This week’s episode: A visit to the dermatologist for removal of unsightly skin thingys.

I probably should just get on a monthly schedule now, but I’m still partly in denial. (To counteract that speeding downhill sensation I’ve been having, I recently discovered that contemplating your future death–just think, you’re living in your corpse!– has a dilatory effect on time, making it seem very, very long, especially at night.) All right. I’ve had this splotch on my nose for five years at least. Makeup just won’t stay on it and it annoys me, being right there smack in the middle of my face.

When I described the red splotch to the the receptionist, she said, “Oh, you want sclero.”

“OK,” I said.

To find out what “sclero” was, I did a a full 10 minutes of internet research after I made the appointment.

Yesterday, I was shown into the sclero room at the doctor’s office, where the nurse directed me to a dental-style chair and said, “Did you bring some shorts to change into?”

What? Well, no, I hoped I could control my bowels through this supposedly minor procedure.

The look on my face sent her off to get the doctor and we resolved the confusion in a moment. I got zapped instead by a different kind of laser, leaving, well, a slightly redder spot just where the original spot was. So, I’m glad that’s all done.

Also this week, Katie had her cast removed, leaving this:

Phantom Arm