Amble

What my babble yesterday was attempting to get to is that the day after the earthquake I started to question my middle of the night logic.

I had put clothes on so that I wouldn't be naked when I went outside.

Ok... and when was I going outside?

Well, when the big bad shaking stopped and I had to go outside to be safe.

Wait... hang on... let's think through this.  My grand plan is to make sure I'm dressed enough to be not naked outside.

Outside where it's cold?  And I have nothing?  Had I fled the other night, all fear and sleep, would I have remembered my phone?  My ID?  My frigging keys?  Or would I have gone outside and then been like, well shit, now what?

So I've been trying to sort of think about it since then.  I mean in all honesty, most of us assume that if we're around for the "big one" (I'd rather not be, thanks... if at all possible) we're screwed.  If the big one does major damage to my building, I assume it's not going to matter if I'm naked as I will be buried and possibly dead.  (sad face)

So it's the sort of middle ground I need to think through... and yes, this post is part of that thinking.  The "Getting out of bed" thing is probably part instinct (GET OUT OF THE BAD PLACE!) and part "duck and cover" sort of learning.  Am I getting out of bed to get to my door frame?  Or do I just honestly wait it out in my bed?  I DON'T KNOW!  I SO TOTALLY DON'T KNOW!  I must have done earthquake drills at school (right???) and I've done them at work, and I even had a real non-drill quake when I was a trainee-spy and I did all the "right" things... ducked and covered, then evacuated, but like... at home?  In my bed?  What do I actually do?  (I should google this... shouldn't I?)

Ok, I googled.  Survey says "If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow."  So I guess my fully asleep self had the right idea with pulling up the covers.  So.... ok... in bed... cover self, back of neck, ok I can do that next time.  (Or probably not but I can at least tell myself I can/will.)

And then it's the after.  I usually have slippers by my bed.  And a housecoat near enough.  And if I'm calm and things are available, clothes nearby.  And if not, bedsheet.  And if not, naked.  Ok.  Then I guess I assess the situation and make a plan.  If my building is viable, I stay in it, right?  Technically I think my earthquake kit is in the trunk of my car right now so if I can't get to it, I just make do with what I have?  Put a sign on my window (I have signs somewhere... no idea where) saying need help or something.  See if lines of communication are down, etc.  I think the after... probably it's most important to try to be calm, and get dressed... put on footwear... gather ID/phone, would I even have my brain together enough to grab a charger?  (I should get an extra for a kit) Could I even get to my door?  OMG, this is stressing me out.

Ok, so it's a matter of then being safe (and clothed is part of that) and then figuring out how to cope for the next while.  

If it's a longer earthquake and I'm in bed, I guess it's pillow over head and hope for the best, eh?  I mean, that's kind of how it is for most earthquakes.... sigh.

Get through the actual quake as best can.  Assess situation.  Make self safe.  Figure out next steps.  Stay safe.  Contact... ?  I once heard that they think phone lines could be up and cellular down.  So I still have a land line (not the only reason for that, I still dislike talking on my cell).  But Telus recently has started eliminating copper lines and moving to fiber and so there is a battery in my place in case of power outage.  But the other thing I heard was that you might be more able to make long distance calls so I have the number of my sister in law's sister in the States to call.  But... I'm realizing my programmed phone will be down and I don't know her number off by heart.  Should add that to my kit too.  I do have a corded phone I can plug in to the fiber battery pack but damn, y'all... after the other night I'm not thinking my brain will put all this together, you know?

I should probably write a few things down and stick them in a kit.... that I store... uh... in a closet I guess? Sigh. (Ok did that, feel a little better, I suppose planning helps)

After the flooding we had, I ordered some food and water safety-kits from the Red Cross.  They have yet to be shipped, but I have ordered them...  I have a basic earthquake kits and some decent first aid kits.  I'm sure I could have more and I'm sure there are things I don't have.  I think the whole point of these last two posts is to point out to myself that the instinct to rush out of bed and outside is not one I should follow.

And here's to hoping that the big one happens after I'm long gone... please and thank you Amen.