You've heard the phrase, "Never assume 'cause it makes a...donkey...out of you" (Tami's modified version). Well, tonight, it happened...an assumption that led to breaking news in the Pantagraph, all State Farm buildings to be locked down and the SWAT team and members of the homeland security department to show up!
It was about 4:45 when the supervisors came frantically telling all of us to immediately drop whatever we were doing and go to the basement. We gatherd our belongings and headed for the doors. Then, oddly, we were told to resume work. We were told it was for weather conditions, but couldn't figure out why the supervisors looked so stressed.
The next thing we know, we are getting an email telling us that there was a bomb threat. About 20 minutes later, the story changed to there was a gunman holding up the corporate building.
Suddenly, people are making calls home reassuring their love to their family and friends...please don't be offended if you didn't receive a call from me...I didn't feel the urge to say my goodbyes when the "gunman" was several miles away. Everyone started quoting insurance like champions. After all, this could be their last quote, and we'd hate for it to be inaccurate! I think if I listened very closely there were probably violins playing and the sound of the Titanic sinking.
We were told that our building was on lockdown and no one was allowed to leave...but that security had not been breached. I even think Jason Bourne was sighted at one point. :)
We were reading that there was a SWAT team called, homeland security, and men in "suits and full SWAT attire surrounding Corporate"
That's when the story changed once again...this time with the true story. The "gunman" ended up being a custodian worker at Corporate who had a "long cylinder object"...which they think was a pipe.
Needless to say, work has resumed as normal...and I'm "assuming" someone at Corporate is feeling really stupid right about now. :)
The link to the article: http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/07/03/news/doc486d464896395153567208.txt
10 comments:
i actually had a lady at the shop receive a phone call from her husband. i was sitting here wondering what in the world was going on and then called home and dad said it was a false alarm. hmmm...false or dumb? i'm not quite sure. glad to hear you're safe, tam, although you never know...i hear custodians can be pretty ruthless.
Leslie, do you know what's funny is that I bet that custodial worker was probably standing outside scared of the gunman too!
Oh my goodness! This does not suprise me...brings back some memories of corporate for me too...I think everyone there is just a bit paranoid...but better that way than too laid back.
Oh Tami, I wish I could have helped you with your southern gospel friend earlier. I loved your picture of Legacy 5. I scrolled down the page, and my heart just warmed hotter than the south Florida sun, I roast in everyday. Nothing beats a good southern gospel concert for entertainment gold. I am in southern gospel withdrawal right now because the groups don't come to Florida in the summer, because all the old people fans have returned to their northern homes. However once October rolls around and all the snowbirds come back, the groups will make their triumphant comeback to south Florida.
For some reason I feel like there could be no way you were so brave during the State Farm crisis, as you claim.
Oh my word...that is hilarious. You are such a great writer!!!
Glad it wasn't a real gunman!
Hilarious, Tami! I loved your editorializing of all that happened, esp. the sighting of Jason Bourne. Sure miss your sense of humor around here. We are going to try and celebrate 4th of July today although it is pouring rain.
Conner has a new friend named "Pickachoo" - a small stuffed bear that has secret powers. He may make it stop raining in time for the fire works....
Pretty crazy, huh? What I heard is that the sighting actually came from "a very reliable source" across the street...wow.
I was going to post the story on my blog, but you beat me to it, and I think you did it better justice. :)
TAMI...you're coming to Indy?! You guys have to stop in or something. I didn't even know there was a tennis championship deal here :) call me.
love,
alesa
alesa,
yes! we're going to be there on the 14th! leslie was saying something about maybe staying with you Sunday night...i may have to call makoto though. we'll definitely give you a call!
Ok, that's some funny stuff right there :P
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