Did you feel that? I

Did you feel that?

I usually like to keep the Fishwrap on a light, upbeat, linkity linky, and non-personal note but something is compelling me to take us to a higher level right now, to share with you some very personal things about me.

I have a couple of habits that some might diagnose as OCD but I like to call them cute little personality quirks..

1) Weather: I am fascinated by weather. I can actually watch The Weather Channel and have a great time. Weather is everywhere and I have to check it constantly. Not by going outside mind you, but by checking Wunderground.com roughly every hour. Yes, I could take a few moments and actually walk out into the backyard and easily determine that it's hot. Fucking hot. But that would not satisfy my craving for hard scientific evidence to confirm that it's hot. See? Right there - it says it's 110º outside. Now that's Hot!

And I don't just check the weather outside my door. I have a favorites list for people I know around the country and check their weather too. It's a bonding thing. "Oh, it's cold and rainy in Grand Rapids! Better put a sweater on sweetie." Plus, I get totally jazzed looking at the NEXRAD radar composites.

2) Earthquakes: Ah, now this is a healthy and safe habit to have. See, we live in earthquake country. There is an earthquake here on average every couple of hours. Little ones, but still - something is always moving down there! Here's the rub though - while I can see on the national radar that we are in no danger of a thunderstorm or hurricane, and never will be, there is no way to predict an earthquake. Right? Wrong! Just look at the map! Increased activity means - increased activity! More earthquakes! Duh! It's all building up to something!

A dear friend of mine (who I know reads this all the time, btw - hey where's that drink you promised me?!) shares in my obsession quirk. He checks the map all the time too. And right now, I know he is thinking the same thing I am. Something is a-brewing! We had a good little 4.1 on Saturday (that would be the big yellow square on the map). There is "increased activity" (code word for DANGER!) throughout the state. Mark my words. There's something happening. Everyone thinks San Francisco is the Earthquake Capital, but no. Just look at the map. I moved to the friggin shake zone.

3) Fire: I am convinced that someday our house will burn down. I unplug things every time we leave the house. I smell smoke all the time, and will spend hours trying to find the source. The missus can attest to the fact that when it comes to fire, I am a little more than obnoxious. I think it all stems from a recurring dream I had as a child. If there are any dream analysts out there - maybe you can help me with this one...

In the basement of the house I grew up in there was a rec room (with a little sink and fridge). In my dream, I would be standing in this room, looking down the long hallway to the laundry room. The entire laundry room, hallway, and rec room was engulfed in flames. On the counter by the sink and fridge, there was a large coffee urn (we never owned one but it was like the kind we had at church - polished stainless steel) and the flames were reflecting off the urn. I did not get burned and I was not afraid. I just stood there and watched.

I had that dream on a semi-weekly basis from the time I was 6 until I was about 14. I had it once as an adult, when I was about 27. What the fuck does it mean?

So there you have it. Maybe I am insane, but these things keep me out of trouble. To further prove my point, I have signed up for the EDIS reports of weather advisories, earthquakes, and wildfires throughout the state to be sent to me via text messaging on my cell phone. And did I mention blackouts?

My worst fear? Earthquake weather (there is such a thing you know) that precedes an 8.6 quake resulting in the complete devastation (by fire) of my home. It could happen! I'm not insane!

So, now that you've had a little peak into my brain - I hope we can still be friends.