Time for Change

I have been having difficulty hearing certain lung and cardiac sounds with my stethoscope and today, once again, when the internist asked me what I thought after doing my physical exam on a patient, he told me I missed some pretty important sounds in the lungs. He let me listen with his stethoscope, a Littmann Master Cardiology model, and I could hear crystal clear. So I am saddened to do it, but I am going to retire my current stethoscope, and buy one of these. I'm getting it in grey (as seen to the right!). I was talking to my father today and now I know why I really wanted to be a surgeon...even though he has no medical background, he's as fascinated as me when it comes to cutting things up! He said to me tonight "scalpel first, medicine later"...don't ask---but it about sums up why it's in me genetically to crave surgery!

Lifelines Gmail Style!

At 3AM this past Saturday I was dealing with a patient that came in with congestive heart failure. I started treatment, took some x-rays, and the patient had improved. I was in my office checking e-mail, when I saw that Diana, a friend from vet school, and an intern also on overnights, but at a different hospital on the island, was also online! So I started chatting with her, and got some great advice, and even a second opinion on the x-rays I took (I emailed them to her)! Ahh, the wonders of the technology, and the the comfort of having a friend to bounce my ideas and concerns off of! Yesterday Terry-a, Steve, and Seren (their baby) were supposed to come out to the island for brunch with us to one of our local favorites, but Seren got sick so they had to cancel. Marcus and I went ourselves, and although the food was excellent as usual, we were disappointed in the cafe lattes! The last time we went they were heavenly, that day they were weak...not cool. I hope that was a one time faux pas. Then the rest of the day I was in zombie mode, since I had just finished my overnight shift at 8AM that same day. So what did I do to deal with it? I went to Century 21, of course. I almost bought a Cynthia Rowley bag, but didn't. But it was cute. What's that photo above? It's a famous phone booth in the Mojave Desert, that apparently was torn down a few years ago, after the location became inundated with too many people, and officials felt as though the desert's ecosystem was being compromised.

Love Chocolate Film---A Revelation

I recently changed the name of my blog, or more accurately the web address to "Love Chocolate Film"...as these are my passions in life, in a Nutella-shell, so to speak. And what a revelation...this week is great example of Love Chocolate Film, since I watched some great movies today, Valentine's Day is here at the end of this week, and I will be and have been eating, of course, chocolate! Well Stephen opened me up to the wonderful world of the Manhattan double feature...something that probably doesn't legitimately exist, but can be made...as I was taught today. So we went to see "Waltz with Bashir", followed by "Man On Wire"...I strongly recommend these. My favorite was "Waltz With Bashir"...an animated documentary that recounts a massacre that took place in Beirut. Stephen skillfully showed me the ways to successfully watch one movie, then make it undetected into another film playing at that theater. I will have to tag along with him for more of these events. Now I'm back on the Island. I'm going to watch my show, "Secret Diary of A Call Girl" tonight, of course.

My Latest Toy...

Last night I purchased my latest toy---a ToyWatch! I got this one here in the photo. I'm very excited. I have a love for watches, especially since I began traveling to Japan, land of the exotic watches. Anyway, today is my day off...in fact, I have three days off in a row!!! I can't believe it. I'm going to see a double feature with Stephen down at the Sunshine Theater on Houston Street. Before the movie I may stop by at my favorite knish spot, Yonnah Shimmel's. Supposedly I'm going bowling with some friends from work tonight, too...you know---on da' island. The past couple of days I saw some interesting cases on emergency...one was a stick that got lodged in a dog's back. I had to surgically remove it. Then last night a chihuahua who had recently given birth came in for muscle spasms and panting. It turned out she had eclampsia, so I treated her with calcium, among other things. So that leads me to today...a great day because I'm not working! YES!

Who Doesn't Love Italian Style?

Ahh...the fashion, the food, the cities, the people. I love Italian style. And I love "Divorce Italian Style (Divorzio all'Italiana)", the 1961 classic...Over the top, funny, and good film making. So I watched that today. The rest of the day I've spent working a little, cleaning up, and eating well. Now I'm watching Oprah, and Jenny McCarthy (of previous Playboy and MTV fame) is on, recognizing the bravery of a mom who survived leg and arm amputations after giving birth...and that's great, it's just kind of random that she's on celebrating this woman. But looking at her online bio, it seems as though she's focused her life around being a mother of an autistic child, so maybe that's why on the show now. Okay, so I take that back---not completely random. Last night I watched "The Secret Life of Bees". It was a good movie...I think it tried to deal with interesting issues; not a personal favorite film, but I'm glad I saw it. Plus I LOVE LOVE LOVE honey.

And So It Begins...

I slept in late today, with Gustaf next to me. It's pretty bad weather outside, but I did manage to make it out to see "Slumdog Millionaire". Great film. total bummer, though! I also worked on a presentation I have to give in a month. I also started my job search...augh. My ideal job would be one which would promote animal welfare, client education and pet owner responsibility, and promote shelter adoption. I would be open to an emergency position, as well...since I decided not to pursue residency in surgery (sigh), I figure I should try to use my skills to make a difference...otherwise, what's the point, right? So I've SLOWLY started the search...hmm...this is random, but I love this Hallmark card commercial. I just saw it on TV. Be patient and when the video plays, let that first annoying commercial finish before the feature presentation!