If this had been a real emergency...

Monday, after a morning final exam, I'm studying in the library, in a big spacious corner conference room with big sweeping windows. Every thing's good and then the fire alarm sounds--lights flash and the alarm sounds. After years of school drills the natural thing would be to pack up quietly and efficiently. Instead I sort of sit around, waiting for it to end...my study buddy has more sense and reminds me we are on the top floor, in other words, "Pack yo shit girl." So I begrudgingly pick up all of my belongings: snacks, humongous books, notes, backpack etc. I am a bag lady after all. And the alarm continues.

At this point the main stairs that run through the library are filling with exiting students but no worries, I know a shortcut. I cut across to the side fire exit, push on the doors and HOLY SHIT. Another louder, more urgent alarm starts ringing and flashing. I turn around and am forced to take several detours and side stairs to exit because the main stairs are closed.

Mostly this taught me that
(1) not all emergencies are created equal,
(2) like in the lab buildings, if you don't exit within the first few minutes during an alarm, stuff begins to lock down and most importantly
(3) I'm an idiot. If this had been a real emergency I'd be trapped/burnt OR arrested on suspicion of terrorism for trying to gain access to the roof (yep, that's why I set off a second alarm).

OMG pod person! or Small Steps

While I was home the other weekend I finished VK's Cabled Cardigan (#15) from the Winter 2006/07 issue--finished the knitting that is. And then the most amazing thing happened, I went ahead and blocked all of the pieces, all professional-like.

My mom even came over and admired my work; she usually just grumbles about what a mess I'm making. I mean she's right, but whose fault is it that I'm crafty? I certainly didn't teach myself to use the sewing machine or how to crochet miles and miles of chains. I was feeling pretty impressed until she looked at the sleeves which were on another board and asked "What are these extra pieces here?" Small steps, small steps. Here's the back and fronts, with bad flash lighting as a bonus:

The pieces are dry and waiting for me to seam them but no rush! I guess that means I'm only a pod person hybrid. Whew, what a relief.

I want to dance in my pants!

I had the pleasure of participating in a swap and check out what I got:

A handknit pillow (with stripes on the back), yarn, coffee (yum), pens!, gum, cards and the cutest post-its. Many thanks to my swap partner, she did a really good job.

On the school front, I'm flooded with work, weary of doing more writing, and I miss the gym. The good news is it'll be over soon and then 2 more semesters! (It's less painful than thinking in terms of one more year.)