LXX
May 1, 2023 8:10 AM Subscribe
Free thread! (I was planning on being more creative and going to metatalk and trying to set up a schedule, but I'm a little hungover and the morning is getting away from me. So here we are)
I have dental surgery in 2 hours (the first phase of getting an implant).
I am 53 years old and the first time in my life I had a GOOD experience with a dentist was when I was 46. (In fact, one of those bad experiences is probably contributing to WHY I am getting dental surgery today.)
I have a sedative to take before and they're using nitrous on me, but that's not for another hour and a half. Distract me please, I beg of you.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 AM on May 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
I am 53 years old and the first time in my life I had a GOOD experience with a dentist was when I was 46. (In fact, one of those bad experiences is probably contributing to WHY I am getting dental surgery today.)
I have a sedative to take before and they're using nitrous on me, but that's not for another hour and a half. Distract me please, I beg of you.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 AM on May 1, 2023 [11 favorites]
Someone might want to make a main post, but I'm just sticking it here:
The Supreme Court will reconsider the Chevron doctrine. The Court held in 1984 that when Congress hasn't spoken directly to the precise issue, the courts should defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of what authority they have.
Overturning this would be a BFD.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [6 favorites]
The Supreme Court will reconsider the Chevron doctrine. The Court held in 1984 that when Congress hasn't spoken directly to the precise issue, the courts should defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of what authority they have.
Overturning this would be a BFD.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [6 favorites]
that's a Gorgik for you, always wanting to free stuff
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 8:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 8:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Replaying this 15 second video [twitter link] repeatedly should entertain you for a good 90 minutes.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:44 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:44 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm going to an oral surgeon later this week to deal with that One Tooth. I have had three root canals in this tooth, and then an implant that failed, and now another implant that is also failing, because apparently (according to the dentist) I keep insisting on actually chewing.
The rest of my teeth are in excellent shape for my age, but there is that One Tooth.
posted by Peach at 8:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
The rest of my teeth are in excellent shape for my age, but there is that One Tooth.
posted by Peach at 8:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Empress, I hope your surgery goes brilliantly, your anesthesia is enjoyable, and your recovery is fast and easy.
To entertain you, I offer up some brilliant, hilarious, and really gay videos:
Todrick Hall:
Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels
I Like Boys
Orville Peck:
C'mon Baby Cry
Hope To Die
posted by MrVisible at 8:54 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
To entertain you, I offer up some brilliant, hilarious, and really gay videos:
Todrick Hall:
Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels
I Like Boys
Orville Peck:
C'mon Baby Cry
Hope To Die
posted by MrVisible at 8:54 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am super not going to go into dental bad history or anything but I will say that after it all gets fixed up and finally starts going your way is awesome and honestly just as emotionally healing as it is toothy healing.
In terms of distractions: so I bought an Apple IIe which has been an aspirational thing for me for, I shit you not, over 40 years. Consuming and buying things is not really my jam in general but for the last decade or so I've been in a position to kind of get revenge on some of the deeper deprivations and yearnings of my past. This one -- honestly a pretty modest purchase as they go, it's not like I bought a Ferrari or something -- kind of caps the whole thing off.
A fairly large swath of Americans in roughly my generation encountered these things in at least some manner during their schooling. Some of them went on to do computer stuff, some of them went on to do not-computer stuff, but for many this was the first glimpse into the thing that was coming. It wasn't mine, but man, those things were sweet. And important.
posted by majick at 8:57 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
In terms of distractions: so I bought an Apple IIe which has been an aspirational thing for me for, I shit you not, over 40 years. Consuming and buying things is not really my jam in general but for the last decade or so I've been in a position to kind of get revenge on some of the deeper deprivations and yearnings of my past. This one -- honestly a pretty modest purchase as they go, it's not like I bought a Ferrari or something -- kind of caps the whole thing off.
A fairly large swath of Americans in roughly my generation encountered these things in at least some manner during their schooling. Some of them went on to do computer stuff, some of them went on to do not-computer stuff, but for many this was the first glimpse into the thing that was coming. It wasn't mine, but man, those things were sweet. And important.
posted by majick at 8:57 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
Peach: so, when I said I hadn't had good experiences with a dentist....
* I have one parent who has a big jaw and big teeth, and another parent who has a small jaw and small teeth. I got the big teeth and the small jaw, and when my permanent teeth were coming in they were getting SUPER crowded. And thus - I had four of my permanent teeth pulled when I was only about seven or eight years old.
* I got braces at ten. They did not come off until I was fourteen.
* The orthodontist then prescribed me a retainer....and then updated that to a different retainer...and then something else....and then some kind of thing that had prickers on it that would be affixed to the back of my front teeth...and then....and he kept on diagnosing me with weirder and weirder things for the next two years, until the point when my parents finally asked my brother's orthodontist for a second opinion. They said, essentially, "we have no idea what the fuck he's talking about." And that's how everyone found out that my orthodontist had been having a nervous breakdown. (My brother's orthodontist said the only way to really finish fixing my teeth would be to break and re-set my jaw....but then they added that the only improvement that would bring would be cosmetic, since functionally I was fine. So we could just stop if we wanted, and I chose that option.)
* I have a very strong gag reflex. I threw up on a couple dentists as a kid, and it's still pretty strong....and it's at its worst in my top right side, way in the back. And that's PRECISELY where I had to get a root canal once, and the dentist I was seeing didn't know how to handle that and I kept choking during the procedure and she kept acting like it was my fault which just made me guilty and anxious and that made it even worse.
* The crown on that root canal left too much space between it and the neighboring tooth, and for the past 20 years stuff has kept getting stuck back there; and that's lead to the huge cavity that's apparently been slowly growing underneath both those teeth, and that's the whole reason why I'm getting them both pulled today and need implants now.
....When I was signing up for my first appointment with my current dentist, they had a text box on the intake form asking if you had bad experiences with dentists and if so, what happened. I needed a second sheet of paper.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:03 AM on May 1, 2023 [9 favorites]
* I have one parent who has a big jaw and big teeth, and another parent who has a small jaw and small teeth. I got the big teeth and the small jaw, and when my permanent teeth were coming in they were getting SUPER crowded. And thus - I had four of my permanent teeth pulled when I was only about seven or eight years old.
* I got braces at ten. They did not come off until I was fourteen.
* The orthodontist then prescribed me a retainer....and then updated that to a different retainer...and then something else....and then some kind of thing that had prickers on it that would be affixed to the back of my front teeth...and then....and he kept on diagnosing me with weirder and weirder things for the next two years, until the point when my parents finally asked my brother's orthodontist for a second opinion. They said, essentially, "we have no idea what the fuck he's talking about." And that's how everyone found out that my orthodontist had been having a nervous breakdown. (My brother's orthodontist said the only way to really finish fixing my teeth would be to break and re-set my jaw....but then they added that the only improvement that would bring would be cosmetic, since functionally I was fine. So we could just stop if we wanted, and I chose that option.)
* I have a very strong gag reflex. I threw up on a couple dentists as a kid, and it's still pretty strong....and it's at its worst in my top right side, way in the back. And that's PRECISELY where I had to get a root canal once, and the dentist I was seeing didn't know how to handle that and I kept choking during the procedure and she kept acting like it was my fault which just made me guilty and anxious and that made it even worse.
* The crown on that root canal left too much space between it and the neighboring tooth, and for the past 20 years stuff has kept getting stuck back there; and that's lead to the huge cavity that's apparently been slowly growing underneath both those teeth, and that's the whole reason why I'm getting them both pulled today and need implants now.
....When I was signing up for my first appointment with my current dentist, they had a text box on the intake form asking if you had bad experiences with dentists and if so, what happened. I needed a second sheet of paper.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:03 AM on May 1, 2023 [9 favorites]
Beloved Empress,
I too have had awful dental experiences, and had to have teeth pulled later in life. The good news is that the only part that hurts is the numbing shots. You'll be a little sore afterwards, but take the antibacterial mouthwash and keep the area clean and you'll be fine.
Trust me, despite being a burly man, I'm a mouth-pain coward.
And keep the nitrous at a good level by focusing on not giggling and telling them you're not feeling it until your feet feel like balloons slowly drifting toward the ceiling. That may just be a very drug tolerant me talking though.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 9:16 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
I too have had awful dental experiences, and had to have teeth pulled later in life. The good news is that the only part that hurts is the numbing shots. You'll be a little sore afterwards, but take the antibacterial mouthwash and keep the area clean and you'll be fine.
Trust me, despite being a burly man, I'm a mouth-pain coward.
And keep the nitrous at a good level by focusing on not giggling and telling them you're not feeling it until your feet feel like balloons slowly drifting toward the ceiling. That may just be a very drug tolerant me talking though.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 9:16 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
I spent most of my pandemic getting dental surgery after dental surgery because it was the only time they had so many appointments available in such quick succession, including a same-hour referral to the orthodontist next door for an emergency root canal. This is largely the consequence of having such a sadistic pediatric dentist that I avoided going entirely from about the ages 18-27 and again for another 15 years after that. I made it through probably a dozen procedures involving almost every tooth in my mouth without so much as a whisper of pain or discomfort. Now people compliment me on my teeth unprompted and all I can think about is what it ultimately took to get here. So I speak as someone who understands the magnitude of potential anxieties around dental stuff when I say you're gonna be great. (And I'd guess I'm now more fastidious about dental hygiene than 95% of people I know.)
posted by mykescipark at 9:18 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by mykescipark at 9:18 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
Honestly the gag reflex is the thing that has me most wigged out because it's the tooth where the gag reflex was causing so much trouble last time god-dammit and now I'm afraid that in the middle of the surgery I'm going to choke and then aspirate on my vomit and die or something, aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:20 AM on May 1, 2023
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:20 AM on May 1, 2023
An awesome dentist will help you work around all this. That is their job! Some dentists suck at their job and some are really great at actually working through all of it. They're there to help you and get you through it! You got this.
posted by majick at 9:22 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by majick at 9:22 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Is this a good place to just say "Hi"? I'm a long time lurker. This isn't quite my first comment but it's been a very long time.
posted by klint at 9:23 AM on May 1, 2023 [42 favorites]
posted by klint at 9:23 AM on May 1, 2023 [42 favorites]
I spent part of the morning pruning my Favorites - started with posts, not comments, working my way to the present from 2006. Got them down from 2500+ to 500. The saved Asks were an interesting review of my evolving headspace over the past 17 years (so many diet questions; also how can I enjoy exercise more; eleventy jillion organization / personal finance tips; how to be nicer / meaner / more effective / care more / care less about work), plus hundreds of threads with recommendations of books I'll never get around to reading, shows I've already watched, hotels that are probably closed, and podcasts that are long over. From the Blue, just so many dead links. Would I recommend? Probably not, but it beat working this Monday morning.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 9:23 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 9:23 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
omg so much dental trauma! like, could this not be done better some how?
I HATED my orthodontist, who seemed pretty sadistic to my teenaged eyes. also the handlebar moustache (this was the 80s). really loathed that man. who I later heard had retired from orthodonty to become...a sea captain!!!!!!! wow.
Empress, I wish you the absolute best possible experience and the absolute quickest and most complete recovery. I too hate getting my teeth worked on :(
posted by supermedusa at 9:24 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I HATED my orthodontist, who seemed pretty sadistic to my teenaged eyes. also the handlebar moustache (this was the 80s). really loathed that man. who I later heard had retired from orthodonty to become...a sea captain!!!!!!! wow.
Empress, I wish you the absolute best possible experience and the absolute quickest and most complete recovery. I too hate getting my teeth worked on :(
posted by supermedusa at 9:24 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
every dentist I've been to has taken an xray of my teeth, told me that it looks great, no problems but I should probably get X expensive procedure at which point I cancel the next appointment and screening before going back in for a checkup a couple years later at a new dental practice
this has been a rinse and repeat process for 15 years now and I suspect it's going to be a while longer before I break this tradition given, well, capitalism's effect on healthcare
posted by paimapi at 9:25 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
this has been a rinse and repeat process for 15 years now and I suspect it's going to be a while longer before I break this tradition given, well, capitalism's effect on healthcare
posted by paimapi at 9:25 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
It's such a shame that dental care in the USA is a shared trauma for so many people. Then add on the out of pocket cost...
Can I just take this moment and advocate for both DENTAL and EYE insurance to be free and
mandatory in the USA?!
(alongwithMedicalinsuranceofcourse)
posted by djseafood at 9:25 AM on May 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
Can I just take this moment and advocate for both DENTAL and EYE insurance to be free and
mandatory in the USA?!
(alongwithMedicalinsuranceofcourse)
posted by djseafood at 9:25 AM on May 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
After years and years of mid-80s orthodontic trauma, I have to salute you Empress for going anywhere near a dental practice.
Yeah, my teeth are destroyed but the pain I would endure at a dentist's office--physical and emotional--is waaay worse than the shitshow I'm left with.
Fuck orthodonture, fuck dentists.
All love and support to you Empress!!
posted by riverlife at 9:29 AM on May 1, 2023
Yeah, my teeth are destroyed but the pain I would endure at a dentist's office--physical and emotional--is waaay worse than the shitshow I'm left with.
Fuck orthodonture, fuck dentists.
All love and support to you Empress!!
posted by riverlife at 9:29 AM on May 1, 2023
Random non-dental related link: Wikipedia user Junnn11 has spent years making hundreds of beautiful illustrations of arthropods for Wikipedia pages. Both lovely and accurate.
posted by thatwhichfalls at 9:31 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by thatwhichfalls at 9:31 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
In terms of distractions: so I bought an Apple IIe
I am also getting into Apple IIe dev, in a fairly serious way. I replied on your AskMe because I tend to gush about my project and I figured it was a slightly more focused and appreciative audience there.
posted by notoriety public at 9:32 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am also getting into Apple IIe dev, in a fairly serious way. I replied on your AskMe because I tend to gush about my project and I figured it was a slightly more focused and appreciative audience there.
posted by notoriety public at 9:32 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hi klint
posted by saladin at 9:33 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by saladin at 9:33 AM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
I'm going to go "la la la not reading all the dental stuff" and go on to my weekend. I saw a few shows, which were good. I did karaoke. I avoided seeing a certain person and everyone keeps bringing up to me that they saw said person, which is not awesome. I am getting very tired of pretending that Everything Is Okay when it is not, but I will be in worse trouble if I am publicly, openly Not Okay Not Okay Not Okay. I had rehearsal on Sunday, which had people dropping like flies and I was one of the few ones there. Everyone is arguing over which key I should sing a song in, and unfortunately I was completely unable to consult with my singing teacher because she has auditions and tech week this week and her rehearsal went way over time and neither of us has any time to reschedule. Nothing I can do, but sucks anyway. C'est ma vie.
Tech week #2 (two tech weeks?!) starts this week. The weather has gone from 80's/90's to 60, and I have to wear a skimpy dress and perform at night outside. Whee! I do not feel prepared, but the last time we did this show we had a lot more rehearsal time, and this one we just plain do not, so....yeah.
Oh yeah, and we have a serial killer in my town right now, as two people got stabbed to death a few days apart in city parks at night this week. (Looks like the police picked up someone matching the description and had a knife, though, so...fingers crossed?) I note I live somewhere where we last had a murder in 2020, so... And someone threatened to kidnap a woman into a van a block from my home this weekend too, so that's awesome. I unfortunately have to deal with the death paperwork of one of the murder victims today, so that's another fun thing.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:39 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Tech week #2 (two tech weeks?!) starts this week. The weather has gone from 80's/90's to 60, and I have to wear a skimpy dress and perform at night outside. Whee! I do not feel prepared, but the last time we did this show we had a lot more rehearsal time, and this one we just plain do not, so....yeah.
Oh yeah, and we have a serial killer in my town right now, as two people got stabbed to death a few days apart in city parks at night this week. (Looks like the police picked up someone matching the description and had a knife, though, so...fingers crossed?) I note I live somewhere where we last had a murder in 2020, so... And someone threatened to kidnap a woman into a van a block from my home this weekend too, so that's awesome. I unfortunately have to deal with the death paperwork of one of the murder victims today, so that's another fun thing.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:39 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
I grew up going to military dentists, guys trained in performing dental work quickly and cheaply. I had an abscessed tooth in 10th grade that the Army dentist decided to pull without Novocaine. Under his theory, the infection was so bad the Novocaine wouldn't be effective anyway. I don't have any lasting trauma from the event, so maybe he was right.
posted by COD at 9:44 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by COD at 9:44 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I went to see Rhiannon Giddens' gig in Gateshead over the weekend, so this week's music pick is her version (of Ethel Waters' version) of Underneath Our Harlem Moon. And here's the 1933 movie clip which inspired Giddens to cover the song: a 1933 performance by Waters herself, showing how she rewrote and reclaimed it from the mocking white Tin Pan Alley composers' racist original to become a song of pride in her own community.
posted by Paul Slade at 9:51 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Paul Slade at 9:51 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
I feel you on the "big teeth, small jaw" thing. I am currently missing six enormous teeth and there are two more crowded entirely out of line into the roof of my mouth that it would be too disruptive to remove. At least since I've moved to Toronto I've only seen competent dentists.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:52 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Sega Master System I purchased from a seller on Ebay arrived on Saturday, so I spent a good amount of time with Phantasy Star, Quartet, and Hang On over the weekend. The original intention was to put together Little-Scale's MIDI interface and use it for music, but I figured I might as well start a game collection, too. Phantasy Star and Ys are a little pricey (I haven't picked up Ys yet -- I'm sure I will), but most of the other games I've wanted have been pretty reasonable, even with the cases and manuals.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 9:56 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 9:56 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
(If it's any consolation my partner spent their youth going to dentists in Germany and it has not turned out well in the long run. It's slowly winding down, but only slowly. It is a horror for which I feel great sorrow every six months or so when some new dental misfortune arises.)
On an entirely different note - I went to see Marc Ribot and 'the Jazz-bins' play on Friday and it absolutely blew the top of my head off. It was in the Kammermusiksaal of the Berlin Philharmonic (a wacky, geometrically hip and interesting in an early 70's way space that, none the less sounds terrific) : which was wildly incongruous. The band is a trio, guitar, drums and Hammond organ and they beat was so, so, so strong and the musician-ship so crazy virtuosic that there were moments when I looked around and wondered 'where the hell am I? I hearing this here?' (it's a space designed for string quartets, octets, chamber music, quiet stuff). I wasn't sure what to expect but Greg Lewis (organ) picked the whole building up the scruff of its neck and shook it. It was amazing, a sonic tidal wave that mixed gospel and blues and funk and NYC Bang-On-A-Can avant-garde ...
We left and the world looked different. If you get the chance to see them, go out of your way, it's worth the trip
posted by From Bklyn at 9:59 AM on May 1, 2023 [6 favorites]
On an entirely different note - I went to see Marc Ribot and 'the Jazz-bins' play on Friday and it absolutely blew the top of my head off. It was in the Kammermusiksaal of the Berlin Philharmonic (a wacky, geometrically hip and interesting in an early 70's way space that, none the less sounds terrific) : which was wildly incongruous. The band is a trio, guitar, drums and Hammond organ and they beat was so, so, so strong and the musician-ship so crazy virtuosic that there were moments when I looked around and wondered 'where the hell am I? I hearing this here?' (it's a space designed for string quartets, octets, chamber music, quiet stuff). I wasn't sure what to expect but Greg Lewis (organ) picked the whole building up the scruff of its neck and shook it. It was amazing, a sonic tidal wave that mixed gospel and blues and funk and NYC Bang-On-A-Can avant-garde ...
We left and the world looked different. If you get the chance to see them, go out of your way, it's worth the trip
posted by From Bklyn at 9:59 AM on May 1, 2023 [6 favorites]
The weather is beautiful this week in Denver. The Avs lost their chance at a second Stanley cup but the sun is shining so who cares.
Went to see MBMBAM live show Saturday, that was a fun time.
posted by emjaybee at 10:05 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Went to see MBMBAM live show Saturday, that was a fun time.
posted by emjaybee at 10:05 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Kraken fans care, that's who emjaybee!
posted by Windopaene at 10:13 AM on May 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 10:13 AM on May 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
I've never felt particularly thankful for my small jaw, because it's inconvenient in some ways, but on reading this thread it's clear that getting my mother's small teeth in my small jaw was vastly preferable to getting my dad's big teeth in said small jaw.
I'm 11 days out from top surgery and generally healing up well. Surprised at how completely normal and natural my flat chest seems compared to what used to be there, even though I'd wanted it for so long that I don't know why I'm surprised. In the 48 hours before surgery I had a surge of doubts along the lines of 'what if the breasts nature gave me are actually perfect and this is a huge mistake' but I think it was just jitters, because it hasn't felt like a mistake at all since it happened. Just deeply right for me. I feel like I cheated the entire process by paying out of pocket with an overseas surgeon who uses an informed consent model, never once interfacing with the UK's entirely fucked gender services. It took less than four months from first contacting my surgeon's office to getting the procedure done, which feels unreal. I look better in a shirt than I dreamed possible.
I did manage to run into one complication last weekend - my digestive tract tried to speed run the process of waking up after anaesthesia, and I blew out a hemorrhoid, resulting in about fifteen hours of the worst cramps of my life and more blood than one ever wants to see coming from that particular orifice. Ended up going to the ER because it was Sunday and all the urgent cares were closed, where they gave me something that miraculously stopped the cramps and a course of cipro to make sure nothing got infected. Honestly that entire process (including the cipro) was far, far worse than any of the recovery stuff from the actual surgery has been. I'm hugely grateful to the Spanish medical system for fixing me up entirely free of charge; that seems like a miracle considering I felt so gross when we arrived at the hospital that I'd have happily paid anywhere from €300-1000 to make it stop.
All thankfully resolved now, and I'm feeling better every day (and healthy enough intestinally that I actively want to eat curry, which is a big improvement over the Time of Broth and Crackers last weekend), but it was super weird having such an intense complication that was basically nothing to do with the crux of the actual procedure. We have a few more days in Madrid and then home, where the weed is.
posted by terretu at 10:25 AM on May 1, 2023 [12 favorites]
I'm 11 days out from top surgery and generally healing up well. Surprised at how completely normal and natural my flat chest seems compared to what used to be there, even though I'd wanted it for so long that I don't know why I'm surprised. In the 48 hours before surgery I had a surge of doubts along the lines of 'what if the breasts nature gave me are actually perfect and this is a huge mistake' but I think it was just jitters, because it hasn't felt like a mistake at all since it happened. Just deeply right for me. I feel like I cheated the entire process by paying out of pocket with an overseas surgeon who uses an informed consent model, never once interfacing with the UK's entirely fucked gender services. It took less than four months from first contacting my surgeon's office to getting the procedure done, which feels unreal. I look better in a shirt than I dreamed possible.
I did manage to run into one complication last weekend - my digestive tract tried to speed run the process of waking up after anaesthesia, and I blew out a hemorrhoid, resulting in about fifteen hours of the worst cramps of my life and more blood than one ever wants to see coming from that particular orifice. Ended up going to the ER because it was Sunday and all the urgent cares were closed, where they gave me something that miraculously stopped the cramps and a course of cipro to make sure nothing got infected. Honestly that entire process (including the cipro) was far, far worse than any of the recovery stuff from the actual surgery has been. I'm hugely grateful to the Spanish medical system for fixing me up entirely free of charge; that seems like a miracle considering I felt so gross when we arrived at the hospital that I'd have happily paid anywhere from €300-1000 to make it stop.
All thankfully resolved now, and I'm feeling better every day (and healthy enough intestinally that I actively want to eat curry, which is a big improvement over the Time of Broth and Crackers last weekend), but it was super weird having such an intense complication that was basically nothing to do with the crux of the actual procedure. We have a few more days in Madrid and then home, where the weed is.
posted by terretu at 10:25 AM on May 1, 2023 [12 favorites]
I have only gone to a dentist five times in my life.
After the first time when I was maybe eight I told my parents I was never doing that again, and they didn’t press the issue. I ate massive quantities of about every sugary thing there was, was anything but conscientious about brushing, and never flossed even once, yet I was vaguely aware other kids were living very different lives and worried about that from time to time.
On the second occasion, at the behest of my girlfriend who was kind of shocked about my history, when I was 21 and in my last year of college, the dentist was acting kind of strangely, I thought, but what standard of comparison did I have?
I was fearing the worst, and he finally turned away and said "if everyone had a mouth like yours, dentistry as a profession could not exist — but you might as well have them cleaned", which his hygienist then did.
Two weeks later I developed an infection in an impacted wisdom tooth, and there is little doubt in my mind that the cleaning drove the bacteria which caused the infection down into the gums where they got access to the tooth.
I’m having some problems now, probably because of a combination of the enamel dysplasia that goes along with celiac disease, and the fact that for maybe a year before I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia, I chewed ice cubes obsessively, which is apparently associated with PA.
posted by jamjam at 10:26 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
After the first time when I was maybe eight I told my parents I was never doing that again, and they didn’t press the issue. I ate massive quantities of about every sugary thing there was, was anything but conscientious about brushing, and never flossed even once, yet I was vaguely aware other kids were living very different lives and worried about that from time to time.
On the second occasion, at the behest of my girlfriend who was kind of shocked about my history, when I was 21 and in my last year of college, the dentist was acting kind of strangely, I thought, but what standard of comparison did I have?
I was fearing the worst, and he finally turned away and said "if everyone had a mouth like yours, dentistry as a profession could not exist — but you might as well have them cleaned", which his hygienist then did.
Two weeks later I developed an infection in an impacted wisdom tooth, and there is little doubt in my mind that the cleaning drove the bacteria which caused the infection down into the gums where they got access to the tooth.
I’m having some problems now, probably because of a combination of the enamel dysplasia that goes along with celiac disease, and the fact that for maybe a year before I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia, I chewed ice cubes obsessively, which is apparently associated with PA.
posted by jamjam at 10:26 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
bwahahahahahha, Boston. Hahahahahahah.
Context
Mrs Abehammerb, "I've never heard you laugh so hard at the end of a hockey game."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:29 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Context
Mrs Abehammerb, "I've never heard you laugh so hard at the end of a hockey game."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:29 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
When I moved to the USA from Canada, I was super poor for awhile (due to not being allowed to work for nine months, primarily) and stopped seeing the dentist. Luckily my teeth were in pretty good shape. When I got more stable, I started seeing a dentist here in Nashville but they just mde me feel exploited and like they were racking up unnecessary charges, so I went to my parents' dentist when I was home (who confirmed that I needed to replace my 30-year-old fillings but that otherwise they were just making things up to get money out of me). So I've been getting either very expensive or very cheap dental care in Canada for the last decade, depending if you count the cost of the trip (I don't, because I'm going to see my parents and the dentist is adjunct to that).
I have a real horror of American dentists. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if the Canadian government starts covering dentistry (which it should!) - I am afraid I will no longer be able to just pay out of pocket, but maybe they will still allow it. There must be a lot of Americans in border towns who get their dental care in Canada.
Anyway.
Over the weekend I finished the mural I've been painting for over a year.
posted by joannemerriam at 10:47 AM on May 1, 2023 [19 favorites]
I have a real horror of American dentists. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if the Canadian government starts covering dentistry (which it should!) - I am afraid I will no longer be able to just pay out of pocket, but maybe they will still allow it. There must be a lot of Americans in border towns who get their dental care in Canada.
Anyway.
Over the weekend I finished the mural I've been painting for over a year.
posted by joannemerriam at 10:47 AM on May 1, 2023 [19 favorites]
just making things up to get money out of me
This is a real problem in the US.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:56 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
This is a real problem in the US.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:56 AM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
so I bought an Apple IIe
Congrats! A IIe was my first legit computer after the pirated II Plus I'd gotten in Asia. Many hours of Ultima logged on that bad boy. Enjoy!
posted by the sobsister at 10:58 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Congrats! A IIe was my first legit computer after the pirated II Plus I'd gotten in Asia. Many hours of Ultima logged on that bad boy. Enjoy!
posted by the sobsister at 10:58 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Fingers crossed that the Empress has a good dental experience. I'm convinced that (at least, here in the UK) the level of expertise varies alarmingly between dentists.
Private dentistry seems to be a growing thing: I have eight dentists within walking distance of my house here in South London, all private, all with fancy surgeries. And not cheap, which probably explains why one guy drives a Lamborghini.
After a lot of bad experiences over the years, my many fillings are starting to break down and there's often not enough tooth left to repair, so when the discomfort gets too bad in a week or two I'll head off and spend another few hundred on... not quite sure yet. I have a couple of gaps to fill where teeth have been removed (and boy, was the last extraction a doozy!). So possibly implants but I'm not sure I can afford them. I wonder if false teeth are still a thing?
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Private dentistry seems to be a growing thing: I have eight dentists within walking distance of my house here in South London, all private, all with fancy surgeries. And not cheap, which probably explains why one guy drives a Lamborghini.
After a lot of bad experiences over the years, my many fillings are starting to break down and there's often not enough tooth left to repair, so when the discomfort gets too bad in a week or two I'll head off and spend another few hundred on... not quite sure yet. I have a couple of gaps to fill where teeth have been removed (and boy, was the last extraction a doozy!). So possibly implants but I'm not sure I can afford them. I wonder if false teeth are still a thing?
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Today, a little past my one-year anniversary of being discharged from the hospital, for the first time I met someone in real life who has also had disseminated blastomycosis. (Ironically, it was the phlebotomist who was drawing my blood for antifungal levels.) We agreed that it messes you up pretty thoroughly. I wish I had prepared some more questions for the occasion.
Any blasto survivors here?
posted by Not A Thing at 11:07 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Any blasto survivors here?
posted by Not A Thing at 11:07 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Empress, I hope your dental appointment goes smoothly. While I don't look forward to the dentist, I don't fear it either. I have one elderly filling that will need replaced at some point.
Spouse and I went out for a super fancy meal. Partially a belated anniversary celebration, as we missed our plans due to covid and partially "we still have the money for this right now and have wanted to go to this restaurant for 15 years, so lets do it". It was a most excellent dining experience.
Now I'm trying to keep an asthma flare from turning into a full blown visit the ER and end up on a course of prednisone.
I hope mygothlaundry pops in, as I am weirdly invested in finding out if there was a fully successful vanquishment of Other Grandmother.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 11:20 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Spouse and I went out for a super fancy meal. Partially a belated anniversary celebration, as we missed our plans due to covid and partially "we still have the money for this right now and have wanted to go to this restaurant for 15 years, so lets do it". It was a most excellent dining experience.
Now I'm trying to keep an asthma flare from turning into a full blown visit the ER and end up on a course of prednisone.
I hope mygothlaundry pops in, as I am weirdly invested in finding out if there was a fully successful vanquishment of Other Grandmother.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 11:20 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Last Friday I met Aaron Paul at a Phish concert. Nice dude.
That is all.
posted by bondcliff at 11:38 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
That is all.
posted by bondcliff at 11:38 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
I was having a crown replaced one time, and after removing the temporary, and getting the new one in position, the dentist dropped it right down my throat. That was fun. But, I was heavily gassed, (agree never act like you are enjoying that too much or they will shut you down), and it didn't go into my windpipe, so it was OK.
Also, never went "looking for it" later. Not enough gold there to be worth my while for that shit...
Get it? Huehuehuehue
posted by Windopaene at 12:00 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also, never went "looking for it" later. Not enough gold there to be worth my while for that shit...
Get it? Huehuehuehue
posted by Windopaene at 12:00 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
While I've had decent experiences with most dentists, dental work's often preceded some other thing going wrong, like the dentist's office closing for good, the AC having to be replaced, or COVID. Makes me nervous.
I'm curious about the ][e. Can you get floppies for it anymore, or does it have a USB adaptor? Any other modernization tricks?
I recently started going through my comics, with the end goal of cataloging and selling them. After going through 3 boxes (of 12), I find that roughly half are DC, and the rest split evenly between Marvel and independents. (These are from the 80s through the early 00s.) It's quite the trip through memory lane. (Injustice makes Tenzil Kim hungry, and you don't want to make him hungry.)
posted by Spike Glee at 12:03 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm curious about the ][e. Can you get floppies for it anymore, or does it have a USB adaptor? Any other modernization tricks?
I recently started going through my comics, with the end goal of cataloging and selling them. After going through 3 boxes (of 12), I find that roughly half are DC, and the rest split evenly between Marvel and independents. (These are from the 80s through the early 00s.) It's quite the trip through memory lane. (Injustice makes Tenzil Kim hungry, and you don't want to make him hungry.)
posted by Spike Glee at 12:03 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm curious about the ][e. Can you get floppies for it anymore, or does it have a USB adaptor? Any other modernization tricks?
Floppies are getting harder and harder to get, nobody makes the media anymore and the existing stock is slowly decaying and becoming unreliable.
However, there are a number of interface cards available that provide the ability to use CF, SD, USB sticks, etc, as hard drives. These are all much faster, much bigger, much more reliable, and much easier to get disk images on and off, compared to floppies.
There are also interfaces to allow connecting to more modern monitors, all the way up to HDMI. I’m working on one such HDMI project, with the additional twist of adding new graphics capabilities such as full-color tile based displays at 640x360 or even potentially higher!
There’s a lot of stuff going on in the space.
posted by notoriety public at 12:32 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Floppies are getting harder and harder to get, nobody makes the media anymore and the existing stock is slowly decaying and becoming unreliable.
However, there are a number of interface cards available that provide the ability to use CF, SD, USB sticks, etc, as hard drives. These are all much faster, much bigger, much more reliable, and much easier to get disk images on and off, compared to floppies.
There are also interfaces to allow connecting to more modern monitors, all the way up to HDMI. I’m working on one such HDMI project, with the additional twist of adding new graphics capabilities such as full-color tile based displays at 640x360 or even potentially higher!
There’s a lot of stuff going on in the space.
posted by notoriety public at 12:32 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
which were good. I did karaoke. I avoided seeing a certain person and everyone keeps bringing up to me that they saw said person, which is not awesome. I am getting very tired of pretending that Everything Is Okay when it is not, but I will be in worse trouble if I am publicly, openly Not Okay Not Okay Not Okay. I
jenfullmoon, this is me too. Except I'm inviting a certain person to my house with others this weekend so I get to pretend Everything Is Okay in my home. I figure I'll either not drink or drink a lot to survive. I hope we can get though it to a place where things are Okay inside and out.
posted by skunk pig at 12:33 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
jenfullmoon, this is me too. Except I'm inviting a certain person to my house with others this weekend so I get to pretend Everything Is Okay in my home. I figure I'll either not drink or drink a lot to survive. I hope we can get though it to a place where things are Okay inside and out.
posted by skunk pig at 12:33 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
After reading this free thread, make sure to visit your local comic book store on Free Comic Book Day -- Saturday May 6th!
This global event was started in my home region by Joe Field at Flying Colors Comics. I take this opportunity to stock up on comic books to give out on Hallowe'en.
posted by JDC8 at 12:40 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
This global event was started in my home region by Joe Field at Flying Colors Comics. I take this opportunity to stock up on comic books to give out on Hallowe'en.
posted by JDC8 at 12:40 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I was having a crown replaced one time...
Here on Normal Island, tacky plastic bunting is everywhere, as well as lots of clothes, memorabilia and other stuff that will either be shoved to the back of a cupboard or dumped into landfill. I'll be avoiding/hiding from the events of next weekend, and hoping something unexpected and perhaps not positive occurs during it.
And as for swearing an oath to the 'King' - well, there will be swearing from here, of a kind...
posted by Wordshore at 12:56 PM on May 1, 2023 [6 favorites]
Here on Normal Island, tacky plastic bunting is everywhere, as well as lots of clothes, memorabilia and other stuff that will either be shoved to the back of a cupboard or dumped into landfill. I'll be avoiding/hiding from the events of next weekend, and hoping something unexpected and perhaps not positive occurs during it.
And as for swearing an oath to the 'King' - well, there will be swearing from here, of a kind...
posted by Wordshore at 12:56 PM on May 1, 2023 [6 favorites]
Another large-teeth small-jawed person. Had all four wisdom teeth pre-emptively removed a couple of years before getting glasses - so - 10-ish - plus 4 adult teeth. Years of braces, but thankfully no headgear.
Been kind of numbing out some heartache the last week. Time to stop feeling sorry for myself.
posted by porpoise at 1:04 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Been kind of numbing out some heartache the last week. Time to stop feeling sorry for myself.
posted by porpoise at 1:04 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
We were supposed to have dinner with friends this weekend, but the second shingles vaccine had her in bed all weekend. *sigh* Stoopid aging....
posted by wenestvedt at 1:05 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 1:05 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I had to have my wisdom teeth cut out because they were coming in under other teeth. They hooked me up to an IV, and next thing I knew they were done, and I felt fine. So naturally, I stood up. Fortunately someone saw me, and helped me sit back down again. After that I waited for someone to tell me I could get up.
posted by Spike Glee at 1:14 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Spike Glee at 1:14 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
You say you like Apple ][s? Have I got news for you!
Jason Scott (of textfiles fame) bought a massive collection of Computer Shopper magazines and is beginning the work of getting them all scanned and put into archive.org. The Feb 1986 issue is now up for viewing.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:18 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Jason Scott (of textfiles fame) bought a massive collection of Computer Shopper magazines and is beginning the work of getting them all scanned and put into archive.org. The Feb 1986 issue is now up for viewing.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:18 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
After that I waited for someone to tell me I could get up.
Fun dental anesthesia story: Mrs Abehammerb needed to be knocked mostly out on serious sedatives and painkillers prior to an operation. There was a delay before the procedure, so to keep her entertained and awake in the lobby, I gave her my ipad with Plants vs Zombies. She handed it back saying, "I guess that first level was fun, but it's not for me." "Honey, you've been playing for over an hour."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 2:03 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Fun dental anesthesia story: Mrs Abehammerb needed to be knocked mostly out on serious sedatives and painkillers prior to an operation. There was a delay before the procedure, so to keep her entertained and awake in the lobby, I gave her my ipad with Plants vs Zombies. She handed it back saying, "I guess that first level was fun, but it's not for me." "Honey, you've been playing for over an hour."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 2:03 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I am sitting at a mom and pop car repair place, in East Bakersfield. Across the highway the trains come and go, not talking of Michelangelo and, mom is making tacos and caldo for lunch, in the kitchen, just feet from here. They work on VW vans, I am getting some urgently needed brake cylinders, and axle whatevers. Oh yes. On the day before they failed I avoided two multi-car rear-end collisions, and a long drive up into the mountains. Next AM, the brakes were gone. It is so cool, I have taken care of nearly everything, for the moment. Oh my god! They are giving me tacos snd green beans, and chocolates, because they are so nice, and I am waiting through lunch. ♡♡♡
posted by Oyéah at 2:12 PM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 2:12 PM on May 1, 2023 [8 favorites]
I hope we can get though it to a place where things are Okay inside and out.
Yeah...that would be nice. I don't know if that's doable in my case. I have so far managed to avoid run-ins of late, but there's one time this month and one time next month where a run-in is highly likely/not likely to be duckable and I'm not sure how to handle it. Say hi/bye and leave, probably. I've been debating whether or not to have it out in the open as to what went wrong, but I don't want to make things worse and it's easier to just be busy elsewhere when pretending things are Okay.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:13 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yeah...that would be nice. I don't know if that's doable in my case. I have so far managed to avoid run-ins of late, but there's one time this month and one time next month where a run-in is highly likely/not likely to be duckable and I'm not sure how to handle it. Say hi/bye and leave, probably. I've been debating whether or not to have it out in the open as to what went wrong, but I don't want to make things worse and it's easier to just be busy elsewhere when pretending things are Okay.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:13 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
The cat went to the vet today, many dollars were spent for them to tell us "he might have IBS, you could try changing his food". At least they trimmed his claws (or, as Girl With The Dogs calls them, his murder mittens).
posted by shiny blue object at 2:46 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by shiny blue object at 2:46 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I live.
I ended up with one of the Halcyon pills and the nitrous, and it felt like it took a short amount of time; my roommate arrived like 15 minutes before we told him he should be there to escort me home, and he was just sitting down in the lobby when I came wandering out to settle up because I was done.
Two teeth pulled (and I overheard the dentist say that they were in pretty bad shape). I have a soft food diet for the next 10 days, and a follow up in like 2 weeks; at that visit they will schedule the post install for the implant. I will definitely be drugging up for that too.
They think I may not need the stronger painkillers. I have some advil and Tylenol and they told me to try that - maybe one of the stronger painkillers tonight - but so far....so good.
I'm working from home tomorrow and today I've largely been watching youtube in a slight daze.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:51 PM on May 1, 2023 [14 favorites]
I ended up with one of the Halcyon pills and the nitrous, and it felt like it took a short amount of time; my roommate arrived like 15 minutes before we told him he should be there to escort me home, and he was just sitting down in the lobby when I came wandering out to settle up because I was done.
Two teeth pulled (and I overheard the dentist say that they were in pretty bad shape). I have a soft food diet for the next 10 days, and a follow up in like 2 weeks; at that visit they will schedule the post install for the implant. I will definitely be drugging up for that too.
They think I may not need the stronger painkillers. I have some advil and Tylenol and they told me to try that - maybe one of the stronger painkillers tonight - but so far....so good.
I'm working from home tomorrow and today I've largely been watching youtube in a slight daze.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:51 PM on May 1, 2023 [14 favorites]
When I was 17 or 18 years old I had to have two severely impacted (as in, literally sideways) wisdom teeth removed. It was a hell of a job getting them out and it involved cutting them up with a tiny saw...the noise and smell of that remain vividly with me to this day. But the dentist was great and I didn't feel any pain or mental agony. They sent me home with a few codeine pills, saying to take them if the pain got too great. I took one "just in case" when I got home, promptly fell asleep for about 4 hours, and was fine from then on beyond an understandable bit of local sensitivity for a few days.
I tossed out the remaining pills, since even then I knew how problematic they could be - in fact I had a couple of friends berate me for it: "Do you have any idea how much you could have sold those for??" They were baffled when I said it would have been unethical. I mean, I was/am no saint, but I wouldn't want that on my conscience.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:35 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I tossed out the remaining pills, since even then I knew how problematic they could be - in fact I had a couple of friends berate me for it: "Do you have any idea how much you could have sold those for??" They were baffled when I said it would have been unethical. I mean, I was/am no saint, but I wouldn't want that on my conscience.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:35 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Any particularly good YouTube to share, Empress? I’m currently a slug and could use the recommendations.
Why am I a slug? Well, after getting diagnosed with afib last fall, I realized given the high correlation between afib and sleep apnea, I should probably take the Mefi standard advice to do a sleep study. And just like when I went in to get checked out for afib I figured it would be nothing. Well, it isn’t, and now I have to make an appointment with a sleep specialist.
They want me to try a CPAP. I sleep on my stomach, and breathe through my mouth, so I’m not sure how this is possible. Plus multiple relatives have failed CPAP treatment in the past, and I’m not tired in the day, so, I am not enthusiastic.
Also — I am waiting to hear back about tenure. I know I am in the luckiest possible position, being on tenure track and in a state that still respects tenure, but I’ve spent more than half my life trying to get here and it’s all coming to a head soon. I will hear anytime from now to a month from now, and I am Not Handling It Well.
So yeah, youtube? Which ones?
Personally I’m watching the falcons on the Camponile at Berkeley.
posted by nat at 4:03 PM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Why am I a slug? Well, after getting diagnosed with afib last fall, I realized given the high correlation between afib and sleep apnea, I should probably take the Mefi standard advice to do a sleep study. And just like when I went in to get checked out for afib I figured it would be nothing. Well, it isn’t, and now I have to make an appointment with a sleep specialist.
They want me to try a CPAP. I sleep on my stomach, and breathe through my mouth, so I’m not sure how this is possible. Plus multiple relatives have failed CPAP treatment in the past, and I’m not tired in the day, so, I am not enthusiastic.
Also — I am waiting to hear back about tenure. I know I am in the luckiest possible position, being on tenure track and in a state that still respects tenure, but I’ve spent more than half my life trying to get here and it’s all coming to a head soon. I will hear anytime from now to a month from now, and I am Not Handling It Well.
So yeah, youtube? Which ones?
Personally I’m watching the falcons on the Camponile at Berkeley.
posted by nat at 4:03 PM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh and alternately singing Three Little Birds. Not on my doorstep, on the Camponile, but still..
posted by nat at 4:04 PM on May 1, 2023
posted by nat at 4:04 PM on May 1, 2023
every dentist I've been to has taken an xray of my teeth, told me that it looks great, no problems but I should probably get X expensive procedure at which point I cancel the next appointment and screening before going back in for a checkup a couple years later at a new dental practice
YES.
I finally made an appointment with a new dentist after my company changed dental accounts. Got there and wondered why there were no other patients, at all, just staff. Everyone was very nice; the technician who took my x-rays was very sweet.
The dentist came in, very nice. He looked over my x-rays, said everything looked good, and then looked in my mouth. He literally tapped three teeth - didn't scrape them, just a tap here and there. He told me to hang on a moment.
I sat in the chair, feeling comfortable, liking how calm the dentist had been. Next thing I know, the little office manager lady is standing over me, telling me I have periodontal disease, that it's not a covered service, that it's expensive, and what did I want to do next?
I was floored. I never even got a cleaning that day. I asked to speak to the dentist, WHO NEVER CAME BACK IN THE ROOM. He wouldn't come out of his office! He kept saying "One moment..." I waited TEN minutes. (I am not a slob. I brushed my teeth before the visit. I am a clean person. I don't wear perfume. There is nothing icky about me that could make him not want to be in my presense.) I was absolutlely flabbergasted. All they did was take x-rays and tap on three teeth.
It's been two years already. Probably be more before I try yet another dentist.
posted by annieb at 4:22 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
YES.
I finally made an appointment with a new dentist after my company changed dental accounts. Got there and wondered why there were no other patients, at all, just staff. Everyone was very nice; the technician who took my x-rays was very sweet.
The dentist came in, very nice. He looked over my x-rays, said everything looked good, and then looked in my mouth. He literally tapped three teeth - didn't scrape them, just a tap here and there. He told me to hang on a moment.
I sat in the chair, feeling comfortable, liking how calm the dentist had been. Next thing I know, the little office manager lady is standing over me, telling me I have periodontal disease, that it's not a covered service, that it's expensive, and what did I want to do next?
I was floored. I never even got a cleaning that day. I asked to speak to the dentist, WHO NEVER CAME BACK IN THE ROOM. He wouldn't come out of his office! He kept saying "One moment..." I waited TEN minutes. (I am not a slob. I brushed my teeth before the visit. I am a clean person. I don't wear perfume. There is nothing icky about me that could make him not want to be in my presense.) I was absolutlely flabbergasted. All they did was take x-rays and tap on three teeth.
It's been two years already. Probably be more before I try yet another dentist.
posted by annieb at 4:22 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have left more than one dental practice because of the upsell crap. The worst was the practice that would call me in November telling me I had $x of my $1500 yearly allowance to spend on dental work, and did I want to leave that money on the table? That's not how it works. That's not how any of it works. It would have cost me at least 30% of $x to get $x from the dental "insurance" company.
posted by mollweide at 5:10 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mollweide at 5:10 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
My dental phobia is horrible. I was supposed to have everything pulled and get dentures. But then chickened out. This was like 4 years ago. Haven't gone back since. My teeth are rotting, but at the moment, no pain.
On the other end of my body... I've been having pain in my foot for about 4 months now. It got so bad, I went to urgent care a few weeks ago. They were useless. They're like, well you didn't injure it. Here are some steroids, go see a foot person. So last Friday, I saw an orthopedist who specials in foot and ankle injuries. After x-rays, and poking the sore spot, she said, it miiiiiight be a stress fracture, but more likely tendonitis. I'm in a walking boot for the next month and PT for 8-12 weeks after that (if my insurance will pay for that long). It's cool that my doc was a ballet dancer as a kid so she knew exactly what I was talking about and could give good advice on what I can't do.
My dance recital is in roughly a month. I'm allowed to take the boot off for class starting next week and just mark stuff and I'm allowed to do some barre work. Our ballet routine is nearly finished, but our tap is only about half done. ARgggghhhhh
Head Start finishes in about a month, but paperwork is due next Friday. I'll be very happy if our owner decides not to renew the contract, but I know she is.
And in Cleveland weather, I'm trying to figure out if it's May 1st or March 1st. It's cold, in the 4
low 40s, and raining right now. I want to be able to turn the heat off, but if I do, the house gets too damn cold.
posted by kathrynm at 5:14 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
On the other end of my body... I've been having pain in my foot for about 4 months now. It got so bad, I went to urgent care a few weeks ago. They were useless. They're like, well you didn't injure it. Here are some steroids, go see a foot person. So last Friday, I saw an orthopedist who specials in foot and ankle injuries. After x-rays, and poking the sore spot, she said, it miiiiiight be a stress fracture, but more likely tendonitis. I'm in a walking boot for the next month and PT for 8-12 weeks after that (if my insurance will pay for that long). It's cool that my doc was a ballet dancer as a kid so she knew exactly what I was talking about and could give good advice on what I can't do.
My dance recital is in roughly a month. I'm allowed to take the boot off for class starting next week and just mark stuff and I'm allowed to do some barre work. Our ballet routine is nearly finished, but our tap is only about half done. ARgggghhhhh
Head Start finishes in about a month, but paperwork is due next Friday. I'll be very happy if our owner decides not to renew the contract, but I know she is.
And in Cleveland weather, I'm trying to figure out if it's May 1st or March 1st. It's cold, in the 4
low 40s, and raining right now. I want to be able to turn the heat off, but if I do, the house gets too damn cold.
posted by kathrynm at 5:14 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
GradIEEEnt half decent: The hidden power of imprecise lines - YouTube. Another Tom7 video this time about doing the impossible and building neural networks out of linear functions using rounding errors.
posted by zengargoyle at 5:54 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by zengargoyle at 5:54 PM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just want to complain about medical billing. I pay as I go, no insurance (because merica), and I just want to pay while I'm standing there. Just TELL ME THE AMOUNT AND YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MONEY. But no. They say they tell me the amount, and I pay my money, but then two weeks later a bill arrives for MORE MONEY, HAHA WE WERE ONLY KIDDING ABOUT WHAT YOU OWED. Note this is with no further services, tests or anything. JUST TELL ME WHEN I'M THERE, so I can put it out of my mind and move on. Sheesh.
posted by maxwelton at 8:24 PM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by maxwelton at 8:24 PM on May 1, 2023 [4 favorites]
maxwelton: the lack of transparency in medical billing seems like it could be a basis for a class action lawsuit of some sort. I've pulled my hair out trying to deal with costs when I'm uninsured, and it is the most opaque system possible. This should not be allowed, really. There is no other business you walk into and pay for services and get sent a surprise bill later. Imagine if auto repair places started doing that.
posted by hippybear at 8:36 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 8:36 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I just had a big white owl flapflapflap fly up and in front of me while walking the dog.
Startling and quite beautiful at the same time.
posted by djseafood at 8:59 PM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
Startling and quite beautiful at the same time.
posted by djseafood at 8:59 PM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
We're getting some work done on the house this week. Finally replacing the very much on it's last legs budget laminate with some engineered stone tile in the kitchen & utility room on Wednesday. Bathroom will be done after we pull out the useless tub and redo the fixtures and when we get the living room & dining room done (yay open concept except not yay). I'm slowly decluttering and cleaning things.
Appros to the thread, I had my gallbladder out the 14th in an outpatient surgery center run by the hospital, and I had to resubmit my receipts I got when I prepaid my portion of the surgery (1200) on my FSA card. They didn't bother reading three pages laying out that yes it was my portion, and I did it that day to take advantage of the 10% discount for prompt payment. So I highlighted the pertinent parts that it was my portion due that day and the service was done that day, and I was kind enough to save them money (well me, since it's pretax income). I had my staples out the 26th (and that was some body horror right there, and I had a baby) and am healing very well, but no lifting more than 15 pounds (why I am being slow about cleaning)
posted by tlwright at 11:10 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Appros to the thread, I had my gallbladder out the 14th in an outpatient surgery center run by the hospital, and I had to resubmit my receipts I got when I prepaid my portion of the surgery (1200) on my FSA card. They didn't bother reading three pages laying out that yes it was my portion, and I did it that day to take advantage of the 10% discount for prompt payment. So I highlighted the pertinent parts that it was my portion due that day and the service was done that day, and I was kind enough to save them money (well me, since it's pretax income). I had my staples out the 26th (and that was some body horror right there, and I had a baby) and am healing very well, but no lifting more than 15 pounds (why I am being slow about cleaning)
posted by tlwright at 11:10 PM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I tossed out the remaining pills, since even then I knew how problematic they could be - in fact I had a couple of friends berate me for it: "Do you have any idea how much you could have sold those for??" They were baffled when I said it would have been unethical. I mean, I was/am no saint, but I wouldn't want that on my conscience.
I had an interesting conversation with my AA sponsor when I told him that I hadn't used all of the Vicodin meds that I'd recently gotten for a recent topical infection, and subsequently revealed that I had saved the rest "just in case." He pointed out that, if I really needed that sort of pain treatment in the future, I could get more. I tossed them.
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:40 AM on May 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
I had an interesting conversation with my AA sponsor when I told him that I hadn't used all of the Vicodin meds that I'd recently gotten for a recent topical infection, and subsequently revealed that I had saved the rest "just in case." He pointed out that, if I really needed that sort of pain treatment in the future, I could get more. I tossed them.
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:40 AM on May 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
It is the morning after the Big Dental Adventure (Part 1) and...I think my dentist was right when he said I may not actually need the Big Prescription Painkiller he gave me after all. He said I could probably get away with an Ibuproen/Tylenol combo, and they even gave me a couple of starter doses right there in case I didn't have anything yet; he suggested taking one of the Prescription Painkillers with the second dose for overnight just in case. I woke up about an hour ago and I haven't taken anything yet today, and the most I feel is a bit of soreness that some ibuprofen will probably take care of right away.
I also put in to work from home today, and I'm probably going to end up spending most of the day (after my roommate leaves for work himself) doing the regular cleaning and brewing up some lovely soup from scratch. ....I have all these beans from Rancho Gordo that I need to use up, including a big bunch of black beans, and there's a black bean soup recipe in one of my cookbooks I've always wanted to try; and I'm going to gild the lily and make the chicken stock for it from scratch as well. I live a half a block from a supermarket and would just have to run over when they open for some chicken and another bag of carrots. And I can also save the cooked chicken meat for other "soft foods" for later in the week because I'mma get sick of cream-of-whatever soups right fast.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:40 AM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
I also put in to work from home today, and I'm probably going to end up spending most of the day (after my roommate leaves for work himself) doing the regular cleaning and brewing up some lovely soup from scratch. ....I have all these beans from Rancho Gordo that I need to use up, including a big bunch of black beans, and there's a black bean soup recipe in one of my cookbooks I've always wanted to try; and I'm going to gild the lily and make the chicken stock for it from scratch as well. I live a half a block from a supermarket and would just have to run over when they open for some chicken and another bag of carrots. And I can also save the cooked chicken meat for other "soft foods" for later in the week because I'mma get sick of cream-of-whatever soups right fast.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:40 AM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Empress, good luck!
My husband was the one with the big teeth and the tiny jaw. He also smoked heavily and in his early years drank way too much, all hard on the teeth. He had an upper incisor behind his other front teeth, and hated dentists. After years of my gentle, kind nudging, and even me writing to an advice columnist for help finding a good dentist, he finally found a relatively kind one, much too late for the teeth. Though getting all his teeth pulled and getting false teeth was traumatic too (the dentist tried to take an impression when he still had stitches) he was so happy to have false teeth the last twenty years of his life, and got to tell every dentist he met, "You can't get me." Also, finally taking care of his teeth cleared up a lot of other illnesses he had. Teeth are so important to our general health it doesn't make any sense that they aren't covered by regular health insurance. But then neither are hearing aids, which are also important for health, or glasses.
I cried when I got the news that the implant was failing again, and when my kid asked me how I was doing I told them and said it was kind of nice because at least I wasn't crying about my husband this time.
posted by Peach at 5:01 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
My husband was the one with the big teeth and the tiny jaw. He also smoked heavily and in his early years drank way too much, all hard on the teeth. He had an upper incisor behind his other front teeth, and hated dentists. After years of my gentle, kind nudging, and even me writing to an advice columnist for help finding a good dentist, he finally found a relatively kind one, much too late for the teeth. Though getting all his teeth pulled and getting false teeth was traumatic too (the dentist tried to take an impression when he still had stitches) he was so happy to have false teeth the last twenty years of his life, and got to tell every dentist he met, "You can't get me." Also, finally taking care of his teeth cleared up a lot of other illnesses he had. Teeth are so important to our general health it doesn't make any sense that they aren't covered by regular health insurance. But then neither are hearing aids, which are also important for health, or glasses.
I cried when I got the news that the implant was failing again, and when my kid asked me how I was doing I told them and said it was kind of nice because at least I wasn't crying about my husband this time.
posted by Peach at 5:01 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Oh, nat asked for Youtube recs!
I am perma-subscribed to a few channels that post on a weekly-ish schedule; most of them are either food or home DIY-based, or are movie/entertainment based. Some good ones that don't get mentioned all that often:
* The Take is a film/TV analysis site; 15-20 minute videos examining various tropes, often from a feminist perspective.
* Useful Charts is 98% about tracing the family trees of various people and things - the family trees of the ancient Roman emperors, for instance, or an analysis of the Line of Succession for the throne of England now that Charles is King Charles. They're also about 7 videos into a multi-part series of the origins of various Christian denominations.
* The Little Boho Cottage and The Cottage Fairy are very wistful, romantic depictions of people who are doing the whole Cottagecore Lifestyle thing; but both are also honest about how "look, this probably isn't a lifestyle for everybody" and both are honest about the challenges they have in making it work sometimes. They're also open about how this is just how they live; their work is more "modern", they aren't only home baking bread or whatever. One is an Etsy artist who's married a geologist (I think that's what he does?"), and the other is a photographer in New York's Hudson Valley. They're still good for scenery and slow living porn.
* Dainty Diaries is like what would happen if you gave The Cottage Fairy twice the coffee. She's an adorable chatty perky Dubliner who does all of her own DIY decorating (well, most of it - when she did over her bathroom she got guys in to do the big work) and has a gorgeous back yard garden. She sews! She does woodworking! She gardens! SHE'S ADORABLE.
* And you really can't go wrong with Ze Frank.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:14 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am perma-subscribed to a few channels that post on a weekly-ish schedule; most of them are either food or home DIY-based, or are movie/entertainment based. Some good ones that don't get mentioned all that often:
* The Take is a film/TV analysis site; 15-20 minute videos examining various tropes, often from a feminist perspective.
* Useful Charts is 98% about tracing the family trees of various people and things - the family trees of the ancient Roman emperors, for instance, or an analysis of the Line of Succession for the throne of England now that Charles is King Charles. They're also about 7 videos into a multi-part series of the origins of various Christian denominations.
* The Little Boho Cottage and The Cottage Fairy are very wistful, romantic depictions of people who are doing the whole Cottagecore Lifestyle thing; but both are also honest about how "look, this probably isn't a lifestyle for everybody" and both are honest about the challenges they have in making it work sometimes. They're also open about how this is just how they live; their work is more "modern", they aren't only home baking bread or whatever. One is an Etsy artist who's married a geologist (I think that's what he does?"), and the other is a photographer in New York's Hudson Valley. They're still good for scenery and slow living porn.
* Dainty Diaries is like what would happen if you gave The Cottage Fairy twice the coffee. She's an adorable chatty perky Dubliner who does all of her own DIY decorating (well, most of it - when she did over her bathroom she got guys in to do the big work) and has a gorgeous back yard garden. She sews! She does woodworking! She gardens! SHE'S ADORABLE.
* And you really can't go wrong with Ze Frank.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:14 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
When I was 17 or 18 years old I had to have two severely impacted (as in, literally sideways) wisdom teeth removed. It was a hell of a job getting them out...
Although my teeth are average sized, my mouth is small and its was deemed necessary by the orthodontist to have all four of my 12 year molars removed. One of the teeth was impacted as you described, and yeah, in spite of the fact that my 11 year old self was high as a kite (Chloral Hydrate is one hell of a drug) I can still remember the sound and smell of its removal.
I don't think used anything other than Tylenol and ice packs for the recovery though. I think my parents may have refused to have anything stronger prescribed for me - both of them were nurses and conservative when it came to medications.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:33 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Although my teeth are average sized, my mouth is small and its was deemed necessary by the orthodontist to have all four of my 12 year molars removed. One of the teeth was impacted as you described, and yeah, in spite of the fact that my 11 year old self was high as a kite (Chloral Hydrate is one hell of a drug) I can still remember the sound and smell of its removal.
I don't think used anything other than Tylenol and ice packs for the recovery though. I think my parents may have refused to have anything stronger prescribed for me - both of them were nurses and conservative when it came to medications.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:33 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hey, we're trying an experiment over in FanFare, where we're sharing upcoming media that we're looking forward to in May, come on over if you need something to take your mind off those dental memories!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:13 AM on May 2, 2023
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:13 AM on May 2, 2023
I've been up since 5:30 when the cops called again. We had a third stabbing last night. Three in less than a week. At least the third one hasn't died so far. But yes, literally, I now live in a town with a serial killer. That is a thing that has happened.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:50 AM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:50 AM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
But is there a POOL HALL in your town? That's when things really go downhill.
Joking aside, that sounds really unsettling. Hope they apprehend the person soon.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 8:33 AM on May 2, 2023
Joking aside, that sounds really unsettling. Hope they apprehend the person soon.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 8:33 AM on May 2, 2023
LOL, there's one bar with a pool hall, haven't been since they changed ownership though.
But seriously, this person's running around on foot and they still can't catch him?
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:29 AM on May 2, 2023
But seriously, this person's running around on foot and they still can't catch him?
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:29 AM on May 2, 2023
Due to poor communication about planning a D&D game, I feel like kind of a failure this morning, but hey! At least I haven't stabbed anybody.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 10:33 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 10:33 AM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just canceled my therapy appointment because they started a police press conference online at the same time. My therapist hadn't heard and let me off the hook. ("I had to cancel for serial killer" is a fresh new one.) People aren't happy, obviously. They aren't going to call a curfew due to lack of staffing, are implying you go out in groups/not at night. Sounds like they are trying to get help from FBI profilers, so Criminal Minds for real.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:36 AM on May 2, 2023
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:36 AM on May 2, 2023
So, 100 comments of dental horror, and now we're into stabby serial killers. This is QUITE the first Monday thread not posted by a mod. Maybe we need to rethink this for the sake of our reality and sanity!
posted by hippybear at 12:43 PM on May 2, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 12:43 PM on May 2, 2023 [5 favorites]
I don’t think sending mods to deal with the serial killer (or to your dentist) is a great solution
posted by Mister Moofoo at 2:13 PM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 2:13 PM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Last thread I was wondering if I would break from my piano playing rut... and I did, making some nice progress. Of course now that I got into a groove, I have to travel for work for a few days, but I'm more eager to keep playing.
posted by ersatz at 2:47 PM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ersatz at 2:47 PM on May 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Gonna be a zoo downtown tonight. Leafs are playing in the semifinals. First time in almost 20 years.
posted by yyz at 2:55 PM on May 2, 2023
posted by yyz at 2:55 PM on May 2, 2023
I don’t think sending mods to deal with the serial killer (or to your dentist) is a great solution
Eh, I’ll bring the toolbox, just hit me up.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:04 PM on May 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
Eh, I’ll bring the toolbox, just hit me up.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:04 PM on May 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
I would almost like to see a MeFi mod (or owner) give a serial killer or a bad dentist a good, stern talking to. Somehow, I suspect it would be much more effective than approaches. (No, I'm not advocating for putting MeFi staff in danger.)
posted by sardonyx at 3:08 PM on May 2, 2023
posted by sardonyx at 3:08 PM on May 2, 2023
Paraphrastic
I grow old, I grow old,
I shall wear capris and stay Outside the fold,
Do I dare to eat a peach?
I can't afford the gas to
Pismo Beach. I have seen the
Mermen winking each to each,
I do not think that they will "wink"
At me. I have seen them riding
Seaward in their 'vettes,
With their hair blown back,
When the wind blows the water
White and black.
I have lingered in the chambers of Regret,
With the knowledge that
A look is all I get...
posted by Oyéah at 3:13 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
I grow old, I grow old,
I shall wear capris and stay Outside the fold,
Do I dare to eat a peach?
I can't afford the gas to
Pismo Beach. I have seen the
Mermen winking each to each,
I do not think that they will "wink"
At me. I have seen them riding
Seaward in their 'vettes,
With their hair blown back,
When the wind blows the water
White and black.
I have lingered in the chambers of Regret,
With the knowledge that
A look is all I get...
posted by Oyéah at 3:13 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
I say we get the MeFi mod to take the bad dentist to do a home teeth cleaning on the serial killer, while the mod goes through the refrigerator and makes judgements on whether food therein can be eaten.
posted by hippybear at 3:13 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 3:13 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
*starts packing flags*
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:18 PM on May 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:18 PM on May 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
take the bad dentist to do a home teeth cleaning on the serial killer
"Is it safe?"
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:25 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
"Is it safe?"
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:25 PM on May 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
He pointed out that, if I really needed that sort of pain treatment in the future, I could get more. I tossed them.
Good on ya. Right choice.
Personally, I think your sponsor has had a very different set of interactions with the medical establishment than I have to be able to take this point of view, but that's a good thing.
posted by majick at 7:28 PM on May 2, 2023
Good on ya. Right choice.
Personally, I think your sponsor has had a very different set of interactions with the medical establishment than I have to be able to take this point of view, but that's a good thing.
posted by majick at 7:28 PM on May 2, 2023
Starting to see news reports about the multiple stabbings, so this is going national.
posted by hippybear at 12:46 PM on May 3, 2023
posted by hippybear at 12:46 PM on May 3, 2023
Yeah, we made the NYT today, awesome.
People ask me how I'm doing and the actual answer is "well, nobody else has died today yet."
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:35 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
People ask me how I'm doing and the actual answer is "well, nobody else has died today yet."
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:35 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
In good news, we had taken a trip around the holidays, returning on January 3rd. My work transitioned from allotting a fixed number of hours of PTO per work week to giving them all at once the first pay period in January. Because they transitioned to this system while I was away, rather than deduct the 8 days I was gone from my 7 day remaining PTO balance (using one day of my 2023 PTO to square up) they added the 7 days I "had left" when they switched systems as rollover, meaning I started this year with 200 hours of PTO.
I feel positively European. With basic benefits and shit.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:28 PM on May 3, 2023
I feel positively European. With basic benefits and shit.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:28 PM on May 3, 2023
Welp, someone called me to tell me they think they saw the killer (in same outfit) in their neighborhood, being super creepy. Me: "Did you call the police?" Them: "Yes." Me: "Okay, so then stay inside."
And now my office has acquired yet another stalker who's harassing everyone IRL and over the phone. This is a great week to stalk people!
And yesterday I got written up for asking someone to spell out what they were talking about, plus "I close my blinds while in the office" (which I do not, they seem to think "having blinds on the doors at all" is closing them? It's their blinds!). Why did I stay at work today putting out fires that only I can put out? At least it's a WFH day so they can't start with me about the blinds again.
I'm really enjoying rehearsal this week because putting on a fake obnoxious wedding is super fun, but everything else is fucking crap.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:53 PM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
And now my office has acquired yet another stalker who's harassing everyone IRL and over the phone. This is a great week to stalk people!
And yesterday I got written up for asking someone to spell out what they were talking about, plus "I close my blinds while in the office" (which I do not, they seem to think "having blinds on the doors at all" is closing them? It's their blinds!). Why did I stay at work today putting out fires that only I can put out? At least it's a WFH day so they can't start with me about the blinds again.
I'm really enjoying rehearsal this week because putting on a fake obnoxious wedding is super fun, but everything else is fucking crap.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:53 PM on May 3, 2023 [3 favorites]
Stay safe, Jen!
Here in NYC it is a great week for flooding...
My roommate had a minor flood in his basement bachelor pad, which was fortunately low-impact as these things go. There's a door in the basement he never uses, which opens out onto a small entryway between our apartment basement and our neighboring apartment's; a third door opens out to the back yard itself. And - someone had opened that door, and all the rain we've been having started to leak under the door into our basement. Fortunately (in retrospect) he had a big rug right by the door that absorbed most of it, and didn't notice anything was wrong until it had gotten completely waterlogged and suddenly my roommate noticed a puddle was creeping over towards his desk. He managed to save all his electronics and furniture and other valuables (we did a panicked bucket brigade of all his stuff up the stairs before calling the super), and the only loss was the rug itself; our Buy Nothing group sees people offering rugs every other day, so he should be able to replace that.
But he went to work the next day to learn that three of his co-workers also had floods; and two of mine did as well. Even the guy who lived on a top floor had a pipe burst and has to now live out of a hotel for the rest of the week (along with his two dogs, but not his parrot; apparently one of the parrot's favorite words to say is "Help", and he had nightmare visions of someone walking by his room and hearing "Help, help, help!" coming from inside and it causing a whole Thing.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:51 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Here in NYC it is a great week for flooding...
My roommate had a minor flood in his basement bachelor pad, which was fortunately low-impact as these things go. There's a door in the basement he never uses, which opens out onto a small entryway between our apartment basement and our neighboring apartment's; a third door opens out to the back yard itself. And - someone had opened that door, and all the rain we've been having started to leak under the door into our basement. Fortunately (in retrospect) he had a big rug right by the door that absorbed most of it, and didn't notice anything was wrong until it had gotten completely waterlogged and suddenly my roommate noticed a puddle was creeping over towards his desk. He managed to save all his electronics and furniture and other valuables (we did a panicked bucket brigade of all his stuff up the stairs before calling the super), and the only loss was the rug itself; our Buy Nothing group sees people offering rugs every other day, so he should be able to replace that.
But he went to work the next day to learn that three of his co-workers also had floods; and two of mine did as well. Even the guy who lived on a top floor had a pipe burst and has to now live out of a hotel for the rest of the week (along with his two dogs, but not his parrot; apparently one of the parrot's favorite words to say is "Help", and he had nightmare visions of someone walking by his room and hearing "Help, help, help!" coming from inside and it causing a whole Thing.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:51 PM on May 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
My pruning project continues. I'm gaining insight and skills as I go, so it is going faster, and I'm getting close to the end. I'm hitting a point where I'm wondering if I keep useless but interesting bent wood under the bushes for visual interest, or if I take all that out and leave only the living bushes. And the amount of waste! I've already done 5 trash bags of 20 years of accumulated needles and other trash out from under the bush and I'm not NEARLY done. The branches can go to the clean green waste recycling here in town, but this stuff off the ground has to go into bags and to waste disposal because of soil and trash contamination.
So I continue on for as long as my back will allow me every day. Thought I would be done with the bush this week, but not quite yet. And then the ground clearing. Ugh.
posted by hippybear at 2:55 PM on May 4, 2023
So I continue on for as long as my back will allow me every day. Thought I would be done with the bush this week, but not quite yet. And then the ground clearing. Ugh.
posted by hippybear at 2:55 PM on May 4, 2023
The killer has been caught. It's over.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:33 PM on May 4, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:33 PM on May 4, 2023 [12 favorites]
I spent a good bit of time visiting UC Davis once back when for meetings and conferences and such. Nice little town. If you haven't ever, visit the UC Davis gift shop and grab some of their olive oil. It's an agricultural campus and they grow their own olives and grapes and make their own wine and olive oil. Sorta nicest place for meetings and conferences, damn good olive oil
posted by zengargoyle at 8:47 PM on May 4, 2023
posted by zengargoyle at 8:47 PM on May 4, 2023
Yay someone's giving away a little blueberry bush in our Buy Nothing group and I was able to score it for our community garden, sweeeeeet!
We already have two lone raspberry bushes - both of them are a bit straggly, but that's likely because the person who planted them there didn't really know what they were doing, and they needed an extra year to adjust. Someone moved a third raspberry bush over there from elsewhere in the garden (and I watched them at work and they did know what to do), so a blueberry bush will be a nice addition.
...We like to have some "free for everyone" things in the garden, so the people who are "members at large" and don't have their own plots don't feel left out. So far there are a few herb patches, the plum tree and the grape vine, and I've wanted to beef up the berries some.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:52 AM on May 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
We already have two lone raspberry bushes - both of them are a bit straggly, but that's likely because the person who planted them there didn't really know what they were doing, and they needed an extra year to adjust. Someone moved a third raspberry bush over there from elsewhere in the garden (and I watched them at work and they did know what to do), so a blueberry bush will be a nice addition.
...We like to have some "free for everyone" things in the garden, so the people who are "members at large" and don't have their own plots don't feel left out. So far there are a few herb patches, the plum tree and the grape vine, and I've wanted to beef up the berries some.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:52 AM on May 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by Meatbomb at 8:18 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]