Tuesday, June 8, 2010

U is for....

Well of course, UMBRELLA!  Who doesn't know that?  But this isn't any old umbrella.  This is Abbey's umbrella -- Abbey from NCIS, my favorite TV show.  I know it's a bit gory at first, but if you notice how wax-like the bodies are and how conveniently the bright light shines on the dead body in just the right place to make it it decent, then you can concentrate on what I think is the excellent dialogue -- witty, crisp and clever. Then there are the excellent characterizations -- all have grown in the years the show has existed.  All are realistic, if a little over the top for comedy sake.  The first time I saw Abbey as I flipped through the channels I was totally put off, only to find I've been missing one of the best and talented shows for years.  Thank goodness there are re-runs.
 


Then there is my friend over at Morning's Minion who took this positively UNIQUE photo of her UP-SIDE-DOWN cat,  Teasel.  Only she's not UP-SIDE-DOWN.  Sharon's explanation below.  Thank you Sharon for allowing me to use this photo.




Finally we come to UNPREDICTABLE, which is what earthquakes are.  You may have heard we had a 7.2 just over the Mexican border not many weeks ago.   We don't live too far away, but though we knew it was a big one,  nothing fell off the shelves and I feel  a little bit left out of the excitement.  I think it is because our house and area is located on a particularly solid, rock hard mesa.  We felt much more when the earthquakes came up in Los Angeles.  A lot depends on what kind on ground your house is located. I have my own 'patented' method of predicting within a week or so.  I look for large ones in Chile or Peru and inevitably the movement spreads north over a few days.  There will be one in Central America then Guatemala or Northern Mexico, then between the border and LA.
The map below shows how much we are still shaking.  They are mostly only small ones but there have been quite a number of 3.5 to 5.5 in that cluster.  The map just shows the ones in the last week  -- 456.  The original 7.2 took place in the bottom right hand corner and showed up as a LARGE red square.  See side of map. It's not showing now because the map is updated every week. We're still way above the average number of shakes for this area, so things are still on the move and with so much shaking, it's has to be unpredictable until things settle down again. I live approximately due west of Palm Springs, on the coast.


24 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

I especially love the photo of Teasel, but wow! I love that woman's umbrella!! Glad you are sitting on solid ground, Chris. Earthquakes can be quite scary, I think.

Morning's Minion said...

I've informed Teasel that she has had a bit of publicity--all because she is such a "unique" and beautiful cat. Teasel says, "But of course I am!"
Thank you for USING her as part of your illustration!

Wanda said...

Oh my goodness, Don and I are total fans of NCIS. And Abby is one of my favorites... You are right, it is really witty and serious writing.

You are right that's not just an umbrella...

Very excellent choice for "U"

Sylvia K said...

Great post for the U day! Really like your choices of U words! Hope you're having a great week!

Sylvia

Mara said...

I just finished watching two episodes of the first series of NCIS (with Kate). I love it.

And that cat is just fantastic. They are the funniest animals aren't they?

Jama said...

I'm a big fan of NCIS and Abby!

photowannabe said...

Terrific shot of your kitty. Love the angle.
You and my husband would get along beautifully. He watches the earthquake page almost religiously several times a day. Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years we know about earthquakes. Since we moved to the greater Sacramento area no earthquakes...yeah...very happy.

Kim, USA said...

Love her umbrella but why is she crying in this episode? Happy Wednesday!


ABC Wednesday~U

Roger Owen Green said...

Must admit I've never seen NCIS or the LA spinoff.

But like the upside-down feline.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

kaybee said...

Well, I think you know what I feel about NCIS, but I do love that umbrella! Terrific and interesting ABC Wednesday subjects as Usual, Chris!

Unknown said...

Manang Kim: I have to admit that the 'tears' are the result of marks on my scanner and are not on the original photo. I have to remember to clean it, sorry!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I've been through a few earthquakes myself and understand the unpredictable nature of them too!
By the way, I just got my book this week and I got all of 2009 published. I love it! Thanks! A few others, I think have done the same. You have helped to spread the word. I think it's gone viral now thanks to you! They should pay you a commission!

MaR said...

Love your umbrella and your cat. I was in Chile on hols visiting my family this past february, I left 2 weeks before the big earthquake...no fun at all. I grew up with small ones only. Great take on the theme!!

U is for unoccupied

claude said...

Hello Crhis ! No time this morning. I'll come back to morrow morning.
Today I drove my mother to one of her old friends. I'll drive one hour and thirty. And the same for comning back home.

claude said...

Py post is U for Utah.

Gayle said...

You could add "Unnerving" to your post. I too, felt the Easter quake (I live in San Diego)and have felt the many others since. I'll have to check out your method of predictions.

Reader Wil said...

Wonderful photo of Abbey! I also watch this series and I like the part Abbey plays. Her umbrella is very stylish. Teasel, however, is adorable!
It scares me to think that there are so many earthquakes in this part of the country.

Anonymous said...

no earthquakes here that I know about...but we sure are using our umbrellas - Unusual!

K(Banterings of a Basketcase) said...

I love that umbrella! I want one for myself. I'd pray for rain just to use its prettiness. I am in Orange County and apparently have no equilibrium, because I felt neither of the bigger earthquakes.

claude said...

The girl and the umbrella are very beautiful.
The cat has magnificent blues eyes.
Worrying all these earthbrakes !

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely u post.

Vicki said...

Hi Chris!
Thanks for becoming my blog follower.

Fisrt let me say that your U post is great!

As for the underwater pictures, I found it easier and more relaxing to be out in the ocean, must be all that salt water. AND... I have done the tiger thing too. We went on a family vacation and had a pic taken of us holding one that spanded 4 or 5 of us sitting down. I'll have to hunt that picture up! Have a great week-end!

LisaF said...

We are an NCIS family as well. I think we've seen every one of them between the current season and syndication. Abby is so adorable even Jethro can't help but smile at her even when he's being all snarky at the others!

Love the blue eyes on Teasel! I hope what they say about California slipping into the ocean isn't true. But I guess then you'll have beachfront property on both sides?

Unknown said...

Umbrella is a must for this post!
I have one too! Love the kitty-picture!
Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's U-words