I know most people my age are still out in da club at 1:30 in the morning, but I was sound asleep. Waking up to the screeching noise of my building's fire alarm was fairly confusing to my mottled brain. It took me a looong time to get in response mode this time around (fire alarms are a fairly, but not too regular occurrence), and then it took me an added 6 or 7 minutes to get dressed because I had to find and put on scarf, gloves, thick socks, snow boots, coat, and hat on top of my regular clothes. It's been pretty cold here lately, and I didn't know if or how long we'd have to stand outside. Then I had to find my cell phone, keys, and wallet, then I worried about having cash for a cab ride to Arlington* (and getting a cab in the middle of the night) just in case I had to stay in a hotel overnight...did you know that I overreact to emergency situations?
Of course, by the time I was all bundled up the alarm stopped, which is good because I was sure that if there had been major flames, a jump off my balcony would be my only escape option left by the time I was ready to go. The firemen still had to come though. Bless their hearts.
And my neighbor's dog barked for the rest of the morning, so I had to put in ear plugs. But that is another story in and of itself, which I will tell you later.
*There are a plethora of Marriott and Hilton type hotels concentrated along the same street in Crystal City, and a metro station very nearby. If push came to shove, I could walk from hotel to hotel to find a room if I had to.
5 comments:
Kiddo - real fire = get out quick! Smoke is as dangerous or more dangerous than the fire.
Glad it wasn't anything major.
Tips:
Keep stuff grouped if you have to take it with you, otherwise leave it behind. In a real emergency, the Red Cross will put you up in a hotel, debit card or not. The rescue workers will make sure you have a blanket if its cold.
What happened though, why did the alarm go off?
That would be majorly disconcerting when dead asleep like that. I don't know that I would have responded very well.
It's funny to think of you overreacting in emergency situations.
Someone probably burnt something while cooking, or left a lit cigarette someplace. Knowing my fellow tenants, I'm going with the cigarette (etc., wink) option.
It's good to know your cut and run survival instincts have changed over the years.
When I was on the flight coming home the emergency announcements were going on and the woman next to me said, " I'm taking my purse if something happens. I don't care what they say. I'm not getting a new license and reporting all my credit cards." I told her I was in absolute agreement. This says 2 unrelated things about her and me. First, neither one of us wants any hassles and you know how credit card and d.l. replacement are a nightmare. More importantly (I think), we are darn sure we're living through whatever happens! Now that makes me smile.
Oh dear, oh dear. What a night!
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