Routine rockers and large purses

Lately I have been thinking a lot about habits, routines and rituals. In many ways, I am a creature of habit and take comfort in my various routines. When I write, for example, even if it is just a mere blog post, I light tea lights, put on some easy-listening music and wear my grandmother’s ring. I am sure it is all in my head, but when I do so, the words always seem to come.

Those close to me know that I am not a morning person. I don’t mind getting up and going to work, I’m just not capable of much interaction before 8am. I have my routine and without it, I would probably not be able to get out the door in the morning. Every weekday morning I get up at 5:30am. I stay in bed for at least 5 minutes after the alarm goes off. I eat the same thing for breakfast (bran buds with blueberries and sliced almonds) at the same time every morning. What can I say, I love my routine. What is frightening, however, is how easily I veer off course without it. One classic example of this happened last June.

Last spring, I was accepted to make a presentation with two co-workers at the 2010 Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) conference that was held in Barrie. Taking the work van meant I had to get up even earlier than usual to meet my co-workers at the AO bright and early for the drive to Barrie. The night before the big presentation, I had ironed my clothes and had everything ready to go. That morning I was preoccupied with thoughts of the presentation. I was prepared, had practiced and was ready to go, but I was still ‘preoccupied.’ We knew the Archivist of Ontario was giving the opening address at the conference, but we also found out the day before that she planned to stay for our presentation, which added some more pressure.

Walking to the subway that morning, I recall going over everything in my head to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. I had my presentation notes and our power point presentation on my USB key, but I had this nagging feeling that I had forgotten something. Standing on the subway platform at 6:30am it dawned on me what my snafu had been:

I had forgotten to put on deodorant!!!

At first I was in disbelief. “Noooo, I must have.” Yet, I had no recollection of applying it. One quick check confirmed that yes, I had somehow missed that step in my routine. Preoccupied with dressing up, putting on pearls, conference notes and USB keys had knocked me right off my routine’s proverbial rocker. I recall the panic I felt, which was quickly followed by disbelief. I mean, I had been putting on deodorant every day for over thirty-five years. How could I have missed that step today of all days?

Although Toronto is a big city, I quickly discovered that there is not much open at 6:30am. Then I remembered the little convenience shop at Downsview Station. Going in I did a quick trip through the shop but didn’t see anything ‘cosmetic’ for sale. Asking the lady at the counter in a whisper if they had any deodorant for sale resulted in a very loud “EH?” At first I thought she didn’t hear me but I then realized she didn’t understand me. Not wanting to have an ESL lesson that early in the morning, I gave up pretty quickly and continued on. Getting to York, it was still too early for any of the shops in York lanes to be open. I reluctantly went to meet my co-workers who were waiting for me in the AO van. I climbed in the back seat and spent the next hour talking and moving as little as possible. I was no longer preoccupied with the presentation because my focus had of course shifted and I was completely mono-focused on trying not to sweat.

We finally arrived and in the parking lot at Georgian College and I had to confide my dilemma in someone. I took my best bud Adz (one of my co-presenters) aside and said “I have a problem.” With concern he said “What’s wrong?” I said “I forgot to put on deodorant” to which he burst into a hysterical fit of laughter. At least he didn’t think I was a grosser. It somehow always helps to just tell someone.

After registering and collecting my conference package I went to the conference host committee table and asked where the nearest drug store was. They didn’t know. They asked what I needed – and I of course was very vague with my response. As I was walking away one lady suddenly remembered that the campus bookstore was open and directed me there. Needless to say I took no time finding said bookstore. A quick sprint through the shop led me to the shelf that contained a few limited feminine products that included 3 sticks of Adidas women’s deodorant for athletes. I snapped one up and as I proceeded to the cash I recall chucking and thinking that I needed an athletic potent deodorant by that time.

The presentation went very well. The Archivist of Ontario reported back to our manager that she was very pleased with our work. And I hoped no one was any wiser as to my early day dilemma. I now carry an additional stick of deodorant in my purse ‘just in case,’ which means of course it will probably never happen again. The deodorant is in a small cosmetic bag along with dental floss, polysporin, band aids, Tylenol, and other feminine products. As a child I wondered why my Mother needed such a large purse. Now I know why.