Talk about a wake up call

[missdiane]

There's a more detailed description of the jackass that assaulted the woman around the corner from where I live. The guy better be long gone because the police in HP are good as well as it's a tight community of people that will be watching. I'm still nervous though since he nabbed the woman in a well populated area in daylight. I'm wondering whether it would be worth getting something like pepper spray or whether that would be more of a problem. Hm.

Anyway, then some excitement this morning. I walk into the building at work to a very weird smell which got stronger the closer I got to our suite of offices. Evidently one of the ballasts on the lights was smouldering and about to start a fire. Before I arrived a bit before 8am, four fire trucks had already been here and gone and we're waiting for the useless Rutgers facilities folks to come check it out whenever they get around to it now.

The really scary thing? I was the last to leave the office last night. If I had left the lights on, there's a high chance that our building would've burned last night since right below those lights are shelves with books - some over 140 years old. What we think happened is that the cleaning lady got in to start her job between 5-6am and when she came into our suite to collect trash, she left the lights on since we come in not long after that. 

Hoolleeee crap.

Comments

[grey853.livejournal.com]

Scary stuff on both counts, assault and fire.

I hope the day gets better for you.

[missdiane.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Here's hoping there's no "third time's a charm" too!

On the bright side, I slept much better last night than I had been. First time in several days that I didn't wake up several times with coughing fits.

[grey853.livejournal.com]

I understand about the coughing fits. The weather has been very strange here, in the 70s. It's February!! It's supposed to be in the 40s at most. My allergies have been off the charts.

I'm glad you were able to get some sleep. Sleep is the great restorer, or it is for me.

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

Ye gods!! Two scary and horrid things within 48 hours! I think that is more than enough!

*HUGS*

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

It's scary when things like this happen. What if's can keep you awake at night.

[threecee.livejournal.com]

Not a great way to start the day! I hope it gets much better as it goes along.

Pepper or other sprays can be tricky to use - too far away and it dissipates, too close and you may get caught in it too, wind blowing the wrong way and you are the one getting it full in the eyes. I'd recommend:
1. Put your "I'm a crazy serial killer who just escaped from the asylum and I really want to kill someone" face on. Mutter about how you want to hurt and kill someone loud enough to be heard by passersby. If people start crossing the street to avoid you, you are doing it right. I used this technique to walk in west Philly around peak nighttime mugging hours and no one ever bothered me.

2. Unarmed self-defense course with a good sensei. This will cost more than my first suggestion, but is more effective and is good exercise.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Very scary. Hope the day gets better for you.