Monthly Archives: March 2011

Lunch Time

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Just came back from lunch. I used the lunch in a very good way today. First stop was at the Mitsubishi UFJ bank where I transferred money from my account to an account at the Sony Bank as a donation for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Sony, as promised, have to donate the same amount so my money is now doubled 🙂

Besides that, I also had time to eat. Then I bought a cup of tea, and sat outside in the sunshine reading a book and drinking my tea. Life is quite good after all 😎

BTW, if you want to donate money for the victims of the earthquake an easy way to do so is via Google Resources or directly via Japanese Red Cross Society (English, Japanese). It is also possible to donate via your local Red Cross organization or via the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

(Ab)Normal

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Going to the office today I observed a two things, one abnormal and one normal. The abnormal thing was long lines of cars waiting to get to the gas stations. Both along Meguro-dori just around the corner from where we live, and one gas station just a few blocks from my office in Shinagawa.



The normal thing that I observed is that people are getting ready for Sakura just as usual around this time of the year. Along Meguro-river there is usually a lot of light. This morning I saw that they are putting these lights up this year as well. It was nice to see, though I wonder how we will cope with the cyclic power outage. Maybe just put them up without lightening them? Anyway, it was a nice feeling to see something normal for once 🙂

Come to think of it, there was another thing that was normal… I was riding my bike to the office 😉

Fukushima #1 Improving?

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Yesterday they dumped water over the critical Reactor #3 in Fukushima #1 power plant. They also got got a diesel generator up and running for Reactors #5 and #5 so they can now pump water into the spent fuel rod storages there.

There are news reporting that the water dumping was successful and that radiation has dropped. Which for the moment sounds good and is at the least an improvement from yesterday’s news 🙂

There is also a plan to reroute power from a TEPCO power transmission line. If successful they may be able to get the cooling system and pumps going so that reactors as well as spent fuel rod storages can get the so needed water for cooling and to contain the radiation. It is estimated to be finished at earliest during today’s afternoon.

It looks a little bit more hopeful that yesterday. I think Chie’s and my plan to do emergency packing is working… You know how it is, if you bring an umbrella it never rains 😉

No Blackout

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It was a risk that the cyclic power outage was not going to be enough the the expected peak of energy consumption tonight. It was quite cold and a lot of heating relies on electricity. But either it was a major miscalculation or people helped out by saving power. I suspect the latter 🙂

Packed

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As you may know by now, Chie and I are staying in Japan. But we have now packed an emergency bag each (or two ;-)). Just in case the worst should happen we are ready to leave in 5 minutes.

Wouldn’t that be too late you may wonder, but most likely not. The wind today was eastward, away from Japan out over the ocean. The same is predicted for tomorrow. That gives us extra time. Besides, the evacuation zones will expand as the risk increases and that will give an indication as well on when it is time to leave.

And here CNN and BBC are really good sources of information. They have brought good analysis and reports on directives from US and British government. US government also have official nuclear experts in place here in Japan to support the Japanese government in solving the crises. Meaning they should have quite good information.

Finally, in the parking place we have a car full of gas. Well, at least the tank is full of gas 😉 So the plan is to drop by Tokorozawa to pick up Chie’s mother and Coco, and then drive to Osaka to stay at a friends place.