[Sabrina]

I went into a store yesterday to get ink cartridges for my printer. This is not where I would normally purchase them from but it was urgent.

I walked in and my first thought was that the place was far bigger than I realized. Then I noticed floor staff everywhere. Literally one customer to at least 3 sales people. The lights were very bright.

By some grace I found the cartridges quickly but they were chained!!! I found one of the staff to help me. He took ages figuring how to "unlock" the stand and then he couldn't quite seem to match the price to a piece of paper he had to give me to go and pay. They obviously have security issues!

Anyway, I felt myself becoming impatient and anxious and busily studied a new keyboard set and concentrated on my breathing. That the poor assistant had a really bad case of BO didn't help my breathing much.

Then I looked up and for some reason peered behind the rack of cartridges. Glaring back at me were some 30 odd television sets, all of different sizes but all showing the same programme. I have absolutely no idea what. All I can remember was that my brain was freezing and that I probably had stopped breathing at that point.

When I got the cartridges, I all but snatched them from the assistant and made a very hasty retreat for the queuing section. It took 3 attempts before I could even figure out how to get in! By now I was shaking (more with irritation).

I finally got to the check-out and the assistant there was certainly not the brightest tool in the shed. The process of punching in the bar codes and telling me what I should pay took another 7 minutes. (I kept looking at my watch). Then she did not have the correct change in the till and I had to wait another 5 minutes. It was during these last 5 minutes when I was slowly breathing in and out that I happened to look up and see myself looking back at me from a security television set.

That was just too much. Extreme overload! (I don't fare very well with seeing images of myself).

Somehow, I got through this entire experience without dissolving into a panic attack. But a day later, my head still hurts.

OK, I'm done rambling!

[(JD)]

Yes, when we are already stressed and then have to endure change, it can be overload! I hope you will be able to make note of when you are about to need another new cartridge, or keep some in reserve that you replenish, so this type of situation won't happen too often!

But now...breathe... you did it!!!

[Sabrina]

Thanks Sky. Believe it or not, I am thoroughly organized and in fact did not need new cartridges until at least the end of next week. (Which would have given me plenty of time to order them and have them delivered through my usual source). Then some unforseen printing on rather a large scale happened and well ........... my computer didn't even give my regular "running on empty" warning.

But yes, I can breathe again. I actually did feel quite pleased with myself for not coming undone in the store!

[pegasus]

(((((((((((( Sabrina )))))))))))))))

You did really well, hope you will treat yourself with something really nice for getting through it.

You're one cool woman!!! It must have been so hard on you and yet you came out off it, in one piece.

((((((((((((((( Sabrina ))))))))))))))))))

[Sabrina]

Thank you Pegasus and Nina.

I am feeling ok about it now.

Lesson learnt though - I won't be visiting that store again!