Little earthquakes
What is this? Hint: it has something to do with earthquakes.
A couple of days ago, I have experienced my first micro-earthquake. Scale 1. Almost nothing. On a plane you wouldn't even call it a turbulence. The emotions are mixed. "This is special, I want more" And: "Will I still find it cool if it does not stop immediately? Could it escalate and eat me up rather than getting me closer to phenomenologically understanding the Buddhist concept of impermanence?".
Small invisible earthquakes have a way to seep into everyday life. For instance, why do you think it is absolutely necessary to be cold at night? The Japanese certainly master the technology to build double glazed windows and thicker walls...
The explanation I heard is --guess what?-- earthquakes: such glasses and such walls would make the building stiffer and heavier -no go.
[By the way, the best tip I received in order not to freeze at night is to put a (polar) blanket under the sheets covering the mattress! It really makes a difference. I have also tried sleeping with 5 layers on, taking a hot bath before going to bed, putting clothes all around me under the duvet to create an almost vacuum sealed environment. I still have to buy a hot water bottle. And if you have other tips, be merciful and share them with me! But yes, I see, buildings must stay light and flexible.]
And what about the objects I found in my wonderfully sunny office on the day they gave me the key?
- 3 desks, uncountable shelves, chests of drawers, closet for my coat, a sink
- 9 chairs, one of which so new it still had a card attached
- one wireless printer still in the box - they said that this was for me [they bought a chair and a printer just for me!!]
- and: one helmet: they explained that we should wear it at all times, in case an earthquake would surprise us and books would fall off the shelves. They paused for one second and added that nobody does. We have one of those at home as well. For the three of us.
And finally: What is the first picture of this post?
Hint: it is in the University Library. You find it,
- once you have filled in your card number and your name on a form that allows you to borrow a 100 yen coin,
- once you have put 100 yen in a locker that allows you to hang your coat and bag (which you are not allowed to take to the basement where the books are),
- once you have checked in with your university library card, which is not activated yet, thus I need to show them a beautiful piece of rubber stamped-paper, which certifies that I am a visiting professor and which also states how much I would earn if I would work here for a year,
- once they have opened the small gate
-- there you find that sorting box. Which requires me to do something before I can go the basement to look for the books I want to borrow: What?! I need to put my library card in the sorting box and pick up a badge with a number. "What is this for?" I ask the very kind librarian who speaks very good English. "In case of an earthquake we need to know who is in the basement". Right. It makes perfect sense.
Small invisible earthquakes have a way to seep into everyday life. For instance, why do you think it is absolutely necessary to be cold at night? The Japanese certainly master the technology to build double glazed windows and thicker walls...
The explanation I heard is --guess what?-- earthquakes: such glasses and such walls would make the building stiffer and heavier -no go.
[By the way, the best tip I received in order not to freeze at night is to put a (polar) blanket under the sheets covering the mattress! It really makes a difference. I have also tried sleeping with 5 layers on, taking a hot bath before going to bed, putting clothes all around me under the duvet to create an almost vacuum sealed environment. I still have to buy a hot water bottle. And if you have other tips, be merciful and share them with me! But yes, I see, buildings must stay light and flexible.]
And what about the objects I found in my wonderfully sunny office on the day they gave me the key?
- 3 desks, uncountable shelves, chests of drawers, closet for my coat, a sink
- 9 chairs, one of which so new it still had a card attached
- one wireless printer still in the box - they said that this was for me [they bought a chair and a printer just for me!!]
- and: one helmet: they explained that we should wear it at all times, in case an earthquake would surprise us and books would fall off the shelves. They paused for one second and added that nobody does. We have one of those at home as well. For the three of us.
And finally: What is the first picture of this post?
- once you have filled in your card number and your name on a form that allows you to borrow a 100 yen coin,
- once you have put 100 yen in a locker that allows you to hang your coat and bag (which you are not allowed to take to the basement where the books are),
- once you have checked in with your university library card, which is not activated yet, thus I need to show them a beautiful piece of rubber stamped-paper, which certifies that I am a visiting professor and which also states how much I would earn if I would work here for a year,
- once they have opened the small gate
-- there you find that sorting box. Which requires me to do something before I can go the basement to look for the books I want to borrow: What?! I need to put my library card in the sorting box and pick up a badge with a number. "What is this for?" I ask the very kind librarian who speaks very good English. "In case of an earthquake we need to know who is in the basement". Right. It makes perfect sense.
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