Continued from these thrilling installments:

• Part 1
• Part 2

Down Oxford Street again, for the second time within an hour, but walking as fast as I can.

Back across Hyde Park South, but instead of following the north-west path to Elizabeth and Park I took the west path to Bathurst and Elizabeth.

And as I approached the lights at that intersection, I wondered if I should do something just before going to the meeting…

…and ultimately, I though Why not? because I was going to be late anyway.

Across Elizabeth to the north side of Bathurst.

Down Bathurst to the 7-11 on the corner of Bathurst and Pitt, where I stopped to buy a big bottle of water because I was going to be late anyway.

Across Bathurst to its south side, and then west towards George.

Just before I got to George, I turned left into a food court in a building that was next door to my destination.

As I knew it would be, the food court was packed with a typical Sydney CBD lunchtime crowd.

I kept moving fast and weaved my way through the human asteroid field.

Finally, I made it to the other side unscathed and went through the doors to the building next door.

I went straight to the lifts.

I pressed UP and waited.

And waited.

Soon, one of the lifts pinged and its doors opened.

I got in and selected my floor, and as the doors closed and my ascent began I took my iPhone out to see what time it was –

12:28

Good grief. After all that – and I was still going to be on time?!?

A moment later, the lift pinged again and the doors opened.

I stepped out, went to reception, announced why I was there, and was pointed to a nearby room.

I walked in to find two other people there, including the meeting chairman, preparing to sit down.

I joined them, said hello, put down my bags and took out the first of many pocket tissues to soak up the sweat that was now flooding down my face.

*

A few minutes later, a fourth and final attendee arrived.

About five minutes after that, we found that the projector in our room wasn’t working and so we relocated to another room.

Just before 12:45, we finally got underway.

And as I’d hoped, it was an interesting meeting about how to plan the writing of technical documentation, some of which has helped me since.

*

In the weeks since that mad-shit morning, I’ve become extra careful whenever checking my pockets to ensure that everything that should be in them is there.

Although it was reassuring to learn during that hair-raising hour that I can now keep my cool enough to think and act quickly, and also be more prepared to take risks, I never want to find myself in a situation like that ever again.

Until next time, stay well and take care 🙂