Anatomy Of A Bad Day

Y'know how, in the grocery store, when they have a collection of odds and ends they want to get rid of quickly, and they lower the price and put the items in a grocery cart, usually located at the front of the store?

That was the case the other day for me, and as I walked by I noticed a bottle of mouthwash, green in color, the same size and shape as the Lavoris red mouthwash, so I picked a bottle of it up. Going through the checkout, what should have told me something was amiss went right over my head, they checked my ID. I got carded! I was blissfully oblivious.

This morning I get up from bed, shower and brush my teeth, and having a doctor's appointment I decide to use my "new" mouthwash. Taking a large mouthful I immediately spew it out all over the mirror. It was not mouthwash at all, as you may have already guessed, but alcohol, Schnapps, and a Schnapps so strong as to remove one's taste buds, made from battery acid I am sure.

After an amount of time, I forget how long, walking around with my mouth hanging open, letting it recover, I was ready for my Dr. Appointment, and off I went to Plaza 3 of Avera Medical Center. A very large building is Plaza 3 in the midst of 5 or 125 other large medical buildings all named Plaza (insert number), it had a grand total of probably 6 parking spots, and a valet service, which was closed. No parking.

Because of my extensive back and hip surgery, plus the 300 or so pounds of surgical steel I carry around, and the fact that I am a total wimp, walking is difficult and painful for me, which is why I have handicap plates on my car. Handicap parking was full, including one vehicle in a handicap spot with no plates, sticker or hanging decal, nothing indicating a handicapped person's vehicle.

Now, I understand, no one wants to walk the 12 or so miles across the parking lots to get to the doctor, but it is still wrong to park in that spot unless you are a gimp, like me. But that is exactly what I did. Upon entering the building I demanded that the City Police SWAT team be called in to deal with the parking miscreant, but they were reluctant to do so.

So I limp over to the registration desk in a very disgruntled manner, only to be informed "Mr. Pritchard, we're so sorry, but your appointment is not for another 2 weeks . . . . .".