woof woof

And then I went to the USAmerican Midwest

Rains frequently, but the worst is like standing under a bathroom shower. Genuinely inhospitable rainstorms are uncommon.

Along the coast, it's pretty easy in most areas to walk to at least one store, or else there's usually a bus or shuttle available. There are sidewalks and bike lanes everywhere.

It's a temperate boreal rainforest, so while there are many freshwater lakes and rivers, they're usually pretty cold. The biggest danger is typically getting caught in a strong current, and the most dangerous animals in swimming distance are on land.

Earthquakes happen almost every day, but the vast majority go unnoticed. Buildings are designed to withstand bigger seismic activity, so unless it's a 5 or higher it just kind of feels like having low blood sugar for a second. There are no tornados

Rural Illinois, USA:

One minute it's sunny, then ten minutes later that distant smudge on the horizon has swallowed the entire sky in black clouds and the water is coming down like waterfall and you literally CANNOT SEE. Then there's a crash like cymbals and you need to get indoors because the thunder and lightening are on TOP of you

No sidewalks until you are in the smack dab center of town, which is a three hour walk or twenty minute drive from wherever you are.

There aren't many natural bodies of water other than small ponds and creeks, and because the environment is so much warmer, those are filled with snapping turtles that can grow bigger than a nine year old child and water snakes that are incredibly venomous. These are paired with leeches and mosquitos for that sweet umami flavor.

On July 27, 2026 a test alert will be sent to all mobile devices in Australia. This is most phones along with some smart watches and tablets.

AusAlert is a new national warning system designed for quick action in local and national disasters.

At 2pm AEST on 27 July 2026, devices will emit a 10 second siren-like warning sound and vibrate along with a test message.

If you are in an unsafe domestic situation and have a hidden device authorities are recommending that you switch your device to aeroplane mode or off before the test time and leave them off for at least one hour after.

If you are concerned for your immediate safety, call 000.

If you have concerns regarding your safety and want advice or support, you can call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) For Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander services call 13YARN (13 92 76)

☆ 2PM AEST on 27 July 2026 ☆

Spanish speaking child: ¡esta bebe!

Excited screaming from both.

Spanish: -produces a toy of some kind-

Excited screaming both.

Spanish: do... do you...quieres... ahhh...

English: do you want to come pl-

Spanish: ¿juega conmigo? -toy makes a sound-