A while back I promised that I would share a story with you about an embarrassing moment that happened to me on, what was supposed to be, one of the best days of my life. Enough time has passed where I can look back on that day and laugh…actually, I was laughing pretty much the day after…mocking myself that is.
So, as I’ve mentioned before, I had the opportunity to meet, chat and have coffee with one of my favorite authors. What an amazing day it was supposed to be! I had been looking forward to it for months and when the day finally arrived was so excited I could hardly stand it.
My day progressed as it usually does, work, work, work until finally the time came that I would get my chance to hang out with this author. So there we were, chatting about all things writing. I was getting some great advice, listening to funny stories and experiences, asking questions and generally being made to feel that I wasn’t a major knob when suddenly it hit me…and when I say suddenly, I mean, bam…sudden…I felt like I was going to vomit.
A wave of nausea washed over me and I felt my face drain of color (yes, I literally felt it happen.) So, I was sitting there, listening to this great author dish all kinds of valuable advice and all I could think was… “Oh, boy, please don’t let me puke all over her, please don’t let me puke all over myself.”
Finally after about five minutes of trying to fight it, I finally admitted to the author that I wasn’t feeling well. The lovely person that this author is, gave an immediate reaction of concern and understanding. I always carry an anti-nausea medication with me so I popped one and prayed that it would kick in soon. I did not want to leave my once in a lifetime chat for a little vomit…no way.
So, I sipped some water and waited. We chatted some more, the waves of nausea kept coming…but on top of that the medication was making me tired, so I started to yawn…a lot…while this wonderful author was trying to have a conversation with me! Totally freaking embarrassing.
Finally after another thirty minutes of vomit scare, I decided to pack it in. We said our goodbyes (I beelined for my car) and I drove home…all the while thinking I was going to die from either embarrassment, or whatever the hell was making me so sick.
Anyway, I don’t know what exactly was wrong with me. It might have been all of the excitement. I do, after all, carry my stress around in my stomach it seems.
The truly horrible part was that a few weeks later, I had the chance to speak with this particular author again…and you want to know what one of the first things this person asked me? How are you feeling?
Great, now I’m vomit girl. Yeah, lovely first impression!
I can laugh about it now…and the author was truly wonderful about it. People at my work thought it was hilarious. But what I wouldn’t have given to be able to talk for longer…to ask more questions, to have the undivided attention of a New York Times bestselling author. Who knows when the next time will be that I get to have a one-on-one with an author that I truly admire and respect.
So what about you all? Have you had an embarrassing moment that you’ll never forget?
LOL more than I care to count, and very few I want out in public like this :P
ReplyDeleteLook at it this way, vomit girl or not, at least you were memorable :)
I was thinking the exact same thing, Julie! At least you'll not be soon forgotten! As for my embarrassing moment...it's sounds cliche, but I worked at a silver jewelry cart in the mall when I was in high school and I asked a chick if she was pregnant, which, of course, she was not. She totally looked it though because she was regular sized everywhere else and had this puffy belly. She was young and it looked like she was pregnant. I will NEVER forget the look on her face. Now, even if a woman is bursting at the seems, I won't ask a thing!
ReplyDeleteThe paper delivery person saw me in my scanties. Thank goodness she is a she!
ReplyDeletelol oh dear. I have had many embarrassing moments. One recently when my 3yo shouted in the doctors surgery packed waiting room, "Where's that tiny wee man going?" He was a little shorter than average but come on. And then "Oh look mummy there's a wobbly man". To someone with a curved spine. I could have died. xx
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