Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Lies

1. “Everybody lies. But it's alright because nobody listens.” is one of Bud's Law's. What do you lie about? My social calendar. I often make up events to get out of doing stuff I just don't want to do. I'm afraid the truth ("I'd rather sit home and watch Law & Order reruns than go out with you") might hurt feelings.

2. When you purchase a DVD, what besides the the movie itself, what do you enjoy the most? Is it the director's commentary, the deleted scenes, the bloopers or the behind-the-scenes documentary? Deleted scenes. These extras are what I miss about streaming videos and ONDEMAND.

3. What would you most like to accomplish before the year is over? Nothing springs to mind. Which is a good feeling. While I could stand to part with more shit, I think I may just have that Clutter Monster under control.

4. What is your current percentage of online shopping? Is it going to be more this year than last? I was told there would be no math involved. It's probably a little more than half, and it feels the same as last year.

5. What's left to do at your place (or where you are going)? Is the tree up? ...or maybe you're just happy you found that fave Christmas coffee mug and are calling that good? My tree is up. My cards are in the mail. My shopping is just about done. Time for the paper, tags and tape! I have been considering a fresh wreath for the front door. Maybe this weekend.

6. If you could get worry free, cost free plastic surgery, would you? If yes, where? Yes. In a hospital.

7. Do you think the child you were growing up, would like the adult you've become? For the most part. I can be short-tempered. But I'm also imaginative and supportive. My niece and nephew and my friend's daughter all think I'm pretty cool for some reason.

8. What will you miss about 2011? Long-time Cub players. With a new manager and new front office personnel, it stands to reason that some changes will be made. But I've grown very fond of some of my heroes in Cubbie Blue.

9. What is something you'd love to see invented? The laundry room is in the basement, and I share those two washers and dryers with the tenants of 11 other units. I wish there was a way to know -- without going down the four flights of stairs with a ton of clothes -- if the machines are in use.

A Tale of Two Teeth

A surprising and unwelcome part of my birthday celebration was my chipped molar. It's been more than a week and there's no pain, so I'm going to wait until January to get it looked at. Why work fruitlessly toward my deductible this late in the year, only to have the meter reset on January 1?

I realize I'm lucky to not be in pain, to have the chip in a barely visible spot, and to have dental insurance at all.

My friend from the Keys called to tell me how happy he was with the progress of his wrongful dismissal claim. But he was distracted by vodka -- partly because a cocktail is part of his after-work routine, mostly because he was in pain. He, too, has a broken tooth. But he can't afford to get it fixed because he doesn't have dental insurance. So he's going to self medicate and eventually get something done, but not the root canal/crown he predicts would set him back $1,400 he doesn't have. (I don't know what they cost, since I have the insurance, which I'm suddenly more grateful for.)