Earlier today I felt the building move and thought that could have been one, but it turned out just to be trucks outside. Although small, this definitely couldn't have been confused for anything else. I was walking across the room when it started quietly thrumming as if to say, "Yeah, I'm here." Nothing broke or swayed. My mug stayed safely on the table. I thought about the things you're supposed to do in an earthquake, like run outside or take cover in a doorway or under a table, and tossed aside that advice because it didn't seem necessary. I'm guessing when I encounter the level of earthquake that advice is meant for I'll know it. If I seemed totally calm, that wouldn't have been entirely true though, because my heart's still fluttering with a little nervous energy. We don't get many of these in New England!
Previous earthquakes have been mistaken for lightheadedness, passing traffic, the wind, or my sister shaking our bunk bed early in the morning. This is the first earthquake I've felt and actually known what it was in the moment!