> On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 11:07:57 -0700, James Newtons Massmind wrote:
> 
> > > >> what DO you do about hail?
> > > 
> > > > Live in southern California.
> > > 
> > > What DO you do about earthquakes :-) ?
> > > 
> > 
> > Stand near a lady with large breasts. (*)
> > 
> > Earthquakes are very overrated as a danger.
> > http://www.nsc.org/lrs/statinfo/odds_dying.jpg You have a better 
> > chance of being struck by lightning, getting the electric 
> chair, fatal 
> > bee sting, dying of heat stroke, drinking yourself to death, being 
> > electrocuted, shot (accidentally), plane crash, bicycle, fire, 
> > motorcycle, drowning, being run over while walking, shot 
> (on purpose), 
> > falling, suicide, car crash, stroke, cancer or heart 
> disease. In fact, 
> > floods and fireworks are safer than earthquakes.
> 
> Looking through your list, a number of those items either 
> don't happen at all (electric chair) or are so uncommon (both 
> ways of getting shot, as well as earthquakes, and tornadoes 
> and hurricanes that you didn't mention) as to be 
> discountable, in Britain.  Which in theory means we should 
> live longer, as there are less ways to die available to us.  

Sadly, the one item on the list that DOES apply to you is that your chances
of dying from SOME cause is 1:1. I'm sure there are other things to get you
in Britain, or the common ones just fill in. 

> But I suppose we'd have to add in things like falling off the 
> back of a bus (although that's almost gone, as modern busses 
> have doors), getting run over by a taxi (although I think New 
> York must have the gold medal for this), train derailments 
> (about 20 fatalities in the past 10 years, I think) and dying 
> of laughter while watching "The Goodies" (although only one 
> person is known to have done this).

It's always something. But Taxi's and Trains are generally safer than
privately driven cars. What is the average age of death over there?

> I still think it's strange that in the past 15 years I've 
> spent at least one month in each year in SoCal, and never 
> felt an earthquake!

I have actually been able to feel two. Both were good fun, and no body died.
The two that have killed a few people recently, did so due to poor
engineering, not excessive or unexpected shaking. And I didn't feel them at
all.

> > Truth is, out here in the west, the gun slingers are more likely to 
> > get you, ma'am. Or you might die from complications after plastic 
> > surgery... You DO know that all Californians are required 
> to have plastic surgery right?
> 
> Does this relate to (*) above?

Apparently so. That and bleaching your hair, and getting a tan. I'm amazed
we don't have more skin cancer. There are an amazing number of blonds around
here with dark black eyebrows and olive skin. Breast "enhancement" is also a
major industry, especially in North Hollywood. I personally am violently
against any form of cutting on the body for cosmetic purposes, especially
tattoos and (gasp) pierced ears. My wife says I'm nuts, but I just don't see
how girls can justify poking holes in themselves just to have a convenient
place to hang something that distracts from their natural beauty anyway.

> > Food poisoning from the pink tofu is another possibility...
> 
> Doesn't that come under "Dying of embarrassment" ?  :-)

It would if there was actually any pink tofu in California. I've yet to find
it. I'm much more embarrassed about the cars.

---
James.
 

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