Overcoming Overthinking and the Stink Eye

So now, finally, when I’m walking the mean streets of Pasadena’s Madison Heights, I’m certain I’ve matured some (but admittedly, not too much.) These days, I’m not all that offended when someone headed my way up the street, takes a look, gives me the stink eye, and moves out into traffic to avoid sharing any possible interaction. Used to be, when I noticed the oncoming pedestrian was being led on a leash by a neatly coiffed poodle or a surly little man Chihuahua or even a prize-winning schnauzer, I’d take some satisfaction in executing a rehearsed casual pivot to the opposite side of the street…without even casting a patronizing smile toward the cute little canine. Anticipation Karma, dude.

Since March 2020, I’ve done more walking and overthinking than I ever dreamed I would (and I’m a dentist- we are the lords of Overthink.) Sometimes I freakin’ wake up second-guessing stuff I haven’t even done yet! But, what’s the alternative? Peloton? I did Peloton for a while but faded some when respected colleagues started following an awkward guy named "Poindexter"; he had no rhythm (Whaddya expect from a Poindexter?) wasn’t funny and dogged it most of the time. Poindexter was not cool. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was a divisive virtual anti-dentite disrespect carrier and what the heck, we dentists need to stick together. Peloton was a rap.

So, I still ask myself questions, furnish the answers, and even talk trash…dominating the pedestrian stink eye types with my thoughts and a smile and they literally don’t even know what hit them.

And, just so you know, I’m currently taking a one-week online challenge called Overcoming Overthinking, courtesy of the great Jon Acuff. I think maybe it’s going okay but why not add all y’all to my support group of Acuff brothers and sisters?

Why be selfish? Being curious and surrounded four days/ week by my entire team wearing 2-masks, shields, gloves, plastic gowns, and doo-rags all day, can be scary, plus they’re kind of over-sensitive verging on done with my overthinking. And now that I think about it, while some of ‘em can’t speak clearly to save their lives; more than a few patients, waiters, and underwriters could probably use some inner ear professional attention as well…

So, I guess it’s time to share some pandemic overthinking that might qualify as childlike curiosity (hopefully, not emerging from childhood #2.) During a pandemic and some super-long evening walks, here some of the many thoughts occupying my mind:

Ordering t-shirts online every month can give you something to really look forward to.

Things can get so bad for stay-at-home teenagers that the high schoolers I mentor on Zoom actually seem to like me and a few even favor a future in Dentistry.

I’ve learned pepperoni pizza, chorizo burritos, The Last Dance, Stanley Tucci “Searching for Italy” and “Yellowstone” can be therapeutic for isolation anxiety.

I also learned, when in Montana, never-ever accept a night ride to the train station.

After in depth research, I learned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson also said, “The good thing about science is, whether you believe it or not, if Putin or trump says it, it’s NOT science.”

Black cats don’t scare me that much anymore; at least when they don’t give me the stink eye.

When the going gets tough and the tough get going, I hope they’re vaccinated.

I feel safe outside these days without a mask but even safer when wearing my surgical cap when the exotic South American Temple City parrots are “singing” in the rain and the air.

Smelling the roses is important if you have to stay home all the time…and you have roses.

What am I supposed to do with my expensive Italian ties? Don’t answer that question!

Hmmm, Roku streaming sucks; they failed and continue failing “Loading the Video 101.”

The spring, summer, and fall seasons trinity= the pre- surge seasons.

I used to wonder why SCJ Clarence Thomas never asked questions…until his wife showed up.

When two people are both wearing TWO masks, storytelling can be exhausting. When someone is driving a car and wearing a mask even though there are no passengers, they’re dead to me.

When George Carlin said, “The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept,” I didn’t understand. That was before long walks with underwriters, former USC sorority girls, and women who like yards.

Seems like birds are chirping louder these days. Are they mad, lonely, or hard of hearing? Or are they impersonating humans and it’s just their way of giving us the stink eye?

I never used to pay that much attention to my colleagues’ WhatsApp chat prose, but ever since the pandemic, reading middle aged professionals composing “prolly being jelly” makes me freakin’ agro.

I know it’s too hot to walk 10,000 steps through the Heights when I begin wondering about Justice Kavanaugh’s favorite beer.

Today, I bonded with a patient (who promised referrals and 5-stars) over our mutual dislike for NBA star Chris Paul.

I learned Keanu Reeves, Albert Einstein, Robin Williams, and Maya Angelou are the inspirational heads on my quotations Mount Rushmore.

And, while embarking on my Overcoming Overthinking program, I learned empathy is understanding the needs of others, and acting upon it.

I also learned bad times and breakdowns can help finding breakthroughs and doing the right thing that used to scare you.

When you see me patrolling the streets of Pasadena from Caltech to the Rose Bowl to the very first Trader Joe’s, I’ll be the guy in USC gear, seemingly deep in thought. I dare you to give me the stink eye...if you’re unprepared for the ensuing smile and a hello.