The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see - Churchill

After a short insightful break from school and work the winter quarter has started, as well as the new year. It always seems to take that first week to get your head and motivation back into the school frame of thinking. Although it better happen soon since this is the second week already.
In the past few weeks things have become more clear as to where this odyssey is heading. In fact it sounds strange, but it's almost a peaceful feeling for the future and what's happening right now. I talked to some people that have been absent for a longtime, then took a step back, and saw what was important. One of the areas that needed reevaluating was why I wasting so much mental energy dealing with flaky family members, whose concerns in life are only selfish endeavours. I don't have time for that when I see other family and friends struggling, but also making a difference in what their doing.
Looking back to see what was right and wrong does help you navigate into the future. Not to say that things will be easy, and there will be hard days, and days when shit happens that is out of my control, but isn't that life?

CRAZY

One of the better songs of the last ten years, debatable. But sometimes the music lyrics just say how your feeling.

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind There was something so pleasant about that place..

Drive-thru flu shots, and do you want fries with that?

Doing a little volunteer work with the county, because it seemed like a good way to get out and do something different. But let's be honest, it also looks good on the application for the NP part of the program.

Yesterday it was a free community flu clinic. Well actually it wasn't much of a clinic, more like a mass drive-thru service. We had four tents set up with two lanes at each tent, I think our group did just shy of 400 seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. Because it was so well organized, and well staffed, it turned out to be kind of fun. Plus most of the people coming through were in good spirits. Maybe there is something to being outside in your car with 60 degree sunshine, versus your average waiting room.
  Since we treated mostly higher risk individuals that meant kids, lots of kids. Most were good, and never cried. Some were happy to be out, that is until they saw the needle. Others just sensed something was not right, and were crying before they even pulled up. Early on one set of parents pulled up and got out of their SUV to help prepare their two daughters. Mistake, the girls being around eight years old decided the best thing to do was to hit the electronic button, and lock Mom and Dad out of the car. Because we make them turn off the vehicle, dad had the keys in his pocket, but it was good for a laugh. It was also a good day to own the closest McDonald's, because many a parent could be heard saying to their crying tots, we'll get an ice cream when it's over.

Value in Vogue

Maybe we did learn something. After years of American consumers spending money like corrupt politicians there is a mentality shift. I see now that our savings rates have increased substantially. So it took a recession for people to realize that maybe a McMansions was not a great investment. Having second thoughts about that Escalade with mortgage type payments, and ten miles to the gallon. That $5 latte and pedicures, now substituted for making and doing it yourself at home. For decades we Americans were known around the world for saving little and charging vast amounts more than financially should have been allowed. All along learning nothing from past generations.

Today more people seem content with what they have, instead of trying to acquire things. Loans are being taken out for useful purposes like home improvement, hybrid cars, and education. Private and community gardens are more popular than ever, with people choosing to grow greater amounts of fruits and vegetables instead of flowers. I like that not even kids think driving a Hummer is cool anymore.

So when times get better how many will switch back to the materialistic way of thinking?

Ice Skating Bear Kills Handler.

I don't think you should be dressing your animals in clothes to start with, but putting ice skates on them is a whole different degree of wrong.
They must have trained him well, because he did it while wearing skates.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/23/russia.skating.bear.death/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

New Career?

Now that the Federal government said is not going to go after medical marijuana users, and growers, at least in the 14 States where it is legal. Would that be such a bad career choice?

On the farm in Oregon this past weekend, two of the neighbors have been growing pot (medical marijuana) for years. When he first moved in we wondered why a neighbor down the hill would build a privacy fence around his property. We were in the country, privacy was not an issue. But now we know. Nice enough guy, and neighbor.

So now a lot of people in Southern Oregon, and Northern California seems to be either growing grapes for wine, or pot for medical use (using the term lightly). I don't fault them for trying to make a living.

So for a minute there the thought of taking care of plants versus taking care of people ran through my mind.

Plants won't give you the H1N1 virus, or vast amounts of other diseases, germs and bacteria.

When plants want water they can wait for an hour, or even a day. They are not hitting the call light every five minutes, calling you names under their breath, thinking you are neglecting them.

Growing plants I don't have to get up, or be somewhere at a certain time. I could avoid parking, and driving with other idiots on the road. Then having to work eight hours with some people you like, and others who you don't.

Plants won't sue me, or take me to court if I accidentally provide the wrong care. Threatening your livelihood.

The investment would be smaller. Maybe 10 acres somewhere with a small home. Compare that to all the loans over the next three years for school.

Plants don't have family that come and visit. Getting in the way, asking irrelevant questions, and costing you time that you should be spending with your other patients.

The hospital does not want me hanging out with certain plants, and will have me pee in a cup to prove I wasn't. However, plants don't really care who I hang out with.

Plants don't talk.

I sure there are several more reasons if given the time, but you get my point. On the other hand, I'm going to stay in school. Because I can think of just as many reasons why that is the smarter path. Plus I might end up in one of those other 36 states where it is illegal.

Craving for a tomato and avocado sandwich before class. Off to the produce market to buy what someone else grew. No I haven't been smoking anything.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop

You ever get that feeling that everything is going along too well.

School is kind of an enjoyable stress.

Picking up shifts at a hospital where I did some travel nursing previously, and liking it. Co-workers wonder where I went, and whether I'm back permanently? Even though it's a good place to work, it is also a good reminder to stay in school.

Spending some time with a psychology major, but don't feel like I'm being analysed. Maybe I am, but don't care.

Back to even on my stocks. Which in this day and age I'll take as good news, and because it is going to help pay my tuition.

Heading to Oregon for the weekend. So I need to stop over thinking and enjoy life.

Grow or die

So many people are content to live a linear life. I've also been guilty of it. No matter how often some are presented with a chance to improve, or change, they avoid it. We frequently see this in healthcare. But more so outside of it. Dead end friendships, relationships, and jobs, are the most common. Maintaining the status quo takes less work. So then in turn, not changing is the easy way out.
This mythical fork in the road is too often mistaken for just another inconvenience, or speed bump along life's journey. We need to veer to the other path for an opportunity to grow and change. My easy way out would have been to not start school. However, more frightening would have been to stay along the same path. Actually, several recent decisions are not the direction I would have followed in the past. Maybe I'm just getting better at recognizing the alternatives to not changing.

Can't get out of Dodge

Left Tuesday morning, and was making good time. That is until strong headwinds in Kansas. But, it was expected. I may end up here for a couple of days until the winds die. But, better them, than me. If I has stayed more north the weather was looking like a week of snow, rain and cold temperatures all the way to the Pacific. Now it looks like I'll get out of here on Friday.

They gave me a car at the airport so I can explore a little. The only thing is, this town smells like stockyards, and slaughterhouses. Of which there are many. Everything revolves around beef here. I pity if a PETA member got in trouble in this town. Like some bad horror movie, they might be processed, and labeled Kosher. I guess Boot Hill is the most famous thing here, so I'll go see that. And, if it sucks. That's Okay, there is an Applebee's in the same parking lot. I wonder what part of the cow will be the special of the day.

Southwest flight H1N1

Came back from class, and it looks like my apartment threw-up. Between starting to pack, and finishing class, there are papers and clothes, semi-strategically placed everywhere. Thou to look at it, you wouldn't know.

Flying out in a couple days, and the scariest thing about commercial flying is the people around you. The news media has gone wild with the swine flu, and the end of the world. Not that they over sensationalize everything. Remember SARS, Y2K, the bird flu. Soon we will all be inundated with December 21, 2012. At least let me graduate before the world ends.

Not that I don't take precautions when flying. Remember commercial aircraft have one of the most effective HEPA filtration systems available. And, the clean air comes out of those little annoying jets above your head. So breath as much of that as you can. The real problem is you have to touch everything. Like those little annoying jets. The arm rests, the window shades, and tray tables. The other catch-22 are people. Someone sits six inches to your side. God forbid your stuck in the middle seat. Then they sit behind you, three across. Guaranteed someone is going to cough, or sneeze. At least on Southwest you pick your own seat when getting on. So, me and my Hand Sanitizer will be heading to the back of the plane.