Chris,

Writing technical reports is much easier than dialogue, press conferences and descibing play by play what happens to people and buildings during an earthquake and tsunami. While it is easy to say 10,000 people perished during an earthquake writing a visualization of that actually happening requires a very vivid imagination yet one has to make it as true to a real experience as possible.

Can you describe a hotel banquet room decorated for royalty and 200 guests? How would you introduce newly arriving guests and yet keep in touch with people who are already in the room? And what about the food, what should they eat? Only the best of course, but what is the best? Well, it's regional for sure.

I have yet to write the acceptance speech of one of our times greatest seismologists. I wonder what he's going to say. I think I have an idea or two.

Of course, all of this is done after my real work in life and frequently I'm up until midnight with a 5am call in the morning or on the weekends I may burn the midnight oil until 4:30am when I'm a roll. It is not at all easy, but I do love it anyway.

Petra