My first year at Cornell I wasn’t 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.
Waiting for me was an IM from my first girlfriend, who I hadn’t spoken to in years, telling me to turn on the TV. I told her my TV (for vidya) didn’t 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’t say “enthralled”, 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.
“Huh. That’s clever,” I thought. “That’s really, really clever.”
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.
“UGH, though. I bet people won’t shut up about this for months.”
It was my mom’s birthday, which at least now I remember every year, and when I tried to call her later it was the only time I’ve ever got an “all circuits are busy” message.
