Summer and other novelties

It could just be me, but there is something about smelling things in the air on a summery day that is, euphoric. I'll be the first to say that the traditional bouquets associated with summers chillier siblings are indeed enjoyable, but while standing at my new favorite burrito wagon, a smell greeted me that was as unexpected as it was pleasing. Maybe it was the long winter couped up smelling the creative olfactory experiences my two dogs could put together, but today's moment was one worth noting. So if you're in the mood for amazing Mexican food and friendly service, then try Los Gorditos, bring cash, and have a few minutes to wait in the line that is likely strung out in front of it.

While enjoying the above mentioned delicious burrito, I came across a bit of news that was not surprising at all, but disturbing none the less. President Obama is looking to reinstate the weapons ban that President Clinton signed in to effect back in 1994. While deer hunting with a Bushmaster can rightly be called unnecessary, the spirit, nay, the reason for our second amendment is to provide the citizenry with a method of defense against a congress turned tyrant. It wasn't established by our founding fathers only to ensure our ability to hunt, or even defend against each other, but rather to defend against the very body sworn to uphold the laws of our land. I found it interesting that it was the one reason to own a firearm that President Obama forgot to include in his list.

...the rights of sportsmen and hunters and homeowners that want to keep their families safe -- to lawfully bear arms,...
-President Barack Obama

Interesting.

If they had shoes...

I'll try to keep the melodrama for my private conversations, but I needed to share something so those of you who talk to me on a regular basis can remind me of this next time I'm bitching and moaning about some patient related aspect of my work. No matter how awful the shift of a given health care worker is, with only a few exceptions, one thing needs to be kept in mind by all of us who have the good fortune to work with sick people & their families in the way we do. When our time that day is done, we go home; the patients stay for another round. If they are lucky they'll even get a team that isn't understaffed, pissed off, tired, hungry, in a hurry and self entitled. Oh yeah, and as a rule we are getting paid to be there, and they are paying. Well someone is...
That all being said, I'd love to educate people on what it means to work as part of the team to further the efficiency with which we deliver their care. Despite common public misconception a hospital runs with as much good luck and ingenuity as it does with regimented & controlled care. It would probably terrify people to know the minutia that goes in to ensuring that they are survive the day.
All in all we're lucky to work in the field we do; and we would do well to remember it while we sip our cappuccino's and bitch to one another.

A simple remedy

It had occurred to me that perhaps I was depriving a burgeoning throng sleep at night by not making available a Random List of things that I felt people should be informed of. To say the least this inspired a great deal of guilt in me, and thus the following list was crafted.

Random List

1. Wristcutters: A Love Story (4/5) - This story; hidden behind an admittedly macabre name is actually both entertaining and thoughtful. I have to say it has made my list of favorite movies and will likely remain in this place of supreme honor for quite some time.
2. Cappuccino (5/5) - I have to say that drinking a cappuccino at Marino's (Dario's to the regulars) has probably been one of my life changing moments. Aside from an amazing staff and great atmosphere, the Cappuccino alone has brought me in almost every day for the last year and drained an unthinkable amount of money from me. Worth it? Without a doubt.
3. Too cool (3/5) - To be perfectly honest I'm not sure why the use of this isn't in some genetic mandate. Our deeply ingrained need to rupture small plastic air filled cells would seem to be enough to call us to this site, like some primal instinct.
4. Bullshit (1/5) - I'm going to call it. I know I'm not the first; but for goodness sake. This has got to be one of the most embarrassing skeletons in my professions closet I've ever found.
5. Pants (3/5) - I've got to say, you have to have a pair to wear these pants. That is exactly the reason that America's very own Chuck Norris is wearing a pair of these fine Action Jeans.

There; I know that this bit of salve will help calm the demons that awoke when you realized you didn't have the above list. Now rest quiet and revel in your newly found power.