‘It was the possibility of darkness that made the day seem so bright’
― Stephen King
This post is began as something of an experiment. It is, started out initially at least, as my response to Day 14 of the WordPress Writing 101 course, we were invited (I’m late to the party – again) ‘to recreate a single day’. I’ve decided to twist the prompt, because that’s what I do. So, rather than recreate a day, I’m going to share today, my day, with you, my readers. That means I plan to update this post throughout the day, never tried this before so let’s see what happens? Let’s hope writing the post doesn’t get in the way of the day I have decided to write about. Ha.
12:00 Noon.
Woke very late, after months of not sleeping well, this day I slept through until noon. Woke to texts and news bulletins warning that the Metro has been shut down here in Brussel. Pouring with rain. Not a good day to visit Brussel. I’ve realised that I have no food, my plan was to visit Marks & Spencer and buy some comfort food. Comforting to see, courtesy of BBC News, that heavily armed soldiers are guarding both M&S and the Apple Store next door, now need to plan how to get from Molenbeek (yes indeed) to the store.
12:45
13:24
After coffee and hot shower, wrestling with html to insert columns (something I would have learned had I stuck with Blogging X01, decide to give up and just type. Now time to go out and see if I can take photos of whatever is, or is not happening. Wonder if I will stick with this 24 style post? Catch you later. maybe?
13:43
Now time to grab my camera and go see what’s happening. Catch you later?
14:25
Buses seem to be operating. Well this 86 to Brussel Centraal is anyway. Hard to write post with one hand and strap hang with the other. Never a dull moment 😉
14:49
15:47
Light fading now. Parts of central Brussel resemble a ghost town today. Is this freedom or fear. Who wins on a day like this?
16:16
Ok, time to head home and check the shots I took on the street. Also, I’m soaking wet and my fingers are freezing and my mobile battery is about done.
16:45
16:55
I can see I need to tidy up some code in this post. Realised it’s not that easy to try and post on a mobile whilst also trying to document troops on the streets with my Nikon. About which more later. Photos now downloaded to my Mac so now to review and edit. Will probably post some here and also over on belgianstreets.
17:27
Uploading shots from the streets of Brussel to belgianstreets. And watching BBC news talk about Molenbeek, from my flat, in Molenbeek.
18:10
Posted gallery of images from my walk around central Brussel this afternoon. Now time to take a break and have a bite to eat…
Check out my photos on belgianstreets.
19:56
So much for that break
20:45
left the warmth of bar, heavily guarded by soldiers and now heading back home to Molenbeek.
22:28
Now relaxing with a glass of wine and just watched my interview on BBC World News which featured many of the photos that I took today. And, when I decided to try this experimental post I thought it would be just another ordinary day…
23:41
Here is a rather poor recording of the interview that I gave earlier this evening on the BBC (it may take a while to upload and be ready to review). With apologies for the poor audio and wonky angle, I’m tired.
With thanks to the BBC I am delighted to have uploaded the unedited live interview that took place on Saturday night, this replaces my rather shambolic amateur capture…
01:06
Actually after a day like today, it’s hard to just, well, sleep.
02:10
And so, to bed, perchance to dream.
11:09
Another late rise, although in my defence I didn’t really fall asleep until around 4. Time to make a coffee and think about the rest of the day. At least it’s stopped raining and it was a peaceful night. May go back out shooting again today or maybe just curl up and read, been a while since I did that.
11:11
Coffee brewing.
11:56
So, I set myself a period of 24 hours for this post and the time has now come to wrap. When I started typing away yesterday I had no idea what the day would hold. Which made me think that we never really do. But many of us live our lives as if there would always be another day, another 100 days, so we perhaps don’t live the day in the way we would if it really mattered. Yesterday there was no terror strike in Brussels, thank goodness.
There can only be real peace if all of us care about the world we live in, care about each other, think about each other.
When we look at the terrible periods in history it is often those that sat back, did nothing, didn’t care, couldn’t be bothered, thought it was up to someone else, that caused as much harm as the perpetrators of evil and terror.
So let’s stand united against terror. They can only terrorise us if we let them. There is a role for each and every one of us to play.
Even little acts of kindness, care, compassion and understanding matter.
It’s not necessary to be a hero. Just don’t look the other way.
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one”
― John Lennon
WordPress Writing 101 (November 2015): Day 14
Gripping post. I hope things improve
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Thank you Melinda, the post will end at noon tomorrow – I will sleep at some point, it’s been a busy day….
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Wow its ongoing. I better check up on it you what’s going on
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There may be a lull soon, getting tired 😉
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You must be. It’s got to be quite late there
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I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
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Thank you, although it’s not over yet…
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Very interesting, thanks for taking us along on your day 🙂
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Thank you for joining me.
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🙂
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I’m with you! behind each and every single word you’ve typed, behind every single step you took out in the street, behind every single drink you had on a terrasse, behind every single breath of hope and life we’ll live and throw into the face of fear and terrorism.
Not an easy task this 24 essay but it was interesting to follow your steps and thinking of the moment.
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Thank YOU! That is exactly what we all need to, and must do, be safe – and carry on living to the full in Paris!
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Well done – and important thoughts. They cannot win.
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We must certainly not give in and allow them to seize victory from defeat.
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And, thank you…
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Thank You for showing and sharing!
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Thanks for sharing your perspective.
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Thank you for taking time to read it Tildy
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Just checked back in to catch up with the rest of your day. Wow, what a read. You had quite the day! Glad there was no terror strike. I hope things settle down soon.
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Thank you, well sadly we are still waiting for the streets to get back to normal, hopefully the news is that starts tomorrow.
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I hope so. Lives being interrupted for that long can get tough.
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Yes, there is a point when the balance tips the wrong way. Difficult part is spotting that point.
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very true
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Great post Andy. Thoughtful and powerful. Your last line is brilliant and should be quoted regularly.
You don’t have to be a hero, just don’t look the other way.
Brilliant.
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Thank you Desley…
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Thank you so much for sharing your day, and images of a world so changed by events such as 9/11 (I live in the US), London Tube, and on to Paris. I listened to what was happening in Brussels during the day you were documenting.
Lennon had it right.
Would you consider doing another day in the life? I found it fascinating with the interlinking of text, images, tweets, quotes, and story telling.
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Thank you for reading my account and pleased you liked the approach I took. Yes, I will do it again, not sure when but…
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Wow! What a day! You’re right, we never really know how a day will unfold.
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It was certainly not boring.
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