Saturday, April 3, 2010

Sundays In My City #30 - Let's Roll

Unknown Mami hosts a great Sunday theme inviting YOU to get out and take pictures of your city and/or Sunday to share with the rest of blogland. Click HERE to see Unknown Mami's Sunday in her City today.

No matter where people are from, if they haven't experienced one before and they are in California, the conversation usually turns to earthquakes. For the record, I hate earthquakes-- A LOT, but I'm happy to talk about them with out-of-towners.

Several members of my niece's University's Horse Riding Team and their families asked about earthquakes last weekend. I explained how they rock and roll and make noise and scare the daylights out of me. But all agreed they'd like to experience one before they left town-- Preferably a small-ish one.

These banner are all over town promoting "April is Earthquake Preparedness Month". Who knew?!? Note the tagline... Are You Ready To Roll?


After the horse show finished (and they came in 1st place), the Team made a side trip to Hollywood to see the Walk of Fame, Madam Tussauds, the Kodak Theater and the likes, including this sightseeing bus below that made me laugh out loud.

Both buses are for Hollywood tours but the blue one sold the entire side of their bus for a toilet paper advertising campaign with the tagline-- Now Softer & Stronger. That's How We Roll. It's a campaign that's been running for a while-- Call me crazy, but it cracks me up.

I'm not sure which is funnier-- The Toilet Paper bus answering the Earthquake Banner question or that tons of people pay $40 to ride in a bus selling toilet paper-- And I'm pretty sure the TP advertisement isn't also on the side of the bus the door is on.

But, as they say in showbiz-- Just roll with it baby.

Follow-up Sunday 5:30pm - YES! I felt the 7.2 earthquake centered in Mexico. It was a rolling long one but mild in our area. I'll post more about it soon.

How's your Sunday?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit: Joanna Jenkins

60 comments:

  1. Ahhh the things they will put on the side of a bus eh? Glad you are back from your holiday safe and sound.
    I love earthquakes! I know. I'm weird.

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  2. All I know is that the really cheap tp rolls up into little cylinders upon use.

    Nice to 'see' you back.

    How was it?

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  3. OH, that tagline and also the ad - hilarious!

    I've only experienced one earthquake as a teenager in Fiji - it was terrifying.

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  4. I experienced one earthquake too. It was scary! Loved thew TP ad.
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  5. I experienced one earthquake, and it was here in Michigan! It could hardly qualify, as it was just a little tremor, but what a weird feeling!
    Love the bus!!!

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  6. Of course I grew up out there and earthquakes were just part of life. As an adult I left CA and lived in 3 other states and then returned to CA in time for the Northridge quake. I have been sitting in an office looking outside and along came a quake and all the cars parked along the street were bouncing around. We all laughed. Our chairs on rollers were rolling us around too. Glad you are back and here's a hug to you and your Beloved for a wonderful Easter dear Joanna.

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  7. Can I say, Only in California!?:)

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  8. We had a pretyt big earth quake in Oregon once..I slept through it..lol

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  9. Oddly enough, there was a 3.0 earthquake in north western Maine last week. We didn't feel anything here in southern Maine, which is fine by me! Love the TP bus!

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  10. Just the idea that there needs to be an earthquake preparedness month is a little scary to me. Might as well have a sense of humor about it though.

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  11. clever marketing!!

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  12. I would probably need the toilet paper if I was ever in an earthquake! LOL!

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  13. Was roaming today and found your blog, only experienced an earthquake once, not sure I would like to repeat the experience. Happy Easter

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  14. You had me thinking stop drop and roll! But thats not earthquakes! Happy Easter!

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  15. Oh my goodness Joanne! That is SO funny. I just laughed and laughed. I love your picture of the bus. Very pretty. : ) I am sorry they didn't get to experience it but glad you could share what it is like with them! Way to go coming in first place! That is just awesome!

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  16. haha. love the TP bus...i would ride...$40 is a bit steep...earthquakes...hmm...a bit scary for me...happy sunday!

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  17. Hey, I live in Cali too... Earthquakes are rare, its not like snow, tornadoes, hurricanes... Florida expects hurricanes and they come scheduled... Earthquakes don't... and isn't it a rule of thumb they happen every 20 years or so?

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  18. We have nothing like earthquakes or toilet paper buses to lure visitors here in Upstate New York... that must be why my family never visits!

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  19. are you ready to roll? - I like that phrase, it certainly adds a bit of fun to an otherwise unhappy thing

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  20. I would be terrified of an earthquake I think x

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  21. oh my that banner,.. I watch 2012 last night, so that banner makes me think,... hummm,..
    oh well'
    Happy Easter!

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  22. I think I'd pay the $40 just to tell people I rode the TP bus! :) How fun. I love it when companies have a sense of humor!

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  23. ive never experienced an earthquake.
    but great photos. stopping by from simc.
    http://nightwhimsy.blogspot.com/

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  24. Her team won. That's terrific! I'd be putting it in large bold print, not small! :-)

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  25. congrats to your niece....
    and holy crap....earthquakes scare me and I'm not even in california....

    now how about which way you roll ?....under or over ?

    hey...we are thinking about visiting la jolla for a long weekend...should we ? or is there someplace else that you think is worth seeing in california.....I need cliffs and the ocean and seals and people to shoot :)

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  26. Congratulations to the team on their victory! I hate earthquakes... even the little ones...

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  27. I hope the people on that bus don't get a crappy tour!

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  28. Living in Athens, Greece this entry was for sure of interest, especially as I did not know that there is also a months dedecated to earthquakes. For me a 4,9R was (so far, tribble knock on wood) the strongest one.
    Please have you all a wonderful Easter Monday holiday.

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  29. Really?! April is the month to prepare for earthquakes? They aren't seasonal, are they?

    For us Okies in tornado alley, the season is nearly upon us! It is always interesting.

    Love the picture of the buses....I would have wanted to ride the red one though. LOL

    Blessings,
    ~Cheryl

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  30. Very funny girl just rock and roll!!

    Enjoy this day!!

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  31. I hate earthquakes, too. I experienced two of them while living in Southern California. One while sitting under a chandelier made of a wagon wheel. Yeah, that had me thinking about ducking under the table. I'm pretty darned happy to be in Montana, now, although occasionally we get small tremors.

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  32. Whoa....I just read about the earthquake! Has your niece left or did she and her team get to experience it?? How ironic!

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  33. I would *love* to live in California but the thought of the earthquakes is the only thing that tempers my enthusiasm!

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  34. As many times as I have been in CA I only felt one tiny earthquake!! My family that lives in Southern CA have not had them to bad!

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  35. I was thinking about you today when I head about the quake. Glad all is well.

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  36. Ohhh I HATE EQ's too! Thank God I did not feel this one, my nerves would have been shot for the rest of the day and ruined Easter!

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  37. We felt the earthquake, while enjoying Easter dinner at our friend's house. It all seemed so serious until I read your posting! Thank you.

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  38. Hilarious bus! But with earthquakes, it is always better to be prepared, just in case. Unreal about the quake in Mexico. Happy Easter!

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  39. Thanks so much Joanna.

    I refer to your comment on my post named Another problem caused by cutting trees

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  40. I would not like earthquakes either. I love the hop on hop off buses even if they do have a tp add on the side. Congrats to your niece!!

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  41. I was just thinking about the coincidence of your post and the recent earthquake in Mexico, until I reached the update in the end of your post.;)
    I hope you had a lovely Easter,
    xo
    Zuzana

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  42. We've experienced small earthquakes here in Indiana.

    I haven't seen the TP campaign yet. Loves it.

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  43. I think of you and other California friends every time the news runs another spot on the quakes. I admire your attitude and courage. The whole earthquake thing would scare me, but I guess it's sort of like getting used to tornado weather here in the Midwest.

    Glad you are back and rested from your spring break ... missed you lots!

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  44. that bus ad is too funny!


    I wondered about you when I heard about the earthquake. :(

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  45. You were on a roll with this post.

    I had to say it, but was surprised someone before didn't.

    Strange about the actual earthquake and this post.

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  46. Oh Joanna... only you can make an earthquake sound funny. And that bus! What a hoot!

    Congrats for your niece's first place finish at the horse show! Well done!

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  47. I'm so glad I live in solid Minnesota. Sounds like you need roll-bars to live in LA!

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  48. That commercial makes me laugh too. That's how I roll!
    Glad you survived the shaking.

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  49. Was your post a harbinger of the earthquake? Are you psychic? What you take for granted would flip me out!

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  50. I know! How funny is it that all your friends had to do was stick around until Sunday to feel a real earthquake? I'm surprised LA could feel one from so far away. I mean, isn't SF closer? It's certainly closer to us and we virtually NEVER feel those. Maybe be a fault thing.

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  51. I hope you are OK my friend and the Easter bunny was good to you. xo

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  52. Do you figure that the blue bus carried a bunch of potty animals? ;)

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  53. glad to hear you are safe Joanna. I have a brother who lives in Vancouver, and this earthquake thing is frightening, no matter how much you want to roll with it.

    Nice to see you back.

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  54. too funny! and congrats to cee! glad you had a nice week with her. hugs!

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  55. Hi JJ - greetings from sunny Thailand...nice to see that you're back from vacation and what a funny post!
    Love, like you, the fact that the bus answers the banner haha. Bet your niece enjoyed it too...and congrats on them coming first; woo!

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  56. I'm a born and raised Californian and I actually enjoy earthquakes as long as no one is seriously hurt/killed. I think I'd freak out more if I didn't grow up with them, though.

    Hope you had a great Easter :D

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  57. now i'm not into deadly surprises, like earthquakes, tsnamis or car crashes. i like to have a bit of warning to get out the way...i did experience on small one in Sydney once...it was pretty funny, we thought the guy next door had blow himself up and when i saw the walls and windows moving i thought i'd had way too much to drink the night before lol. i had just woken & put my feet to the floor.

    tell me how on earth do you reply to so many comments, i see you have many...this week i got a lot and have no idea how i'd ever get back to everyone!

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  58. I was not aware that April was Earthquake Preparedness Month. As a fellow citizen of California, I feel like I have somehow let you down. Would it help if I told you that I live on a fault line and have spent a ridiculous amount of money reinforcing my house.

    I even have earthquake insurance...but please don't tell anyone. :)

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  59. Being in an earthquake is one of my many irrational fears. I'm glad it was mild in your area!

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  60. All I know is that the really cheap tp rolls up into little cylinders upon use.
    post free classified ads

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