lineament \LIN-ee-uh-muhnt\, noun:
1. One of the outlines, exterior features, or distinctive marks of a body or figure, particularly of the face.
2. A distinguishing or characteristic feature; -- usually in the plural.

426.
Another trip to the dentist this morning, but not before my 'employers' contacted me to tell me that I will receive the five months' salary that they owe me - just two days before they start owing me six months' salary. Nevermind. At least I know that it is finally on its way (I hope). I am seriously considering a career change, and have been looking into teacher training. I quite fancy becoming a secondary school teacher, since I am beginning to tire of the uncertainty of self-employment and commuting to Lisbon. We shall see. I'm still thinking about it. Anyway, off to the dentist I went, fearing the worst. They took yet another x-ray of my mouth, and then disappeared for about five minutes to debate the result. It transpires that one of the teeth that I had root canal treatment on about 7-8 years ago is showing signs of infection at the bottom of the root. Since there are no nerves there, I can't feel a thing. The dentist could not advise me on what to do for the best. The tooth was initially capped, but it caused severe inflammation and I needed emergency treatment to have the crown removed. They eventually came to the conclusion that the crown was to blame, so they kept it off and filled the tooth with normal paste. From that day to this, I have never had a problem. However, they suggested that I have another go with a new crown as a means of trying to resolve another minor problem. So, I thought that this was what they were going to do today. The infection put paid to that, though. They said they would drill down, clear out the infection and then refill the cavity, but that they would have to leave the tooth uncapped for six months to make sure that the infection was gone - because they are not allowed to fit a crown unless there is no sign of any infection. I was advised that the infection is minor, and will probably go away itself in due course, and that there was no chance of it entering the tissue and infecting my gum. In other words, what they were saying was that it would be best left alone. So there you have it. A dentist that actually advises her patient that he doesn't need an expensive course of treatment! I was mightily relieved, for while I am not afraid of the dentist's drill, it is also something that I am not eager to have up against my teeth - whether or not they have nerves! Tomorrow I go for my MRI scan on my leg and back. Fingers crossed that all I need is a bit of physiotherapy, and not surgery.

Last year I came over all fruity