Crunchy Mustard

Note: I realize it’s been some time since I blogged last. You can say I’ve been on a sort of Hiatus. Rest assure, I am back.

So, my day began just like any other day. I woke up at 6 a.m. when it is still dark outside. I went to school and suffered through my classes. That’s not to say they are in anyway boring or torturous, it’s just that sleep does not come so easily these days.
As I finished up my last class and am just about to exit the building, I see a sign: Save a Life! Blood Drive in the Lobby. “This has to be a sign,” I said to myself. And indeed it was. I often think about what it would be like to save a person’s life. To be a hero. Fame and Glory. Like the mighty Achilles, or perhaps Diomedes. I signed up.
And so it began. I waited. And Waited. My heart beating twice if not three times its normal rate. “Next please.” I heard. This was it. The first phase. I had to get my blood screened. …It was good. Infact, it was better than good. “Very nice blood, very good iron. Lots of good iron,” the woman said.
Phase one complete. Now Phase two.
They looked at my arms. They chose my left arm and remarked at how nice it was. I was lying in the chair. Waiting. Finally, someone came over. Sterilized the area and inserted the needle. Ouch. It hurt. But i made it through. Pain was brief and I did not feel the need to look away. In fact, I watch the whole time as the blood ran from my arm into the bag. I was fascinated by the whole experience.
A few minutes later, I was done. I had filled the whole bag and several tubes. I did not feel dizzy or lightheaded. And I did not care to stay around too long. However as I was leaving I stopped by the snack table to replenish myself and helped myself to a little extra. I haven’t eaten all day. No breakfast and it was close to 4 pm. After all, I did just save a life. What better reward for a hero than a couple extra Quaker Oatmeal Chewie Bars and some Cheeze-its along with an extra carton of Wild Fruit Punch.