Is anybody going to be closed for business on Wednesday?

[Emibub]

I'm thinking of not opening my store on Wednesday out of respect. I just watched one half hour show this afternoon, Access Hollywood of all thing. The whole show was on 9/11 and it just floored me. I am not up to listening or watching the rehash of last year. I'm afraid the networks are going overboard, in my opinion hovering live just in case something happens. Man am I cynical or what.

I can't believe it has been a whole year. I signed the lease on my store last year on Sept. 10 and the whole world changed on the 11th. Sometimes I feel I was so bogged down with this place that I never had a chance to work through the whole thing. Maybe I was lucky, I had a diversion. But now that they are accelerating their coverage it is tearing me up, possibly a delayed reaction.........anyway, just wondering what others are planning, and am I overreacting? :confused:

[Framar]

I have an appointment to have my car's increasingly mysterious electrical problems looked at and hopefully fixed, so I may not make it to my shop that day. I figure it would be a good day to be closed, I didn't want to watch all that TV stuff, but I watched PBS tonight and now I am hooked on the coverage.

I cannot believe it has been a year. I think it will take a long time to really absorb the entire situation, and a day of meditation might help.

Plus I listened to an in-depth program about Shenksville on CBC radio over the weekend, and I was floored. The people of that town have taken it upon themselves to shepherd visitors to the site, they even paved a road. I also heard interviews with folks in Gander, Newfoundland, where a bunch of planes got stuck, and about the friendships that have blossomed between the Newfoundlanders and the passengers. A group of passengers have raised over $50,000 so far for a scholarship fund to help the local children.

They tried to tear us apart, and we became WAY closer together!

God bless us one and all.

[AnneL]

The mayor of New York is asking businesses to be open as usual tommorrow as a sign that this country is not going to yield to terrorism. We will be open. We've watched probably more than we should on PBS over the last year, but oddly enough it wasn't the shows on 9/11 that bothered us this week, it was the rather graphic Mystery that we turned off because it was too much. :(

[DB]

I too have been thinking about closing for the day, but I am still undecided. I think I will just come in and play it by ear. I have a lot of orders to fill. If the employees want to stay home with their families, that's fine with me. I doubt very much that I will stay through the day. So far, though, when I've brought up the subject with other business people in the area I've found that the thought never even crossed their minds to close. I have been feeling on edge for a few weeks, however, and I don't think I will be able to concentrate tomorrow. We are putting out a new patriotic window display and we are participating in an art show called "Aftermath...the effects of 9/11/01" that will open tomorrow afternoon. I'd say go with your instincts on this one. I think most businesses will remain open because, again, many Americans don't want to show that 9/11 has changed things. The reality is that life IS different and I doubt many Americans will have their minds on their work tomorrow. I am going to concentrate on being grateful for what I have: a loving circle of family and friends, freedom to worship without oppression, a nice home, the opportunity to be in business for myself, and the freedom to enjoy all of the above.

[Less]

Less will be open!

But then again, Less is always open!

More or Less?

[Emibub]

I guess I will end up going to the store too, play it by ear.

Last year I didn't get a choice. I was in a management position at Aaron Bros. and those over zealous money mongers wouldn't let us close the store. I had to be there, since I had keys. But I one by one sent all the employees home to be with their families. I was planning on locking myself in by myself but one particularly nice employee insisted on staying with me, so I wouldn't have to be alone, even though he had a family he wanted to be with. So we sat together in the backroom just listening to the radio in silence until the selfish money mongers decided there was no money coming in and they let us go home at 7pm. It was then and there that I decided I would never allow a corporation rule my life again, so it was a lucky thing I was going out on my own. I may not be making any money yet but damnit I can close my doors and go home if I want to.

I was also particularly struck by the youth of America that day. I had the fortune of being with three of the coolest kids. One told me he wanted to go sign up to fight for his country, I didn't think kids had to think in those terms in this day and age and I was struck by the fact he was ready willing and able. Another girl who was only seventeen dragged herself all the way to work that day, obviously devastated but meeting her obligations. Her boyfriend called four hours before she was due to get off, he had been let go for the day due to the tradgedy and needed a ride, she told him he would have to wait. I sent her home immediately when I heard but I was impressed with her work ethic. The third was the kid who insisted on waiting with me, he was only maybe twenty or so, and for the most part a lie about even on a good day, but he just knew it wouldn't have been nice to leave me alone. Teenagers get a pretty bad rap anymore, and believe me I have worked with some of the most reprehensible kids at Michaels. None of these kids stood out as being particularly special until that day and I was impressed.

I will now quit rambling, tough day.

[Meghan MacMillan]

My shop (which was supposed to have its Grand Opening on Sept 15th last year)will be open. Closing hadn't crossed my mind, framkly. I haven't decided yet if I will change my window display to include a flag and some photographs of New York and some firefighters.

Meghan

[Framing Goddess]

There has been talk about Sept. 11 being deemed as a National Holiday- businesses close, etc.
Well folks, It is not a holiday, it is a day of Remembrance. Pearl Harbor Day is a day of mourning, but we don't take the day off. Hospitals are open, police are open, fire departments are open and let's face it- they lost more than anybody.
Go to church after work if you are the praying sort.
We will be open- never considered otherwise.

We worked all day Sept. 11, 2001, glued to a 4" B&W TV, of course, it was just too treacherous to attempt to get on the highways home. Nobody was obligated to work, mind you.
It actually felt good to work and create on a day of such profound destruction.

Let's just hope our illiterat-er-illustrious leader Dubya shows up for work from one of his retreats!
Oooops, sorry about the attitude.
edie

[DB]

Edie, I'm actually kinda glad you ranted, but only for one reason. It brought up a point that really bothers me. Lots of people have been saying that "the government should declare Sept. 11 a National Holiday". I'm sorry, call it a National day of Remembrance, or a National day of Mourning, but certainly not a HOLIDAY! The unfortunate individuals who have said that to me will never make that mistake again, I assure you. I think this one year anniversary is particulary poignant, and if I take tomorrow off it will be to spend time with my family and attend a memorial service in support of and to pray for the victims' families.

I just worked with two separate clients while I was trying to write this, and they both wanted to talk about the tragedy. I think it was somewhat cathartic for them to be able to express their feelings about the last year. I'm glad I was here to listen, and I tried to end the conversation on an uplifting note. Maybe it will be a good thing to be here tomorrow...

[Emibub]

Hey you guys, I wasn't looking for an act of congress, just asking if it is overkill to stay home out of respect, and to just soak it all in. :(

[jframe]

Listen to the mayor of New York.

Stay open.

Be normal.

Don't give in.

Our enemy's want us to be weak.

Stay open and refuse to be controlled mentally and physically by the enemy.

[jframe]

? :rolleyes:

[jframe]

:( poor sick grumble.

[Rebecca]

"Let's just hope our illiterat-er-illustrious leader Dubya shows up for work from one of his retreats!"

Oh you do warm my heart. That must be why you're a goddess! Actually he's been chatting up our Prime Minister, Jean Cretin ;)

Rebecca

[Bob Carter]

How about that George W. To get an MBA from Harvard, get elected Governor to the state of Texas and then get elected to be President of these United States and to do it all without knowing how to read or write.

On a day like 9/11, I think the last thing we ought to do is to take cheap political shots.

The man is President, for Christ's Sake. Let's respect him and his office.

[Emibub]

Okay, I decided to come to work, and I am very glad I did, tome to get on with it. Peace everybody! smile.gif

[Jack Cee]

Today is a normal work day; to be different would be to give in to the nuts of this world.

Jack Cee

[Ruth]

I expected today to be kind of dead but was (pleasantly) surprised to be extremely busy taking in work. (Even if two of the pieces were needlepoint :rolleyes: )
Last year we had the best week we ever had on the days following September 11. :confused: Like so many framers say... there is no rhyme or reason to when things are slow or busy.

[Framing Goddess]

Sorry, Bob, I knew you wouldn't be too keen on my criticism of George W.
I should know better than to bring up a topic on which we all have very strong opinions!
I just wish I had as much confidence in his professional capabilities as I do yours.

Kathy, I didn't mean my rant to be aimed at you, babe, it was truly interesting to hear how others chose to honor the memory of the day.

Just one thing to say to the media, though...
DOWN, boy, DOWN!!!!!
(oooops, it's that attitude of mine again, sorry in advance, folks.) :rolleyes:

[Emibub]

That's okay Edie, just call me Kathy the <strike>sensitive or defensive or offensive or smart as</strike> Grumbler! :eek:

[Bob Carter]

Edie-It is that attitude thing, for sure, that irks me. You had your choice, it didn't work out. Get over it. That's the beauty of our system, you get another chance in a few more years.

I just think this forum is the totally wrong place to air this type of cheap shot. I wouldn't do it against Mr. Clinton: Not here, and certainly not today.

It's time to pay some respect