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The Interactive Novel


Here's an interesting question: Can docs write novels? Well, this is your chance to be the judge. Dinah, from the Shrink Rap blog and one of My Three Shrinks, has started The Interactive Novel and is seeking feedback. Dinah writes....

Sunday's New York Times had an article on the unpredictability of the publishing industry: The Greatest Mystery: Making A Bestseller. The jist of the article is that publishers aren't good at guessing in advance what will sell, and the industry has surprisingly little feedback and interactive responses from its market.

So I thought, what if I try to see if I can get some feedback on Double Billing, my novel-of-the-moment, either use the feedback, or let prospective agents know that 50 million people read the first few pages and now want more? So here goes, the first chapter, the set up for the rest of the novel. If you want to make suggestions on how it would be better, please feel free to comment.

Personally, I don't know if anyone has "the magic formula" on what makes a best selling novel, a hit song, a blockbuster movie, or anything else successful in the entertainment industry. I'll have to delve into that NYT article more carefully.

So, take a read over there and leave some feedback (and vote in her poll). I'll turn the comments off over here, because I'd like to focus the feedback over there. I've already left a constructive criticism (not mean, just some feedback). If you can help out Dinah, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Bored Review - Day 3


The above slide was my favorite one of the day. The topic was irritable bowel syndrome. I hope you're not offended; the slide was not meant to be demeaning. Actually, I may even use this to try to better communicate with my patients. The speaker tells her patients, "So you have Bristol Type 3 then, right?" That's interesting. (image credit)

Being in full-time private practice, it's really difficult for me to try to keep up with the latest and greatest medical literature. Attending this conference really has reminded me of just a thirst for knowledge. Back at home, it's just a rat race sometimes -- just trying to complete all the tasks of my day before I fall asleep.

I've come to miss a little bit of the academic slant of medicine. One of the buzz words these days is "evidence based medicine." A better way of saying that is this: Why do you make the treatment choices you do in medicine? Is there medical literature (ie - research evidence) to back up why you make your choice?

In day-to-day practice, I'm busy dealing with paperwork, insurance companies, medicolegal stuff, etc. It's really difficult to keep up with the medical knowledge that is constantly changing on a daily basis. I know what my patients are reading, because I keep up with the popular press. But, sitting down and going through research studies -- this take a lot of brain power on my part to really break it down. There are (too often) times that I'm too tired or not enough time to do that.

On another kind of related topic, I did get to visit a friend of mine here in town. (Yes, I did skip part of the conference. Oh well.) He works at the medical school and I got to see him in action teaching a little bit. I've never seen the "work side" of this guy before - we're usually socializing and making fun of people at the bar at meetings that we go to.

My experience this afternoon reminded me how much I miss teaching medical students and residents. That's a really good time (at least for me). Maybe someday when I've gotten really cynical of private practice, maybe a career change to academics could work. We'll see.

Sorry for the rambling. It's kind of been a little different blogging this week. Like I've said before, I like a little different change of pace sometimes. Hope you're week is going well so far.

iPodphobia


This post is in honor of my good friend HP from Australia. I encourage you to read iPodphobia before reading this post. A few months ago (I cannot remember) -- either I posted my current iPod list or mentioned that I would. Here's what HP posted today:

I remember Dr. Anonymous used to post his current iPod playlist but suddenly ceased to do so. Did he fall victim to iPodophobia? *wink* Should we initiate treatment? Download him anything Icelandic to increase his cool factor?
The back and forth banter over the past few months has been amusing - to say the least. So, at the risk of analysis of my psyche by my good friends out othere in blogland, here is the most current list that I put together for May 1st, 2007 on my iPod -- Enjoy! (BTW, this would probably be a good meme idea. But, since I'm on a meme break, I'll pass on tagging anyone.)

Some quick remarks about the list below: I always try to mix what's currently on the iTunes Top 100 list with some of my favorites. Actually, I made this list for the meeting I was a part of earlier this month. I'm into some positive visualization and putting myself in a positive frame of mind -- or even psyching myself up before getting into the spotlight. That's reflected in the middle section of this list. This is also good driving music. Of course, as always, please obey all posted speed limits. HA!

Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5
Never Again by Kelly Clarkson
Single Fire by Snow Patrol
Hells Bells by ACDC
Right Now by Van Halen
Better Man by Pearl Jam
In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
Vertigo by U2
Desire by U2
Pressure by Billy Joel
Don't Mean A Thing by Borialis
Clocks by Coldplay
Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5
Round Here by Counting Crows
A Long December by Counting Crows
Home by Michael Buble
Cupid's Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes
Don't Matter by Akon
What I've Done by Linkin Park
Better Than Me by Hinder
Give It To Me by Timbaland
Over It by Katherine McPhee

Bored Review - Day 1/2

Yes, I'm still here. Someone commented that my lack of more posts yesterday signified that things were getting a little better. I guess that's accurate. Here are some random thoughts from the last couple of days.....

One of the things I really liked was receiving a choice of either a HUGE 200+ syllabus or a SMALL USB drive that I could put into my computer and take notes on the slides there. Very nice. If you're planning a meeting out there, please make this option available. My shoulder got sore in past meetings lugging around a huge three ring binder.

I'm always interested in who actually attends these things. I would say about a third of the attendees are males in their 60s. They have a smile on their face when they tell me, "Yeah, this will be the last time I take this stupid board review exam." I hope to get there some day.

Here are some questions: Why do presenters insist on squeezing as many words on each slide as they can? And, why do they insist on reading from their slides? If you make a presentation, please don't do this. And, please pick bright colors for your powerpoint slides. It is much appreciated.

The free internet in the meeting room. Plain and simple, every meeting should have this. I don't care what the meeting subjecct is. If you're offering CME and have net access, you're attendance will be pretty good.

Near the end of the day, I'm thinking to myself, "How did I get through all those years of college and med school, because after 6-8 hours of didactic lectures, I'm pretty tired." Yeesh!

That's it for now. If you want to try to keep me awake during the next 3-4 days (Yikes!), continue to send me e-mails and comments. I have to say, the stuff that has been sent already has been hilarious. Thanks a lot!

Mother's Day Brunch


"That's the end of our morning session," the hostess with the mostest said, "We'll reconvene in an hour." So, I'm trying to find a place close for lunch. For some reason, I really didn't want to leave the hotel.

I go down to the hotel restaurant, get seated, and wonder why all these people are dressed so nice today. "Is it some kind of holiday today," I asked myself. Then it hit me (again). Duh! It's Mother's Day.

I know I looked kind of strange sitting there by myself, with my trusty iBook at my side as I'm munching down on my brunch meal (Why do they call it brunch anyway?) I'm sitting there with all these families around me - some taking pictures - all wearing their Sunday best.

Just so there is no question - I did see mom yesterday before I left. Why anyone would schedule a meeting to begin on Mother's Day is beyond me. I had to try to explain this to mom, but was not that successful. I do feel bad that Mom's dad had to be rescheduled for one day earlier, but oh well.

This kind of "real time" blogging is kind of interesting. Isn't that how blogging started in the first place? I know all you blogging historians out there can help me out.

Thanks so much for those of you who have sent me e-mail and left comments already. I really appreciate it. I may give some day one thoughts later. But, overall, things have been going good. It's 67 degrees in downtown Lexington right now and cloudy. Perfect golfing weather. AHHHHH! Oh well, time to refocus.

We do have a break in two hours. Maybe another post from me then. We'll see....

Bored Review


So, I'm in Lexington, Kentucky for the next few days getting educated. I just arrived last night. As I alluded to in an earlier post, I have a new project. My new project is getting ready for my Family Medicine Board Review Exam which will be in about fourteen months.

Standardized exams have always caused me some angst and stress. So, I figure I would ease into things by taking a Board Exam Review course (which at times does makes me bored) to try to get into the swing of things.

I'm in the lecture room right now and they have free internet in here - Yay! So, I can continue my internet, e-mail, and blogging obsession while trying to learn something - although I have to try to not be too distracted.

So, send me an e-mail or post a comment. At least, I'll have something to do when I'm seeing all these powerpoint slides. Yeesh!

Update: NY radio hosts fired

Three weeks ago, I talked about two radio hosts in New York City who made Asian racial slurs. The post was called, "Asians: The New American Villan." It generated an interesting discussion and even an award from The Rising Blogger. Yesterday, according to the Associated Press, these two radio hosts have been fired.

One month after CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus, it has permanently pulled the plug on a pair of suspended New York shock jocks for a prank phone call rife with offensive Asian stereotypes.

"The Dog House with JV and Elvis," hosted by Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, "will no longer be broadcast," CBS Radio spokeswoman Karen Mateo said Saturday.

I have to be honest here. I never thought that these guys would be fired. Sure, I wrote a provocative post. But, as I said previously, either a dangerous precedent is being set here in that no one can say anything about anyone without being fired - or, CBS radio is in such a disarray that they'll do anything at this point to get out of the PR tailspin that they're in right now.

One thing I do know is this -- The entertainment industry will be an interesting moving target to watch over the next few months. I mean, hey, even Shrek is being attacked these days. Excuse me, uh, Shrek is a cartoon character. Gimme a break!

The Poet Laureate


In this Rust Belt town, there are few young people left because they have all moved away looking for work and looking for a better financial future than what's left here. This leaves a healthy percentage of older people to take care of.

I don't mind taking care of the older population of this town. In fact, I enjoy talking with them, if for anything else, to try to get a sense of how this town used to be "back in the day."

Mrs. Highland came in to see me. She's definitely part of the "old money" of this town. She's a poet and through the years, has published a number of books which highlight her work.

Like many other people her age, she has about a dozen medical diagnoses in her chart and at least one medication to go with each of the diagnoses. She proudly shows me her blood sugar log and blood pressure readings over the past three months.

"How did you get out of being weighed again," I asked jokingly. "It's not polite to ask a woman her weight, you know," she retorted. I smiled because we go through this banter every time she comes in.

After the "business" of our meeting today is completed (meaning talking about her health problems), I start to write her prescription refills, and she pulls out a book.

"I wanted to give you this for being my favorite doctor," she sheepishly said. "I found it as I was going through some things at home." I looked at the book and it was something that you would find in the best antique shops in town - except, the book was in pristine condition, like it's never been open before.

"I can't accept this," I said. "Of course you will, because I said so," she barked back at me in her authoritarian voice. Then, she smiled, "We've talked a lot about poetry, and I wanted you to see how a real poet writes."

As I opened the book, there was her signature inside. Above it, there was the date and the following text was written out, "To My Favorite Doctor." I was so moved that I was initially speechless. All I could do is look her straight in the eye and say, "Thank You."

Peace Blogger of the Day


I was pleasantly surprised to be named peace blogger of the day by Mimi Lenox. She not only is the "Queen of Memes," but also the "Founder of the Peace Globe Movement." Thanks Mimi for this honor. I really appreciate it!

Last fall, the blogosphere was a buzz on Peace Globe Day 2006 which took place on November 6. I don't think anyone really knew the impact this movement would have until, on that day, you just kept clicking and clicking, and saw globe after globe after globe. I was quite moved by that day. Here's what I wrote...

Peace on Earth is more than just a day someone picked out and a graphic that you put on your blog. Yes, it's idealistic, but it's an idea of hope - In a world that needs all the hope that it can grasp.

Thanks Mimi for your leadership in all of this - for having an idea and passionately making sure that it is followed through. I'm looking forward not only to seeing this graphic scattered all over the blogosphere, but also, hopefully, someday, seeing your dream come true of Dona Nobis Pacem -- Peace on Earth.

Now, the Mimi and the Peace Globes are making a comeback. The date this time is June 6, 2007 - less than a month away now. Mimi has been doing her best to try to promote her BlogBlast For Peace to anyone who will listen. I admit that I haven't been helping out that much - until now.

So, it's less than a month from now. I'm encouraging all the Doctor Anonymous readers out there to pick up a Peace Globe (see my sidebar or the link above) and place it on your blog. I also admit that I'm not one to decorate the PG graphic. I'm more into the classic yet elegant look of simplicity.

Don't forget to make a full-fledged post on Peace Globe Day on June 6th. Don't think about it - Get a globe today! Be part of blogosphere history next month. Good Luck Mimi! I know we'll come through for you again.... Peace!