Before I left the office, the lady from accounting told me I looked pale and insisted I put lipstick on my cheeks. Fake color, she said. I rubbed some TenderHeart into the apples of my cheeks.
“Better?”
“Aye. Dios mio, hija. I hope you do not have a date tonight.”
I laughed. Miriam likes to think I am the office jezebel.
Later, Goldner met me in the elevator bank at the MTV. He told me I looked exhausted. Clearly, the lipstick had not helped. I retrieved my Discman from Ben (I’m always leaving something) and then headed back out to the street. Somewhere between Broadway and Fifth, a street vendor hollered at me from his cart.
“I hate to see a pretty girl so sad!”
Me, too, buddy.
I decided I was probably in need of some liquid refreshment and opted to stop in at the Duane Reade below my office on 44th. I swung the door open, waved at the clerk who shares my love for Lindor Truffles, grabbed a Diet Coke and headed to the cash register. The cool air from the vents hit my face and I reeled. My ears filled with cotton and everything got black.
It happened just that fast.
It lasted only a few seconds, but it caused quite a stir. You have to love New Yorkers -- all hustle and bustle, too busy to be bothered, but hand them a stranger with a vertigo problem and they’re suddenly rabid do-gooders.
The man who would later hail me a cab asked me if I was okay. “Fine,” I said. “I’m fine.” I suppose that might have been more convincing if I wasn’t bawling like a six year old. Most of my friends have never seen me cry (save for movie tears) and yet, in the middle of strangers I was giving it my all. Shoulders shaking, alligator tears. If the fainting was embarrassing, the crying after was pure mortification. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even look at the man’s face. Thus, I admired his black shoes as he helped me up and into a cab, despite protests from Duane Reade’s finest who insisted I wait for a paramedic.
That’s the story of how I fainted at the Duane Reade and how New York picked me up and sent me home safely. And except for a small cut on my forehead and a bruised wrist I’m fine. My ego will recover, too.
Poor Fish.
Glad you're ok.
It's a myth that crying is a sign of weakness.
Posted by: Sheryl at August 21, 2004 12:01 PMDitto to what Sheryl said. Crying in a situation like that was releasing stress. It's important to not let our emotions be squished because they're telling us something. You should have felt stessed, and upset. You weren't feeling well for some reason (probably that damn birth control thing you're getting over). But if that keeps up, promise us you'll see your doctor again! This could be blood pressure issues getting out of hand!! (I know that was dangerously close to advice-- but it is more of a demand that you are safe.!)
Posted by: Kim at August 21, 2004 12:35 PMgoodness gracious! take care of yourself ...
Posted by: shelley at August 21, 2004 01:23 PMFainting sucks, I once did it in front of a classroom full of middle school students. I'm glad you're ok.
Posted by: A.K. at August 21, 2004 02:06 PMFish, honey, it may be a small emitonal setback (stress, transient depression, and fatigue). You might want to consider plenty of sleep and eating small, balanced meals. If the symptoms persist, you probably should think of having a physical if you aren't already on an annual schedule for a medical overview. (Notice how I never actually gave you advice!)
Posted by: Michael at August 21, 2004 02:07 PM"Emitonal" problems are the worst. Spelling problems are a close second.
Posted by: Michael at August 21, 2004 02:07 PMHoly shit, H. Hope you're ok - I'm thinking of you.
Posted by: Justine at August 21, 2004 03:00 PMhope that you're feeling tons better!
Posted by: dahl at August 21, 2004 05:45 PMI have a similar story...I fainted at a Finagle Bagel (Harvard Square). It was so scary but reassuring how kind strangers can be. Hope your feeling better now.
Posted by: lainey at August 21, 2004 08:07 PMThis fish needs a hug...and maybe a band-aid.
Posted by: Smitty at August 21, 2004 10:06 PMI got drunk by myself and passed out in a Chuck E Cheese once. That was pretty embarrassing too. Hope you're feeling better.
Posted by: NEIN at August 22, 2004 05:28 AM...not your ego that I'm worried about.
Posted by: Tess at August 22, 2004 06:26 AMWorried about you - take care!
Posted by: mingaling at August 22, 2004 08:46 AMHope you're having an easier weekend.
Posted by: Lady Crumpet at August 22, 2004 03:18 PMTake care of yourself, Sistah. We need you to spice up the ol' aquarium, dear Fish.
Posted by: Daniella at August 22, 2004 07:25 PMOh mon dieu, I hope you are okay. Is this something to do with our age? This happened to me just a few months ago in June while driving to work on 128 South. Since then I just get dizzy spells. Mine was a combination of anxiety attacks (which are new), migraines (cause blackouts called auros), and a neck injury. It all came to boiling point on the same day, nice, eh??? And divinereality.com had a similiar episode just a couple of weeks ago. I hope that your are feeling better soon!!!
Not that I'm a Dr, but I prescribe you more mindless, relaxing beach days!!!
Posted by: azzy at August 23, 2004 12:55 PMThe cut on your forehead? Just tell 'em you cut yourself shaving.
As for the story: wowsers. Never fail to shock and amaze. (Yer like the sercus!)
I learned that people fainting (or passing out) fall forward from Encyclopedia Brown, when Bugs Meany of the Tigers ("they should have been called The Tea Bags because they were always in hot water") had some super judo move that paralyzed people and made them pass out. Then Encyclopedia whispered something to Sally Kimball and she went up there and cleaned Bugs' clock. What he whispered was the falling forward information. (For a while, it stuck with me and was a great thing to use to dispel the suspension of disbelief while watching action movies.)
Posted by: Michael R at August 23, 2004 02:31 PM