This is a test, this is only a test ….

Except when it isn’t. I had finished work for the day. Camille had headed out to walk to the park to meet friends. I didn’t need to “transfer” Chloe from school to gymnastics for an hour. Blogging could wait. I was going to indulge in reading a bit and maybe even sneak in a cat nap.

But that was not to be. We now live in a building with many other people. Other people who might make an “oops”. That doesn’t affect only them, but all of us. See, when I lived in a house and had some stir fry go up in smoke (or taco shells — I ALWAYS burn those), I’d only affect us. Open windows, open doors, clear out the smoke. Here, setting off the smoke alarm can lead to a building evacuation (including five businesses) and a two-alarm response. Thankfully, the culprit wasn’t me, but now the girls know. Smoke in the kitchen? Open the windows and balcony doors, NOT the door to the hallway.

I kept my cool. Got on shoes and coat, grabbed phone, wallet and keys (though not the cat or turtle!), headed out to the stairs (I remembered to not try the elevator!). I could hear, through the ear-splitting building alarm, the building’s dogs howling. I made it to the courtyard (no sense in heading to the lobby as all those in charge passed me charging UP the stairs — yikes), but the alarm was still too loud. Once outside, the full range of alarm, howling and sirens forced me out of the courtyard and across the street. Some neighbors speculated that it was Ted’s Montana Grill, but it wasn’t. It was a resident who made a few mistakes in a row … and hopefully has taught us all a lesson? We waited and waited for the all clear. And then went back, with ringing ears, to our activities. But my heart was pounding and a relaxing read and cat nap were out the window. Oh well.

And, please, don’t let the firetrucks come tonight. (Returning to my Brooklyn-toddler prayer after all these years.)

DFD - 1 dec 2011

DFD on Commerce - 1 dec 2011