On Thursday when Bob and I had our photo shoot I decided to offer the models sandwiches for lunch. I had cold cuts, bread, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. When lunch was over there was some lettuce left over. I don't eat lettuce so I decided to put the leftovers in the disposal and send it down the drain. Big mistake. The disposal turned it into salad and it clogged my drain.

I couldn't do anything about it at the time but once everyone was gone I got under the sink and took all the pipes apart but didn't see any clogs. So I figured it was in the wall past my pipes. I called the maintenance department in my building and scheduled them to come clean out the pipes on Friday morning. They came as scheduled but I couldn't stay. I left thinking everything would be fine.

I came home a few hours later. I put my key in the lock and tried to get in my condo. The key turned but it wouldn't move the latch. I jiggled it and yanked and pushed and finally go in my condo. Without even thinking I let the door close behind me. I went to the kitchen to see that the drain had been snaked and besides the mess they left, the drain was fine. My friend Bob was with me and getting ready to leave so I walked him to the door. I grabbed the knob as usual but it wouldn't turn. We couldn't get the door open. The latch wouldn't move as we turned the knob. We were locked IN my condo now.

Turns out the maintenance men noticed that the doorknob on the inside was just a little loose and took it upon themselves to tighten it. They tightened so tight that it wouldn't move the latch. I had to call the front desk and have them send someone up to my condo to let me out. It was the same guy who snaked my drain and “fixed” the doorknob. They finally let us out and Bob was able to leave. At first they said they could fix it but then decided to call a locksmith. Before leaving though they turned the deadbolt and let the door rest on that instead of letting the latch catch the door frame. This way I could get out and people could get in.

An hour later a locksmith was at my door. I let him and began explaining the problem. As I was explaining the problem and showing him the latch, doorknob, etc. I accidentally let the door close. I was locked IN my condo again! But this time with the locksmith who had my extra key in his hand. He didn't have any of his tools with him so we couldn't get out. Again I called the front desk. This time they sent someone outside to stand seven floors below me. I dropped the extra key over the balcony and ten minutes later he was letting us out of my condo again.

What a mess. An hour later the locksmith had fixed the lock and actually made it better then it had been the last five years. He billed the condo so I wouldn't have to pay for his services. All was well.

Then this morning I woke up to find a bill under my door for $25 for snaking my drain. I guess that's not too bad for getting my drain snaked AND a rebuilt lock.

Sometimes we make stupid mistakes. I still hate lettuce.