81 300D steering locked, key not turning

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I went out to the car today and found that I had inadvertently turned the key all the way to the lock position after a 4 hour drive home yesterday. I was hot and tired, and left my windows down or cracked, and the sky is looking like thunderstorms are getting close.
I've read up on the search about this, and I'm a little perturbed due to the fact that I just replaced this switch about 6 months ago (new tumbler and keys), so I don't think it's really "worn out". The key is still unworn, shiny and new looking.
I've tried turning the steering wheel, blowing out the tumbler with compressed air, shooting WD-40 in there, and even getting under the dash and tapping the switch housing with a ball peen. No help.
I've read something about people having this problem when the weather is extremely hot, and it's the high 90's here with a heat index of 116*. But as long as I can't get this thing to budge, I can't get the windows up, much less start the car and utilize it.
I've read this time and last about the dreaded grinding\drilling job to fix similar problems. I can get the key in and out. I've tried the other new key that came with the tumbler. I just can't get it to turn past the "0" mark.
I did find a small brass button like deal on the lower side of the tube that leads from the key switch housing to the steering column, and tried to push it in to free the mess, but it won't go in.
If anybody has any good ideas, I'd really appreciate hearing them asap. It looks like gully washer weather coming in, and I'd like to get these windows up quick! (Not to mention being able to use the car again.). Thanks for any opinions. I don't have time to do the grinding thing, so that's not an option at this point. But anything else might be helpful.