My First Blog Post

And what a blog it is. I’m sitting at my computer trying to digest the happenings of the day. I was awoken at 5:22 AM today by a phone call from my alarm company. At first I assumed it was a false alarm and when the voice on the other end of the phone asked if I wanted the alarm cancelled I was ready to say yes and go back to sleep. But then I heard the screech of the radio. She said the police were on the other line with her and that my building was on fire. Oscar’s Photo Lab was on fire. I don’t remember the drive to work. I got a voicemail from my neighbors who live upstairs that they made it out and were fine. Thank God. Aaron and Taylor are such good people always with a smile and something pleasant to say. I consider myself lucky to have them so close by. When I arrived at the lab it was devastating. Streets cordoned off, fire engines everywhere, TV camera crews milling around and a helicopter overhead. You always hope for the best and this was not the best. I have to stop here- I am just too tired to keep writing. I will fill in more tomorrow. I have so much to say- what a roller coaster of a day. I have a few things that I wanted to say tonight.

1. Make sure you are insured. It is the difference between recovering and not.
2. Firefighters earn their checks big time. Thank you so much for limiting the damage to what it was, even when you kept axing at the sheetrock in the ceiling when I thought it was overkill. A special thanks to fire investigator Jennifer DeBerry who helped me keep it together today. 
3. Everyone is OK. Equipment can and will be replaced. See item 1. 
4. My staff James, Steve and Jared. You all stepped up- thank you.
5. My family- this is who I do this for and  what keeps me going.
6. Everyone that called or emailed to make sure we are all OK- thank you.
7. We are still here and will continue to be. We are committed to this industry and we are going to remodel, refine, and improve. Stay tuned for more.