I don't offend easily. I'm one of Paul Frank's biggest fans. I'm sixty pages into a comedic memoir about the funny stuff that happens when you nearly kill yourself by breaking your neck. Hell, my name has become a verb among my friends that even I use.
"If you don't buy me a beer, I'll Casey Freeman your ass." Translation — "I'll break your effing neck."
Or —
"I'm going to close my eyes and pick Lotto numbers. Maybe I'll get Casey Freemaned." Translation — "Maybe I'll get unexplainably lucky."
But to me, 9/11 will never be funny. I don't care if other people make jokes about it, I thought Court's blog today was clever, but for me, it will always be "too soon."
I was there. With all my senses I experienced this nightmare as a 21-year-old NYU student. I was in class about 20 blocks away. I've been scared before, but to me, this was pure terror.
I spent that day looking for all of my friends and swim teammates. Take my word for it, when there's a big possibility your friends may be dead, you learn to appreciate them quickly. Hell, we all thought we were going to die that day. That's a heavy load for anybody. I still feel like I'm living on borrowed time.
Honestly, it screwed me up for a long time, and it screwed up a lot of people. Sometimes a movie or somebody windbagging will throw me back into the anguish of that day. For months after 9/11 I couldn't stand hearing the words "September" or "Eleventh." It's not pleasant.
I have to relive it at least once a year. It's nothing I look forward to.
I dread this anniversary more than any other. I'm re-reminded at the end of every August when I flip my calendar over. I'm reminded weeks in advance when I see milk with the expiration date as September 11, 200X.
Now, I'm not saying "Don't make the jokes." If it's funny, write it. But don't expect to see me writing anything funny about 9/11.
A while ago I saw Ground Zero again. It's a little disappointing it's just a hole in the ground after nearly seven years, but that's NYC government for you. On a positive note, anything can be rebuilt. WTC used to be a disaster area but now overflows with promise.
Sorry this is lame, but I need to vent feelings on this day. Once again, tell the people you care about that you care about them.
Thanks.
You're the best,
kc