Holy crap.

That's all I have to say about the crazy earthquake action we've had here in Tokyo tonight. There were 3 large earthquakes in Niigata (about 200 km from Tokyo) within a span of about 40 minutes. And then there were aftershocks. Let me tell you, I'm not a big fan of any of it. Nope. None. The apartment has been shaking intermittently for about an hour now. I've packed a bag and am ready to rush out into the street should it escalate. Which it doesn't look like it will but I have no idea how people can claim to know things like that. Hence the bag.

Let me tell you a little bit about the earthquake thing. Lilo and I were watching the Day After Tomorrow (no more natural disaster movies for me for awhile!) when the first and I think biggest earthquake hit. Now let me stress that it wasn't all that big here in Tokyo. It was about a 3. Not so bad. However, tell that to my poor racing heart! I warn you, this account is going to be quite cheesy because I'm still a little shakey. Bear with me. First of all, time seems to slow down (for me anyway) during an earthquake. The biggest of the evening lasted for about a minute here but it seemed like every single second was articulated. It started out really slow and I thought maybe it was just in my head, like a dizzy spell or something and then it got stronger and stronger. The bookshelves were shaking and the broom that lives beside the fridge fell over and I thought for sure I was going to have a heart attack right then. Loud noises of any nature are cause for large amounts of stomache churning panic during an earthquake. For me anyway. Keep in mind, I am a total sissy. Totally. Anyway, I scooped up Lilo and headed toward the door because in our location they advise you to get out of the buildings and into the middle of the road or the parking lot out back because there aren't any really tall buildings around here so that's the safest place. In downtown Tokyo they advise you to stay inside because of the danger of falling glass from all of the giant buildings outside.

Anyway, the worst part for me is the rolling. You're on land. You're in a building. Yet it feels like you're on a boat and that's just not right. You'd think that having grown up on the west coast of Canada on boats and ferries and whatnot I'd be okay with that kind of motion but oh no. No, no, no. That motion is reserved for water in my mind. NOT land! I mean really.

That's about all I have to say. I'm a little wigged out right now so I'm going to watch another movie. But not a disaster movie. I'm going to watch About a Boy. As far as I can remember there is no scary or overly dramatic music in that one so I should be alright. Did I mention that the music playing during the movie when the earthquakes hit almost made me wet myself? Well it did. And not in a good way. Bah! I think I'll be safe with About a Boy. Lots of Elvis Costello and that sort of thing right? A little arty, indie type music. Sounds frickin' good to me. I was going to take a nice hot bath but I think I'll pass on that for tonight. Can you imagine being caught by a big ass earthquake while sitting nekkid in a tub?! I'd have to run out into the street in my birthday suit and that wouldn't be good for anyone. :-)

In summation...we are fine. Wigged out and a little jumpy but fine.