Challenger

[neadods]

Today was my generation's "Do you remember where you were when you heard?" moment.

I was at my first job, in a big open space with four desks in it (I would, over the course of my career there, sit at all 4.) Because this was when indoor smoking was still allowed, I was probably hunched over a fan, which I ran every day to try to cope with the chainsmoker who sat at another of the desks. I was probably wrestling with the office computer, a command-line DOS beast.

All I clearly remember is one of the bosses coming out of the window offices ringing our open area and saying in a hushed voice, "Challenger blew up. I heard it on the radio." (Only management was allowed stuff like that.)

I refused to believe it until I got home and saw it on the news. And then I still didn't believe it. I didn't want to.

Comments

[biichan.livejournal.com]

My kindergarten teacher told us. I remember sitting it a circle around her and feeling very sad for the school teacher that had been on the Challenger.

(At least, I think she was the kindergarten teacher. She might have been the preschool one. It was a long time ago.)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

My kindergarten teacher told us.

*suddenly understands the looks I get when I answer "Where were you when Kennedy was killed?" with "Nursing, probably."*