January 31, 2009 – 9:58 PM
I have a soft spot in my heart for Rod Blagoevich.
There, I said it. I can't help it. To have the audacity not only to solicit bribes for Obama's senate seat, but to continually express outrage that people are upset by this kind of activity...there are no words. How can you not root for the guy? Accused of criminal corruption does he resign? Not him. Does he retreat from the national stage in an attempt to save face? Not a chance. Does he apologize.for his actions? HELL to the NO. He actually has the gall to go on the offensive, accusing the Illinois legislature of using unconstitutional tactics to get rid of him. (sigh) Sad to see him go. I mean, of what distinction will my identity as an Illinoisian have if we are to have a boring old governor that follows the law?
January 30, 2009 – 10:28 PM
I'm working on adding a new plugin called Facebook Connect to this site. It will allow commenters who have a facebook account to display their facebook profile pic and profile along with their comment. The content of their comment would then be shared on their Facebook profile page. Pretty cool stuff! But, it's a bit of a pain in the ass to figure out how to install. It'll be a week or so before it's ready.
January 29, 2009 – 8:23 PM
When you're the resident on call, you can always think of reasons why that ER patient they called you about does not need to be admitted to the hospital. But, upsetting ourselves over the well-meaning ER doctor's attempt to admit that patient is counterproductive. They're just doing what ER doctors are trained to do, after all. Getting all in a huff over it is a bit like a police officer expressing perpetual outrage at the fact that crimes keep on getting committed. It's the way of the world. You knew this when you signed up for this profession. Although, I do wish I had known before starting that four years of medical school and three+ years of residency were all in preparation for a career that involves avoiding patient contact at all costs.
January 27, 2009 – 2:05 PM
I had one of those fun attending feedback sessions after finishing by OB rotation last week. The attending in question is blond and female. She stands about 5'1" and can't weigh more than one hundred pounds. She has a name but, in my mind, she will always be known as Dr. Pixie.
DR. PIXIE: So, in general, you did a pretty good job. You certainly met expectations. But, given that you had a year of OBGYN before switching to family practice, I would have liked to see you exceed expectations.
JAMES: So, I met your expectations?
DR. PIXIE: Yes.
JAMES: But, I didn't exceed them.
DR. PIXIE: Correct.
JAMES: You expected me to exceed them?
DR. PIXIE: I did, yes.
JAMES: Then, I didn't meet your expectations.
DR. PIXIE: No, you did. You just didn't exceed them.
JAMES: But, cited among the things you expected of me was that I would exceed you expectations. I did not. Therefore, I did not meet your expectations. Please, allow me to demonstrate.
A = I met your expectations of me
B = I exceeded your expectations
P = I should pass this rotation
We agree that, if I do not meet your expectations, then I should not pass the rotation. Hence we have: If not A then not P.
You have told me that you expected me to exceed your expectations of me. Hence: if not B then not A is also a true statement. From this we can derive:
~A -> ~P
~B -> ~A
~B
------------------
~A by modus ponens
~P mp
~P - in words, the statement, "I should pass this rotation," is false.
DR. PIXIE: I can't argue with you. You'll have to repeat your OBGYN rotation.
JAMES: Ok. But for next time, do you think you could lower your expectations a little?
January 18, 2009 – 9:38 PM
TADA! My blog is back. Please pardon the mess. I still have a lot of sprucing up to do. But all posts are accessible for you read and comment upon at your leisure.
