Adventures in Dentistry

Think about it ...
(Yes, it's a puzzle.)

So there I was, sitting at my desk on Thursday afternoon, breathlessly anticipating the end of the day and the three relaxing weeks to follow. When I had an odd feeling near the right front of my mouth, top row of teeth, seems my right canine had a, shall we say, problem.

(Source)

Yes, number six, that's the one.

As the day went on, the sensation went from, "Hhmm, what's that?" to "Damn it, that hurts." So I got on the phone to my dentist and managed to book an appointment for Friday morning. The pain was controllable with over the counter meds, so I wasn't that concerned. This toothache, as toothaches go, wasn't "that bad."

Was it not good? Oh yes, meine Kinder, it was very not good, but it was tolerable.

I slept fairly well Thursday night, well, except for the moment around 0400 where I bit down in my sleep and irritated the tooth in question. A couple of Advil settled it down and back to bed I went.

At the dentist an x-ray was taken and the dentist announced, "You're going to need a root canal." (I assume by now that you've puzzled out that opening photo.)

This, not being my first "root canal rodeo" meant that I was not surprised. Which seemed to take the dentist by surprise. "I've had five of these Doc, last one though was twenty years ago." I'm hoping the technology has advanced in that time. Because I am something of a sissy when it comes to dentistry.

Unfortunately the next available appointment with the specialist was the 28th of December, when I had planned on being in Maryland. No, the specialist is not in Maryland, but in Little Rhody. That's also over a week away. I expressed my concern, the doc said that the amoxicillin should calm things now (infected nerve dontcha know is what's causing the, ahem, discomfort).

The lady making the appointment with the specialist exchanged words with her counterpart on the other end of the phone line. I was told that "people are always cancelling appointments just before Christmas, if someone cancels do you want a call?"

"Why yes, yes I do."

So here's hoping someone chickens out early next week and I can get in and get this bloody tooth fixed. Then I can go to Maryland and enjoy myself. If not? Then it will be a short trip for Christmas.

I love it when a plan comes together ...

Don't you?

 

Not Good

It's pretty here at night from the 27th floor. I'm changing hotels tomorrow, the next one is quite a bit shorter, smaller too. Had to leave my regular place as some big to-do is in town and the place was flooded with suits, evening gowns, and big black SUVs outside. You'd think the Feds were in town or something.

So I have to move on, not a problem, the rest of the crew is already over at the other place. And the breakfast over there is pretty good I'm told.

And it's free.

I like free.

Anyhoo, work has been painful this week, some minor successes, a lot of "What the f**k just happened?" moments. We have limited time to figure it out. It's kinda embarrassing I tell you.

I think this video describes how it feels ...

Yup.  Painful.

Did I mention how pretty it is at night?

Sigh ...

I suppose one could say, "at least it can't get much worse."

Some days you get the bear ...

... Some days the bear gets you.

Yeah, it's like that.

Battered and Bruised, But Still Afloat

German battle cruiser SMS Derfflinger
(Launched 1913)
View of combat damage, taken in June 1916, following the Battle of Jutland. Note 150mm guns
(one with muzzle shot off), 88mm anti-aircraft guns, and damaged torpedo nets.
(Source)

I do believe I've had more fun in my life. This trip ain't it.

Testing is up and down, too many people in the room, too many people trying to be in charge, chaos threatens to rule the day. Yet we press on.

The goal is to wrap this up within the next week or so.

We'll work right through until it's done.

I need a break.

Holidays are upcoming.

I'll be taking some time off. Man, do I need it.