#DCQuake - Some shakes, some stirs and many sighs

The #DCQuake we experienced today officially registered 6.0 on the 10-point Richter scale. Like many, I was in my office working when the shaking started. To be honest, my first thoughts were that there was some sort of construction going on (and going badly) in my office building or worse, we were feeling the reverberations of an explosion.

But alas, it was an earthquake that while shouldn't be taken lightly, also was not some sort of cataclysmic activity that shut everything down. Just the opposite in fact. I saw bars and restaurants that were bustling with business after offices evacuated. And people were live tweeting once they could get a connection.

I work in D.C. by McPherson Square and once people were evacuated, they were milling around outside of their offices, trying to get on their phones, check their email, tweet and update their Facebook status. That wasn't meant to be. For about 15-20 minutes, it seemed no one could get a signal - no text, no email, no phone, no social media ... nothing. People looked a little lost - and I admit I was one of them. We are so used to being connected - and instantly - that to not be just doesn't feel right. So, as we still tried to get online, colleagues talked with one another, basked in the sun and made plans to find a place where they could get a beverage.

About a half-hour after the shakes, signals started coming back and people could get back in touch, but I saw most looking for patio seating. They were connected, but in a different way. Outside the office and the confines of our traditional structures, people caught up on friends, family and of course, a little work. They also were comforted by being able to eventually get in touch with loved ones and stay on top of the news. There certainly is a comfort in being able to know what's happening.

What I heard from most people were questions like "Where were you when the earthquake hit?," some really bad jokes and then a sigh - as in, "really, this is it?" I actually think we let out a collective sigh of relief, too, when we heard it was an earthquake, especially as we approach the 10-year anniversary of September 11.

I think this "sigh" shows us that folks who call the nation's capital home are a tough lot. We ourselves shake off whatever comes our way and make the best of the situation at hand.

An earthquake is certainly something to be taken seriously, but today's tremors were a reminder of how we've all learned to adapt to the moment and move on. And in this case, take advantage of the beautiful weather to sit outside and enjoy one each other's company.