and I mean ominous
When I lived in California I experienced several earthquakes, but it was my first that left the most lasting perceptual impression. I had just finished my lunchtime jog at work and I was in the company shower. Suddenly I felt nauseous and disoriented (there was no shaking or trembling that I could recall) and I felt maybe I had worked out too hard and was suffering from a stroke or fainting spell. I realized what was happening when the other guys in the shower hastily wrapped their asses with towels and ran out of the building, lathered up and dripping wet. I followed shortly thereafter.