Off the Mark

It’s just before 6 PM CST and I’m back home from the endodontist. As soon as I’m done with this I’m off to bed.

I slept like crap; hell, maybe didn’t even sleep last night. I am and have been exhausted all day. An hour drive each way, in the rain. Was great fun! Have I mentioned how much I despise driving in the rain? Long story….

Sure enough, the tooth was dead. Additionally, the gum and jaw have become infected. Actually, he didn’t mention it but I can tell, the glands in my throat are swollen and sore too. So I have a sore throat inside and out! He did give me an antibiotic for the infection, thankfully.

I have to go back in about 3 weeks and get some more root canal goodness done on it. Then go see the regular dentist a few weeks later to get it permanently resealed. Such fun! And only $944. For just this visit. Honestly, I’m not that sure I’m worth this kind of money. [Miss E, was that a root canal that you had a few months back? And did our student insurance cover any of it? I'm not holding out much hope.]

I was able to get back to Champaign-Urbana to the clinic to get my meds filled. Penicillin and Vicodin. Then I stopped at MerryAnn’s diner on the way home and got some breakfasty goodness so I didn’t have to worry about making myself dinner.

I am trying to keep my head above water and stay connected with folks, but please forgive me if I’m not quite so timely lately. I haven’t even been able to go to work (any of my jobs) since I got back from Austin Thursday evening. Haven’t got much homework done either. I may have gotten rid of the ants, and I did get to see several of my bestest friends in the world at ISU yesterday. I even got to spend more than a few minutes with Mo, Gina, and Chris! Not quite so much time with Katie and Jenna. I truly hope you all know how much you mean to me. And Miss Mo, I will always talk to you like I think you understand what I’m talking about. Because, you generally do, and there never was any question that you are capable of doing so.

Then in the evening I got to have a wide-ranging discussion of two good books and many other things, like the state of the academy, culture, education, etc. with three brilliant men. Where were you Rachelle? We’ve put our discussion group on hiatus for a while. Not sure when we’ll revive it. *sigh* I’ve been reading, discussing and learning from these folks (and one or two others) for almost 7 years now. This (slightly variable) group has been one of the best communities that I have ever been a part of. Despite, or maybe in spite of, almost 200 hours of higher education since meeting them, they are truly responsible for the quality and depth of my education.

OK, enough of this blog stuff. I’m off to bed. I love you all, new friends an old, “virtual” friends and “real.”

And, no, I’m not high off the Vicodin yet. I just took it, and I would need to take a handful for that to happen. Another long story….