When I awoke Saturday morning to the news of the quake, which I first saw via Twitter, I immediately sent a tweet to both Roxanne and Shane and called their phone to let them know a wave was on its way. At the time they had well over 12 hours before the wave would reach their island of Oahu and it even turned out to be a nonevent. However, after seeing this animation of how the wave moved around the Pacific Ocean, and its scale in comparison to Hawai’i, I’m glad that I reacted as quickly as I did and that they did too. A few subtle changes to any of the circumstances regarding the tsunami could have easily turned a nonevent to a devastating one.

Great to see the Social Web play such an integral role in providing people with warnings, information, and communications during times of disasters. Much of the time the Social Web is looked at as a waste of time but all the time spent “playing” on these services ends up being extremely valuable when they are put to other uses.

The earthquake, which had an epicenter just offshore in Maule, Chile, has sent tsunami warnings across the entire Pacific region including Hawai’i, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and many other countries.

Additional resources

• CNN.com has a lot information but no single URL.
• USGS map of South America. Tons of aftershocks.
• The Pacific Tsunami Center.

(more if I find any)

What better way to cap off an otherwise crappy day? Tune into the Travel Channel and be whisked away by Anthony Bourdain to someplace you’ve probably never been, learn facts about that place that you’ve probably never known, and watch him experience peoples and foods that you’ve probably never experienced yourself.

The opening few minutes of No Reservations – Chile, for me, weren’t that great. I’ve watched the episode twice now and I still think the beginning could have used a punch up in the first few minutes somehow. That being said, the rest of the episode was fantastic.

I don’t know about you, but every time I watch No Reservations I end up drooling, stomach making gurgling sounds, ever wanting a dish of whatever Tony is eating. Not this time. This time my lovely wife Eliza whipped up some empanadas for us to enjoy. We were both surprised when empanadas were not in this episode… but wait – they were. One of the missing scenes was mouthwatering empanadas. We had ours baked not fried as Tony does. I don’t know how Tony isn’t 300lbs.

Patagonia. I think the No Reservations crew are using some new lenses this year because, while Patagonia looks like one of the most beautiful coastal areas on the planet, it looked altogether real or three-dimensional on my HD TV. I could smell the seawater. Whatever lenses you’re using – keep it up. Chile is one of the most gorgeous episodes to date (Venice is high up on this list).

Twice during this episode Tony remarked how he could see himself somehow delegating the job of host to someone else. He jested that he’d just like to sit back, relax, and enjoy his food without “worrying about the cameras”. He has to be kidding right? Although I believe he’s a hard working man, a man that does his job well, puts a lot of effort into making what could be just a good show a great one – I also believe he really loves his job. But, if he wants to experiment a little – I’m available for a trip or two. There are several places on earth I’m dying to get to, to explore, to enjoy, to photograph, to eat.

I bet with Tony’s job I’d come to love Mondays.

Next up: Australia. Having had kangaroo I’m looking forward to Tony’s take on what I think is some of the best meat in the world.

To say that I’m excited, wouldn’t be enough. You all know where I will be on Monday. Sitting on my couch, mouth gaping, a warm pool of drool at my feet, staring at my television – listening to the snarkiest man alive – Anthony Bourdain – talk about meat, fat, butter, and probably cheese in Chile.

That’s an evening of entertainment friends.