Thanks for nothing, Nature
November 1, 2012All is fine here in the Finslippy household. Unlike so many other people, we have power. We didn't have any flooding or serious damage. We are so very lucky. But holy cow, was that ever not a thing that we enjoyed. Never in my life did I imagine I'd worry about the roof over our heads tearing right off. Turns out I didn't like it. I do not recommend it even a little.
You know, natural disasters are not a thing you expect when you live in the city of New York. We live here specifically because we do not prefer to consort with Nature. We don't live in the Midwest because of the whole tornado thing. We don't live on the West Coast because of when the Big One hits and that whole section of the country slides into the sea. (Sorry, guys.) We don't live in the South because, I don't know, scorpions and shit. I mean, yes, there are other reasons for us to live here, like our jobs and our families and whatever, but mostly we're avoiding the rattlesnakes and the mudslides and the awesome powers of dangerous, terrible Nature. Nature and her many spiders, most of which want to kill us. (I think.) (I may not be right about that.)
So instead of living in God's country, where we could stand in awe of Gaia and her bounty/wrath, we live in God-has-forsaken-us country, where we don't have natural vistas but we *do* have the assurance that we'll never look upon our vista and see an avalanche bearing down on us. In the summer it smells like garbage, sure, but as recompense we don't get forest fires.That was the deal. We had a deal, Nature! (I think I was wrong about the deal. Granted, it was sort of an unspoken thing.)
I hope that from now on we only have to deal with rats and religious pamphleteers, but all signs point to "nope." I think we might need to find someplace less disaster-prone, like the Earth's core. Is that an option? Anyone looking into that?
At any rate, we're okay. I'm so thankful we ended up okay. I hope with all my heart that you're okay, as well. If you can help out, please join me in donating to the Red Cross.
Reader Comments (26)
Very glad to hear that you're OK.
I am glad to hear you are alright. I am originally from Texas, but I lived in Seattle for several years. In 2001 there was an earthquake there, not devastating, but certainly terrifying for me. I had never been in an earthquake before because Texas has scorpions and rattlesnakes and tornados and my family, but it doesn't have earthquakes. Then I moved to Georgia the next year (for unrelated reasons). I breathed easier knowing my years of living with the potential for earthquakes and snowy volcanos behind me. Late in 2002, Georgia had a small earthquake in the middle of the night that I just happened to be awake for. Nature can go to hell.
In addition to tornadoes, we have deadly brown recluse spiders in Kansas. NYC is still looking pretty good to me.
I'm so sorry to hear about all your dealing with out there. I live in the midwest, while tornadoes are a concern, they usually stay away from the city...(knock on wood). Not real sure why though.
I always say that I live in New York City because our nature is contained. I like to take my nature in limited doses, in carefully cultivated parks and green spaces. I don't camp under any circumstances. And as you say, I long ago ruled out the Midwest (tornadoes, blizzards); the South (also tornadoes and ridiculous heat); the West (earthquakes, fires, and mudslides). Now that we're clearly in the midst of global climate insanity, I feel like we can't win geographically, but I tell myself that at least in the city I don't have to drive or deal with a house. I cling to whatever I can.
I'm glad you're ok.
Aren't you glad you don't live in New Jersey anymore!
You forgot the Gulf Coast hurricanes, deadly snakes, tarantulas, blistering heat...there are a lot of reasons not to live in the south. Glad to hear the Finslippy household is ok!
You also forgot about volcanos in the NorthWest. We've got earthquakes, sure, but it'll be California that slips into the sea.
San Antonio. It doesn't have earthquakes. It's far enough inland that the Gulf hurricanes rarely, rarely bring anything worse than severe rains (well, there's some flooding, but don't drive into a low area that's already flooded and you'll be fine); the tornados in north Texas and the Midwest almost never get down there; blizzards and ice storms are virtually unheard of; no landslides because the ground is made entirely of adamantium, or something.
But it isn't New York. San Antonio is my very favorite part of Texas, but if you're looking for New York, only New York will fit the bill.
BTW, I lived in New Jersey for five years, and I was really happy living there. In the past few days, I've donated to the Red Cross twice.
I am happy to hear that you and yours are safe. My family is mostly in NY and NJ and I have been getting back in touch with all of them the past few days. I live in VA (outside of DC) and usually what we get hit with - they get hit with. The storm passed us by and I just never knew the trauma that would occur between when I last checked with them all on Sunday night and when we woke on Monday morning.
I am so sad that the shore that I have known since my childhood is completely gone. According to my friends, there is no more Jersey Shore.
It's all just devastating.
Again, prayers with all affected.
Kiran
I am in total agreement with you and with Lawyerish. I live in NYC not only because I love it, but also because I like to gaze upon nature only occasionally, and from a safe distance. The annual Thanksgiving train ride to Connecticut to see my family is just the right amount--autumnal leaves etc--through my window. Did anyone see that Jon Stewart clip? My community and I are eating rats downtown. But oh how we are bonding. It's like two different cities--the uptown is bright and neon, and the downtown is like a vintage photo of old New York--all black and white and tenement-style. Truly, though, it is a hassle and nothing more. My thoughts are with all those who have it so much worse.
I'm glad you have power and a roof and I'm so very sorry for those who don't. Monday was such a warm, pretty day here in Southern California but I knew if I got smug about it for even a second the ground below me would tip up and shake me off into the sea. I'm not sure where else to go at this point. Hawaii?
I'm totally with you on this. Nature, what the heck?
'Glad you and yours are okay, Alice. ♥
Thank you so much for posting and updating us. I kept checking in hoping you were ok. I saw that picture on tv of that apartment building in NY with the whole front facade ripped off like a dollhouse and thought of you. Oh my. I can't even fathom all that devastation.
I love this. Thank you for saying out loud all the things which are scary about other corners of the country. So true!
My husband, viewing flood photos, said "think of the number of rats that drowned." So maybe you have that going for you too.
By the way, have you been reading status.squarespace.com? Those guys are keeping your website (and mine) up by carrying buckets of diesel up 17 flights of stairs *every hour.* I love them even more than I did last week.
Wow, it's so weird to hear you articulate this unconscious belief I have always had that living in a city exempts me from a wide variety of natural disasters (except for earthquakes--I know from experience those aren't in the agreement).
I went to the only store open before the hurricane very far from my house and I dawdled like I do then I had to walk 2 miles laden with these heavy bags. And as I was walking home I noticed that the streets were completely deserted. Then it dawned on me that I am insane and I was going to die just so that I would not have to go without apples and cantaloupe for a day and a half.
The wind was making the most insane noises and things were flying in the street.
I still love nature but I also think that I will be pricing condos in the core of the earth.
Your delicate constitution is NOT made for this kind of weather.
So glad you are fine, I can't imagine how terrifying it was when you heard the transformers blow.
So glad you are all right. Please keep us posted.
I know Nature can be a harsh mistress, but most of the time she puts out so it's totally worth it.
I'm in the South. No scorpions but there was an actual BEAVER in my back yard yesterday. My husband assures me they aren't super dangerous. I'm not convinced. Glad you guys are safe and the storm has passed! Let me know if that whole Earth's Core subdivision thing works out... we might just move!
So glad you are OK. I grew up on the third coast, in Texas. And I know hurricanes. I now live in New Mexico, land of enchantment...snakes, spiders, scorpians, drought, but oh, how I love it. Nature can be a "tough girl" in the neighborhood, but also an inspiration!
I am SO glad that you and your family are okay.
So glad you're all all right. I've been thinking of you, and checking for updates.
Have been checking in to see if there were any updates from your family. Glad to hear you are all well. What sad pictures we're seeing from NJ and NY, as well as from parts of the Carribean.