BensonHsu.com

We had an earthquake today measured at 5.8 magnitude and I was only a few miles away from the epicenter. Earthquakes always get you, even if you’ve lived in Southern California your whole life. But it doesn’t get you as much as people who grew up out of state! 2 of my 3 coworkers are from Chicago so they really didn’t get what was going on. It was kind of funny but also kind of scary that I was not too concerned about it.

We really haven’t had any earthquakes this size for maybe like 10-15years? I’ve gotten used to it. Now that my family and I live on our own, it’s time to start thinking how we can earthquake-proof the things in our home, including having earthquake supplies.

Here’s a couple interesting links:
A map showing earthquake activity in real-time – yes, we are constantly having earthquakes even if we don’t feel them.
Chronological Listing of Earthquakes in Southern California

I was looking through Time magazine’s website and found the article The Best in the Online World. It’s a top 50 listing of user-voted websites. A few sites on the list that I enjoy or have enjoyed are Geni, Kongregate, The Nest, Urban Dictionary, Playboy, oh wait that last one isn’t in there.

One that caught my eye was Carbonrally. This is a GREAT site! It lists a bunch of lifestyle challenges that have a positive effect on global warming. For the most part, challenges are simple things to do and don’t require a huge amount of dedication. I think it shows that taking small steps towards a greater good is more effective than trying to get people to turn their lives upside down.

What is nice is that it lists a tangible measure of how much you are helping the environment. So I actually know how much of a difference I’m making when I use reusable grocery bags instead of the plastic ones. Some of these numbers are impossible to calculate though, since you can’t say how much you will improve since everybody shops in different frequencies.

I think I’ve already reduced my carbon footprint by huge amounts – I haven’t drifted in a year. They should list that as a challenge, because it hasn’t been easy!

What do you guys think? Want to try a challenge? Let’s create a team and do it together!

Ever wondered about the origins of the phrase “head honcho”? I always just assumed it was a word in Spanish because it ends in “o”. Yeah, I guess I’m racist. Just be happy I didn’t say that the word is Mexican. Okay-o?

Dictionary.com defines it as “a leader, esp. an assertive leader; chief”. The word honcho is actually Japanese – han (squad) + cho (head, chief).

This vocabulary lesson was inspired by the show Dogfights on The History Channel. The term honcho was often used during the Korean war to label skilled enemy pilots.

Ever watch that show by the way? I love it.