to remember you, and don't ever let a day go by that you don't tell people who you love that you love them so much it hurts.

Image: Oh my goodness!

Bobbles

Image: Bush in New Orleans today

What is there to say, really?

Great article

When someone can say it better than you, then let them say it.

Selfish

Everything I could possibly complain about in my life pales in comparison to the horror that those on the Gulf coast of the US are facing right now, and that which they have faced all week. I have been riveted and floored by each new photo, report, piece of footage, and interview. I cried quietly at my desk today thinking of those people, chest-deep in waste water, pushing bodies and material goods aside as they sought something -- anything-- to bring them relief. I am shocked by the pictures of young mothers of young babies looking anguished and dehydrated, hoping they might be able to give thier babies a meal tonight. I am hurt and angered by how abandoned many of those people feel, by their city, their state, and their federal government. I am sad that every face that looks back into each camera is a black face. Everyday I wake up and what was bad the day before has now gotten worse. First the storm, then the people stranded, then the flooding, then the fires, then the shooting, then the starvation, then the dying.

I can't imagine losing everything, hanging on to only what I could carry, while the world slipped away in chaos around me. I am thinking about and praying for those people for whom that is their reality.

Oh, that pesky English language!

In conclusion, as part of my job. Because I ran in to problems all the time with people that can't right. Its really annoying, and often people don't check there grammer and then I have to. Its not something I can get around. Some highlights from the passed weak:

- Someone writing me an email thanking me for my 'patients'
- A document from another office on campus including the word 'varietiations'
- Someone who called telling me they weren't sure if they were qualified because they hadn't yet finished their 'bachelorette's' degree
- A menu suggesting I might try their 'streusal' or their 'blacklened chicken'

I have made my fair share of errors, but come on people! I kahnt dew aul thuh werk four eww!