the most beautiful disaster zone ever

I continue to be amused that I've been in Niigata the only two times Niigata has ever been on the local New Mexico evening news. They are now calling the record snows here a natural disaster and the military disaster relief unit has been called in to help remove snow since so many elderly people are getting hurt trying to do it themselves, just like the military was called in during the earthquake.

It has been really cold, and I'm also amused at the fact that so many local's water pipes are freezing. They ask me, 'How's your water, frozen?' I say 'No!' and they kind of act surprised. 'I left my water dripping when I went to Thailand.' 'Oh, that's a good idea!'

I've also tried to explain the western concept of insulation. Not just insulation of your house and windows, but just surrounding your water pipes with something. It still makes no sense here.