Emergency surgery

Dear Bono,

What a way to start August.  One month into my chief resident year, and I can't believe how fast the time has flown... nor can I believe that only 32 days have passed.  Yesterday I had an emergency add on surgery.  I was supposed to be in clinic, but had to do this emergency case.  My clinic patients were given the option of waiting or of rescheduling.  I only ended up seeing 4 patients out of the 9 that were scheduled.  I guess most of the patients did not want to wait.  For some reason that made me feel like a failure.  I don't know why, but I took it personally.  It's not as though the patients knew me.  All they knew is they were to see the urology chief resident.  Still, I felt bad, rather than being happy that I had fewer notes to write.  I guess part of it is that it's the V.A.  I feel like I should be taking care of these vets, because so often it seems that nobody else wants to.  The V.A. is a dichotomy.  It has the best workers and the worst workers.  It is an oxymoron.  I want to be on the best side.

Sincerely,

JP

The IT Crowd

Dear Bono,

Yesterday, they started this new computer tracking system in the operating room.  It's supposed to be more efficient, or something, but of course any new changes take longer at the beginning.  I had a patient that was supposed to come in for an elective procedure.  He came in on time, but nothing else was on time.  I explained that we were behind due to this new computer program, and he simply said "I work in IT.  You don't have to say anything else."  He waited patiently for his procedure.

I love when people don't get angry about waits.

Sincerely,
JP

New York, London and Berlin

Dear Bono,

I just love to travel.  I just love it.  I love to see new places, try different food, smell the different flavors of the air.  Right now I'm planning a trip to Maine and Prince Edward Island, and trying to figure out how to get to London before the Colin Firth as wet Darcy sculpture is taken down.  I'm planning weekend trips to the quaint towns on the bay, to the big cities of the East Coast, to a wedding in the southwest, all while only having 2 weekends a month off.  Is there a way I could just travel all the time?

Sincerely,
JP

Feels like butter

Dear Bono,

I also have been thinking of myself, lately.  I'm a selfish person.  I feel like I've been so busy with everything lately, that I can't get everything done . In fact, I feel like I am not getting anything done.  Like there's too much but nowhere to start because I don't know where to attack.  I often have felt like in Lord of the Rings where Bilbo says he feels "like butter scraped over too much bread."  The dark rings below my formerly bright green eyes also betray my exhaustion and frustration.

Any recommendations?

Sincerely,

JP

Roadies

Dear Bono,

I prefer my rock stars to look like rock stars and not roadies.  Suffice it to say, I just came from a concert where this was not true.  While the music was good, I felt like the show could have had more to it.  Where's the art?  Where's the costuming?  Where are the moves?

Sincerely,

JP

summer rain

Dear Bono,

Today was one of those days where I didn't have to work.  It happens about 4 days a month, and I try to take advantage of them.  We went to the city.  We walked around the museum, even seeing a silent Hitchcock accompanied by a live 5 piece orchestra at the museum of art.  Then a beautiful walk, threatened by a summer storm.  We took refuge at a restaurant, but ended up in the rain anyway.  There's something about the summer rain-washing the heat out of the air.  Sadly, my curly hair doesn't appreciate it.

Sincerely,
JP

Popcorn and Cracker Jacks

Dear Bono,

Today I left work and walked to the baseball game.  I love our baseball stadium.  It's a pioneer of the new style stadium-one that hearkens back to the old stadiums.  The weather was perfect for it.  I find baseball much more enjoyable when I'm outside, watching in nice weather.  That way I can look around, and people watch.  There's something about a baseball game that makes my other worries melt away.  Plus, I can buy soft serve ice cream in a collectible miniature batter's helmet.

Do you enjoy baseball?

Sincerely,
JP