Thursday, February 28, 2008

The Dentist, you've got to love him.

My mouth hurts today.
On Tuesday I went to the dentist to have a cleaning. When they called me to remind me I had an appointment, i tried to cancel it due to the $$ I still owe from my last visit to Dr. Stanley.
Dr. Stanly is a salesman, and a pretty good dentist too.
The receptionist who called me assured me that my regular cleanings are covered by my insurance and I wouldn't have to pay a dime to get a good polish.
Reluctantly, I showed up early to my morning appointment with hope of preventing further $$$$ of mine in Dr. Stanley's pockets.
The nice blond hygienist with the cool face scar sat me in the first chair, closest to the door. My dentist office has high tech computer screens that show exactly what the assistants are looking at, filling out, my mouth history and my appointments. After an overview of the things that are wrong with my mouth she asks me if I floss regularly. I hate this question because I always say yes.... but it is always a lie.
It pings my insides to admit I am not a regular flosser, I have never been good at remembering it is as important as brushing. Don't get me wrong I floss, but is more of a convenience thing then a habit. Over and over again I find myself in that dentist chair with that bright light shining in my eyes, swearing that I am a regular flosser. Bloody gums just don't lie.
By this time I am laying down with her hands in my mouth listening to the same description of how to floss correctly. It is really hard to want to floss like the assistant tells me, it hurts!
Next step in my visit is this new sonic tool pick-thingie that feels like i am getting a sunburn on my gums. The hygienist keeps apologizing because she can see my tightly squinted eyes through my big orange protective goggles. The manual scraper stuff she was doing wasn't pleasant but I was relived when i saw her bust out the scratchy toothpaste and the buffer.
I always have thought that the polisher-brush tool was pretty similar to a floor buffer.
Anyway, After my cleaning was all said and done and my mouth was a little achy. I got to pick a green toothbrush and wait for the dentist to come appraise my teeth. Patiently sitting, I caught myself staring at the tool tray wondering how much my gums really did bleed. The assistant came in after 5 minutes of waiting and apologized for Dr. Stanley, apparently he was on a important call. After 5 more minutes the Dentist came and sat down next to me, armed with his white smile and witty humor. Once again it was pointed out to me how important flossing is and brushing and how I could do them better. After peering at my teeth he sent me home with 17$ toothpaste and a reminder of the crown I need to get when I pay off my bill.
Well, today my teeth hurt because i have been flossing daily and I have been told that my mouth will get used to it. One day i hope to walk into Dr. Stanley's office and walk out without having to pay for anything.

It is times like this I am really glad I have teeth, chewing would suck without them.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

working ghost town

I find myself sitting at work at my desk and the rest of the shop is shut down. During the January/February months work is slow for our printing company. I have been finding random things to do around the shop to keep myself busy.
Today and yesterday I cleaned out all of the closets, desks and cabinets in my department. I started to re-arrange the furniture and some how inspired my co-workers to join in.
I am kind of bored now that there is nothing else to clean.
...I got permission from the CEO to paint a window on the wall by my desk.
So I guess tomorrow I will be painting.