Thursday, September 30, 2010

The lambs are still screaming

Holy. Motherfucking. Crap.

I don't know if I mentioned this before; I am claustrophobic. As a result, I don't particularly care for small spaces like elevators, closets, etc. I tolerate them because I know that I can leave. However, if you want me to freak right the fuck out, just make it so that I cannot get out.

Today, I got stuck on the 37 degree room. I went in to put some cultures on a shaker and when I tried to exit, the door would not open. Immediately, I started to panic. I wildly yanked on the handle and pushed on that lever that is supposed to release the door. It didn't work. Suddenly, it smelled like a million liters of E. coli were growing and the temperature in the room spiked by about 10 degrees. I could feel my sanity slip, slip, slipping away.

Just before I started screaming and beating on the little window like an actual mental patient, I gave calm and collected one more try. I turned the handle and what do you know...the door opened. I got the hell out of there.

The incident is over, but I feel on edge.

I need a drink.

10 comments:

chall said...

definetly drink time.

I had one of those moments too.... it's funny how much more you smell that minute when you are trapped... and then realising that maybe staying trapped over night isn't going to work considering the warmth...

happpy you turned the knob calmly and then it was nothing!!

ScientistMother said...

ooh, i'm so sorry. that must really really suck

Cath@VWXYNot? said...

Oh, ick ick ick. Hate that. Hope the drink helps!

EcoGeoFemme said...

Um, so sorry I chuckled when I read this. :)

Glad you got out!

Unknown said...

I have done this too. Complete with impending panic. You are not alone...though I'm not sure that's a comforting thought when you're trapped in a tiny space.

Anonymous said...

The same thing happened to me... No, wait, that was my wedding. And the handle still isn't working...

Unknown said...

Yikes, glad it all ended OK (-ish) in the end. Hang in there µB. and hope this weekend is being nice to you!

unknown said...

Yeah, I did that myself in our 4degC cold room. I agree with chall - a good stiff drink is in order.

Tom said...

I swear that in rooms set to be that high in temperature, the bugs grow in the air. Every time I walk out of one of those, I feel like I'm coated in Ec.

microbiologist xx said...

chall - If I had to spend the night in the 37 degree room, I would probably have a stroke. Nothing makes being in a small space worse than cranking up the heat (and smell).

SM - I think it sucks.

Cath - The drink did help...a lot.

EGF - I laughed too...on Saturday. :)

AA - It is comforting to know that I am not the only one with a tendency to freak in this situation. And, even if there is a comforting thought for being trapped in a small space, it will never enter my mind when I need it the most.

TR - Were you stuck in some kind of groom's room or something or are you speaking metaphorically about the confinement of matrimony? ;)

Bori - the weekend was good. I didn't get trapped anywhere that was warm and stinky.

GPD - I am paranoid about getting trapped in here too. I try not to let the door even close when I go in there. At least it doesn't smell as bad though.

TJ - The air even feels thicker in that room. Sometimes I feel like there is a beige haze. I'm sure we smell awesome when we get home.