Here comes another drama, or is it a crisis?
Tuesday 22nd April 2025, 10:24 hrs
In the 80s, Commercial Union, a UK insurance company, made a series of adverts that ended with “We won’t make a drama out of a crisis.” I found a video of the advert, which you can view below. Now you tell me whether you think they did exactly that, made a drama out of a crisis?
Watching it makes me emotional. Now, those who know me will know that I don't do well with things that are not working, particularly things that require the expertise and help of others.
The last time I recall it was the leak under the kitchen sink. This time it is the toilet; the flush is not working as it should. I will leave the rest to those with imagination.
So I have done what I do: use the toilet brush and the plunger, flush several times, and the reality remains.
I tell myself, “We have been here before.” I know that it takes me around 90 minutes to settle after my brain has gone through its catastrophising.
I noticed that there are a few more items revealed in my Google search. I read the highlights of this one below and listened to a few minutes.
These words stood out in the article below them.
“WE ALL HAVE SUPERPOWERS
Of course, when you’re in the midst of a real and dangerous crisis, no amount of positive thinking psychobabble is going to make your anxiety go away! Anxiety is literally a lifesaver, giving us access to resources and abilities which kick in with an adrenaline dump and give us superpowers beyond our normal capacity. This turbocharged state isn’t sustainable all the time but it can be trusted to come to the rescue when needed. There’s no point in compromising happiness and health with catastrophic thoughts until there’s a catastrophe. You’ll cope better than you imagined…”
Well, now that I have done all my looking, I'd better make the phone call.
11:07 am
I have made the phone call, and after speaking with automotive assistance, I pushed to get an appointment today. The automotive assistant gave up and passed me to a real person. They have booked an engineer to call between 12 noon and 6 pm.
Now I wait.
I say to myself, “We have been here before, and it got sorted.” Another voice counteracts the reassuring voice by imagining the worst: “You will need a new toilet.”
I occupy myself better than the last time and wait.
2:01 — phone rings; “It's the engineer, I am 30 minutes away.” I reply, “Great.”
2:15 I find myself writing, “Feels like a play, once the doorbell rings, I walk on stage.”
2:35 I see the van pull up. I walk downstairs towards it.
GJ: “ You found it ok?”
Plumber: “Yes, thanks.”
He follows me upstairs.
As we walk into the flat, I say,
“I am sure you are used to this, but it is embarrassing for me, as there is a poo in there.”
He takes out his rods and starts plunging.
I say,
“A plumber a while ago helped me get over the embarrassment; he said that is what he does. You are like a doctor being exposed to the bits that people would rather you didn't see.”
He said, “Don’t worry; I won’t check your prostate.”
As he stood plunging, I stood hoping it would clear.
Finally, he did the toilet paper test; if it flushes away, the problem is solved.
It flushed away!
Inwardly, I shouted, “Hallelujah”
I thanked him, and he bid me farewell.
Door closed, scene ended.
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