We live in an amazing time on an amazing planet. This morning I woke up and looked out the window to an orange sky. My first thought was, I must have something in my eye, I tried to rub my eyes and yep the sky was still orange. Freaky! Let's go wake up my daughter Alex just so she doesn't miss out on this strange phenomenon.
You know what else is cool? Thousands of conversations happening around the world about the event on facebook, twitter, skype! Maybe 5 years ago this would have been reported on TV news and that's that. But in 2009? Not only is the mainstream media reporting this event, but ordinary people are connecting with each other and reporting in real time! Just think about it:
You're checking your facebook and notice all your Sydney friends uploading pics of red sky, links to news articles, and videos. You then call them on your mobile phone (or Skype) and bingo! You have your very own personal local correspondent giving you a live feed! Don't tell me that isn't cool.
One other thing I am observing is that after the ooh-ing and aah-ing at this fascinating once in a lifetime event, reality kicks in. People are bitching about flights being canceled, the clean-up of the dust covering their furniture and carpets, and difficulty breathing. I've been clearing my throat every couple of minutes, and someone even proclaimed digging out orange snot.
I'm thinking of today as a gift, I'm one of the few on the planet who happened to be at the right place at the right time. Even if I do have to whip out the vacuum cleaner again tomorrow. Totally worth it.
*link to flickr gallery of the orange dawn
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