Attack - Effect

[framer]

I would like to give my condolences to all that knew anyone effected by the attack yesterday. I know my shock has turned to being mad as h e l l this morning. I sure everyone is experiencing some trauma from this event. I pray that powers beyond our control will do the right thing.

My question to our group is this, how or does this effect our industry in the short term? Should our advertising and marketing in the short term be changed?



[This message has been edited by framer (edited September 12, 2001).]

[Frameref]

The easy answer is no. It should be important to all of us -- in all walks of life -- to not let the madmen win, and to not let them do so by disrupting our lives beyond the initial impact.

That is the easy answer. We in Montana see this as an almost surreal event, and surrealism isn't a healthy view of life. We were away yesterday, but will be open today. We have orders to complete, and phone calls to return. But in my heart, today, it all seems so unimportant.

As framers, we have the ability to give joy to each person that walks through the doors. I hope that we all continue to do our jobs well, as we all need a little joy now.

For so many of us, throughout the country, this changes nothing in actuality. But in perception, nothing will ever be the same.

[FramerDave]

[QUOTE] We were away yesterday, but will be open today. We have orders to complete, and phone calls to return. But in my heart, today, it all seems so unimportant.
[QUOTE]

It certainly helps put it all in perspective, doesn't it? I'm going to make an effort to continually remind myself of this when someone cuts in front of me at the grocery store, I ruin a mat, a supplier sends me the wrong moulding or an order is done a day late.

[MAX]

For the near-term I believe business is gonna s u c k like a 9lb Oreck. I just wonder what vendors'/suppliers' reactions will be to those of us who may fall a little behind in the near future.

[Mike Anglesey]

Like you, framer, I have experienced a multitude of emotions over the past 24 hours...shock, disbelief, helplessness, sorrow and extreme anger. However, we must continue to live our lives in the most normal way we can. If we don't, "they" have accomplished "their" goal.

From an industry standpoint we are fortunate that the holiday season is approaching. Any slowdown in business over the next few weeks will probably dissipate quickly.

As evidenced by reactions from people directly involved in this incident, our allies, and Americans everywhere, we will recover and continue to prosper. That is what makes this country great. Defending our freedom is paramount. Allowing "them" to dictate our future should not be tolerated.

What must surface from this tragedy is our resolve to come together and our ability to help those in need. Donate blood and services if possible. No one is too far away to help.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

------------------
Mike Anglesey
www.eclipse-cmc.com
mikea@kaibab.com

[JRB]

I don't know what to think as far a business is concerned. I am guessing that it will take a small nosedive. My shop was open yesterday, our sales where pretty much normal. We were down a few hundred dollars.

I think that we, as Americans, should not succumb to these S.O.B.s agenda, the destruction of our way of life.

The one thing I have learned over the years is, if you really want revenge, the best thing you can do is prosper.

SUCCESS IS THE BEST REVENGE.

I think the best thing we, as individual Americans, can do is support our government in whatever measures they take against these scumbags, and work our butts off to help our country prosper.

If every American starts working and spending we will have defeated those pigs in the most humiliating way.

John

[JRB]

One other thought about what we can do. Display the Stars and Stripes in your store window. Buy as many flags as you can and pass them out to anyone who will display it. It is important that we let the world know we are united.

John

[Dermot]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JRB:

SUCCESS IS THE BEST REVENGE.


John

This is what all the commentators on TV are saying on this side of the pond.

Hardened "News Heads" are just astonished at how quick the US is getting back on track.

Take care and keep the faith.

Dermot

[Framing Goddess]

Most definitely, business as usual!

Still gotta pay the bills.

We do so, of course, with an unaccustomed seriousness. There aren't enough frownie faces to express the deep down feelings that we all must have. We just don't feel like laughing ot having fun. But framing (especially yesterday) functioned as therapy. It feels all that more important to "create" in the face of all of yesterday's destruction.

We will prevail!

Edie the FG

[Bogframe]

Business, yes, but as usual? Here? I don't think that anything is ever going to be "As usual" here again, or at least anytime soon

------------------
Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF
22 years framing and still loving it!
As usual, the website is www.masterclamp.com (http://www.masterclamp.com)

[Janet L]

Our entire downtown area has been quiet for the past two days. I've had several customers but not anything like it was on Monday and the past several weeks.

This is the week of our town's annual Harvest Festival that is put on by our Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Association. The rides and carnival area were all set up on Monday and ready for the kickoff today.

[amanda]

I cannot believe how many poeple came in today, looking for pics of NYC... all the Blakeways we had are gone, and more are to be ordered.

[NetFramer]

People who have a right to grumble...

Chances are that there were no picture framers that had to suffer the tragedy of the events of 9/11/01. There is hardly a frame shop anywhere in America that could afford the price of a Twin Towers address. However, had there been an owner with a shop located there, how do you think they would feel about the chance to "grumble" yet another day about the warped chop that just came in. How they would love to be alive to have the chance to complain about the wrong moulding that was shipped, about the matboards that come in with finger print smudges, about the glass that has a bubble, about the effects of huge chain stores cutting into their market...,etc.

Yes fellow "Grumblers" there are many reasons that we can grumble about problems in our industry. But keep it in perspective when you do. At least you have the chance to complain about insignificant problems for yet another day. A luxury you might not have if your shop had been located on the 110th floor of the North Tower...

[JRB]

We all react to tragedy in different ways. Our reactions can range from uncontrollable tears to black humor and every range of emotions in between. Some people show no emotions whatsoever. ( I think they are the ones that hurt the most ) Some people go to work, some people can't do anything.

Whatever we do or say, cannot come close to what the people actually involved in the tragedy feel or felt, all we can do is imagine.

Trying to trivialize our own concerns or problems is another way of dealing with tragedy. All of this is part of the human condition. For some, what seems trivial during a crises will regain it's importance after the shock of the tragedy has worn off.

No matter how you show it, or not, no matter what you say or do, or not do, this tragedy has affected all of us. We will handel it in our own ways, even if it is complaining about warped moulding.

Whatever we do for ourselves to get through this, we have to respect how others are getting through it as well, even if they seem to be doing nothing.

John

[RonEggers]

Well said, John.

[jvandy57]

Very well said John.

I know that humor is an outlet that I use on a continual basis in order to deal with life and emotion in general. As an emergency response person, I feel helpless. I can give blood, I can donate money, but I can't go to NY or DC and help. I also know that this helplessness has also contributed to a large lack of humor in this situation.

Everyone of us must deal with this. This is an atrocity that over shadows all that has come before. At least Pearl Harbor had an enemy with a face. Please everyone, don't get indignant with those of us who complain a little, gripe or crack a joke. We all must cope.

For those of you that have lost loved ones, close friends or aquaintances in the recent events, I can only grieve for you and your loss. I can not imagine what you feel, but believe me when I say I'm not trivializing it. Life must continue, even though it maybe a whole lot different than before.

God Bless all of you and God Bless America.



------------------
Jerry Vandergriff, CPF cm
McCue and Blanford Frame Shop Supply
Crestwood, KY

[CharlesL]

Well said, indeed, John and Jerry.
I didn't lose anyone I knew in the attack, but I realize the awesome tragedy that the attack brought to us. Our lives will change. I, too, seek humor and light-heartedness as a haven from the bad side of life. And we have seen the worst side of life, at least so far.

We all handle grief in our own ways. We are all individuals, and not cookie-cutter people. Some of us just lay down, and others continue as best we can. Let's let the Grumble be a place where we can go for the serious side as well as the light-hearted side. I don't believe anyone is trivializing the WTC tragedy.

[RonEggers]

Yes, very, very well said, John, Jerry and Charles. I really can't add to what you said, so I won't. Whoops, I just did.

Ron

[Jim Miller]

Our store has remained open as usual, but since the attacks it's been awfully quiet here.

Work is better than worry or grief or hate. We're clinging to normalcy; staying close to family and friends; keeping busy with constructive, familiar activities.

At the store and at home we've put up all the flags and stars & stripes banners we could find. We've had a lot of new business lately, and also have been busy preparing for Atlanta until yesterday's cancellation.

There's plenty for us to do through the next week or two, to avoid becoming too preoccupied with things we can't control. By then, hopefully world events and personal emotions will stabilize.

One way or another, life goes on. We should never forget the tragedy of this week, but should deal with it as constructively as possible.

[Bogframe]

We sell panoramic photos, and we sold out of anything that showed the towers in two days. Looks ike our business won't suffer.

------------------
Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF
22 years framing and still loving it!
As usual, the website is www.masterclamp.com (http://www.masterclamp.com)

[NetFramer]

Yes John, well said and I do agree.

[Janet L]

Our town's festival was well attended as people seemed to want to get their children outside, away from the tv and enjoy the beautiful weather. The festival goers didn't feel like shopping in the local businesses but seemed to just want to walk about and hug/greet their friends or be distracted for a few hours. I'm glad that our community was able to provide some form of family entertainment to allow people to mill about and enjoy watching the children enjoy the weekend.

[Susan May]

As you can see by reading this thread, you don't have to have lost your shop in one of the towers to feel the loss.

My shop may not be gone, and I may not have actually seen the planes hit the buildings, but I have be affected by this tragedy. I am one of the lucky ones. I have a friend who works in the Pentagon. She saw the plane, as it was heading towards her. (She works in the innermost ring, on the opposite side of the building.) She was unharmed, but we had no contact with her till late in the day.

I also have friends in NY. (Sometimes family.) My cousin has lived in NYC, and I was not sure if he was there or not. (He was not in NYC.) (We already know that our framing family is physically fine.)

My best friends' mother was in a plane from DC to Las Vegas. We were watching everything we could to make sure her plane was not hijacked also.

So, while I may not have lost MY shop, I do think I have a right to "Grumble". If I choose to grumble about framing, then allow me to do so.

A bad day framing, is better than everything else we've gone through.

I do keep things in perspective. I know a lost frame has nothing on a lost life. But if that lost frame is the worst thing that happens to me today, then it is a good day.

Susan May