Earthquakes

Why is it that we don't name earthquakes like we do hurricanes?

They reap similar amounts of chaos and destruction, yet we continue to label 'quakes with generic titles based on region of occurrence.

Certainly the past month has been tragic, with devastation and death resulting from the incidents in Haiti and Chile, and I do not wish to make light.

Hurricane names give a personality to the storm, as well as giving us mortals some sense of control over the situation.  And earthquakes?  Nothing.  We remain in awe over their unpredictability and power.  

Yes, I understand that hurricanes brew for days in the far off coast before bringing wrath to their targeted coastlines.  It is a week long incident that people prepare for, and something that is analyzed at length in the media.  However, an earthquake is mirror of a hurricane.  While most energy goes into saving lives and possessions before a hurricane, it happens in precisely the opposite but equal manner after an earthquake.

By naming an earthquake, it would give an identifiable 'tag' in our instant media era for tweeters, bloggers and columnists to refer to in convenient shorthand.  It becomes more convenient and accessible to discuss the occurrence and thus raise awareness of fundraising needs.

Unorganized idea.  Its a blog after all...

-orr

Trial run

Feb 10/10

There are two camps in Van-City in regards to the Olympics: vehemently for or passionately against.  I always could spot the opposition.  Beard, second-hand shirts or buttons on their backpacks are often dead giveaways.  As is a meth addiction.

The supporters?  Tougher to spot.  Generally old people were shoe-ins, but given their increasingly crotchety nature since the ol’ RRSP was halved in ’09, even they couldn’t be counted on anymore.  Could the Olympics, the most bandwagon of all events, pass through Vancouver without anyone batting an eye?  Surely these laid-back west coasters couldn’t be that chilled.

My instincts were correct.  My guess is that the aqua-marine ski suits for volunteers were distributed sometime last week.  While they are specifically intended to be worn during their work at the Games, people around Van wear them like badges of honour.  To the gym.  On the ski hill.  To the strip club.  (Truthfully it does add a little suspense when Destiny leaves a little more to the imagination right out of the gate.)

 

Much more to follow, stronger than a Reggie Evan’s ligament.