Nicole's Notes

Commercial grade elevators are made to keep fire *out*. The current theory (around the office at least) is that there was a short in the elevator's COP (ooo, a TLA (three letter acronym), look at me getting all technical!) - which is elevator-speak for the panel where the buttons are inside the cab. The elevator was at the ground floor, with the doors shut.

So the oh-so-fireproof doors held the fire in the cab. The shaft acted like a chimney, so it was super hot as it ate away at the interior. Eventually, it melted the circuit that holds the doors closed, so they opened, causing what was likely a huge rush of fire into the lobby area. The glass entrance doors melted. And *then* the fire alarm system tripped. State code says no fire alarm devices are allowed in the elevator shaft, which is probably want prevented it from triggering earlier.

So there's been a boatload of excitement that's been going on around here. Lots of insurance folks, movers, phone guys trying to rig the temporary office space, etc. Thank god it wasn't the building where we have our offices. One thing I've learned is OFF SITE BACKUPs. There were number of tenants frantic to get at computer systems so they could get going in their new homes.

Because of the stress and longer hours I've been working since the fire, I pulled out of the next show at Hovey. I have been asked to work with the following show, but said I only could handle an assistant position. I am feeling a little burnt (pun intended).

My addiction to Second Life continues unabated. Weehaw. Met a lot of really fun folks on there. Learned how to build stuff. Well, sort of anyhow, but nothing like some of the folks... they've got way better spatial orientation skills than I do! I've learned how to script in the nifty keen "Linden Scripting Language". Sort of (again). I have a better hope of wrapping my head around things in that arena at least. I've missed programming. It's like a muscle that I haven't exercised in a while, but I'm getting back into shape!

Speaking of muscles. Haven't skiied much at all this season. Not a whole lot of snow in the New England area - or at least, not like last year. Phooey. Well, with luck Jess will be rejoining the ski team next year at least part of the time (Sprout is due to put in his/her appearance in May), so that'll encourage me to get off my duff.

Plus, I can feel spring looming. Spring always makes me want to go for walks outdoors near the office (there's some gorgeous woodland trails). The bugs haven't really woken up yet, and the humidex isn't through the roof. It's dee-lovely.

My hair is finally long enough to tuck behind my ears. I'm sure you're all thrilled.

My little sister is pregnant, did I mention that on here yet? Well, she is, and the kidlet(s) won't sit still long enough for them to do a head count. She's so big, they figure she might be carrying twins. Steph and Shayne are very excited, of course. The baby or babies are due in September. They should be in the new house by then (I hope!).

And that's the news. Tune in later for a recap at 11. :P