Shake, Rattle and Run Like Hell
Well, it finally happened. Last night I experienced my first earthquake. I will entirely admit that it was a very minor quake (3.7) but it was one of the strangest sensations I've had. Keep in mind that I hail from the ever geologically stable area of central Texas so the notion of the earth moving is entirely foreign to me.
So last night I come home from work, get some food in my stomach and am waiting on the couch for Dan to call me to meet for drinks. I start to feel a slight vibration and initially concluded that my dog was scratching himself against the couch below my feet. That was quickly dispelled when the entire couch began to lurch with me on it. So what do I decide to to?? I get up and start running around the room like a chicken with its head cut off. The shaking was quite brief but I'm not entirely sure I had a clue as to what I was doing. I just knew that I needed to move....somewhere. As fast as it began, it ended and I just stood there for a moment to allow myself to phase out of fight or flight mode.
I'm sure all the seasoned bay area residents are snickering at this given that it was really minor and maybe I'll be of that mentality one day but it freaked me out. So I've decided that it's finally time to go buy my earthquake supplies (bottled water, non-perishable goods and xanax for my nerves). If that was minor, I can't imagine what a "big one" must be like.