Dark Room

I had completely forgotten not only where I was, but also who I was - my name and even basic facts like the existence of mobile phones. It felt as if I had just woken up with no awareness or memories at all, which was amplified by being in a pitch black room.

After doing drugs earlier, I had gone to lay down around 10pm in my daughter's bedroom, as she was out with friends. For some reason when I awoke, I thought I was a truck driver at a truck stop, based on the bizarre conversations I was hearing. What I was actually hearing was The Office playing on the TV, but I had no idea at the time.

When I realized I didn't even know my own name, I became very frightened being in such darkness and unfamiliarity. For all I knew, I had just been born into another dimension. It took me about 5 minutes to recognize the theme music of The Office and realize what I was hearing was just a TV.

I thought I should get ready to drive and looked for my keys, which was the first concrete fact I could grasp onto in the sea of confusion. But I couldn't find any keys and still didn't know my name or where I was, though I somehow thought it was a truck stop.

In a moment of clarity, I yelled out for someone to bring me my phone. My son answered and just hearing his voice immediately brought back memories of him, Facebook, and my name. I was so relieved to have recognized his voice, which triggered remembrance of my phone, Facebook, and identity.

I quickly went and asked him where my wife was, still piecing together what had happened. For a long time after I couldn't stand hearing The Office, but now I'm a huge fan. However, those initial minutes alone and confused in the dark were truly frightening.

It took me a while to feel fully grounded again after that experience.