Last week, Vancouver was described as offering the highest quality of life when compared to other North American cities (it ranked fourth in the world). As reluctant as I am to admit it, I'm a Vancouverite. I'm reluctant to admit it because being a Vancouverite and being a Montrealer are mutually exclusive and I'd rather be a Montrealer. Montrealer implies cultured, indie, edgy, stylish. Vancouverite implies mellow, posh, fit, gortex. But, after being here for over four years, I can no longer deny it: I'm a resident of the best city in North America according to the ranking.

Is Vancouver really the best city? Given the moderate climate, the beautiful setting, the decent infrastructure, and the good food, it's not hard to see why it scores so high. But I'm pretty sure that the likelihood to experience a large-scale natural disaster was not considered when the cities were ranked. Due to the forces of plate tectonics, Vancouver is earthquake prone. Indeed, all evidence suggests that we are overdue for the 'big one'. The aftermath of an earthquake of the magnitude expected would be devastating. That said, seeing as the rating represents a snapshot of the city now, I suppose that it is reasonable to assign a high ranking to Vancouver... assuming that worrying about the impending quake doesn't negatively affect ones quality of life.

I've accepted that an earthquake could shake the city to pieces at any minute. I don't like the idea but I've resigned myself to the fact that it could happen and that there's not much I can do about it. Vancouver is a great place to live and I'll accept the risk. Despite being prone to worrying, I don't think about it on a daily basis. Frankly, the only reason it came to mind recently was that I noticed that the Google maps satellite imagery provides a profile of the seafloor, including the mid-ocean ridge in the Atlantic - evidence of plate tectonics and continental drift. A reminder.

The satellite image also reminded me of the time Kevin came home from a job interview a few years ago and recounted some of the questions he was asked, including "How would you move Mount Fuji?". Before he had a chance to tell me how he had responded in the interview, I blurted, "Do nothing. Just wait for continental drift to take its course." Kevin groaned - such an elegant and simple solution and he didn't think of it. He didn't get the job. I don't think I would have gotten it either seeing as I don't have the qualifications needed to apply.