Today has the feeling of Hump Day, the height of the uphill climb and the struggle to get through the rest of the week.
This morning's media has of course been filled with news about the earthquake in Haiti. The devastation is severe and just when you think the poor couldn't get poorer, many have been left with nothing. I think the latest report stated that much needed relief aide will be able to reach the country after all; thank goodness. Times of natural disaster remind us that at the end of the day, we're all the same. We're all humans vulnerable to the unexpected, experiencing pain and loss in the face of tragedy.
At the same time, it is amazing to see how the Internet is playing such a primary role in human connectedness. Aside from being a source of real-time news, people in Haiti are uploading content to the web- video, pictures, comments to blogs - showing the absolute and real devastation they've succomb to. People are even twittering to let family and friends know their whereabouts in Haiti and whether they're safe or not. I'm amazed that we can be connected to all this so quickly (I know I shouldn't be since it is the information superhighway), and it truly showcases the power of the Internet to share information, stories, and people's experiences right at this moment. It also reveals just how much people care, and how quickly they're willing to react and help when others are in need. I've been following a NY Times blog that's providing updates but also allows people to leave comments. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/gleaning-information-from-haiti-online/?hp
In other news...
This is random but I read on Cup of Jo's blog that there's a weird occurence happening in San Francisco. Apparently, all the sea lions that used to sunbathe at Fishermans Wharf at Pier 39 have disappeared and marine biologists have no idea why. It's just so strange.
The two times that Hal and I have been to San Fran, we made it a point to visit The Wharf. It contained the three S's - sea lions, sourdough bread and saltwater taffy. But now the pier is vacant of these characteristically slumbering sea lions, and I honestly feel disheartened by their absence. This link shows a then and now photo that emphasizes this oddity: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/disappearing-sea-lions/.
Makes you wonder, what do they know that we don't? It also makes me think of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and how the dolphins left Planet Earth. I'm expecting to see an inscription on the pier: So long, and thanks for all the fish.
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