Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here*

Like a bad made-for-TV-natural-disaster movie, crisis has struck the world.  With the 8.9* earthquake that hit Japan a few days ago--anything could happen.  Including the explosion of a Nuclear Reactor that was damaged during the quake.

Why is it always Japan?

Out of the Nuclear Disasters that have hit our planet, I'm pretty sure about half were in Japan.  With 10-story lizards, mecha-suit teams, and magical girls already rampaging about the city--do they really need another source of destruction?  The very thorough research says no.

Perhaps because of all their experience with their cities being destroyed by uncontrollable sources*, the Japanese people have shown the world order and calm in the midst of chaos.  If this same event had occurred in the US, I can only imagine the riots that would break out as we panicked.  Because we're Americans--thats what we do.  We think about ourselves and panic.

And now we've all convinced ourselves that nuclear fallout is coming and we have to take those silly pills.  As a preventative measure.

Really people?  Iodine?  That chemical can seriously mess you up.  Yes, if the worst happens it theoretically can help protect your thyroid.  But it's not something to be taken preventatively.  Yikes.

Maybe it's a generational thing.  I didn't grow up thinking in terms of bomb shelters, or that the ability to duck and cover under a nearby desk would save me.  I grew up with the knowledge of thousands of farmers getting cancer because they weren't informed of the fallout.  Think of it as a silent killer.  Stealthy, patient.  Takes its time but always gets the target.  Like a really well-trained ninja.  Not to mention the fact that if Nuclear fallout happens, there isn't much anyone can do.  About anything.

But if you want to feel better about nuclear arms--look no further:

Colbert: Better Know a Lobby

Consider me an official attendee of the: March to Keep Fear Alive

3/23 Update:  Good news America--the threat continues to dwindle.  You can stop with the whole rape, pillage, and plunder act.  (Why is it that in times of crisis its always called 'looting' and not stealing?)  At least for that whole nuclear thing.  But we may be just in time to start sharpening our pitchforks about the energy crisis.  Be prepared to join your local angry mob at a moment's notice.  I hear the plan is to take down local gas stations.

*Yes, that was a condemnation to Dante's 7th Circle

*Note: not a 9.0.  As a lover of integers, even numbers, and over-exaggeration, you can imagine how this must be killing me.  But technically the difference between the two is exponential, not .1.  To put it in perspective: the earthquake (8.9) rocked the earth at a force of approximately 380 megatons--the atomic bomb that struck Nagasaki (6.06) had a force of .021 megatons.  Just something to think about.  

*or because their entire society is built on the value of the many over the value of the one.  Y'know, either way.

Anglophiles Anonymous

C and I have a running joke, that whenever I do something that we both realize is beyond even my usual idiosyncrasies--I apologize and say I have a sickness (and it's incurable).

Ironically, my anxious and hypochondrial tendencies bounce off each other in a positive feedback loop--resulting in the melodramatic self-diagnosis that I worry about having a disease where one worries about having diseases.

Regardless.

Every year, about this time or so, I am struck with an over-whelming desire to go to the British Isles.  It's gotten to the point that I don't know if the "symptoms" of this peculiar disease caused it, or are the result of it.  But like so many other WAS' (like a WASP, but less affiliated to a specific region or religion) I feel the undeniable tie to Mother England.  I guess it's like SAD--but wanting England instead of the sun.

Now, don't get me wrong--I'm not about to go ex-pat (I'm a bit too American for my own good if you know what I mean), but that doesn't stop the waves of curiosity from crashing over me.

It doesn't help that a number of important holidays in the Isles happen between January and April.  Today, for instance, was St. David's Day.  Patron saint of Wales.  In observance, I wear all black with a bright yellow headband and belt (his flag see--yellow cross on a black field) and... my David's Day pin.  Should I admit I have this?  Or that I made it?  Shockingly, there aren't a ton of companies who carry leek products.  Not near as much commercial appeal as the kissing+alcohol+clovers that apparently means St. Patty's.  Yikes.  Also, who on earth decided that the Irish are infinitely more kissable than everyone else?  Anyway.  Leek+Daffodil=Wales.  Much more refined.  It's about all the country has left after a "long succession of the waves from which history is chiefly composed."

(My David's Day Pin--isn't it cute?)

Speaking of waves of history--in about a week or so I will suddenly decide it's a spectacular idea (and quite an essential one) to re-read one of my favorite books, "1066 and All That... a Memorable History of England, comprising all the parts you can remember, including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings, and 2 Genuine Dates."  Gets me every time.  Williamanmary--getting the Orange to rule England was a very good thing.

Come St. Patrick's Day I'll be sure to wear orange with my green... let it never be said I don't play the diplomat.

Did you know that you can get a flight from Seattle to Heathrow for about the same price as Seattle to Anchorage?  Thats more bad for Anchorage than it is good for Heathrow though... yikes.

However, also at this time of year I celebrate a day that is basically the opposite of Britain.  On Fat Tuesday I celebrate the Polish way and eat Paczkis.  Catholic and Polish.  And fat.  Couldn't be further from Britain (or at least the Sloane Rangers).