Since having my tooth extracted I have, at various times, felt a sharp pain where it once was. I have also felt the gum ache, and been constantly surprised by the gap my tongue finds instead of tooth. Therefore, I have decided that I am suffering from Phantom Tooth. Yes, the dreaded PT.

I would equate it to the phantom pains and itches that an amputee suffers after they have a limb removed. It is a dreadful thing, to lose a part of your own body. The next time I see someone missing an arm or a leg, I will make sure that I commiserate with them about how difficult it is to do things after you lose a part of yourself. I’m sure they will appreciate the support and will surely see that I too, am suffering.

All I am going to say on the subject of strenous activity is that it should not be undertaken after suffering a shock such as losing a part of yourself. Particularly not when the sun is out, you miscalculate the distance and then overborrow at the library. *nods firmly*

I joined a new writing forum today, called Writing Forums that seems to have fairly active Australian members on it. I also rejoined Funwriters (they have a new site), and I’m hoping that the old members still remember me. I really need somewhere that has Australian writers actively participating, and not just because of the time zone difference.

As I start improving my writing and polishing pieces for publication, I am going to need to look for places that are interested in my writing. Writer’s Beat is fantastic, but there aren’t a lot of Australian writers, and so most of the publishing advice is based on the US or the UK. I’m hoping that FW and WF will be of use to me when it comes time to publish.

I recieved a PM from April today, asking me to be a guest judge for October’s poetry competition. I’m thrilled, even though I know it isn’t a huge honour. Although, it did say that guest judges have to be experienced, so I suppose it is an honour. I feel honoured, anyway. I’m excited about the opportunity to judge a competition.

Well, I went to the dentist today, to get two fillings done. Honestly, that’s all I went in for. I took the x-rays that I had done the day before with me, and I went and waited 45 minutes to see someone. When I showed him the x-rays he did some hmm-ing and ordered another x-ray. He then proceeded to give me what felt like ten injections to the gums and cheek. The gums I can handle, but wow, the inside of your cheek is sensitive! Once the x-ray was done, he told me that I needed to either have the tooth extracted, or pay $1,500 - $1,700 to have a root canal and capping done. Blink. Blink.

I am in no way able to spend that amount of money on my teeth, so I opted for extraction:

“Well, I guess we better extract it, then.”
“Okay.”
*picks up a tool*
“Um, you don’t do extractions here, do you?” *eyes dentist man*
“Yeah, of course.”
“Oh..” *nearly passes out*
“Don’t worry, I’m good at them.” *evil dentist grin*

If he was good at them, then I would hate to have it done by someone who was bad at them. I’ve never had a tooth extracted with only local anaesthetic, and at first it wasn’t bad. Then he picked up a big silver pair of pliers and really started wrenching at it. Back and forth, back and forth. Eventually there was an audible (to my ears) ‘pop!’ and it was out. He stuffed a gauze pad into my mouth which I bit down on, and we went out to get me moved up on the waiting list.

The instant I was outside I turned to Gentil and started sobbing all over him. Honestly, the 45 minute wait while expecting a needle, finding out the dentist was male, recieving more than one needle, and then the extraction - it was all too much. I cried for most of the walk home, and from now on when I taste blood I will think of dentists, and excruciating, blinding pain. I never want to go back to the dentist again. Why can’t I have strong teeth?

I suppose the message you should take from this blog is that dentists are rich, and if you are going to rob someone, please pick them and not me.

Well, after after nearly two months of being a member of WB, I have the following things to boast about:

• I have posted a total of 302 times.
• I have been thanked 46 times.
• I have commented on 81 poems.
• I have commented on 34 stories.
• I have participated in 5 board games.
• I have welcomed 20 new members.

I’m quite happy with that list, actually. It feels good to be a part of a community of people who both give and take criticism well for the most part.

Today is Tempered Fragility’s 1st birthday. *sniff* I’m so proud.

On a more serious note, it really does feel like I have achieved something. This site has lasted for a year now, and I think I have actually blogged here more than I have anywhere else. Here’s to another year! =)

The oven is on and the stove is lit,
I have tied my apron and I’m wearing my mitt,
Delicious smells waft through the air,
Feel free to explore my stainless steel lair.

Passionfruit sponge cake drizzled with sauce,
Chocolate mint cheesecake, chilled of course,
Buttermilk pancakes with ice-cream and syrup,
Steaming hot, they’ve just come off the skillet.

Blueberry muffins with a cinnamon sprinkling,
Chocolate chip cupcakes, almost ready for frosting,
Macadamia cookies lightly dusted with sugar,
Leave them to cool, or I’ll smack your finger.

Now the kitchen is filled with sugary treats,
I shall bid you all adieu, my sweets.
You see, I never share my lovely creations,
They’re all for me; I don’t even allow tastin’!

‘Treat Yourself’
September, 2007
© Chloe Spencer (a.k.a me, Lisa Fraser)

Just a quick post before I run off to work, as I have some very exciting news.

Queen of Wands (a member of WB) won a competition on the VIP boards, and had the opportunity to nominate three people to receive a VIP membership. She chose me as one of those three people! I am so unbelievably excited right now, and very grateful to QW.

Alright, now off to work. *makes a face*