A month later, I was finally about to make it on time. I had been invited by my running club to give a talk on nutrition in November and the day I was supposed to do so, I forgot to show up. It stroke me at 6 pm that evening, right about the time I was supposed to start talking. Instead, I was at the office submerged in work and I suddenly remember that I committed to talk about macro-nutrients. Anyway, the talk was rescheduled for the 19th of December, and this time I promised myself I’d make it happen.
I did not have much time to prepare for the presentation but I had already developed some materials for a previous talk. So, I added some more stats and decided not to use a PowerPoint support. I arrived right on time for the talk and people were not necessarily into it. It was cold, they had to go run and there was a lot of snow outside.
I delivered the presentation, which was more like an exchange of experiences with the audience and was ready for my next appointment with the osteopath. Yet, I lingered a little bit at the risk of being late, but felt that everything would work out just fine.
Miraculously, the bus did not take long to come and I was feeling great about that. The mini-nightmare started when I got to the transfer station. The next bus I needed to take was late (my appointment was at 7 pm and it was already 6:50 pm). I thought I could walk the required distance but I did not want to do so in such weather conditions, so I waited.
Once in the bus, I remembered I had not withdrawn cash to pay for my appointment. I got off at what I thought to be the right stop and rushed to what I thought was the osteopath’s door, because of course; I thought I remembered the door after a year of not seeing him. Unsurprisingly, nobody opened. Maybe the right door was the one on the building to the left. I rushed again to ring that other bell. Nobody answered.
I was getting upset. I remember I had written his address and contact information. I checked it only to realize that I had gotten off at the wrong stop and that his building was a few blocks away. I rushed again. I was already 10 minutes late and had no cash. On getting there, he opened, I apologized and he said it was all right, that I could come in. I told him that I needed to withdraw money and he directed me to where the nearest ATM was, which was not far from the bus stop I initially felt I needed to get off at (speak louder, gut feeling! How am I supposed to listen to you with such a weak voice?).
I rushed again, sinking in snow banks at every step, sweating on my winter coat and carrying a heavy backpack on my back. I got the money, rushed back to his office and was ready to start again. I was already 20 minutes late.
After explaining what I was there for (he barely remembered that he had seen me before), he told me to undress in order to start the session. He’s a European osteopath, so he sees patients in underwear, which by now is no longer a problem for me. Except for the fact that I was now sweating, I had started my period and I had also forgotten to wear deodorant that day! I had a spare set of undies but that’s all I was able to do to help my cause.
I started the session thinking that the worst was behind me so I tried to relax. I couldn’t.
He had some sort of flu, he blew his nose and continued working normally. Later on he put his finger in his ear and scratched it and continued working. I was lying on the bed thinking: “When is he going to stop and go wash his hands?” Well, he never did.
By the end of the session, he touched my chest in a way he had never done before. I was so tensed that I could hardly breathe. Fortunately, he remained professional even though I was feeling puzzled. It was by far the most awkward osteopathic session I have ever had.
After the session, I joined some friends at a bar and since I didn’t want to spoil my treatment, I ordered tea… Yes, tea at a bar. When it was time to go home, one of my friends told me to keep her and another female friend company, which I did reluctantly because I was tired and wanted to take a shower. I was hoping that one of them could give me a ride home, which was reasonable considering they have done so before.
After a visit to the supermarket and a walk to one of my friend’s car, she realized she had forgotten something at the bar and had to go back, leaving me without a ride, a heavy backpack and now failing pantyhose. Ever since that race to the ATM, my pantyhose lost its waistline support, which made it come down to my knees. Every now and then, I had to pull each leg up and I did it at least three times before getting home.
What a night!
Shiiit Happens!!! 