I love Destructoid’s readers for checking on me after Japan’s earthquakes yesterday and this morning. So many people contacted me to check on me through various means, like email, private message, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and through other Destructoid and Japanator editors. The messages continue to pour in, either checking on me or wishing me well, all showing concern and love. Some of the kindest messages I’ve ever seen clog my inboxes, and I’m still reading them all, but I appreciate the triple digit counts of concern in all of them. I can’t tell you how great this makes me feel.
Thousands of people have the same job I do, I’m sure. Just like they do, I get up in the morning and blog my face off, sharing news and opinions for anyone that will read it. But how many of those people can say that some of their readers are generally concerned with their well-being? How many would be able to say that their inboxes exploded with love? Again, I am so lucky, and you people reading this are the best. I love you all. I can’t say that enough.
And as for how I am, I’m fine. More on that after the jump.
I had just had a fantastic lunch with CheapyD of CheapAssGamer and we had returned to his place to hang out for a bit. We felt a small tremble and shrugged it off at first, but then it got really crazy with swaying and things falling on the 16th floor of his building. I had a clear view of all the skyscrapers in downtown Tokyo as the quake happened, and watching them all wobble was absolutely terrifying. The shaking and swaying went on for what felt like forever. When it stopped, I continued shaking, scared. We both said every cussword in the language, probably.
When we thought it was finally safe, after quite a while, and when the building stopped swaying, we took the stairs down to solid ground. Unfortunately another tremble hit right then, sirens went off, and people were gathering in clear spaces. People were crying, dogs were barking, and rows of hard-hatted businesspeople paraded down the streets, scared. Sirens whaled and announcements warned of incoming tsunamis, telling coastal residents to get to higher ground. Stresses like this continued throughout the day, into the night, and well into the morning, as you’ve likely seen on the news.
Tokyo was at a complete standstill last night. We walked the streets to find countless people wandering. No stores were open, no trains were running, and many were stuck. Many slept in shelters and stations last night. I was stuck as well, as I live west of Shibuya, which requires two line changes from where I was at. I was very, very fortunate to be where I was, as I had a place to sleep last night. CheapyD and his family were very kind and offered me a place to sleep, and took me to dinner. I ate their cereal this morning and used their spare toothbrush. I had a pillow and blanket, and power/Internet to communicate with all my worried loved ones in America. I felt terrible having all of these things while watching everyone else on television running around scared, in the cold, some without a place to sleep, others with lost family members. And the tsunami victims. Those poor people. My heart hurts.
I’m forever indebted to the tallest white man you’ll find in Tokyo. You always hear people talking about how CheapyD is the nicest person in the world. You have no idea. It goes even beyond that. What an amazing human being.
All of you are, actually. Again, it’s amazing to see how many people continue to check on me. I won’t forget your kindness. My sincerest thanks.
And for those that asked, yes. I’m coming home. Home home. I’m moving back to America. SOON.
