September 11th - A Bit More About Victor Saracini

At the NM Tech Facebook page for alumni from the 70s and early 80s, they had more about Victor Saracini, pilot of United Flight 175 on September 11, 2001. I have a hazy memory of sharing Dr. Loganbill's English class with Victor in the spring of 1975:

Then, in breaking news around 10:30 P.M., the authorities identified the pilot of United Flight 175, the hijacked plane that had flown into the second tower. Terrorists had stabbed a flight attendant and burst into the cockpit, where they killed the pilot and first officer, then took over the controls. All sixty-five people aboard died. 

As if that wasn’t enough, Géza felt a gut-punch when he saw the name of his college roommate flash across the screen: The pilot was 51-year-old Captain Victor J. Saracini, a husband and the father of two daughters, from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 

“Oh, shit,” Géza said. 

One of us, he thought.

Never, Ever Stop

Entering Jack's pool party on August 27th at the Antelope Aquatic Center, the two high school students manning the front counter sent me back to my car to get my debit card for the $5 entry fee - the pool wasn't accepting cash. Upon reentry, the two girls asked me about my T-Shirt. I had been at ballet class just an hour before. I identify as a dancer.  The girls warmed to the subject of dance. They were enrolled in a dance class at Antelope High School, immediately adjacent to the Antelope Aquatic Center, and were happy to tell me about their class - some ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary dance. I think they were surprised to see someone so old who still danced.  Upon departure, I gave them just one piece of advice: Never, Ever Stop.  Ever.

Jack's Pool Party

It was fun to attend Jack's 10-year-old birthday pool party on August 27th at the Antelope Aquatic Center. I went down the big tube slide and otherwise got wet with Jack, his family, and his friends.