Public Service Announcement

This was last Friday's outfit; at that point it was still rainy and cold, which gave way to beautiful Memorial Day weekend weather and has now been replaced with the most bizarre of meteorological conditions. It doesn't feel like any season at all; it's cool but not cold and simultaneously warm but not hot, with a random gusty breeze that isn't quite a wind. The air is oddly sticky, and the blue sky is punctuated with giant, low-hanging, flattened white clouds. If it were warmer I'd say it was earthquake weather.

Speaking of earthquakes, I've been on an earthquake-preparedness mission ever since we moved into the new place, securing larger furniture to the walls with heavy duty straps, reinforcing pictures with anchoring tape, and putting museum putty underneath vases and potted plants. It's one of those things I've thought about from time to time and have always put off until later, and I think many Californians have the same attitude. After all, it's not like we have an earthquake season every year, the way other parts of the country do with storms. The problem of course, is that if you put if off too long you won't be ready when the next one strikes.

So this is my public service announcement for the day: if you live in an earthquake-prone area, do not put off preparing yourself! Secure your stuff, make a disaster kit with food/water/medical supplies (don't forget one for your pets, too!), and put together a communication plan. These are simple safegards that can save lives, so make the time to do it. Having finished most of the securing in our place, I can honestly say that the time committment is minimal. Do it once, and you can rest easier from here on out.

Here are a few useful links; many of these sites also have information on hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters:

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety
FEMA Earthquake Guide
USGS Earthquake Preparedness
Earthquake Prepardeness Kit (from SF Chronicle)
Humane Society's Disaster Preparedness for Pets

Are you ready for the next Big One?

Blazer: thrifted
Dress: All Saints
Belt: Red Dress Shoppe
Skirt: F21
Boots: Bronx