Monday, December 29, 2008

Alarming

You know, I have started this post about four different times this morning, and each time I hit the delete key. Evidently, I have nothing to say. Nothing of any importance, anyway. It has been quiet in my world recently, boring even. I spent most of the day yesterday alone, just me and the kitties, and I have to tell you it was wonderful. Mark and CrazyDog went visiting in the southern part of our state, and left me here to contend with a couple of beers and a few dvr'd versions of Law and Order, and I couldn't have been happier.

Until the damned fire alarm went off (AGAIN). We have lived in this apartment for six months now, and that is at least the 5th time and maybe the 6th time it has gone off. Yesterday, it was about five-fifteen in the blessed afternoon, and there it went. I am talking about the most ear splitting sound you can imagine...the kind that makes your head hurt and your teeth rattle immediately upon hearing it. The poor kitties went scattering in different directions...and I headed for the wall next to the laundry room...if I pull up a barstool and stand on it, I can place a pillow over the damned thing and make the noise manageable. It goes off in each apartment and each store. In the hallways, it makes a different sound, sort of like the noise you heard in the movies where there was a sea disaster, that OOGA-sort of noise. The lights in each building flash simultaneously with the sound. It is eerie and would be scary if it didn't go off all the time. I'm telling you, if it ever goes off for a real fire, we will all burn to death because NO ONE believes it. That was seventeen minutes of my life I will never get back. That's how long I had to stand there with the pillow placed high up on the wall....while the fire department shows up and figures out it's a false alarm, AGAIN. They arrived in pretty good time, actually - they were here in seven minutes and I could hear their sirens within four minutes...ugh. I love this place I live. I have no issues with anything, other than this damned alarm system, and it's really getting to me.

Today, it's back to the grind of real life, well sort-of, as this week will be all messed up with holidays once again. I have bills to pay and business things to do for my own self and for the ICS. I have to get back to the grind of trying to find a job, but I must admit, I am not all that gung-ho in that department. I am not sure if I am just getting lazy or if it's just a side-effect of looking for so long. I have a couple of interviews scheduled, once again, for this week. Oh the joy of being unemployed...

Happy Monday. :)

10 comments:

Summer said...

I'm here. I don't feel like blogging. Or anything actually. I hope you have a Happy New Year.

Cheryl said...

At least the sun is shining here. The house looks pretty neat. I have plans to go to a mall just to return 3 things. I'm not a shopper. I'm slowly putting things away here. I might be looking forward to going back to work tomorrow?

The alarm issue is just terrible. Bad wiring somewhere? You're right about what would happen in a real emergency. Any plans with management to find the root cause?

Good luck with the job hunt. It will probably be good to have a reason to get out of the house every day. It will keep you away from the alarm :)

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

You and your J started your posts just about the same way! :) your dec 26th post that is.

Good luck this week and my gosh about the alarm..sounds like they need someone working in their leasing office getting some action done on the alarms..how many teenage boys do you have that live in the building.

be safe and stay warm.

where's spring.

Mary said...

That alarm would drive me crazy. I'm surprised the owners/operators aren't fined for the false alarms. That's what happens here. Three strikes and you pay.

I understand how one can appreciate time along. It's one thing to love your family and want them close and another to never have quiet time.

Good luck with the job search. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

fiwa said...

That is so weird about the false alarms. Like Mary said - maybe the fire department will start fining them and they'll get to the bottom of what's causing it. Someone's teenager was setting it off in the building I work in one year - we had 5 fire alarms within 3 months. Walking down 7 flights of stairs is a pain in the _ _ _! Literally! ;)

Brad said...

Maybe you need to tell the property manager that you didn't sign up for the 'wake up' call service and they should remove that from your monthly bill!

Just Me said...

That is kinda scary though cause you're right, it will happen so often that there might be a fire some day and nobody will believe the alarm. Nothing is going on around here either except trying to do dishes with backed up sinks. I am getting ready to go out and buy a months worth of paper plates and cups! Cheaper than a plumber.

Anonymous said...

That alarm system really sucks..is there something wrong with it? LOL Lame question.. enjoy your time alone..and I just dropped in to wish the best of 2009 for you and your family. 2008 was kinda rough..and you deserve better. Things just have go up from here!

Amanda said...

I agree with Brad. ;)

Anonymous said...

That would drive me out of my tiny mind.

When I was pregnant and housebound (I kept fainting so stayed on the couch) the alarm across the road would go off almost every day. All day long I would have to sit there and listen to it. The police stopped coming and when they admitted me to hospital I was actually relieved to get some peace and quiet. Well ok...everyone knows you don't get peace and quiet in hospital but it was quieter than that bloody alarm that's for sure.