A breakthrough, of sorts.

[fera_festiva]

I shall relate to you a story.

Scene 1: Ext., day. Fera is standing at an ATM

Fera: *puts card in machine*
ATM: Please enter your PIN!
Fera: *enters PIN*
ATM: Select service!
Fera: *Selects Display Balance*
ATM: ...
Fera: ...
ATM: ...
Fera: *punches red button to make it return card*
ATM: An illegal operation has been performed. *Goes to

Comments

[matt_writer]

*is impressed* Wow, if a machine had told me that I was doing something illegal, I'd have packed my stuff and run away as far (and quickly) as possible. :D

[fera_festiva]

Well, I did after a while, but I was trying to get my card back! :D

[oddsbobs]

I am massively, massively impressed by your ability to Not Panic and see the amusement in the situation! I'd probably be in tears.

[fera_festiva]

The last time this happened I was in tears - total massive big panic attack. In a way, not panicking is freaking me out a bit... I feel like I've missed out an important step!

[minnow_53]

I posted an impassioned comment last night, but LJ ate it...or it might still be floating round the stratosphere.

The gist was immense amounts of being impressed at your calm, and some hugs! :) Also advice to avoid the Lloyds cashpoints of doom: my card got eaten by one in summer, though I didn't react with such cool, sadly. :( I really hope you got everything sorted out. *more hugs, because you didn't get the first lot*

[fera_festiva]

*hugs back* Thanks. No idea where this calm is coming from, except possibly the rather strong dose of antidepressants I'm on. :D

And yeah, the Lloyds ones are evil. I only went there because there wasn't a queue, but there was probably a reason for that.

[seatricks]

your awesome powers of calm amaze me!

i generally consider myself a bit on the hysterical side, and things like this always cause me to have hissyfits and tantrums and be all like WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME when, in fact, there are a whole lot worse things that could be happening to me, right then.

[fera_festiva]

I'm normally on the hysterical side too. I've been known to find myself sitting in the corner of a hotel room trembling and crying because I couldn't get my hair to look decent, or something. The thing is, "there are a whole lot worse things that could be happening to me" is kind of one of the things that characterises that kind of panic - and exacerbates it, because it adds guilt and stuff in. I'm a little overfamiliar with this, you may have guessed!

[seatricks]

i think understand what you mean by adding guilt. i just wish i could stop perceiving these little unpleasantries of everyday life as a personal attack against me.

[fera_festiva]

*hugs* I hear you.