Holidays
Countdown to holidays - one and a half working days to go. I've had to cancel a meeting in Edinburgh for tomorrow, otherwise I'd be in a blind panic that I wouldn't get everything done.
In a bit of really bad planning, but not I hasten to add on my own part, I have a new staff member starting on Monday and I'll only be there in the morning to take care of him, give him his work programme, introduce him to the rest of the team and ensure that his induction takes place and all the rest of the new start stuff that goes on. Then I'll be off for a fortnight leaving the poor guy to sink or swim. I have however taken the precaution of ensuring that I've buddied him up with someone who can help him with the work he's to do whilst I'm gone. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him. I also have expressions of interest coming in to join a new partnership group - I won't be there of course to receive them or pull the shortlist together for final approval before sending out the letters inviting them to the first meeting - oops! Very thorough handover notes were hastily written today so all bases may hopefully be covered.
So tomorrow I'll concentrate on tying up the loose ends leaving me free to spend my monday morning with the new start before swanning off and leaving them all to it. That's the plan anyway, if it's anything like last June when I was trying to leave for two weeks holiday (this time in Italy) I was a frazzled heap of stress by the time I got away. Wish me luck....
Dental News
Today I visited a real dentist (that's as opposed to the student dentists who fitted a crown for me about this time last year and caused me no end of pain and suffering). He is so appalled at the treatment I had at the dental access unit and at the way the crown is so badly fitted that he wanted to complain.
No point in complaining as far as I can see. They've botched it up I agree with that but that won't get me my tooth back. The only option that's left for me is to have the tooth taken out. This is such a blow for me - I've always had perfect teeth and no problems until a filling fell out and I couldn't get a dentist. The hole grew and took a bit of my tooth with it until eventually they suggested this crown. Now they've ruined my tooth and it has to come out. If they'd filled it properly at the time I would still have been in possession of a full set of perfect teeth.
I don't know ... I feel a bit tearful at the thought of having to loose a tooth. It makes me feel less than perfect somehow. (Sure I'm missing some major organs but a tooth is a different matter). I've to phone him to let him know my decision but logic tells me I have to agree with his recommendation. At least the kind man is referring me to a surgeon who'll be able to sedate me given the previous difficulties with not getting the tooth numbed properly and my long and very strong roots. That's one consolation in all this mess - I should feel no pain during the procedure.
Catching Up
I feel like I should be in the confession box - it's such a long time since I posted anything here. In my defence I have been extremely busy - both at work and in my real life (as opposed to any virtual life you understand).
In work issues I'm happy to report that the disruptive influence that I was dealing with has now left the team. No longer am I having to chase up this individual for work not completed or undertaken in such a slapdash manner that it needs to be re-done; no longer am I having to try to manage this individual trying to get away with as much as is humanly possible without getting into trouble (they didn't and they did if you get the picture) and no longer (praise the lord) do I have to look at this individual's smug face as they think they are getting away with all this (which they didn't in the end!) My other "issue" is shortly to go on extended leave so will not be problematic to me for some time.
In real life - Nos 1 and 2 sons have finally flown the nest to live with their respective girlfriends and fiances (actually they only have one each but you know what I mean) and that leaves only No 3 son who is going out with a rather unsuitable girl but only unsuitable to me (who's hardly met the poor girl) from the perspective that I had a run in with the mother (I'm one of many as it turns out troublesome family that they were) due to two of her sons bullying one of mine. For that reason alone I've never forgiven the mother, her family and all future generations to come.
G has finally moved in full time and we have been living in happy sin for the last year almost. Do I think it's time he offered to make an honest woman of me? Having been there twice already perhaps that's not such a bright idea.
So there you go - a year's worth of catch up. Yes I agree, not that much worth mentioning but there you are. Alas - that I could tell you tales of derring do and high adventure ... guess you'll have to go and read someone else more interesting instead.
Stay tuned for the next riveting instalment - hopefully I won't leave you hanging off the side of your chair for another year?
Dental
Dreadful day today - had an appointment at the dental hospital where I'm getting a crown fitted by students. Not their fault but I've had about 8 hours of drilling so far and there's little left of the tooth but what there is left is hyper sensitive and they had to give up on the preparation as even the highest dose of anaesthetic made no difference and the pain was indescribable!
I was meant to be getting the crown today and that was to be an end to the visits. However, the lab hadn't created it properly and the option was to start all over again -preparation, impressions the lot or compromise with what we had and put filling material in the gap. I chose the latter as I couldn't cope with any more preparation - rather have the tooth out! The student spent an hour and a half drilling down the crown so it would fit. He got a great fit and I was able to bite down at both sides of my mouth (only those who have gone through it will understand!) but when he put it on with the cement he didn't push it down hard enough so now it's stuck hard and doesn't fit - I can't bite down at all it's so high. I've also to go back tomorrow as they ran out of time to fill the gap that's left round the bottom.
I've really had enough - I just need them to finish this and then I can go to a proper dentist ... finally found one who's able to take on a new patient even if it is private. The problem in Scotland is the complete lack of NHS Dentists (mine gave up suddenly leaving me with no dentist and no prospect of getting one) and the inability of other dentists to be able to open up their lists to private patients as they're so full.
One of the first things I'm going to do when I rule the world is give everyone access to dental treatment on the NHS....that and student grants!!
Winter Madness.............
winter madness
It's that time of year again ... the clocks have gone back and the days are shorter (ok the days themselves aren't but the daylight hours are). This morning I had forgotten to change the clocks back and as a result my alarm went off at 7am as normal. But it wasn't normal of course - it was actually 6am and there was me wide awake with the rest of the house thinking it was still the middle of the night.
Despite a day of clear skies and nice weather, by 5pm it was dark enough to merit drawing the curtains and let the hibernation begin! Some people get SAD at this time of year, others like http://www.deadmemories.co.uk/ just dislike the onset of winter. But for me - this winter the strangest thing has happened....I've started to think about Christmas. Yesterday and today I actually had to fight off the impulse to start buying christmas cards and presents instead of spending money on myself as usual. What's happening here? Normally it's at least the 15th of December before I can get myself round to this task!
I'm away to lie down in a darkened room!
Canada Eh!
It's been over a week now since we returned from Canada and the jet lag has finally subsided making me feel more human again!
Canada - what a fantastic place. We started off in Vancouver which was an amazing city, then went to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a night. Back to Vancouver then a trip to Whistler where bears and cougars roam wild! Final night in Vancouver then by train and bus through the Rockies via the Athabasca glacier and Lake Louise. Picked up at Calgary by relatives and spent a week and a bit in Medicine Hat then back to Calgary for a few days.
Saw amazing and awe inspiring sights, met some fantastic people and had the most fantastic holiday of my life. Tried to put some pictures up to share the moments with you all but unfortunately they wouldn't load, I'll work on that over the next few days.
Back home, went to Rod Stewart concert in Glasgow. Now that was a show and a half. Amazing stage show and an overall brilliant gig.
It's all going to be a bit boring now!