The day started like any other. At school in the middle of basketball practice, I had just made a layup. Then I felt it. Something was out of place. At first I couldn’t put my finger on it. The ground seemed to be shaking . . . Slowly, it dawned on me as the ground started moving. The whole gym was trembling and shaking like jello. Earthquake.

Anyone who’s ever been in an earthquake or survived an air raid knows the fear that wraps around your gut and curls up your spine. For one minute life as you’ve always known it ceases to exist. What happens to your life after that one long torturous minute depends on a million factors. Whether you were late for that meeting on the 21^st floor, happened to be underground, whether your family was on vacation, or whether your neighbor decided to turn the lights on, suddenly has grave consequences.

Survivors of earthquakes and explosions often reenact that horrible day and wonder what could have happened if they’d done things differently. They wonder what would be if they’d just gotten out of bed on time that day or if things had gone differently if their sibling would still be alive. They also develop an uncanny ability to detect movement or abnormal noises.

After the earthquake my family survived, my young brother was shaky and scared. Anytime someone shook the table or bumped into his bed, he’d look up with scared wide eyes wondering if the new earthquake would take his life. People that have suffered through an earthquake or survived the blast of a bomb, understand what I’m talking about. Menial things stab you with shafts of fear. A firework sounds like a bomb, and a light swaying next to a fan makes you think an earthquake is hitting.

Earthquakes and bombs can’t be avoided. The best we can do is know the closest exit or the safest place to be when they strike. Not every danger in life is unpreventable though. There are some things such as the safety of your home that can be controlled. Making sure your home has a security system is important in protecting your home. While you still can’t stop an earthquake, or redirect a bomb, at least you can know you’ve done your best in the areas you can control.

For more information about Dallas Home Security Alarm Companies or if you are looking for a Grapevine Home Security Alarm Company, stop by the Smith Security site where you can find out all about our services. We also just recently began providing Austin Home Security Alarm service.

Pretties, Scott Westerfeld’s second book in the Uglies trilogy, is a continuation of the stunning surprises, and intricate plotline of his first book. As the heroine, Tally Youngblood, is forced to undergo cosmetic surgery and become one of the flawless “Pretties”, the reader learns more about the perfect lifestyle and technology within the sheltered, pretty city walls. The audience is taken through a wild adventure, only this time, the heroine has become just like her enemies, pretty.

With many unpredictable plot twists, Pretties takes its readers on an incredibly unique and danger-packed adventure. Former friends become enemies, and unexpected heroes arise. As Tally struggles against the ways of the pretty world, she learns truths about herself and the strange new world in which she lives.

One fascinating part of this novel is the delicate attention Westerfeld pays to technology. While almost anything can be accomplished through technology within the city, technology has its limitations elsewhere. “Hover boards”, or flying boards, only work within the city or over veins of metal such as those found in riverbeds or train tracks. When Tally travels far enough from the pretty city she finds whole colonies of people living without any technology.

Despite all these interesting facets of Pretties, the one feature that sets it apart is the abrupt change in views that takes place. In the first book of the series, Tally is an “Ugly”, a normal human being with flaws. In the second book, Tally becomes a pretty and sees through pretty eyes. She now thinks of normal people as revoltingly ugly and finds it difficult to even look at them. This shift in attitude and personality is unlike anything I’ve ever read, and makes for a unique read.

Pretties is a book that shows the consequences of a world obsessing over popularity and image, and highlights the things in life that are truly important. So if you’re ready to learn and enjoy a journey, sit back, make yourself some coffee, and start reading Pretties. While you’re at it, you might want to make sure you are perfectly safe within your home so you don’t have to worry about security and can concentrate solely on reading. The best way to do this is to install a home security system.

For more information about Dallas Home Security Alarm Companies or if you are looking for a Garfield Home Security Alarm Company, stop by the Smith Security site where you can find out all about our services. We also just recently began providing Austin Home Security Alarm service.