And Now...

Nine eleven.

The day the world changed for us here in North America. Forever.

We remember ... and remember.

And life goes on.

So, I Met This Guy...

He's shooting my brother's wedding.

I can't wait.

Update on Daisuke - March 17, 2011

*If you haven't already, read Daisuke's story HERE.

Continuing updates from Dai:

Today's radiation weather update, 14.70 micro-something. Grandma asked me why Fukushima-city, where we are, have highest figure? Yeah, that is strange. For example, Iwaki-city, where I was until 15th, only had 1.64 micro-something. Well, I just can't run away from it. LOL.

March 16 7:21pm

Right now, brave power plant staff, firefighters, riotpolice force, Japanese troop army, navy, air-force are trying to cool down all 4 cores at once. Pray for them, please.

March 16 9:09pm

US has been watching the sky over the nuclear power plant, with their special remote controlled plan. Way to go US! Thank you for watching over us.
And Japanese troop has organized the special force to put out the heat over the nuclear power plant.

March 16 10:31pm

Cooperate with radiation daily. Count hourly update on radiation level. Apply it with the radiation chart. 23.88 micro-something/h, about 478 times the normal figure. Well, no sweat cause 600.00 micro-something/h is equivalent to take X-ray picture once. 200.00 micro-something/h for flight from Tokyo to NY. You can breath normally. Oh, don't forget the tap water contain some radio active materials that I can't spell.

March 17 2:28am

Tomorrow, full moon, tidal wave, deadly for tunami sights with sunken ground by earthquakes. Why?

March 17 6:32am

Day 7, 14 micro-something. Only NEWS on TV. Got out. Sunny sky with partly cloud. Took dog for a walk no spacesuit. Warm sunlight. Birds sing. Cold wind blows NW to SE. Mountains with snow on my left. City of Fukushima on my right. The sound of music? Nope! Daisuke, just breath normally, take a deep breath. It's ok. It's the day of the rest, just for me.

March 17 2:25pm

What've we learned from this. A) without gas the nation can't withstand even a day. B) We have been consumming astronomically way too much energy. C) the nuclear power plants are not suitable for Japanese climate and environment due to Superearthquakes and Tsunami. Wait! A and B that I regret. C, no way! Not in a million years! We will create SAFER, BETTER, STRONGER, MORE EFFICIENT, and smaller nuclear power plants!

March 17 6:24pm

I just hard the report. Canada is going to send Japan 25000 blankets! Way to go! Thanks Canada! Thank each one of you. ONE BLANKET CAN SAVE 2 LIVES IF SHARED!
March 17 8:17pm

List of things that always run out in disaster movies; No.1 water not sodapops No.2 gas the classic! No.3 garbage bags think hard why No.4 canned food No.5 battery No.6 Bread, who wants to bake tomorrow? And milk, diapers, baby food and don't forget Twinkees!

March 17 10:32pm

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Don't forget, The Canadian Red Cross is one of the best places to donate for the relief efforts.

Daisuke's Story

* Updated to reflect both new information and reformat this posting.

Japan has very obviously been in the news lately. The scenes and stories of devastation are almost unreal. It's pretty much a modern-day apocalypse going on. It's been on my mind because it's personal.

I have an old friend in Japan. Daisuke is recently married (last September) and thanks to facebook, we've been able to stay in touch. Here's his story, in his words...

We are OK! Just no water. Worried about 2 nuclearplants nearby.

March 12th 2:20pm

Thank you all. We live in Iwaki, please check your map so you know where we are and we are right in the middle of all earthquake, tunami and nuclearplants. It was 3 multiple earthquakes at once which cause M9.0 in historical figure. Starting tomorrow, partial blackouts to conserve energy. We've lost major power plants, including shutdown of nuclearplants for good. Now major concern is unstable nuclearplants with one reactor blowing up and another one might blow up too. Over 190 people have got radiation, we believe we will have to expect over 10000 people dead from earthquake and mainly from tunami.

March 13 5:25 am

70 percent chance of M7.0 earthquake within 3 days. Earthquakes ever 5min can't sleep. No water so I haven't had a bath for 2 days. Received water from long line up for hours. Trains stopped. Roads destroyed. Highways are only designated for emergency and supply cargo only. Gas shortage no ways to travel far by car. If I have to run, only on foot.

March 13 8:18 am

Iwaki-city where I live is 7km west from the coast, 31km from 2nd nuclearpowerplant which is safe for now, 43 km from 1st nuclearpowerplant which has 1st blown up reactor and 3rd reactor that is having difficulty cooling down. Starting today all Kanto-area will have partial blackouts for 3hours each which will minimize any activity or movement of their citizens, until the end of April.

March 13 10:58am

Thank you Sorry can't send you inidividual reply. It wasn't the earthquake but tunami that killed so many people. You might be wondering why Japanese who are used to many earthquakes and tunamis in the past couldn't escape. Reason, Tunami was as tall as 5 storied building. Speed was 10m/sec. equivalent to the semi-trucks running at you 50km/h. Tunami grabs you and everything around and pull back into the deep ocean.

March 13 4:02pm

Multiple warning! After another strong earthquakes, tunami warning and 3rd core of the 1st nuclearpowerplant has just exploded! Tunami warning said to run higher ground, Nuclear warning said to stay inside the house. Luckyly tunami was small and explosion was minor. But some workers were injured.

March 13 8:55pm

Yes, no time for kidding but his is REAL time "24" Earth shakes people hide, siren screams people run. Tunami grabs you and to top that off, nuclearpowerplant explods you hide again. You know that you are on your own for what to do.

Update, 3 people are hurt and 7 workers and self defense troop are missing.

While I report, another strong earthquake.

Just lucky to be alive at this moment.

March 13 9:23pm

3rd core today caused injury to some staff. Also American navy has received minor radiation. Now 2nd core has difficulty cooling down. I may have to evacuate but my car has limited amount of gas. No gas stand is open. I have a lot of food and enough water. Power and gas is still alive but no tap water. I want to take shower. I want to shave. Hope this is just a bad nightmare to wake-up from.

March 14 1:39am

2nd core lost all coolant dry. Worst case scenario has happened. Meltdown of the nuclearreactor. Prepare for HELL! God help us all.

March 14 5:16am

Update now they say that they have regained the coolant level. What happened was that all safeguard procedure has failed due to Superearthquake and Tunami. Now they are trying to put seater manually. And that the fuel for the pump has run out so it stopped for a while. Now the level of coolant has regained the safe level. But for how long?

March 14 6:11am

Before anything happens, I just want to say thank you watching over and praying for us. I believe Japan has experiencing the worst. Coming back economically will take decades. So if anything you can do, please help Japan in anyway you can. i ask your prayer with action! Love you guys all.

I will keep you updated as much as I can.

March 14 6:43am

In case you are wondering, why we couldn't avoid tsunami and nuclear power plant to go out of control, we were prepared for M7.0 class earthquake. But unexpected has happened, M9.0 with never-seen-before Tsunami. Later we found out that the earthquake was mixture of 3 spontaneous location. Thus superearthquake. Nuclear power plant was hit with both earthquakes and tsunami.

March 14th 6:51am

Thank you all. If possible can you ask the Government of Canada to send us FUELS! We need gas and energy to survive. I know I am asking for impossible but we don't have gas nowhere.

March 14 7:16am

Flying out Japan for good wouldn't be such a bad idea. Since I wouldn't know if I can keep my current job. But for now I have to think what I can do for this country within. Thank you for your great idea. We may have to if Japan becomes like Chernobyl.

March 14 1:13pm

The 2nd core had multiple problems. There is a crack in the outer shell which is sealing heavy radiation and keeps inner shell cool. Another bad news that there was sound of explosion inside. Now some staff are evacuating from the core. Small amount of radiation is leaking.

They released the information NOW that happened 2 hours ago.2 ...hours delay is deadly and slow.

March 14th 4:25pm

WE NEED GASOLINE! ASAP! No gas means no fuel for trucks which is the only means of circulating food and medicine. Already the circulation is shut. That means starvation. NO TIME FOR REGRET! ACT! ACT! ACT!

March 14th 6:57pm

Now the 4th core is on fire. Meltdown of the 2nd core is eminent. I was told not to go outside. There are all 6 cores in the 1st nuclear power plant north of Iwaki about 42km. The 2nd nuclear power plant is 31km north.

March 14th 7:11pm

Deadly amount of radiation has leaked.

Radius of 20km to 30km are told to stay inside the house

March 14th 7:49pm

My city had order to stay inside house. What a hell! I left Iwaki anyway. Now I am in Fukushima city, northwest of the plant. Weather is also against us, tomorrow is cold. Most refugee have NO BLANKET NOR FUEL to warm.

WE NEED OIL. Most people in Iwaki have no gas in their cars to evacuate. PLEASE TELL THE WORLD TO SEND FUEL!

March 14th 11:52pm

Taking shower in 5 days. Feels good. It could have been another kind of shower, the shower to scrape your skin off. Looking back today, I made a choice to evacuate Iwaki, even though being told otherwise. Went to screening, long lineup guys with redcross told me I haven't nuced yet. I am still alive.

March 15th 4:23am

A man found alive 15km away the coast 5 days, 2 energy drink. 2 boys washed away found a drifing boat, stayed 2 days found alive. Kindergarten teachers kids after saying goodbyes to some to their parents sudden earthquake and tsunami, went up to the 3rd floor, water reached them, kids drawn teachers held on, survived. But missing are the some left earlier with their parents. The thin line between life and death.

March 15th 5:20am

You ask "So what is it like?" I say "Earthquake, Tsunami, Radiation." What? you say. Then I go "Watch all disaster movies like "2012","I AM LEGEND","Deep Impact"" After watching all the movies there is to find say "Wow, Daisuke." I will reply, "You just sensed about 25% of what I am going through, the big difference between you and I is that you can get back to reality. I am reality 103 hours and counting.

March 15th 5:51am

Now two different earthquakes in Fukushima and Shizuoka with M6.0! What is going on?

March 15th 6:40am

I am in another line today 2 hours past to get gas for in case while hell's gates are beginning to open one by one. Listing to the radio, hearing the story, group of people escaping from Tsunami elders are behind tell youngs to LIVE, elders let the rope go, disappearing in the water. Man, tears come down.

March 15th 8:20pm

Nowadays, just like weather report, we get radiation report every hour. The unlucky area of the day is, drumroll, IWAKI where I was till yesterday.

March 15th 9:20pm

I am still waiting in line for gas. And it is snowing hard. I wonder...

The hourly radiation weather report says Fukushima-city has 18 micro-something, and it is the highest among Fukushima. What's that suppose to mean? They say there is no eminent threat to our health. Hmm tricky. Listen to what they are not saying.

March 16th 1:25am

Withdrew \100000 in cash. Waited in line for 9 hours, spent \2000 in exchange for 12.90 litters of gasoline. I might add that I went twice to get 25 litters. \155/L. It may be expensive for you, but it could save our lives. That was my 6th day. Tomorrow? Who knows.

March 16th 1:25am

God created man, man created the double-edged sword, we were sliced by it twice. We decided to use it for peace. We are sliced by it again. But we won't stop! Cause we are the only race that know it by heart. You want be like us? Can you handle what we've been through? No, you don't. But learn from us! Don't give it up what we have started!

March 16th 2:00am

Freezing cold.Over 250 thousand people and some of them with only thin blanket no heater. Some none.Still over 5000 missing trapped somewhere in ruin or drifting in Pacific ocean. Survival of the fittest or richest? Just lucky to be and over 10 thousand people are not? What've they done to deserve agonizing death? What've done to deserve life?

March 16th 1:30pm

Now all American citizens are ordered to evacuate 80km outside radius from the nuclear power plant.

I was in 42km away from it. Now I am 60km away. 20km more? Where? Well I just hope I am more resistant to radiation than them.

Meanwhile yen just hit the highest in history as stock market melted down as I know they are just figures, but ...let me say this ARE WE JUST A MONEY GAME?

March 16th 2:30pm

2367: the number of refugee facilities.

336521: the number of refugees.

13400: the number of missing and death.

Imagine by doing the math, above number divided by your city population. Go figure. In one town on the coast of 16000, 8000 are missing.

March 16 5:01pm

In Iwaki and cities around, majority of supply entering has stopped, cause most of truck drivers refuse to enter these areas. A hospital in Iwaki, 14 senior-refugees from inner area of evacuate circle are dead, due to lack of staff and medical supply.

March 16 5:04pm

URGENT! The 30 km radius area and Iwaki has NO more supplies! Due to radiation warning and shortage of gas. Please someone send them, drop them supply NOW else they will die not from radiation but from starvation! ACT! ACT! ACT!

March 16 6:37pm

*He was in a dangerous area, where there were several malfunctioning nuclear reactor sites. He evacuated to a relatively safer area, although not without its own dangers.

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Here’s a website to check out, which will direct relief efforts in our region of the world. http://www.cbc.ca/japanrelief/

The following information comes from the above-listed website:

HUMANITARIAN COALITION

Under the banner of the Humanitarian Coalition, four aid agencies — CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada — have joined together to raise funds for Japan relief operations.

Phone: 1-800-464-9154

Website: www.together.ca

CANADIAN RED CROSS

The Canadian Red Cross is also encouraging Canadians to support relief, evacuation and emergency response efforts with donations to its Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Wireless users can text ASIA to 30333 to donate $5 to relief efforts.

Phone: 1-800-418-1111

Website: www.redcross.ca

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

Medical and logistics teams from Doctors Without Borders were racing to the worst-hit areas in Japan's Iwate and Miyagi prefectures by helicopter, as roads are blocked by flooding. The organization relies mainly on donations to support field operations for medical assistance.

Phone: 1-800-982-7903

Website: www.msf.ca

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF FOUNDATION

IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) is in the process of making plans to facilitate a response from our supporters to the immense devastation in Japan.

Phone: 1-866-497-IDRF (4373)

Website: www.idrf.ca

Thank you, for helping our friends and fellow citizens of earth, who need help now.

Sunday Special: Graduation

It's not about the hair this time. Look a little closer.

It's all about the red belt... just ask him.

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Taken with my Canon Rebel XSi, and edited with iPhoto and Picnik.

(Because I like to shake things up a bit.)

Ayanna

She was spotted by a little boy on a random completely accidental unprecedented visit. Their eyes met. It was love at first sight. Kismet.

Meant to be.

Totally in love.

I could go on and on and gush some more about how they were MFEO. Good thing I'm not a gusher. And anyways, who wants to hear that coming from your mom? (Good thing he can't read yet. Or competently use the computer to find this.)

Instead of gushing, here's a photo of the newest friend of the boy's, the newest family member. And Evan's newest reason for being.

The beauty of gray and yellow. This is the hottest new thing in fashion. Or so I've heard. At any rate, she wears it well.

But more about Ayanna...

She plays like a puppy. She chases things. Anything. A crumpled up piece of paper, a cat toy, a ball, a toy car, a toy anything. Even a soccer ball.

She plays soccer. With Evan. And then when she gets bored with it, she lays down on the sidelines and watches.

Noises interest her. She doesn't run from legos skittering across the tile floor or even the big tin car hurtling into the cupboard. Rather, she runs to add her mayhem to the madness.

She doesn't stop moving for long. (See the motion blur here? This is a very typical photo of Ayanna.) She's a girl on the go. She has places to smell and a new house to explore. Plus, a boy that needs playing with. Those are her own words.

(He's in seventh heaven.)

She's a beauty with attitude. And obviously enjoys the finer things in life, like elegant silk scarves and our company.

However...

There is someone here who is not too happy about our newest girl. She is singing her displeasure with great enthusiasm and volume. Mostly from her hiding spot in the darkest part of my closet. But frankly, anywhere will do.

You should hear what she has to say about this situation.

It's not pretty. But I think Ayanna is impressed a bit by her vocabulary. Or that Chloe can curse in seven cat languages. Frankly I'm a little impressed too.

I know she'll come around eventually... in five or six months. And then they'll at least tolerate each other, if not become grooming buddies or even the best of friends.

Who can resist this face?

At one time abandoned. Homeless. Unwanted.

She spent nearly a year at the SPCA. Think about that for a moment. Almost a whole year, unwanted, unloved.

But now... wanted. Loved. Home at last.

Help those animals today. If you can't adopt a pet, click here to donate for the care of animals in need of rescue or waiting for adoption.

A Note To Dads (And Moms)

I read something today that needs to be shared. It's from Single Dad Laughing. I had never heard of him before, but a post of his was circulating on facebook this morning that just got me. It needs to be read. It begs to be read.

You've seen it; I've seen it. We've probably close to this on those days when everything is getting on our last nerve. It's normal to be frustrated with our kids. After all, kids are really good at being kids. But they're still people.

Just go read it. Absorb it. Let it affect you. And then pass it on.

You Just Broke Your Child. Congratulations.

Hats Off For Andrew

Amid all the bad news that has saturated life lately, it's been so important to find the good stuff. Some days it's hard to find. Some days it takes a lot of looking. And some days you just have to go out and make it for yourself... and others too.

Has your life been touched by cancer? Family? Friends? Even yourself? It's a terrible terrible thing to go through.... such a trite statement; it doesn't convey the half of the depth of uncertainty, terror, anger, grief and helplessness experienced. I know; I've been there -- my dad died from cancer when I was 14.

Now imagine a child's life has been interrupted by cancer... a toddler attacked by this life-threatening evil. It's mind-bending. It's horrifying. It's unimaginable. But there is such a child....

Have you heard of Hats Off For Andrew yet? Stacia over at Fluffy Bunnies started this project with the States, but then Canada got involved. If you haven't done so, click and find out more about Andrew. If you are interested in this project, be sure to check out some important information.

I've been following his mom's blog since it started (she's an old friend) and I love seeing his sweet little face under all those ball caps he's been receiving. It's a little thing to brighten his day and show your support and concern. His family has been strong and courageous and beautiful throughout. But they need ongoing support and care and comfort. They need to know they can get through this dreadful year of agonizing treatments. They need to smile and laugh and know they're not alone in this.

So far, 44 states have been signed up! Along with 5 provinces! That's a lot. And apparently there's been a few international ball caps thrown in for good measure too. Here's what's left, as of today:

United States - Delaware, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Utah & Wyoming.

Canada - New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut & the Yukon.

Join us in this effort to cheer them up, and help them complete their collection of ball caps -- symbolizing support and hope from all over North America. There's only a few opportunities left... grab it while you can.

Don't forget... they need your prayers / positive thoughts / lighted candles / super mojo... whatever you can send their way.