Thursday, March 17, 2011

This and that

This may need to become a once a week blog. Too busy! Then when I have a few minutes to pound something out, there's nothing really to report. I mean what could be more interesting than what's playing out in Japan at the moment? It reminds me of 9/11 when we had CNN on in the background for days on end. Did you read about the theory that the melting of glaciers has lightened the load on the earth's crust and so the pressures and stresses have changed causing heightened earthquake and volcanic activity? It makes a lot of sense and there's precedent too. Apparently there was a similar spike in earthquake and volcanic activity when the glaciers covering Canada melted 12000 years ago.

I was also surprised to learn that there's an active fault here in the St Lawrence valley that produced a 7 magnitude quake in 1925. I've experienced a 7 magnitude quake and it would be devastating here in Montreal with all our masonry covered buildings. Brick doesn't cut it in an earthquake yet the vast majority of buildings here are housed in brick. I thought I had left earthquake country but apparently not. I even felt the 4.3 quake we had yesterday. I mentioned it and my students hadn't really noticed. It was small so I wasn't sure myself, but later on the news it was confirmed.

I had my level 2 beginners intensive last week and then I saw them Monday for a half day and they were so cute. Three of them claimed to have dreamed in English. Whereas they couldn't make a conversation in English on the first day, by Monday I couldn't get them to shut up. So cool to see such progress. I should get pom poms since I sure do a lot of cheerleading.

Did you squeal with delight at the kiss on Glee? We sure did. How could you not? I suppose uptight judgmental types wouldn't but then they are probably not watching the show. I think it was my favorite episode to date. Love that show.

13 comments:

Jim said...

Aww! Yes, 'Kurt' was so cute when he closed his eyes during the kiss!!
Interesting theory about the glaciers!

rox said...

I keep trying to watch CNN but quite frankly, their "What If" style of reporting on things makes me insane.

Kay and I loved the Glee episode! The Kurt storyline has been fantastic! Ryan Murphy is busting down walls, good on him! And I loved the line "I'm the only Berry on the tree." Cheeseball!

Birdie said...

I missed Glee, but I saw The Kiss on YouTube. Even better was the video of a bunch of guys watching it, when they squeed and jumped around.

I learned with 9/11 to listen to NPR about important news. They seem to be the only ones who don't speculate with escalating breathlessness about what this all means and where it might lead. They talk about the facts.

A Lewis said...

I'd kiss that Blaine guy any day of the week.

Anonymous said...

I don't watch Glee but I'm glad it made you happy.

Anonymous, too said...

Brick and stone are often used in the Snow Belt because they need less maintenance, stand up better to winter weather, and are more fire-resistant. We also have fewer damaging earthquakes, but the ones we do have are real doozies.

And being so busy is one of the trade-offs for having a regular paycheck. Maybe Serge or Georgie would be willing to do a guest blog or two for you?

Summer said...

Love Glee! A comment about your previous post; my sister's golden ate his poo all the time. Someone told them to put pineapple in his food. They give him a few pieces in each meal and he's stopped eating it. The poo that is.

Mark My Words said...

I'm not sure if it's the way news and weather is reported or whether it really is the case, but I do seem to have the impression that the frequency and severity of earthquakes and weather anomalies have increased in recent years. With regard to a strong earthquake happening here, I, too, have suddenly started thinking the what ifs.

I have been watching the aftermath of the Japan earthquake with a wrenched heart and stories like the 50 workers who stayed behind to carry out emergency repairs at the nuclear power plant have left me speechless.

Blobby said...

I don't squeal at most things, let alone tv kisses.

I did cringe at their duet. Horrible. Absolutely horrible.

Rebekah said...

You know, I watched that whole episode, and somehow missed the kiss... didn't see it until the next day on Access Hollywood (I know, the shame). Could my local station have censored it? How could I have missed it.

Ugh.

Anonymous said...

The whole northeastern part of the continent is in a somewhat dormant phase. Those big ass mountains in Northern New England are part of the reason.

We had it and even to this day we have tremblors in the 2 to 4 range. But I doubt we'll see much more.

fromsophiesview said...

We were gleefied with the lip lock...cute couple fer sure!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Montreal is in a seismic zone. We actually design the structures of our buildings with that in consideration. There was a 5.9 in Saguenay in 1988 which damaged the Montreal Est city hall.

I'm glad shows like Glee are still pushing the envelope, but I hate that it brings out the Bible-thumpers en-masse.