The Big One

Yesterday was an interesting day for me. As I sat in my cubicle around 11:45, thinking about lunch while exchanging phone calls with our escrow officer as we desperately tried to close on our house, I got a little dizzy and started swaying.

Or so I thought.

After a few seconds, I realized that I wasn’t the only thing swaying. So was my computer, and the walls of my cube, and the plants all around the office. I heard a co-worker exclaim as though she were on a roller coaster; someone else yelled out “Earthquake!” Then, the swaying stopped and the shaking started.

Now, I’m a die-hard east coaster. Give me a nor’easter or a blizzard or a tornado or a hurricane any day of the week. I’ve lived through those, and I know what to do when they occur. And although the first time wasn’t necessarily a charm, I’m now a bit more educated in the wildfire scenario as well. Earthquakes, however, a bit new and mostly an unwelcome experience for me.

When things started shaking, and the walls began moving back and forth, the voices on my floor elevated. This wasn’t a typical earthquake—something you usually classify as momentary dizziness and dismiss before looking at your neighbor, who seems to have come down with the same case of dizziness simultaneously, before you’re both like, “oh, wait, what? Was that an earthquake?”—no, this time there was no questions. I stood up (why? I don’t know. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? No? Oh well.) and looked around, watching a few of my more experienced coworkers run for doorways or hit the floor. It eventually went through my head that I probably didn’t want to be standing right then, and I kneeled under my desk for the next terrifying 15 seconds or so.

When it stopped, things were still a bit shaky. It was like I’d just been on a boat for hours and stepped onto land—that woozy, discombobulating feeling. While my coworkers shared their various clichés, (“That was a doozy!” “ Holy cow!” and the like) I jumped onto my computer and Googled “recent earthquakes.” Within seconds, I was able to inform them that it was a 5.8 (which would later be downgraded to a 5.4) magnitude quake that hit Chino Hills. (Which sparked another debate as to the location of Chino – wasn’t that in NorCal? You know, up by Stockton? No, that’s Chico—Chino is outside of L.A.)

Thankfully, as The Governator later reminded us, L.A. came out rather lucky. CNN also reports that “The Big One” is still to come – that within the next 30 years, there’s a 99% chance that California will experience an earthquake of 6.7 magnitude or greater. (Good thing we just signed a 30-year loan! Hello, irony.) Hopefully by then, I’ll be shoveling my way out of my driveway in New England.

The Light At the End of the Tunnel...

My time has come, people. Today, I put in my two weeks' notice at my job. After almost thirteen months, I just got tired of being told to hurry up and wait for an opportunity to arise. Now, I will actively seeking opportunities myself, and not waiting for them to come to me. So, if you have any friends and/or contacts in the San Diego area looking for writers/editors/proofreaders, please think of me. You will receive a shout out on this world-famous blog.

Don't Believe the Hype

Don't panic. If you haven't yet seen The Dark Knight, it's going to be ok. It can wait.

Now, I'm not saying the movie wasn't good. It was. But, with all the hype and excitement surrounding the release, I had great expectations. Was the movie thought-provoking and intriguing? Yes. Heath Ledger's performance was admirable, yes, but in my opinion, hardly worth all this posthumous Oscar win buzz.

Overall, it was a good movie, and an unexpected and enjoyable night out, but I'm now much more excited to see Mamma Mia! (with my own Mamma!)

We Are ... Blubbering Fools

A few months ago, I signed up for the most basic Netflix package there was. Recently, my queue included We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaghey and Matthew Fox. To me, there could be absolutely nothing better than a movie about football with Matthew Fox in it. But then I sat down to watch it.

Within minutes, I was sobbing uncontrollably. I was also watching this movie with This Guy I Know, to Whom I May or May Not Be Married. He, too, was more than a little misty-eyed. Now, I have, in the past, been accused of being cold-hearted... well... ok, a bitch. While my four other girlfriends were sobbing their faces off during P.S. I Love You, it took every ounce of my self-control not to throw my head back and groan at the sheer sappiness and utter predictability of it all. Obviously, I have no heart. So, clearly, We Are Marshall can even tug at the heartstrings of an unfeeling wench.

Next up on our queue is Blades of Glory... I'm pretty sure no tears will be shed over that one. However, Saint Lois has agreed to babysit (a.k.a. "wrangle") for us tonight, so we're heading out to see The Dark Knight, and, from what I've heard, Heath Ledger's performance just actually might make one reach for the hankies. I'll keep you updated on that one.

Coming Soon to a Bedroom Near You...

(get your mind out of the gutter, people.)

... A Toddler Bed. Yes, that's right. This morning, I awoke to a loud thump, followed by the sounds of my child's screams. Fear not, everything and everyone are fine; I think Aaron was more scared by what had happened than he was hurt. Nontheless, we have lowered the mattress in his crib to the lowest possible setting, but given Aaron's recent tendency to climb everything (including into his high chair, on to the kitchen counter, up onto his changing table, and into our bed), I am under no illusions that soon, he will be the proud occupant of a Toddler Bed. Yes, apparently my son has monkey genes. 

Excuse Me, Where Could I Find An 'I Love Your New Hair Color!' Card?

I recently went into a Hallmark store in search of a meaningful parting gift for the outgoing COW (a rather misleading acronym referring to the spouse of the squadron's commanding officer). While I was there, I was rather astonished to behold the sheer number of "category" cards present. No matter the situation, be it a loved one's "coming out," the abandonment of one's dream, or even being overlooked for a professional promotion (I think I have many of those cards lost somewhere in the mail), Hallmark has just the card for you. So next time you wish to send your heartfelt congratulations to a friend who was just selected for a reality TV show, swing into your local Hallmark to pick up a card that says just that.

Lazy Saturdays...

DISCLAIMER: Apparently, I posted this blog on the wrong website. For those of you who read my LOST blog, you were probably a bit confused. This blog should have been posted here, on Saturday, June 28.

I love Saturdays like these. 3.5 hour naps, big breakfasts, and cheesy Lifetime movies. I'm telling ya, ya can't beat it. (Well, Sundays during football season give lazy summer Saturdays a run for their money.)

Still not much going on in the Browns' life. We're in escrow until the end of the month, then, for the 4th time in 2.5 years, we'll be moving. Yay military life. (Though granted, the last two moves have been inter-city, and more or less our own choice than that of the military.)

Ian and I enjoyed our monthly Parents' Night Out last night. After mandatory fun at a squadron hail-and-farewell, a military tradition of welcoming the newbies and bidding adieu to those moving on in their military careers, we headed to the movies to catch Get Smart, the new movie starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. Some discussion had been made as to whether to see this movie or the new James MacAvoy/Angelina Jolie action flick, Wanted. Though I'm a HUGE JMac fan (Becoming Jane? LOVED IT. Atonement? Cue heavenly angels' chorus!), I wasn't at all disappointed by Get Smart - the humor was there, the dialogue was witty, and the twist was pretty good, too. Still, I am more than willing to entertain offers of babysitting in order to go see Wanted. :)