Zap
I was on the phone with M.S. when I noticed that the baby had crawled under my desk and was busy drooling on and playing with the power strip where all my computer crap is plugged in. “Ohshit,” I said, “Hold on a second!” and I went to take the powerstrip away from her and it shocked hell out of me.
Now I am a very quiet-loving person by nature, and I don’t like anything that really takes me by surprise. It’s probably the control freak in me. Two things I hate most are getting shocked by electricity and sudden loud noises. I’ve been known to jump and shriek when hub lets out a particularly enthusiastic sneeze.
When I was really little, like maybe 3, I crawled under my grandparents’ Christmas tree and touched the plug and got shocked. Ever since then I’ve been afraid of being shocked. Further, I was such a wussy when I was a kid that I was afraid of fireworks (loud noises) and whenever I got a balloon I would make my parents either pop it or put it in the back room because I was terrified that it would pop while I was asleep.
Tellingly, the first time I glimpsed my husband-to-be, it was seeing him jump out from behind a bush while trying to scare me. I had seen him skulk back there, so I wasn’t really surprised.
Back to the story, my point is… uh… apparently nonexistent. Except perhaps that I needed to reiterate that I don’t like being shocked. Or startled.
Nine Inch Nails is excellent for treadmilling to, by the way. I’m thinking that 80s pop will do nicely as well. Anyone have suggestions for good workout music?