Wednesday, April 04, 2012

stirred, not shaken


I was having one of those Poe-lite evenings last night.

You know the drill.  Midnight dreary.  Pondering weak and weary.  Volume of forgotten lore.

Well, not quite.  It was midnight, but hardly dreary.  And I was in high gear on the computer.  But there was an unexpected gentle rapping on my chamber door.

I was mid-sentence in one thing or another when everything started swaying.  My first reaction was that I was simply tired.  In that canoe-on-a-Vermont-lake-in- the-moonlight motion.

But I am world weary enough to recognize that romantic notions are usually further down the list of possibilities.  And that was true last night.  It was an earthquake.

I have written before about the earthquakes I have experienced here and in Oregon (all shook up; shake, rattle, and roll).  And this one was rather classic.  My computer table moved a bit.  One of the little speakers frog-walked to the edge.

But it lasted long enough for me to get up and head for the door.  Mexico has experienced two earthquakes recently large enough to damage property.  So, I was more wary than usual.

As it turned out, I barely stood up and it was all over -- lasting less time than my last blind date.

All of the scientific data is on the map at the top of this post.  The epicenter was about 30 miles off the Pacific coast -- or less than a hundred miles from me.  There are more faults in this area than in a Chevy Volt.  After all, I do not have to drive very far to see the plume of an active volcano.  You can see Melaque on the left side of the map.

But, unlike "The Raven," my night did not resolve into the incomplete chords of melancholy.  Earthquakes are an interesting conversation topic.  But fearing them should be right up there with fearing being attacked by piranha in the bath.

10 comments:

norm said...

Lots of 4/5s are  good in an area with an active fault. Keeps the big one at bay.  

Steve Cotton said...

A bit like adjusting the underwear.

Rick said...

Steve, you are delivering good laughs these days. I figure it's not the tequila so it must be the humidity (pickled brain) keep it up. 
Although Poe's writing was inspired by the death of his 13 year old bride ..........ah...........whatever.

Felipe Zapata said...

I've been told that a very interesting way to experience a quake is sitting on the john with your pants down in a high floor of a building. Apparently, very strange noises come up the pipes to the toilet and to your, well, you know.

Tancho said...

"There are more faults in this area than in a Chevy Volt", oooh the California greenies are going to look you up and take your light bulbs away.....

Steve Cotton said...

 Speaking of readjusting underwear.

Steve Cotton said...

 I suspect I am already on that "made from recycled paper" list.

Steve Cotton said...

We strive to amuse. But I doubt any 13-year old brides -- dead or alive -- are on my horizon.

John Calypso said...

I find earthquakes unnerving. We had a intense one a couple of weeks ago. Here in Mexico we live amongst a LOT of cement - not the best thing to be under during an event.

Steve Cotton said...

 That is why I was heading outside.