Talked with my dentist about the root canal work. Tried to cajole her into extracting the tooth instead. She gave me that "Aw, why would you wanna do that?" speech in a tone normally reserved for four year olds who won't do what you ask or for really cute puppies. If I was the puppy, I would have peed on her shoes by now. Looks like I'm working overtime until Santa Claus brings me my new teeth. All high-carbon steel with hydraulic action (140 pounds of pressure per square inch!).

That's it for now. If I get time tonight, I'll add to this. But I'll leave you a list of nicknames I've been compiling. Maybe you can add to it.

You meet someone, a stranger, and you don't have time or need to find out their real name. What do you call them? Here's a list I've been called in the past (no particular order):

• Buddy
• Chum
• Pal
• Boss (or Boss Man)
• Bucko
• Sport
• Champ
• Tiger
• Slick
• Brother

Feel free to add any that you can think of. Until later...