I was in college that day, a commuter. I don’t remember exactly what class I was in, but I didn’t find out in class. I had a two hour break between classes at that time, which I generally spent in my car enjoying a cigarette and some lunch. I don’t recall what time exactly my classes began but I do recall the break between started at 11:00am. Prior to turning on the radio in my 1992 Ford Taurus, I had no idea anything was wrong. I didn’t notice anyone behaving oddly, but then again I wasn’t really looking, just doing my own thing.

I turned the radio on in the car, tuned to 1020AM KDKA Pittsburgh, my favorite talk radio station at the time. I must have tuned in just as they were beginning a recap of the situation. I heard first of the twin towers, then the pentagon, then a plane crash in Pennsylvania. On hearing that, I immediately started my car to head home, figuring this was a national emergency and my 1PM class was going to be cancelled, and even if it wasn’t, I’m heading home!

I called my best friend at the time, who had recently been laid off and was sleeping in. I told him turn the television on. He asked what channel? I said it doesn’t matter!

One of the things I will always remember is the NON-STOP news coverage on ALL CHANNELS. MTV had CNN’s feed. TLC or some such network had BBC coverage. It was everywhere for days.