December 2004 Archives

I'm glad that the US networks are finally devoting more time to this disaster. It's a shame that the first channel to break the news here is the Weather Channel. The death toll after two days is up around 50,000 people. When you consider just how widespread the damage is and how many countries are involved, this number should top 100,000 before all is said and done.

You can read some BBC readers personal stories from the tragedy here.

Is this the deadliest earthquake-related disaster ever? Heck no. Not even the deadliest in the last 100 years. That would be the Tangshan Earthquake of July 28, 1976. M7.8, 242,419 people killed (official, but estimates peg it closer to 655,000), the quake was centered below that city, 12.8 percent of the city of Tangshan's population was killed, Over 80 percent of those buried in the rubble were rescued, Injuries from the earthquake caused 2,200 people to become paraplegics. The largest death toll ever? Shansi, China with the death toll over 830,000 in 1556.

I think what makes the Andaman-Nicobar Islands Earthquake interesting is that not only was it 9.0 big, but that its resulting Tsunami caused so many deaths. Most larger earthquakes (high 8's and 9's) are only really found in subduction zones and those are not usually associated with population centers, and thus usually only kill a few thousand (the Great Chile Quake of 1960 (M9.5) only killed about 5,000 - The Good Friday Quake of 1964 (M9.2) only 114). Most catastrophic quakes like the Tangshan Quake are in the 6 to high 7 range. Heck, I have been in a 7.1 in the Bay Area and a 6.6 in Japan and have been mildly inconvenienced. Yet when a quake of that size hits Iran, Turkey, or other places with little or no Earthquake construction guidelines, devastation reigns.

One also must consider that this was the first Tsunami to hit the Indian Ocean since Krakatoa exploded in 1883. Most people had no idea why the water suddenly receded. However people in Hawaii or other Pacific islands would have run for their lives since they have been hit several times in the last 40 years. I just hope people don't consider this a once a century event and fail to set up adequate warning systems so this won't happen again.

Not since my favorite earthquake in 1964 has there been one this big! As usual, the US media doesn't devote nearly enough time to it, especially with the Christmas holiday. Here are some links to help you explore the damage and destruction caused by the 9.0 Andaman-Nicobar Islands Earthquake of 2004:

USGS
Google News
Wikipedia

As of 12/26/04: 12,000 dead; largest earthquake in 40 years; 4th largest earthquake on record since 1899. Tidal Waves reported all over the Indian Ocean including as far west as Somalia.

Donate Now to the Red Cross/Red Crescent

It has been one long rough week. After having so much fun with Nathan on Wednesday of last week, it was tough getting back to the grind. The following Friday, a similar venture out with different people didn't go quite so well - but hey, no one got arrested so it wasn't all that bad. During the past weekend I had my last two shifts on the west side before diving into the new Buzz ride 5 days a week. This first week totally kicked my behind. I am so used to sleeping in from being a night lead most of the time that 6am-5pm shifts really wore me out. Add to that the holiday crowds as well as the fact I needed to get some shopping done, I was totally frazzled.

I did manage to get all of my shopping done yesterday. I still think that I needed to get more, but I was so worn out, I was proud that I got as much done as I did - thank goodness for the Team Center and the World of Disney!!

Yesterday (Friday), I drove out to Arizona to see my family for a quick three-day celebration. It is nice because my maternal grandparents are in town as well. I haven't seen them as often as I should since they live up in Nor Cal, so it is nice to see them whenever I can. Also a plus, Jason was driving back to AZ from LA and we caravaned across the desert. It made the drive nice and focused. Oh, and let's not forget that terrible smell at the Flying J bathrooms on the CA/AZ border. On second thought, I really, really want to forget that smell! Can I also say how much I love my iPod? Whether it be flying to Japan or driving to Arizona, it is so wonderful to have most of my music ready to access. Now I just need to get the rest of my collection on there.

Mom gave me the complete story on what is going on with my grandparents. I knew things are not as they had hoped to be, but in it all there was some good news and some bad news. I hope things get better. More later as I get a chance to rest and ponder cosmic thoughts.

Hope you all have a great Holiday!

After two years, Nathan's path finally crossed mine again. When we last met, it was in November 2002 in Paris. We actually met up twice (it would have been three times, but the day I arrived, I was on a train when they suddenly told everyone to get off and then I was stuck in that station for 45 minutes. By the time I made it to the rendezvous, Nathan was gone.) and had a great time as usual. Now Nathan lives in Boston and was on his way to Australia for a nice long holiday. He had a 1-night layover in LA, so we decided to make a night out of it.

I picked him up around 5pm at his hotel in Lynwood. (They claim it is close to LAX, and it is - sorta) We then proceeded up the 405 and various side streets to Joan Crawford's former house (you can visit Nathan's site for more on his interest in her career and life). When we pulled up in front, we got out and he started to snap a few photos. I noticed some people walking our way, and my mind raced with stories to explain our presence in this uber-swanky section of Brentwood. The best story I came up with was that I was in the process of remodeling my own home and was told to check out the work the company was doing on this house. Fortunately, the people wee just out for exercise and after a quick glance in our direction (Ugh, they drive a CR-V, how common!) they were on their way.

It had only taken us about 40 minutes to make the trek their, and we then decided to eat over in Beverly Hills at the Stinking Rose. Little did we know just how brutal cross-town traffic could be. It took us almost 1.5 hours to get to the restaurant, which was barely 5 miles away. We left Joan's at 5:45 and did not make it to the restaurant until 7:20. Oy. Makes me glad I don't live in West LA.

After a nice dinner (mmmm Filet!) we headed up to WeHo for some after-dinner drinks. Nathan had 3 cosmos and I had 2 Wild Berry Martinis and 1 Pineapple Martini (Pineapple wasn't very good, but it was my clumsiness that knocked it over when I was only half way done. Really. Clumsiness. I Swear. We then shared a "Joan Collins" which Nathan invented in his Bar Tending Class. It's a Vodka Collins laced with Chambored (I don't think that is spelled right). Sadly, the bartender mixed in a ton of it making the concoction too sweet.

Between drinks we managed to walk down the streets a bit. After we were done with the last drink, it was time to go home. Thankfully, the traffic was all done and we made it back in one piece (no thanks to me doing an impression of Joan Crawford's Freeway driving). After a nightcap of Jack in The Box, it was time for goodbyes.

The whole night was full of catching up, reminiscing, and general goofiness. It might not sound like anything special to most people, but to me it was. Now I just need to return the favor and visit Nathan in Boston and all the other friends I haven’t seen in a while.

I had an awesome time on Sunday. It was great to be back on the boat and I truly will miss it when it comes time to move over to Tomorrowland in the near future. I think I owe the good time to the fact that Kris, Andy, and Vance were all there on the boat. I am fortunate that I get three more shifts on the Columbia next week. I guess it pays to have learned the boat while it was under refurbishment - there are more people with just Twain knowledge than those who know both.

I am diving in headfirst to the Buzz project. I am in the process of developing all sorts of neat documentation as well as taking notes on all sorts of little odds and ends in the attraction. With each day that passes working on the project, I get more and more excited. I think people will be very happy with the ride.

In the midst of my Pooh shift sat night, Diane Keaton was seen running around with her kids with Pooh and Tigger in Pooh Corner. I think she was having the most fun of all.

All the work doesn't leave much playtime lately. I still have massive amounts of holiday shopping to do before next week's return to Arizona. In two days Nathan will be here!! I think he is just what the doctor ordered and since I am off on Thursday we get to hang out all night. (OK maybe not all night - he does have a plane to catch on Thurs!)

The end of the road is near on some web projects that have been in the oven for months. Of course the client had TONS of comments at the last minute, but I should be able to hammer most of them out this week. Then what? Maybe I'll get that idea in my head out into some HTML!

One of the best perks of working at the park is that it is also the same place we hold our company Holiday party. I'm sure its a bigger perk for people who work at ABC or at the Studios, but even on my fourth holiday party, I still enjoy it.

This year's event was a bit wet as there was a light drizzle the whole night. I did get to go on the Matterhorn in these conditions, which is my favorite since it looks like it is snowing a you ride down the mountain. We went with most of the same crew from last year's party with just a few substitutions here and there. It was nice to have Tiffany's Mom with us - she provided the best soundtrack on Indiana Jones which made it an even better ride. It was actually the first time on Indy and Mansion at DL since I returned from Tokyo Disneyland. The more I think about it, I think I like DisneySea's Indy a bit better - at least in terms of smoke effects. I do wish TDS had fire like ours does - then it would be no contest.

Work on the new ride continues - more bigwigs have been walking through and all have had positive feedback. I think there is certainly more excitement amongst the brass about this new ride than the last one I opened. It is a good thing because it is easier to get other people excited about it.

Well the weather had other plans for me other than backing the Columbia out today. Even though I called several times, I managed to make it all the way to work before I was told that it was canceled. Probably part of the reason I was being slow getting to work - I knew it was just a matter of time. Normally, I would be upset, but since I have another Columbia shift next Sunday I will be happy as long as it doesn't rain again.

So the bonus is that I got to meet up with Mom and Gary again. We headed over to the employee store only to discover it was the final day of the get additional discount weekend. So they managed to stock up on Christmas presents and save 85% on everything. I scored a cool Hong Kong Disneyland hat to go with my lanyard, mouse pad and pen.

We then tried to eat at the new Cheesecake factory at the Brea Mall. Due to the rain, the mall was PACKED. I have never seen that particular mall so crowded. Nary a parking space was to be had so we ended up at the Louise's BBQ restaurant on the other side of the freeway. It was a pretty good meal. Now its time to just chill out and get ready for another early shift (6am!) tomorrow.

Not much has been happening since I returned from Arizona. Yesterday, I went to a wedding for one of my friends from work's daughter. The food was really good - which is always a surprise at a wedding. Thankfully there were three others from work who showed up so a good time was had by all.

I'm really excited about tomorrow. After months of waiting, I will finally get to back the Columbia out of Fowler's Harbor again!!! The Columbia has been under refurbishment since Labor Day and looks amazing. I can't wait to climb aboard and check it out!