At The Dentist

[poliphilo]

The dentist apologised for the chair- which wasn't responding to the foot pedal as it should have done. He then apologized for the light- which was too bright- but the old one which wasn't too bright had broken.

I pointed out, politely, that his surgery seemed to be falling apart.

He agreed. The thing is he's going to be moving into an all-new health centre- with all-new equipment- next year (fingers crossed) and he wants to make his old equipment last till then.

I was late for my appointment. I had it fixed in my head that it was for 11.30 when it was actually for 11.00. At 10.55 I picked up my appointment card- and panicked. But I rang ahead and asked if they could still fit me in- if I got there in 15 minutes- and they said they could.

In the waiting room I skipped through a copy of The National Geographic- it had photographs of dead and decapitated narwhals and drawings of Ancient Mayans killing one another with spears and obsidian knives- and read an article in the Daily Mail by A.N. Wilson about how David Cameron is insulting us all by dressing like a teenage slacker. The reason Britain used to rule the world is because we wore tailored clothes and leather shoes that had to be shined every morning. Having to shine your shoes every morning builds character- which must be why I don't have any.  

The dentist poked at my teeth and blew air at them and talked about his move to the new health centre (across from the swimming baths, only they haven't laid the foundation stone yet). Then he counted my teeth out loud and told me everything was fine.

Hooray.

On the way home we stopped off at Sainsbury's and bought a couple of packets of hot cross buns.

Comments

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

Having to shine your shoes every morning builds character- which must be why I don't have any.

I laughed out loud when I read that.

Congratulations on a good check-up!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I served under a vicar once who had a similar philosophy about shoes. He and I didn't get on.

[ibid.livejournal.com]

or rather your valet should

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

So true! I leave my shoes out every night in the hope that the valet with clean them- and he never does.

[ibid.livejournal.com]

Can't get the staff these days...
Can't even get a good G and T in Japan by George!

[zoe-1418.livejournal.com]

Wow, your hair is cut, your teeth are fine... Your troubles are over for awhile! ;-D

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

All I need to do now is polish my shoes....

polishing shoes...

[zoe-1418.livejournal.com]

...but only if you want a character-building experience. ;-D

My dad used to polish all our family's shoes (five kids) on Saturday night so we would look decent for church the next day (where he was the pastor). He must have built a LOT of character in himself.

Re: polishing shoes...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's impressive.

My dad would have simply handed me the brushes and tin of polish- or told me where I could find them.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Is it time for Hot Cross Buns??? GOODY!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Our shops have been selling them since just after Christmas

[mummm.livejournal.com]

We don't generally see them until right before Easter.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Which is how it used to be over here

Character Building

[havehiv.livejournal.com]

I wondered what built the British character--now I know! (lol) My many trips to the UK have afforded me the hand-on experience of such character. I thought it had something to do with that "golden coach." As an American, we are very impressionable.

Re: Character Building

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You mean the one the Queen rides in?

I'll bet none of the royal family brush their own shoes. Apparently Prince Charles has a valet whose job it is to put toothpaste on the royal toothbrush.