Kicked in the teeth

...or that's how it feels at the moment anyway. I'm taking a day off with one bastard of a tooth ache.

The pain aside, it's been an educational day. For example, I discoered that I was able to book an apointment with a university dentist (free for student union members), but failed to secure one with a private dentist (that cost so much that anyone who is willing to pay that must be in very real pain). I'm not sure whether to see this a triump of a well fare society or as a sign that private dentists are clearly struggling with too much work and are in acute need of expensive holidays.

Either way, I'm in pain so it's difficult to ponder about sociopolitical issues without ultimately ending up feeling very sorry for myself. So instead I'm just munching on painkillers and trying not to think about the tooth, the tooth, the tooooooth. Bastard!

Well, at least I don't have to go to work today. I suppose tooth ache is almost worth it. In fact, I think that a dental appointment is a great metaphor for a day in the office: you go in all innocent and expecting a nice leasurely visit. This all changes when the dentist tells you that your teeth are fine, there's JUST ONE LITTLE THING that needs fixing. And before you know it, you are practically choking on a mouthfull of what can only be described as weapons of mass destruction. When you leave the surgery you feel violated, insulted, and you are in even more pain than you were on your way there. I'm telling you, if you haven't felt like that after a day in your office then you are probably not doing your work properly (and/or you are an executive of the company).

Right off to the dentist then. Let the fun begin!