Goofing around as a teenager at work with a variation on the pass out game (it was only supposed to give you tunnel vision and euphoria). Passed out, bounced my head off a metal window sill on the way down, which induced a seizure as well as a major concussion.

I remember nothing at all until coming to strapped to a gurney in the hospital being wheeled in for an MRI.

I have some cognizance that I fucked up and I was in this position because I did something dumb. I am just barely conscious.

So I start crying and apologizing to the nice nurse ladies pushing me towards the enormous magnet machine. I'm so sorry that they have to work because of me. They assure me it's fine.

So, apparently during my missing time I vomited all over the floor and all over myself. A co-worker nearly killed me by suggesting that I be rolled on my back. I started vomiting right as they were going to do this. Damn near went out like Mama Cass.

Then the EMTs arrived. I also arrived in some kind of feral, instinctive, half-consciousness and wanted to brawl with these boys who were insisting that I hold still and let them put me on this stretcher. Sedatives were administered.

Back to the MRI. I fade out while inside.

Now I'm in recovery and wake up again. I am immediately and irrationally angry. This is the territory with head trauma. My sister is allowed in and I narrow my eyes at her. She's fucking terrified for me.

"You wanna hear something funny?"

Do I want to hear something funny? I can't even believe she'd bother to come into my room and bother me with this bullshit.

"No. What? Get out!"

I had no control over my response, but I absolutely hate it and cringe over it often nearly 20 years later.

So I'm in recovery for awhile longer. I calm down. Co-workers and friends show up and I'm decidedly less douchey. I get to leave around a quarter to 4 in the morning. Mom drives me home. I'm just tired and foggy. I get to bed. I again remember nothing until I'm driving to pick up my date for the Junior Prom later that day!

I wish I still had that picture with my date. Broken blood vessels underneath my eyes and across the bridge of my nose, a sizable mouse on my head. So handsome.