I was preparing to work this morning when the fire alarm went off in the building.  Smelled nothing burning and didn't hear the sound of rushing water, but I figured it would be best to get out.  I called the non-emergency number for the fire department.  They got there within five minutes (they're good).  I stood outside talking with one of my neighbors in the blistering heat for about half an hour - her kitties were definitely not pleased with the situation, and I can't say that I was, either.

Turns out that the fire alarm malfunctioned.  According to one of my other neighbors, this is fairly common.  In the eight years he's lived in the building, the only alarm that was legit was, coincidentally, when our apartment flooded earlier this year.  The hot (I mean really hunky, but they were probably really warm in their gear) firefighters reassured everyone that it was all okay, and that they'd fix the problem.  (Somehow, I don't think they'd piss off a sweaty fat girl who has a mom-purse and is wearing ghetto jammies.)

In a separate incident, my neighbor's water main valve broke (fortunately in the "off" position; he shut off the water while he was on vacation and was turning it back on), but in order to fix it, they have to shut off the water in the building for an hour.  I was able to get a pitcher of water through the Brita filter, but I feel disgusting (and I really really really don't feel like taking a coffee-pot bath).

At least I can settle back in to working (for now).  Seems like I have plenty of comic fodder for the next week or two after Ota, at least.

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to empty the ice maker and bury my head in the ice to cool down.  Hot as balls out.

Also, if you're going to Ota, and you haven't seen the GND plans, take a look at what's going on here.