fire – It's a Complete Outrage

Quote of the Day

The Hairpin posted a link to a site featuring a cringe-inducing collection of preciously curated photos of “what would you take with you as you escaped a burning house?” The participants all took this as an opportunity to present their extremely rarefied sensibilities (the complete works of jane austen), esoteric collections (Beach Boys Greatest lp – yes, LP – of course), studiously exotic and expensive material goods (Leica D-Lux 4), easily replaced items sold at Rite-Aid (l’oreal voluminous million lashes) and eye-rollingly faux-spiritual gewgaws (A brass bell from India that rings pure and true).

burninghouse-2 — Hand cream, frying pan and a jar filled with rocks. Uh-huh, yeah - right.

The consensus among the commenters was that there was a decided dearth of things one would actually take from a burning house: family members, pets and external hard drive and/or laptop. And maybe keys and a phone, if you’re super-organized. The other consensus was that the folks who posted the lists were insufferable.

But maevemalone hit the nail on the head with this comment. Every cat owner will agree…

Trying to catch my cat would probably end with me being found as a pile of ashes under my bed, with a handful of singed cat hair in my fingertips. She’d survive somehow, of course.

But to be honest – isn’t that how we’d want it? Also, be sure to read the original post. The comments are hilarious (including mine, obv).

Thank You, SFFD

I still remember when I first moved into my apartment nearly 9 years ago. I’d already fallen in love with the space, but that first night, I was wondering if I could break the lease immediately. Why? The fire station located five blocks away. Sirens screaming, h0rns blaring, lights flashing – how could I ever live with that? I’ll never sleep again!

Turns out, it’s fairly easy – I barely notice them now, except when I’m trying to watch a movie on TV (I’ve learned to just turn on the subtitles ’til they’ve passed).

Tonight, there must’ve been either a false alarm or a small fire across the street from me in a 13-story building. At least two, maybe three stations, were on the scene in minutes, with hoses, ladders and rescue equipment at the ready. All for naught, thankfully – but every firefighter at the scene was ready to perform his or her duty.

So while I’m the first to admit that fire engines screeching past feels like a nuisance, I sometimes forget what an amazing job our firefighters do. From what I understand, the lessons of the 1906 earthquake remain not only relevant over 100 years later, but are a touchstone of the SFFD’s mission – to put out fires quickly and completely. The quake claimed many lives and caused extensive damage, but it was the fires afterward that devastated the City. The SFFD treats every alarm with a seriousness and gravity that, while maybe a bit noisy, really provides me and my fellow citizens with a great deal of safety and comfort – and doubtless saves lives and property every day.

So thanks, men and women of the SFFD. The citizens of SF are proud of and grateful for your brave service.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…

The Awl described this “like a ‘Yule Log’ for people who can’t stand the season.” So, let’s all gather ’round the raging inferno and have a cup of holiday cheer!