Good morning from the left coast! Back by popular demand (or maybe not), this is blogcast number two! It's a little different style and format verses episode one. It's about twelve minutes in length and about fifteen MB in size. Let me know what you think Enjoy! Download DABC2
Blog
On the road
This clue is probably too easy, but it's the best I could do.
Will be my last vacation for a while, so I'd better live it up :)
Will be my last vacation for a while, so I'd better live it up :)
Fugue
I don't want to be intruding on Shrink Rap's territory, but I thought this story was interesting. (I'm not a psychiatrist, I only play one on this blog).
Jeff Ingram left Olympia, Washington, on September 6th to drive to Alberta, Canada to visit a friend (Washington Post). He never showed up there. Somehow, he ended up in Denver for a month, and didn't know who he was or where he was.
Ingram's identity came to light last weekend after he appeared on several news shows asking the public for help: "If anybody recognizes me, knows who I am, please let somebody know."So, the guy's fiancee calls the television station to identify him and they were reunited Monday in Seattle. That's the end of the story, right? NOT - Apparently, this is not the first time this has happened.
Ingram had experienced an episode of amnesia in 1995 when he disappeared during a trip to a grocery store. Nine months later, he was found in a Seattle hospital, according to Thurston County, Wash., officials. His mother said he never fully regained his memory.When I first heard this story, I totally thought that this guy was making this up -- for attention -- kind of like the whole runaway bride thing a year and a half ago. Apparently, his story is true. And, there is a clinical diagnosis for Jeff Ingram's condition called dissociative fugue.
Dissociative fugue, formerly called psychogenic fugue, is one of a group of conditions called dissociative disorders. The word fugue comes from the Latin word for "flight." People with dissociative fugue temporarily lose their sense of personal identity and impulsively wander or travel away from their homes or places of work. People with dissociative fugue often become confused about who they are and might even create new identities. Outwardly, people with this disorder show no signs of illness, such as a strange appearance or odd behavior.I admit I had to dust off the textbook to re-learn about fugue. Interesting story. In 10 years, I wonder if we're going to hear another story from this guy when his fugue strikes again.Dissociative disorders are mental illnesses that involve disruptions or breakdowns of memory, conscious awareness, identity and/or perception. When one or more of these functions is disrupted, symptoms can result. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s general functioning, including social and work activities, and relationships.
Non Smoking
When I go to a restaurant, I usually get asked where I would like to sit, whether in the smoking section or non-smoking section. I usually say the latter. However, if you go to Omaha, Nebraska, the non-smoking section begins at the city limits. What am I talking about? (WorldNetDaily)
The ban to smoke in Omaha began October 2nd and applies to nearly all public places. How about this for violators: $100 for first offense, $200 for second offense, and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.
The Nebraska city's elected leaders and police department are urging residents who see violations to call the 9-1-1 emergency system for an immediate response.Yes, that's right. Omaha residents are encouraged to report violations of the non-smoking ordinance to authorities just like any other crime.
Douglas County Emergency director Mark Conrey said people should not call 9-1-1 every time they see someone light up in a restricted area. He said the very idea threatens Douglas County's emergency system.I agree that smoking is bad for your health, but potential use of tax dollars for literally the "smoking police" may be a bit much.But, even after Conrey's concerns, Omaha police insisted residents should use 9-1-1 to report smoking law violators.
I can just see this --> (Cue announcer voice) Next on COPS: From Omaha, Nebraska -- Don't even think about lighting up a cigarette. Watch as our TV cameras follow Omaha's Finest bust chain smokers -- Saturday at 8pm. HA!
Christmas shopping
So, I'm checking my e-mail this morning. Sarah Mclaughlin, who is one of my favorite artists (and it doesn't hurt that she's easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean), just released a new album last week and it's currently number one on the barnes and noble popularity chart.
Anyway, her new album is called "Wintersong" and has the following song list: Happy Xmas, What Child Is This, River Wintersong, I'll Be Home for Christmas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel/Mary Mary, Silent Night, Song for a Winter's Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, Christmas Time Is Here.
I read this, and I'm like, c'mon! I know it's not her fault nor b&n; it's the distributor. But, a full two months before Christmas? It's not even November yet.
When I was a kid, I remember watching A Charlie Brown Christmas and how Charlie Brown was complaining about the commercialism of Christmas. That has stuck with me and is re-emphasized through the years. I'll have more to say about the holidays as they get closer. I just can't believe the shopping season is being pushed earlier and earlier every year.
Fog
Kind of feel like in a tail spin right now. Not really motivated to do anything. I had an entire free day to myself. What did I do? Slept most of the day, to be honest with you. You know when you finally have a vacation, you have this list of stuff that you have to do? I really did not want to do any of that.
There were five or six times today when I sat down and actually tried to blog about something -- anything. Not really motivated to do any of that either *gasp* Call it writers block. Call it feeling out of gas. Call it being in a fog and trying to find my way back.
I remember when I was back in school, summer break was the time when there was less stress. I actually had some time to get out and relax and play golf and other outside activities. I could also just let my mind wander, and just think about anything - not just business, meaning school. I miss those summer breaks.
I also used summer as a time to reflect. A kind of mark in the road to see where I've been and where I'm going. In a way, this week is kind of like that. I've been looking back to some of my first posts. This is Not a Medical Blog, I proclaimed on June 20, 2006. I knew it back then, why am I pretending that it's different now?
This blog is the observations of a doc out there just trying to make it in America today. Yes, from time to time there may be some medical commentary. From time to time there may be some ranting. From time to time, I may even say something funny.That's the real reason I started blogging. I knew that there are a lot of blogs out there that do medicine all the time - there's nothing wrong with that. I think over the past few weeks, I was fooling myself in thinking I was doing the same thing.
Someone sent me this message, "Hey Doc. No offense, but your medical posts aren't all that 'hard core.'" That really kind of hit me. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't mean. But, it was true. My blog is not to report the latest medical stories. My blog is not to report the latest medical research. There are a lot of other blogs out there that already do this, and do this well.
I admit I was seduced by my numbers as they improved. For me, it became about keeping up the numbers. I felt this rush as my numbers passed 100 then 200 visits a day and higher than that. This is the point when blogging became feeling like a job. And, I never wanted blogging to be like that.
Sorry about all the rambling. I don't know if I'm looking for a new direction and/or a new freshness to my blog. Still kind of feel like I'm in a fog...
Triple Meme
Dona nobis pacem in the Blogosphere from Mimi Writes: The events of Thursday, October 12 inspired Mimi to come up with the idea of a global post on November 7, 2006. I invite you to check out her compelling post...
"If you'd like to help me get the word out, please email. Or simply link this post on your site, in your emails, mention it in your comments. Tell people to save the blank picture (right-click, save, open in a photo editing program to write or draw on) and simply post it on November 7, 2006."
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Irene from Pregnant Pauses tagged me for this extensive meme:
1. 5 things I would do if I were a millionaire
* Get more Easy Buttons from Staples!
* Have a huge Blogaholics Anonymous meeting!
* Actually take some golf lessons.
* Finally pay off my medical school loans.
* Two words: plastic surgery (yeah right)
2. 5 bad habits
* Take a while to do my memes. HA!
* Drink too much Diet Coke
* Waiting until the last minute to do things
* Work too much, sleep too little
* Stress eating - not a good idea
3. 5 things I hate doing
* Working out, although I know it need to.
* Going out in the cold. I don't mind 90 degrees, but 9 degrees, forget it.
* Confronting people
* Going to a party where I know no one - that's tough for me.
* (couldn't think of another one)
4. 5 things I would never do
* Wear khaki - ever
* Walk through a cemetary at night - too scary
* Curling - what's the point
* Run for political office
* Buy a PC. Hi, I'm a Mac. HA!
5. 5 things I regret doing
* Not appreciating what I have until it's gone.
* Focusing too much on myself and at times forgetting about friends/family
* When upset, I say/do things I regret
* Not taking an overseas experience when I was in high school or college
* (couldn't think of another one)
6. 5 favorite toys or things.
* My trusty Apple stuff: iMac, iBook, iPod (can I count that as three things?)
* Golf clubs - when I use them
* Food - maybe too much at times
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Finally, Kirsten from All About Me - And Then Some tagged me for "Nine Weird Things/Habits about Myself":
1. I have this thing for wicker "furniture". I'm hypotized by it.
2. I'm anti-khaki pants. No khaki. Never. Don't even think about it.
3. Some people can't wake up without their first cup of coffee. Me? Diet Coke.
4. I'm a news junkie. I'm kind of embarrassed by it. I used to watch sit-com tv, dramas, and movies. At night, I'd rather watch news channels.
5. Golf. I can't play it, but I follow it closely. If I'm not watching news, then it's the golf channel.
6. Definitely not a fix-it guy. I hyperventilate if I have to go to the Home Depot.
7. Sometimes I'd rather send an e-mail rather than pick up the phone to contact someone.
8. My attention span is nanoseconds these days. I haven't read a fiction book all the way through in years. Sometimes, I don't even listen to an entire three minute song on my iPod.
9. Actually cooking is something that makes me anxious. If there is an option to go out to eat, I'll take that.
Freaked out yet? Whew! That took a lot out of me. Do you feel like this too much information? Me too. I think I'll take a nap. Oh yeah, I can because I'm off this week. Yay! Sorry, no tagging. Til next time, I'm Doctor Anonymous. HA!
Distracted
This is going to be an interesting week for me. I'm not in the office this entire week. And, this is the first time in quite a while that I've taken this much time off. Usually, it's a long weekend (meaning three days) here or there. But, not stepping foot in the office for an entire week is kind of foreign to me.
I'm going to a conference this week beginning on Wednesday and back on Sunday. I'll let all of you speculate where that's going to be. I may even leave a hint where I'm going. (maybe i'll try that blogcast thing again)
Anyway, ever since I got home yesterday, I've been helping a friend out with a project that has been a pleasant distraction from the day to day grind of medicine. This plays out perfectly because for the most part, I'm not going to think about my job for a week.
I'm a little concerned about this because it may impact my blog this week with less "hard core" medicine topics, or even less postings in general. We'll just have to see.
I've always been fascinated with the topic of leadership. The project I'm helping my friend with has to do with leadership and the conference I'm going to this week has to do with leadership.
Thanks to all of you who have just discovered my blog. This will definitely be an atypical week for my postings and my blog. If it seems like I'm distracted, it is because I am, and I'll admit that up front. (Don't worry, I didn't forget about my assigned memes.)
So, I appreciate everyone being patient with me as I kind of change gears for a week. Who knows? I may lose my entire audience and have to start from scratch again. (I've already seen that in the last five days) Or, I may even get some new readers. Time will tell.
Blogcast update
I just did get home safely. Thanks for all the feedback and positive comments about the blogcast. Also thanks for letting me know about the download problems. If there are still problems, let me know that also.
I've been tinkering with this idea for the past few weeks. And, yesterday, I just decided to do it. I have to tell you, it takes a different type of preparation for a podcast verses a blog. I really didn't know what kind of format that I wanted to take. I literally just made things up on the fly to try to make some sense.
Maybe I'll try again in the next week or so. There still seems like there's something missing, but I haven't quite figured it out yet. Working with the technology is a story in itself. I had no idea about track volumes, master volumes, how close or far to sit from the microphone, or any of that stuff. It's fun, and challenging.
I initially thought that podcasting would be my thing. But, I now know that podcasting for me will only be intermittent. Blogging will remain front and center as my way of expression - because, hey, I'm addicted. Thanks again for all your support.
Blogcast
I have a surprise for all of you! I've been working on this all day and all night. Yes, I've went off the deep end and tried to do a podcast, er, blogcast. What's a blogcast? What city am I in? What have I been doing? All your questions will be answered.
Just a warning: This is a 10MB file. So, if you don't have a high speed connection, then forget it. Yes, this is my actual voice. If there are any problems with the download and/or the playback, let me know. Also FYI, it's about 8 and a half minutes. Hopefully, I'll be back home safe and sound by Friday night.
Click here and download DABC1 (Doctor Anonymous Blogcast) -- Enjoy!