No worries Hotrod, I am near NYC too (stones throw). I am just as scared. My biggest fear is not being able to get to my child who goes to school 40 minutes from where I work. So I put plans in place for others to get him. He knows the password to go with them. On high alert days (days we talk about here on TM) I plan to work from home on those days. If something happens, I am close to him. (2 blocks) But I am aware things may happen on a day I didnt plan for, so I am prepared for that as well.
My best advice for you is to be aware of your surroundings and options. Dont be afraid to point suspicious things to police. The worst you can be is wrong, the best you can be is a hero. Plan a place to go that is farther away (like CT or Westchester). If you have relatives, get them at the first sign of trouble and plan to get out. Dont wait for an announcement to evacuate.
That's why I started on this forum: To find out what I am up against and what to be aware of. I now carry a BOB wherever I go. (People at work think I am nuts and they assigned me to the crisis management team because I was always asking the questions they didnt think of anyway).
awesome post. thanks for those words. the thought of the 23rd scares me even more: my last workday in NYC before moving home to Boston. although I guess moving to Boston the first week of the DNC is kind of a troublespot too!
Kudos to you; you are doing the right thing. I wish more parents and individuals would be as responsible and prepared. But if they don't hear any concern over it on the evening news, then it isn't a factor and they will not do it. And although Homeland Security and other Feds have tried to get us all to prepare, most folks including the media simply laugh at them.
I also fault our local governments for totally dropping the ball. Yeah, they have drilled, etc., but they could put an announcement in tax bills, i.e., for people to prepare and list general items and quantities they should have on hand for any type of emergency. I feel it is incumbent on local governments to do more as far as awareness. And it would not cost more money; it can be piggybacked on existing activities, mailings and programs.
We are more prepared here on TM and on other discussion boards than most people probably.