Stress Factor Part 2

Monday:
I spent the morning running errands in order to facilitate smooth operations on Planet Gorgeous. I couldn’t find parking close to the bank and shouted at a man in a delivery van holding up the traffic in the parking area. “Use the loading zone you senseless man with box!” (Translate to Afrikaans for the full effect.)
Stress factor level: medium.
Cause: 1. Time wasted looking for parking.
2. Idiots.

Standing in the queue waiting to use the auto teller, I became a bit anxious because it started to feel like I was standing there for an eternity…aging rapidly…so I eventually went inside the bank to get out of the gale force wind, where I was greeted by the friendly faces of Sillon and Dhirley, the Forex people. As I had no transactions regarding their department, I chatted for a while and then went back to the auto teller to draw some money.
Stress factor level: Low.
Cause: Unexpected smiling.

When I got home I worked on learning my words for a play I am doing directed by Feral Beast.
Stress factor level: Medium.
Cause: 1. Inability to remember lines due to
2. Menopause
Solution: 1. Patience.
2. Wait for memory to return and hot flush to disappear.
3. Do something creative, like
4. Hang fairy lights in front of the windows, and
5. Restyle hairpieces.

Later that afternoon I rehearsed a few songs with my brother, Donnyo, for a show we were going to do on Wednesday night.
Stress factor level: Low.
Cause: 1. Self-medication in the form of
2. Champagne.

Monday wasn’t so bad. Smiles from friendly people, champagne and handling menopause can alleviate stress.

Inching slowly forward in the traffic, my train of thought was abruptly broken. Cars were hooting. Drivers were shouting obscenities and gesticulating inappropriately. An old lady in a big car was trying to change lanes. I could see the stress on the people’s faces. I could feel their fear. These motorists probably all have jobs, family, financial and social pressures. All of us in the four lanes of sardine traffic wanted to get to our planets as quickly as possible, but we are stuck in a situation beyond our control. I smiled at the angry man in the car next to mine. A brave gesture on my part, because he could be the one with the baseball bat in the boot or the loaded pistol under his car seat. He looked at me for a few seconds and then looked back in front of him. No reaction. Oh, come on! I wasn’t trying to pick you up, asshole! I was just trying to alleviate your stress level! Sheesh.

To be continued…
END OF PART 2