Categories: uncategorized
Date: 29 September 2006 14:09:57
I had a problem with a ladder.
I love climbing and I have vertigo. Okay, it's only mild vertigo (and not just because it only affects me when I'm high up) but still it's an odd combination. Ladders in particular give me a thrill in both the positive and the negative senses. And whereas when I'm climbing a mountain I'm nervous of slipping and falling, with a ladder I'm nervous about it slipping and me falling. I discussed this with a friend a while back and we found that I'm nervous of the ladder slipping sideways, whereas she's nervous of its feet slipping backwards. I don't know which is more likely, but at least now I know what happens when your ladder slips sideways. I don't recommend it. Since I was half in the loft my elbows stopped me from immediately crashing to the ground, although my upper arms are quite sore as a result. And so, for a moment or two, I was that classic cartoon image of two legs kicking in mid-air trying to find something to gain purchase on. Unfortunately there was nothing, and after a second of trying to lift myself into the loft (which seemed a bit silly but would have left me at least more in control - trust me: when you're holding yourself up by your elbows only there's not a lot you can do) I realized I couldn't and tried to ease myself down gently. That didn't work either, but at least it got me out of the predicament, because my elbows slipped in the process and dropped me to the floor, fortunately without leaving me very much more sore than I was before.