Boston-area update

[rushthatspeaks]

I am fine and gaudior is fine and our visiting rax is fine. None of us were anywhere near downtown or the marathon when the bombs went off. Neither Ruth nor myself (as far as we know) knows anyone who has much possibility of not being fine, but it will of course be hours before there is actual full information on the matter.

Quick disaster protocol reminders:

-- if you are in the Boston area, stay out of downtown; it's a mess, parts of the Green Line are definitely not running, they're evacuating, stay out of the way
-- text rather than call if you need to find out if someone is okay; the networks are overloaded right now and a text is a lighter load
-- give blood if you can, even if you aren't in the Boston area-- people always need blood


Apparently they just reopened Logan, which is good.

The thing that distresses me most at the moment is that this is so very Boston-specific a nastiness, that somebody knew how things work around here. In a lot of the country Patriots' Day isn't a big deal, but this is Boston, and that and the marathon are major, major things. I have no interest in sports and I always know when the marathon is because you can't walk down a street of shops without hearing it on the radio and seeing it on window televisions. I am heartsick to think that they are going to have to establish some kind of crowd security protocol in future years for the marathon course, which has been one of the great local just-show-up events.

Bleah.

Comments

[redbird]

The marathon is well known and gets a lot of coverage; whoever did this may not even have heard of Patriots Day.

[kate_nepveu]

I know. I used to go when I was in college and stake out a bit on Comm Ave near Mass Ave (I went to Northeastern), and it's one of my best college memories and I've missed it since I moved away.

So far I take comfort that the death count is very low, but it's still very distressing.

[erinptah]

The Red Cross reports having more blood donors in MA than they need right now, so people in the area should hold off on that (but remember to give in a week or a month, when the rush has died down and the need is still there).

I [was supposed to] have a class at Simmons and do some work at the MFA tomorrow. Guess it'll depend on what the state of the Green Line is by then :|

[jinian]

I was sure you were okay, but I'm glad you said so. I'm sorry they hurt your city.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Sad. I remember when the big security issue of the Marathon was women sneaking in to run illegally. Huge cheers when they passed Wellesley, and wild blowing on conches.

Nine

[sovay]

Love you very, very much. I would have been surprised if you were not okay, but I'm still glad you are.

I am heartsick to think that they are going to have to establish some kind of crowd security protocol in future years for the marathon course, which has been one of the great local just-show-up events.

Yes. That. Do not like.

[gallian.livejournal.com]

red cross says they have enough blood right now. donate later (in a week or two) when they're going to need it.

[chomiji]

I'm glad you and yours are safe.

[ashnistrike.livejournal.com]

Thank you for checking in.

And yes. Heartsick.

Just mistyped "hearthsick," which seems perhaps equally appropriate.

[khava.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you are all okay. I was worried yesterday, I have no clue of Boston geography.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

"My friends are safe and that is why I cry" is my line in 110 Stories. Still the case.