Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Time Runs Apace.

One of the very few TV programmes I watch is Silent Witness. It has high production values, generally interesting plots and the occasional intelligent comment on the human condition. And, of course, any man who doesn’t fancy Emilia Fox must be an island!
 
So, a new two-part series began tonight, and whose face should suddenly fill the screen but an actress I used to know during my theatre days. It must be ten years since I last saw her, and the first thing that struck me was how much older she looked. The second thing that struck me was how much older they must all look now. And the third thing that struck me...
 
Damn.
 
Should I explain what the intimation of mortality feels like to people who haven’t felt it yet? I could fill it with metaphors like conveyor belts, train whistles and the sound of horses’ hooves. Would there be any point? I don’t suppose there would.
 
I felt ill tonight, too. It was that old tooth problem that I’ve mentioned before, the one the dentist says he can’t do anything about. When it flairs up it’s like having a mild dose of flu with the added benefit of a toothache thrown in. Not nice. I even fell asleep in the armchair, which isn’t at all usual for me. I woke up just in time for Silent Witness. Maybe it would have been better if I hadn’t.

4 comments:

Zz... said...

sounds like a low level chronic infection from an old root canal therapy am i right? yeah, they suck!

JJ said...

Zhen! I'm impressed. That's exactly what it is. The dentist tells me the only solution would be some pretty nasty-sounding surgery, so I tolerate the occasional flair up. They don't usually last beyond a couple of days.

Wendy said...

I would quickly find another dentist and keep going for consultations about your tooth because I had a horrible situation with a tooth where I ended up having to have a root canal. I thought that the sound of the whole surgery would be worse than just "dealing" with it, like you do, Jeff. But let me tell you and I don't want to sound patronizing or like a scolding mother, I found out if one tooth is infected it can then go on not to only infect other teeth and your gums but also lower your immune system. Find a dentist you can trust and feel safe with and take good care of yourself whatever needs to be done.

JJ said...

Well, I had the root canal twenty years ago, Wendy. Two hours in the chair. Since then, it's been nothing like as bad as it was before, and I'm told the operation I'd need would be rather worse than the root canal treatment! Operations carry their own risks, and I hate any kind of invasion to my body. The fact is, I'm used to it flaring up and dying down again occasionally. But, thank you for your concern. Scold away!