Lori Fye wrote: > > I'm handling it okay, I think, not panicking but staying vigilant and > watching rooftops and thickets of trees when I drive.
It's not unlike living in New York City now, where things you once did easily are now major causes of stress. Something simple where you are, like filling up at a gas station, which people have to do often since they drive so much, becomes a big deal. When? Where? Here, it's things like, is that stalled subway a mechanical failure or has a bomb exploded? And, if I can't ride the subway to work, do I really want to get on a crowded bus? Or even be in a taxi behind a crowded bus? It's hard to explain to people not here what it's like day to day, and how many more little decisions need to be made, and how there's always a sense that something might happen at any moment. And, in spite of all that, trying to get on with life as though all's ok. > It's VERY weird to watch the national coverage of this and see "my" gas > stations, stores, and streets flickering on the television. It's also > distressing as hell, because all of this is interesting tabloid fodder > for the rest of the country and the world, but this is MY community, my > backyard, and these are my neighbors. Yes, I can imagine the distress. It's also my family, now that he's gotten into Virginia. Waking up this morning to radio reports of another shooting in Fredericksburg was not pleasant. I was just there this past weekend visiting my parents, and 9:30 in the morning is exactly the time my father would be out and about. Other family members are in Manassas. So far everyone's safe. > I'm angry that the media plays > with it like they do - was it Tuesday night that Dateline NBC did a > whole hour called "Seven Days of Terror"? Surreal fuel for this > madman's fire. Thanks, NBC. Thanks to all of the media. Thanks a > whole fucking lot. I was thinking exactly the same thing as I watched CNN last night. What power this psycho must be feeling to be talked about with such enthusiasm and interest! It's sickening, all of it, and I hope the media tones it down soon. > Nevertheless, I'm not going live my everyday life in fear. Yes, I know what you mean. Some days, though, it feels like it's time to get a will in order. Not only what's happening in Maryland and Virginia, but also what happened in New York and DC, and what's about to happen (probably) in the Middle East, which I think will add to the fury and numbers of terrorists, makes it all feel like the world is about to explode. And then other days I try to appreciate what's here in this moment and let those things I can't do much or anything about fade away. Breathe deeply! Even when the world is relatively peaceful, there's no guarantee of another day for anyone. > If I do > that, the sniper wins. So I'll alter my routine a little bit and trust > and hope that he'll make an error and be caught soon. He will be. It's hard to believe that no one knows this guy and what he's doing. > Every new > shooting does increase the anxiety of everyone who lives here, but what > else can we do? Take good care of yourself in every way you can, and just accept that your stress level will be high for the time being. Not something to be happy about, but I think it helps if you accept it rather than try to act like everything's completely normal. You have good reason for feeling anxious and watchful and stressed out. And be careful, whatever that means these days. Debra Shea
