(no subject)

 spiffikins created a 2024 Question of the Day List here. While I cannot commit to daily, I think I'll treat them as the Friday 5. 

 

1. What’s the Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Nature?

While on a cruise in the Mediterranean in college, I saw Stromboli erupting at night on a dark sea. We were far enough away that it was safe, but close enough that we could see magma shooting up into the air and the flashbulbs of all the helicopters hovering around the volcano taking pictures. In the dark of night, rivers of fire running down a mountain in the ocean (with a moon) were pretty stunning. And because all those volcanoes are cousins, we saw the smoke from Mount Etna the next day. It was not actively erupting, but smoking like it wanted to.

2. Could You Stop Shopping for an Entire Year?

Probably not. We're not self-sustaining in that way. We need food. I could probably not clothes shop, though.

3. What National or International Events That You Lived Through Do You Remember Best?

Challenger exploding
Oklahoma City Bombing
President Bush declaring war on Iraq
9/11
Obama winning the election
Jan 6th

That's off the top of my head. Don't know what it says that I don't have any international ones. If pressed, maybe the tsunami in Thailand in 2004? And the Fukushima Nuclear accident.

4. Are Your Eating Habits Healthy?

I mean, generally yes. Better lately.

5. How Do You Fight the Winter Blues?

Dreaming about summer vacations. Space heaters and blankets. Plants in my office with their plant light on.