BEAUTY IS PAIN

Around this time last year, I bought Crest Whitestrips in the hopes of getting a whiter, brighter smile. Unfortunately, I had to discontinue use after four days because they were making my teeth super sensitive. Intentionally forgetting that experience, I recently bought Crest Whitestrips Premium Plus in the hopes of getting an even whiter, brighter smile in less time. When I showed Adrian what I had bought, he said, "Didn't those make your teeth hurt last time?" Well...yes...but those were different. They weren't Premium Plus. I remained optimistic. However, I was once again thwarted in my attempt for white teeth. I used the Premium Plus exactly four times before I couldn't handle the pain, and I am not a wimp. My teeth were so sensitive that it hurt to drink water! I even had to take a prescription ibuprofen tablet before bed last night because my teeth were aching so much. Not good, I know. Until I can afford a professional whitening procedure at the dentist, I am stuck with my current teeth and smile.

WONDERING...

what the employees of the neighborhood bookstore think of me when I pay for my books with an Amazon.com credit card. Are they happy that I'm spreading my book-buying around or are they aghast that I dare to support such a corporate giant?

BE GONE

Living in San Francisco, you become quite accustomed to homeless people. We even get the few who find the area on the sidewalk right outside our building a nice place to sleep. It's quite dark and quiet. Usually, these people don't bother us - they sleep and then move on before we're even up in the morning. But for the last few nights, we've had a moaner and a crier. This guy would moan, scream, and cry throughout the night and it didn't make for a sleep-filled night for any of us. The first night we thought he was a nuisance, but didn't think he'd be back. The second night I pulled a pillow over my head and told myself if he came back again, the cops would have to be called. Enter three cop cars and a screaming half-naked homeless guy and you have the scene that just transpired underneath my bedroom windows not fifteen minutes ago. We weren't even in bed yet when I heard him settling in with all his grunts and moans. No way, buddy, not tonight. Your cozy spot on Hermann just got terminated. I called the very nice dispatcher at the nonemergency police line and within minutes, the first cop showed up. As mentioned, before the debacle was through, two more cop cars arrived and many screaming diatribes later, the homeless guy moved on. Let's hope for good.