Lord, beer me strength...

I'm not typically one to complain... except that I totally am. Whatever. Lots been going on at work, some frustrating, some crazy, some just hilarious. I feel like Capt. Reynolds on a Firefly episode, claiming that I could use a little more boredom. Perhaps I'd just complain just as much. Anywho...

Mike has started up an early-morning class for the summer, so that means I get to show up at 7:00 to open the gym up. This means I also have to wake up at 5:30 in order to make a timely arrival. Even worse are the fitness members demanding that I show up at 6:45 for them to get an early start. I have the key and you don't - you lose. Nikki has a wiener-punching approach that sounds good in theory, but.....

Aside from grossly adjusting my sleep schedule, my body hasn't exactly been kind to me in my attempts to exercise. I've had a couple dizzy-spells of varying severity, and prolonged muscle cramping. This is strange since I've worked out several times before and felt nothing but great. Plus, how frustrating is it that I'm an EXERCISE SPECIALIST and I can't even get my act together. But I'm trying. And if I reach strike 3, I will consult a doctor. I've already got one of my patients calling me a retard for not having done so yet. Thanks, Pam.

And one of our cardiac patients surely topped himself today. I've already mentioned JP before about having some entertaining moments of mumbled honesty. He doubled us over with laughter a few weeks ago when explaining why he couldn't eat or drink whatever he wanted: his wife. We reminded him that he's a grown man and can do what he wants, but he replied with a hint of fear, "But she weighs more than me!" Ooooooh JP.... So yeah, today he couldn't find his car keys. I tell him I'll go look around outside a little later. Then I soon find out they're still in the ignition... engine running.... doors locked. All got fixed in the end, but I still worry about him, who can't even keep his days and visits straight.

To balance out my expressed woes and all with some joy, I'll simply post a new picture. My niece makes me incredibly happy and I'm pretty sure I do the same for her. This should serve as proof. Later, y'all.

Brinner is served!

I think everyone has had brinner at one point or another. Y'know, breakfast for dinner... brinner! There's something oddly appealing about breaking those meal boundaries, and I made the most of it tonight. Check this menu out:

Scrambled eggs mixed with bites of honey ham, topped with a melty slice of provolone cheese
Perfectly browned sausage links
Toasted cinnamon raisin English muffin with apricot preserves
Tall glass of smooth Sunny D

Man. Oh. Man. My kitchen skills aren't very extensive, but I do pull off a few impressive dishes. Now tell me you read all that and didn't suddenly want some brinner of your own.

Words I kept to myself

It was just over a week ago that I attended the memorial service for a clinic patient that recently passed. Mike and I were the clinic reps in attendance, and we'd also visited Steady Eddy a few weeks before while he was in another rehab facility. Anywho, it got to the point of saying a "few" words about Ed, but I passed up the chance to speak. Things were already running kinda long and I probably knew Ed less than everyone else in the room. But here's what I would've said.

I didn't plan to say anything, but listening to everyone else speak of him reminded me of a quote I heard somewhere. I dunno the true wording or source, but it goes something like, "What's the point of getting to Heaven able-bodied and well-rested?" Ed was truly an example of really filling your life with LIFE, not just passing along. You have to appreciate that, and I'm glad I knew him what little time I did.

Tonight, I touched a little Heaven

It seems like it has been forever in coming, but warm weather is finally starting to show up consistently. Today was a strangely productive day for me, mostly on account of me crashing early last night. I woke up with lots to do, so I got up and got to it - laundry, shopping, some mail projects, etc. Still got more to take care of, but I did a lot today.

But the best part came about an hour ago. Most know that I find joy in fairly simple things, and this is no exception. Imagine this: sitting on a breeze-cooled balcony, some hot pizza, a cold beer and a good book. I lounged outside in only my shorts, vaguely listening to the ambient highway traffic and overpassing planes. And better yet, no bugs! I suggest you try it. Need help? Come over.

PS - I cannot think of anyone who should not read How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman. It's encouraging and insightful whether you're reading as a clinician or a patient. Please please PLEASE check it out.

It's official:

I'm blogging more often than Laurel now. What's that you say? Citation needed? Take a good look at THIS! I know - I was shocked too. And while this page as a whole still lacks the aesthetic appeal with which my butt-twin has beefed up her blog, I appreciate that my efforts are being recognized and supported. Thanks to all.... both of you!

That's the new thing?

I don't know where this came from, but I've got this new thing that I'm doing. I call it not-sneezing. Truthfully, it's a little annoying. I've spent 25 years getting very used to and comfortable with my standard double-sneeze. But now I can feel one coming on, then it just goes away... into nowhere! Not only do I miss the double, but I sometimes get cheated out of even the single!

Weird, huh?

Old people swearing = instant comedy!

Last week might have had THE funniest patient encounter I've ever experienced anywhere. Mike and I were seriously fighting back the tears from laughing so hard. It revolves around one of our cardiac patients, whom I'll call JP. He's a pretty quiet, kinda bumbly old man. Even makes those weird old-man-gasps when getting up or exerting himself much. Always seems a little spacey, especially when he shows up on the wrong day. Anywho... he has become a whole new character to us lately.

So JP finished up his workout and was coming over to Mike and me to check out. As he's sitting down we both here a little mutter that ended in "bullshit!" We... were... floored. We look at him, both going, "What was that, JP?!" And he looked up kinda like, "Huh? Nothing..." Again, "C'mon JP, what did you say there?" And we get, "Umm... hellooooo!" His avoidance just makes it that much more hilarious. It's like he's 5 and getting busted for saying "damn!"

It got even better when he started explaining. He nodded towards another cardiac patient (Petey) and started venting about how he just starts talking and doesn't really stop, then does the flapping-mouth motion with his hand, going "blah blah blah!" Mike and I are pretty much dying at this point because of how true it is. That's why it's funny... because it's so true! Petey has (unasked) started telling us WWII stories, railroad histories and how he used the Heimlich on his step-mother at dinner. I actually had Mike page me to the front desk just to get away from a 20-min rambling.

The end? We doubt it. Because we love amusement like that, we told Petey to make sure he catches up with JP whenever he can. In Mike's own words, which he says a lot between us, "...straight to hell..." Yeah, probably. :P