Yeah, I know what ya mean, Pilgrim. I was livin' in Honolulu, Hawaii in a little apt. on the side of Punchbowl Crater....something like 5,500 miles from NYC.
I was literally far removed from it in a way...but Pearl Harbor was right close by, which put it in perspective for me!
In addition to that, a friend was visiting from Connecticut who could see the Twin Towers from her street, & she FREAKED OUT!
I also had a bud about 15 years ago who was a good guitarist & was really good at comin' up with wild guitar parts for my songs. He moved to NYC & was drivin' into work late that fateful morning....& saw the Towers crumble.
He & his new best friend both worked in one of the Towers, & his friend was killed!