Yelp! didn't do me wrong tonight. Szechuan Tasty House on 9th and Arch street - 4 stars out of 5 on their rating, and worth every star. I had szechuan dumplings (steamed in a hot sauce) that were so amazing I ate all eight of them, and I should have stopped there.. but I had already ordered their specialty Kung Pao chicken, which was also amazing. I did not finish the kung pao, and left 1/2 of a dumpling (that had fallen to the floor - only reason), and waddled out of there for under $15. Which is nuts.
Fortunately I had a good 45 minute workout earlier in the evening, so hopefully I had a couple of calories banked. Maybe not. I'll need to stay up for a while and burn some energy. Maybe calisthenics, Charles Atlas Style. Starting with wiggling my toes. Or perhaps some blinking. INTENSE BLINKING.
Ooooof.
Work went well today: One of the things we're trying to do is figure out exactly how bad some of the data we have IS - some of it has never been reconciled to the master patient index, so you'd never find the info on this patient without some creative searching. Just randomly I picked two patients and traced their data: And out of the FIRST TWO, I had my boss scratching his head wondering just how it could get THAT messed up. We have some work ahead of us.
I also had a good call with another hospital to see how they're doing this, and was relieved to find that while they're ahead of us, they're a mere step or two ahead...
That's it on this subject tonight, but I might have more later on....
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A retrospective
I was talking to my friend Paul (no, not you, Paulie, the West Coast one) and was doing a little life planning: We've worked together on all sorts of schemes, not least of which was the BrainReady project back in 2007, plus a few other product ideas... He's at another one of those life crossroads: He just took a new job, moved the family again, loves his new life, but is finding himself living a few pennies short a month of adequate... and was looking for ideas for how to take the next step.
The problem is of course that in his chosen career line, there's a limit you hit being a worker that can only be exceeded by being an owner. It's a line I've had to dance with myself - and my first try at ownership (aka sales) was a failure, and I went back into my hourly world... I'm trying ownership again, but keeping my feet grounded in my skills to earn my keep hourly as well... and it's looking good. But back to Paul: When you work for a big company like he does, and you're at the top of your paygrade, you need to find outside ventures.
Thankfully he's not the type for MLM schemes.
So we're talking and it occurs to me that he is semi-famous: A top ten single in the early 1990s, working with Thomas Dolby, a good ten thousand people who pay attention when he irregularly posts in his Myspace... and he loves to write just like i do. I counseled him to start telling his story - not hide behind a name (like we did with Brainready) but just be himself and start telling stories about his band, about growing up the son of a Maestro, about working in San Mateo during the DotCom bubble... start weaving his narrative.
How does this make money? Well, it doesn't, actually. Not directly. Maybe these people will click on an ad on his site... but the point is, if the stories are told well, I think people will read them, and tell others about them. And then he will get links from other sites... and suddenly he has attention.
And with that attention comes opportunity: perhaps it's writing for other sites. Perhaps it's leaping into the techno punditocracy, speaking at TED. Perhaps it's a book. Perhaps it's a sitcom or a movie based on these experiences (the 90's are a very untapped nostalgia market). Having a degree of semi-celebrity gives him a leg up I certainly don't have. And all it takes is a site and the willingness to write.
I hope he does do it: I think that by putting his stories out there, he'll get people interested, and something will find him.
The whole discussion got me thinking about my own blog... what I formed it for, how I've updated it. I went back to late 2005 when I started it, and discovered I'd posted over 667 times. That's an average of 3 times a week for 4 years now. I certainly never formed it for fame (objective: achieved), but just to write. I love to write, and this site gives me an excuse to do so.
I have always nursed a mild fear that what if Blogger went away tomorrow - what would happen to these stories? I've meant to copy these posts off to a Word document for a long time, and tonight I finally did it. And it took up 830 pages in Word - and the pictures didn't even copy in. That's my writing.
As I copied, I didn't read a lot, but i skimmed and realized this time covered the loss of Mark, the arrival of Isaac, SEVERAL jobs (and dramas), the creation and dissolution of BrainReady (and my publishing 3 books), my discovery of fitness, my life as a fitness instructor, my migration to a traveling life, a lot of vacations, and a shocking number of hard drive crashes. About a million good quotes from the kids, and a lot of posts about food that I love...
Revisiting these pages reminds me of some of the areas I haven't really explored recently, and I think I'll be posting more about my thoughts and inventions in addition to the life narratives... and I think there are some stories from the wayback machine that haven't been told yet that I'd love to get out there.
At any rate, it has been a real pleasure to have a forum to share these thoughts, and while I have no idea how many people do read this (I think I'm safely over a dozen these days), I do want you to know that I really appreciate you taking the time to know me. Thank you.
The problem is of course that in his chosen career line, there's a limit you hit being a worker that can only be exceeded by being an owner. It's a line I've had to dance with myself - and my first try at ownership (aka sales) was a failure, and I went back into my hourly world... I'm trying ownership again, but keeping my feet grounded in my skills to earn my keep hourly as well... and it's looking good. But back to Paul: When you work for a big company like he does, and you're at the top of your paygrade, you need to find outside ventures.
Thankfully he's not the type for MLM schemes.
So we're talking and it occurs to me that he is semi-famous: A top ten single in the early 1990s, working with Thomas Dolby, a good ten thousand people who pay attention when he irregularly posts in his Myspace... and he loves to write just like i do. I counseled him to start telling his story - not hide behind a name (like we did with Brainready) but just be himself and start telling stories about his band, about growing up the son of a Maestro, about working in San Mateo during the DotCom bubble... start weaving his narrative.
How does this make money? Well, it doesn't, actually. Not directly. Maybe these people will click on an ad on his site... but the point is, if the stories are told well, I think people will read them, and tell others about them. And then he will get links from other sites... and suddenly he has attention.
And with that attention comes opportunity: perhaps it's writing for other sites. Perhaps it's leaping into the techno punditocracy, speaking at TED. Perhaps it's a book. Perhaps it's a sitcom or a movie based on these experiences (the 90's are a very untapped nostalgia market). Having a degree of semi-celebrity gives him a leg up I certainly don't have. And all it takes is a site and the willingness to write.
I hope he does do it: I think that by putting his stories out there, he'll get people interested, and something will find him.
The whole discussion got me thinking about my own blog... what I formed it for, how I've updated it. I went back to late 2005 when I started it, and discovered I'd posted over 667 times. That's an average of 3 times a week for 4 years now. I certainly never formed it for fame (objective: achieved), but just to write. I love to write, and this site gives me an excuse to do so.
I have always nursed a mild fear that what if Blogger went away tomorrow - what would happen to these stories? I've meant to copy these posts off to a Word document for a long time, and tonight I finally did it. And it took up 830 pages in Word - and the pictures didn't even copy in. That's my writing.
As I copied, I didn't read a lot, but i skimmed and realized this time covered the loss of Mark, the arrival of Isaac, SEVERAL jobs (and dramas), the creation and dissolution of BrainReady (and my publishing 3 books), my discovery of fitness, my life as a fitness instructor, my migration to a traveling life, a lot of vacations, and a shocking number of hard drive crashes. About a million good quotes from the kids, and a lot of posts about food that I love...
Revisiting these pages reminds me of some of the areas I haven't really explored recently, and I think I'll be posting more about my thoughts and inventions in addition to the life narratives... and I think there are some stories from the wayback machine that haven't been told yet that I'd love to get out there.
At any rate, it has been a real pleasure to have a forum to share these thoughts, and while I have no idea how many people do read this (I think I'm safely over a dozen these days), I do want you to know that I really appreciate you taking the time to know me. Thank you.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Back in Philly
Safe and Sound this time... no wrong turns, no meandering walks. Stick to the zone... there's a good boy.
But first, it was the annual trip up to Ruttger's! A little different this time - only 3 nights, and no PapaBam or Lilli, but we were with some neighbors and had a great time. We stayed in a lodge instead of cabins and were pleased to find roomy bathrooms and spacious rooms, plus adjoining doors to create a larger party zone... oh and no musty smells (part of the whole "cabin thing" no matter where you go). The weather was very agreeable, with 2.5 amazing days, and 1 pretty good day. The kids were in that lake quite a bit, whether swimming or just wading in up to their butts in their clothes.
It wasn't without issues: To save a few pennies, we went on the alacarte plan and ate at the bar a few times... but once everything added up I'm not convinced we were better off than if we had done the buffet in the main dining room... and the quality would have been a bit higher too - it wasn't BAD, but it wasn't great... though Randy did get a hideously charred Reuben that had me seriously questioning every link in the failure chain that resulted in this being sent to the table (What cook would send this? What line manager would plate this? What server would bring this?). But that was pretty much the only bump. Oh, and a couple of people puked again (it's not a trip unless someone does, really) - one from heatstroke, one from dodgy potato salad (not from the resort!) But no lasting ill effects.
Pamela picked up some crazy false teeth with discoloration and gaps, and handed them to all the kids who wore them with pride and giggles to dinner one night, and we all gasped in embarrassment as our server grinned widely to show us his authentically hideous teeth... It was a priceless moment - we got "punk'd"
We were lucky to have TWO semi-pro photographers on the trip too, Randy and "the other Pamela" - who took dozens of pics of the kids frolicking - so this may have some wonderful pictures to show someday. The kids swam a lot - between the lake and the pool, they were in water over 4 hours a day.
Quote from Isaac this trip when asked "do you need to go potty?"
"Not at this time, dad." Very matter of fact.
Sunday came just in time - the kids were all starting to poke at eachother and test eachother's nerves, and they were definitely getting on the grownup's nerves too, so we shuffled off to Buffalo around noontime. Naturally Isaac did NOT nap - dude was low on sleep anyway from the excitement, and by the time we got home, he was a walking wreck who we needed to keep up until 7 so he wouldn't get up at 5.
Zinsser? He was so happy to see us, he almost wriggled his butt into light speed wagging mode. He spent the 4 days with his half brother Otto up the block with neighbors, and reports were that he was very very good, didn't mess on their rugs, and even let Otto sleep occasionally. Zinsser was full of cuddles and love for us all.
I crept out at 5:45 this morning to head to Philly: Nope, not upgraded today, but I'll take the pity miles. Started reading The Black Swan, about unpredictable outliers, and am somewhat charmed by the writer's style - he's sort of like the love child between Steven Leavitt (Freakonomics) and Tim Ferriss (The Four Hour Work Week). It works for me.
In the interest of saving my back, I've decided to experiment with NOT lugging my computer around: Bring it to the hotel for evening/morning work, use a flash drive, and move key files back and forth to work, where I have a perfectly usable computer. Today was the first day, and I didn't hit any problems... and more to the point, I made it to the end of the day without a nagging pinch in my neck. I may NOT need to go for that MacBook Air just yet. Every day/week/month you put off a technology purchase is time that technology will keep getting better, faster, and cheaper.
After work, (and work days are not particularly long at this client), I had some amazing Thai food, and found myself close to a movie theater... so I decided to skip over and see "District 9" which was AMAZING: It really synthesized a lot of very cool elements and had a realistic grittiness that was amazingly authentic... but what I loved was that this movie was THAT GOOD and cost under $30mil, which it already made back. And on a monday evening it was a nearly full theater, which speaks well to the word of mouth. The protagonist was a wonderful worm who you couldn't fully hate, nor could you fully root for him. This will make for a fine Avenging movie someday soon.
Speaking of Avenging - Boy, I haven't seen my boys for almost 2 months! Luckily NEXT week I have them on the calendar.
That's enough for tonight. I should just mention that work is starting to accelerate at the new client: I actually have system access, and spent a good bit of time today reviewing echocardiograms (more to see how the report-building functionality works)... I can feel the groove beginning.
But first, it was the annual trip up to Ruttger's! A little different this time - only 3 nights, and no PapaBam or Lilli, but we were with some neighbors and had a great time. We stayed in a lodge instead of cabins and were pleased to find roomy bathrooms and spacious rooms, plus adjoining doors to create a larger party zone... oh and no musty smells (part of the whole "cabin thing" no matter where you go). The weather was very agreeable, with 2.5 amazing days, and 1 pretty good day. The kids were in that lake quite a bit, whether swimming or just wading in up to their butts in their clothes.
It wasn't without issues: To save a few pennies, we went on the alacarte plan and ate at the bar a few times... but once everything added up I'm not convinced we were better off than if we had done the buffet in the main dining room... and the quality would have been a bit higher too - it wasn't BAD, but it wasn't great... though Randy did get a hideously charred Reuben that had me seriously questioning every link in the failure chain that resulted in this being sent to the table (What cook would send this? What line manager would plate this? What server would bring this?). But that was pretty much the only bump. Oh, and a couple of people puked again (it's not a trip unless someone does, really) - one from heatstroke, one from dodgy potato salad (not from the resort!) But no lasting ill effects.
Pamela picked up some crazy false teeth with discoloration and gaps, and handed them to all the kids who wore them with pride and giggles to dinner one night, and we all gasped in embarrassment as our server grinned widely to show us his authentically hideous teeth... It was a priceless moment - we got "punk'd"
We were lucky to have TWO semi-pro photographers on the trip too, Randy and "the other Pamela" - who took dozens of pics of the kids frolicking - so this may have some wonderful pictures to show someday. The kids swam a lot - between the lake and the pool, they were in water over 4 hours a day.
Quote from Isaac this trip when asked "do you need to go potty?"
"Not at this time, dad." Very matter of fact.
Sunday came just in time - the kids were all starting to poke at eachother and test eachother's nerves, and they were definitely getting on the grownup's nerves too, so we shuffled off to Buffalo around noontime. Naturally Isaac did NOT nap - dude was low on sleep anyway from the excitement, and by the time we got home, he was a walking wreck who we needed to keep up until 7 so he wouldn't get up at 5.
Zinsser? He was so happy to see us, he almost wriggled his butt into light speed wagging mode. He spent the 4 days with his half brother Otto up the block with neighbors, and reports were that he was very very good, didn't mess on their rugs, and even let Otto sleep occasionally. Zinsser was full of cuddles and love for us all.
I crept out at 5:45 this morning to head to Philly: Nope, not upgraded today, but I'll take the pity miles. Started reading The Black Swan, about unpredictable outliers, and am somewhat charmed by the writer's style - he's sort of like the love child between Steven Leavitt (Freakonomics) and Tim Ferriss (The Four Hour Work Week). It works for me.
In the interest of saving my back, I've decided to experiment with NOT lugging my computer around: Bring it to the hotel for evening/morning work, use a flash drive, and move key files back and forth to work, where I have a perfectly usable computer. Today was the first day, and I didn't hit any problems... and more to the point, I made it to the end of the day without a nagging pinch in my neck. I may NOT need to go for that MacBook Air just yet. Every day/week/month you put off a technology purchase is time that technology will keep getting better, faster, and cheaper.
After work, (and work days are not particularly long at this client), I had some amazing Thai food, and found myself close to a movie theater... so I decided to skip over and see "District 9" which was AMAZING: It really synthesized a lot of very cool elements and had a realistic grittiness that was amazingly authentic... but what I loved was that this movie was THAT GOOD and cost under $30mil, which it already made back. And on a monday evening it was a nearly full theater, which speaks well to the word of mouth. The protagonist was a wonderful worm who you couldn't fully hate, nor could you fully root for him. This will make for a fine Avenging movie someday soon.
Speaking of Avenging - Boy, I haven't seen my boys for almost 2 months! Luckily NEXT week I have them on the calendar.
That's enough for tonight. I should just mention that work is starting to accelerate at the new client: I actually have system access, and spent a good bit of time today reviewing echocardiograms (more to see how the report-building functionality works)... I can feel the groove beginning.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
In the Hood
Mid-afternoon, the entire network went down at my client site. The whole data center lost power, which you can imagine was a BAD THING for the hospital. Some infrastructure guy will be in trouble. But on a personal level, that meant I couldn't access any of the systems or documents I needed, so I decided to head out early to the Airport where there IS a network at least. That was the plan.
I stood at the train station, and at the exact right moment according to the schedule, a train pulled up and a bunch of people got on. I followed them all on and sat down. When the man came to take my ticket, he gently let me know I was on the WRONG train. "Get off at the next stop, go to the other side, ride the next train BACK, and try again". He even gave me a free ticket for the ride back.
I got off, walked around, and waited patiently for a while... and a while longer... and then I decided "nuts to this, I'll just take a cab". Philly is a walk around and find a cab sort of town so I went up to the street and looked for a busy street to walk toward. I picked LEFT and started walking. As I walked, I started noticing that the neighborhood was not very good. Not good at all. Lots of shirtless men walking around, lurking on street corners. Lots of boarded up houses. Lots of police cars, not so many Cabs. Eyes were following the misfit in the button down shirt and rolling suitcase.
Around 4 blocks in, I found a safe haven - a Water-Ice stand (Philly's unique treat - it's sort of like Mister Mistee meets Gelato: No dairy, cool and refreshing, and a recipe for an instant "cold eye".) I went in, got a $1 blueberry water ice, and called a cab. The operator had me repeat the address a few times, with a bit of incredulity in her voice.
5 min later, a cabbie called - he wanted to confirm that I really did want a cab, and that if he came, I'd really be there. YES.
When he arrived, he looked me up and down and said "What on EARTH are you doing down here, man?" I told him, and he said "Man, you're in the middle of Beirut, brother. Good thing it's not dark". For the whole ride to the airport, the guy kept looking in the rear view mirror, and laughing, shaking his head.
Apparently I was in a not very good part of town. Got it. Next time, I'll either WAIT for the train, or just get on the RIGHT ONE to start with.
So I've been complaining about the heavy laptop bag in connection with the long walk. Yesterday it hit mid-nineties in Philly, with high humidity, and I had a Jersey meeting, so I was in a suit too. By the time I collapsed in my hotel room, I was pretty wiped out, and I think my muscles were a bit strained. When I woke up today, my arms and back were in a good bit of pain, which stuck with me all day. While complaining to my lovely wife while killing time at the Airport, she suggested I look for one of those "quick massage" areas.
I found one, and I'm so happy. I got a 30 minute deep tissue assault, and 15 minutes in the robot chair, and my body is feeling every so much better. Not 100% yet, still a little twinge in the neck... but it was a great great great help.
Well, there's a little rain here in Philly, and that means a delayed flight. I was offered the toilet seat on the 5pm flight (middle, last row), and decided to keep my first class seat on the 6:30 flight... which became a 7:15 flight.... which is now looking to be a 7:45 flight.... But I'll hit ground before 10pm at least.
And then it's off to the lake tomorrow. YES.
I stood at the train station, and at the exact right moment according to the schedule, a train pulled up and a bunch of people got on. I followed them all on and sat down. When the man came to take my ticket, he gently let me know I was on the WRONG train. "Get off at the next stop, go to the other side, ride the next train BACK, and try again". He even gave me a free ticket for the ride back.
I got off, walked around, and waited patiently for a while... and a while longer... and then I decided "nuts to this, I'll just take a cab". Philly is a walk around and find a cab sort of town so I went up to the street and looked for a busy street to walk toward. I picked LEFT and started walking. As I walked, I started noticing that the neighborhood was not very good. Not good at all. Lots of shirtless men walking around, lurking on street corners. Lots of boarded up houses. Lots of police cars, not so many Cabs. Eyes were following the misfit in the button down shirt and rolling suitcase.
Around 4 blocks in, I found a safe haven - a Water-Ice stand (Philly's unique treat - it's sort of like Mister Mistee meets Gelato: No dairy, cool and refreshing, and a recipe for an instant "cold eye".) I went in, got a $1 blueberry water ice, and called a cab. The operator had me repeat the address a few times, with a bit of incredulity in her voice.
5 min later, a cabbie called - he wanted to confirm that I really did want a cab, and that if he came, I'd really be there. YES.
When he arrived, he looked me up and down and said "What on EARTH are you doing down here, man?" I told him, and he said "Man, you're in the middle of Beirut, brother. Good thing it's not dark". For the whole ride to the airport, the guy kept looking in the rear view mirror, and laughing, shaking his head.
Apparently I was in a not very good part of town. Got it. Next time, I'll either WAIT for the train, or just get on the RIGHT ONE to start with.
So I've been complaining about the heavy laptop bag in connection with the long walk. Yesterday it hit mid-nineties in Philly, with high humidity, and I had a Jersey meeting, so I was in a suit too. By the time I collapsed in my hotel room, I was pretty wiped out, and I think my muscles were a bit strained. When I woke up today, my arms and back were in a good bit of pain, which stuck with me all day. While complaining to my lovely wife while killing time at the Airport, she suggested I look for one of those "quick massage" areas.
I found one, and I'm so happy. I got a 30 minute deep tissue assault, and 15 minutes in the robot chair, and my body is feeling every so much better. Not 100% yet, still a little twinge in the neck... but it was a great great great help.
Well, there's a little rain here in Philly, and that means a delayed flight. I was offered the toilet seat on the 5pm flight (middle, last row), and decided to keep my first class seat on the 6:30 flight... which became a 7:15 flight.... which is now looking to be a 7:45 flight.... But I'll hit ground before 10pm at least.
And then it's off to the lake tomorrow. YES.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Breakthrough!
I finally got email and network access at the new client. Yes, this is 4 weeks in. I told you they move slower than I expect. But this unlocked a glittering treasure chest of documents that will go a long ways to answering some of my questions before I go harassing the users. But yeah yeah yeah!
Also, I got clearance to buy the Macbook Air from my company (expensed!), AND found a buyer for the existing MacBook Pro. So that's coming together too. Soon I will not be the hunchback of Chestnut Street any longer! And since I decided NOT to get an apartment (due to the insane cheapness of my favorite haunt, actually - downtown Philly for under $100/night in a clean safe place with decent internet) I'll still be doing a good bit of walking.
It was a busy weekend (AGAIN) - Relished the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, and I'm thrilled with the outcome. It IS strange, however, to watch our stars revising dances from the season - seeing it performed a second or third time suddenly makes it seem like choreography instead of spontaneous magic. Watching a replay of the original is ok, but watching re-dances sort of dulls the magic. I'm thinking that the Jai Ho suffered the most on that... On the other hand, Max and Kayla's Samba was even hotter.
I took the kids to Edenborough a couple of times for big fun playtime, and they were thrilled. Friday was a swarming mass of kids (rainy day), but Sunday was a ghost town... The kids are officially too fast for me in the play structure now, so I go up and down a couple of times with them, and let them run, keeping an eye on the exit to prevent any Isaac Escapes.
Bella has graduated in Burrito-hood: She no longer needs the burrito bowl, she takes her beans, rice, sour cream, and cheese wrapped in a tortilla now, and can EAT THE WHOLE THING. It's frankly a little alarming - I tend to toss out 1/3 of my burritos, since that's the point where I get "full" but not "stuffed".
On Sunday I took off for the airport for a short week: I got nice hugs from the whole family, but Isaac was very sad he couldn't come with me. Zinsser was too: He spent most of the weekend stalking me, jumping into my lap to cuddle. He loves his master... (Talking about Zinsser here, not Isaac)
This weekend we're all headed up to Ruttgers for a family relaxation vacation. It will be... wonderful....
Oh, and Yelp steered me wrong again: Corner pizza place 4 blocks from my hotel, 4-star review (fairly recent too) and I got a floppy slice that was nothing special. I'm thinking maybe democracy doesn't work with food.
Also, I got clearance to buy the Macbook Air from my company (expensed!), AND found a buyer for the existing MacBook Pro. So that's coming together too. Soon I will not be the hunchback of Chestnut Street any longer! And since I decided NOT to get an apartment (due to the insane cheapness of my favorite haunt, actually - downtown Philly for under $100/night in a clean safe place with decent internet) I'll still be doing a good bit of walking.
It was a busy weekend (AGAIN) - Relished the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, and I'm thrilled with the outcome. It IS strange, however, to watch our stars revising dances from the season - seeing it performed a second or third time suddenly makes it seem like choreography instead of spontaneous magic. Watching a replay of the original is ok, but watching re-dances sort of dulls the magic. I'm thinking that the Jai Ho suffered the most on that... On the other hand, Max and Kayla's Samba was even hotter.
I took the kids to Edenborough a couple of times for big fun playtime, and they were thrilled. Friday was a swarming mass of kids (rainy day), but Sunday was a ghost town... The kids are officially too fast for me in the play structure now, so I go up and down a couple of times with them, and let them run, keeping an eye on the exit to prevent any Isaac Escapes.
Bella has graduated in Burrito-hood: She no longer needs the burrito bowl, she takes her beans, rice, sour cream, and cheese wrapped in a tortilla now, and can EAT THE WHOLE THING. It's frankly a little alarming - I tend to toss out 1/3 of my burritos, since that's the point where I get "full" but not "stuffed".
On Sunday I took off for the airport for a short week: I got nice hugs from the whole family, but Isaac was very sad he couldn't come with me. Zinsser was too: He spent most of the weekend stalking me, jumping into my lap to cuddle. He loves his master... (Talking about Zinsser here, not Isaac)
This weekend we're all headed up to Ruttgers for a family relaxation vacation. It will be... wonderful....
Oh, and Yelp steered me wrong again: Corner pizza place 4 blocks from my hotel, 4-star review (fairly recent too) and I got a floppy slice that was nothing special. I'm thinking maybe democracy doesn't work with food.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Ethnic Food
When I stay here in Philly, my favored haunt is a block outside of Chinatown, and a block behind the Reading Terminal Market (which I have written about in the past, you know). Good food on all sides. Well, not on the north side - that's a freeway. Anyway, good eating.
I've been relying on Yelp.com iPhone application to pick good places... I discovered that my own Food-ar was broken my first week out here when I had the worst indian food I've ever tasted, in a place where despite the candlelight, wood paneling, and comfortable chairs, the food came on STYROFOAM PLATES. So I need recommendations. And Yelp has not done me wrong.
Tonight I wandered two blocks eastward into Chinatown to a chinese noodle soup place that was highly recommended. I sat down, the only non-Mandarin speaker in the place, with the TV blaring some sort of Chinese Idol singing contest with amazingly garish graphics behind the singers, and a wizened panel of judges who may have been critiquing the songs, or they may have been offering advice on balancing Chi. Not sure.
I skipped over the "fried intestine" appetizer plate, and went for "Sliced Beef Noodle Soup". Here's where we get to the part where sometimes truly ethnic food can be.... strange... When you get this dish in a vietnamese place, it's called Pho, and the beef (if you order Pho Tai) is very lean and it's a somewhat refreshing dish, with fresh basil and light rice noodles. In this restaurant, it was thick brisket-y beef, with a meaty broth, with egg noodles, and picked greens strewn across the top.
I won't say it wasn't delicious - it was actually very good. But it was almost startlingly "ethnic" - there was very little there to cater to a western taste bud, and I found myself just a little disappointed - not in the meal, but in my inability to just let go and enjoy it. I ate most of the greens, some of the beef, and all of the noodles, but left a fair amount of soup in that bowl. I can't help but think that if uncle chicken (Nick) were there, not only would he have eaten it all furiously, but I guarantee that one of the appetizers would have been attempted as well.
Walking is something I'm doing a lot of here in the City of Brotherly Love: My hotel is 3 blocks from the subway, the client site is 6 blocks from the subway the other direction. So I walk a good 18 blocks total just to and from work. Then on days like today when I need to head out to Jersey for meetings, I walk another 9-10 blocks one way or the other to a ZipCar parking facility, and back. Today, I've done around 40 city blocks of hoofing it. Plus a half hour on the elliptical (because it's not just about walking, you gotta get that heart rate up too)
Walking all that distance with my laptop bag has got me thinking that I need to lighten up: a 6 lb laptop doesn't sound that big, nor does the bag (with all sorts of papers in it). But after a few miles, you notice the weight. I'm looking at those Macbook Airs again, this time with INTENT. It also makes me resent the existence of neckties, especially when it's 90 degrees and humid.
I think I'll try to get a good night's sleep tonight: I'm meeting a client at 8am at the Amish Diner a block from my hotel, and I am very excited. Last time I ate there was with him, and it led to me leaving my job and taking this crazy new life. Mostly because he shared a slice of the best turkey bacon I'd ever tasted. The bacon turned me. And tomorrow I will get my own turkey bacon.
I've been relying on Yelp.com iPhone application to pick good places... I discovered that my own Food-ar was broken my first week out here when I had the worst indian food I've ever tasted, in a place where despite the candlelight, wood paneling, and comfortable chairs, the food came on STYROFOAM PLATES. So I need recommendations. And Yelp has not done me wrong.
Tonight I wandered two blocks eastward into Chinatown to a chinese noodle soup place that was highly recommended. I sat down, the only non-Mandarin speaker in the place, with the TV blaring some sort of Chinese Idol singing contest with amazingly garish graphics behind the singers, and a wizened panel of judges who may have been critiquing the songs, or they may have been offering advice on balancing Chi. Not sure.
I skipped over the "fried intestine" appetizer plate, and went for "Sliced Beef Noodle Soup". Here's where we get to the part where sometimes truly ethnic food can be.... strange... When you get this dish in a vietnamese place, it's called Pho, and the beef (if you order Pho Tai) is very lean and it's a somewhat refreshing dish, with fresh basil and light rice noodles. In this restaurant, it was thick brisket-y beef, with a meaty broth, with egg noodles, and picked greens strewn across the top.
I won't say it wasn't delicious - it was actually very good. But it was almost startlingly "ethnic" - there was very little there to cater to a western taste bud, and I found myself just a little disappointed - not in the meal, but in my inability to just let go and enjoy it. I ate most of the greens, some of the beef, and all of the noodles, but left a fair amount of soup in that bowl. I can't help but think that if uncle chicken (Nick) were there, not only would he have eaten it all furiously, but I guarantee that one of the appetizers would have been attempted as well.
Walking is something I'm doing a lot of here in the City of Brotherly Love: My hotel is 3 blocks from the subway, the client site is 6 blocks from the subway the other direction. So I walk a good 18 blocks total just to and from work. Then on days like today when I need to head out to Jersey for meetings, I walk another 9-10 blocks one way or the other to a ZipCar parking facility, and back. Today, I've done around 40 city blocks of hoofing it. Plus a half hour on the elliptical (because it's not just about walking, you gotta get that heart rate up too)
Walking all that distance with my laptop bag has got me thinking that I need to lighten up: a 6 lb laptop doesn't sound that big, nor does the bag (with all sorts of papers in it). But after a few miles, you notice the weight. I'm looking at those Macbook Airs again, this time with INTENT. It also makes me resent the existence of neckties, especially when it's 90 degrees and humid.
I think I'll try to get a good night's sleep tonight: I'm meeting a client at 8am at the Amish Diner a block from my hotel, and I am very excited. Last time I ate there was with him, and it led to me leaving my job and taking this crazy new life. Mostly because he shared a slice of the best turkey bacon I'd ever tasted. The bacon turned me. And tomorrow I will get my own turkey bacon.
Monday, August 03, 2009
A big weekend
Reunion Weekend! Say it loud and it like music playing, say it soft, and it's almost like praying.
All right, first things first: So You Think You Can Dance: While I was shocked at first, I've grown to be at peace with Evan beating out Ade for the final. I love Ade, but I'm a fan of Evan's character... and he's dancing just fine - he brings some great joy to it. I was happy to see Melissa out finally - The fact she went SO long without ever being asked to HipHop was just embarassing... it felt like they were giving her a pass every week they didn't throw her to NappyTab's crazy prop factory. I mean, Evan and Randi did a (very vanilla) hip hop, and it wasn't terrible... So now we'll never know if she could crump en pointe.
For the final, I predict Janette will storm the stage in her fiery cuban way (despite having been voted off 2 weeks ago) and usurp the title. Watch for it.
Ok. I just had to have that out.
Thursday we drove out to Madison (Fort Atkinson, actually) for the reunion... Of course, no napping kids, and Zinsser was a great road dog - basically zonked out on Bella's lap. When we arrived, steaks went on the grill and the kids started playing.... and didn't stop for 4 days. Plus Zinsser found a friend in Braedon the 1 year old golden doodle. The two of them rolled around and played for four days straight. Zinsser looked like a wet rat half the time, having been thoroughly been drooled upon by the big galoot dog. We actually had to physically separate them often so they could rest. If we didn't, they were like punch drunk fighters in round 14, leaning on eachother and refusing to stop playing.
They only got into one fight, and it was late in the day after not enough rest, and of course they were fighting over a dried bull penis. Oh yes, I did say that. They're called "Bully Sticks" and dogs love them. The dogs took turns gnawing on it, and trying to keep it away from the other dog.
Friday was a gorgeous day, and Bella swam for much of it. Saturday was cooler, but still nice enough for everyone to play outside. Isaac did not go in the lake, but there were two trapezes hanging from trees that he couldn't get enough of swinging from: His upper body strength is really something. All of the guys (all generations) had fun with Isaac, playing t-ball, bocce, you name it.
It gave me an idea for a sitcom - "Coachie" - Two arty intellectual parents with a spacey science-loving daughter adopt a son whose birthparents were athletes. In an effort to support his athletic tendencies, they employ a nanny/coach, who can bring the proper level of competitiveness and sports appreciation to the household. Lots of "fish out of water" humor with the rough but tender coach trying to understand the strange new yorker-reading parents, but moments of genuine pride and bonding abound. I'm pretty sure it would be on Fox.
Bella played a lot with Seeger, who is very on her wavelength: They were dogs and scientists quite a bit. They found a lot of little toads, and we even brought some home with us... but released them into our garden, but not before a whole lot of crying, AND us doing the research to discover that keeping toads as pets is not a casual activity.
Back home on Sunday, again no napping with the kids, and Zinsser asleep the whole time (perhaps happy to finally be getting a break), and an early bedtime. Big thunderstorms brought Bella into our bed around midnight, and a bad dream had me rocking Isaac at 1. In my delirious state from tiredness and watching So You Think You Can Dance right before bedtime, I grew convinced as I was rocking Isaac that he was actually baby Brandon, and I was rubbing his head telling him he was going to go all the way and become America's Favorite Dancer. Which was a bit odd.
An early flight to Philly... and a last minute upgrade to First made the morning AOK. I tried to take the train into town, but it was late (!), and showed no signs of keeping on its schedule (the conductor was opening and closing panels, stroking his chin). So I took a cab. The pace of work at the new client is somewhat... slow...
I remember this from my previous cardiology gig too: There were huge slow moments in the project that nobody seemed too worried about. I think that people just don't UNDERSTAND these systems, and expect that they are inscrutible and things MUST move slowly. I'm prepared to adjust my tempo as appropriate. I do still have my Jersey client who is anything BUT slow.
That's enough update for the day... Have a great night!
All right, first things first: So You Think You Can Dance: While I was shocked at first, I've grown to be at peace with Evan beating out Ade for the final. I love Ade, but I'm a fan of Evan's character... and he's dancing just fine - he brings some great joy to it. I was happy to see Melissa out finally - The fact she went SO long without ever being asked to HipHop was just embarassing... it felt like they were giving her a pass every week they didn't throw her to NappyTab's crazy prop factory. I mean, Evan and Randi did a (very vanilla) hip hop, and it wasn't terrible... So now we'll never know if she could crump en pointe.
For the final, I predict Janette will storm the stage in her fiery cuban way (despite having been voted off 2 weeks ago) and usurp the title. Watch for it.
Ok. I just had to have that out.
Thursday we drove out to Madison (Fort Atkinson, actually) for the reunion... Of course, no napping kids, and Zinsser was a great road dog - basically zonked out on Bella's lap. When we arrived, steaks went on the grill and the kids started playing.... and didn't stop for 4 days. Plus Zinsser found a friend in Braedon the 1 year old golden doodle. The two of them rolled around and played for four days straight. Zinsser looked like a wet rat half the time, having been thoroughly been drooled upon by the big galoot dog. We actually had to physically separate them often so they could rest. If we didn't, they were like punch drunk fighters in round 14, leaning on eachother and refusing to stop playing.
They only got into one fight, and it was late in the day after not enough rest, and of course they were fighting over a dried bull penis. Oh yes, I did say that. They're called "Bully Sticks" and dogs love them. The dogs took turns gnawing on it, and trying to keep it away from the other dog.
Friday was a gorgeous day, and Bella swam for much of it. Saturday was cooler, but still nice enough for everyone to play outside. Isaac did not go in the lake, but there were two trapezes hanging from trees that he couldn't get enough of swinging from: His upper body strength is really something. All of the guys (all generations) had fun with Isaac, playing t-ball, bocce, you name it.
It gave me an idea for a sitcom - "Coachie" - Two arty intellectual parents with a spacey science-loving daughter adopt a son whose birthparents were athletes. In an effort to support his athletic tendencies, they employ a nanny/coach, who can bring the proper level of competitiveness and sports appreciation to the household. Lots of "fish out of water" humor with the rough but tender coach trying to understand the strange new yorker-reading parents, but moments of genuine pride and bonding abound. I'm pretty sure it would be on Fox.
Bella played a lot with Seeger, who is very on her wavelength: They were dogs and scientists quite a bit. They found a lot of little toads, and we even brought some home with us... but released them into our garden, but not before a whole lot of crying, AND us doing the research to discover that keeping toads as pets is not a casual activity.
Back home on Sunday, again no napping with the kids, and Zinsser asleep the whole time (perhaps happy to finally be getting a break), and an early bedtime. Big thunderstorms brought Bella into our bed around midnight, and a bad dream had me rocking Isaac at 1. In my delirious state from tiredness and watching So You Think You Can Dance right before bedtime, I grew convinced as I was rocking Isaac that he was actually baby Brandon, and I was rubbing his head telling him he was going to go all the way and become America's Favorite Dancer. Which was a bit odd.
An early flight to Philly... and a last minute upgrade to First made the morning AOK. I tried to take the train into town, but it was late (!), and showed no signs of keeping on its schedule (the conductor was opening and closing panels, stroking his chin). So I took a cab. The pace of work at the new client is somewhat... slow...
I remember this from my previous cardiology gig too: There were huge slow moments in the project that nobody seemed too worried about. I think that people just don't UNDERSTAND these systems, and expect that they are inscrutible and things MUST move slowly. I'm prepared to adjust my tempo as appropriate. I do still have my Jersey client who is anything BUT slow.
That's enough update for the day... Have a great night!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Short week
Rain rain rain in Philly. The philly airport is notoriously moisture
averse so I have no good idea when I might actually leave this burg.
Ah well.
averse so I have no good idea when I might actually leave this burg.
Ah well.
I forgot my kindle at homethis week and discovereed the wonders of the
kindle for iPhone software. It's actually readable and convenient on
the iPhone and it connected to amazon to get my latest (trashy scifi)
book. Hooray!
After quiet weeK my friends in Jersey needed my superpowers again. I
zipcar'ed out there in a mini Cooper and got some stuff done... And
got a primo hoagie. Mmmmmm.
Things are still ramping up on the new gig. After2 weeks I still don't
have a login or email. But I got a loaner laptop that let's me see
some things. Plus I've been talking with cardiologists. Which is
always interesting.
Looking forward to getting home and then blowing outta town for a long
weekend with the reunion. There will be much playing. Much.
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The runway of doom
The bad news was that my flight out was delayed and the gate changed
twice. The good news is that we caught a tailwind and landed at our
original time
twice. The good news is that we caught a tailwind and landed at our
original time
The good news is that we just missed a big storm in Philly and landed
safely. The bad news is that Philly is a parking lot now with all of
the planes that were stuck trying to get out. And we're stuck on the
ground with nowhere to go.
Been sittting here for 20 min so far, a mere 100 feet from our gate
waiting on someone to pull is forward. Awesomeness.
Also, just discovered that awesomeness is in my iPhone spellchecker.
Blogged from my iPhone
A quiet house?
I came home Friday afternoon to find only one kid around... Bella has gone on a long weekend trip with her friend Jenny to Milwaukee, and we're ships passing in the night: I will not see her before I head back out to Philly later today!
In Philly, my hotel is a block from Chinatown, and I had a great bowl of Pho the other night, and went next door to the "Shanghai Bazaar" - yes, those chinatown classic stores are everywhere, but this one was actually pretty nice and frankly more than half of the merchandise seemed tuned to an actual chinese customer - books, calligraphy supplies, formal clothing... no boxes with digital chirping crickets. Anyway, one of Bella's favorite outfits from ages 3-4 was a silk pajama set from a previous chinatown trip, so I upgraded her to a biggirl set this trip, and it'll be waiting for her return. I also got a nice laquered fan for her.
So we've been a 3 person family this weekend again - and it has been fun to focus on Isaac: Yesterday, he just climbed into my lap, curled in, and said "I love you Daddy - you're the best". Isaac is being pretty nice and mushy. We took a lot of walks and read a lot of books. We also got him a haircut up at the Sports Barbershop around the corner. He got a "sporty boy" cut - short on the sides and back, with a little more on top "just like you, Daddy!". Of course, the haircut added 6 months to his age.... and I think he thought he was looking pretty darn good.
Last week, when I was calling home, I was hearing talk of "Bella's Pet Rock". Pamela had worked with Bella to make a sleeping bag for the pet rock. Pamela had sewed a set of pajamas for the pet rock. I was having trouble visualizing this, because most rocks Bella has brought home have been <2 inches in diameter: Not sure how to sew an outfit for a tiny rock. Well, I finally saw the pet rock: an 8 inch square chunk of concrete. This is what Bella lugged into the house to declare as "her pet". And so the sleeping bag and pajamas suddenly made sense.
I should mention right now, that I love this insanity.
I have a busy but compressed week coming up: I leave tonight, and work M-T-W in Philly, with a half day trip out to Jersey on Tuesday for some meetings (Finally get to see how this Zipcar thing works), then home. On Thursday we hit the road for the annual Reunion out near Madison, to see all of the cousins and chill out by the lake. I'm really looking forward to it!
Sounds like the house is starting to wake up, and there's a lot to get done today - Carpet steaming, Ikea run, Mowing... all before I take off. And that's the way it is!
In Philly, my hotel is a block from Chinatown, and I had a great bowl of Pho the other night, and went next door to the "Shanghai Bazaar" - yes, those chinatown classic stores are everywhere, but this one was actually pretty nice and frankly more than half of the merchandise seemed tuned to an actual chinese customer - books, calligraphy supplies, formal clothing... no boxes with digital chirping crickets. Anyway, one of Bella's favorite outfits from ages 3-4 was a silk pajama set from a previous chinatown trip, so I upgraded her to a biggirl set this trip, and it'll be waiting for her return. I also got a nice laquered fan for her.
So we've been a 3 person family this weekend again - and it has been fun to focus on Isaac: Yesterday, he just climbed into my lap, curled in, and said "I love you Daddy - you're the best". Isaac is being pretty nice and mushy. We took a lot of walks and read a lot of books. We also got him a haircut up at the Sports Barbershop around the corner. He got a "sporty boy" cut - short on the sides and back, with a little more on top "just like you, Daddy!". Of course, the haircut added 6 months to his age.... and I think he thought he was looking pretty darn good.
Last week, when I was calling home, I was hearing talk of "Bella's Pet Rock". Pamela had worked with Bella to make a sleeping bag for the pet rock. Pamela had sewed a set of pajamas for the pet rock. I was having trouble visualizing this, because most rocks Bella has brought home have been <2 inches in diameter: Not sure how to sew an outfit for a tiny rock. Well, I finally saw the pet rock: an 8 inch square chunk of concrete. This is what Bella lugged into the house to declare as "her pet". And so the sleeping bag and pajamas suddenly made sense.
I should mention right now, that I love this insanity.
I have a busy but compressed week coming up: I leave tonight, and work M-T-W in Philly, with a half day trip out to Jersey on Tuesday for some meetings (Finally get to see how this Zipcar thing works), then home. On Thursday we hit the road for the annual Reunion out near Madison, to see all of the cousins and chill out by the lake. I'm really looking forward to it!
Sounds like the house is starting to wake up, and there's a lot to get done today - Carpet steaming, Ikea run, Mowing... all before I take off. And that's the way it is!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Ramping Up
Ok - I didn't finish the story about the Block Party: The kids were in that jumper until we pulled them out around 9 (2 hours past their bedtime, but at least an hour earlier than the other kids wound up staying up), and they both passed out quickly... The weather got colder and colder, and so in the middle of July, we had a fire pit going, passing around hot coffee and Bailey's. With the kids down, I was on house duty while Pamela hung out, rolling in after 11.
The next morning, the moonwalk was inflated at 9am (the family hosting the jumper set that time as the earliest, even though their 3 kids had been up since 7 demanding more bouncing). The whole neighborhood of kids was BACK out at 9:01 jumping again, but there was exhaustion... a little less pep to the bouncing. By 10, they were all just sitting in and on the jumper, getting on eachother's nerves, but unwilling to leave the space, because hey, it's a MOONWALK. By 11, when the men with the truck finally came to take the moonwalk, there was a brief flurry of frantic jumping, but then general relief that no more jumping would be required.
There were widespread reports of rubberlegs, aches, and general grumpiness. Our whole house took a NAP. Even Bella. It was good. We had the semiannual neighborhood progressive dinner on Sunday night (ramped back from quarterly - I love my neighbors, but my time is ever more precious at home), and had a good evening of catching up... Rita and Jeff are seeing an increase in business, which means they've weathered the downturn well: We've been so concerned and hopeful for their design-build operation...
Now I'm in Philly, and will be for quite a while. Last week out in Jersey was frankly so stunningly taxing that I had a hard time getting my head on straight Monday, which was fine, since the first few days of a gig are always just ramp up time. My boss Ken handed me a thick manilla folder filled with notes to get caught up on, and I've read the whole stack thrice now - once each day. By today, it was all making sense, and I was hitting the internet to get more info on some of the esoteric things they're doing....
This is a cardiology project, but a very very different one than I did a couple of years ago: In a traditional cardiology unit, you're dealing with arterial plaque and coronary blockages, mostly older people, and 95% of the time, you can clear things up with some drugs, angioplasty, or inserting stents. Maybe 5% of the time you're dealing with something genetic. In PEDIATRIC Cardiology, it's 95% genetic anomalies.
So the needs of the doctors are very very different, and you get to realize that these tools have all been built around the 95% adult cardio model. My job is to help figure out a solution that will actually work for the Pediatric world. And it may not actually exist yet. It's very exciting.
Today I was doing research on the most common heart defects and the sorts of procedures that are used to treat them. Also, I did some deep diving into some of the procedures that I hadn't really seen much of in the past. Today I learned about Electrophysiology - the study of the electrical system that works the heart. Seems some people have overactive nerve clusters in there which lead to the heart twitching rapidly and being inefficient in its job as a pump.
There's a procedure called Ablation where you guide a wire up into the heart, and literally zap tissue in the overactive regions to disrupt the electrical feedback loops. There's a a surgery called "The Maze Procedure" which is more invasive - they actually go in and cut patterns into the heart with a scalpel and then sew it back together, and that scar tissue is less likely to have the electrical storms. And finally, if a person has an out of control arrhythmia they do a "Cardioversion" which is basically using the Defibrillator paddles to shock the heart back into sync.
This is all very cool and interesting stuff. It's not really very common to think of yourself as an electrical being, but every muscle twitch is an electric process.
Can you tell I'm happy to be back in the clinical world, learning about things again? Much more fun than trying to figure out how to get the assistant of the CIO of that one health system to pass a message along about how we have the best consultants if only they'll give us a chance. Much more fun.
Anyway, the point is that after a few days of drinking from the firehose, I'm starting to feel like I might just know what I'll be doing, and am having the pieces fall into place. Add to this that I am totally loving this city (more on that in posts to come, but you can be assured food probably factors in to this), and this will be a very good gig for me. VERY good.
And now I'm going to switch gears and do some work for the Jersey client... a promise is a promise.
The next morning, the moonwalk was inflated at 9am (the family hosting the jumper set that time as the earliest, even though their 3 kids had been up since 7 demanding more bouncing). The whole neighborhood of kids was BACK out at 9:01 jumping again, but there was exhaustion... a little less pep to the bouncing. By 10, they were all just sitting in and on the jumper, getting on eachother's nerves, but unwilling to leave the space, because hey, it's a MOONWALK. By 11, when the men with the truck finally came to take the moonwalk, there was a brief flurry of frantic jumping, but then general relief that no more jumping would be required.
There were widespread reports of rubberlegs, aches, and general grumpiness. Our whole house took a NAP. Even Bella. It was good. We had the semiannual neighborhood progressive dinner on Sunday night (ramped back from quarterly - I love my neighbors, but my time is ever more precious at home), and had a good evening of catching up... Rita and Jeff are seeing an increase in business, which means they've weathered the downturn well: We've been so concerned and hopeful for their design-build operation...
Now I'm in Philly, and will be for quite a while. Last week out in Jersey was frankly so stunningly taxing that I had a hard time getting my head on straight Monday, which was fine, since the first few days of a gig are always just ramp up time. My boss Ken handed me a thick manilla folder filled with notes to get caught up on, and I've read the whole stack thrice now - once each day. By today, it was all making sense, and I was hitting the internet to get more info on some of the esoteric things they're doing....
This is a cardiology project, but a very very different one than I did a couple of years ago: In a traditional cardiology unit, you're dealing with arterial plaque and coronary blockages, mostly older people, and 95% of the time, you can clear things up with some drugs, angioplasty, or inserting stents. Maybe 5% of the time you're dealing with something genetic. In PEDIATRIC Cardiology, it's 95% genetic anomalies.
So the needs of the doctors are very very different, and you get to realize that these tools have all been built around the 95% adult cardio model. My job is to help figure out a solution that will actually work for the Pediatric world. And it may not actually exist yet. It's very exciting.
Today I was doing research on the most common heart defects and the sorts of procedures that are used to treat them. Also, I did some deep diving into some of the procedures that I hadn't really seen much of in the past. Today I learned about Electrophysiology - the study of the electrical system that works the heart. Seems some people have overactive nerve clusters in there which lead to the heart twitching rapidly and being inefficient in its job as a pump.
There's a procedure called Ablation where you guide a wire up into the heart, and literally zap tissue in the overactive regions to disrupt the electrical feedback loops. There's a a surgery called "The Maze Procedure" which is more invasive - they actually go in and cut patterns into the heart with a scalpel and then sew it back together, and that scar tissue is less likely to have the electrical storms. And finally, if a person has an out of control arrhythmia they do a "Cardioversion" which is basically using the Defibrillator paddles to shock the heart back into sync.
This is all very cool and interesting stuff. It's not really very common to think of yourself as an electrical being, but every muscle twitch is an electric process.
Can you tell I'm happy to be back in the clinical world, learning about things again? Much more fun than trying to figure out how to get the assistant of the CIO of that one health system to pass a message along about how we have the best consultants if only they'll give us a chance. Much more fun.
Anyway, the point is that after a few days of drinking from the firehose, I'm starting to feel like I might just know what I'll be doing, and am having the pieces fall into place. Add to this that I am totally loving this city (more on that in posts to come, but you can be assured food probably factors in to this), and this will be a very good gig for me. VERY good.
And now I'm going to switch gears and do some work for the Jersey client... a promise is a promise.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A New Home
Philly. Phil-LAY. Here I am.
Running off to a meeting in a few minutes but so far so good. Got an office (better than the communal picnic table I had at the South Jersey place), got things to get revved up with, and most importantly, I'm working in a hospital, which has a great energy.
Nothing to report yet, except that I'm here, and happy.
Running off to a meeting in a few minutes but so far so good. Got an office (better than the communal picnic table I had at the South Jersey place), got things to get revved up with, and most importantly, I'm working in a hospital, which has a great energy.
Nothing to report yet, except that I'm here, and happy.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Safe and Sound
Sorry about that last post: I was tired, my brain was completely full from the week's work, and I was READY FOR HOME.
I wound up only being delayed by 2 hours, and things were ok. The crew was very polite and kept us informed. It was fine.
Had good family time upon arrival, cuddles at bedtime, and then Pamela and I snuggled in to watch So You Think You Can Dance, which is just my favorite show in the world. Man those kids can HOOF it!
Off to the Block Party now: The moonwalk has been set up across the street since 10am, and yes the kids have been in it all day. Isaac is still napping (he got 90 min of moonwalk in before naptime), and now it's the big neighborhood bbq and party into the evening. I think that Bella might actually get 10 full hours of moonwalk in today.
I wound up only being delayed by 2 hours, and things were ok. The crew was very polite and kept us informed. It was fine.
Had good family time upon arrival, cuddles at bedtime, and then Pamela and I snuggled in to watch So You Think You Can Dance, which is just my favorite show in the world. Man those kids can HOOF it!
Off to the Block Party now: The moonwalk has been set up across the street since 10am, and yes the kids have been in it all day. Isaac is still napping (he got 90 min of moonwalk in before naptime), and now it's the big neighborhood bbq and party into the evening. I think that Bella might actually get 10 full hours of moonwalk in today.
Friday, July 17, 2009
8 weeks
Eight stinking weeks going to south jersey. Last day on the job and I have a mechanical problem on the airplane. Yay.
At least they deplaned us and gave us snack vouchers (free food is good).
Final presentation went very well today by the way. It felt goooooood.
But I'm very ready for home.
At least they deplaned us and gave us snack vouchers (free food is good).
Final presentation went very well today by the way. It felt goooooood.
But I'm very ready for home.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
PS - Final in Jersey
1) Had to change hotels from the one I'd been at for two months... worse internet connection, but better blackout shades (overslept one day!) Somebody has a puppy that's yipping and it makes me miss Zinsser.
2) Perhaps ashamed of the stinky car from last week (I kept it all week, but didn't hold back when I returned it and in the subsequent internet survey), they gave me a sweet ride this week: Ford Mustang (not convertible) with Sirius Radio. I've been listening to Sirius 22 First Wave non-stop (80's alternative) and barreling down the road.
3) I've been doing my "Jersey's Greatest Hits" restaurants this week: Primo's Hoagies, Ariana Afghani food, La Posata Italian... Still need to hit Joe Palumbo's Mirabella Cafe one more time for that Rigatoni Bolognaise (Which they call "Rigatone Bah-Loyne") Oh what will I ever eat in Philly? Oh no, did you say I'm staying across from the Reading Terminal Market? DID YOU SAY THAT?
2) Perhaps ashamed of the stinky car from last week (I kept it all week, but didn't hold back when I returned it and in the subsequent internet survey), they gave me a sweet ride this week: Ford Mustang (not convertible) with Sirius Radio. I've been listening to Sirius 22 First Wave non-stop (80's alternative) and barreling down the road.
3) I've been doing my "Jersey's Greatest Hits" restaurants this week: Primo's Hoagies, Ariana Afghani food, La Posata Italian... Still need to hit Joe Palumbo's Mirabella Cafe one more time for that Rigatoni Bolognaise (Which they call "Rigatone Bah-Loyne") Oh what will I ever eat in Philly? Oh no, did you say I'm staying across from the Reading Terminal Market? DID YOU SAY THAT?
The Brain Fry
This is the big week at work: It's my last full week at the Jersey client before moving to the Philly client, and I'm building my final deliverables... which are major presentations to large groups. I did my first one today, which I think was the harder one, all told: This was the project that a predecessor had thoroughly flubbed and I parachuted in to do it right in half the time. In the end, I identified 10 major workflow gaps that needed addressing, and spots for 38 workstations they hadn't considered across their 4 hospitals.
It's the sort of thing that I seem very good at doing: Synthesizing hundreds of data points across a dozen subjects, holding the whole picture in my mind to absorb the problem and craft the solution(s), and THEN somehow relate everything I've learned to a large group of people in a cohesive manner. In truth, the statement of work didn't say this is what they wanted, but I delivered exactly what they NEEDED.
I'll always wonder if I missed anything, but dang I uncovered a lot of stuff. So then the harder challenge is how to take 10 big problems and present them in an hour. Once the structure finally came to me, it practically wrote itself (though it did undergo 3 huge revisions). I whipped up some fun graphics (representing all 10 projects on a timeline with interdependencies), and ran the meeting with a steel grip - we actually finished on time with concrete to-dos... and everybody was happy.
Shifting gears to the other project has been hard. I tried before lunch, but it didn't take. I played hooky in the afternoon to watch Harry Potter (having already worked 24 hours in the previous 48, I felt entitled to a little break). Loved the movie! Hermione's moods were practically breaking my heart... and nobody but nobody gives icy stares like Snape. Alan Rickman is wonderful.
Anyway, the night is still somewhat young, and I've got all 24 hours of Thursday before presenting on Friday, and I know this project even better than the other one, so I'm not terribly worried. I'm seriously considering packing it in for the night and letting my neurons rest for a spell, since the last 2 days were pretty darn intense.
I'm pretty psyched to be starting the new gig, but I'll be on retainer to my Jersey friends to help see some of my more mad schemes to fruition.
On the home front, we're a bit alarmed that Isaac has been skipping his nap more and more... first because we need the break in the day, but second because we still remember well our trials when Bella lost her nap. We had to end her naps because with them she was staying up to 10 pm. But for 3 months, she had horrible night terrors from her lack of sleep, screaming bloody murder. They were some of the hardest parenting days we had. Hopefully Isaac will either keep napping (for a long time), or make a clean break and go to bed early nightly... I'm not sure which would be better.
Bella is really enjoying doing Synchronized Swimming, and has asked to keep on doing it into the school year. It's a "sport" but it's based on cooperation, not direct competition, which I think works for Bella. Plus she loves to swim. Oh, and that tooth has NOT fallen out yet. She may be waiting for my return...
No wacky Jersey stories, alas, mostly because I've been so busy I'm lost inside my skull. I think that the people at Dunkin will miss me. They know my doubleshot espresso order from the moment I walk in, and they're always so nice. I think the store is family owned, because the same multigenerational east indian characters are there anytime I show up - morning, noon, evening.
Well, I gotta do something. Something....
It's the sort of thing that I seem very good at doing: Synthesizing hundreds of data points across a dozen subjects, holding the whole picture in my mind to absorb the problem and craft the solution(s), and THEN somehow relate everything I've learned to a large group of people in a cohesive manner. In truth, the statement of work didn't say this is what they wanted, but I delivered exactly what they NEEDED.
I'll always wonder if I missed anything, but dang I uncovered a lot of stuff. So then the harder challenge is how to take 10 big problems and present them in an hour. Once the structure finally came to me, it practically wrote itself (though it did undergo 3 huge revisions). I whipped up some fun graphics (representing all 10 projects on a timeline with interdependencies), and ran the meeting with a steel grip - we actually finished on time with concrete to-dos... and everybody was happy.
Shifting gears to the other project has been hard. I tried before lunch, but it didn't take. I played hooky in the afternoon to watch Harry Potter (having already worked 24 hours in the previous 48, I felt entitled to a little break). Loved the movie! Hermione's moods were practically breaking my heart... and nobody but nobody gives icy stares like Snape. Alan Rickman is wonderful.
Anyway, the night is still somewhat young, and I've got all 24 hours of Thursday before presenting on Friday, and I know this project even better than the other one, so I'm not terribly worried. I'm seriously considering packing it in for the night and letting my neurons rest for a spell, since the last 2 days were pretty darn intense.
I'm pretty psyched to be starting the new gig, but I'll be on retainer to my Jersey friends to help see some of my more mad schemes to fruition.
On the home front, we're a bit alarmed that Isaac has been skipping his nap more and more... first because we need the break in the day, but second because we still remember well our trials when Bella lost her nap. We had to end her naps because with them she was staying up to 10 pm. But for 3 months, she had horrible night terrors from her lack of sleep, screaming bloody murder. They were some of the hardest parenting days we had. Hopefully Isaac will either keep napping (for a long time), or make a clean break and go to bed early nightly... I'm not sure which would be better.
Bella is really enjoying doing Synchronized Swimming, and has asked to keep on doing it into the school year. It's a "sport" but it's based on cooperation, not direct competition, which I think works for Bella. Plus she loves to swim. Oh, and that tooth has NOT fallen out yet. She may be waiting for my return...
No wacky Jersey stories, alas, mostly because I've been so busy I'm lost inside my skull. I think that the people at Dunkin will miss me. They know my doubleshot espresso order from the moment I walk in, and they're always so nice. I think the store is family owned, because the same multigenerational east indian characters are there anytime I show up - morning, noon, evening.
Well, I gotta do something. Something....
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Turned the corner...
Woke up refreshed and ready to make up for lost time this morning... No insomnia, no headaches. I had a great day at work: I had good meetings, got great information, uncovered more messes to clean up (my job), and even got some good quality time in with the project sponsor (who has been AWOL for a week).
I think the Febreze was even starting to work on my stinky car.
I felt like a guy who was on top of everything, until about 4pm, when I discovered I had lost my wallet at my previous meeting (in a hospital. Totally safe place, right?). Fortunately, a panicked trip back and the nice guy in security not only recognized me, but had the wallet, all contents intact. I was so happy I skipped off to the car.... then walked BACK IN when I realized I had forgotten my KEYs on the security desk. On the way out (to the laughter of the guard) I made sure my phone, wallet, keys, ID badge, suitcoat, shoes, glasses, and pants were all intact.
That's a little signal from the world that I needed a little break, so off to dinner. Now I'm back to the hotel for more catchup work... but hopefully not TOO late of a night. Got plenty of meetings tomorrow.
I've decided to take the job offer, by the way. I looked at it very very hard, and it appears to be all upside, with no visible downside. I get to do the work I wanted to do in the first place (making the money I was hoping to make), there's a pathway back to the Twin Cities after my non-compete finishes, and I'm already being given some commission opportunities. Plus, HEALTH INSURANCE, and somebody else handles all of the billing and taxes muckymuck. Works for me.
Looking forward to some wonderful family time this weekend!!!
I think the Febreze was even starting to work on my stinky car.
I felt like a guy who was on top of everything, until about 4pm, when I discovered I had lost my wallet at my previous meeting (in a hospital. Totally safe place, right?). Fortunately, a panicked trip back and the nice guy in security not only recognized me, but had the wallet, all contents intact. I was so happy I skipped off to the car.... then walked BACK IN when I realized I had forgotten my KEYs on the security desk. On the way out (to the laughter of the guard) I made sure my phone, wallet, keys, ID badge, suitcoat, shoes, glasses, and pants were all intact.
That's a little signal from the world that I needed a little break, so off to dinner. Now I'm back to the hotel for more catchup work... but hopefully not TOO late of a night. Got plenty of meetings tomorrow.
I've decided to take the job offer, by the way. I looked at it very very hard, and it appears to be all upside, with no visible downside. I get to do the work I wanted to do in the first place (making the money I was hoping to make), there's a pathway back to the Twin Cities after my non-compete finishes, and I'm already being given some commission opportunities. Plus, HEALTH INSURANCE, and somebody else handles all of the billing and taxes muckymuck. Works for me.
Looking forward to some wonderful family time this weekend!!!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Stinky Car
Well, I've definitely had better weeks than this one.
1) My rental car has a musty smell somewhere between fat man sweat and swamp. I have febrezed it repeatedly, but it's just not pleasant. And there's a good gallon of water loose somewhere in the body panels, because it slooooshes when I turn. Ordinarily I'd have turned it in, but due to the next two points I haven't had time, and I might as well ride it out.
2) I got in late on Monday, got checked in (after a frustrating incident with the credit card people who couldn't be bothered to post my payment when I made it on their website last week), having driven the stinky car into Jersey... and then I sat awake until 3:30 am with horrible horrible insomnia. So I was a partial zombie for some of Tuesday.
3) Tuesday evening I joined my co-workers for dinner, and had a glass of red wine. Now, 4 times out of 5, I'm ok with a glass of red wine. This time, not so much. I didn't feel particularly good (which didn't make for a productive evening), then halfway through the night I realized I had the signs of a migraine. I was a complete wreck, heaves and all. I pulled into work around 10, took a nap at lunch (drove to the hotel - can't nap in the stinky car!), and only really got back into the swing mid-afternoon.
Well, I've turned the corner - I'm going to have a productive evening and get caught up tonight. No coffee, no antihistamines, no wine, no nothing. Just going to have a quiet evening with spreadsheets and project plans and have a better day tomorrow.
On the plus side, I've started to arrange for my transition to the new client in downtown Philly. I have my public transport maps ready, AND since I will be keeping some hours at the current client, I've enrolled in Zipcar.com which is a car sharing service. My friend Al in San Fran uses Zipcar and swears by it. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, no stinky cars.
It's been a strange week at home too - Zinsser has had the doggy trots and has got Pamela up several times a night for potty breaks (at least he is asking - better than just pooping). Looking forward to a quiet weekend with the family - less craziness than the past weekend, ok? OK?
1) My rental car has a musty smell somewhere between fat man sweat and swamp. I have febrezed it repeatedly, but it's just not pleasant. And there's a good gallon of water loose somewhere in the body panels, because it slooooshes when I turn. Ordinarily I'd have turned it in, but due to the next two points I haven't had time, and I might as well ride it out.
2) I got in late on Monday, got checked in (after a frustrating incident with the credit card people who couldn't be bothered to post my payment when I made it on their website last week), having driven the stinky car into Jersey... and then I sat awake until 3:30 am with horrible horrible insomnia. So I was a partial zombie for some of Tuesday.
3) Tuesday evening I joined my co-workers for dinner, and had a glass of red wine. Now, 4 times out of 5, I'm ok with a glass of red wine. This time, not so much. I didn't feel particularly good (which didn't make for a productive evening), then halfway through the night I realized I had the signs of a migraine. I was a complete wreck, heaves and all. I pulled into work around 10, took a nap at lunch (drove to the hotel - can't nap in the stinky car!), and only really got back into the swing mid-afternoon.
Well, I've turned the corner - I'm going to have a productive evening and get caught up tonight. No coffee, no antihistamines, no wine, no nothing. Just going to have a quiet evening with spreadsheets and project plans and have a better day tomorrow.
On the plus side, I've started to arrange for my transition to the new client in downtown Philly. I have my public transport maps ready, AND since I will be keeping some hours at the current client, I've enrolled in Zipcar.com which is a car sharing service. My friend Al in San Fran uses Zipcar and swears by it. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, no stinky cars.
It's been a strange week at home too - Zinsser has had the doggy trots and has got Pamela up several times a night for potty breaks (at least he is asking - better than just pooping). Looking forward to a quiet weekend with the family - less craziness than the past weekend, ok? OK?
Monday, July 06, 2009
Brains
I'm at the airport preparing to board, but thought I'd dash off a few quick ones:
1) This morning Bella was running very late to her morning nature camp... she wasn't dressed, she was sleepy, and she hadn't eaten, and we only had 10 min to get it going. I asked her what she wanted to eat, and she asked for my trademark fried egg and ham on toast sandwich with habanero pepper sauce. I said that I didn't think I had TIME to make it for her. She thought for a moment, then suggested "what about HALF of a ham and egg sandwich then?"
Can't argue with that. I wound up making the sandwich and she wound up missing camp... but after the crazy weekend, she was a wreck and really needed a down day.
2) This afternoon, Isaac had been refusing all food but popsicles (AND he blew off his nap too), but was complaining he was "Hun-ga-ree". When I suggested a run to Five Guys ("The Hamburger Store!!!") he was game, dancing around. We had a quick stop at the post office, and he managed to tell four different people that "I'm going to the HAMBURGER STORE WITH MY DADDY!!!"
On the way he mused "The hamburger store will be Wonderful!" He saw a block party in progress on the way and shouted out "Look! It's a CELEBRATION!" When we finally got there, he was dancing and charming the patrons, and exclaimed that "This place makes me hun-ga-ree". When the food actually came, he was more talk than action, but had a half dozen bites of his burger and around 20 fries.... which was good enough.
3) Pamela and I decided that it's probably better when I leave in the early AM - walking around all day knowing I'm leaving is just a bit tough.
4) On the way here, I drove behind a white Town Car with open back windows, and a small arm kept dangling a teddy bear out the window on the freeway. My knuckles were white on the steering wheel with tension.... I could only imagine what would have happened if Didda or Doggie the Dog were lost in transit.
Eventually I pulled alongside, and found the grownups paying no attention (very wasp-y), the kids not in boosters looking horribly bored... a lost cause. The teddy bear was a cry for help of some sort (not literally), but those issues will need to get worked out in therapy in years to come.
Time to get on the plane!
1) This morning Bella was running very late to her morning nature camp... she wasn't dressed, she was sleepy, and she hadn't eaten, and we only had 10 min to get it going. I asked her what she wanted to eat, and she asked for my trademark fried egg and ham on toast sandwich with habanero pepper sauce. I said that I didn't think I had TIME to make it for her. She thought for a moment, then suggested "what about HALF of a ham and egg sandwich then?"
Can't argue with that. I wound up making the sandwich and she wound up missing camp... but after the crazy weekend, she was a wreck and really needed a down day.
2) This afternoon, Isaac had been refusing all food but popsicles (AND he blew off his nap too), but was complaining he was "Hun-ga-ree". When I suggested a run to Five Guys ("The Hamburger Store!!!") he was game, dancing around. We had a quick stop at the post office, and he managed to tell four different people that "I'm going to the HAMBURGER STORE WITH MY DADDY!!!"
On the way he mused "The hamburger store will be Wonderful!" He saw a block party in progress on the way and shouted out "Look! It's a CELEBRATION!" When we finally got there, he was dancing and charming the patrons, and exclaimed that "This place makes me hun-ga-ree". When the food actually came, he was more talk than action, but had a half dozen bites of his burger and around 20 fries.... which was good enough.
3) Pamela and I decided that it's probably better when I leave in the early AM - walking around all day knowing I'm leaving is just a bit tough.
4) On the way here, I drove behind a white Town Car with open back windows, and a small arm kept dangling a teddy bear out the window on the freeway. My knuckles were white on the steering wheel with tension.... I could only imagine what would have happened if Didda or Doggie the Dog were lost in transit.
Eventually I pulled alongside, and found the grownups paying no attention (very wasp-y), the kids not in boosters looking horribly bored... a lost cause. The teddy bear was a cry for help of some sort (not literally), but those issues will need to get worked out in therapy in years to come.
Time to get on the plane!
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Boom Boom FirePower
I now know what that is: She saw it in a TRAILER for Night at the Museum 2. And there was some Darth in that. Now it makes sense.
Glad to know there isn't some bootleg starwars movie out there Bella has seen that I haven't.
Glad to know there isn't some bootleg starwars movie out there Bella has seen that I haven't.
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