coffee!

well i hate to post and be totally negative especially when i've been neglectful recently but after all isn't that the point of a blog?
to vent?
well go on just have a seat.
humour me.
i knew this morning it would not be a good day.
i knew it as soon as i got up.
i had to go to the lab for blood work.
fasting blood work.
which means nil by mouth until blood is removed.
which means no coffee.
which means me in a grumpy mood.
not waking up to a cup of coffee is just plain wrong.
it's like trying to start your car without engine oil isn't it?
anyway when i get to the lab i find it's moved.
only two doors down but still.
then i go into the building and can't locate the lab.
there are doctors' offices with reception windows, all closed as yet at this early hour.
i look around and then i see someone coming out of an office so i ask 'where's the lab please?'
i'm in the middle of an area which branches off in several directions.
"behind you." she says. without pointing in any direction. "see the sign?"
duh no.
because if i did why would i ask YOU?
SHE on the other hand is holding HER coffee cup.
i look at her, look at her cup and then i turn around.
so i follow the arrow and enter the lab.
there's a man in a white coat (oh yeah) in there taking blood from a woman and i realize it's only one room so i have to go back out to the waiting room but not before i see that he has given me the look.
you know, THE LOOK.
the one that says "don't you know you shouldn't come in here until i call your name? you dummy."
THAT look.
so i go back to the waiting room.
in a few minutes the other patient leaves and then the man in the white coat comes out and asks me "are you clippy mat?"
i'm the only one in the waiting room.
i have an appointment at 8.30.
it's 8.30.
but i say yes and i go in and he already has my requisition on his desk.
telling him why i'm there.
so i put my health card away in my wallet.
close my wallet and then put it in my handbag.
put my handbag on the other chair.
ready my arm for his needle after he has perused the requisition and THEN he says,
"i need your health card." sounding just a tad snippy if you ask me.
"i just put it away." i said.
he knew i'd done that. he watched me.
oh i thought, we're playing games.
okay
so then he ties the tourniquet.
very, very tight.
i am used to tourniquets.
i have blood work done (in another lab) every month.
the tourniquet is NEVER that tight.
after about 10 seconds of pain i say,
"that is way too tight."
he loosens it a fraction without acknowledging my comment OR my pain.

there is a long uncomfortable silence while he withdraws about 7 vials of blood from my arm.
because just before he did that he said, somewhat absently "just a small prick."
WELL!
what would you have said?
"YEP!" i replied.
and looked him right in the eye.
oh yeah.
he KNEW.
and I KNEW HE KNEW
and HE KNEW I KNEW HE KNEW
then i went for coffee.
;-)