So Elle, my BFF eyes & ears on the Toronto G20 front line, came through with a few pictures yesterday on her way home from work.
This particular shot was taken VERY near the centre of the action, right at the perimeter of the protected zone. Only small protests have taken place so far. Hopefully it stays that way (click pic to enlarge - if you want).
This morning she was riding the subway to work where she was kept company by a “pack” (that’s what they’re calling them) of 8 policeman with full riot gear. Do they know something we don’t??? Elle desperately wanted to get a picture for y’all, but didn’t think Toronto’s finest would appreciate it. I may need to find a braver photographer.
(be sure to cast your vote in yesterday’s poll - I’m unable to make any of my own decisions)
Also, you may have heard that Ontario experienced an earthquake yesterday. It was only a 5.0 magnitude and very minimal damage was reported - certainly nothing around my area. But we’re not used to earthquakes up here. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced one. And as luck would have it, I almost missed it.
I was in my car at the time and was stopped at a traffic light. Like usual, my mind was in La-La Land somewhere and the music was on. Then I felt a little something. A shake or a shimmy you might say. To which I thought “is that my car? Is it running rough? Did someone just give me a little nudge from behind? Hmmm. How odd.” And that was that. The light turned green, and off a-shopping I did go. Oblivious as usual.
Till I heard the news on the radio about 30 minutes later and put 2 and 2 together. Needless to say it created a LOT of buzz and excitement around here, particularly in downtown Toronto. With all the G20 preparations, people immediately thought the shaking and rumbling was the result of an explosion. Thank God it wasn’t.
It also happened right around the time the Mr. Obama’s FIVE big honkin’ military helicopters were performing a test run and many people initially attributed the vibrations to them. Did you know he often travels in a pack of five copters??? Yes, apparently it confuses the bad guys. “Which one is he in? Is it that one? That one? Ah forget it – this is just too confusing.”
I wonder if that tactic would also work with the boys, our multiple bathrooms and the never-ending “Where’s Mommy” game?
In case of aftershocks, I need to know quickly: do we head for the basement or head for the hills? Stand under a door frame? Cower in the bathtub? Run out into the street? Apply pressure and call 911? I’m not really up on my natural disaster survival skills (Surferwife – I’m counting on you here).
Have you ever experienced a violent protest or a big earthquake?
12 Responses to “Who’s Looking For A Little Excitement?”
(if you want your picture to show up with your comments here and elsewhere on the web, register it at http://en.gravatar.com/)
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe in your Google Reader
June 24th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Am I the first comment again?
In an earthquake, my best bet is to just scream EARTHQUAKE and run around frantically, bumping into things.
Sorry. That’s all I got for you. Oh, also the doorway thing isn’t true apparently. It’s not safer to be there. So just run around.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:29 am
I’m glad you are ok! 5.5 is a big quake for a place that doesn’t normally get them!
I have only been in one, when I lived on the west coast. It was about that size. I was trying to fall asleep and it felt like my bed was sliding across the room and then back. VERY weird and kind of exhilarating.
You know I would be totally useful up there to get some sneaky photos. I’m on my way.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:39 am
no to earthquake and no to violent protest. I don’t know which would be scarier. as far as earthquake – i’m not in earthquake country.
June 24th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I’ve “survived” many an earthquake, but none was as weird as the very minor one in Syracuse while making out with some random. After that I couldn’t stop singing Make the Earth Move (at least I think that’s the name of it)
June 24th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I wish! I would love to experience a very mild earthquake that didn’t involve any bridges collapsing on me! I’ll stay away from the violent protests, I don’t think pepper spray sounds fun.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
The most frightening thing in that shot is the “herd” of office workers.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Oh. And also? I’ve been thru a couple of earthquakes…the first one I ran to the nearest WINDOW to look out. Yeah. Not so smart. Second one I thought I was fainting or something it was so faint.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Honestly, if anyone can manage to sneak a few juicy photos, it’s you. I clearly remember your stealth vacation photos. YOU FOOL NO ONE.
June 25th, 2010 at 7:31 am
When I was studying for my masters, I spent a couple of months in Italy (I was studying earthquake seismology and the way the amount of water in the ground effects earthquake damage) so I got to see a couple of small ones, up to a 4 it was quite cool. The first time I was like you, I thought what can that be, it was more of a gentle sway than what I expected!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:25 am
Will we ever live down the disgrace of Harper’s fake lake?
No to riots and/or earthquakes. As for the five copters….do they actually believe a terrorist might hesitate to simply shoot down all five?
June 25th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I haven’t experienced either of these, but a few years ago they were filming a major motion picture in my hometown with matthew machonaghey (sp?) and we liked to go watch the filming when we had a chance. That was the most excitement I’ve had.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:20 am
There was once an Earthquake here and I thought it was just my washing machine shaking violently that moved the whole flat. Or perhaps the army base near here playing with explosives. But my first thought was the washing machine.
I don’t know what it registered, and I didn’t even get an “I survived the Earthquake” t-shirt.