New year's day

10 years

This post wraps up 2018. I'll be taking 3 weeks off, and will see you guys in January.


December 21, 2008, was, apparently, a slow news day. In looking backwards I really can't find any articles of note from the major news outlets on that date's happenings.

But to me it was a big day as I published my first post here.

A lot of factors had led up to it. For years I'd been collecting stories hoping to write a book... someday. But life, work, and kids get in the way of those things. At some point I realized the book was never going to happen.

Then, in 2008, a change in my practice led to me having a bit more free time. So, instead of a book, I decided to share my stories on this blog.

And here I am, 10 years out. My numbers have gone up and down, but I still seem to have a following. For that I'm grateful. If it wasn't for you guys there wouldn't be a reason to do this. My posts have dropped from twice daily to 2-3/week, but I'm still cranking them out and hopefully will continue to do so.

I appreciate those of you who have stayed with me and written comments. I've only been mentioned once in the general media, but knowing you guys are reading makes it worthwhile to keep doing this.

At 10 years out I want to thank my wife, for putting up with me, and my kids, who've grown from small rug rats to young adults heading for college since I started this.

I also want to thank Mary and Annie, also for putting up with me and supplying me with stories to share. Without you guys I wouldn't have a real job.

My patients deserve a big round of applause. Without them I wouldn't have this blog. Most of them are good folks, and I genuinely appreciate them making my job a fulfilling one. Medical blogs may give you the impression that most patients are insane, or stupid, or both, but that's far from true. The vast majority are good people, but stories of normal patient encounters are boring and aren't why you come here.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you guys for sticking with me over time, sharing your thoughts, and making this fun.

A special thank you is deserved by those I've met through the blog and who I'm now proud to call friends. We may never meet in person, but knowing you're out there is good enough for me.

Thank you all, have a great holiday, and I'll be back on January 14, 2019.

IG

2018 Holiday gift guide

Do you have a friend who's a dentist? Do you want to give your dentist something more meaningful than the gouges you leave on the arms of his exam chair? Do you know someone who simply has no sense of taste (me, for example)?

Then consider this cozy pair of pants:

Featuring an attractive pattern of molars and bicuspids in alternating red and white (I guess the color depends on whether you remembered to stop taking warfarin before your root canal), these pants are ideal for visits to the dentist, holiday parties, and any job you're hoping to get fired from.

2018 Holiday gift guide

Those old enough will remember Rockwell's 1980's hit "Some Random Guy is Watching Me."

Wait? That wasn't the title? Never mind.

But if you have a friend who has delusions of that sort, you can order this for them:

The "Old Asian Man Wall Decal" (seriously, that's what it's called) is available from a number of websites for people wanting to add it to their home's atmosphere. Or something.