You know, one critisism I have with my anti-procrastination method is that it doesn't account for freak fires. I should really figure that part out. I'm mildly sad because I was unable to finish my writing after it was interrupted by the "excitement" of yesterday. Perhaps today I will be able to get some work done?

Today is the day I present with my group on the topic of Insomnia. My role is to explain the various treatments for insomnia which range from medication to biofeedback. There's a lot of information to cover but since it's only 5 minutes per person, I think a shortened version will be acceptable. One of our group members will be describing the disorder in detail, while the other will be talking about his own particular experience with a rather intense form of insomnia which keeps him up until 4 O'clock in the morning at times. I think it will be a good presentation, though I really don't want to go first (methinks we will wait for some time in the middle.)

Wish me luck!

Update: Presentation went well, one of our presenters didn't show up but we didn't miss a vital element and I think we got high marks.

-Cailin

I write to you today to tell you the tale of the Great Just-Outside-the-Patio Fire of 2006. Ok, it just happened maybe 15 minutes ago. I think I've collected myself enough to type without my hands shaking. I have to say that this event taught me that I need to work on my 'dealing with shit on fire' skills.

So here's the tale as it happened in its entirety. After taking a much needed break from my writing I decided to play with the cat a little in front of the sliding door which opens to the patio. The screen door was open and the cat was suddenly very interested in what as outside. I couldn't see above the four foot high wall (as I was sitting on the ground playing with Tashi) so I assumed it was just the wind or a bird or something. Then I heard a strange crackle/rustle noise. I thought it must be an animal of some sort. So, to sate my curiosity I peek under the two inch clearance between the patio wall and the floor.

Holy shit that's fire! I thought to myself, suddenly noticing the plumes of grey smoke wafting up into the air. Then the smell hit me as I stood up quickly and walked out onto the patio. There was more fire, it looked as if something had just caught on fire and was gaining momentum. A man nearby asked me if I had anything to put it out, I said "no, nothing". I was panicking at this point, as I could have filled a bowl with water quite easily but my mind had totally blanked out. Instead I was rooted to the spot just staring at the fire and feeling my pulse race and hands shake. A woman appeared suddenly (after I had grabbed my phone to call 911) and asked if I had anything to put out the fire with. She seemed angry at me and I pointed to the phone saying "I'm calling the fire department". That didn't seem to satisfy her. The man returned with a bowl of water and put down the flames a bit, and it appeared as if my upstairs neighbor was emptying a water bottle on it. I directed the fire department to where the fire was. They arrived within 4 minutes of my call and by this time the flames were quite low. They put out the remaining flames and doused the entire area with water, to make sure the fire would not "restart". Overall the response included two police cars, one Fire patrol car and a fire truck. Maybe a bit much for the fire as it was but it's never overkill when you're dealing with fire.

So, when they started hosing off the area I left the patio and moved to the sidewalk where the other lookey-loos were. The manager sidled up to me and asked me if I or anyone in my apartment smoked. I replied that no, no one in our apartment smoked and agreed that a cigarette was probably the cause. After watching for a little while it appeared as if no one was going to talk to me about it right then. I figured they knew where to find me if they did. I went back inside and in about 5 minutes the a Fire Officer (I don't know what to call him as his badge said Fire on it but he was in a police type uniform) knocked on my door and asked me if I or anyone in my apartment smoked (again) and said that was the cause of the fire. And again I said no, no one in our apartment smokes. He then asked me if I knew if the above neighbors smoked. I said yes, I was pretty sure. (I had seen an ashtray in their apartment.) But I also said I didn't know if the people on the third floor smoked. He thanked me and then left. So, now I'm just hoping they believe me and I'm curious if anything else will happen.

I feel bad that I didn't respond better, my only excuse is that I panicked and couldn't think straight. It took me three tries to dial 9-1-1 and when asked I couldn't remember the cross street and it took me a few seconds to remember what city I lived in. Also when she asked my name it took me a second to process the question. I had so many thoughts going through my head, it was hard to keep everything straight.

Luckily nothing but the plants were damaged and everyone is A-O.K.

Needless to say, I won't be BBQ'ing tonight.

-Cailin