I had an idea last night.

As everyone knows, we are fast approaching the first anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Everyone is discussing how the best memorialize the event, and the people lost. Here's my two cents.

A day of silence on the Internet. For one calendar day, starting at 0001 11 SEP 02, your local time, stop posting, emailing, surfing whatever. A global day of silence moving around the world. I realize that this would be impossible for those in business who rely on the net, but I think it would be a powerful statement. I remember on that day the messages on the Traveller Mailing List to our NYC members asking "are you ok?" And I know the terrible silence when one person never replies to those calls.

So for one day, stay off the net. It will survive. talk on the phone, go for a walk, or just remember how much we all lost on the terrible day, one year ago.

Well, we're not millionaires.

Some other fool won the lottery, Damnit.

Paying for my sins (warning, a little gross.)

Last night, I had a pizza orgy. Me, a pepperoni and sausage pizza, parmesan twists, and some Coke.

Today... today I am very happy that no one is home. And that it is a nice day. So I can open the windows.

(no subject)

Happy B-day sylvan!

Go forth and be decadent. OK, more decadent.

The vast sucking sound you hear

is my day. First, a very promising Nethack game has gone way south. I've gone from expecting to ascend to wondering if I should just quit out of it.

Then I'm trying to get some writing done. Trying to work on a proposal for SJG, I find that somehow half the outline has vanished. Luckily, I have a copy saved in my mail, but that will require extensive reformatting.

I also managed to spill a bowl of cereal in my lap. Whee. I really understand those people who stand on street corners and scream incoherently at traffic. I am about five minutes away from staking out my spot.

Forget I said anything.

When I made my suggestion for a global day of net silence, I severely underestimated how much flak I would get. A few points to make:

1. Osama bin-Laden, assuming he's still alive, could care less if our lives are normal. He wants us all dead. If you don't believe me, look into how many times Mideast peace plans have been derailed by extremist terrorists monkeying with the works. The man is a psychopath. We could have done everything he demanded and he would still hate us for not being Muslim.

2. If I hear "If we change, the terrorists will have won." one more time, I will puke. Guess what? They did win. Three out of four targets were hit, with massive loss of life.

3. I never suggested that people sit in silence. Just let the net sit for a day. Call your friends. Get together and real space. Go to the church of your choice. Sit in the park and throw nuts at squirrels. Hell, I'm going to a new doctor that day.

4. This thing is voluntary. But don't expect to see me online on 9/11. I shall be remembering the three people that I knew who died in the WTC crash, 2 from the Army, and one who I never met, but still feel close to.