Phantom tooth pains

So ... did I tell you about having a screw put in my jaw? No? Really? Well, compared to having both of one's jaws re-alligned, ain't no big thang. But ... I did have a screw put in my jaw.
That's right. For the implant. Last December, I went to my orthodontist - no, no, no. Let me go back further.
Last October, I went to an orthodontist and she took my last molar on my bottom right side out. It was tough. She said that it wasn't the hardest (like my Japanese dentist had said it was) extraction that she'd ever had to do but she would definitely put it in the top ten. I mean, she's got her foot up on the chair, and her assistant has me in a headlock and she is PULLING this tooth out. I guess my bone is so dense that it's difficult to extract my teeth. As if this wasn't hard enough, the fire alarm in the building went off right in the middle of her pulling it out. She wiped the sweat from her brow and said that we weren't leaving in the middle of this.
So it came out, I lived with a gaping hole for a couple of months and in December, I went back. This is when she screwed a metal rod into my jaw. She numbed it up good; drilled a hole into my jaw to start off; and then put a little metal pin on the end of a drill and slowly but surely drove it in. She told me the diameter at the time but hell if I remember it.
Anyhoo, I'm sitting there with my ipod on while she's doing this and I'm fine. I have a pretty good pain tolerance and dental work has never really bothered me, so I'm fine. Then I notice that she's got a bit of a furrowed brow. And her drill is making this whining noise, as if it's trying to turn but can't. I'm thinking, wow, I must REALLY have dense bone. So I shut off my ipod and she explains that she can't back the metal pin out. The drill won't reverse. She doesn't think it's a problem but she wanted to be sure that she could back it out, in case she needed to reallign the bolt in my jaw. Plus, it's gone in just a little too far. So their only alternative now is to back it out by hand. Ok, well, whatever, do your job, I think.
The orthodontist puts the drill away and picks up a small L-shaped tool, only 2-3 inches long. The assistant puts me in a headlock. The orthodontist puts the tool in my mouth. And she RATCHETS the metal pin back out.
RATCHETS!!!
That I could not take. My head is shaking back and forth from the ratcheting. Her hand is moving back and forth in my mouth. It's making that ratcheting NOISE. It was like nails on a chalkboard.
I got through it. I mouth breathed through the whole thing. I clenched the side of the chair. I didn't think that would be the thing to get me, but it was.
Once the pin was in, they had to let the gum heal around it. Then 4 months later, they use an impression of my original tooth to make my new tooth, which they'll screw to the top of the metal pin. My regular (dreamy) dentist does this.
Today I went in for some preliminaries. Right now, I have a temporary tooth made from PVC pipe (his words). It's molded in the shape of my original tooth, but they had to grind it down to fit my mouth. Apparently, not having a tooth in that space for so long, my tongue and cheek have gotten used to it. Now it feels like my tongue and cheek are swollen because they're butting up against it. The dentist told me that I'd get used to it.
The hardest thing to get used to is chewing on BOTH sides of my mouth again. All day long, I kept catching myself chewing on my left side. Then when I made myself chew equally, it just felt weird.
Well, in a couple of weeks, they'll check it again, and in a month, my permanent tooth will be in. And then I'll have to think of new reasons to go see my handsome dentist.

The last time I walked this much, I was in China.

I am walking 20 miles because my friend Jen thinks it's fun. No, seriously, this is her idea of a vacation.

I know what you're thinking. How did you, Ginger, end up with a friend like this? That's not like you. How come you're not at a support group for Peeps Overeaters Anonymous? Aren't those the kind of people that you would call life-long soulmates?

Aside from the fact that such a group does NOT exist*, I have to say that you never know where the life-long soulmates will come from. So it does not do to judge people like that. Instead open your heart to all kinds of people, and you too might just meet the kind of friend who challenges you to make the world a better place. I hope I can be that kind of friend to you.

Which is why I'm asking you to contribute. Here is my page, where you can make a contribution to end hunger. And I'll suffer those 20 miles not just for Jen, but for you too.

Thanks.

*I know, I checked.

Another one bites the dust

So Tuesday, I come home and I go to use my computer and the screen is all white. The mouse doesn't do anything. Turning it on and off doesn't do anything. Turning the computer on and off doesn't do anything. So Wednesday, I unplug and replug various wires. I blow on various parts (it's very dusty in my house). I bang on various spots. I even shook it really hard. No effect on it whatsoever.
So I'm sitting there and I think, "Well, your monitor is at least 4 years old. Probably older. It's probably just burnt out. Time to get a new monitor." Yeah, I hated the thought of spending money on it though. So I figured, "Well, just get on craigslist and see if you can get a used one cheap." Then it occurred to me. "Ginger, how are you gonna get on craigslist when your computer monitor doesn't work? You idiot."
They got me. I went to Best Buy (which I HATE*) and bought a new one. I just picked the cheapeast one.

In other news, I lost another pound. Woohoo!

*Don't ask me why I hate it. I can't even believe I went there. I should have gone to Target across the street. But let me just say that they did not fail to continue to offer their ridiculous "insurance," which I fully believe is a condoned scam. Bitter much? Yes ... yes, I am.

March Madness

So I'm still looking for a new job. I've found some good leads, but who knows what my chances are. They all want you to apply online but I hate doing that because I feel like I get lost in the electronic shuffle. On the other hand, mailing in a resume is so old school and sometimes NOT even an option. What I really need are personal connections. Hmmm ...
I also need to think about what other fields I can apply in. I've tried shoe companies and I've tried museums/art galleries. So what else can I do? Any suggestions?
I really want an MBA and to try consulting in management. But then I actually have to go to school and get that MBA. Sucks. My sister suggested Project Management certification. Actually, my roommate did too. It's mostly used in technical, computer-y fields but it's considered one of the "hottest" certifications to get. And my sister says that the one they hired doesn't know anything technical at all. She's basically just a glorified, well-paid AV club. Still ...
So if you have any suggestions of jobs that I should apply for, I would be happy to hear them.

Meanwhile, we got a new store manager finally. She's probably going to start next week. It's kinda exciting.

In other news, I have a show this Friday. I'm still training at the gym and doing well. Total weight loss, 11 pounds, and they feel permanent. And I'm just wrapping up the script that I was supposed to be writing for Casey. I should be putting the final touches on it today. Busy day today - we'll see how it goes.

Lists. You know I'm fond of lists.

So things that I just need to change in my life:

1. my job.

genki nai

I feel ooogy. Someone help me.

Genki, ne!

I really need to change the picture. I'm not sure I like it anymore.

I'm still recovering from my sinus infection; I just have a sore throat now. It's lingered for a while. I was supposed to have a regular doctor visit in March but I put off scheduling it until I had my schedule and now the soonest thing that they have is April. Boo. I may call and ask if I should be concerned that the sore throat is still lingering. I think it's really just post-nasal drip.

Now that I've disgusted you enough with my health problems, let me tell you about the awesome party that I had. Yes, that's right! You heard right! Ginger finally had an awesome party.

After years of horrible luck with parties, I reneged on my previous vow NEVER to have another party and decided to have a Japanese theme party. This was an idea that I BLATANTLY stole from Kalpana and her husband. They posted pictures of a Japanese party that they had to which someone came as GODZILLA. Well, I wanted THAT! So I decided to try it.

Whadya know? People came. It was amazing. We had me, dressed in my taiko drumming outfit, Kati as Kungfu Panda (yes, I know it's Chinese, but she was too attracted to the prospect of being both awesome and attractive), Jason in his Thai outfit, John in a Chinese shirt (I think it was hemp), Cynthia as a Sushi Roll (very awesome!), Jillian as a Pokemon warrior, and Jessica in a full kimono with wig (wicked awesome!). Kristen, my new roommate, was there too, as an American tourist (yeah, she just wore normal clothes). Oh no, wait, Patrick, from my improv troupe, also came in normal clothes, but he claims he ate a Japanese man on the way over, so I guess it was some kind of Godzilla impersonation. I'm not gonna question it. The important thing is ... PEOPLE CAME! Amazing. Really it is.

I made teriyaki, tempura, and sushi rolls. I almost went over board. Sure I have lots of raw vegetables in the fridge now, but at least I didn't have to throw it away (just yet). We also had edamame (soy beans), wasabi peas (yuck), and Pocky sticks. Very Japanese.

For fun, I borrowed my mom's karoake machine. Believe it or not, this is super extremely fun and not just cause I love it. It's the kind of thing that people can really get into. And if you sing some of the songs in a Japanese or German accent, it's hilarious. Of course, not everyone is confident enough to do this, but those are the people who love Apples to Apples.

After hearing people rave fanatically about this game, I thought it might be just the thing. Well, people stayed til after midnight on a Sunday night playing this game. Good times. I drank half a (BIG) bottle of sake. Thank God, I live here. I was a little bit hung over the next day.

If you'd like, there are pictures on facebook. Enjoy. And if you're thinking of having a party, think Japanese.