Earthquakes? C'mon!

Early this morning at 4:37 am an earthquake, it's epicenter in West Salem, Illinois, shook the midwest like polaroid picture (for my grandma, that means it was a big one!)

I was definitely awoken by the 5.2 quake, but more surprising was to find the tremblor affected a wide span of the great plains area: Iowa, Indiana, and even Altanta, Georgia- nearly 400 miles to the southeast.

Damage from the Northridge quake.

Still Northridge. I know what you're thinking,
this is old news, show me the pics from this midwest quake...
be patient, it's coming.

Wow. Intense.... Is that what's happening in Chicago? Nope, still Northridge, 1994.


This, my friends, is the worst damage I could find from this horrible natural disaster... weak stomachs, BEWARE


The greatest tragedy of the entire disaster.
Such a waste, they were so young.

Now I ask you...
WHAT THE HELL, MAN!
I could've sworn I left those unpredictable news-making tremors back in California!
I mean, whenever I talk about leaving California for Chicago, Chicagoans react in almost the exact same way every time:

1) Shriek in horror that I would leave such a beautiful postcardy homeland. It's like I just told them I actually have another head that I hide under my shirt that I only bring out to make out with when I'm lonely.

2)Once they get over the initial shock, they most certainly always ask, with tilted head and furrowed brow, "So what brought you to Chicago?"

Now this usually is the kick-off point for my autopilot spiel that I have retold more often than I have eaten breakfast in the last 3 years:

Oh, well, my husband got a great job offer here in the city. He is an incredible graphic designer and this opportunity was just too good to pass up. You see, we have been Southern California babies all our lives and just felt it was time to see what else the world has to offer.

3)This answer never suffices for Chicagoans. Ever. They just can't understand why someone would leave paradise for the frozen hell that is Chicago and it's unrelenting winter! They usually say something like "Yea, don't get me wrong, Chicago is a great city but, the weather in San Diego! It's so beautiful!"

That is the point where I give up. They will not listen to me. They have been so jaded by winter that they simply cannnot fathom someone leaving perfect 72 degree weather all year round for well, this. So what do I do? I use my goto escape phrase...

I left California because I just got tired of the earthquakes!

WHAT THE HELL, MAN!