A Moment of Silence: Photos From Japan

In case you haven't seen the levels of destruction in Japan, here are the images I came across earlier today.  It is unreal.

I don't know how else to convey this other than just not talk about it and re-post the photographs.  I've given credit to the photographers, so I hope I'm not infringing.  But, please let me know if this is a no-no in online land.  It's always good to know the rules I'm breaking.

Ship Asia Symphony breached, Kamaishi. EPA/STEPHEN MORRISON

Rikuzentakata, SHIHO FUKADA for The New York Times

Otsuchi, YOMIURI SHIMBUN via Associated Press

Kesennuma, KIM KYUNG-HOON/REUTERS

Kesennuma, SHIHO FUKADA for The International Herald Tribune

Natori, KYODO NEWS via Associated Press

I am very aware that California is due for a big earthquake and also located on the Ring of Fire, and not just in the cool Johnny-Cash-Song kind of way.

This week, if you haven't already, please take the time to arrange for yourself and your family a simple earthquake-kit.  We all learned as kids growing up in California to duck and cover, stay away from windows in case of glass shards breaking over you, etc.  But, I also know that it's easy to forget the basics.

My family keeps a supply of earthquake food, batteries, water and medicine just in case of emergency.  So, for those of you who don't know what an Earthquake Kit looks like here are the basics, as laid out by Ready America's kit recommendations:

Water, one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and/or sanitation.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Radio, battery-powered or hand crank 
Flashlights and extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Dust Mask, to help filter contaminated air 
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (if auto-gas-lock is not placed on household gas lines)
Can opener for food (if non-perishable food is canned)
Local road maps
Cell phone, with chargers, inverter or solar

Also, here is a more in-depth article on how to use your cell phone as a tool during an emergency:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2319595_use-cell-phone-as-emergency.html


-Beryl

p.s. For those in need of a laugh after all of the heavy news, here is a WOO UPDATE:


Mom took her on a walk a few days ago over on the Navy Base of Alameda, which if you didn't know existed, please feel free to brush up on your Alameda geography with the last post concerning the abandoned Navy Base.

It was deserted and quite lovely with the green clover everywhere.

Woo also apparently loved that she had the space and freedom to roam around without any other pesky dogs trying to socialize with her.

So she went galloping--and I mean that in the pug-sense; i.e., it was not so much as a gallop but more of a lolloping-circular movement akin to a potato rolling down a steep hill.

I don't know why but this picture just makes me laugh out loud.  I think it's because running just looks so wrong when she does it.  But, she was enjoying herself, which makes all the difference.