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First, the tile.
Jul. 8th, 2005 12:36 pmAbout ten years ago when I was working at the Center and they were undergoing renovations, I found a floor tile lying on the ground. Someone had painted a flower on it; a small, beautiful thing in the midst of all that chaos. I kept it, and it's traveled with me ever since. Yesterday, thinking of a comment from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cchan8, I decided to head up to the British Consulate on Third Avenue to see if I could leave it there, as a symbol of sorts. The building itself is squat and black, a miniature skyscraper; there were two security guards in front of the building, as well as two mounted police in the road. The building had a row of planters in front of it; although the guards were tracking me as I walked up to one of the planters, no one interfered as I took the tile and lay it among the flowers. I brushed it once with my fingertips, and was away.
From there, I headed down to Union Square Park, taking a seat as close to the south end of the park as possible. After a moment of silent reflection, I took a white candle I've owned for almost twenty years out of my backpack, lit it, and stared into the dancing flame. I thought of London, and its enduring spirit ("We've been bombed by a better class of bastard than you, mate"), of what we've all been through in the last few years, and what may lie ahead, both good and bad. With all my heart, I wished healing, comforting energy for those suffering tonight, and strength for us all. Then, I blew out the flame, and was away.
cchan8, I decided to head up to the British Consulate on Third Avenue to see if I could leave it there, as a symbol of sorts. The building itself is squat and black, a miniature skyscraper; there were two security guards in front of the building, as well as two mounted police in the road. The building had a row of planters in front of it; although the guards were tracking me as I walked up to one of the planters, no one interfered as I took the tile and lay it among the flowers. I brushed it once with my fingertips, and was away.From there, I headed down to Union Square Park, taking a seat as close to the south end of the park as possible. After a moment of silent reflection, I took a white candle I've owned for almost twenty years out of my backpack, lit it, and stared into the dancing flame. I thought of London, and its enduring spirit ("We've been bombed by a better class of bastard than you, mate"), of what we've all been through in the last few years, and what may lie ahead, both good and bad. With all my heart, I wished healing, comforting energy for those suffering tonight, and strength for us all. Then, I blew out the flame, and was away.
- For a list of people known to be safe, organized by LJ name, A-M: Go here. (And thank you, brisingamen.)
- For the N-Z section of the same list: Go here.
- For a discussion of fact-based issues pertaining to the bombings (as well as a truly heartening expression of spirit), go to
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london_070705. (Please note that the moderators request that you restrain posts to information-based posts only, and refrain from expressions of sympathy or discussions of your reaction to this tragedy; for those, please post in london_hurts.) - For an article from the BBC which they describe as a list of all points known so far, go here.
