My first year at Cornell I wasn\u2019t in Risley but rather in Mews, which had just been constructed the previous summer. I woke up, rolled out of my bed, and woke up my computer. It was a Tuesday or a Thursday, because I had Chemistry.
\n\nWaiting for me was an IM from my first girlfriend, who I hadn\u2019t spoken to in years, telling me to turn on the TV. I told her my TV (for vidya) didn\u2019t get reception, she said to find one that does.
There was a TV in the kitchen/lounge, which was where I was going anyway to make breakfast ramen. It was on news, of course. Both towers were burning but still standing. Three or so other students were in the room, I wouldn\u2019t say \u201centhralled\u201d, but definitely interested.
I had a sturdy metal bowl that I would heat directly on the burner. While the noodles were cooking, the TV replayed shots of the plane strikes.
\u201cHuh. That\u2019s clever,\u201d I thought. \u201cThat\u2019s really, really clever.\u201d
I took the bowl off the stove, stirred the flavor packet in, picked it up (using a sock as a heat mitten), and padded back to my room.
\u201cUGH, though. I bet people won\u2019t shut up about this for months.\u201d
It was my mom\u2019s birthday, which at least now I remember every year, and when I tried to call her later it was the only time I\u2019ve ever got an \u201call circuits are busy\u201d message.
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