Friday, March 25, 2011

Ropes!

A curio-ponder: It seems the Aurora Borealis are visual evidence of a direct link between the blue (planet) earth and yellow (star) sun, via magnetic "ropes" that connect through the solar winds to the upper atmosphere.

Much to wonder about here.

Proof of this comes from the legendary NASA itself.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Closing the cracks

Today, I learned that two of my rental properties are within 15 miles of a nuclear power station that IS on a fault line. Soooo, I personally got interested in Dr. Richard Besser's demonstration of HOW to seal a door on Good Morning America (ABC.COM, 3/18/11). (With my luck, something might happen in the once a year appearance to see the properties and how the tenants are doing.) The good doctor used plastic sheeting and duct tape (stretching it across the opening to about 2" around its periphery). Just remember to seal yourself in with everything you need--enough for 3 hours. (No one has mentioned it, but bring something that can serve as a potty seat w/toilet paper.)

I withdraw all my cracks about the useless expense on duct tape in the face of certain death. Besser says you can reduce your exposure to 5 percent by doing this simple thing. (I've also come of age to admit that anything that gives you a shot at staying alive a few extra years cannot be entirely nonsense.)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

March Madness Has Been Going on Since January

Every once in a while, someone who actually reads my blog tells me I've not been updating it lately. This, I tell myself, is a compelling reason to do so, but will that/those persons come back anytime soon to read it? Will they know their observation did, in fact, affect me, and therefore whomever else is reading this? Interesting business this law of cause and effect. Caused and affected by what, we can ask?

I've been working on a blog entry that was drafted in early January--and yes, will edit it into my previous posting since it's still sadly apropos--but let's take stock of what's gone on since January: From shootings in Arizona, to revolutions in the Middle East, demonstrations in U.S. state capitol, to the Japanese earthquakes and tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean. This is all big stuff! Stuff that is causing a real change in behavior, actions, and reactions.

Now stop to consider how all this has affected you. What part of your life? Have you had second thoughts about living or dying? How long did they last? Did they recede like low tides? How lasting were they? Maybe it's supposed to be that way? We are really only left with the shells and flotsam that wash up on our shores, or are we?

Continuing along this theme of radar, in many respects, it acts as a personal "comfort" zone. Anything new could lead to a weird reaction, a sense of "Why should I care?" or "I have more important things to think about," PTSD, ADD, or any number of "disorders" to those balances.

The Japanese may have something right, now that they lived through an earthquake and tsunami that was way beyond what they anticipated or prepared for: The forces of nature are empowered and are not necessarily controllable.

Maybe there's a way to join hands with those forces. Maybe the human race is in for some changes that are bigger than we ever "planned" for in our everyday lives. Keep an eye on that shoreline.

Cheers.

P.S. For the practical-minded, here are some suggestions for being prepared:
*Understand how to deal with radiation (washing off, clothes & jewelry, etc.)
*Preparedness kit (American Red Cross has a backpack kit)
*Wind-up radio and flashlight (doesn't require batteries or electricity, $35)
*Food not requiring water to be cooked (i.e., canned beans, tomatoes)
*Family ICE (In case of Emergency) plan
(Source: Tues 3/15/2011, Good Morning America, ABC.com)