‘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
andy townend 