On Monday, I experienced something that could have made it onto a Never Have I Ever list: feeling the effects of an earthquake! There was a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Cuba around 2pm Monday, and I felt the (very minor) effects from my little third-floor apartment in St. Petersburg! It was the weirdest experience: my lampshade started shaking on its own, and my desk chair was making weird noises like it was moving even though I was sitting still. Lila kept staring at the lamp like she expected it to fall on her head. I legit thought the floor was caving in! And then, all of a sudden, it was over, and everything was back to normal. I went about my day and didn’t think anything of it, until I was talking with my mom later, and she mentioned the earthquake and how people in Florida felt the effects. Wild!
Here are some of my actual Never Have I Ever’s…
1) Eaten at a Michelin-star restaurant – There are a few in Tampa (including one that offers tableside mozzarella and housemade pasta, mmm!) that I should go to at some point.
2) Flown in first class – My first business class experience was last year, and that was seriously luxurious! First class would be even better!
3) Eaten lobster – Maybe I’ll try it for the first time when I’m in Maine later this year?
4) Been in a snowstorm – I don’t know if I want to experience this, but maybe.
5) Been a guest on a podcast – I’ve hosted my own podcast for four years now, but I’ve never guested on a podcast!
6) Raced in anything beyond a 10K – And I never will.
7) Drank a full beer – And again, I never will. Yuck.
8) Gotten Wordle in 1 – I have faith it will happen for me someday!
9) Been on a reality TV show – My mom and I always joke about applying for The Amazing Race, and how she’d become America’s Sweetheart while I would become a villain. Essentially, I can be a real brat to my mom when I’m stressed out and usually take my anxiety out on her. There was one memorable time when we were in Ireland, and I had a big blowup on the street at her, and she took it on the chin, got us to a restaurant, and after I had gotten some food in my system, I was all, “So that was an overreaction…” (I always apologize, and I’m trying to be better! Moms are truly the saints among us.)
10) Attended an Olympic event – I would love to! I probably wouldn’t love the crowds, but it would be a cool experience.
How many “Never Have I Ever’s” have you done?
What I fun list. I have felt many earthquakes since I lived in Los Angeles for a long time. I haven’t done most of the things on your list either. I have done a few half marathons and I bought tickets for the 2028 Olympics since I’ve always wanted to go and figured these will be the closest to us for a while.
Oh, that’s so fun that you bought tickets for the 2028 Olympics! I think if I live in California, I’d try to go to at least ONE event. Why not?!
I’ve never felt an earthquake, but have narrowly missed two. One happened when I was in Portugal, but in a different part of the country. And a few days before we went to Denmark there was an earthquake, so I missed that one. I think I’ll be happy to keep that as a Never Have I Ever!!
1) Eaten at a Michelin-star restaurant. NO
2) Flown in first class. NO. Business class once, only because we were upgraded. It was a short flight, so nothing too excited.
3) Eaten lobster. YES. Many times. It’s good but, IMO, overrated.
4) Been in a snowstorm. HAHA. Um, YES. So many times.
5) Been a guest on a podcast. YES! The Finance Girlies, recently.
6) Raced in anything beyond a 10K. No. I did a 5K once.
7) Drank a full beer. Yes. SO gross.
8) Gotten Wordle in 1. YES. I think we got it with “olive” but I can’t remember. But we did get it in 1!
9) Been on a reality TV show. NO.
10) Attended an Olympic event. NO
So my score is: 5/10.
I thought you northern gals would get a kick out of my never having been in a snowstorm! Tehehehe.
We upgraded to biz class for our flight to London, which was SO nice. A long flight and we were super comfortable!
I feel you on having experienced earthquakes in odd places. I was born in California for pete’s sake, but I was never in an earthquake until we moved to…wait for it…Ohio. Obviously it was a very minor earthquake, but still.
1. Never eaten Michelin star, I wouldn’t turn it down but it’s not high on my list.
2. I do want to fly first class someday
3. Yep
4. Come visit me in winter and we’ll see if we can make it happen.
5. It will happen for you!
6. I got my nine half marathons in, and have no desire to ever run again.
7. Your yuck is my yum!
8. I believe in you! I couldn’t believe it when it happened for me. Do you use the same starter word or a random one? I’m random.
9. I’d sure watch if you were on a reality show, no interest in this for myself.
10 Yeah, this one is on my “not interested list”.
I think I need to experience a snowstorm at least once in my life! Let’s make this happen!
Nine half-marathons! I don’t think I knew this factoid about you.
I use the same starter word. I used to do random ones, but then my mom gave me a great starter word and I haven’t lost a game since! 160 days and counting! (Oh God, I’ve just jinxed myself for tomorrow!)
We had an earthquake here on Sunday, though ours was pretty small. There are 2 kinds…the ones that roll and last a bit, and ones that are a quick sharp movement. This was the quick sharp movement kind. I used to kind of like them, because there’s this feeling for a bit that everyone is suddenly thinking about the same thing. We used to turn on the talk radio station (it was local, and not what talk radio means today) and suddenly that’s what they were talking about, and everyone would call in and say what they were doing when it happened, and people would guess at how strong it was (pre-internet). It felt like community with your neighbors. Then we were in San Francisco in 1989, and that one was legit scary, and there were thousands of aftershocks, and it was unnerving and ever since I don’t like them. Because you don’t know when it’s happening, is it going to be huge? Is this it and it’s over? Ugh. I feel for the folks in Cuba and the Philippines, those were big ones. Especially Philippines.
OK, your list.
1) Eaten at a Michelin-star restaurant. Yes, but it wasn’t one where you get 10 tiny courses. I would like to try one of those, but wow, spendy. Ted and I were thinking of going to one for our anniversary, but then we saw the price tag, which was over $500 per person without drinks. Nope.
2) Flown in first class. Yes, once, from Anchorage to Juneau. Short flight, and the difference in price was something like $50, so we went for it. I liked it!
3) Eaten lobster. Yes. In California it’s shipped in, very expensive, and I can take it or leave it. I had it in Massachusetts once and it was really delicious. Much smaller than the ones we get here, more flavorful, and much cheaper. We were at a pub type place and it was $9. I should have gotten 2.
4) Been in a snowstorm. Yes, in Alaska and Philadelphia.
5) Been a guest on a podcast. Yes, but it’s my husband’s podcast, does that count?
6) Raced in anything beyond a 10K. No. Not even a 5K. Not my jam.
7) Drank a full beer. Yes, in High School, where my friends dubbed me ‘3 Bud Ward’. Disgusting.
8) Gotten Wordle in 1. Yes, I use the same starter word every day, and it came up once. If you change yours every day, it may never happen, but it would be more exciting if it did.
9) Been on a reality TV show. No. I laughed at your story of being in Ireland with your mom. Here I had the impression that you get along so well and never lose your shit together, then bam! I see that you are human. Thank god.
10) Attended an Olympic event. No.
That was a fun list!
I am definitely human and if you ever need horror stories from my mom, she’s got PLENTY. HA. We generally get along, but we tend to fight more than usual when we’re traveling. More stress!
I use the same starter word, too! I’m just waiting for the day when it’s the Wordle. It will happen!
3 Bud Ward! I need more details, haha.
#4- Oh yes. It’s not fun.
#6- YES!
#7- Heh heh. Oh, just a few times ; )
Other than that- I’ve flown business class but not first class. No to the rest. I can’t decide if I want to attend an Olympic event someday, or if it would be way too crowded. I’ve thought about attending the Olympic track and field trials instead some year- it would still be exciting, but more low key.
Whaaaaat, you’re telling me you’ve run a few races over 10k?! I AM ASTONISHED. 😉
Attending Olympic Trials would be fun! That’s a great idea.
I’ve eaten lobster and been in a snowstorm. I sort of recommend both? A good lobster roll is hard to beat, especially if it’s loaded with butter. I LOVE a snowstorm. There’s something very communal about everyone in the neighborhood digging out and helping each other dig out. When Neighbor Norm had his hip surgeries, we took turns snowblowing and shoveling his sidewalk and driveway. When Neighbor Pat messed up her back, we were all salting and sanding her areas. I don’t love DRIVING in the snow, but if I can stay at home and drink hot chocolate and have a good time, why not?
I have never felt the effects of an earthquake. They really scare me. I prefer the danger of a midwestern tornado because at least then there are STRATEGIES for making sure you survive.
I would prefer the effects of an earthquake that was MANY miles away than a tornado, honestly. Now, an earthquake where I would REALLY feel some effects? No, thank you. Give me a hurricane any day – at least I can be prepared!
Fun!
1) Eaten at a Michelin-star restaurant – I haven’t and don’t know that I ever will. It’s not a high priority for me.
2) Flown in first class – I’ve been upgraded a handful of times. I love the leg room and the fact that you are surrounded by experienced travelers who know better than to try to talk to you. Lol.
3) Eaten lobster – I had a lobster roll every day when I was in Maine last month! Sooo good!
4) Been in a snowstorm – Gah, so many. You don’t need this experience but it can be very cozy!
5) Been a guest on a podcast – I was on Best of Both Worlds years ago talking about my return to work after having Paul.
6) Raced in anything beyond a 10K – I’ve done many halves and 4 full marathons. I don’t know that I’ll do anything longer than a 10k ever again, though!
7) Drank a full beer – Nope. I HATE beer! Gross.
8) Gotten Wordle in 1 – Nope, but I use the same first word every day so maybe it will happen some day.
9) Been on a reality TV show – Never have, never will.
10) Attended an Olympic event – Haven’t but would love to but I am not going to the Olympics in 2028 even though they are in the US. I like the idea of doing it but it would be expensive and we’d contend with crowds. I’d rather just watch it on tv at this point in my life.
It’s so cool that the Olympics will be in the US this year, but I’m like you: so expensive and so crowded! I don’t even want to attend a Super Bowl, much less the Olympics.
I love this: “I love the leg room and the fact that you are surrounded by experienced travelers who know better than to try to talk to you.” TEHEHE.
Wow an earthquake in FL! I bet you were not really sure what was going on! I’ve experienced lots of them but luckily no huge ones, although I remember the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, which happened during the world series. My dad went down there with the (huge) video camera and had to take a ferry because the bridges were closed.
Re your list, I’ve done all but been a guest on a podcast, gotten worldle in one, been on reality TV or been to Olympics (although I was in Athens when they were happening there).
It was so strange to feel an earthquake in FL! Thankfully, not super close so the effects were minor, but it was a wild experience. You’re the second person who mentioned the 1989 San Francisco earthquake so now I might need to go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole.
Good list! I’ve felt earthquakes several times. We have a lot of small ones in Montana, especially where I’m at, close to Yellowstone Park. Apparently, small earthquakes are a good sign that the park is “healthy”. I remember one bigger one where it sounded like a freight train was coming through, and it hit with a bang. Another one shook us awake at night. But usually we don’t feel them. The one in Cuba sounds scary. It’s wild that you felt it in Florida!
1. I have never eaten at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Fancy, expensive food doesn’t interest me.
2. I have flown first class. I guess fancy flying does interest me because it was amazing!
3. I have eaten lobster. It was fine, but not something I’d seek out again.
4. I have been in many snowstorms. They can be lovely, and they can be a real pain.
5. I have never been on a podcast. I had a panic attack just thinking about it!
6. I have never been in a race, and I never will be!
7. I have drunk a full beer several times in my life, but not recently.
8. I can’t remember ever getting Wordle in one. I got it in two today!
9. I have never been on a reality TV show.
10. I have never attended an Olympic event.
Wordle in two! I’ve done that a few times and it’s always so exciting. I’m waiting for the day I get it in one. I believe!
Fancy food doesn’t interest me, either! I don’t think my palate is adventurous enough to eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant!
I have eaten lobster (yum!), had many a full beer (also yum!), been in a snowstorm (many), and gotten Wordle in one (once).
The idea of eating in a Michelin starred restaurant is appealing, but I am think I am too intimidated to ever try it. I’m just not adventurous enough!
I feel the same way about Michelin-starred restaurants! I just don’t think my palate is adventurous enough to make it a worthwhile experience.
You’ve experienced an earthquake in the best possible way – far away from the epicenter with just enough shaking to make you look up and notice. You gotta admit – it’s kind of a thrill? 😉
1. I have never eaten at a Michelin-starred restaurant but I walked by one on my vacation in the Dolomites 😉
2). I have never flown first or business class. In all the years flying back and forth to Europe, you might expect I’ve gotten an upgrade at last ONCE, but nope.
3. I have eaten lobster on Cape Cod. It was the best.
4. I have been in some snowstorms. They can be fun but also scary.
5. I have never been on a podcast.
6. I have run longe races than 10ks as you know.
7. I have drunk a full beer several times in my life. It’s not my favorite, but try it with Sprite sometime (a Shandy). It can be quite refreshing.
8. I’ve only played Wordle a handful of times.
9. I have never been on a reality TV show.
10. I have never attended an Olympic event.