Blood Drawn

It seems to happen every time. Please, someone tell me it's not just me, that other people go through the same thing.

As an adult I've found that every few years I have to go and have my blood drawn for some reason. (Could be I'm buying more life insurance, or my doctor has ordered some test, or whatever.)

So just last week I'm there at the "lab" waiting my turn, and they call my name, and that's when it starts -- the fear.

What am I afraid of? Look, I don't know this "lab technician" from a hole in the wall. I mean, what if she's psycho? "OK, just put your arm up here and relax your hand," she says. She then pulls out that big rubber band/hose thing and ties it around the crook of my arm.

"Oh dear God," I think, "Please don't let this person be some sort of psychopath who acts and looks normal, but is now about ready to exact her revenge on society and the world by purposely infecting everyone she can with some sort of terrible virus or poison." I don't know where that needle has been prior to my sitting down here! I've read in the news about this type of thing happening.

I try to calm myself down. I study her. Breath. She looks fine, nicely groomed. "Are you doing OK?" she asks.

"Yes, I'm fine." (No, I'm not! I'm sure that tons of the nut-jobs of the world are nicely groomed.)

It's over now. I'm leaving. And once again I'm disgusted with myself for my irrational thoughts. It won't last long though. I've learned this. Get in my car. I'll be fine by the time I get home. Just another stupid 'Dan Green' type episode.