December 6, 2018 Politadick

Natural disasters are on a level of scary all their own. But if we have to go through one, then we want to go through it right here in Alaska with all of you. BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY IS AMAZING! Neighbors helping neighbors, Alaskans helping Alaskans. People who would normally wait in the store check-out line in silence instead spent the time chatting with the stranger next to them like life-long friends. Mother Nature literally rocked our world last Friday, and has continued to test our nerves with *!#%! aftershocks ever since. But here we are - standing strong as one.

The earthquake is no joking matter. Some people lost their entire homes. Roadways split in half. Folks who were driving in their cars when it hit thought they either blew a tire or their vehicle was experiencing some type of mechanical failure. Those inside buildings were trying to find something to either crawl under or hang on to for dear life while everything came crashing down around them.

Just about everyone is still experiencing some form of mental, emotional, and/or physical exhaustion. While we do not make light of any of these things, in true WNTDW fashion, we hope a couple of the following observations can put at least a small smile on your face. We’ll even settle for a smirk.

➡️ You know that one closet where you shove stuff you don’t know what to do with? And you’ve been meaning to go through it? Well - you’re going through it now - because it’s all on your floor.
➡️ Ditto for the pantry. That being said, this is the perfect opportunity to throw away everything that’s been expired for literally years. Oh look - green beans from 2003. Yummy.
➡️ You own at least seven flashlights. You could only find two. Both had dead batteries.
➡️ You know that breakable thing (whatever it happens to be for you) that your in-laws gave you that you hate but you can’t throw away because it will start a family fight? It survived the quake. Not a scratch on it. But all those Christmas decorations you already put out? All broken.
➡️ You did not know that the earth could shake so hard that water comes out of the toilet, pianos relocate to the other side of the room, and light bulbs in chandeliers that did NOT fall from the ceiling still break. You do now.
➡️ There’s that one particular item that you knew you owned, but could not find, and it’s been driving you crazy because you’ve been looking for it for months. You found it. Ironically it’s a little easier to see what you have when ALL OF IT becomes visible to you. Everywhere. All at once.
➡️ You are learning how to walk around on six legs. Two belong to you and four belong to your fur child who refuses to leave your side.
➡️ Watching national media describe Alaska is hilarious. No, Anchorage is not the state capitol. No, Minnesota Drive does not extend from Tok to the Aleutian Chain. No road does this, actually.
➡️ Never before did you really think about how many bridges you drive over/under every day. Or how many places are only accessible via those bridges.
➡️ Every Friday morning you have always laid in bed, after the alarm has gone off, wondering if there was any type of excuse you could come up with that would allow you to stay home from work. The universe heard you. You’re now wishing you had been a tad bit more specific with your request.
➡️ Whatever... you needed new dishes anyway.

Use your inside voice (not applicable while you believe the world is ending), play well with others (we are - because we’re freaking awesome), and remember we’re all in this together (heck yeah). 💙

Hmmmm...... 🙃🙂 Politadick