EARTHQUAKE EH?!
Posted on 23. Jun, 2010 by Simon in Toronto
WHERE WERE YOU AND WHAT WERE YOU DOING DURING THE QUAKE?
Eating a late lunch in my street level kitchen today, I suddenly noticed my arms were feeling awful unstable leaning on my table. Almost like it was shaking. Lo and behold, I looked up to see if I was going crazy and I realized everything in the room was shaking. The light fixture hanging from the ceiling gave me a little more perspective, as it wasn’t just unstable, the thing was swinging like it was getting used as a speed bag by a prize fighter. I thought I was crazy as I considered whether or not we just had an earthquake in Toronto. A few minutes later I wasn’t sure if everything was mildly shaking again. It’s kind of surreal, but mostly disorienting. Then I finished my sandwich, which was delicious, thank you.
Twitter immediately exploded, naturally. Apparently a 5.5 magnitude earthquake [since downgraded to 5.0] hit central Canada and some of the Northern United States. On the richter scale 5.5 is defined by the U.S. Geological Association as a moderate shake that has the potential to damage poorly constructed buildings, so, although it may not have felt all that crazy this was one you can legitimately brag about experiencing.
Those of you from California are probably scoffing at our thrill ride reaction. Well, fuck you, it’s novel for us ok? Don’t act all aloof and unimpressed if there’s ever a giant snowstorm in Compton.
By-and-large I didn’t think it was a big deal and I was surprised when I found out the magnitude. Not sure why people are evacuating buildings, but you never know I suppose.
And now that’s one more experience to cross off my list. Next up, getting tear-gassed at a G20 protest.
Most popular earthquakes jokes on twitter right now:
1) That shaking is the sound of Quebec seperating
2) Tsunami watch for fake lake in Toronto convention centre (this one is kind of tasteless for me. I saw a documentary about the 2005 tsunami that hit SE Asia and that thing was absolutely no laughing matter).
Val
Jun 23rd, 2010
Simon where are the need to know details? What kind of a sandwich was it?!
But seriously, an earthquake? That’s some not-normal shit. I didn’t feel it out here at work in Mississauga though.
Anupa
Jun 23rd, 2010
I heard a good one: “Wait, maybe that’s just Barack Obama landing in Toronto”
Though it wasn’t as har har as the “sound of Quebec seperating”. When I was a kid, I thought that’s exactly what was meant by the whole separatist thing; couldn’t fathom how that was possible but pictured Quebec being sawed off and floating away into the Atlantic
Anupa
Jun 23rd, 2010
Also, Simon, I swear this is your second post in a row where you reference sangwidges
Simon
Jun 23rd, 2010
As a typical male, most of my thoughts regarding Quebec separatism involved hypothesizing how the Quebec and New-Canada Olympic hockey teams would shake out.
Safe to say, we’d be weak in goal, but our defence would totally own them.
fathima
Jun 23rd, 2010
doing what i do best on muggy early afternoons: almost-sleeping.
also see: http://xkcd.com/723/
Dust
Jun 24th, 2010
Big party at Mel Lastman Sq yesterday afternoon as every office building in the area evacuated.
Tried to get a Starbucks, but the store was closed – they evacuated too.
-d