9/11 POST: LIFE INSIDE THE 'COCK, POST-9/11

There was a mildly riveting story on the radio this morning about a woman who lives in the John Hancock Center, which at the moment is the world's largest residential skyscraper. (It also houses commercial enterprises such as The Cheesecake Factory and happens to be for sale, if you're interested). And the 'Cock is right here in Chicago. At least we excel at something -- even if it is being home to two of the world's tallest potential terrorist targets.

I guess that makes us a world class city (a local obsession in this chip-on-its-big-shoulders cowtown).

Anyway.... apparently this woman went through with a planned C-section on 9/11/01. She ended up having to bribe her babysitter $2,000 to stay with her other child on the 84th floor of the 'Cock; no one wanted to be in a high-rise that day -- even serfs.

Although one suspects that savvy nanny could have held out for more.

It's also curious that the woman didn't find it necessary to evacuate her child from downtown. Recently-fired shock jock Mancow Muller boasts here about how he bit the bullet and stayed on the air and continued broadcasting even though his building had been evacuated.

God know you need a shock jock in times of crisis.

Anyway... apparently very few people moved out of the 'Cock after 9/11. It's its own community, according to the people who live there; when they see other residents in the restaurant, they say hello. Sometimes, when they're sick, a neighbor will bring soup. Wow. Imagine: people of the same socioeconomic status being civil to each other.

So.... this woman's child was born 9/11/01, and she says that despite everything they would never leave the 'Cock. They love it there, what with the feeling of community and all.

(My friend and I visited Garry Meier in his apartment there in the early 80's. I remember low ceilings and plush carpet and a dark, cramped feeling. But perhaps my memory is starting to fail).

This woman's child, now five, marks its birthday each year on 9/11. But they can't throw the party on her actual birthday. Nope, the woman has to plan the celebration for a different day -- because no one will let their kid come over to their famous residential high-rise on the anniversary of The Day America Lost its Innocence.

Apparently the bourgeoisie have a clue, too.

Perhaps they're not a bunch of 'Cock suckers after all.



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This morning when I came to class (which was sparsely attended) Jammu told me that today also marks the 100th anniversary of Gandhiji's first act of civil disobedience in Johannesburg, South Africa. (When he was told to move from the first class carriage of a train to third class because he was "colored," the barrister refused to budge -- and was thrown off the train, lugggage and all).

You don't hear ol' Bush talking about that, though, do you?


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Today is also Gurui's daughter Saraswati's birthday. She's 65.

You don't hear Bush talking about that much, either.