Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Nature's Alarm Clock - 3 Hours Too Soon

I suffer from insomnia.  Sure, I could dope myself into a false coma with some sort of pill, but some of my best writing happens in those hours after midnight and before dawn.

Right now I am in the midst of a wicked bought of it.  I was up until 2:30 last night, not even the slightest bit sleepy.  I was writing and watching episode after episode of "Veronica Mars" (aka - one of the best TV shows canceled before its time - like "Firefly" and "Arrested Development")

But eventually I thought it was time to hit the hay.  So I snuggled down in my bed, and let sleep take me away.

Fast forward to around 4:00 AM.  There I am, in bed, sleeping as soundly as a baby when I am jolted awake by my bed shaking.  Two thoughts go through my head, in this order:

1) Oh god, I'm possessed by Pazuzu

2) Perhaps that is a snow plow.

I then heard my dishes rattling in the kitchen and thought "earthquake?" which lasted for about 3 seconds and I passed out again.

When my alarm went off, it was set to a new radio station (because I am a 76 year old man...) and all I could make out in my morning pre-coffee haze was the word "earthquake".

Hmm, I thought.  I was right.

Yes people.  The Chicagoland area had a slight earthquake last night.  Yeah, we get snow and earthquakes, so you people on the coasts can quit your whining.

Midwesterners are the shit.

~ The Office Scribe

9 comments:

A Vapid Blonde said...

I knew Chi Town had a quake...I have a sorority sister (hangs head in shame) who mentioned it on FB...I was like dude it must be your curly hair shaking in the wind! I guess I was wrong. Hope you and your dishes are cool!

Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity said...

Amen! While I am not in Chicago, I am in the midwest, although hours away. My mom actually called me frantically early yesterday morning from FL to see if I was OK. No. I am not kidding. So, I had a mom alarm clock. Not the way you want to greet the day.
:)

Bev said...

I heard about the quake! Glad no one was hurt, but what a way to wake up!

Ed said...

AND Tornadoes! Don't forget the tornadoes.

They're like the midwests version of Hurricanes.

We rock!

p.s. I'm an insomniac too. Really am I in bed before 3am. You should of sent me an email.

Crysta said...

I live about 8 miles from the epicenter (in Elgin) and it definitely woke me up. I heard things rattling on my dresser and the blinds hitting the window and thought TRAIN! But then I realized there were no train sounds (horns etc) and thought PLOW! Then I thought "Earthquake!" and fell back asleep.

Aion said...

Hmm how did you sleep after the quake? Just asking :) Glad your ok! I have insomnia too.. It sucks!!

CeciliaRose said...

Wow another earthquake. Is this the same time as the one last year? Weeeird. Also Veronica Mars and Firefly best shows evar!

Erika said...

I grew up in the Midwest so I can truly appreciate how freaking crazy an earthquake in Chicago is. I mean, WTF? Oh and agreed, Midwesterners are the shit.

The Office Scribe said...

It should be known that the shaking was about equal to that of a quarter being shoved in the slot of one of those cheesy motel beads shaped like a heart - but much cheaper.