When I worked in DC I used to have acupuncture on Thursday afternoons and then return and work late to make up the time I had to spend out of office. The magazine was headquartered on Connecticut Ave, NW, which was a great area during the day but could get a little dicy when night fell. I was exiting the building around 7 p.m., when I noticed this really grungy guy weaving towards me with his hand stuck in his pocket and a rather menacing look on his face. Looking around I saw there wasn't anyone else on the sidewalk. As he was closing in, his eyes never leaving my face, I kinda backed up for a bit more time. When I get nervous or flustered, I have a habit of running a hand over my hair. Weird, I know. Anyway, my hair is thick, and sometimes I have found the acupuncturist had inadvertently left a needle in the crown of my head that he didn't notice when pulling them out at the end of the session.* When I touched my hair, I felt a needle he had forgotten this day. I took two giant steps towards the guy, flourished the needle he had watched me pull from my head, and held it like a sword towards his eyes, shouting, "YOU don't want to FUCK with ME!"
"Jesuzzzz, lady!" He slurred, backing away.......
* This happened one other time. Riding in a crowded elevator after another session, I felt a prickling sensation and reached up and pulled out a needle. Chuckling aloud I said, "Oh, another one!" The five people packed around me kinda leaned farther away...
Fantastic story!
ReplyDeletewow and wow and wow. wish i had an acupuncture needle on me at all times. b/c you never know.
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny story! And a great little self-defense tip! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story! That would freak me out too!!
ReplyDeleteGosh...you are awesome. My tail would have gone between my legs and I would have ran. Next time I need someone to stand up for me, hope you are around. Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Absolutely hilarious!
ReplyDeleteCool you stopped a mugging, but creepy that the doc kept forgetting them in your head!
ReplyDeleteYou're a freakin' awesome acupuncture warrior. How cool is that!
ReplyDeleteSharp move. In more ways than one.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! What a great story is right, I must hear how much you love acupuncture. I could so use some fab Eastern medicine.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I left you a little something on my blog.
Wow. Do the needles not hurt?
ReplyDeleteLol. That is great! Love it. I've never done acupuncture. Would love to read more about your experience with it.
ReplyDeleteFish: acupuncture is awesome. It has kept me cobbled together since 1987. It's a cumulative effect so takes at least 4 to 6 sessions to build up the feeling.....
ReplyDeletePeach: the needles are the size of a human hair. Normally you don't feel them going in as they are supposed to support the chi in your body, not 'pierce' like a needle does. If you do feel something, it's typically a shock or a zing that doesn't longer than a few seconds, and it only means you REALLY needed it. The only bad experience I had with acu was when I was in tremendous chronic pain and couldn't handle the treatment very long.
Aleta: I wrote an article about acu for a mag., I will try to dig it up.
Thanks to all for the comments!
I used to have regular acupuncture treatments until the acupuncturist started arguing with me about why my insurance hadn't paid her yet. She has an assistant, isn't that their function? Geez... I called my insurance company shortly after who had issued payment late, that happens but again the assistant's job not the client.
ReplyDeleteThat being said I haven't been back since and haven't been interested in going to see anyone else. Oh well. It's so beneficial.