Monday, June 9, 2008

Oh yeah- it's Monday everywhere

Today started out as bumpy an awkward as any normal too hot Monday would. I got a message that the department's water distiller (we have Distilled Water taps at every sink) was leaking - on to some expensive equipment upstairs. Not mine, but I empathize.

Since I am trying to pull together a poster, I am digging up old files on old computers. No sooner have I found what I am looking for than the power goes out. We have just enough time to double check all our important equipment is on back up generators when the fire alarm goes off. Assuming this is real, I grab my computer and head outside into the withering heat with everyone else. 20 min later the building is cleared, but the power is still out. Science being what it is, there isn't much we can do in the dark without power. So we walked to Starbucks for iced coffees. Their ice machine broke (right after we got our drinks).

All told, the power was out for about 2 hours, with most of us huddled in the halls under emergency light trying to read papers. This sort of thing isn't good for my professional dignity.

UPDATE: And then we had another fire alarm

1 comment:

Connie said...

I saw in the news that it was so hot in Philadelphia that they had to close the schools. East coast hot is very uncomfortable. I am sorry you had to spend extra time out there because of fire drills. And I am sure it does not help you to save the world when you have these unplanned interruptions.

Love you,
Mom