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ROCK AND ROIL

Quake and Tsunami Leaves Wake of Destruction Across Northern Japan

Of course, nothing we know compares to this.

I have been watching the videos.

It is interesting that, as practiced and prepared as the Japanese are about quakes, not one person heads under a desk or away from heavy objects. Not one ducks and covers in a low corner against the wall.

Most were in offices and were holding onto desks. Many in the midst of high file cabinets and other crashy stuff just stay put. I saw a scene in a super market where clerks were trying to hold the cans and bottles from crashing off shelves. A useless effort. And very unsafe.

I know the feeling.

I have never been able to take any of the advice. It shakes. I just get low down. Lower my center of gravity. Wherever I am. Usually I go to the dog who is barking and worried.

I know. I should head for John and save him but it is every man for himself. And usually we are not together when it happens.

I don't stand in a doorway or go near glass but that isn't to difficult here.

The most shaking I have had was a 6 that went off up north. We were there on a trip but in bed. It shook. So did we.

Our first quake when we moved here was in the Westfield Shopping Center in Palm Desert.

We were in front of Structures, a defunct mens clothing place. They had big classical pillars in front of the place. Almost cartoon like. The floor shook and I looked up to see the pillars shaking. I felt like Victor Mature. Samson.

My first one ever was when I was traveling many years ago and was staying in a hotel. We had a shock and I ran outside to the court of this really nice motel. There were only two of us out there. The other guy was also from back east. Another quake virgin. Not one other person came outside to see what was happening. It was old stuff to them.

Queue the questions now from people who don't live in an earthquake prone area. Here are the answers.

An earthquake is much shorter than a hurricane.

An earthquake does not have uniform damage. Better on sand than rock.

An earthquakes comes in one of two flavors. Slip/strike is like a truck hitting the house. Bang. A tremblor is wave like and lasts longer. We get both kinds but not at the same time. So far.

An earthquake isn't cold. No one dies of exposure.

And an earthquake is actually a bit of scary fun if it isn't too bad and you get to ride it.

A guilty pleasure.

You will see a lot of positive excitement on the faces of people after the quake. These are the survivors. A kind of glee creeps over you that this one didn't get you and that some other people had it worse. It is unavoidable.

Labels: earthquake