I am determined to buck the trends when it comes to blogging--that shouldn't be too hard with a site that focuses on false alarms and features photos of a ferret. I just don't think that there are many blogs out there that focus on either of these things--and certainly not any that combine the two. Also, I figure that there are enough posts about current popular topics without me adding my two cents. Hurricane Irene and the earthquake are recent examples. However, I can provide a public service announcement for those living in the earthquake affected areas. We have lived in Japan and California, so have experienced earthquakes several times. I knew that I should inspect my home for damage, but to be honest, I didn't really feel much any concern that there might be damage. That is until last Monday when my husband called to tell me that a neighbor texted him that he had smelled gas near our house when he walked his dog. Needless to say, my schedule for the day change