Chatmates or flatmates?
RSS Feeds or RSS political party? (No prizes for this one, btw)
Bloghop or hopscotch?
Orkutting or letter writing?
Web designing or art class?
Digital or SLR?
Pixels or pixies (in Enid Blyton)?
Aside, a modern oxymoron-- secret blog.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Modern Day Blues
O Lodd!
Everyone has one. Here's my dentist horror story....
Mine asked me to take an x-ray after which he announced that my wisdom teeth are still inside my gums. He said they haven't grown out yet and that I was only 75% wise! He then proceeded to cackle at his own bad joke.
This dentist is a Gujju, a tall, slim man, and goes by the name of Lodd Mahindra. When I was first referred to him by someone over the phone, I thought it was Lord Mahindra. That did it, I decided I had to meet this Indian Lord...my curiosity had peaked.
As typical of demonic dentists, his prognosis was that I was due for a root canal...probably one of the worst traumas a patient has to undergo in that horrid dentist's chair. Doc Lodd got his co-consultant to do a root canal on me while he sat and watched the entire event.
By then, I had turned into a screaming banshee, so I gather it was worth watching. But it turned out the root canal operation (literally) was a half done job. Apparently, my tooth had not been "capped". This was over 6 months ago.
In the last few months, the damn thing has been aching till kingdom come so I went to another dentist. I never saw his face 'cause from the moment I entered his room, he had a face mask on...am not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing...Anyway, this doc said the root canal needed further work and was incomplete. The same week I got a call from Dr. Lodd's clinic "inviting" me to come for the 2nd part of the root canal treatment, i.e., "capping the tooth".
I informed them that the *&#^% root canal was SIX months ago. The receptionist said they had gone through their "root canal patients record" and discovered that only the 1st stage had been done for me.
So I went back recently and Doc Lodd "sawed" my tooth in half so that the "cap" would fit. It was seriously brutal. My poor tooth is barely visible now. He then gave me the two available options for the "cap". A stainless steel cap or a white ceramic one. 1800 bucks for the former and 3500 bucks for the latter. On hearing this, my mouth fell open and I'm sure so did half of my teeth (of the few that are remaining). Doc Lodd laughed like an evil maniacal doc in a horror film.
I made enquiries about both options in detail. According to him, both were equally good as far as protecting the (half shorn) tooth was concerned. However, for "cosmetic" purposes, people prefer the white ceramic ones these days.
Since the tooth in question is the last molar in the upper corner of my jaw, I wondered if it would even be seen. Especially now that there was only a semblance of my old tooth left post his drilling and sawing. To which he replied that if I was at a party and people take pics of me smiling or laughing, the flash would actually reflect off the shiny stainless steel tooth and everyone would know I have a stainless steel tooth!! That statement apparently was supposed to be the clincher and punchline that would end the dilemma of stainless steel vs ceramic in a jiffy.
He won and I lost. Next thing I knew before i could open my eyes again, he had made a model of my teeth by sticking some godawful icky stuff inside my mouth, called a mould. It had chewing gum all over it. Or so it seemed.
I will soon be poorer in pocket by 3500 bucks, all in pursuit of a capped tooth that looks exactly like my tooth. Its like you apply make up that looks so natural that it appears as though you haven't applied any make up at all.
What a crazy world we live in. Fascinating no doubt. Particularly for dentists who have fun at the expense of their patients!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Let's Talk
Phew!
Breathing space at last…it really does feel good without you, I have to admit, every once in a while. You have become a habit, and not necessarily one that's good for me. I know you feel neglected, and it does bother me that I do not give you enough attention.
It was a rushed morning, and I did feel bad about leaving you behind, as I walked away, although it wasn't a conscious decision at the time. There was soon a feeling of emptiness, followed by remorse and longing. You were missed, but the ache is no longer there now.
The novelty of our relationship has been overcome and we've settled into a fairly comfy place. The buzz of electricity that I feel at your touch doesn't excite me as much as it did when we first met. It's still there, of course, and I do steal admiring glances at you even after all this time. During the initial days of our courtship when you wooed me with your dashing looks and charm, I grew lightheaded and lighthearted. I'm aware of the instances when I didn't treat you as well as you ought to be treated. Soon, the cracks began to show. People warned that I would drop you like a hot brick once I got bored…and it struck me how people passed judgments so easily and harshly on what I perceived to be minor foibles or quirks in my personality.
Today, however, despite the distance between us, thoughts of you have crossed my mind, but they are few and far between. What's done is done. I know from past experience that it is futile to mull over it (us?) beyond a point. To quote a famous postcard writing: "You are there, and I am here, and there is nothing one can do about it."
In a fit of impulsive thinking, I wanted to rush back and take you in my arms again. But it was a momentary and fleeting moment and I walked on ahead. Although I had promised to come and see you this evening, I need some time to think. This time apart should bring in the desired clarity, without you by my side to distract me.
I have so much to say to you, as I am certain you will have as much, by the end of the day. We seem to spend more time talking away AT each other. The long silences in between don't help either.
For now, though, I think I've said enough.
Will see you later tonight, dear cellphone.
Breathing space at last…it really does feel good without you, I have to admit, every once in a while. You have become a habit, and not necessarily one that's good for me. I know you feel neglected, and it does bother me that I do not give you enough attention.
It was a rushed morning, and I did feel bad about leaving you behind, as I walked away, although it wasn't a conscious decision at the time. There was soon a feeling of emptiness, followed by remorse and longing. You were missed, but the ache is no longer there now.
The novelty of our relationship has been overcome and we've settled into a fairly comfy place. The buzz of electricity that I feel at your touch doesn't excite me as much as it did when we first met. It's still there, of course, and I do steal admiring glances at you even after all this time. During the initial days of our courtship when you wooed me with your dashing looks and charm, I grew lightheaded and lighthearted. I'm aware of the instances when I didn't treat you as well as you ought to be treated. Soon, the cracks began to show. People warned that I would drop you like a hot brick once I got bored…and it struck me how people passed judgments so easily and harshly on what I perceived to be minor foibles or quirks in my personality.
Today, however, despite the distance between us, thoughts of you have crossed my mind, but they are few and far between. What's done is done. I know from past experience that it is futile to mull over it (us?) beyond a point. To quote a famous postcard writing: "You are there, and I am here, and there is nothing one can do about it."
In a fit of impulsive thinking, I wanted to rush back and take you in my arms again. But it was a momentary and fleeting moment and I walked on ahead. Although I had promised to come and see you this evening, I need some time to think. This time apart should bring in the desired clarity, without you by my side to distract me.
I have so much to say to you, as I am certain you will have as much, by the end of the day. We seem to spend more time talking away AT each other. The long silences in between don't help either.
For now, though, I think I've said enough.
Will see you later tonight, dear cellphone.
Blank Canvas
I want to write. I’m dying to write.To be funny, witty, profound, insightful. To grow, think, smile, and laugh.
And yet, all I am greeted with is a blank and empty imagination.
What am I lacking? Fodder for the imagination or fodder for the soul? Both?
Is it because a status quo life doesn’t warrant anything to write about? It’s pointless writing about the bygone past or the unforeseeable future. And what can one say or write about a non-existent present?
Writing about current events or issues that I feel strongly about, even that seems pointless once pen is put to paper, or in keeping with the times, cursor to url.
B-L-A-N-K has become my middle name. :-(
Tired of this! Need creative juices to flow again! Or was it just a short-lived spurt? Just like my life and my attitude? Everything in fits, starts, and short bursts that are too good to last?
Instead, why can’t I get tired of whining and moaning about this hole I’ve dug myself into? All I have to do is stand up and shove the sand aside. Instead sitting pretty seems to have gotten real comfy. Life has become a beanbag…unable to get outta this comfort zone.
Push. Kick. Shove. Just words right now, not actions. Hmmm…state of inertia. That’s the dominating phase at the moment.
Halp!! Of course...I just wrote...I could rinse and repeat! :P
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Much Ado About Nothing
Fifty and done: A fresh start. A fresh look. And hopefully a fresh perspective. A new space and yet old. Are there any lessons to be learnt? Hopefully, to fret less and chill more :-)
Year of the tetanus: Visited the same ER room of a hospital 3 times this year. Some deep cuts, some minor wounds and abrasions. Someone predicted a few health problems this year, but who had bargained for freak accidents? The prediction might well have been: "expect the unexpected". Atleast then, expectations would have been lower!
Friendship Bonds: Some loosened, some new ones made. The tight ones remain in status quo mode. Thank God for small mercies. Have to keep reminding self of these key phrases: To forgive and forget, and To love and let go!
Year of the tetanus: Visited the same ER room of a hospital 3 times this year. Some deep cuts, some minor wounds and abrasions. Someone predicted a few health problems this year, but who had bargained for freak accidents? The prediction might well have been: "expect the unexpected". Atleast then, expectations would have been lower!
Friendship Bonds: Some loosened, some new ones made. The tight ones remain in status quo mode. Thank God for small mercies. Have to keep reminding self of these key phrases: To forgive and forget, and To love and let go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)