This story starts with the fact that I’ve been neglectful with finding a new dentist. I’d been going to the same one for years and I think he’d rather be retired - fishin’ or golfin’ which meant he wasn’t the most gentle person at times. And around my teeth, especially when those metal cleaning tools come out - I’m just not one for pain!

Well a family member worked for a dentist so I decided to go to that one. Mind you it was not convenient, it was actually quite far away. But I called, made an appointment and went. Like I said it was a bit of a road trip. I was toodling along on a major highway, but when I turned off on a smaller two lane highway didn’t watch my speed and unfortunately someone else did! I got a ticket. The first one in YEARS! Argh.

The CHP was going the other direction and as soon as I saw her face, she flipped on the red lights and I just pulled over - I knew I’d been busted. She made a u-turn and stopped behind me. I handed her all the relevant documentation - license, registration, insurance card. In all honesty, I really couldn’t get too upset. If you’ve driven on California highways you know that if you aren’t flyin’ well then you just aren’t movin’ at all. It happened to be my unlucky day…in more ways then one.

Back to the dentist part of the tale…
I had my teeth cleaned and x-rays taken. I thought I might have one cavity but the news was worse…eight small cavities and two crowns that need replacing. I don’t know if this dentist was too thorough (if that’s possible) or if my old dentist wasn’t, but I was surprised by the news to say the least. So now, after ALL this, my family member no longer works for the dentist so I have to find a new one again! I’d say about this time I could use a stiff drink and a cigarette…but I don’t really drink and I don’t smoke at all. Does that mean cookies instead? Probably not since they are what got me into this mess in the first place. Funny how things come full circle.

A small addendum in July…
After I paid the fine I was able to go to Online Traffic School. Just a little note, while it’s less than having to spend a whole Saturday like it used to be (last ticket I got may have been 10-12 years ago) it certainly doesn’t take 20 minutes! I actually read through everything, took the practice tests after each of the sections and the final test at the end - 3 hours later I finished! Argh, what a way to spend an evening.