Notes From A Dental Chair
Sitting in the dentist chair waiting while they are preparing my new crown, gives me too much time to think.
Why do they call it a crown? When you think about it, it’s really jut a cap put over your old tooth. Then again who would pay that much money for just a cap? They have to make it sound better than what it is. I was hoping for something smaller, perhaps they could place a tiara on that tooth?
Of course I can’t go to the dentist without thinking about Marathon Man. I have a really nice dentist and yes, she has been told too many times all about Marathon Man. I guess that comes with the territory. Did you know they have two different drills? When she was grinding my tooth down to fit the crown, the drill was really loud. When she was drilling out a cavity the drill was much quieter, although still loud enough to keep me unsettled. They have different tips on them which explains the sound difference.
My dentist has televisions above the chairs. You can watch them while they are working on your teeth, which seems a little weird to me. I’m not much of a television person, but I guess a lot of people do want them on. Go figure? They play music throughout the offices, down low, and usually the blandest soft rock you can think of. Why can’t they play environmental sounds? I would much rather hear ocean waves, a small creek, crickets, or birds? I think that would be much more soothing.
I stare out the window, across the parking lot is a liquor store. Man that place is hopping. Cars are pulling in and people are constantly streaming in and out. I guess owning a liquor store in these times is good business. When I was on tour in Texas, I loved the whole concept of drive-in liquor stores, which are available in around 30 other states. Texas also has “drinks to go”. I’m sure that has never caused a problem.
Years ago, when I was in Europe we rented a car and were driving from France to Germany. Did you know, they served beer and wine at the rest areas on the highways. We decided drinking and then getting on the autobahn didn’t seem like a good idea...
Quick Health Update
I turned 70 last week. Which I believe surprised a lot of people, including myself. I am grateful to still be here.
I’m feeling pretty good. Still not 100% but I’m getting there. I stretch, lift weights, and do yoga just about every morning. I am walking 2-3 miles, five days a week. I’m able to eat and drink most anything I wish. I still get a little lightheaded sometimes, but that is happening less and less. I’m still being careful. I don’t want to go through that again.
Do you remember those drug commercials where at the end they recite all of the “possible side effects”? I always said if any of those side effects included “rectal bleeding” I was out. I would rather live with whatever ailment I had then deal with rectal bleeding. Who would have thought I could get that same “side effect” without taking ANY medications. Ah the joys of growing older.
As one ages you suddenly have a different priorities. Now when you’re looking for a home you want something without stairs. Those ranch style houses you thought looked stupid when you were younger, make so much more sense.
You don’t think about how good or bad the schools in the neighborhood are. Now you ask, how close is the nearest hospital? My doctor’s office? Dentist? Grocery stores? Liquor stores? (Luckily the liquor store is right by my dentist. One stop shopping.)
What are other places you think about as you age when looking for a home?
Angry Filmmaker Rants
A while back I decided to make some changes on the computer/internet front. I hate billionaires and Tech Bros. I really hate giving them my money. And every time I turn around they are jacking up the prices for the things I use. And they are all tracking me, selling my data, all of that shit I have no control over. I have been reading how most European governments are dumping American software, and other services. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time.
I finally decided to do something about it. With the help of my friend Chris, @buildyourcurosity, I have made some changes I’m pretty happy about. I let my Adobe account lapse. I’m using DaVinci Resolve for my editing work, and Pro Tools for audio editing. I canceled Google Workspace and my Gmail Accounts. I’m using Proton Mail, based in Switzerland. Yes my email addresses are the same. And the browsers, Opera based in Norway (yes they have some Chinese investors), and Duck Duck Go.
All of this is not fool proof, I still use a Mac, but I feel better not using the companies owned by people who support Trump. I need to do something about FaceBook and Instagram, not sure what, but I will find alternatives at some point.
When I canceled my Google account, I lost my You Tube Channel so I need to figure that out. I am on Vimeo but those bastards are discontinuing VOD, so I’m going to find another VOD provider as well. Any suggestions for streaming (VOD) that is NOT Amazon, Apple, or Google would be appreciated.
As usual, Thank You for reading, subscribing, and supporting me and my writing and filmmaking.
Remember, if you don’t like what I’m writing these days then unsubscribe. And don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Here’s a link to me reading from my story, The Gas Mask. Back in the 70’s a friend of mine hooked up an old World War Two gas mask to a water pipe making one of the most efficient pot delivery systems to get you really stoned quickly. But there were a few drawbacks… I hope you enjoy it.
https://vimeo.com/759262962?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
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Check out my books, as well as my films, and Angry Filmmaker merchandise on my site. www.angryfilmmaker.com