The absolute worst thing about living in an apartment building, even worse than not having an outdoor washing line or not being allowed a cat is when the fire alarm goes off at one in the morning.
Like last night.
I guess I'd been asleep an hour and a half and then we had to get up and put on warm clothes and grab keys (I took my handbag) and get out of the building. It was raining quite hard at one this morning so those of us who left through the exit on the stadium side of the building just stayed under the canopy. Leaning up against the building.
The poeple who exited on the other side sheltered under a neighbouring apartment building's garage. No one was very happy.
It took twenty five minutes before the firefighters turned off the alarm and another ten before we were allowed back in. They searched the whole building and couldn't find any fire. I guess it was a system fault, if it had been someone smoking they could trace it to the room.
Let me tell you something. Even if your bed is still a bit warm it takes ages to get back to sleep after you've unexpectedly been standing outside in the cold for half an hour. I was awake far too long.
I am only half alive today as a result.
Posted by jenni at July 8, 2004 11:56 AM