What goes up doesn't always come back down...

So, over the weekend, I did Christmas with my family. Mom and Dad came up (separately, but together...long, long, long divorce involving story) on Saturday. Mom and I stayed at Cousin's place and Dad stayed at the Carlton just down the street. Which, apparently was originally built as a hotel in the 20's, but then converted into a hotel in the 40's...but I digress.

Anyhow, at Cousin's place, I park in the guest parking garage about half a block down. So, Sunday morning, Dad, Mom, Cousin and I decide to go to breakfast. Now mind you, this garage is pretty much open to the cold, no heaters and very few actual outside walls beyond tin and mesh I think.

I park up on the third floor of said parking structure. Now, there is an elevator in the place. But a very old one that I took once and said "never again!" I do admit I have a bit of a phobia of elevators. I'll ride in them just fine, but I always have to look for the escape hatch at the top. I'd probably never have the testicular fortitude to actually pop it open and climb out it in the case of an emergency, but I like knowing it's there. This one elevator doesn't have one that I recall. And besides that, it is the slowest elevator ever created.

So, Mom and I walk up the couple flights of stairs and are waiting at the car. No Dad, no Cousin. Start the car, spend 5 - 10 minutes kicking off all of the snow and ice that has accumulated in the wheel wells and whatnot...still no Dad, still no Cousin.

About that time, I voice the thought that "maybe they got stuck in the elev..." and then my phone rings. Guess who? Yup, it's Dad. Guess where he is? Yup, stuck in the god damn elevator. Now, Dad and Cousin, neither of them are looking to win any medals in an Olympic gymnastic contest anytime soon. I love them both to death, but yes...they are a bit....well, there is just more of them to love, bless their little hearts.

Now I mention that, because as we wait for them to get hold of security and get out of the elevator, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Dad, somehow, manages to force open the doors to the elevator. They are stuck somewhere between the third and fourth floors. I think they were about 12" - 18" from being all the way on the fourth floor. So, they do manage to do a flashy little maneuver and climb out of the elevator.

Walked by the same elevator later in the day...all four floors have signs that read "Elevator is Temporarily Out of Service". With the door to the fourth floor still gaping open from Dad and Cousin's daring escape.

God, I love time with my crazy family!