DOES NOVOCAINE AFFECT THE BRAIN?

Over the weekend, I discovered that one of my upper left molars was cracked. I left it alone and tried to remember not to chew on that side, because I was not in pain, and I didn't want to make an emergency visit to the dentist unless it was absolutely necessary. Yesterday, I made an appointment and went in this morning. My heart sank as the dentist said he may have to do a root canal, along with placement of a crown.

I've never had a root canal in my life, and I am such a baby about dental work, probably because, as a child, the dentist drilled and filled my cavities with NO NOVOCAINE! As soon as I sat in the chair, I tensed up and proceeded to take the white-knuckle, death grip on the arm of the chair. Then, as my long-time family dentist injected novocaine, let it take effect, began to poke around in my mouth, he spoke the anxiety-inducing words, "Oh-oh, I may have to do a root canal and a crown." I thought, "Oh shit! But if it must be, it must be."

Then I prayed, "Lord, be with me. Holy Mary, pray for me. All angels and saints, intercede for me." The dentist drilled a bit and pulled out the broken bit of tooth. Then he took an x-ray, drilled more, looked at the x-ray, and said I would need only the crown and no root canal. Yay!

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Holy Mary! Thank you, all angels and saints!" - not spoken aloud, because I couldn't talk with the drill working away in my mouth. Good news, indeed, that I would need less rather than more work, but the drilling to prepare the tooth for a crown, was an ordeal, at least for Baby Me. When the work was done and the temporary crown in place, I rose from the chair in great relief. The worst was over. The placement of the permanent crown would be quick and easy in comparison.

I felt a little woozy and wondered if novocaine affects the brain or if the wooziness was the result of the ordeal that every dental visit is for me, even just cleaning. I drove home carefully, thinking that as soon as I reached home, I'd crawl into bed and go to sleep. Fortunately, home is not far from the dentist's office. And here I am typing and not asleep.

UPDATE: I edited the post a bit, to remove repetitions and bad writing, done under the influence when I first posted.

CONFUCIUS DIDN'T SAY

Man who wants pretty nurse, must be patient.

Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly.

Better to be pissed off than pissed on.

Lady who goes camping must beware of evil intent.

Man who leaps off cliff jumps to conclusion.

It takes many nails to build a crib, but one screw to fill it.

Man who stands on toilet is high on pot.

Man who eats many prunes get good run for money.

Grandpère and I had good laughs as we went through the list, but - Alas! - we jointly decided that I had to exercise a little censorship. I run a clean joint here.

Don't blame us. Blame Doug.

DISCIPLINE!

Adorables all.

Thanks to Doug.

"AGE AND BEAUTY"

Advanced Style: Age and Beauty on Nowness.com.

Love it!

H/T to Ann Fontaine.

STORY OF THE DAY - REGULAR LIFE

Of course I want to save the world, she
said, but I was hoping to do it from the
comfort of my regular life.

From StoryPeople.

ANDREJ KURTI - MUSIC AT ST. JOHN'S

Andrej Kurti performs Bach's Allemanda from Partita in D Minor



Andrej Kurti performs Bach's Giga from Partita in D Minor

Kurti performed in the Music at St John's program here in Thibodaux this afternoon. He played the whole of Bach's Partita beautifully. The entire program is shown below


Not only is Kurti an amazing musician, but he is a delightful person and quite good-looking. He speaks with animation and expression and gestures often as he speaks. A brief biography from Kurti's website is below:

Andrej Kurti was born in 1971 in Belgrade, Serbia, where he completed his elementary and high school education in the studio of Professor Djula Tesenji.He continued his studies in Moscow "Tchaikovsky" Conservatory in studios of professors Levon Ambartsumian and Zorya Schikmurzaeva.

Kurti finished his graduate studies in the University of Georgia, where he received doctorate degree in violin performance.

He was a recipient of five first prizes in competitions in Yugoslavia, four first prizes in competitions in Georgia and Florida, and a finalist of the MTNA (Music Teacher National Association) Competition in 1998. In 2000, Kurti became a recording artist for classical label Blue Griffin Recordings, for which he later recorded Six Sonatas for Violin Solo by Eugene Ysaye, op.27. These Sonatas were the topic for his doctoral dissertation.In 2004, Kurti became a professor of violin at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he teaches students from several countries.He appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras in the United States, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, Greece, and Russia. He also appeared as a chamber performer in Spain, France, Latvia, Canada, and South Korea.

The high quality of musicianship of those who perform in our music program surprises me time and again, as I'm quite sure the organization cannot afford to pay them a large fee.

"ANGLICAN KOSSACKS"

Yes indeed! Daily Kos now has an Anglican presence.

Welcome to Anglican Kossacks, a group for Anglican/Episcopalian Kossacks to discuss developments in the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Church of England and the Anglican Church of Canada as well as issues related to social justice and church polity. Open to all, regardless of religious affiliation. Some of our diaries are action, informative or historical diaries and others are meditative and prayerful. We, like the Episcopal Church, welcome you! Thank you for joining us.

Commonmass administers the website. Check it out!

Thanks to Ann V. for the link.

OVERHEARD AT CHURCH

The first pope was married. I think we should have a feast day for Peter's mother-in-law.

A BLESSED AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BISHOP KATHARINE!

Watch over thy child, Katharine, O Lord, as her days increase; bless and guide her wherever she may be. Strengthen her when she stands; comfort her when discouraged or sorrowful; raise her up if she fall; and in her heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

H/T to Torey Lightcap at The Lead.

AROUND AND ABOUT AT THE BLOGS

In the past few day, I've noted posts by other bloggers in Bloggerland, which I believe are well worth reading.

For a quote from Kant apropos of the Anglican Covenant, see Themethatisme's post at Conscientisation.

And why Theme chose a name for his blog which is impossible to spell is beyond my understanding.

About the state of the union, see Rmj's post titled "Angels and Demons" at Adventus.

Rmj and I go back to the beginning of his blogging days some years ago, more than four, because his blog is older than mine. In a certain sense, although I am a good many years older than he is, he is one of my blog parents, because he taught me a good bit about how to blog. Nowadays he doesn't write often, but he writes well.

And last, but most certainly not least, on the proper way to use Scriptural texts in the midst of controversy, see Tobias Haller's post titled "No New Revelation" at In a Godward Direction.

I left a comment at Conscientisation and Adventus, but all I could think of to say at In a Godward Direction was, "Yes!" which seemed singularly unimaginative, so I left my wisdom unspoken.