Back to work -

[kyburg]

Everyone is talking about the earthquake/tsunami. Best guess is that the boss is at his home in Pattaya, which is on the inside coast - and someone mentioned he had checked his local ISP account here after the event, so we have to believe he's okay.

This is the guy who is already in emergency services here. I'll be happier when someone reports they've heard from him, but lack of communication is the norm after something like this - remember, I live in earthquake central, here.

For the rest? I'm going to be shipping more presents this week, I think. I had more than enough to go around on Christmas, and I don't need the spares.

I'm gulping down my lunch, and getting work done. The scope of this disaster just won't fit in my brainspace - multiple tens of thousands. Think the entire population of a town like Casa Grande, AZ. Or Pasco, WA. Or Texarkana, TX. Just scrubbed from the map. Pouf.

Phuket was so beautiful, too.

Comments

[miwasatoshi.livejournal.com]

It will be rebuilt.

Remember, some day, that will be Seattle.

[miwasatoshi.livejournal.com]

Not exactly reassuring, I know ... but that's the Earth for you.

[cyclometh.livejournal.com]

The Thai Health Minister said that as many as 80% of the dead were foreign tourists, too.

I was there...

[ionotter.livejournal.com]

Twice, while in the Navy. I've been in that very town, and could recognize some of the landmarks, streets and such. So yeah...it kinda hits home.

Although, I have to say that Phuket wasn't all that beautiful. While I'd never wish such a horror upon anyone, this can only be a good thing in the long run. Now they have a good reason to rebuild, repair and upgrade the city streets, power and sewer systems. The new Phuket and Pattaya Beach will be a much better place.

And the Thai people themselves are very pragmatic about such things. "Mai pen rai" is what they will all say, which equates to a very polite and socially accepted "Shit happens, we pick ourselves up and move on." And no doubt, they'll be telling a lot of the "farang" tourists, "Chai yen yen!", which is Thai for "Calm down, don't panic, all will be well, don't be so angry/frightened/frustrated."

They will be okay.

[caitlin.livejournal.com]

I had a craving for pad thai last night (12/30), and went to one of the local takeout places that serves thai food... there was a poster of Phuket on one of the walls.... looks beautiful. Wonder how much of that is left, though.

C.