Watch this video - particularly relevant for Bay area given a recent incident

Moderate magnitude 5.6 earthquake in San Francisco Bay Area

Just experienced a moderate intensity earthquake here - I was watching the end of the democratic presidential debate - nothing earth shaking there - so I was kinda surprised when the earth literally started shaking :-)

I think this was the biggest shaker that I've felt here in the Bay area - during my 8 years here. But really, out here in Fremont, it was mostly exciting than frightening. I guess small shakers like this might actually do some good - in that they remind us to be prepared for the big one. I guess emergency kits will be flying off the shelves at various Bay Area stores in the coming days.

Brand new ghosttowns - fallout of the downturn in house prices

Once the buyers bid on the houses - 10% over the listing price - in a not so distant past - do you remember the time? Well, they are bidding again - starting at half off list price!

Be worried, be very worried - this one's a hundred miles away from Bay Area - but I won't be surprised if this starts hitting closer to home in the coming months. Specially since any economic recovery isn't likely to happen till a new administration takes charge in 2009 - and then it won't happen overnight.

Click here for the story from Mercury News.