Let's Get Physical

Another hurdle cleared.

I had been stressing for weeks about today's promotional physical. The city doctors at the municipal health center aren't exactly the best and the brightest - not to mention they define "rude" - but as long as they cleared me, I'd sleep easy.

My appointment was for 11am, and I was thirty minutes early. When I walked into the offices, I almost passed out. It was jammed packed with prospective promotees, most of whom had been there for three hours! Swell. The physical was to include a drug screening/urinalysis (Cool, I get to pee in a cup!), eye exam, hearing test, EKG, and the dreaded hernia check. (Turn my head and do what?)

After sitting for two hours, I was called for my EKG. The tech was pleasant enough, and the test went off without a hitch. About thirty minutes after that, I was called for my physical exam and urinalysis. I was shuttled into a waiting room, put on a very chic paper gown, and went in to see the doc. He checked my eyes, blood pressure (which was a tad high), and the ol' twig and berries. There were no signs of a hernia, and the doctor didn't even buy me lunch afterwards!

I breezed through the hearing test and was sent on my way . . . after four hours. I am now officially cleared for promotion, and the event is scheduled for Monday morning. Tonight, however, I'm going out drinking with the guys. Hopefully, I'll be sober in time for the ceremony.