Day 37 of Volcano Watch...

So the volcano hasn't blown yet. And yes, I know it hasn't really been 37 days. It just feels like it has. Reactions at the tardiness range from relief to annoyance. Also, estimates of potential danger are ranging from "horrible death with post-death zombification" to "a couple milimeters of ash - just settle down". I think most of us though, are kind of thinking "erupt or get off the pot, volcano!" Seriously - it is a slacker, Gen X kind of volcano. It shows lot of potential, but it is lazy and will probably ultimately accomplish nothing.
Since the most reliable estimates are that the worst that's going to happen is a slight inconvenience, it is nice because you don't have to feel bad for wanting there to be a natural disaster. Everyone I have talked to thinks it will be kind of interesting, as do I. It's also fun having the potential there. It's kind of neat to say "We'll see you Saturday afternoon - unless the volcano blows!" That's something you don't get to say in PA - that's for sure. Also, everyone has a timeframe that would work for them. Like," Well, I'm going to the movies with my friend tonight, so the volcano can go anytime after 10:30". Which is kind of funny. I'll have my people call the volcano's people, we'll plan!
Another interesting thing is all the stuff you don't consider if you have never been through any of this before. One lady I work with runs a dogsled as a hobby and consequently has a lot of dogs, which live in kennels in her yard. She needs to think about precautions for the dogs in case the volcano erupts - as the dogs are outside, and breathing the ash is really not a good thing. You shouldn't run computers, since the cooling fans will draw the ash in and screw up your computer. Same with cars, etc. Commercial buildings, because they need to have a ventilation system, can't be open - the fans will draw in ash, which...well, see above.
There have been a few other things going on here in AK, which I will be writing about again soon. Unless the volcano erupts!