If you didn’t already know, ATRO stands for Awesome Things Rip-Off because I totally ripped off the idea from this guy.
This will be a TMI post.
Burping used to not be a problem. If I had to burp, I did so. But nowadays, it’s more of an effort. I’ll be enjoying my food, when suddenly I feel that pressure in my gut. I have to stop completely, stand, and walk around before, finally – AHHHH! The gas comes out.
My mother has gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD or acid reflux. I’ve never had the problems she’s had, but when I told my doctor about my mom’s condition and also mentioned that I “occasionally” get heartburn, he immediately jumped on it.
“We’ll do a test!” he said, a bit too enthusiastically. “You might have it you never know!” Then he rubbed his hands together, relishing the idea of writing me yet another scrip.
Just kidding, though I do think my doc is a little too eager to find things wrong with me and prescribe me meds.
Anyway, the test turned out negative. No acid reflux, just eating too fast, or getting older, or something.
Yesterday was the worst. The night before MB and I ate at one of our favorite places in Japantown, Juban. When we go to Juban, we always get the roasted garlic. I can eat that shit all day long, and that night I ate most of it.
“I’m going to pay tomorrow,” I told MB.
And pay I did. Without going into too much detail (I know: too late), let’s just say that while I love our new office space, I don’t like that you can basically hear what everyone is doing in the bathroom. Or at least I can, being so close. From a stall, I can hear people talking across the office, so I can only assume that they can hear me.
There’s only so much unnecessary flushing one can do.
Finally, I got the bright idea to return to our old office space. On the first floor there’s a public restroom that’s supposed to be for the restaurant, but is actually rarely used. I’ve never seen anyone in there while I’ve been there.
The downside is sometimes it’s unpredictably locked. As I reached the restroom, I prayed and prayed that the door would be open. Success!
And finally, FREEDOM.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
My Boston office also had the bathroom where everyone could hear you. WHY don’t they think about this when they build out those bathrooms, no one needs to know what is going on in there!!
i know, right? but i guess it’s difficult with a small office. only in a huge place can you put the bathrooms far away from everyone.
then again, maybe closing the second outside door would help!
This was a delight to read! TMI? Maybe, but it’s so nice to find someone willing to write about an experience we all have. My favorite line: “AHHHH! The gas comes out.” That perfectly captures what it’s like!
My apartment provides me with the same problem: on the other side of the bathroom wall is my neighbor’s kitchen and I can hear them talk. So I am constantly terrified when I know I will have to be noisy. Thin walls might help construction costs but they take a toll on me!