Looks pretty brutal over there... nasty earthquake, then tsunami, even the freaking volcano cut loose! Here's hoping they don't end up on the ocean floor as Atlantis Part II.
mytmk3;1685006 said:After just going through a large quake myself in Christchurch my heart goes out to everyone there
crisp;1685299 said:I lived over 15 years in Japan in my youth as a missionary kid, and have MANY many friends over there now. I also frequent Japan on business and was there in January this year, with tickets and itinerary starting on this coming MONDAY for another week of VIP tours of my company's manufacturing plants on a benchmark tour. Of course, my first action today headed to Detroit offices for an emergency meeting was to cancel all travel plans indefinitely. Currently, I am also still scheduled for an April trip. This entire event is of a magnitude that is nearly incomprehensible. I've been in many earthquakes, volcanic eruption, typhoons and such over the years, but nothing comes anywhere remotely close to the gravity of this situation. My heart and thoughts and prayers go out to the nation and people of Japan, and I continue to monitor the status of so many friends both native to Japan and there on business and in missions as I write this. The unfolding story in the news leaves me nearly speechless... and there is little consolation in the fact that I am among the fortunate who were ALMOST in the midst of it all.
...on another ominous and even chilling note, the Fukushima nuclear power plant was where I performed a large steam boiler service over several days back in the mid '80s during a summer job I had with my friend's dad's crew. The steam boiler was simply the office HEAT providing source, with no direct relationship to the reactor, but the simple fact that I have actually BEEN IN the structure, and now looking at the critical events as they unfold... I am further struck by awe and with a personal relevance that transcends the simple spoken sentiments of an understated forum post such as this... but somehow, I just have to express my deep empathy and concern for what is happening and urge the rest of us to step back from our normal lives and reflect on just how fragile and unpredictable any given moment can be in life. Epic, surreal and catastrophically tragic. It just hits a bit too close to home for me... and I don't have the words to do the event nor my heart justice.
Tonight my hope is for peace to the people in Japan. May they find safe passage and security in their journeys to reach home, and if there, in the comfort of family and a calming of the tensions from within the depths of mother earth.
Peace.
-crisp
Kai;1685800 said:Someone sent me this yesterday - and i'm speechless as to the ignorance that's displayed here:
Seriously - What the FUCK are people in your country thinking?
Kai;1685837 said:It's also an incident that happened 70 YEARS AGO. Seriously, am i angry with every german i meet because of 'ze war'? No. People need to get a fucking grip and grow the fuck up :/