I stayed the entire session today so it was 9 - 5.30pm of presentations and discussions. There were a handful of rather boring ones and I couldn't keep my eyes open. But there were a whole lot more interesting ones and I was there taking notes like crazy. Topics covered today included tsunami forces of structures, disaster risk management, key issues in disaster mitigation, recommendations for future structural design to accomodate tsunami wave dynamics, early warning systems, etc. During lunch my project partner (who is working on vegetation, I'm working on buildings) and I had a quick play with the wave tank in the labs. We had to get it working as there was going to be a tour of our facilities later that afternoon. I'll be working with that huge mofo all of next year (I'm talking about the wave tank). My partner, Rhett, is really nice and I think will be a great guy to work with. We might get to go to Sri Lanka (to survey the area and conduct research)!!!

I am surprised with the lack of early warning systems in and around the indo plates. They are currently working on that and have devised a fantastic mapping system. China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia - countries around that area are all supporting this initiative which is fantastic. It is always great to see many countries working together towards a common good. It's what the whole world should be doing. Imagine what a great world that would be.

Went to trivia night at Crown again tonight. We did okay, we came second! Pretty poor effort considering we had about 10 people in our group!! I touched my first $100 chip (a chip that was actually won, not exchanged for money) tonight when Benny ended up with $103 after starting with only $50 playing Craps. Great effort!!

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