If you could only take one possession with you because your house was on fire, what would you take?
While a number of students are dancing the night away at Vandome, Alchemy, or some other night club downtown, I'm opting to stay in to study for an exam and chill out from the day I had. I was sitting cozy in my room, psychology book and notes spread out in front of me, taking a break to watch the new episode of Will & Grace and chatting with Bogdan and Joan, when the most unexpected thing happened.
The fire drill went off.
Here I am sitting at my desk and being lazy, got scared off my ass by the loud sirens going off. Realizing it's the fire alarm, I quickly assume that some idiot unsuccessfully worked around the no smoking rule and got smoke into the smoke detectors. Cigarette smoke, maybe. Weed, an equally strong chance. Whatever the cause, we're all standing outside in 40 degree weather for 45 minutes.
Back to the question I asked. What one possession would you take if your house was on fire? Me? In this situation I put on my slippers, grabbed a jacket, and my keys. I mean, goodness. I wasn't so worried about my belongings that I didn't scramble to grab a photo album, maybe my purse, and my laptop if I could? Goes to show how much I'm fearing for my life right about now.
I even took a minute to look outside my door and see if other people were bothering to get to the nearest exit. I didn't smell smoke on my floor. Is that a good excuse as to why I wasn't flying like superman towards safety? I did look for my roomie and friends that I knew were in the building. I care about others' safety, maybe even moreso than my own. Considering that Americans have gone through some pretty tough times in the last year, my personal worry on safety has worn off somewhat. Stuff happens, I'm just going to deal with it the way I know how. I'm just glad that this situation wasn't severe. Although after this I've gotten to thinking that I might not be as lucky next time. The building could have blown up and my body parts would be flying across the pavement in different directions. You never know.
So what would you take? Why? How much sentimental value does it hold for you? Assuming all pets and family members (or dormmates in this case) are safe, I would probably take a photo album containing photos of my family, my childhood, photos of people and objects that provide the best memories for me. But even without that I'd still be glad that my loved ones are ok. Most of my possessions can be replaced if needed so that's not much of a worry.
Now that i'm back in my room I know at least everyone's safe. A little disappointed that I lost 45 minutes of precious study time and totally missed that Will & Grace episode, plus we're all going to be damage-billed for the emergency call, but it's all good. Now we all can plan on ganging up on Dre sometime. He set off the alarm. He burned a cookie in the microwave.
Replies: 5 comments
Did I mention that even though I could leave most of my stuff besides the clothes on my back, I'd still be really pissed/unhappy when time would come to replace it it'll cost me LOTS, like the laptop!
Posted by Erma @ 11/18/2002 11:52 AM EST
if my house was to catch on fire, I would try my best an take all my clothes and shoes in my closet, yeah that is probably it. everything else can burn to ashes!
LOL- God. When does your fire experiences sound so much like mine?! The first fire alarm was a drill that we had. Luckly, I was wearing my regular clothes. The 2nd one, I was in the elevator with some friends going to leave campus and some people come in and it smells hella bad like burn pop corn. Once we got to the first floor, before hand the elevator's fire alarm went off and we all jumped back from the buttons to press which floor to see if we accidently hit something. The 3rd one wasn't a test. It was at 11:30 in the night with exams the next day. We didn't get back inside until 1:30 a.m. and it felt like it was about 30 outside. Gah, that one I was ASLEEP.
You're right, I never grabbed my laptop at any of those moments. I grabbed my shoes, a jacket or something to keep me warm, my car keys and my cell phone.
Good lord. I'm sentimental about damn near everything. I would take my computer, but I'd probably die trying. I'd have to say that the one thing I'd take would be my lifelone friend Rocky the Raccoon. He's all tattered and worn, but he's been with me for 21 years and it's the only piece of my childhood that is that old, besides pictures.
I really hated fire drills in college. I was the kid that got busted all the time for shutting the lights and hiding under the bed.
