My bizarre reaction to stress

Most people respond to stressful situations with a “fight or flight” response. It’s scientifically proven. However, I am an anomaly and respond to stresses with narcolepsy. Anything remotely painful or dangerous puts me to sleep. The evolutionary explanation for this behavior is beyond me. How could napping possibly have helped my ancestors survive bear attacks and pillaging? Is this all somehow possum related? Could I be allergic to adrenaline?

Anyway, this theory was clearly demonstrated yesterday when Rob and I went for a bike ride down to the Ferry Building after work. It was all fine and dandy until we ended up on Market Street in rush hour traffic on a tandem bicycle. Luckily, the person in the back has no steering power and I was able to simply close my eyes and hold on during the most treacherous moments. At some points I was pedaling so fast that Rob had to put on the breaks to slow us down. Of course, as soon as I got home it was lights out for Emily and I could barely stand up.

Somehow I managed to get roped in to going swimming (I think I was to tired to protest) fifteen minutes later. I am such a bad swimmer that a trip to the pool almost always sends me directly into shock. When I finally made it home at 10:00, I crashed into bed with the enthusiasm of someone who hasn’t slept in days. Does this happen to anyone else? Or am I just some sort of weird possum-person?