QUICK CHANGE ARTIST

There we were in the Mount Sentinel Chiropractic Office in Castlegar, this morning, November 13, 2013, conducting an active discussion on “allowable” legal actions that a Car Driver can do while driving. The list was humerous and unending as everyone participated with all that they had experienced:

  1. Plucking eye-brows
  2. Putting on make-up
  3. Spreading jam on toast
  4. Cell phone usage
  5. Animated discussion wit oethsr in the call
  6. Drinking a beverage of all discript
  7. Reading
  8. More

Then I thought of what I was able to do in desperation back in 1984.

I was a Project Manager appointed by Travel Industry Development Subsidiary Advisory (TIDSA), a B.C. Government granting agency which provided funds for Municipalities to improve tourism around the province and in the Yukon.

I was on my way to a Waterfront Development meeting in Port Albernie on the Island. The Ferrie to Nanaimo was late and I had already broken every speed limit when I realized as I got to the Rain Forest area just outside of Port Albernie that there was no time to stop and change into my three piece suit from my casual wear and still arrive on time.

So I reached back to the hanger behind me and brought out the suit and surveyed the situation.

“If I could at least get my shirt off and the white shirt on, that would help in the end”, I started concocting my plan. One hand on the wheel and alternating, the feat was completed successfully.

“Let’s try the pants”, as I glanced at the extremely curved road which was set to miss all the virgin rain forest and started the unplanned maneuvering to slip my jeans down while my right leg came off the gas pedal. Then it was the left foot which was a bit easier.

“I will leave the socks on” I decided as there just would not be enough time to change them.

I slipped my suit pants into position and started with the right leg as the car slowed with no gas propulsion. “Made it!” I spoke to myself.

The left leg was easier again but slipping the pants back under my seat was a bit more challenging but I got there.

“Better tread the belt now because it will show if not there,” proved to be tougher as I was already on the outskirts of the City.

“Those women have no idea what multi-tasking is all about”, I smiled as I continued with the process.

Tying the Boston Knot on my necktie with one hand was definitely most novel. “I will adjust it as I leave the car and before I enter the meeting,” I reassured myself.

“The vest was relatively easy and I could just slip into my oxfords as I left the car”, I had it all set out as I parked in the City Parking lot.

I grabbed my briefcase and hurried up the steps and down the hall to the meeting room. My watch read just a few minutes late.

The assembled Committee gave me the once-over and it was strictly business as we had a Water Front Development to construct.

Elmer Verigin

Written November 13, 2013