October 17 - Eighteen Years Later

[jackcd38]

Thanks for sharing the video. I was in Mountain View at the time. I remember the you folks in Santa Cruz where isolated. A lot of my telephone accounts where in Santa Cruz and we would come down to help. I'll never forget the heart that we all felt for each other. Around this time of year I always think of it. I hope you are all doing well :)

[jackcd38]

Thanks for sharing the video. I was in Mountain View at the time. I remember the you folks in Santa Cruz where isolated. A lot of my telephone accounts where in Santa Cruz and we would come down to help. I'll never forget the heart that we all felt for each other. Around this time of year I always think of it. I hope you are all doing well :)

[ouivalerie]

Loma Prieta Earthquake, Santa Cruz, California 18 years ago. They had some really bad fires a year ago also. In the fires you get property loss but...most people get away. The mudslides are deadly. People with no experience on this....first it rains a lot, then the soft ground may start to landslide, and it takes houses, cars and goes fast, some people can't get out of the house before it's all in the mud.

[Sindollx666x]

Thank you for sharing that video. I remember that day to, though I was in Sunnyvale. It was a very very scary day. I never have been able to shake the memories. I miss Santa Cruz. I'm up near Seattle now, I can't imagine how much devastation would hit this area if we felt a quake like that.

[tvaughn60]

I was there too. It was quite the experience! I disagree though, I believe it was the third game of the world series and not the first.

[CoastStarlight11]

I was living in Aptos, California when the 1989 Loma Preita earthquake hit. Quite an experience.

[narutofightindreamer]

Please don't forget poor "Watsonville's" death and destruction that, it endured as well either!!

[kathyj253]

oh my god get out of the way

[A2theO2010]

Oh my god I was in Salinas and I remember the earthquake it was a nightmare I would never forget how strong the earthquake was and how bad the people in the santa cruz area suffered I say this becuause I had a friend thats house was severly damaged by the quake.

[klee7609]

strictly speaking, we weren't really cut off for _weeks_-- my birthday was 6 days after the quake, and my friend drove down from Marin County (with no difficulty) to spend it with me.

still, I appreciate your thoughts. :->

[kenrg]

Well... it seemed like weeks... ;^)

[iluvmyveedub]

I'm a big fan of your videos.

Your compassionate and intelligent views of the world are an inspiration to me.

I've lived in the Santa Cruz mountains most of my life, and it's sad what has become of my beloved town. It'll be 20 years this October, and still, the memories of that day are just as vivid now as they were then.

Great video, it's good to know I'm not the only one that remembers.

[kenrg]

Thanks - I appreciate the kind words. I'm glad the video has found other people who lived through the quake and who could appreciate what I was saying.

[Yoganao]

Santa Cruz has been rebuilt but the old vibe is gone, it's a shame so many people moved away from the area, it's not at all the same, is right.

[v7j7w7ard]

I was in the 10/17/89 quake too. An unforgettable memory. I understand the need to re-visit the scene.

[vulcanbirdbrain]

wow, this was a really grand video about the quake.ive heard lots of stories about where people were when it happened and such being from SF, although i was born 1yr and 11 days later.

have they made a plaque or something even though the hole was filled in?

[kenrg]

So far, no official plaque or memorial. I haven't checked on the progress of this project for a few months, but I guess I should soon. Thanks for stopping by.

[vulcanbirdbrain]

@kenrg huh. ...found myself going through old comment replies for some reason.

since I left that comment I've graduated high school, applied to UCSC (among other schools), been accepted, and spent most of a year here.

...weird to now be able to recognize the streets in the video. ...though I still have a lot of exploring to do ;)

cheers.

[BayAreaBiker2001]

12 years to the day after the quake, I rode my bike to Santa Cruz. 12 hours one-way from Moffett Field. I went down Hwy 9.

[kenrg]

That's a long ride - but I'm sure it was beautiful. How did you get back?

[annamae37]

i live in sc too...you should do a video next october of the progress on construction after the pit

[kenrg]

Good idea - It's coming right up too...

[bluenote71]

Great video. I lived in SC during the quake. I was only 18 at the time. As a child, I found down town fascinating: The Cooper House, Atlantis Fantasy World, and so many other great places. The quake killed so much of the uniqueness, and now it's become so commercial. It's never felt the same to me since.

[kenrg]

I've gotten used to the "New Pacific Avenue" - but, no, it's not at all the same. Thanks for stopping by.

[evilbutcutegirl2]

i was born oct. 17 1989.. O_O

[kenrg]

Cool! Good things happen alongside the tragic. A devastating earthquake on one side, and an evil (but cute!) girl on the other.

[evilbutcutegirl2]

haha yeh.. thats life =]

[cmaher55]

Thanks for doing this video...! I was down there on Pacific last week while on vacation with my wife and kids. Downtown looks great now. I remember how it looked after the quake. I think it is best to move on and rebuild. There should be a bronze plaque on that building though to remember the ones who died in that spot...! Luxury townhomes in Downtown Santa Cruz? Who let that happen? Chris

[kenrg]

Thanks for commenting. Definitely it's time to rebuild, I'm just shocked that this last parcel is being filled in and there's still no memorial. Like you said, just a small bronze plaque would mean so much for those of use who went through it.

[murphyturf]

Thanks for posting! I was very affected by the events that day, and always think about it on the anniversary. I'm sad about the "luxury condos" myself. How very un-Santa-Cruz-like to go that route?! I miss The Cooper House. Remember the live jazz and fabulous little shops?? Yeah, I hope they put up a permanent memorial marker. That big empty pit is a reminder of something I'm not sure we should be forgetting...

[kenrg]

Ah... the Cooper House! Yes!

I was just down on Pacific Ave today, and it's still great, but not at all the same.

Thanks for commenting.

[yieldinhiding]

Thanks for posting this. It's a great reminder of what happened that day back in '89. My dad lived in Saratoga and I was in the August quake that year when I was out visiting him. Someone should try to get the condo builders to create some sort of memorial to commemorate what happened at that spot. Thanks for posting this, it must have been an emotional day for you and all residents of Santa Cruz.

[kenrg]

A small permanent memorial of some sort would be nice - I can't figure out why it hasn't happened yet. Thanks for stopping by!

[licenciado916]

Those of us who lived through it will always remember it; thanks for sharing.

[kenrg]

Thank you.

[JoelleyS]

You have captured the feelings of many that day. I was raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains, I attended Loma Prieta Elementary, the home that my father built (now) 30 years ago withstood the "big shake" but the earth changed our surroundings that day, not just our physical surroundings, but our emotional as well. Santa Cruz will always be home and I will always have a deep love and emotional attachment to the area. Thank you for sharing yours, well done

[kenrg]

Thanks for sharing your story too. It's one of those moments in life you never forget; 15 seconds that change everything.

[iiswansongii]

It think it's great that you've documented it here as the forever reminder that mother nature is not always kind and can bring every class of people down to the same level.

[kenrg]

Well put - Thank you!

[iiswansongii]

You're welcome. :D

*subscribed*

[winelovrs1968]

5:04 PM, I was in my studio on Winkle Ave, I was a photographer at the time. My second floor came down around me, I had just hung up the phone, leaving a message for my wife. Yes time stopped, but not our lives.

[kenrg]

It didn't stop our lives, but it certainly changed mine in many ways. I'm really not sure if I'd have taken the same direction in my career or even wound up with my wife if it weren't for that day and the following weeks and months. For me, it was a very formative experience. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[winelovrs1968]

Ken, my family told me about another EDarthquake in Santa Cruz, the 1906 that once again was referred to as the San Francisco Earthquake. We I got home to our home in Scotts Valley, there were several people who I did not know in our living room. Neighbors who lived on our hill who didn't really know each other, but joined each other that that day...

[xLamexCorex]

Whats crazy is i totally knew NOTHING of this eathquake. I would walk around that area all the time and seeing the pictures and such now its like heart breaking...yet again in 1989 i was only 1 1/2 so.yeah

[kenrg]

Time and perspective - Yeah, we see the same thing, and yet something totally different. Thanks for watching!

[Moonchimes]

What a moving video. I remember the day this earthquake happened. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all. Hugs,~Moonchime

[kenrg]

Thank you - It's a tough day to forget, eh? ;^)

[lavenderliberal]

Very moving video. Thank you for posting this. And: I'm sick about the condo project. They should have turned it into a memorial park. But then, it's sure not the Santa Cruz I remember anymore.

[kenrg]

It's still a great place, but, yes, not quite the same as before Loma Prieta. Thanks for stopping by.

[lynevel]

What a couincidence, a week after this video there was another earthquake at 8:04pm 18 years later!

[kenrg]

Yes, a fun little 5.6 shaker - We certainly felt it here in the S.C. mountains. Luckily there's a much larger difference between 5.6 and 7.1 than the numbers imply. Thanks for stopping by.

[blackturtleus]

And speaking of earthquakes, I was awoken at 5:22 this morning by a little one. It was a 4.1 with the epicenter 18 miles away... it was within the boundaries of China Lake Naval Weapons Center so for all I know maybe it wasn't actually an earthquake!!!

[kenrg]

Well, it was an earthquake; the earth was shaking enough to register on the Richter scale - I guess your question is whether it was "naturally occurring" or influenced by some sort of human assistance. Not that human activities can have any impact on the environment ;^)

[gidgetblogs]

What a gorgeous video. Thanks for sharing that one. My heart was moved with your sentiments. I loved it. What a gorgeous town as well.

[kenrg]

Thank you much. It was an emotional morning. And a wonderful town.

[gidgetblogs]

Please keep us posted as that construction progresses too. It would be nice to see a progression. Are there pictures of the building somewhere before the damage? I am into historic landmarks and the registered places of the world in the historical registries.

[kenrg]

I'm sure there must be many pictures of the old building - it was there for 90 years before it came down - I'll have to find some and do a "before and after" thing later on. Thank you for that idea!

[gidgetblogs]

Any time.. what else are friends for?

[blackturtleus]

Speaking of natural disasters... what about them fires! I've spent at least a few nights in each of the locations mentioned! (Big Bear area, Malibu area, and San Diego area) The thing about CA is that we are well prepared to deal with emergencies. Maybe that's because our state income tax is so high! My dad relocated after Katrina... but man was Louisiana ill-prepared for such an obvious likelihood!!! On the other hand, their state income tax rate was pretty low!!!

[kenrg]

Well, if that's the trade off, I'll take disaster readiness. Earlier today I was watching the fire coverage and thinking about how I was just talking about my experience in a natural disaster. It's all around and happening all the time. And, yes, I'm very familiar with all the areas affected by the current crisis. Very scary.

[foundonline]

Argh! Luxury Condos are EVIL!

[kenrg]

Well, not necessarily. It could have been anything going in there would have been a hard awakening that morning. More housing downtown is really needed; it's just filling in the final pit before coming up with a memorial for the six people who died there (after 18 years) that was hard to swallow. Thanks for stopping by.

[twister7boy]

just what i remember growing up in a small town now runned with big corperation and so much new business along with the naborhood changing from big houses to small aprtments everywhere. yeh its sad not to see the owners at their stores anymore that much and friends move on to get away from all the new stuff happoning. growing up in a small town was the best with friends and no worries. the good old days. and im olny 28. just tihnk what are kids will miss out on.

[twister7boy]

yeh towns should really have their own charictor. thats why i like small towns but as time changes so do our towns. like it was never really there or fading fast with only monuments left to remind us of the old days the good days. when everybody cared about thier work and the costumers. were everbody got together in the naborhood. and being proud to be a part of that town.

[kenrg]

Very sad, very true. It's a different world.

[PastaBaby]

I was in the hospital for 13 days during the time the earthquake struck. So I try not to remember the anniversary.

[kenrg]

Yikes - That's not something you want to be reminded of. Best to you!

[twister7boy]

1989 man i was still growing up going to school. i never herd of this. yeh history of our hometowns are dissapearing fast. even faster when a natural desater happens. the memories are hard to leave behind sometimes even thou everything is disapearing. living through such a thing it must have been a nightmear. hard to let go of the past some times when it was so good. but everything moves on and all were left with is the exspirences and merories we hold on too.

[kenrg]

So true - It doesn't take an earthquake to do it either; our small towns are all changing and looking more and more like each other instead of themselves. Thanks for stopping by.

[wogsland]

Today is the 20th anniversary of Black Monday.

[blackturtleus]

Living in CA makes one uncomfortably aware of earthquakes. I've been lucky and missed the big ones. For one year I lived in Lone Pine, CA and slept each night within feet of the Owens Valley Fault. I had an even more heightened awareness of earthquakes that year. Lone Pine was the site of an earthquake in 1872 estimated to have a magnitude of 8 or greater according to "Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley" by Sharp and Glazner.

[kenrg]

Talk about uncomfortably aware, the 1906 fault line runs past a block up from my house. There's no escaping it here in CA.

[mixedpixel]

For example 4 weeks ago was an earthquake in Sumatra and i rushed to my computer to ask kittykattykoo if she was ok - and she was! She answered my email the very next day what made me very happy. I am way more touched by news from all over the world since i am on YouTube.

[kenrg]

Interesting - I was thinking yesterday how technology would have changed that experience - We didn't even have cell phones then, let alone wireless internet and digital cameras built into everything. Thanks for stopping by!

[mixedpixel]

That must have been a horryfing experience!

At that time i did not know anyone from that area but nowadays when i hear about an earthquake somewhere in the world it is more and more often that i know someone in that particular area - at least from YouTube.

[ajdpadbury]

I recall you telling me about this, must feel really surreal "did that really happen", thanks for sharing your experiences buddy:)

[kenrg]

Thanks for stopping by - Yes, it's sometimes very surreal to think back on that whole experience.

[morfeene2]

Enjoyed the video, Ken. I'm nervous about the next "Big One", but I'm probably out of range now in Antioch. I LOVE SC - I always feel like a bit of a hippy when I go there - I love downtown with all the street performers. I didn't realise that the epicenter was near SC

[kenrg]

Well, the next big one (according to today's paper) will be along the Hayward Fault in the East Bay... How far is Antioch?

If you know Santa Cruz, the epicenter was beneath the Forest of Nicene Marks park, by Soquel.

[OhCurt]

A full year with the clock not moving - talk about a constant reminder!

And, yeah, the 89 quake really is referred to elsewhere as the San Fran quake (and was even back then down in the Los Angeles area).

So 18 years later there's construction in that spot? Wow.

They can smooth out the dirt and erase the physical damage, but they can't erase the memories.

[kenrg]

It's been a long time coming. It will be good to have Pacific Ave whole again, but it's a hard transition anyway. It's not like the entire place has been a pit for 18 years, re-construction started within months, it's just taken 18 years to complete the process. Each year a couple more holes filled in. Now we know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall. Huh?

[HuggableAngel]

((((HUG)))) its sad when things are replaced but i guess they need to move on maybe they should put a little memorial there for the town

[kenrg]

Moving on is great - But, yes, remembering that half-a-dozen college kids died when they went to work after class is important too. Thanks for the (virtual) hug.

[MBRHIndustries]

this looks like it was kind of a hard one to make. housing is always good for local commerce, but when it means losing the remains of a spot you really liked, its tough. good post ken.

[kenrg]

Definitely, housing is short supply in Santa Cruz, and a development right downtown is a good thing. It was just kind of creepy to have found out about it on the anniversary of the quake. It felt like a bit of a slap on the face. Seems odd now, 24 hours later, but it hit me kind of hard.

[NulloModoJose]

Great video, thank you for posting it.

[kenrg]

Thank you!

[brignoni68]

Thank you for that video! I just want to say that you truly do a fantastic job with your videos. We are lucky to be able to experience your work. I was moved by this. As you know, I live in Cali, but during the Loma Prieta quake I was in the Navy. In Idaho of all places. When the Northridge quake hit, I was stationed in San Diego, but I was at sea...curious...

[kenrg]

Hmmm... can you do us all a favor and stay put within CA for the next couple of decades? Thanks!

[KurtGnu]

Interesting!! A fine tribute...

[kenrg]

Thanks!

[NiteBlogger]

although I live in CA, was not aware that so much damage hit your area, looks like a lovely place too...

thanks for sharing a bit of your personal story & events.

Hope it never happens to you guys again.

[kenrg]

It really taught us a lesson about the media, that they covered it as a San Francisco quake because they wouldn't have to explain where it was and why they should care. So, to the rest of the world, the quake only caused a freeway collapse in Oakland and a fire in the Marina. Oh well.

[axiom5]

Thanks for sharing

[kenrg]

Thank you!

[Neotrific]

Sounds like a special place to you. I am sorry for your loss. I think of phantom limb syndrome, though in the case of tragedy the emotions are forever tethered to the memory. They can build something else, but the spirit of what was always remains. Glad you made it throught, otherwise the world will never know of that novel you will write that will send waves of memes and meaning rolling through history for the good of every soul. Thank you. Very poignant.

[kenrg]

Oh, yeah, I made it through all right. It did change my life in ways I could never have predicted, however. But that's a video (or a novel) for another day. Thanks!

[MissTruly]

Very poignant tribute.  I had only been in CA for two months when it hit, and I just remember the freeways collapsing on each other.

[kenrg]

But it didn't scare you out of CA, did it? You must have been in the '94 one, right? What a fun state we decided to make our lives in!

[MissTruly]

Yes, I was in the '94 one. The big bad Northridge earthquake.

[TamHickey67]

I think it's incredibly sad that this area doesn't have a memorial of some sort dedicated to those who died. But of course, that doesn't turn a dollar for these companies, does it?

[kenrg]

It is amazing - I don't know what they're thinking. Maybe reminding people of earthquakes and death is bad for business? No, couldn't be that ;^)

[kenrg]

There's so much more to the story that kept coming to me all day. Glad you enjoyed!

[kenrg]

A lot has changed since '71! But the town remembers you fondly as well ;^)

I can't imagine being in NYC on 9-11. That and Katrina make me feel guilty for still whining about this little 7.1 earthquake.

Plenty of disasters to go around, eh?

[doobiesmk]

I live in San Bruno and I remember exactly where I was--I was just getting off work, sitting in the breakroom, waiting for my mom. I was writing a poem about god--I was a fundamentalist Christian at the time. When it started, I dove under the table and started praying--the building was shaking and the light fixtures were swinging above my head rather scarily.

[kenrg]

Yep, that's it. Sit under a table and pray that that the lights don't hit you. I was in a classroom at UCSC watching the lights and a TV that was mounted to the wall try to pull loose, while the professor kept saying, "Quite a shaker. Quite a shaker." A very long 15 seconds. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[knifesedge]

Very moving Ken - I hear your voice cracking at one point- you must be very emotional around there. I agree that so memorial should have it's place there.

[kenrg]

Voice cracking from emotion? No, I'm just catching a cold ;^)

Thanks for stopping by!

[stukeck]

Val and I laid under bed frames as the WWII shed we were inside swayed back and forth what seemed like forever....

Pappy Stu mumbled it...

[kenrg]

Amazing how 15 seconds can seem like a lifetime when the ground is moving beneath you. Thanks!

[stukeck]

Yes we will never forget that day or the few days that followed either... I have led a blessed life though because it caused us only inconvenience while others suffered serious loss...

[Spacemonkeyone]

Thanks! Neat to see my old stompin' grounds.

[kenrg]

Thank you! When were you stompin' around here?

[Spacemonkeyone]

Way back in the early '70's!!!

[juliact]

great vid! why are there no hands on the clock?

[kenrg]

I don't know, and I think that added to my weirded out mood. There were hands on the clock last week. I don't know if they were removed for repairs, if they were stolen by vandals, or if it was in preparation for some earthquake anniversary event. It was just a very odd morning.

[anakin1814]

Great video Ken. Very moving tribute. It seems that weather or not they fill that final hole, you will never forget this disaster. Beautifully done my friend!

[kenrg]

Thank you - Very true, that moment will always be with me, no matter what happens to the town.

[bohogirl1]

isn't the site at risk when there is another earthquake?

[kenrg]

Not really. At least, no more so than the rest of Northern California ;^)

The buildings that collapsed were mostly quite old - the one that was in that spot was built in 1899. New buildings (and retro-fitted older ones) are far stronger, and designed to withstand quakes bigger than that one. Or so they tell us... ;^)

[Momotaro15]

Wow...I remember that! I was in karate class at the time, and learned about it when we all went to a local watering hole for drinks and a bite to eat after class. We watched the TV in the bar in horror watching all the damage. Isn't that when a double decker highway fell on itself?

[kenrg]

Yes, it was on the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge that one section of the top level dropped onto the lower level. There was a TV movie about the rescue attempts there. I'd much rather have been watching it on pub's TV!

[Justinmazing]

Well done. You'll keep us all remembering when time stopped.

[kenrg]

Thank you!

[Justinmazing]

No thank you.

[kidblood1]

Thanks Ken you taught me something.Mom said I wouldn't learn anything in life. What struck me to be wierd about this is why was this valuable property left empty for so long? Thanks Kenrg

[kenrg]

I'm not sure why this one took so long - Some of the others were re-constructed within the first year or two, so it's not just "bureaucracy" - I suspect some of the owners were unwilling to move on as well. Thanks!

[citizenstand]

there's still one pit across from O'Neills surf shop the corner of church and pacific ave. my dad was at Stanford when it happened and he knew the back roads/old san jose road and managed to make it home that night. great video ken! i'll post the one i made about the date to yours.

[kenrg]

I know the lot you're talking about, and they started building there during the summer. Yeah, there were a few backroads to get in and out, but some of them closed with aftershocks and construction and the routes kept changing. I'll check out your video first thing in the morning.

[onboardvideo]

Great Video Ken. Thanks. Maybe some type of marker, or memorial should be placed now as a reminder.

[kenrg]

That's what I realized on my way home - that that lot had become a sort of memorial. There were always notes and flowers and things stuck into the fence and around the lot. The city really needs to erect something to mark it. Thanks!

[costernocht]

I was in Powell St. BART station when it hit. Utter terror, let me tell you.

But you're right, Santa Cruz got the worst of it.

[kenrg]

Yikes - I'd hate to be underground when one hits. It's hard to say "the worst of it" because SF had more deaths, but 70-80% of downtown Santa Cruz businesses were devastated. Which is worse? Both tragic, but SF was able to get on with daily life and business a lot quicker.

[GeneticBlend]

Great video. Nice choice in music too. Definitely captured the emotion of it all. Thanks for sharing this Ken.

[kenrg]

Thank you! The music is just put together in GarageBand from Apple loops. Love my Mac!

[ChordToNowhere]

Great video, Ken. I can't even imagine what that was like... thanks for sharing.

[kenrg]

Well, hopefully you never have to find out! Of course, you get some tornadoes back there in RI - those can be pretty devastating as well. Thanks for the comment.

[LilCav68]

Wow. How moving. Thanks for educating us.

[kenrg]

Thanks - It's certainly not the video I thought I was going there to shoot. I figured I'd talk a bit about the day, where I was, etc. - then I saw the "Condos Coming" sign and everything changed.

[thefrozenghost]

Thanks for sharing this, Ken. Great stuff, as usual.

[kenrg]

Thank you, and thank you!

[bwhahrhr]

I can relate to you coming back every year. thank you for sharing Ken

[kenrg]

I haven't always gone back there on the 17th, it just struck me this morning that I had a couple of hours and that's what I should do. But I do always remember on the 17th, wherever I happen to be. Thanks!

[divalolo]

I really enjoyed this video, kenrg. Striking photos of the damage, and brilliant editing. Thanks!

[kenrg]

Thank you! I didn't want to overdo it with the carnage photos - just enough to illustrate a point or two. Glad it worked for you.

[videochick770]

wow! [: T

[kenrg]

Yep, that's pretty much what we were saying as it was happening. "Wow!" I was actually in a classroom at the time, and I remember the professor under his table looking at me under mine saying over and over, "Quite a shaker, quite a shaker."

[videochick770]

very good vlog btw....

[rextangle]

Excellent video, Ken! I was in the 94 earthquake in Los Angeles, my house got destroyed.

[kenrg]

Ah, yes, '94... My parent's house had a bit of damage and some of their friends lost pretty much everything. Thanks for stopping by.

[Ravensinger]

Great video. I know exactly how you feel about the new condos. Some part of us wants a reminder of the things that have happened where we live. In Miami, after Andrew went through, there were places that were completely destroyed (many of course) Then, six or seven years later...some areas you'd never know what happened. Good video!!!!

[kenrg]

Exactly - It's nothing against condos; I think it's wonderful to put more living space downtown so it's not so dead at night, and it's much needed. It's just that I walk around down there, and it's literally not the same town. It's just sad to have lost a large part of the city's heritage in those 100 year old buildings.

[steve5674]

Powerful stuff. A somber and emotional tribute. I remember the day well, although I was not there. You were and that is what I remember. I felt pretty helpless as I wrote out a large (for me at the time) check to the Red Cross to help in any small way I could.

[kenrg]

Thanks - Of course, you had a nice shake up down there in '94. Gotta love California!

[voxinabox]

Great vid Ken. Thanks for posting.

[kenrg]

Thank you - My pleasure!

[seriouslysteve]

Great video!

[kenrg]

Thank you!

[urbanblog]

That was fascinating and heartfelt. We really are in the grip of forces beyond ourselves..... whether we like it or not. Thanks for that great video.

[kenrg]

Yeah, nothing like a good 7.1 shaker to remind you that you can't control everything.

[urbanblog]

You didn't tell us about your actual experience though. How did it feel? Where were you? We don't have many earthquakes in Scotland, although my gran was once woken up by one.

[kenrg]

I realized that ... what you suggest was my original intention, but when I got there and saw the construction signs, everything changed. "The best planned vlogs of mice and men," you know.