<HTML>In a message dated 9/13/01 1:20:22 PM Central Daylight Time, joegarrett@earthlink.net (Joseph Garrett) writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">List, As I sit in front of my computer, late for my first appointment of the day, I search for the words that I need to get out. </BLOCKQUOTE> Me too, Joe.  I am stunned, to say the least, haven't been able to do much at all.  But when I saw your title, "September 11", I finally had to say something.  It was, in fact, my birthday.  I am now age 49.  The birthday presents remain unopened, the dinner out at a restaurant canceled. The music festival I usually attend at this same time each year is also canceled.  One of the artists who always has an exhibit there also has his birthday the same day.  It just doesn't seem right to have the baseball and football games or the music festival where people are dancing, singing, eating, drinking and celebrating life and culture in light of what those who hate our way of life have done. I hadn't turned on the TV that morning as I usually do because I was running a little late but when I got in the car, the news was so shocking that it was reminiscent of Orson Wells' "War of the Worlds".  Unfortunately, it was not Halloween nor any kind of hoax.  It was real but too difficult to believe.  I went to the first appointment where the TV was on and I asked for it to be kept on.  I saw one of the towers fall like a house of cards.  How could this be happening????  I could do no more work that day. But it did happen and from now on, September 11 will be a day *NO ONE* will ever forget.  Greetings of "Happy Birthday!" seemed all too inappropriate. After an appropriate period of shock and grief, however, the best we can all do is carry on.  I remember the complaints of some recently about not being able to carry technician tools on board.  I have always understood the reason why security frowned upon this and accepted the fact that they should be in checked luggage.  Even though I travel often, I have never had a real problem, never lost anything, only once was there a delay of about 18 hours. My guess is now that everyone will have to accept the restrictions against tools as carry-ons.  No ifs, ands or buts, no exceptions, don't even ask for one.  Be glad that you are alive and will get there safely, tools or no tools.  They are replaceable, the insurance for them is cheap.  Don't carry expensive, unique items, just your basic items that you will need on this trip. I also suggest that everyone be behind the President and whatever decision is made about a response to this.  There may be some kind of military response that otherwise may have seemed shocking but if terrorism is to be stopped, it must be dealt a far more stunning blow than it has delivered.  The world cannot live in peace until this kind of threat has been eradicated. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin</HTML>