Virginia Tech Update and Video

Latest Update from Bryce's live journal of the Virginia Tech shootings


From http://ntcoolfool.livejournal.com/

As distant sirens continue sporadically , I find myself removed in my room with no TV. I watched President Bush’s address earlier and was surprised at how calm I was. I didn’t have the adrenaline or goose bumps that I thought I would. I just watched as he talked about the tragedy that has occurred here at Virginia Tech. I still am removed and isolated.

As this blog has received international attention, I find myself wondering what the world has come to. The media watch dogs, no offense, have jumped on this story and on me for, as one anonymous user said, ‘exploit my emotions’. At this time I do not believe this is so, because to put it simply: I’m willing to share my experience. This is nothing special. I don’t deserve any credit. I went to class as any other student would. I just happened to be on the other side of campus when the shots were fired later in the day. But isn’t that just it? What is remarkable about this story is that this is the story of an average student at this great school. Stories of horror, bloodshed, and death are soon to come from the victims of this horrible catastrophe and the limelight will shine onwards, for that is what the public thirsts for.

For those that are interested, I will write a more complete narrative of my experiences of today later, once the media frenzy has died down and I have a minute to better reflect. As of the time I am writing this I have done a radio interview with BBC and talked with a reporter from the LA Times. CBC Newsworld, the Boston Herald, Current TV, and MTV have asked for interviews and further information. As I said I intend to share my experiences with everyone, but I want to reinstate that I am just an average student and I don’t want to be made into something I am not.

Furthermore, upon looking at a few of the posts made on this blog, I want to declare that I am OFFENDED that people are allowing this to become a political debate. People are dead. My friends could be dead. Forget bickering about trivia. Now is not the time or the place. It is the media’s job to report to the public these stories. Take it as you wish. I’m not the media. I’m just me.

A few minutes ago I walked in the hallway of the dorm frustrated with the constant contacts of media coming in every minute. In my arrogance and limited perspective I walked into a friends room while in discussion and yelled out “I hate livejournal!”, which, concerning the current emotions of campus, was not the best thing to do. Understandably, they kicked me out.

This moment is a continuation of nothingness and un-thoughtfulness, I suppose a natural coping strategy, or perhaps I am used to such peril (which I hope to allude to in a later post). I am understandably in shock that the events I see on TV happened a hundred yards away from where I now type this. That is why I believe I am calm enough to perform interviews with these various media outlets, though; as they continue to get in contact I begin to wonder if it will ultimately destroy the purpose of the story and I become some idol.

At this time of constant calls from media, I also have been overwhelmed with support from friends and family. Countless people who I haven’t been in contact for several years have asked if I am alright. Since the phone lines are overwhelmed, people have IMed, e-mailed, facebooked, and used any other sort of means to ask about me.

One reply I sent:

Thank you for your concern. I am at a lost of words to describe the pain and anger that possess me right now. To know that friends and family are so supportive of me is an overwhelming assurance

This support goes way beyond me. This is the support of the nation because each and every student is receiving phone calls from friends and family. It is terribly sad that several dozen calls will now go unanswered.

I also would like to thank the amount of support that has been shown here on this blog for me and those that have been killed or injured today. I, and fellow Hokies who may read this, are forever thankful of your thoughts and prayers. More...virginia tech