Having fun. Wish I was here.

When my mom gets off of an airplane she will inevitably be in possession of the life story and email addresses of the other passengers that sat in her row. She knows that people are fascinating and everyone has a story and she wants to hear it. I love this about her.

Mom came over to hang out with Bob while I went to my endodontist appointment last week. As I left she said, "Have a good time!"

"Mom, I'm going to get a root canal."

"I know but you've never been there before. It's a new experience. You'll be meeting new people."

"I'll try."

I did try. It made a difference. I won't say that it was fun but it wasn't bad. I did meet new people and they were nice and my mouth was sore but it felt better and I tried.

I am trying to figure out how I can adapt this sage, have-a-good-time advice to driving in LA traffic. I'll let you know.

The Pros and Cons of Today's Root Canal

Recovering from a swollen cheek Photo by Bob

Not So Great:

1. The endodontist looked at my x-ray and said, "Whoa. Well, don't worry. It's mostly routine."

2. During the procedure there was an episode of "Guy's Big Bite" playing on a large flat screen behind the dental technician.

3. The sound of Billie Jean on the music system did little to drown out Guy Fieri's description of his fast Asian pickle marinade as "money."

4. The sound of a tiny drill inside my face did little to drown out Guy Fieri's Korean street food pork sandwich taking him on a "trip to Flavor Town."

5. I had a root canal.


Worth Every Dollar of the Co-Pay:

1. Our toothpaste-phobic child is now willing to brush with "awful barf paste" to avoid getting a "head cavity mouth canal like Mama."

Research

Things that hurt when you step on them barefoot, recent findings:

• Sponge Bob themed SIGG water bottle cap

• Playmobil garbage truck driver, "Rick"

• 3” wooden watermelon slice

• Battery operated fire truck toothbrush

• Sesame Street play thermometer, Elmo themed

• Boy’s clip on bow tie, navy blue

• Thomas the Tank Engine Pez dispenser

• Dismantled ladder from remote control fire truck

• Rocks, assorted ("The good ones from by the sprinkler thing.")

• Heavy aluminum 2” Abraham Lincoln figurine

• Legos, all models

• Play-Doh any form, hardened

• Emily and matching coal tender, wooden

• Legos (necessitates second mention)

• Handy Manny motorcycle wrench

• Time with Elmo book, esp. push buttons

• Matchbox cars, all; esp. tow truck

• Luke Skywalker miniature action figure, decapitated

• Plastic replica Spirit of St. Louis 2” in diameter

***Research is ongoing. You are invited to add your own results.