Quickly, I apologize for the mess that is my blog. It is necessary that these warnings are visible so that “The people behind the people” that host my site can see what is wrong exactly, and hopefully fix it as quickly as they can (fingers crossed, dropping to knees, pleading). As soon as these issues are resolved I will be able to bring back my comments (which a few sweathearts have let me know they have been missing). While these errors are up, I can’t post to my blog, so this partially explains the distance. Matt has removed them long enough for me to post this tonight.
Last week after several heaping handfuls of accidents, problems, emotional drops and social dilemmas, I read a post by the Artist, Susie Ghahremani from boygirlparty where she said “can’t you just feel mercury in retrograde? i swear, it’s the only astrological phenomenon i believe in. stuff’s just been going wrong lately.”
I’d never heard of it before because I’ve never gotten into or spent any amount of time on astrology, but I know I’ve been having LOTS of stuff go wrong. I checked it out and found that Gemini and Virgo are the signs that are most susceptible to Mercury’s wrath. Since finding this out, the issues that I had prior, have only been over shadowed by the horrible things that have occurred since. I really don’t mean to make light of what has happened, and despite my boyfriends scoffs at astrology, I am in all seriousness believing more and more in mercury in retrograde.
Friday, as many of you have probably heard, my city of DeKalb was devastated by a gunman opening fire on a classroom and shooting 22 people, killing 5 and then himself. My boyfriend works at NIU and within 20 to 30 minutes of the shooting, before anyone in the community even knew what had happened, he called me at work to tell me he was okay, but the school was in lockdown and there had been a shooting. As the next few hours unfolded and more information came out, our city was just only beginning to realize how this would touch each and all of our lives. Later that night, I came to find that the NIU shooting was actually one of 4 other school shootings that have taken place in the US that week alone! One of my responsibilities at work is to come in alternating weeks at work and do an extremely early shift (2 to 10 am) to run plates for NIU’s school newspaper. Friday night was my night to do that and I went in not knowing if they would have an issue or not. They did run an issue, despite school being closed. The dedicated writers and designers compiled an issue on the previous day’s events. Unfortunately, one of the fallen students was a member of the Northern Star’s staff. The resulting newspaper issue was filled not with fear and anger, but with honest coverage and much needed positives. One pulled quote said “All day long I didn’t know how to cope with it until we all came together here (at the vigil). I’ve never been more proud to go to this University.” As time has passed I have encountered people who are very angry and hurt, understandably. Some people can only see the darkness and have let it consume them, complaining about every aspect. Although I often see myself as a pretty pesimistic person, I know better than to think that focusing on the negative during times like this will help anything.
It is those people who have used this as an opportunity to remain positive and supportive that I would like to thank.
Out of this horrible tragedy I have seen countless positive things occur, from the immediate response of police (they were at the scene within 2 minutes of the 911 call), NIU’s response (locking down, offering support, counseling and canceling of classes to prepare for the healing that will need to take place), the hospital and police department and their staff that gave their time, to the entire community gathering together in support of each other and for the betterment of society in a whole. It has really touched me to see so many people from all over rallying together, communicating and supporting each other.
I would also like to thank several of my online friends from all over the country that have messaged me letting me know that they heard about the tragedy and immediately thought of me and wanted to make sure that I and all my loved ones are safe. It really warmed my heart and I hope that each of you know how much that meant to me.
I guess that is all for right now. Since posting to my blog will be a little more eratic (yes, even more than usual!) please try and stop by and visit my flickr. I try to post there daily.
