Ahh, another weekend, over!! OH NO!!!
Unfortunately, weekends are never quite long enough, and there's always plenty of things that I don't get done in them... I would say that this weekend was pretty productive, though, except that that would be a lie! Well, at least I'm on my neurosurgery rotation, which has been pretty cool.
At any rate, I'm super-excited (moreso than always!) because in two weeks, I have NINE DAYS OFF!!! Seriously, it's gonna be awesome! I haven't had nine days off in a row for about a year (even counting time off for the holidays). What am I going to do?
I have no idea whatsoever, but I think it will definitely involve a LOT of sleeping!
Much like this comic strip, I don't have many other thoughts at this point, so I think I'll draw this to a close.
Did you know that the entire archive of Calvin and Hobbes comics is available online for free!?
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Majuscules
YEAH, SO THE DAY STARTED OUT BRIGHT AND EARLY AT 5:30 THIS MORNING, WHEN ABOUT 3 ALARM CLOCKS ALL WENT OFF. FORTUNATELY, THE MIRACLES OF COFFEE AND POP-TARTS WERE ABLE TO ROUSE ME FROM MY NIGHTLY COMA.
AFTER THAT, I MADE A BEELINE FOR THE HOSPITAL, WHERE WE MADE ROUNDS (FORTUNATELY IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT 2 AND A HALF HOURS THIS MORNING). AFTER ROUNDS, I HAD A "PEER AND SELF ASSESSMENT" REVIEW MEETING, WHERE I FOUND OUT THINGS THAT I PRETTY MUCH ALREADY KNEW (I.E., I'M NOT PERFECT, BUT I USUALLY DO ALRIGHT). IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE WERE SOME PATIENTS IN THE ER THAT NEEDED SEEN, SO WE WENT AND EVALUATED THEM, AND LATER, I WENT HOME.
AT ANY RATE, THE DAY WASN'T A TOTAL LOSS, BECAUSE I FINALLY GOT MY APARTMENT LINED UP TO MOVE INTO IN JUNE.
YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY THIS IS IN ALL CAPS... YOU PROBABLY WANT TO "MAKE SENSE OF CHAOS" OR SOMETHING. AT ANY RATE, I JUST GOT BORED.
IN OTHER NEWS, I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE MAGIC OF AUDIOBOOKS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM FOR ALL YOUR READING/LISTENING NEEDS.
AFTER THAT, I MADE A BEELINE FOR THE HOSPITAL, WHERE WE MADE ROUNDS (FORTUNATELY IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT 2 AND A HALF HOURS THIS MORNING). AFTER ROUNDS, I HAD A "PEER AND SELF ASSESSMENT" REVIEW MEETING, WHERE I FOUND OUT THINGS THAT I PRETTY MUCH ALREADY KNEW (I.E., I'M NOT PERFECT, BUT I USUALLY DO ALRIGHT). IN THE AFTERNOON, THERE WERE SOME PATIENTS IN THE ER THAT NEEDED SEEN, SO WE WENT AND EVALUATED THEM, AND LATER, I WENT HOME.
AT ANY RATE, THE DAY WASN'T A TOTAL LOSS, BECAUSE I FINALLY GOT MY APARTMENT LINED UP TO MOVE INTO IN JUNE.
YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY THIS IS IN ALL CAPS... YOU PROBABLY WANT TO "MAKE SENSE OF CHAOS" OR SOMETHING. AT ANY RATE, I JUST GOT BORED.
IN OTHER NEWS, I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE MAGIC OF AUDIOBOOKS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM FOR ALL YOUR READING/LISTENING NEEDS.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
It's not like it's brain surgery, or anything
It's been soooooooo long since I wrote! (Oops!)
Anyway, here's the deal: Since last we met (or read, or wrote, or whatever), I have finished my rotation in Psychiatry. There, I learned that we're all a little crazy in our own way--not on the curriculum, but definitely true. Since I was at the VA hospital, I also learned a lot about the military.
Anyway, after that, I left for an extraordinary weekend in North Dakota. Unfortunately, it's quite flat there. Fortunately, there IS something called the "Fargodome", which is pretty awesome in my opinion!! Regardless of that, I did have a pretty good reason to be there.
After I dragged myself onto my flight back to Indy (kicking and screaming, I might add--or might not, as the case may be), my next rotation started off with a bang this Monday. Right now, I'm on the "Neurosensory" clerkship, but what that really means is I'm on the Neurosurgery team, which is pretty awesome, if I do say so. For example, I want you to look this up, and tell me it's not awesome: conscious open craniotomy. They did that, and I was there. Tell me how that isn't awesome. Also, I actually got to assist on two cases today (hooray!).
So, that's my life. Living the dream... :)
And racking up the debt... :(
Anyway, here's the deal: Since last we met (or read, or wrote, or whatever), I have finished my rotation in Psychiatry. There, I learned that we're all a little crazy in our own way--not on the curriculum, but definitely true. Since I was at the VA hospital, I also learned a lot about the military.
Anyway, after that, I left for an extraordinary weekend in North Dakota. Unfortunately, it's quite flat there. Fortunately, there IS something called the "Fargodome", which is pretty awesome in my opinion!! Regardless of that, I did have a pretty good reason to be there.
After I dragged myself onto my flight back to Indy (kicking and screaming, I might add--or might not, as the case may be), my next rotation started off with a bang this Monday. Right now, I'm on the "Neurosensory" clerkship, but what that really means is I'm on the Neurosurgery team, which is pretty awesome, if I do say so. For example, I want you to look this up, and tell me it's not awesome: conscious open craniotomy. They did that, and I was there. Tell me how that isn't awesome. Also, I actually got to assist on two cases today (hooray!).
So, that's my life. Living the dream... :)
And racking up the debt... :(
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Delusions of Granger, err, I mean, Grandeur
The inpatient psych ward is a new experience for me.
Occasionally in life I have (and I imagine other people do too) times when I have to step back, and think to myself, "this is real!" In the sense that, what's happening is not just some story, or a picture, but it's actually happening. My first time flying in an airplane is a good example. Well, in a different sense, I've had some experiences in the hospital (usually the emergency room, with a trauma case or something) where I've had the same thought. Well, I've had that same feeling quite a few times in just the first three days that I've been on the psych ward.
For some reason, it's easy to think about life for everyone as being a lot like mine (i.e. boring, and filled with studying books in my apartment), but in reality--this is the real-life reminder I've been getting--there are a lot of people out there who: spend a lot of time drunk, high, sleep in the street, and wander around with some SERIOUS delusions about life. These are people dealing (or not dealing) with some major problems.
Obviously not everyone there has got it so bad as all that. There's nothing magical or especially terrible about the psych ward (at least not that I am aware of). These aren't "bad" people, or even all that different from anyone else. But they do have some real problems.
Anyway, for me, it's totally unfamiliar, and definitely a learning experience.
Occasionally in life I have (and I imagine other people do too) times when I have to step back, and think to myself, "this is real!" In the sense that, what's happening is not just some story, or a picture, but it's actually happening. My first time flying in an airplane is a good example. Well, in a different sense, I've had some experiences in the hospital (usually the emergency room, with a trauma case or something) where I've had the same thought. Well, I've had that same feeling quite a few times in just the first three days that I've been on the psych ward.
For some reason, it's easy to think about life for everyone as being a lot like mine (i.e. boring, and filled with studying books in my apartment), but in reality--this is the real-life reminder I've been getting--there are a lot of people out there who: spend a lot of time drunk, high, sleep in the street, and wander around with some SERIOUS delusions about life. These are people dealing (or not dealing) with some major problems.
Obviously not everyone there has got it so bad as all that. There's nothing magical or especially terrible about the psych ward (at least not that I am aware of). These aren't "bad" people, or even all that different from anyone else. But they do have some real problems.
Anyway, for me, it's totally unfamiliar, and definitely a learning experience.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Witty Title!
I figured it was time to write something...
So, here goes!
I'm coming toward the end of another rotation. This time it's the internal medicine exam that I'm in "freak-out mode" studying for. Well, maybe I NEED to get into that mode. In case you're wondering, freak-out mode is almost like "the zone", except not quite as good, and not quite as hard to get into! It has more to do with procrastination than it does to do with actually being good at something, and it tends to wear off a little sooner than anyone would like... But it serves its purpose.
Naturally, a little bit of a hypomanic episode might be a little bit cooler, but I'm not entirely sure that's something you can choose to have. You can, however, choose "freak-out mode"--it's as easy as making several pots of coffee!
Anyway, maybe I'm using all of these psychology terms because I'm just looking forward to my next rotation, which is psychiatry. It's my subconscious or something. Anyway, I've had a few thoughts on how to prepare/study for THAT rotation. Most of them center around buying a sweet new couch and free-associating. Others, however, involve buying one or more new t-shirts.
So, here goes!
I'm coming toward the end of another rotation. This time it's the internal medicine exam that I'm in "freak-out mode" studying for. Well, maybe I NEED to get into that mode. In case you're wondering, freak-out mode is almost like "the zone", except not quite as good, and not quite as hard to get into! It has more to do with procrastination than it does to do with actually being good at something, and it tends to wear off a little sooner than anyone would like... But it serves its purpose.
Naturally, a little bit of a hypomanic episode might be a little bit cooler, but I'm not entirely sure that's something you can choose to have. You can, however, choose "freak-out mode"--it's as easy as making several pots of coffee!
Anyway, maybe I'm using all of these psychology terms because I'm just looking forward to my next rotation, which is psychiatry. It's my subconscious or something. Anyway, I've had a few thoughts on how to prepare/study for THAT rotation. Most of them center around buying a sweet new couch and free-associating. Others, however, involve buying one or more new t-shirts.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Beverages
Recently, there's been a lot of talk about beverages and politics. There's a long tradition of making beverages a part of politics. There's even a liquor store named "The 21st Amendment" (I've never been inside, but I assume that a reincarnated Samuel Adams works there).
But this is not about alcohol.
Everybody's heard of the "Tea Party", I'm sure. Now, there's a "Coffee Party" starting up (unfortunately, Juan Valdez isn't a US citizen, and cannot be a candidate). How long before we have a "Water Party", a "Grape Juice Party", and (shudder...) a "Frappucino Party"?!
Just exactly what these beverages have to do with politics is even more obscure than donkeys and elephants. But I am concerned that my interests are not being adequately represented. I assume† that the Tea Party is mostly concerned about eating crumpets (whatever those are), taxing those of us who drink coffee, and generally making life miserable for anyone who doesn't enjoy drinking from tiny cups, using saucers and having table manners (again, whatever those are). I also assume‡ that the Coffee Party platform will consist almost entirely of propaganda for the thermos industry. I foresee subsidies and tax credits for buying things like self-heating travel mugs, and robot baristas.
Neither of those two options fully suits me. "Why?", you ask?
Well, here's why:
Both of them leave out a massive segment of the population. One with energy (sometimes TOO MUCH energy), focus, and determination. People who aren't afraid to do extreme sports. People who don't shy away from the possibility of an irregular heartbeat. These people deserve our support. Who are these noble men and women?
The people who support the Diet Mountain Dew Agenda. They show their support daily. Sometimes more. They wake up early. They stay up late. All with one goal; of making their dream a reality. That dream is not so different from any other dream:
It's the hope that one day, a resting tremor won't mean a glass ceiling at the workplace. That sick days taken for withdrawal headaches won't result in job losses. That medical expenses (especially those related to treating atrial fibrillation) will be covered for all, and that this wonderful green beverage will be spread throughout the world as gifts of goodwill, fostering peace and harmony in our time.
That, my friends, is also my dream.
† I know what the Tea Party is.
‡ I know what the Coffee Party is.
But this is not about alcohol.
Everybody's heard of the "Tea Party", I'm sure. Now, there's a "Coffee Party" starting up (unfortunately, Juan Valdez isn't a US citizen, and cannot be a candidate). How long before we have a "Water Party", a "Grape Juice Party", and (shudder...) a "Frappucino Party"?!
Just exactly what these beverages have to do with politics is even more obscure than donkeys and elephants. But I am concerned that my interests are not being adequately represented. I assume† that the Tea Party is mostly concerned about eating crumpets (whatever those are), taxing those of us who drink coffee, and generally making life miserable for anyone who doesn't enjoy drinking from tiny cups, using saucers and having table manners (again, whatever those are). I also assume‡ that the Coffee Party platform will consist almost entirely of propaganda for the thermos industry. I foresee subsidies and tax credits for buying things like self-heating travel mugs, and robot baristas.
Neither of those two options fully suits me. "Why?", you ask?
Well, here's why:
Both of them leave out a massive segment of the population. One with energy (sometimes TOO MUCH energy), focus, and determination. People who aren't afraid to do extreme sports. People who don't shy away from the possibility of an irregular heartbeat. These people deserve our support. Who are these noble men and women?
The people who support the Diet Mountain Dew Agenda. They show their support daily. Sometimes more. They wake up early. They stay up late. All with one goal; of making their dream a reality. That dream is not so different from any other dream:
It's the hope that one day, a resting tremor won't mean a glass ceiling at the workplace. That sick days taken for withdrawal headaches won't result in job losses. That medical expenses (especially those related to treating atrial fibrillation) will be covered for all, and that this wonderful green beverage will be spread throughout the world as gifts of goodwill, fostering peace and harmony in our time.
That, my friends, is also my dream.
† I know what the Tea Party is.
‡ I know what the Coffee Party is.
Friday, February 19, 2010
As always, been too long since I wrote last... I have started several times, but actually fell asleep in my chair.
I've discovered (well, rediscovered) that I'm not exactly a "morning person" (turns out there's a physiologic basis for that, if you're interested), but I am more of a night person. Getting ANYWHERE at a reasonable hour of the morning is an epic battle for me. Exempli gratia, I'm supposed to get to the hospital and see all my patients in the morning. Well, on my current rotation, that means getting to the hospital at about 7am (could be worse, I know). Like I said, epic battle; getting up and ready is like pulling teeth.
On the other hand, staying up late is no big deal
In other news, it's still winter, snow's no fun, and I hate scraping car windows. Also, I'm doing residency somewhere warm.
I've discovered (well, rediscovered) that I'm not exactly a "morning person" (turns out there's a physiologic basis for that, if you're interested), but I am more of a night person. Getting ANYWHERE at a reasonable hour of the morning is an epic battle for me. Exempli gratia, I'm supposed to get to the hospital and see all my patients in the morning. Well, on my current rotation, that means getting to the hospital at about 7am (could be worse, I know). Like I said, epic battle; getting up and ready is like pulling teeth.
On the other hand, staying up late is no big deal
In other news, it's still winter, snow's no fun, and I hate scraping car windows. Also, I'm doing residency somewhere warm.
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