Holy Heat Batman! And, Why is the Room Shaking???

Okay, I was intending to post about the crazy heat of the city. I'll get to that in a moment. In the mean time, here is a pic of me lying around with my friends in our apt. (You might recognize the one in red, that's my pal Marcia Cross from Desperate Housewives...)

(Actually, it is a painting by artist Leon Kroll, visually capturing the sultry city heat in this painting Summer—New York.)

The more pressing update is what woke me from my slumber at 4:15am. No, it wasn't the sun rising to shine in our windows like the second coming (the sun is actually rising closer to 5am now...). It wasn't even Eric vigorously shaking me awake. It was in fact an earthquake level 4! It actually woke me up. It felt indeed like someone was shaking me awake. I heard the plastic curtain push-opener rods clicking together and saw the lights that hang over our mini table swaying. It was like something out of a movie, or amusement park, with a little horror thrown in. Add to that the grogginess of mid-night sleep and I was pretty alarmed. I hit Eric and said "Baby, EARTHQUAKE!" he definitely does not hae the mom-awake-radar because he sleeps through baby cries, sun shining, and obviously now earthquakes.

It seemed like it went on for an eternity. I was concerned about Mr. Little Man but was reassured by the realization that he was in the safest place, his "Unicef" crib (see previous post with pics!). My next concern was if it was going to get worse. I've seen Armageddon and I don't want to fall down into the bowels of the Earth like the guy in the opening scene who leaves his little dog behind. (Or maybe that was Men In Black??? Does it matter? You surely get my vibe by now...) Our building is a new one, so it sways with the movement of the tectonic plates. I had a preconceived notion that experiencing an earthquake would involve rapid shaking and jagged movements. The swaying of our building was almost enjoyable until the fear took over.

First thing I did when I woke up was my usual, "I survived!" Second thing was to check the net for a recap of last night's thrill ride. Damn it if Peru didn't steal our thunder! 7.9, shmeven point niner. Oh well. It definitely is better to have survived a level 4. We win after all!

See here for more information on earthquake preparedness, including delightful cartoons. Below is an example of this priceless advice.

Obtain accurate information from radio and television. Don't use fire producing items, unless someone is nearby. (Oh, then it is okay? What? Huh???) Secure furniture to the wall with metal fixtures. Check windows to make sure that glass will not fall. If you have a propane gas fitting, shut off its cylinder and secure it firmly, by chain, so that it will not fall. Check fire extinguishers. Store water in bathtubs and/or buckets. Change clothes, wear something light (e.g, a longsleeved cotton shirt and trousers).

So back to my original post. What is up with the heat in the city??? Last night (as in dark, after the sun went down, when it should be less HOT) Jackson and I were waiting to meet Eric at our picnic bench at The Mermaid in Akasaka. We arrived at 7:30, thinking it would have cooled off a bit. Huh-huh, yeah, no, it hadn't. The thermometer on the stroller registered 87! What is up with that? Concrete absorbing a retaining the heat, no breeze, high humidity, basically August in Tokyo. Today it is supposed to be 40 C (105 F). Crikey!

Just look at the line below snaking in front and wrapping behind the building of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Tokyo. (No - we have never eaten one here. As I said, look at the line! It is ALWAYS there...) Of relevant interest is the number of umbrellas in said line. See how clear the sky is? Yep, those are for some sort of shade. We no longer make fun of these people. Umbrellas are a very big deal in Japan; the selection is enormous and the price range varies. Clear ones, however, are only 80 cents. I'm considering buying Eric a lacy one. Not.

In case you thought I was fibbing about the doughnut line wrapping AROUND the building, here is an aerial view I took from our helicopter. (And by helicopter I mean a restaurant on the 12th floor of Takashimaya department store...)

Below you can see another umbrella, -ella, -ella, used for shade. The woman is covered in shade from the tree as well. She is sharing a spot of grass with a guy wearing only his under wear. Question is answered, briefs it is.

I miss my SUV with AC. TTFN.