Jason's thoughts and words to live by!

As you all know today marks the tenth anniversary of 9/11! As with anyone who was mentally intact that day, it’s one that’s seared in our mines permanently! However, I’m writing to discuss another unthinkable moment that I witness first hand not too long ago! And especially after just having spent precious time with some of the people i was with, I think it’s time I gave my take on that April evening!

By April 27th, I’d been at UA almost 2 years. I’d witnessed the 13th national championship and first Heisman trophy winner. I had recently been initiated into Alpha Psi Omega, snagged an on-air internship at the radio station and finally set up a plan. Needless to say, all aspects of my college career were in full swing that afternoon at Manly Hall at 3:45pm when the emergency siren went blaring in my ear much to displeasure.

By this time, there had been two other minor tornadoes that hit Tuscaloosa, both of which i rode out at Bryce Lawn were i was living at the time. Rather than try to make my way home, I decided to head to the Rowand-Johnson, where most of my associates hung out. And from what i’d heard before, alot of hijinks ensued there during storm warnings. I figured it be a nice way to ride out in hour. Plus, if we had to repopulate the city, i’d be one of the few straight single males on hand. When I got there people were sitting against the wall with notebooks and smartphones keeping track of what was going on. the main thing going through my mind was “Let’s just get through this before “Sanford and Son” comes on”. I don’t think any of us anticipated what happened next!

It was about 5:15 when the lights went out! It about a half hour or so before any of us knew what had happened! One of the first things i heard was that Krsipy Kreme was gone! And when heard that I damned near cried, and by this time i was concerned whether or not Popeyes chicken made it! I hung around the ro-jo a little while longer to get more details before i went back to my dorm where we had electricity until about 20 minutes after I got there. But it was enough time to see exactly what happened on TV and the Internet. When the lights went out, I drove around campus looking for light to no avail. For the first time in my life I was greatful to have a bowl of cereal for dinner. My roommate and I sat up in the dark kitchen and ate our food and then, i went to my room and entertained myself with my iPod before i went to sleep.

   I’d toyed with the idea of driving to Birmingham that night, but I stayed on campus as not to worry my grandmother. But the morning, after grabbing breakfast, i did just that! But not before I got a good look at the ravage of the tornado myself. I think it was about this time that it dawned on me what had happened. The day before i was in a rut over Krispy Kreme being destroyed, when many fellow residents, some of them good friends had lost some things far more important some irreplaceable. I went to Birmingham, where the damage was just as bad. The things I saw is stuff I can’t even put together in words.

    It’s been almost five month and I’ve barely gotten used to not seeing the buildings that once stood on McFarland and 15th in Tuscaloosa. But i’m glad to see things returning to some degree on normalcy. I’m grateful that everyone I care about that what here on April 26th are here today, and for all those who’ve lent a helping hand. Roll Tide Roll!!!

If you apologize for something your not really sorry for, you’re showing absolutely no integrity! Whether someone tells or pressures you to do it, or you do it because you feel it’s the right thing to do, apologizing when you don’t really mean it, shows a huge lack of genuine character!