Giant teeth!

During the last horrific snowstorm in Toronto, the radio reporter asked a policeman if he had any advice for the city's drivers. He replied "Drive as though you are really early for a dentist appointment".

Good advice unless you have a dentist like mine. Don't get me wrong, I don't exactly look forward to a visit to Dr. Cathy Brabant's office, but it is generally a very pleasant experience. What I like best is being kept informed of what they are up to in my mouth.

You thinking types may ask, what has this to do with making concrete?  It occurred to me that we do many things the same. Obviously Cathy and her staff work at tolerances which we don't have to consider, but many of the procedures are the same. We make templates, build molds and we use dams to contain material. We grind, polish and sometimes cure with an ultraviolet light. The ability to match colours is critical. The fit and feel of our pieces may not be judged by the sensors in a tongue (not yet anyway), but if it doesn't feel right, we keep working.

Although we both end up with a great smile on our customer's face, I suspect she is better paid :) At least I get a free workout every day!