The Other Me
‘Hello, Panic, My Old Friend’ ii. Dean had a party one night and invited Stan and me along. It sounded like just what I needed – a day out to have a good time, not have to worry about anything. But I didn’t feel right from the moment I went – hot, stuffy, my head clogged. I thought once I got there, I could relax, get into things. I didn’t. Instead, I became increasingly uncomfortable. The room swayed and now it was stifling. It was summer and warm outside, but not like this. My clothes smothered me. Dean and Stan started to drink. I decided to hold off until my…
The Other Me
‘Hello, Panic, My Old Friend’ i. Early in 1995, my friends and I went to the Indoor Cricket Sports Centre for a practice session. It was a hot, muggy day – not that that bothered me. After playing eighteen months, my fitness – even if I was still drinking and smoking – was high. I could play through anything. I bowled several balls and felt puffed. That was normal. You pushed through it. Only I couldn’t catch my breath. My heart raced. I was dizzy. My equilibrium was gone. Every time I bowled, it felt like the whole Centre reared off-kilter. I left the court, grabbed a sports drink, and…