Thirty five miles from the Big Apple, from Ground Zero, from one of the most densely packed Islands in the country, from the nation’s center of commerce, of art and culture, an earthquake struck at about 10:30 Monday night.

The epicenter was in Dover, N.J., not New York City, but thirty five miles is almost walking distance and although a 3.0 quake can’t do much damage, it makes one wonder, “what if?”. and “when?”

I grew up in New York City, and though I haven’t been back in decades, I’ll always love her and always feel like a piece of me will always be a New Yorker.

New Yorkers feel like they’ve conquered Mother Nature. She’s been mostly pushed out of town. Skinny trees are planted in squares where pieces of sidewalk have been removed. They grow there as alien novelties among the steel and concrete.

In New York City, man has triumphed over nature and reigns supreme and proud, like a three year old who’s been allowed to win a race by a loving parent.

And like a parent, Mother Nature sometimes reminds us of our truly powerless place on the planet.

Tonight she did exactly that.

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/nyregion/new-jersey/03njquake.html?ref=nyregion