I was already on my way to my first call today when I turned on the radio to hear the traffic report. The first plane had already hit the World Trade Center and I envisioned some little piper cub off course. Then the next one hit and they were diverting the air traffic from New York to Washington, D.C. After a few moments, I just couldn't bear thinking of what Mahattan was like so I turned off the radio. I cannot begin to describe all the thoughts going through my mind. It somehow felt unamerican to proceed to work, yet at the same time it felt unamerican not to try to act normal. As I walked through the door of my first tuning appointment today, I was informed that the Pentagon had been hit. Now it was personal as this is my town. Both the client and myself had loved ones downtown. There was another hijacked plane still in the air and it was 15 minutes from the Washington, D.C. area. We were located between Camp David and the Capitol.We both thought the plane should be shot out of the air even though we could be under it. It s amazing how calm you get waiting for a plane to crash when it is heading for you. I kept thinking how glad I was that my family was scattered all over town - that no matter what happened they wouldn't get ALL of us! Yet at the same time, you are grieving for the people on that plane. Within moments, the plane crashed into a mountain far away. I hope when the facts come out, if they ever do, that we find out more about the pilot, crew and pasengers who sacrificed their lives to save some of ours here in Washington, D.C. I cancelled all the rest of my tunings today, and headed home. Unfortunately, the cell phones were not working and the land lines were jammed, so I could not inform anyone they were cancelled! The powers that be were begging people to stay off the phone lines so they could be used for all the emergencies that needed tended to. It is hard to describe the incredible calm and bonding of the strangers around you when you can't go anywhere or talk to anyone, by telephone. I think a state of shock can bring out the best in people. Everyone I met today, both in traffic and the grocery store and bank, was going out of their way to be patient and accomodating. People were actually car-pooling with strangers to get out of town in the horrendous traffic. In my lifetime as an American, I really felt I had no personal reason to hate an enemy; but today many of my neighbors and I were all reconsidering! My own estimate is that more Americans died today than died during the 10-year war in Vietman. I hope to heaven I am wrong. It was of some comfort to me later today, to go prep some Disklaviers. Listening to the music of gondolas on the sample disk reminded me the world does not have be like this. I do not know for sure, but I think we piano tuners in the Washington, D.C. area are okay. But I wish I could say the same for those in Manhattan. Anybody hear anything? Carol Beigel
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC