Everything may go right and only one thing may go wrong, but that one thing will override the others and make for a "bad day."

On this particular day I dressed for my every other weekly visit to Jamaica Hospital where I am an Attending Dentist. I try to help and guide recently graduated dentists. When I can reach and teach an intern who is willing to learn, it is a wonderful day.

Some interns just try to hide their treatments from the prying eyes of their instructors. This is not a good path to learn and experience the knowledge they are missing.

Everything went well in the Jamaica Hospital Dental Clinic on the Van Wyck Expressway that morning. My fellow instructor, Mike L. and I drove down to Main Street, Flushing where we had a delicious falafel and a lemon coke for lunch at Naomi's Kosher Israeli Pizza Shop. It was a pleasant lunch even though Mike stopped short at the counter and knocked over a woman's coke. He said he was sorry and paid for a new drink. Very gallant!

On my ride home on the Grand Central Parkway I was ruminating on the morning's events. I reminded myself to call my wife and set up an appointment at a garage to fix her broken car mirror.

I called her on my car cellphone. I do have an on-manual ear device, but I did not use it.

When a dull-gray unmarked car appeared in my rear-view mirror, I knew I was in trouble. A New York City policeman approached my car and requested my license.

I had no explanation or excuse to offer. He also said I was wearing no seat belt. Again no counter explanation. He went back to his car and began writing. Was he really going to give me two tickets?

Yes, he was and yes, he did!

I have heard about enormous sums for cellphone violations. This one called for a $40 fine and a $30 surcharge. I still have not figured out the reasoning for a surcharge. Is it some kind of "tip" for the policeman, the judge or for New York City?

The seat belt cost was $30 with a $20 surcharge. One hundred and twenty dollars! Wow!

The only saving face is that after I pay these fines, I will have helped the City of New York out of its financial crisis. I truly hope Mayor Bloomberg appreciates my donation.

A Bad Day!