Wow, I think I'm really just starting to be more affected by the grim realities of life nowadays. Gas, is one issue, but I'm sure we call all talk about that til the cows freakin come home...and we can't really avoid it...so next subject. I never really knew the seriousness of the Terrorist Alert being on high until I went to pick up my mom from work last night. Two armed guards were standing in front of the hospital...A HOSPITAL, I tell you. Albeit, it IS a Federal building, VA Hospital, but it's crazy. The guards were checking the ID's of every person going in, esp. if they were staff. Note, that this was @ midnight. So apparently, you cannot wait there anymore when you're picking someone up, because of the increased level in alert. I told them I was waiting for my mom, so they asked me to pull around to the parking lot where I can still see the front doors and drive up when I saw my mom walking out. So naturally, i wait and I thought I saw her walking out, so I drove back up...I wait for a sec, realize it wasn't her but before I could pull away, 3 cars pull up out of nowhere, sirens blazing, and guards coming out. Luckily, I see mom walking up at a little distance inside, and the guards ask me what I'm doing...I told them I was picking up my mom and that I could see her, and pointed to her. Coincidentally, there was someone causing a raukus right there in front, so they had to call in for some backup. It's just crazy to see how quickly they respond though...and to think even more about it, how serious this threat really is. I keep praying that by some miracle, all this comes to an instant resolve, but I know just how slim that possibility is. Sometimes, I think about if we were attacked by an alien race, cuz then we'd HAVE to unite...like in ID4 or something...or Star Trek...I don't know. Just wishful thinking? But I guess I don't mind the added security and attention to small details because, at least you know we are aware...

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me..."