[first a mini-rant: I just have to say that so far Snow Leopard has been nothing but headache. Ugh. It has killed my internet, and I do not have the time/patience to deal with it now, so this is about the 4th time I have tried to post this post.]

So, I spent most of last week in San Francisco for a conference. It was good- though a lot of it was over my head. I did see a few friends from college that I haven't seen in years- so that was awesome.

And the invited guest speaker was Kathy Reichs- who writes mystery novels (I guess that's what you'd call them)- she's a forensic anthropologist, and the show Bones is based on her books. Well anyway, her talk was really entertaining and interesting- though it had nothing at all to do with hand surgery. I really find forensics, AND anthropology, fascinating.

But honestly, the best part of the trip was having a smiling face waiting for me at the airport when I got home.
Aww.... I'm such a sappy giddy little schoolgirl. But... things are good. :)

I also realized- I have ZERO desire to ever live in California.

It's also kind of a bummer that the trip ate up my whole long weekend... spent all day yesterday flying, and had to spend today getting organized for a full day of catch up at work tomorrow. Though, I guess I should be glad I had the day off at all.

And speaking of work... while in SF I went to reception put on by this chain of surgery centers... People refer to them as 'the dark side'. Which is maybe silly. They are a very successful, well marketed, BUSINESS. I talked to a guy that's worked there for a year... he works 3.5 days/week, doesn't take call, and makes SICK money. He is happy as a clam... doing work he likes with few paperwork/insurance hassles (etc), makes plenty of money, and has tons of time with his family.
I mean, what's not to like???
Yet, people in the field look down on them. Like it's 'selling out' to go work for them. I think in medicine it's very taboo to admit you want to make money. To look at it like a business.
Who knows... they have offices in texas and vegas now- and I don't want to live in either of those places. But I have to at least admit that I can see how people would be tempted.
Oh- there was a ten thousand dollar doorprize at the reception. TEN GRAND. Just for showing up. I didn't win, but knew the guy that did. Craziness.

Oh, and totally unrelated- my niece's first birthday is next month...
So I was talking to my mom about what to get for her. And Mom said she's decided she's going to give her a piece of artwork every year. She decided this after she saw a painting in a local gallery... I haven't seen it, but she described it as a simple brushstroke painting of an elephant. Almost abstract, but you can tell it's an elephant. She said it's perfect for a child's room... then she said there's a biography of the artist... it said [some chinese name, age 4]. I thought 'oh how cute, it's done by a four year old."

Well, yes- but-
a four year old ELEPHANT.
These paintings are DONE BY ELEPHANTS!!!!
Here is a sample (not the one mom got)-
How freaking cool.
elephant art



and since i'm posting pix, here are a few other from my trip-


a sweatshirt for sale in the airport here- Yes, that is an extra pocket to hold your beer.


This surprised me- in the airport IN DC- cardboard cutouts of the Obamas. Ok, that didn't surprise me. But the tshirts they were selling did- Ones that said 'Nope' (but looked like the 'hope' ones) and some that said "don't blame me I voted for McCain". I was not expecting to see that in DC, let alone in the airport.


This was the reception, during the drawing. Crappy pic, but, you can maybe make out the models on the right side. There were random models there for you to have your picture taken with. Just for the hell of it, I guess.



The Bay Bridge (which is/was closed) from the Ferry Building.


The print *I* ended up getting for my niece. Not done by an elephant, but still cute (I think) for a baby's room, with the bonus that I brought it home from somewhere just for her.


for the larsons- bought some new shades- polarized wayfarers.


First class is getting insane. And business class is even MORE redic, with these big diagonal BEDS for seats. (or do I have it backwards? I forget which is 'higher'- first or business. This was the 'lower' of the two.)


And finally, this book makes me want to vomit-
"the vixen manual: how to find, seduce, and keep the man you want."

An Update on iPhone MMS for our Mobility Customers
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We know that iPhone users will embrace MMS. The unique capabilities and high usage of the iPhone's multimedia capabilities required us to work on our network MMS architecture to carry the expected record volumes of MMS traffic and ensure an excellent experience from Day One. We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end.

We're riding the leading edge of smartphone growth that's resulted in an explosion of traffic over the AT&T network. Wireless use on our network has grown an average of 350 percent year-over-year for the past two years, and is projected to continue at a rapid pace in 2009 and beyond. The volume of smartphone data traffic the AT&T network is handling is unmatched in the wireless industry. We want you to know that we're working relentlessly to innovate and invest in our network to anticipate this growth in usage and to stay ahead of the anticipated growth in data demand, new devices and applications for years to come.

We thank you for your business and look forward to keeping you updated on our initiatives.

Ok, I think everything in this article sounds awesome.

But I'd love to hear other opinions... DCoffee? Larsons?

Sounds a lot better than an Obamacare card to me...

So last night we went and saw Rebirth- a big brass band from New Orleans. I haven't seen them since I was there- and WOW it made me homesick.
But I have to say- I'm sure the band kept thinking "wow, we are not in new orleans". These guys are a fixture down there. Everyone knows and loves them. Then they come here and get a bunch of white people, all sitting down- haha. They kept saying "come on people, MOVE!"
Heh. Eventually people got into it and were dancing. But so fun.

I don't know how people can listen to this music and NOT 1: instantly feel happy and 2: shake that ass!

Gotta love those horns!!

::DOWNLOAD SOUND::

Ok, I just got a spam TEXT MESSAGE?!

That's a little frightening. Because I can't tell who it's from (just comes up as one of those 5 digit codes).
But it was some text message telling me to go to some dating website.

I do NOT like this. How the fuck did they get my cell phone number? Who are they? I don't like that I can't respond/block them.

This is not cool. Spam email is one thing. But spam texts??!!

Has anyone else had this happen??

But first-
I just finished taking my general surgery boards. Fingers crossed that I passed- because it's not something I'd like to do again.

So now I am catching up with email- got this from the American College of Surgeons the other day.
Now, when I don't have my facts straight, I try to stay out of a conversation- or at least admit that I may well be talking out of my ass. Apparently our president does not do the same thing?

This is distressing, if you ask me...

Statement from the American College of Surgeons Regarding Recent Comments from President Obama

CHICAGO--The American College of Surgeons is deeply disturbed over the uninformed public comments President Obama continues to make about the high-quality care provided by surgeons in the United States. When the President makes statements that are incorrect or not based in fact, we think he does a disservice to the American people at a time when they want clear, understandable facts about health care reform. We want to set the record straight.

Yesterday during a town hall meeting, President Obama got his facts completely wrong. He stated that a surgeon gets paid $50,000 for a leg amputation when, in fact, Medicare pays a surgeon between $740 and $1,140 for a leg amputation. This payment also includes the evaluation of the patient on the day of the operation plus patient follow-up care that is provided for 90 days after the operation. Private insurers pay some variation of the Medicare reimbursement for this service.
Three weeks ago, the President suggested that a surgeon's decision to remove a child's tonsils is based on the desire to make a lot of money. That remark was ill-informed and dangerous, and we were dismayed by this characterization of the work surgeons do. Surgeons make decisions about recommending operations based on what's right for the patient.
We agree with the President that the best thing for patients with diabetes is to manage the disease proactively to avoid the bad consequences that can occur, including blindness, stroke, and amputation. But as is the case for a person who has been treated for cancer and still needs to have a tumor removed, or a person who is in a terrible car crash and needs access to a trauma surgeon, there are times when even a perfectly managed diabetic patient needs a surgeon. The President's remarks are truly alarming and run the risk of damaging the all-important trust between surgeons and their patients.

We assume that the President made these mistakes unintentionally, but we would urge him to have his facts correct before making another inflammatory and incorrect statement about surgeons and surgical care.

I was just going to write that I have a second date tonight and am totally psyched.

But realized that I left out the other bit- that I had a FIRST date this weekend, which was great. :)

Wheee.

He's super adorable. Both in looks, and actions.
After he dropped me off, he texted me that he had a great time and hoped I did too- and that I looked gorgeous.
Aww, he got big points for that.
But he was embarrassed that I was more dressed up than he was- but he was in those ultra-preppy 'nantucket red' shorts.

And I have to say- I am a sucker for a preppy boy.

so anyway.
Yay.

So, I'm in NYC for the week. I'm taking a microsurgery course at Columbia. And they are putting me up at a seminary- 47 blocks away. WTF? So I have to commute to this course and take the subway. Huh? I mean really! This is NEW YORK. There must be another place to stay closer than 47 blocks away. That isn't a seminary, too. A seminary is like the last place I should stay- I feel like I should burst into flames when I walk through the door! ;)

But, whatever, it's fine. And the room has a little mini-kitchen. So today I on my way home I bought a box of granola bars to have for breakfast. And I ate a bag of popcorn on my way home. And threw the bag in my trash can.

Which in retrospect, was a stupid idea. But I figured if there's a kitchen, there's meant to be food. But I should have known.

Yesterday, I saw a big roach scurry under the bed. Awesome. But, having lived with cat-sized roaches in New Orleans, I didn't care too much.

But the reason I am awake now is because I was just AWAKENED FROM A DEAD SLEEP by the sound of a MOUSE in my popcorn bag. Awesome.
May have to bring this to someone's attention. Too bad the 'office' is only open from 10-2, and I am gone from 8-5.

Oh well. Otherwise NY is good. Have had the chance to see some friends, and make some others, and on top of it all it's Restaurant Week, so I've been eating way too much.

But, I kind of can't wait to go home on Sat, because I have my date that night. :) He's been super adorably cute. Calling just enough to make me feel important, and not enough to make me feel smothered.
So I want to hurry up and have this date and get to know him better... because I feel like it's not right to be all excited about someone I barely know.

And who knows, maybe if this works out I can cancel my match.com, which seems to be hitting an all time low. I seriously can't believe some of the people on there. Especially when they email me about how much we have in common. I'm like "really? fat bald divorced high school dropout guy with no job in a football jersey? You think we have a lot in common?" But then the other day I actually, for the first time in months, saw someone that might be interesting... so I sent him a message. No reply. After a week, I wrote back "wow, I don't even get a hello? Well, good luck to you." To which he sent back an apology... Said he was sorry to be rude but he thinks it's best not to answer. That while he respects doctors, "Being a doctor is a massive time commitment and for that reason I didn't feel it was a good fit. I am sure many would be estatic [sic] to be involved with someone that would so greatly assist on the financial side of life in addition to the general relationship. For me, time is more important."

Dumbass. The 'financial side' comment is super obnoxious, if you ask me. I also noticed that the only place I didn't match his criteria was "body type". I have listed myself as "average"- he only wants "slender" or "athletic and toned." Again, oh really dude? You're not that hot. You posted 12 pictures that prove that fact. I wrote b/c he was witty and seemed to like the same things as me. Guess not. He also wrote "reguardless" and "defensce". We're clearly not meant to be.

So, I couldn't let it go and sent him back a message that said that I agree- I don't respond to people I'm not interested in. But that usually those people aren't cute doctors. But that if he is willing to write off a whole profession without knowing more [my hours as a hand surgeon will not be a problem]- then maybe we're not a good match. Then for good measure I tacked on "and I have to ask- are you really that hot that merely "average" girls need not apply?"

Somehow i'm not expecting a response to that one.

And just now I got "Your smile light up my screen.. If think.. We can be friends let me know.. I am DOMINIC. If want please sent me mail.. Thanks." DOMINIC, you are 46 but don't seem to have mastered fundamental reading/writing, so I think I'll pass.

God I'm a bitch. Ugh.

Last comment-
Jim/James- you guys ok? :(

later peeps. Now I will try to fall back asleep and hope the mouse doesn't wake me up going through the garbage I moved out to the hallway.

I feel like a giddy little kid.

So this weekend a girlfriend of mine came into town, and I ventured out 'on the town' for the first time. We had a great time. On saturday night, we went out for dinner and then were getting some drinks... Now, she works with a woman in Rochester who was like "omg you need to meet my son! He lives in CT!" and gave him her number. Well, since she was in CT, she called him. So he rounded up a buddy, and they drove an hour from New Haven to Hartford, to come hang out with these two girls they'd never even met. heh. But it was a lot of fun. They were, as she says, cupcakes. 'sweet and warm and impressionable, with a short half life.'

But even better was friday.
We went out, and then this friend of mine met us.... I knew him when I lived in DC, but hadn't seen or talked to him in >10 years. But then one day he popped up as a 'friend suggestion' on facebook, and lo and behold- he lives in hartford.
So, he met us out.
And- he's still totally cute.
And single.
And fun.
So we had a great night.
And he texted me the next say "that was really fun! Let's go out this week. Let me know what day is good for you."

And I'm so dumb that at first I didn't even realize- I think I was just asked out!

I told him I'd be in NY this week, but am coming back Sat. Then my friend took my phone and texted him "would a boy like you be interested in seeing a girl like me on, say, next saturday?" (which is way more boldly flirtatious than I could ever be) and he responded "a boy like me would DEFINITELY be interested in spending next saturday with you."

Aww.

Way too early to make anything of it.

But, exciting nonetheless. I can barely even remember the last time I went on a date.