aftershocks and go bags

Last night we felt our apartment sway for a moment again as yet another aftershock rolled under us. We live on the 22nd floor (though we are now reconsidering that arrangement), so we tend to notice much more than if we were lower or outside. But they still have to be pretty big for us to notice them here (at least about 6.0). I have felt a few. It is amazing to think how the Earth moves and what we believe to be solid is not solid at all. This quake has had a massive number of aftershocks. There is a very well done animation video showing the occurrence of aftershocks. I almost typed "pattern" but that would be incorrect. My evolved human brain wishes there was a pattern and tries to see one even when there isn't one.

You can see the video here: Japanese Seismic Animation

I will be posting this late since I have not blogged in a while and have been busy this week. Busy doing what, you ask? Mostly busy stressfully obsessing over online news sources, Twitter and Facebook. None of which are particularly helpful or productive.

Ulala and I remain safe in Osaka. We are still carefully watching the news and having regular meetings to assess / re-assess our options. Ulala went to work today but I have the day off (my regular day off). We have our bags ready to go if needed (and I am keeping a close eye on the airline websites, too). We have also sorted out a huge pile of blankets and warm clothes ready to donate as soon as we know exactly where to take them. The cupboards are stocked with a simple but sufficient supply of canned goods, water and other basics. We are not hoarding food or batteries. We are trying to conserve electricity as much as we can to help the electric company divert power northward.

It is strange to watch the news because everyone here in Osaka is going about their lives as normally as possible. They are talking about the disaster and concerned about the nuclear reactor, but mostly people talk about how brave the "Fukushima 50" are and how they hope things will calm down soon. A far cry from most of the English/foreign media, which seems to be lusting for meltdown and catastrophe. Perhaps I am too harsh on them. News is a business, after all. I just feel so very frustrated when I see them fanning fear and paranoia with misleading or ignorant information.


On that note, it is definitely time to get away from the news and take a walk, run some errands, do some shopping.