About Me

Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand
Otago man living in the Waikato.

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Pet Aversions ... by Appointment Only.

What are your regular pet aversions or pet dreads in life? My top two choices here have to be attending scheduled dental check-ups and taking the car for a warrant of fitness. Coincidentally, both my pet aversions happen to be twice yearly events, which means I can expect an average strike rate of 91.25 days between such events . Another similarity between my types of aversion are that dentists and mechanics still charge me between $100 and $200 for general maintenance. General maintenance is an optimistic outcome, since it means that I have no actual problems with my teeth or car. A major common denominator I have experienced when there are major issues or problems, is occasionally dentists and mechanics fix what doesn't need fixing and leave alone what needs fixing.

Here are some dentist quotes estimated to the best of my recollecting abilities:

When I was 15, the dentist said: "You' ll need you wisdom teeth out by the time you're 25 or 26."
I asked: "Will it hurt? and will it cost much?" Dentist replied: "Not really, as I will sedate and and anaethetise you. It should cost a few hundred dollars."

When I was 26, the dentist said: "Nah, you won't need your wisdom teeth out. Everything is fine."

When I was 32, I said: "My wisdom teeth have been causing severe pain across my face and giving me bad headaches." Dentist responded with: "We'll book you in for June 6th and have a look." [June was nearly 2 months away and he had no room for emergency bookings.]

My phone call to a new dentist: "I am in severe pain ... ... ... " New dentist replied: "Pop in at 4 o'clock, today."
New dentist shook his head and said: "My, my ... you should have had those out when you were a teenager." [ A month, a few x-rays and 2 visits to an orthodontist later, a specialist surgeon knocked me out completely and removed those darn suckers for a hefty amount ... but he did a great job and I was elated to have more room at the back of my mouth, once the swelling subsided.]

Quotes by the mechanic

Mechanic said: " You car is due for a new cam belt."
I replied: "Hang on a minute, didn't you replace the belt six months ago?"
Mechanic responded with: "Oops ... ... ... ! "

Mechanic on another day said: "Your car is fine, but ... ... ... " [and that was a very expensive 'but' - which rendered his first four words utterly pointless.]

Post your pet aversions here.