This is probably the earliest I have ever been ready for christmas. Feels so great to not have to rush around like crazy.
My last present should arrive today, then I can wrap it.
Only thing left to do is bake some cookies this weekend.
And, bonus for the fact that I didn't set foot in a mall.

Ok, WTF.

I have a question.

Do people in shitty neighborhoods not drink skim milk or something?

I work at a hospital.
Hospitals are very often in a shitty part of town.
I also live "downtown".
Most people shudder when I say that.
However, I live in 'the nice part' of downtown, where there are nice shops and restaurants and stuff.
However, there is no decent grocery store.
So, grocery shopping has become a big event.
So, if I only need a couple things, I don't feel like fighting traffic on the highway to go to the suburbs.

So, I sometimes stop at the gas station/mini-mart on the corner right by the hospital on the way home.

I did this a while ago. I got gas, and I ran in to get milk.
And they didn't have any skim milk. Not like they are out of it- like they don't even CARRY it.
Not only that, but all the milk they DID have had an expiration date in about 3 days. And, was super-expensive.

Today I went back b/c I needed gas, and was going to buy some cereal if they had cheerios.

First of all, the gas was super expensive. And 10c more per gallon to use a credit card. And, premium was 50c more per gallon. I thought the gas grades were usually 10c apart? like 2.79/2.89/2.99. Nope, not at the ghetto-mart. it was 2.76/3.09/3.19. plus 10 if you don't pay cash.

But second of all, I realized there were no price tags on ANYTHING.
So, I didn't buy anything.

But I asked the guy at the register "Um... is there any way to know how much things cost? I don't see price tags anywhere."

And he responded, I think seriously:

"It doesn't matter. This is Hartford. People can't [maybe he said don't] read."

SERIOUSLY?

I'm a little dumbfounded.

More collegiate murder-mystery for Tiny...

So today I got an email from my dad, entitled "WTF?"

The message was a picture of an article he came across when reading one of his medical journals-
About how a surgeon I knew in med school had been murdered.

It said his body was found, stabbed to death, in his apartment, when the police responded to a call from neighbors about a fire.

I.e. someone stabbed him to death, then lit the place on fire to hide the evidence.

And just to add to the horribleness of it-
He was found 10/31.
A brief google search revealed no info newer than 11/5.

WTF have the NOPD been doing for the last month?

Also, I have no heard a peep about this from Tulane.

At least when people were murdered on the Yale campus, then sent out an email blast press release. And it was in the news daily, with udpates, or lack thereof.

Is this crime less newsworthy?
Or is Tulane just not as "worthy" of news coverage as Yale?

Dad had it right: WTF!

Just to keep the bad stuff so you have to scroll to it, I will start with the latest adorable picture of my niece. (To which I commented "now she has a rocking sheep too?" and my sister replied "no. We were at Pottery Barn Kids. But I think they're on to us- we just play with all their stuff then leave." ha!)



And, what else.
Well, I went to the conference on Friday, and I gave my presentation, and (of course) it went just fine. I was able to answer all my questions. And my cutie-pie dad came all the way to the meeting, and walked around on crutches all day [he had both knees replaced a month ago] just to support me. (maybe not 'just' to support me. He might have learned some stuff too, hopefully.) And, he bought me a ridiculously overpriced super nerd present from the vendor too. (A little 3-in-1 two-point discriminator, goniometer, and penlight. Yeah, I know you're jealous.) So... that went well. Then when I got back into town friday night, we went to see a super fun swing band, and watching the couples who REALLY know how to dance made me really want to learn. They were having so much fun. So, that's on my list.

Sunday went to get a christmas tree... trekked out to a tree farm in the boonies... kneeled in the snow/mud to cut it down... drove home at about 5mph b/c we were afraid it would blow off the roof of the car... and finally put it up. And- it's now thursday and I only have half the lights up. Ack. (so, "decorate tree" is still on the list, along with "buy presents", "make cookies", "send christmas cards" and "tell mom a few things I'd like so she will stop asking". I'd better get cracking!)

Then yesterday it snowed for the first time. Only a couple inches, totally no big deal. I went to drive in to work, and OMFG it was the worst drive to work I've ever had! I don't get it! I figured after 5 years in buffalo with no trouble (in my little MINI, with NO snow tires, I only got stuck once- and that was in my own driveway during the october storm) that 2 inches of new england snow was no biggie. Well, I had ZERO traction, and my traction-control kept kicking in, so I could not get ANY speed, and was going so slow I was probably dangerous. Even though I had the gas floored. WTF?! Maybe I need snow tires. It WAS wet snow, maybe it was extra slippery? Dunno.

But so I was on call yesterday. Bad timing. I was in the OR all morning, and by the time I got out I had about 4 messages from the ER. And a message from the resident who sounded a little overwhelmed. By the time I met him in the ER it was about noon, and he was trying to handle SEVEN snowblower injuries.

WHAT THE FUCK, PEOPLE?
"don't stick your hand in the snowblower" is not fucking rocket science!!! By the end of today the grand total of mangled hands seen was ten.

And here's the gross pic. This is how I spent about 5hr (in the OR) yesterday afternoon. [sadly, the fingers were too mangled to re-attach. And that stringy thing is a tendon. I don't have a pic, but the fingers are in another bucket, with more tendons trailing out of them like that.]

(picture removed for decency's sake)

Sooooo....
I have to give a presentation at a Regional conference tomorrow. I'm not sure how many people will be there- maybe 100 or so. I'm scared to death.
There is not much I hate more than public speaking. I am DREADING it, so I can't wait til it's over.
Also, my topic sucks, and I don't know that much about it (it's complex), so hopefully they won't ask me any hard questions. And my boss/mentor won't be there (for the first time since he founded the conference 20+ years ago, b/c his daughter won regionals in cross country so he's going to nationals with her)- which I guess is good and bad. Good b/c I don't want to do a bad job in front of him. Bad b/c if I do a good job he'll miss it. And bad b/c if he is there, people won't dare pick on us [his fellows].
My DAD is going to be there... good and bad for the same reasons. He said he'd be a plant in the audience to ask really easy questions to make me look brilliant. :D
The other good thing is that it's only a 4 minute presentation. I really shouldn't stress. But of course I do. So my goal is to run long, if anything, so there's no time for questions.
And, I'm at the very very end, so hopefully most of the audience will have left by then.

But the worst part of all...
So last night I was working on my powerpoint, so I could give a 'dress rehearsal' at work this morning.
I had finally finished, and everything was perfect.
clicked save.
No problems.
Went to quit powerpoint, and got some error like 'powerpoint has a problem and needs to quit. Please save your work and restart powerpoint." So I hit save, again. Tried to quit. Same error.
So I hit save as, and gave it a new name. then quit. No error. Phew!
Then went to transfer the file to my flash drive.
Aaaaand it's not there.
NOWHERE. I searched the entire HD. It's GONE.
An old version was there, but I lost about 50% of my presentation.
FUCK YOU MICROSOFT! ack.
and what about all the autosave crap it does? it interrupts me to save like every 5 min. Where are those copies?
OMG I'm livid.
So, instead of getting a good night's sleep, I get to spend the night re-doing all my slides.

But on a happier note, here's a new picture of the bebe.
I cannot get over the dress. Or the legs. Or those freaking little shoes.

Ok, this is a question/rant for the (e:ladies)... ((e:gents), feel free to read on, but don't say I didn't warn you.)

Ok, so one time this summer when I was home, my mom took me bra shopping. There's some little lingerie shop, and the woman prides herself on fitting you perfectly and finding your perfect bra. Sounds good to me!

So, I went, and tried a bunch of stuff on... she insists I'm a size X. (I have been a Y my whole life.) I mean, I know I lost weight, but still. I had a hard time believing her, but she insisted these were perfect.
So, I bought (well my mom bought me) 4 bras. At $60-80 each.

So I came back here and wore them a few times... and every day when I'd come home I'd look in the mirror and notice that really horrible thing where you're bubbling out of the top of a bra. Horrible!!

I finally decided the bras just don't fit. I mean, if I spend 5 min adjusting them and then stand perfectly still, they're ok. But as soon as I move or do anything, I come popping out of the top.

So I only wore each one a couple times. I kept the receipt. And I just never had a chance to go to the shop when I was home (b/c they're barely open on weekends).

So, this friday I went back. Took all my bras and the receipts. They said they can't take them back b/c it's been months, and b/c I've worn them. Which I guess I understand, but still, bummer. But she suggested I try them on again for Deb, and see if we can figure out what's wrong.

So, I tried them on. And, as I had predicted, they didn't fit right.

She brought out a Z. Which seemed better. But still not perfect. But so I was trying to figure out what was wrong... was it the straps? Something I could adjust? she wouldn't even consider going up a size. And she never once apologized to me... just got very accusatory. Saying things like "I can't remember all the way back to this summer, but I KNOW I would NOT have sent you out in a bra like this." And then, the icing on the cake, told me it's my fault. That I must have gained weight. Whatever happened to "the customer is always right"?

But despite that... I bought the newly recommended one. (and she didn't give me ANY sort of discount or anything.)

And put it on tonight- and it's exactly the same. Looked ok in the store, but as soon as I put a sweater on, went and put on makeup, and came back out- popping out of the top.

WTF.

So, enough is enough. I'm going to keep the tags on it, and ask for my $75 back.

And I don't care what she says... my good old cotton VS secret bras that I've been wearing forever seem to fit just fine. Even if she insists they're "garbage". And my favorite, sexiest, best fitting bra ever? $12.99 at Target.

But is it just me, or is it kind of awful that she just sat there and blamed me?

I guess I should have known something was up when this (very average sized) woman told me she's a 32F.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all had a lovely time.

My sister sent me two little videos of my niece all dressed up, and WALKING! Apparently she loves these travel mugs and won't put them down.
Let's see if the videos upload.
(and I apologize that they're sideways- she sent them to me this way and I'm not sure how to rotate them).

CUTE CUTE CUTE!
(She reminds me of "Pearl the landlord" in those will ferrell skits)

::Download Flash Video::

::Download Flash Video::

oh! and here's a leftover pic from her birthday- first taste of birthday cake.

So, some friends came to town this weekend, and we went to New Haven for the Harvard-Yale game. In an effort to control traffic, this year you could only park in the tailgate lots if you had pre-purchased a parking pass. So, I bought one, and thought I was being good and thinking ahead. Well, it took is TWO HOURS to get out of the parking lot after the game. NEVER AGAIN! haha.
So, it was a fun day, but... it just made me realize I'm getting older. Tailgating is just not as fun as it used to be. Standing outside in a muddy field drinking shitty keg beer with a zillion drunk undergrads... yeah. not so fun anymore. It also sucks b/c I don't know everyone there anymore (obviously). Yale doesn't feel 'mine' anymore, which makes me sad.
And then we (of course) lost. It was 10-0 (Yale winning) until 3.5 min left in the game... and then harvard scored two touchdowns. Bastards. Way to go Yale... bringing it Bills-style. Boooooo! And as much as I couldn't actually care less about the football- I actually found myself getting pretty excited when it looked like we'd win, and then feeling completely let down when we didn't.
I was also really excited to show people campus etc- but it took so damn long to get out of there that we didn't even go back downtown at all.
Oh well, next time.

And on a different note, here's an example of how ridiculously gullible I am.

So my two girlfriends were driving into town on friday night. I was planning on having them stay on the foldout sofa. And my bf and I would stay in the bedroom. One of the girls is muslim.

So, here is the text conversation:

K: T can't sleep in an apt with a man she's not married to. (she's muslim).

So... I have the rattles and the wreaths... the music... and the salamander... we'll have a quickie islamic wedding before bed. Do you have a hookah?

Man! T's strict! We had to stop and pray towards mecca like 3 times on the car ride!

It's fecking cold. She made me pray with her. Can you map out which wall she has to face so we know where to start the ceremony?

Also, she said she can't cheer for Yale either b/c your mascot's a dog. (who invited this broad?!)

---
Now, at this point, I know she's joking around about the wedding and praying and stuff. But at the same time, I had never thought about the fact that having a man around might be an issue... I really didn't want to offend, but also didn't know if they were just teasing me...

me: LOL... I think....? Should I send C home?!

K: She called her mom to see if it's ok. We left a message. We're going to try her cell.

me: omg... are you serious?? Crap...

K: I can't believe your a doctor.

I heart you.

and I can't believe that after AP english I don't know you're from your.

me: phew. i hate you. how did you not know I'm super gullible?

K: well it's not a problem anyway. T choked from laughing so hard.
So it will just be me tonight.
Do you have any unbleached white linen? If I wrap her body in anything else she goes straight to hell.

Me: shit. I just bleached my last linen today!
C just asked me if he needs to have pants on when you get here.
[it was like 1am and he wanted to go to bed]

K: Two pairs of pants, and a towel wrapped around his waist. Do you have a chastity belt? T has a washable one if you need it. It's only been worn once. It's probably cleanish.

Seriously, where is the nearest hookah bar? she needs to pray, meditate, and do penance tomorrow.

me: I have a bong, will that work? I think Allah cuts you some slack on the weekends.

K: She's going to have to be buried with two newborn ewes to give the gods. Those are expensive. You're going to have to wash with their blood. But you're a surgeon, so it should be ok.

me: cool

---

Then they finally arrived.

So (e:hodown)'s alaska pix with the mushroom reminded me that I have pix to post...

First- my sister's family's amazing halloween costumes. (my sister would like to take credit for these, but really all credit goes to my amazingly crafty mother.) It started out with the idea of making the baby a garden gnome. Then sis and BIL decided to be other forest 'creatures'- namely a mushroom and a flower. I was curious to see how they'd come out, and all I can say is WOW. Also, I think my sister looks like a freaking model. (someone told me recently she looks just like me, which I think is completely untrue, but also a huge compliment, so I'll take it!)





And then to round things out, a few pix of my niece's first birthday.


Wearing the birthday hat my aunt knit for her.


what little kid DOESN'T love balloons?!

And finally- she got a rocking horse, which she absolutely loves. She gives it hugs and kisses all the time, and loves to pet and cuddle it. And then when she rides it she has the hugest smile. So freaking cute!!!!

Aww shucks. Well thanks guys.
I really wasn't trying to be a drama queen seeking affirmation... At least, not on a conscious level...
I mean sure, I know a journal should be for ME, not for YOU... but at the same time, if I didn't want anyone to read it, I'd write it in a notebook that I stash under my mattress. Or, I'm just an attention whore? ;)

But anyway, thanks. I feel loved.

And now I feel like I should try to find something worth writing about...

Hmm. Well, it's not necessarily worth writing about, but... here's an update.

Well things are good here. Work is going well... One of these days I need to start looking for a job. And since I have no clue where I want to go, I am stalling on that front. Do I go back home where my parents are? VA where it's warmer and my sister is? Stay here (if they'll have me)? Back to WNY? Go to Chicago, just b/c I love that city? Go to texas/vegas, just b/c they're offering a RIDICULOUS salary? And then of course, how do I ask a guy who I've only been dating for a few months (even though I really like him) "oh btw... if I move next year, are you coming with me?"

At the same time, work is totally infuriating sometimes. The attitudes some people have, the sense of entitlement. SOMEtimes, not always. Or the people who think they're going to "trick the system" or take advantage of worker's comp, etc. So that stuff is frustrating. But also making things work again, and restoring people's function and/or relieving their pain is really satisfying.

Hartford is fine. Kind of a dumpy city... shuts down on the weekends... but there's plenty to do in the neighboring towns, etc. Though for such a small city, the traffic is unbelievable. Totally ridiculous, and road-rage-inducing. And the utter disregard for, say, common traffic laws. Like huge trucks simply STOPPED in the turning lane, for hours, during rush hour, to unload. Not pulled over, not parked, just STOPPED, in the middle of traffic. Seriously?! WTF. Or people just running out in traffic without looking, and then screaming at me and giving me the finger when I have to slam on the brakes in order to not hit them, b/c I have a green light and they just didn't even look.

the boy is good. Really good. And I'm really glad he got to come to Buffalo with me, and meet some of you. :) He was saying last night that he's getting a little freaked out that we haven't annoyed each other or had a fight yet, and that he thinks we need to have a fight, just so we can survive it and get it over with. But the thing is... I honestly can't think of anything to fight with him about. All my previous fights have been b/c a boy acts like a douche and then I am all hurt and wounded... then I pout and act like a baby, and things go to hell. But... this guy... isn't a douche?! It's like it throws my whole worldview upside down, and I don't know what to do. Ha!

But, we're like boring old people. I feel like my life has made the switch from single-party-girl to boring-couple-girl. Most nights we eat some dinner and fall asleep watching a movie on the couch. And while part of me feels like that makes me "lame"- at the same time, I'm perfectly happy with it. And in all honesty, *this* is more who I am... a homebody. Staying out til 4 and getting wasted isn't really me- it's me putting on a show and trying to be cool. So, maybe I'm lame and boring now. But- I'm happy that way. :)

Although this weekend a few friends are coming in to town, and we're going to the Harvard-Yale game. I'm hoping to see some friends from school... should be fun. And, my dad went to Yale. And my boy's dad went to Harvard... so it might even be a chance to get our parents to meet each other. Except, my dad had both his knees replaced a couple weeks ago, so he may not be quite up to it by next weekend. But maybe that's good... both our moms are making incessant wedding comments, so maybe it's better if they DON'T get together quite yet. ;)

Oh- well here's some crazy news to tuck away at the end...
A month or so ago I started doing the Wii Active "30 day challenge". It's not like a crazy high impact workout, but, I figure it gets me motivated and gets me off the couch. Gets my heart rate up a little, and uses muscles that I haven't used in a while.

Well, after a couple weeks, my ankles were a little sore. So I took some advil and took a few days off. They got better. I went back to it- they hurt again. So i asked a guy at work, kind of in passing "hey, what does it mean if your ankle hurts right here?" and he checked it out and said 'here?? yeah, you need xrays". So I got xrays. he said 'you need an MRI'. So, I got an MRI. And- I have stress fractures in both ankles and both heels. WTF?! From doing freaking WII?! So, I feel like a ridiculous wuss. But, the upside- it is DOCTOR'S ORDERS that I do not exercise. So really... that means it's not my fault I'm being a lazy ass. I'm not allowed to exercise! Even if I wanted to! Unfortunately I seem to have also extended it to mean "eat like a pig- doctor's orders". bleh, time to get back on track....

Hmm. so. That's what's going on in my glamorous life...

I always have some story or another getting me all fired up... I'll try to remember some to share with you...