🚀 go-pugleaf

Lana Mountford <lsmntfrd@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>You *ALWAYS* have some warning that a tornado is on the way.  You at least
>have a chance to get yourself somewhere reasonably safe.  Earthquakes just
>... happen.  I've never been more scared than I was during the Loma Prieta
>shaker in 1989.  YMMV, of course!

What would you do with a warning?

Maybe I'm somewhat of a fatalist, but as far as I can tell, like you
say, "Earthquakes just ... happen." and there really isn't anything
useful you can do in time.  The main shock of Loma Prieta lasted, what,
fourty-five seconds?

Prepare, certainly.  But when it happens, I've always just tried
to enjoy the ride.  Usually, there's some disappointment because
as soon as I realize what it is, it's over. I was in Texas when
Loma Prieta hit - on the phone with my ex-girlfriend who was at
work in Mountain View - less than a mile from where I live now.
She said "We're having a major earthquake and all the alarms are
going off; I'd better go."  I turned on the tv to see if they'd
mention it on the World Series coverage, and they were joking,
talking about a "little" earthquake.    Then they went off the air.
In about an hour, all channels were showing the fires.

I have a tremendous respect for earthquakes.  But possibly because
of my opinion that there's practically nothing you can do at the
time they hit, they don't scare me much at all.


>>(*)up close, one doesn't just "see" either of these things, they
>>involve a few more senses than that.
>
>NO KIDDING!  The stories you hear about "freight trains" don't tell the
>whole story.  Try freight trains + a couple of 747s revving up, and throw
>in a fog horn or two.  Then there's the sudden tremendous change in air
>pressure. (Windows literally explode.)

Those can be pretty painful to those of us who spend most of our
lives stuffed up with allergies.  Although, I recall one time when
the low hit where I was and my sinuses cleared, seemingly by themselves.
I could suddenly breathe freely, but I was momentarily more intent
on finding a box of tissues than seeking shelter.



     Bob O`Bob
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