That shaker that will bring the region to its knees - sometime in the future - could be tomorrow or in 100 years.
We do drills and count to 60 slowly before emerging from under desks or tables or behind couches.
And then we assess if we can "shelter in place" if the building is safe or if evacuation is needed.
"Shelter in place" is the best case scenario as we wait out the chaos outside using the emergency rations we have carefully prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours... you've done that right?
I digress.
I am on stress leave.
That I needed more than 7.5 days likely does not come as a shock to you.
So I have been trying to take a few more days.
It was going well. I was doing things that made my heart happy - that connected me with people I love - that helped me get perspective. I had hikes and beach walks planned.
And then as I was heading to water my veggies on Tuesday afternoon I made a maneuver I make everyday - a u turn outside my house - but my intentions were misunderstood by the driver behind me (possibly because I didn't signal) who went to overtake as I went to swing around - KABOOM.
It's hard to describe that moment of impact if you have never experienced it - and it was right into my driver side. Thoughts swirl and tumble through your head as you try and make sense of what just happened. The other driver was on the other side of his vehicle and fine if a bit shaken up and no doubt disbelieving that his brand-new-first-ever-car was just clobbered. Of course it was in our neighbourhood and we know him. It was my fault - despite all my careful checking and believing the path was safe and I have a fine to prove it :(
As I tried to come out of the fog of shock and started to feel the effects of having ones body hammered by a car - I tried not to throw up and pass out. Fortunately Allan was there in a moment and he handled most of the aftermath for me.
I ended up at a clinic and have whiplash on the left and some lovely bruises and aches and pains.
Bad enough at any moment ...but now... right now...in my world.... it's a struggle to make sense of.
I got back behind the wheel yesterday and boy was that hard and sweat inducing. And I taught my last class last night because that what I do.
But today - today I "sheltered in place" - I needed to stay in bed for a few hours to rest - I actually slept for 2 hours (ok 1h 40 mins) this morning....I lay in bed trying to wake up for another hour.
It felt like an escape - a little white oasis in the storm - I think I could have stayed there all day but I had 10 emails and 4 texts and a work crisis to deal with and a batch of long promised cookies to bake.
It is 8:15pm now and I as soon as I hit post on this I am headed back to my bed. It's still bright daylight outside and it's hot and stuffy upstairs but I'd bet my crumpled silver Mazda 5 that I'll be asleep pretty darm soon.
And tomorrow I intend to "shelter in place" just as long as the world allows.
PS: Anyone have a great Car Broker who can save me the pain of new car shopping?
