On Shaky Ground...

We had an Earthquake today, centered in Chino Hills. It shook the complex I work in, which was interesting- the 20's part of the building was moving in a slightly different direction than the 70's portion. Really no more damage than some frayed nerves and a few fallen ceiling tiles. But it's a reminder of what can befall Southern California literally without warning.

Personally, having lived in areas with Tornadoes, Hurricanes, brutal winters and Koch-era Times Square, I prefer the quakes. They come without warning and you're either dead or you're not. For me, that beats huddling in the cellar waiting for the storm to pass....and no that's not (just) me being flip, I've been there.  I've lived through one of the smaller big ones and the damage while expensive wasn't as widespread as say the damage from Katrina.  Yes, people in '94 died (72 to be exact), but most people were simply inconvenienced.  I remember that year there was a killing cold snap in the Northeast that winter.  Frankly, I still would rather be picking up the stuff in my apartment that had fallen over with no heat in shirtsleeves than freeze.

But I truly do want to thank all of the people who emailed me to ask if everything is okay, I really appreciate it.  Yes, it's a bizarre and singular experience to be sitting in a building and feel it do a shimmy that I'm too old to pull off.  Our mastery of this planet is an illusion, and sometimes Mother Nature gives us a little nudge to remind us.  Luckily, this was a love tap.

And no, thank goodness, no Bell Jars were harmed in this adventure....

Image: Amazon.com