Where to start . . .

Okay - I've been bad.  I'm sorry.  I would say that it won't happen again, but we all know that is likely not true.  In my defense, it has been a very tumultuous time here in South Florida, and much of the last few months have been mostly about trying to stay alive.  

A little hyperbole there - we were barely glanced by the tropical storm.  However on a professional level, it's been fairly treacherous here the last few months.  I won't bore you with the details, mostly because they are too depressing to discuss.  However, for an example of the last few months, I was at a meeting with the Provost of the University recently when he likened a faculty member's concern (which truly was a petty issue) to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  The man who runs my University feels that we are on a sinking ship - hmmmm - time for a job search?

Things are still incredibly unstable here, but I'm trying to remind myself that my mother is right - things usually happen the way they are supposed to - even if it doesn't fit my personal timeline or plan.  I won't tell you that I completely have my mental state back to a good place, but I'm working on getting it there.   

I Hate Mondays!

I think the world would be a much better place if Monday's simply did not exist.  I know what you are thinking - eliminating Monday's won't solve the problem, next you will hate Tuesday's.  Any day that follows the weekend is destined to be despised.  I disagree.  I think there is something inherently evil about Monday.

It's not that I hate Monday's because I have to go back to work after a nice long relaxing weekend.  Relaxing weekends are rare in my world, and having been on call for the last 18 days straight - I"m not sure that I would recognize one if I saw it.  I routinely work every other weekend, so if it was just the going back to work thing - I should only hate half of all Mondays.  Yet, I find myself dreading every single one of them.

What makes them so evil?  I'm not sure exactly, but they almost feel like a taunt.  It is like the Cosmo is saying . . . if only you had made a smarter career decision. . . if only you had a normal job . . . if only you had a life to enjoy. . . if only.  Perhaps that is why I hate Mondays.  They seem like yet another opportunity that passed by without me taking advantage.  Proof that time is passing by way to quickly.     Okay, perhaps it isn't the day itself, but my life that I am railing against.  However - at present I'm sticking with blaming Mondays.

Things not to say at the airport . . .

This story has a little back story.  A few months back, a heart transplant team from the Mayo Clinic here in Florida were killed when the helicopter they were flying in crashed.  I first heard of it when I received a panicked phone call from my mother who missed the Mayo clinic part of the story.  Following the story, seemingly thousands of emails have circulated among the transplant surgeons and powers that be here at UM regarding liability and life insurance.  The final consensus was as "transplant" surgeons, we expose ourselves to more potential harm than a "non-transplant" surgeon.  Therefore, the plan was to have additional insurance coverage should something happen during a harvest.  There was much debate about how much and how best to go about obtaining it, but quite honestly when they started discussing the tax benefits of establishing estates - I quit reading the emails.

Then yesterday rolled around.  The weather here in Miami has been atrocious since Saturday.  Heavy rain with dense clouds and no sunshine in sight.  I get the phone call that I'm needed to fly to Puerto Rico to harvest a heart.  Not overly excited, I climb into the car and head to the airport.  Due to the rough flying conditions, we are sharing the flight with the liver team.  We usually prefer to let them go first as their part takes longer, but in this instance the plan was to have me bide my time in San Juan while he got started.  During our ride to the airport, we were both discussing how little we were looking forward to the rough flight ahead. 

Then, simultaneously both of our phones chime signalling incoming emails.  The subject of the email - "death insurance".  It was an email from our VCA telling us that all the "kinks" of the additional life insurance policy had not been worked out.  Hence, we were still only covered by our standard hospital policy.  It was consequently his recommendation that we both go "online" and purchase an additional trip policy coverage of 5 million dollars for which the department would reimburse us. 

Let's just say this did not allay our fears.  It also turns out that pilots don't really like it when you ask them to delay your flight so that you can quickly go online and buy insurance in case the plane crashes.  We knew it was going to be a bumpy flight due to the weather, but pretty sure they were looking for "pockets" to hit.  At least all is well that ends well - until next time.

Still Here

Despite my several month absence, I am still alive and kicking.  Okay - not so much the kicking, but alive definitely.  I would love to tell you than my inattention to this blog was due to all of my attention being taken by some super hot guy, my new modeling career, a secret agent mission or the fact that I moved to an island without internet access.  Alas, it was work - as usual.  (Note to self - careful for what one asks.)  I have recently given work so much attention, that I have nothing to write about - as my mother has assured me on more than one occasion that NO ONE wants to hear my work stories.  I've been in a very reflective mood the last several days, and am trying to break this rut.  Stay tuned to see - hopefully.

Take Two

My first week of resolutions have gone fairly well.  The no shopping thing is hard, but I'm holding on - if only by a fine thread.  Supposedly it takes 21 days for a new pattern to become a habit so only two weeks to go.

Since I have been successful to date, I have decided to up the ante.  It is time to add a few fitness goals.  I know everyone makes the standard - lose 20 pounds, go to the gym more, and start "insert exercise x" here, but I wanted to be very specific and hopefully attainable.

My Fitness Goals:

1 - Get up at the same time everyday to do cardio in the morning.  Supposedly it is best for your metabolism to get your body moving in the morning.  I personally prefer evening work-outs, but I want to do a little something every morning to get things started.

2 - Run a half marathon in under 2:15.  I am already signed up for two, but suspect I will need to add another to obtain this goal, but I'm willing.

3 - Obtain my scuba certification.  Okay technically this is probably not fitness, but it will get me in a wetsuit which has to be a motivator for staying healthy.

4 - Tennis lessons.  I took them while in Nashville and really enjoyed it.  Want to learn enough to be able to actually play a game.

5 - Start cycling.  My ultimate goal is a triathlon, but have given myself my 40th birthday to obtain that one, but I need to start cycling if I hope to be successful.  Therefore, this is the year.

I have a very good feeling about 2012.  Not sure why, but I think that this is definitely my year.

I'm seeing a pattern

A fair number of surgeons reportedly have alcohol problems.  I am starting to understand why.  When I finished my clinic this morning, I had been given 3 bottles of wine and a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka - that's right Vodka.  Do my patients think I am badly in need of a drink?

Lame, sad or pathetic

I just walked in the door following a very long day, and even though the clock only says 8 pm - I really, really want to go to bed.  The conversation going on inside my head is quite amusing if one viewed from a third person perspective.  I have tried justification (ridiculous day), bartering (get up early in morning) and bribery (Starbuck's coffee), but at the end of the day perhaps I should just call it what it is - lame, sad and pathetic.