Winter Fun!!!

So, instead of writing my paper (which we were trying to get out of, but have not heard back from our professor yet), I have decided to use my frozen hands to type a fun little post, as it has been quite awhile since my last, and my goal is to make this sentence as long as I can, but I can't think of anything else to write in this paragraph, so I'll end it now.

Anyway, today started out ok with work (it was quite busy). However, all throughout the day, I kept thinking about my delicious pork roast sitting in my brand new crock pot (thanks Santa Claus!) at home cooking away :). I was very excited to come home and when I did, the fragrance permeated the entire apartment (how about that sentence?!) Anyway, I made some potatoes and gravy (for the very first time--the gravy that is!) I was quite proud and I believe my abilities would have made Chef Ramsey's mouth water! The taste was even better!

As I was cleaning up my mess like a good roommate, I smelled a strong pungent smell that reminded me of natural gas. In my attempt to be cautious, I went down to the management office to tell them I thought there was a gas leak and to see what they could do for me. Management told me to keep an eye (or in this case, a nose) out to determine if the problem resolved or got worse. Ten minutes later, when the smell intensified, I went back down and told them the situation was escalating. Management then told me that the real management was out-of-state and maintenance had gone home and would not be available until tomorrow. I was then told to wait until then to ask for assistance.

At this time, I must note that the office employee is not to blame as she was probably as unsure of what to do as I was (I had to call my mom and sister to find out who to call/what to do. I know, I know...a graduate student and I don't know how to deal with a gas leak!)

Back to the story...

So, I was thinking that if nothing was done about this situation tonight, I would not be here tomorrow to report it, so I called Questar to report a gas leak. They sent a representative over (who was great!) to investigate. His findings resulted in a discovery of Carbon Monoxide gas in the apartment (there was not leak...I wonder where the gas smell came from. I am convinced that CO is NOT odorless!) Anyway, the Questar representative investigated our furnace and he said he was surprised it was still working. Aparently, the pilot light was not combusting the natural gas completely, so it was charring the inside of the furnace, making a huge mess. He declared the furnace as unsafe to use, shut off the gas, and told us to contact management quickly to fix the problem.

So...the result...we get to spend the night with no heat! Don't be jealous of us (I know you are...STOP IT!) However, being Mr. Prepared, I have situated my electric blanket on my bed, turned my space heater on, and will be bundling up for bed. However, before that, I must now type my paper for tomorrow (again...don't be jealous!) Let's just hope that my babies (their names are Cilantro, Basil, Parsley, Chives, and Thyme) will survive the harsh environment we have been forced to enjoy.

To all of you who have to suffer through a heated home this evening, I apologize that you do not get to enjoy the winter fun that our apartment will be enjoying this frigid evening in January.

Before ending this post, I want to give a shout-out to the Presidential Inauguration tomorrow (8 am at www.cnn.com). Whether you love or hate Barack Obama, it will be a historical moment that I think all should experience.