Chicago Union Stockyard fire of 1910
The fire started in warehouse 7 on December 22 4:09 am at the Nelson Morris Company on the 4300 block of South Loomis Street. Just a half an hour later there was at least thirty or more fire trucks there fighting the enormous blaze. We are told that an ammonia pipe exploded causing the fire and collapse of the building.
The blaze still engulfs the whole building the stockyard workers and the now forty fire trucks are working as fast as they can to get the fire controlled. This is turning into a hard task because the gases are still leaking into the building feeding the fire. They are trying to find the emergency shut off valves but are suspected to be under part of the fallen building.
Finally at 6:37 am on December 23 the fire was finally extinguished with the help of fifty plus fire trucks and seven hook and ladder trucks. The valves were never found but they decided to shut the gas off to the whole city. Which in turn quit feeding the fire and they were able to put out the fire.
The estimated total damage is expected to be over 2 million dollars. There 27 expected deaths due to the fire being caused by explosions and the crumbling of the building.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Austin
Early 1861,
For a great while now the states have been dividing over slavery. They have been choosing sides and wanting to keep slavery or get rid of it. Today President Lincoln asked me to command the union army. Although I wanted to accept his offer I didn’t. I declined it because my home is in Virginia.
April 1861,
Today Virginia officially declared its succession from the Union. I followed my home state because I thought it was my job to support my state. I became a senior military advisor to President Jefferson Davis for the Confederacy Army. I am one of the best military commanders known. I am known for my tactics that I display in war.
1862-1863
We have been battling the Union army off and on for two years now. We had The Battle of Fredericksburg which we had won by being entrenched and standing our ground against the Union assaults. We also had The Battle of Chancellorsville where we were out numbered 2 to 1. I divided my army up to attack which lead to another confederate victory.
1863-1865
The Battle of the Wilderness there was no actual victory for either side. Both armies suffered heavy casualties. The Battle of Cold Harbor was a victory that came with ease. We were fortified up and the Union army kept coming at us with a frontal attack, which kept failing. The Seven Days Battles were a series of battles over o span of seven days which we had lost 20,000 soldiers. We ended our resistance when I surrendered to Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865.
For a great while now the states have been dividing over slavery. They have been choosing sides and wanting to keep slavery or get rid of it. Today President Lincoln asked me to command the union army. Although I wanted to accept his offer I didn’t. I declined it because my home is in Virginia.
April 1861,
Today Virginia officially declared its succession from the Union. I followed my home state because I thought it was my job to support my state. I became a senior military advisor to President Jefferson Davis for the Confederacy Army. I am one of the best military commanders known. I am known for my tactics that I display in war.
1862-1863
We have been battling the Union army off and on for two years now. We had The Battle of Fredericksburg which we had won by being entrenched and standing our ground against the Union assaults. We also had The Battle of Chancellorsville where we were out numbered 2 to 1. I divided my army up to attack which lead to another confederate victory.
1863-1865
The Battle of the Wilderness there was no actual victory for either side. Both armies suffered heavy casualties. The Battle of Cold Harbor was a victory that came with ease. We were fortified up and the Union army kept coming at us with a frontal attack, which kept failing. The Seven Days Battles were a series of battles over o span of seven days which we had lost 20,000 soldiers. We ended our resistance when I surrendered to Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865.
Monday, March 7, 2011
9/11
Andy Padilla
English 12
3-3-11
9/11
It’s September tenth and about five in the afternoon here in New York. I’m just at my house enjoying my day off by relaxing and watching some college football on T.V. I wake up the next morning to go to work; my job isn’t your everyday fast food place. I work in the World Trade Center, and I love every bit of it. Well anyways I wake up and get ready for work and when I was on my way I had this feeling in my stomach that something just wasn’t right.
I get to work and as I’m walking through the office on the 34th floor I hear over the intercom that some airplanes were flying very fast towards the towers and everybody around me hopped up and ran to the windows to look. Sure as heck there was a huge airplane barreling straight towards the tower. Everyone started pacing and panicking running for the elevators and stairs but right as we all got to the stairwell the plane hit in a trembling explosion. I remember seeing people jumping through windows to try to get away from the flames and falling metal. I was in the stairwell running and running at as fast as pace as my body would let me go.
I was one of the very few people that made it to the bottom. I ran out the front door of the twin towers in shock and covered in debris. I hoped that all my friends made it out too but there was literally no way to tell until probably the next day. I was surrounded by police and firemen right as I ran out the door, I was also asked if I needed to be hauled to the hospital by ambulance and if I were hurt. I Answered back and said no sir I’m fine but then I looked down and noticed about three lacerations on my right leg. They were probably at least all an inch deep and about four inches long.
I quickly answered again and said yes take me in. I remember being in the Ambulance and still being able to hear the Towers falling and people screaming. The City of new York looked like it had just been through a world war again.
English 12
3-3-11
9/11
It’s September tenth and about five in the afternoon here in New York. I’m just at my house enjoying my day off by relaxing and watching some college football on T.V. I wake up the next morning to go to work; my job isn’t your everyday fast food place. I work in the World Trade Center, and I love every bit of it. Well anyways I wake up and get ready for work and when I was on my way I had this feeling in my stomach that something just wasn’t right.
I get to work and as I’m walking through the office on the 34th floor I hear over the intercom that some airplanes were flying very fast towards the towers and everybody around me hopped up and ran to the windows to look. Sure as heck there was a huge airplane barreling straight towards the tower. Everyone started pacing and panicking running for the elevators and stairs but right as we all got to the stairwell the plane hit in a trembling explosion. I remember seeing people jumping through windows to try to get away from the flames and falling metal. I was in the stairwell running and running at as fast as pace as my body would let me go.
I was one of the very few people that made it to the bottom. I ran out the front door of the twin towers in shock and covered in debris. I hoped that all my friends made it out too but there was literally no way to tell until probably the next day. I was surrounded by police and firemen right as I ran out the door, I was also asked if I needed to be hauled to the hospital by ambulance and if I were hurt. I Answered back and said no sir I’m fine but then I looked down and noticed about three lacerations on my right leg. They were probably at least all an inch deep and about four inches long.
I quickly answered again and said yes take me in. I remember being in the Ambulance and still being able to hear the Towers falling and people screaming. The City of new York looked like it had just been through a world war again.
Hurrican Katrina
Talon Ford
3-3-11
English 12
Tuesday August 23, 2005
Its 5:00 p.m. and I’m watching the news in my New Orleans home, the news has a weather interruption about the formation of a hurricane. My first thought is to panic and call everyone I know and try to keep them safe. They are naming the hurricane Katrina, saying it could be a very deadly one to the area around the Gulf of Mexico. I decided I would just tell my mom when she got home. She tells me don’t worry it will miss us completely but I don’t got a good feeling about this. I guess we will just wait and see...
Thursday August 25, 2005
Couple days go by and it’s still building and getting stronger. I’m watching the news again tonight. Hurricane Katrina is striking down on the southern tip of Florida. At this point I’m freaking out just a little bit because it could very well come this way. I don’t want to lose everything I have or possibly lose a friend or family to the massive hurricane.
Saturday August 27, 2005
Hurricane Katrina is reaching a category 3 on the intensity scale. By this time officials were demanding a voluntary evacuation for all the residents in Louisiana. At this time I begin to freak out and am running around the house grabbing up all my personal belongs that I can fit in a pack back. Nobody knows when or even if it will strike down again but I got a bad feeling about this and want to get out of harms way soon.
Sunday August 29, 2005
This could very well be the last time I write in my journal. Hurricane Katrina reached a category 4 on the intensity scale at 12:40 a.m. I cannot sleep at all, way to nervous of what could happen. Its morning now about 7:00 a.m. and I’m scared at what could happen to me will I live another day or day today. It’s an uncomfortable feeling but what else is there to do. I got my personal belongings and I think I am far enough away that I should not be affected by this now category 5 hurricane, I guess only time will tell…
Trojan War Diary
Today I was at a marriage ceremony between gods in Troy and they forgot to invite one god who became very angry. She came in the door with a golden apple and said that this apple was for the fairest lady in the building which Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all three went for the apple which was strange because I believed that Hera was the fairest. But Paris got to choose because he was the “most beautiful man” of this time and for some reason he chose Aphrodite. Aphrodite promised him the fairest lady in the land which was Helen of Greece so he left to steal her away. I knew this was a big mistake for him because my country would take Troy over for this.
Odysseus
Today I was back in Greece and found out that we were going to set sail for Troy to get Helen back because Paris succeeded in taking Helen. I tried to get out of this war by acting insane but that dang Palamedes caught me on faking it so I had to go. Cinyras was supposed to make all 50 ships for us to take to Troy and he made one, with the other 49 being toy ships. I personally thought this was kind of funny because he was making a joke and I really didn’t want to go to war. Then thankfully a few people made Diana mad and she calmed the seas so we couldn’t leave to Troy. The only way that we could set sail for Troy was if Agamemnon was sacrificed, so they did that and we then set sail.
Odysseus
Over this next span of time I am going to talk about we set sail and landed by Telephus to get Helen back. The people here said that they did not take Helen but for some reason we took their city over anyway. After this we returned home and the king of Telephus had been wounded by Achilles. The only way he could be cured was if Achilles cured it and so in return for curing the king he told us where Helen was which was Troy. Once we got to Troy I had to go talk to the people of Troy to ask them for Helen and the treasures back. The people refused so we waged war on them.
Odysseus
The next nine years were the consistency of the Trojan War. We realized that Troy was getting supplies from their neighbors and so we took them over and stole their goods so Troy was shut off from all supplies. One of the most important parts to our army in Achilles was killed by Paris himself which really angered me. After this we got Achilles’ son to fight in the war and I led some men into Troy to take the Palladium. The next part is the best yet, we got the bright idea to make a Trojan horse and say it was a gift for giving up in the war and we were leaving their land, but really it was a way for us to get all of our soldiers into Troy to take their city over and get Helen and the treasure back. This succeeded and we were able to return to Troy with Helen and all the treasure but a loss of many good men including Achilles. Odysseus
Odysseus
Today I was back in Greece and found out that we were going to set sail for Troy to get Helen back because Paris succeeded in taking Helen. I tried to get out of this war by acting insane but that dang Palamedes caught me on faking it so I had to go. Cinyras was supposed to make all 50 ships for us to take to Troy and he made one, with the other 49 being toy ships. I personally thought this was kind of funny because he was making a joke and I really didn’t want to go to war. Then thankfully a few people made Diana mad and she calmed the seas so we couldn’t leave to Troy. The only way that we could set sail for Troy was if Agamemnon was sacrificed, so they did that and we then set sail.
Odysseus
Over this next span of time I am going to talk about we set sail and landed by Telephus to get Helen back. The people here said that they did not take Helen but for some reason we took their city over anyway. After this we returned home and the king of Telephus had been wounded by Achilles. The only way he could be cured was if Achilles cured it and so in return for curing the king he told us where Helen was which was Troy. Once we got to Troy I had to go talk to the people of Troy to ask them for Helen and the treasures back. The people refused so we waged war on them.
Odysseus
The next nine years were the consistency of the Trojan War. We realized that Troy was getting supplies from their neighbors and so we took them over and stole their goods so Troy was shut off from all supplies. One of the most important parts to our army in Achilles was killed by Paris himself which really angered me. After this we got Achilles’ son to fight in the war and I led some men into Troy to take the Palladium. The next part is the best yet, we got the bright idea to make a Trojan horse and say it was a gift for giving up in the war and we were leaving their land, but really it was a way for us to get all of our soldiers into Troy to take their city over and get Helen and the treasure back. This succeeded and we were able to return to Troy with Helen and all the treasure but a loss of many good men including Achilles. Odysseus
Great Chicago Fire
October 8, 1871
Today a horrible event occurred. There was a great fire that started in the barn of one of the residents of Chicago that hit the hay and took off running. Luckily the fire did not burn my house but for a lot of the people in Chicago they aren’t so lucky. It lit up the night time sky like a candle and from what I can see 10 houses have been burned down but I am going to bed and see what has all happened in the morning.
October 9, 1871
Today I woke up to a smoke smell that has filled the air of Chicago. I went outside and noticed that with all the smoke in the air it has blocked the sun and there is hardly any sunlight that can be used. You see people walk around outside with pieces of clothing over their faces and hope that the piece of cloth acts as a filter as they breath. The day goes on and the smoke gets thicker and I wonder how in the world we are going to put the fire out. As I get set to go to bed I notice that the sky night is not as bright as the night before so I start to think that the fire is starting to go down.
October 10, 1871
Today the fire has finally went out and people are trying to figure out how much damage has been done. As I stroll down the streets I see people crying in front of burnt down houses and barns. I have also noticed that there are people dragging out dead bodies out of homes of where old people had lived. It has been said that more than 50 people gave gone missing since the fire has started. There are people trying to figure out how many people have been killed, how many houses have been burned down, and the amount of damage that has all occurred.
October 11, 1871
Today the people are trying to figure out what started the fire. They have decided where the fire had started but can’t answer the question how it got started. People believe that there was a lantern in the barn and that a cow had knocked it over. Then with all the straw on the ground the fire took off and burned the barn down. Then the fire went from the too a near by house then the down caught on fire. That is how people believe that the Chicago fire happened.
Today a horrible event occurred. There was a great fire that started in the barn of one of the residents of Chicago that hit the hay and took off running. Luckily the fire did not burn my house but for a lot of the people in Chicago they aren’t so lucky. It lit up the night time sky like a candle and from what I can see 10 houses have been burned down but I am going to bed and see what has all happened in the morning.
October 9, 1871
Today I woke up to a smoke smell that has filled the air of Chicago. I went outside and noticed that with all the smoke in the air it has blocked the sun and there is hardly any sunlight that can be used. You see people walk around outside with pieces of clothing over their faces and hope that the piece of cloth acts as a filter as they breath. The day goes on and the smoke gets thicker and I wonder how in the world we are going to put the fire out. As I get set to go to bed I notice that the sky night is not as bright as the night before so I start to think that the fire is starting to go down.
October 10, 1871
Today the fire has finally went out and people are trying to figure out how much damage has been done. As I stroll down the streets I see people crying in front of burnt down houses and barns. I have also noticed that there are people dragging out dead bodies out of homes of where old people had lived. It has been said that more than 50 people gave gone missing since the fire has started. There are people trying to figure out how many people have been killed, how many houses have been burned down, and the amount of damage that has all occurred.
October 11, 1871
Today the people are trying to figure out what started the fire. They have decided where the fire had started but can’t answer the question how it got started. People believe that there was a lantern in the barn and that a cow had knocked it over. Then with all the straw on the ground the fire took off and burned the barn down. Then the fire went from the too a near by house then the down caught on fire. That is how people believe that the Chicago fire happened.
August 26, 2005
Even though it has only been one day since the storm all new reporters have determined that there will no longer be any storm action. It isn’t necessarily safe to revisit New Orleans because of all the flood waters, but there is no need to worry about any aftermath parts of the storm coming in. My family and I decide we want to return to see what damage has been done to our property and everyone else’s. As we get to the outskirts of the city we see tress plowed over, houses completely torn down, and people walking around crying and wondering where to start. We keep driving and finally arrive at the destination where our house once sat. It too had been torn to shreds just like everyone else’s. We had no idea what to do. We had nowhere to live, and nowhere to go. Everyone was very helpful. We picked up tree branches and pieces from our houses and started stacking them. We had to get rid of this mess and clean it up somehow, so that is where we started. All of our neighbors were crying and wondering what they were going to do with their lives. Many questions arose, should we pack up and move somewhere else? Should we go visit some family in Colorado for awhile while this mess gets cleaned up? Should we stay and help? No one knew what to do. My family and I were fair enough off that we just decided to rent our hotel room for the next half a year through all of the reconstruction. We helped clean up and start our lives over. We basically had to restart from scratch.
Even though it has only been one day since the storm all new reporters have determined that there will no longer be any storm action. It isn’t necessarily safe to revisit New Orleans because of all the flood waters, but there is no need to worry about any aftermath parts of the storm coming in. My family and I decide we want to return to see what damage has been done to our property and everyone else’s. As we get to the outskirts of the city we see tress plowed over, houses completely torn down, and people walking around crying and wondering where to start. We keep driving and finally arrive at the destination where our house once sat. It too had been torn to shreds just like everyone else’s. We had no idea what to do. We had nowhere to live, and nowhere to go. Everyone was very helpful. We picked up tree branches and pieces from our houses and started stacking them. We had to get rid of this mess and clean it up somehow, so that is where we started. All of our neighbors were crying and wondering what they were going to do with their lives. Many questions arose, should we pack up and move somewhere else? Should we go visit some family in Colorado for awhile while this mess gets cleaned up? Should we stay and help? No one knew what to do. My family and I were fair enough off that we just decided to rent our hotel room for the next half a year through all of the reconstruction. We helped clean up and start our lives over. We basically had to restart from scratch.
August 25, 2005
As we sit in our hotel room, we are watching the news channels. Every single one of them is showing all the destruction that is being done to my beautiful home town of New Orleans, Louisiana. The waves from the Gulf are over 20 feet tall. They come crashing down on the beach homes, and crush them to pieces. Every once and awhile we see people running around like crazies. Knowing we did the right thing, we must just sit and watch as this horrible disaster takes place. It was hard to think of what the town was going to look like when we revisited. Building would be shattered, would it ever look like a town anymore? All we could think about was the reconstruction that would take place afterwards. The news announced that this hurricane, which the named Katrina, was a category five hurricane. It was one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the coast. This moment in time would forever go down in history.
As we sit in our hotel room, we are watching the news channels. Every single one of them is showing all the destruction that is being done to my beautiful home town of New Orleans, Louisiana. The waves from the Gulf are over 20 feet tall. They come crashing down on the beach homes, and crush them to pieces. Every once and awhile we see people running around like crazies. Knowing we did the right thing, we must just sit and watch as this horrible disaster takes place. It was hard to think of what the town was going to look like when we revisited. Building would be shattered, would it ever look like a town anymore? All we could think about was the reconstruction that would take place afterwards. The news announced that this hurricane, which the named Katrina, was a category five hurricane. It was one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the coast. This moment in time would forever go down in history.
August 24, 2005
The thundering rolling and the lightning striking kept me up for most of the night. These weren’t just your normal thunder and lightning storms, they were much more powerful. I started to get a bad feeling about the way things were going to turn out. In my fifteen years of life I had never heard anything like this. The rain started pelting the roof of our house, the winds were howling up to one hundred miles an hour. I could only imagine what would happen next. My family and I all rushed to the television to see the 6am news. The news reporter was warning everyone that this storm had gotten much larger and much more powerful as it traveled through the Gulf. The news reporter was telling everyone that the must leave as soon as they could. This storm was powerful enough to take the lives of many people. My family and I packed all of our essential belongings and traveled north to safety.
The thundering rolling and the lightning striking kept me up for most of the night. These weren’t just your normal thunder and lightning storms, they were much more powerful. I started to get a bad feeling about the way things were going to turn out. In my fifteen years of life I had never heard anything like this. The rain started pelting the roof of our house, the winds were howling up to one hundred miles an hour. I could only imagine what would happen next. My family and I all rushed to the television to see the 6am news. The news reporter was warning everyone that this storm had gotten much larger and much more powerful as it traveled through the Gulf. The news reporter was telling everyone that the must leave as soon as they could. This storm was powerful enough to take the lives of many people. My family and I packed all of our essential belongings and traveled north to safety.
August 23, 2005
Today seemed like any other stormy day; the winds were higher than usual, the blistering hot sun was actually cooler for a change, and the usual bright blue sky was filled with huge dark clouds. We all stayed in the house on this day. Everyone in this town just figured this was another tropical storm coming in. Being that we live on the coast, we had these storms quite often and had become fairly familiar at how to deal with them. We all stayed away from the beach and the water for the day, and got the chance to be with our families for a day. As my family and I sat down to watch the 5 o’clock news, we saw that this storm was pretty much like any other small hurricane we’d already experienced. We all went to bed, knowing that tomorrow would bring a better day.
Today seemed like any other stormy day; the winds were higher than usual, the blistering hot sun was actually cooler for a change, and the usual bright blue sky was filled with huge dark clouds. We all stayed in the house on this day. Everyone in this town just figured this was another tropical storm coming in. Being that we live on the coast, we had these storms quite often and had become fairly familiar at how to deal with them. We all stayed away from the beach and the water for the day, and got the chance to be with our families for a day. As my family and I sat down to watch the 5 o’clock news, we saw that this storm was pretty much like any other small hurricane we’d already experienced. We all went to bed, knowing that tomorrow would bring a better day.
Finding Colorado
We discovered a new place today that we are going to call Colorado. The name Colorado came around because the land was red and colorado stnads for red. The territory was claimed by spain in 1706.
We have claimed the eastern plains of colorado in the lousiana purchase in 1803. This land is to be explored and mapped. We sent men to explore the territtory but have got word that they were captured by the spanish.
We are getting excepted into the united states union on August 1, 1876. The territory is being established mostly by the pikes peak gold rush. There are many people settling here and is getting very popular.
Gold is very popular in colorado, there are many gold miners coming to this territory to establish. There has been alot of gold discovered. Now many hunters and trappers are interested in the animals here.
We have claimed the eastern plains of colorado in the lousiana purchase in 1803. This land is to be explored and mapped. We sent men to explore the territtory but have got word that they were captured by the spanish.
We are getting excepted into the united states union on August 1, 1876. The territory is being established mostly by the pikes peak gold rush. There are many people settling here and is getting very popular.
Gold is very popular in colorado, there are many gold miners coming to this territory to establish. There has been alot of gold discovered. Now many hunters and trappers are interested in the animals here.
The Modern Bicycle
I have came up with an idea of a bike, not just any other ordinary bike with peddles this is going to be even better. This new bike will be very light weight, have a way of folding up for easy storage and travel. The hope of this invention is that people will be more willing to use this bike rather than a car to get from one place to another. this will save gas and help our earth be more green.
The process of the bike is in full swing! It has been taking much planning and time to get this exactly how it needs to be. The style and function has to be just right for it to be safe and reliable. Several trial and errors have been done and several hours have already been put into this project.
It has been about a year now that the new modern bike has been under construction. This bike is going to change the world. The old bikes involved working your legs and arms to operate them. This bike is going to take little to no work to operate. Everyone in the world is going to want some part of this.
Its done!! The new modern day bicycle has arrived. It weights 20 pounds, it can fold up so it fits into your car and can store anywhere it needs to be. The name of the bike is "Yike Bike" it has an accelerator instead of peddles so it is much easier to operate. I'm very proud of this creation and hope people catch on!
The process of the bike is in full swing! It has been taking much planning and time to get this exactly how it needs to be. The style and function has to be just right for it to be safe and reliable. Several trial and errors have been done and several hours have already been put into this project.
It has been about a year now that the new modern bike has been under construction. This bike is going to change the world. The old bikes involved working your legs and arms to operate them. This bike is going to take little to no work to operate. Everyone in the world is going to want some part of this.
Its done!! The new modern day bicycle has arrived. It weights 20 pounds, it can fold up so it fits into your car and can store anywhere it needs to be. The name of the bike is "Yike Bike" it has an accelerator instead of peddles so it is much easier to operate. I'm very proud of this creation and hope people catch on!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
August 24, AD 79
I woke up this morning to head off to work at the dock. It was a typical August day with the sun shining, birds singing, and warming weather. Everybody was out and about, recuperating and repairing damages from the recent earthquake. Who would have ever thought that an earthquake could be a sign of what was about to happen? Who would have ever thought that a beautiful day like this would lead to this? It started with a roaring blast and the terror did not end for many days to come. My house was located right at the bottom of Vesuvius and when I say, what I always thought was a mountain, blow its top; an unexplainable feeling ran through my veins. For many minutes to come I sat and and stared in amazement, in wonder, and in fear. Chaos broke out everywhere, people running around, screaming, and trying to escape with some of their valuables. I ran to my house, grabbed my family and headed in the opposite direction. The rest of the day consisted of running away from the exploding volcano.
August 25, AD 79
The smoke bursting from the volcano soon began to fall to the ground in an ash form and made being outside entirely impossible. Since we could no longer move on and try to escape the volcano. We searched and finally found an abandoned shop where we chose to stay. We watched as people ran by trying to escape, but instead we watched more people dropping dead in the streets, engulfed in the ashes. It was as if it was snowing ashes outside as it piled up foot by foot. Luckily, the store we stayed in had plenty of food that we could supply ourselves with. We spent most of the day with fear in our minds and trying to entertain ourselves with past stories to help us forget. Sleep at night with all of the chaos and noise was tough, so as I was checking out the store, late at night, I found this stationary and pen with which I am writing on.
August 26, AD 79
We got visitors today! I woke up this morning with pencil in hand and head on paper, and with a new family that had recently joined us. There were two children and two parents who were sleeping on the other end of the store, and must have entered sometime during the night. They looked so wore out that we let them sleep throughout the whole day. That evening when they awoke we had food set out instantly to replenish them. Two days of running from house to house, the family was exhausted and begged them to stick the rest of the disaster out in the store. They finally agreed and told of their incredible journey in which they had endured to get this far. Ashes continued to pile up outside and we began to think that it was never going to end.
August 27, AD 79
The sun has peaked through the ashes!! We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The ashes have appeared to stop falling and the volcano seems to have spilled the last of its insides. I attempt to step outside, but the smoke within the air is still too much to bear. Maybe within a few days we will be able to leave this seclusion. We are all hoping for some rain that helps to settle the ashes. A few more days and we will be able to see the damage and destruction and work towards moving forward with our lives.
I woke up this morning to head off to work at the dock. It was a typical August day with the sun shining, birds singing, and warming weather. Everybody was out and about, recuperating and repairing damages from the recent earthquake. Who would have ever thought that an earthquake could be a sign of what was about to happen? Who would have ever thought that a beautiful day like this would lead to this? It started with a roaring blast and the terror did not end for many days to come. My house was located right at the bottom of Vesuvius and when I say, what I always thought was a mountain, blow its top; an unexplainable feeling ran through my veins. For many minutes to come I sat and and stared in amazement, in wonder, and in fear. Chaos broke out everywhere, people running around, screaming, and trying to escape with some of their valuables. I ran to my house, grabbed my family and headed in the opposite direction. The rest of the day consisted of running away from the exploding volcano.
August 25, AD 79
The smoke bursting from the volcano soon began to fall to the ground in an ash form and made being outside entirely impossible. Since we could no longer move on and try to escape the volcano. We searched and finally found an abandoned shop where we chose to stay. We watched as people ran by trying to escape, but instead we watched more people dropping dead in the streets, engulfed in the ashes. It was as if it was snowing ashes outside as it piled up foot by foot. Luckily, the store we stayed in had plenty of food that we could supply ourselves with. We spent most of the day with fear in our minds and trying to entertain ourselves with past stories to help us forget. Sleep at night with all of the chaos and noise was tough, so as I was checking out the store, late at night, I found this stationary and pen with which I am writing on.
August 26, AD 79
We got visitors today! I woke up this morning with pencil in hand and head on paper, and with a new family that had recently joined us. There were two children and two parents who were sleeping on the other end of the store, and must have entered sometime during the night. They looked so wore out that we let them sleep throughout the whole day. That evening when they awoke we had food set out instantly to replenish them. Two days of running from house to house, the family was exhausted and begged them to stick the rest of the disaster out in the store. They finally agreed and told of their incredible journey in which they had endured to get this far. Ashes continued to pile up outside and we began to think that it was never going to end.
August 27, AD 79
The sun has peaked through the ashes!! We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The ashes have appeared to stop falling and the volcano seems to have spilled the last of its insides. I attempt to step outside, but the smoke within the air is still too much to bear. Maybe within a few days we will be able to leave this seclusion. We are all hoping for some rain that helps to settle the ashes. A few more days and we will be able to see the damage and destruction and work towards moving forward with our lives.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Great Fire of Rome
Great Fire of Rome
Today, I saw one of the most astonishing sites of my entire life. Flames broke out across the urban area, and it kept spreading rapidly. I was minding my business at home when I heard the news reporter discussing this event. I walked outside, and instantly smelt the thick smoke that covered the sky. The news said that the fire was spreading rapidly, and we were to evacuate. Right then, I packed my bag, and went down to the Town Hall, where evacuation buses were loading all of us locals. People were scattering and young children were crying. They loaded us into hundreds of buses and took us far away into a secluded area. To be honest, I actually have no idea where we are. But shelter and food is provided for all of us. We have no clue how long we are going to be here, or what is happening back at home. We are currently waiting by the television to get more information. At the time of evacuation, I was very impatient and confused about what was happening. In fact, I am still confused…did I just leave my house and most of my belongings behind to burn into ash?
Tacitus
Yesterday was by far one of the craziest days of my life. Last night after my first entry, we watched a news report on the fire. Apparently there are no leads on how the fire was started. Rumors around the evacuation courters say that the Nero started the fire out of rage, but there is no truth to anything yet. Another rumor is that there have already been some Christians who have admitted to the crime. Other people say they are receiving streams on their iPhones that show Christians being forced to take the blame to avoid torture. There have been a lot of “chatter” and opinions flying around here today. This is only the second day of evacuation, and I am already much stressed. My confusion level is out of this world, and I just want some answers. Why is this happening? What is happening back at home? When can we leave this place? Is my home destroyed? I’m just ready for some answers.
Tacitus
Breaking news! We just had an officer visit the evacuation courters. He told us that there are around 1,000 other courters elsewhere that are holding evacuators as well. He also told us that the fire is very rapid, and it is expected to burn up to 6 days. According to the police officer, three districts of Rome have already been destroyed, and the fire is still spreading. They expect almost every district to be touched by this fire. It is also expected that almost a tenth of the city will be burnt before any pause will come. Apparently there are helicopters flying above the fire constantly, dropping tons of water on the fire, but putting the fire out by water is not an option, it is just too big. Earlier today, there seemed to be an “emotion outbreak” in here. Everyone started screaming, crying, cursing, and becoming angry at one another. I think the stress and confusion is finally building up on most of these people. I am just sitting in my own corner, alone and unbothered, writing about these people as if they have no idea, and waiting for more results. There is really nothing else I can do besides sit and wait. Until then, I am going to rest.
Tacitus
Today is day 5 here in the evacuation courters. I have not written for the past two days because I am becoming ill. The food here is only satisfying for so long. People’s iPods, phone, and laptops are beginning to die due to the lack of electricity, and no way to charge these devices. Many people are livid because of this. Their ways of communication are becoming slim. But on the bright side, the officer came in again this morning. He said that the fire was becoming smaller, and we would be able to return back to Rome soon. But the question is what do I return home to? He explained to us that most of, if not all of our homes were destroyed, but he ensured us that there would be numerous shelters that provided food and living for the homeless until we got back on our feet. He also told us that Nero is being interviewed and held responsible for the starting of the fire. This is the only lead they have so far. I am just trying to stay positive. Maybe my house will be one of those very few homes that made it. Staying positive is one of the only things I can handle. But once again, I am feeling very blue today. I am going to rest again, but I will write again soon if we learn anything else about the situation.
Tacitus
Today, I saw one of the most astonishing sites of my entire life. Flames broke out across the urban area, and it kept spreading rapidly. I was minding my business at home when I heard the news reporter discussing this event. I walked outside, and instantly smelt the thick smoke that covered the sky. The news said that the fire was spreading rapidly, and we were to evacuate. Right then, I packed my bag, and went down to the Town Hall, where evacuation buses were loading all of us locals. People were scattering and young children were crying. They loaded us into hundreds of buses and took us far away into a secluded area. To be honest, I actually have no idea where we are. But shelter and food is provided for all of us. We have no clue how long we are going to be here, or what is happening back at home. We are currently waiting by the television to get more information. At the time of evacuation, I was very impatient and confused about what was happening. In fact, I am still confused…did I just leave my house and most of my belongings behind to burn into ash?
Tacitus
Yesterday was by far one of the craziest days of my life. Last night after my first entry, we watched a news report on the fire. Apparently there are no leads on how the fire was started. Rumors around the evacuation courters say that the Nero started the fire out of rage, but there is no truth to anything yet. Another rumor is that there have already been some Christians who have admitted to the crime. Other people say they are receiving streams on their iPhones that show Christians being forced to take the blame to avoid torture. There have been a lot of “chatter” and opinions flying around here today. This is only the second day of evacuation, and I am already much stressed. My confusion level is out of this world, and I just want some answers. Why is this happening? What is happening back at home? When can we leave this place? Is my home destroyed? I’m just ready for some answers.
Tacitus
Breaking news! We just had an officer visit the evacuation courters. He told us that there are around 1,000 other courters elsewhere that are holding evacuators as well. He also told us that the fire is very rapid, and it is expected to burn up to 6 days. According to the police officer, three districts of Rome have already been destroyed, and the fire is still spreading. They expect almost every district to be touched by this fire. It is also expected that almost a tenth of the city will be burnt before any pause will come. Apparently there are helicopters flying above the fire constantly, dropping tons of water on the fire, but putting the fire out by water is not an option, it is just too big. Earlier today, there seemed to be an “emotion outbreak” in here. Everyone started screaming, crying, cursing, and becoming angry at one another. I think the stress and confusion is finally building up on most of these people. I am just sitting in my own corner, alone and unbothered, writing about these people as if they have no idea, and waiting for more results. There is really nothing else I can do besides sit and wait. Until then, I am going to rest.
Tacitus
Today is day 5 here in the evacuation courters. I have not written for the past two days because I am becoming ill. The food here is only satisfying for so long. People’s iPods, phone, and laptops are beginning to die due to the lack of electricity, and no way to charge these devices. Many people are livid because of this. Their ways of communication are becoming slim. But on the bright side, the officer came in again this morning. He said that the fire was becoming smaller, and we would be able to return back to Rome soon. But the question is what do I return home to? He explained to us that most of, if not all of our homes were destroyed, but he ensured us that there would be numerous shelters that provided food and living for the homeless until we got back on our feet. He also told us that Nero is being interviewed and held responsible for the starting of the fire. This is the only lead they have so far. I am just trying to stay positive. Maybe my house will be one of those very few homes that made it. Staying positive is one of the only things I can handle. But once again, I am feeling very blue today. I am going to rest again, but I will write again soon if we learn anything else about the situation.
Tacitus
modern journal writing
Welcome to my blog! Currently you should be working on an account of an historical event, natural disaster, etc. as if you were there, responding, reflecting and reporting.
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