Homesick for Disaster?

Tonight's blog was going to be about Geneva. But I find myself spending the evening balanced between swirling my mind through a multicultural diaspora and telescoping focus to the U.S. East Coast. On the one hand, I have discovered television after a 3 year hiatus, and it's fascinating to see the world through Swiss eyes. I have about 40 channels, I think, and there are at least 6 languages officially represented - 7, if you recognize Winston Churchill's observation that the Brits and Americans are two nations divided by a common language. Tonight alone, I have seen:

• Chinese drama, dubbed in German with French subtitles
• A Chilean documentary dubbed in Portuguese
• CNN
• French stations - mostly news
• Italian soap operas

When I left work, the Genovese German lady who works for my French boss was speaking Spanish with the cleaning lady.

In my heart, I know this is the right place to be. But strangely, I find myself watching the East Coast of the U.S. almost longing to be part of the fray.
My former colleagues, having just weathered a very unusual East Coast 5.9 earthquake and it's 4.5 aftershock, are preparing for the largest hurricane to hit the East Coast in over 70 years. I remember briefing Red Cross President Gail McGovern three years ago before her first Cabinet exercise about a fictitious hurricane, modeled on Georges, hitting Long Island. Further, Labor Day last year was consumed by Hurricane Earl, which fizzled just in time to make me Chicken Little, advising friends and family to take good precautions.

I think Hurricane Irene will be the "real thing." Over 2/3 of the Red Cross vehicle fleet is deployed along the East Coast, ready to serve a population of almost 49 million. Much of our volunteer base is deployed or on alert. Even people who have recently been laid off are stepping up to staff emergency operations centers. To have been a small part of this for 4.5 years was truly an honor. To try to support them in some small way from afar is a privileged obligation. And so, on my second Friday night in Geneva, I will be monitoring and responding to social media, in support of American Red Cross public affairs folks. Socially: yes, I'm lame. But my heart is with those who are serving my friends and family. If you do read this, do your part and have a stockpile so these great volunteers can serve those most in need.

I know @Anna will be stocking up on prosecco and inviting the neighborhood over. I don't worry about her, since she can kayak around Old Town. My darling mum has stocked their (3 hours inland!) basement with extra ice, gotten generator fuel, found the batteries and wind-up radios, and invited Long Island relatives to visit. This woman should have been a pioneer!

Strangely, this is the first time I've really missed everyone. Hi, my name is Catherine, and I'm a disaster addict. At least, I'm in the right place, and so are my talented and dedicated colleagues. Weather the storm well.