Summer in SoCal
There are some good things about living out here, like the cool biplanes that fly over our house fairly often (there was a whole slew of them, in formation, a couple of weeks ago–looked like scenes from the 1927 film Wings) and interesting plants (stuff you’ve only seen on Star Trek). Today, though, with the start of summer, it’s hard to remember much of that good stuff.
Let’s take a look at what’s up here in SoCal…
1. The southern San Andreas fault is overdue for a big movement. Joy. While San Diego is better off than LA with this (as the fault is much farther from SD than LA at any point), it would still be a hell of a jolt if/when it goes. We have insurance but I never seem to get around to stocking the extra water and supplies for emergencies. Maybe I should do that this weekend. At least I do know where the gas shut off is.
2. There’s a heat wave starting this weekend. In the valleys, they’re saying upper 90s to over 100, mountain foothills over 100, and 115 in the deserts (they said it would be 100 in the east bay of San Francisco, even). Here, at the coast, it should be in the 80s, so not as bad (and cool at night, not like back east). Thank heavens we have a pool and live fairly close to the coast.
The big news with that is that it’s not as dry of a heat as usual–not even close (like 50% humidity). That’s going to make for some miserable folk–they are just not used to the heat with humidity.
3. Even with the high humidity, there is a significant risk of fire. We haven’t gotten anywhere near enough rain this year, so the brush is all dry and just waiting for a spark.
4. And with the heat comes increased demand for electricity and, yes, the potential for rolling blackouts. This is becoming so much a standard occurrence, apparently (though I haven’t been in one yet), that there is even a page with the info on the SDG&E website.
At least we’re way down on the list for potential blackouts (Clairemont Mesa) here. At least according to the list posted last night.
Every time I talk with clients in other parts of the country and they say “oh, you must feel so lucky to be living out there” I have to laugh. The answer is “no.” It’s not hell and it could definitely be worse, but it is not the greatest place to live, no matter what its reputation. Great place to visit, no question, but I have to say that pro-con list is no better than back in Ohio. Different, of course, but no better.