Quaking

I just heard about the earthquake in Haiti.

Yes, I'm terribly out of the loop and off the grid right now, obviously. But I'm horrified, admittedly belatedly, at what I'm seeing.

the above two are from Mail Online

from ft.com

How big WAS it, really? This is what the Guardian says:

The Haiti earthquake was magnitude 7, which releases the energy equivalent of several nuclear bombs. The United States Geological Survey estimates magnitude 7 as equivalent to about half a million tons of high explosive. Each increase of 1 in the magnitude scale is equivalent to 30 times more energy, so this one was only one thousandth of the energy of the magnitude 9.3 earthquake that struck Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, in 2004 and triggered a devastating tsunami.

Apparently, they haven't had an earthquake this big in 250 years.

What can you do to help?
I know that it's easy for some of us to say "oh yeah, that sucks" and feel a little sorry but not really do anything.

Well, I'm sure that if you stop by Starbucks a few times a week, you can afford to send $5 to help. That could do more than you realize - think food for children, bandages, etc. Your $5 can go a long way. Be crazy and send $20, even. Here are some sites:

You can text "YELE" to 501501 to donate that $5 (it will show up on your cell phone bill for this month), or go to Yele's site instead.

You can donate $10 by texting "Haiti" to 90999 via the American Red cross, or of course go to their site.

Lastly, here's a site that tells you lots of other options: http://www1.networkforgood.org/help-haiti-quake-relief?source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

Why not help? No matter the struggles in your life, I guarantee you that if you're reading my blog, you have it better than some of the people down here, right now, in this moment. You can help them. Why in the world wouldn't you?

today's quote:

12:27

fredodupoux: edge seems to be working on some digicel handsets downtown port au prince is lost dust and rumbles Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:27 fredodupoux

12:29

RAMhaiti: we're back on line..went to St Gerard Church..people are trapped in the school..others are dead in the rubble Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:29 RAMhaiti

12:29

fredodupoux: every other house is on the ground. people are terrified and have no hope.#haiti #eq Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:29 fredodupoux

12:30

RAMhaiti: the Carrefour Feuilles area is destroyed..government buildings:Palace Justice, Palace, DGI are destroyed Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:30 RAMhaiti

12:30

RAMhaiti: there is no police presence..there is no UN presence in the Carrefour Feuilles area..people are trying to take care of themselves Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:30 RAMhaiti

12:33

RAMhaiti: rows of buildings have collapsed..there is no sign of official help anywhere in this area Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:33 RAMhaiti

12:33

fredodupoux: natural haulocost #haiti #eq

~yesterday's live blogging from Haiti