An earthquake hit Napa around 1:36 this morning. Due to various things coursing around in my bloodstream I was completely unable to even be shocked or surprised when my bookcases started going THUMP THUMP THUMP against the wall. It lasted maybe five seconds, but for half an hour all the muscles in my back refused to relax. My body was preternaturally alert to any slight shaking of the floor, in complete disregard of my brain, which was nonplussed. It was the weirdest feeling ever. This is the third quake I've experienced since moving to the Bay Area back in the fall of '97, and probably the least alarming to me. I feel like an old pro these days.

'Oh, the entire apartment is shaking? no big deal.'

I wonder if I'll be so nonchalant when the big one hits and destroys my entire apartment building?