I was working as an Extra on the TV show "Now and Again" on location in a graveyard somewhere in Pasadena, California.

I was between jobs and sat in front of the TV stunned. A very close friend lost a nephew who died helping others. I hope we continue to remember this and the sacrifices of so many.

I was at work when I got a call from my reserve unit and put on standby. Then went to the employee lounge, turned on the TV and watched in horror as the second plane crashed into the tower. My boss expected work output that day.... right!

I was there. In Brooklyn so not right there but fortunately I was running late and was still on the train when I should have been right there. I saw it from the bridge. Nobody could get anywhere - the panic and the smell was just horrible. When we were let off the train we had to find ourselves a way back - which basically meant walking back over the bridge and with some of those covered in soot who were closer. Something beautiful happened that day too, As we crossed into the Hasidic community they were all out waiting for us with bottles of water and paper towels and fruit - religion took a pass that day and we were just humans. That lasted for weeks following in our communities but it all went back to "normal" eventually. I knew people who died that day but it they we
re not personal . people I have done business with but were not my friends or even colleagues.

i did not personally lose anyone that day, but i was shocked nonetheless... not at first, though. i was lying in bed at my boyfriend's condo, listening to the radio. the announcer said that a plane had flown into the world trade center. i immediately thought of that as an accident, a small plane, sad, probably killed the pilot and passengers, but before long the second plane hit and it became clear what had actually happened. i had the same kind of slow reaction when john lennon was killed. the radio said he'd been shot, and i thought, how rude, someone took a shot at john; hope he's okay. it wasn't immediately clear that he was NOT okay and never would be okay again. i am not generally slow on the uptake but for some reason i don't process tragedy that quickly.

g