That's right. After almost three years living in California and coming up on a year of getting schooled on all the ins and outs of Long Beach City Hall, I finally feel like a real Californian.
My easygoing Midwest attitude had already faded upon hitting the LA freeways, and now I've felt the earth roll, twist, shake and convulse underneath me.
When Tuesday's quake hit Southern California, I was on the phone with a source, talking about, yet again, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, the Long Beach Democrat who has made some questionable and widely reported financial decisions. Then everything began to shake. Maybe it was a sign from God -- enough with the Richardson stories already!
I guess when I moved to California, I had the idea that earthquakes were practically a part of daily life, mostly a minor inconvenience. See, back home in Kansas (make all the jokes you want, KU is still the NCAA basketball champion) tornadoes are a regular occurence, at least in the summer. I remember spending at least a couple of hours a week in my parents' basement to escape tornadoes during one summer of my childhood.
But earthquakes are different. There are no warning sirens to let you know that one is on the way, and no escaping or hiding. You just have to ride it out. Frankly, when the tremor began Tuesday, I had only a brief moment of fear, but mostly I was a little excited and intrigued by the new experience.
However, here in the somewhat new Press-Telegram offices on the 14th floor of the Arco building downtown, once the shaking stopped, the swaying began. It was like being a ship at sea as the building swayed from side to side for several minutes, freaking out more than a few of us.
But my coworkers and I, in fact all of Long Beach, escaped unscathed, for which I am grateful. And now that I've finally had my earthquake experience, and knowing the damage a more powerful one could do, I'll be happy to not ever sit through another one again.
How about you? Any other first-time earthquake-ees? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Just post a comment and share with the rest of the Press Corps readers.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
That's why Californians are so laid back. Just have to roll with it!
Go back to Kansas you freak!