iTunes has just released Season 1-3 on the downloadable DVDs, for a mere $25.87 ($1.99 each episode). The Christmas episodes aren’t there and obviously, there’s no “behind the scenes” commentary or David Tennant diaries, but still, it’s an option.

I was also going to say that X-Files season 1-3 is also available. But those are much more expensive and Season 1 is missing one of the best episodes (Beyond the Sea), so personally I’d wait (well, personally, I already own the DVDs, so the point is moot. Moot. I love that word).

My X-Files party went splendidly, by the way. There was a newbie in the crowd, so we watched The Pilot (always a favorite), Squeeze and Post-Modern Prometheus, which was voted the favorite. I gave a quite the girlie scream and betrayed my cool demeanor during Squeeze, even though I’ve seen it a dozen times and knew what was going to happen…. I’m never going to survive tomorrow/Saturday when I finally get to see the movie.

I got recertified in ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) yesterday. Man, it’s so much easier after two years of experience. I haven’t run a code in months, but just knowing exactly what the drugs do and the thought process and the pathophysiology helps so much. At the end of med school, I was so clueless and ignorant. I’m still behind the time (ask my attending when I was unable to tell him what the common side effects of niacin are), but at least, I’m better than I was two years ago.

And other than that, not much going on. My life revolves around the various clinics and I’m getting a little wearied at the constant change. Every place has different expectations, different places to hang your bag, different places to find forms, etc, and it’s tiring learning it all over again, both morning and afternoon. Plus, clinic patients always drain me. I don’t get the chance to review their labs and their images, or whatever. They’re there for those 20 minutes and they want answers, regardless of whether I have them, so I’m always thinking on the fly and I hate that. Still enjoying the free evenings. Tonight I picked raspberries, tripped on one of the bushes and lost the entire bowl. Luckily, I have a very abundant crop this year and was able to pick more to use with the Yogurt Cream that I made for my XF party (sooo good. Sooo creamy. So many calories (we’re ignoring the advice about using whipping cream and going with milk next time. It may taste better, but I’m the only one around to eat the leftovers and golly, the guilt!).

I really need to do laundry.

Oh, yeah, and Happy Pioneer Day! I rather miss the middle of July state holiday. Any special celebrations? BBQs? I wish I was there, but in the mangled words of Brigham Young, “This is the right place for me.” Hee.

I’ve hated clinics since I was a med student–I learned very early on that the place where I thrive, where I fit, is the hospital, and the 20 minute focused visits where I’m supposed to address the reason that the patient is there as well as any other issues that invariably crop up (social issues, always social issues) make me crazy.

Granted, my visits with a patient in the hospital usually are as short, if not shorter (ie, morning rounds: “Hi Mr So and so, how did you sleep? Breathing better? Any overnight issues? Okay, well, let me just listen to your heart/squeeze my fingers/press on your belly. I still haven’t seen your latest labs/images, but I’ll be reviewing them this morning and the whole team will be by to see you later this morning. Oh, probably around 10 or so. Hmm, I’m not sure when you’re going home, it depends on if the labs/images are improving. Work hard with physical therapy today. Any questions? Okay, I’ll see you later. Have a good morning!”), but the overall effect of seeing them day after day, discussing the case for hours with the team, looking at labs and images and making changes then to the plan, etc… It all makes it seem like there is a much more comprehensive rapport that develops over the 3-4 (or 10) days that they’re there in the hospital.

So, anyway. I’m doing outpatient clinics for the next two months (well, we’re down to 5 weeks now). And I had been dreading it. Okay, besides the weekends off, the 8 to 5 hours, the no call, dreading it. Strangely, I’ve really enjoyed the month so far. I’ve worked in the Allergy clinic, in the Cardiac Arrhythmia clinic, learned how to do PFTs, worked in the VA emergency room, in urgent care. And it’s actually been fun. It’s definitely better when you have a little more control on what goes on with the patient.

Oh, and the half days off… Brilliant.

****
Because of the half days and free weekends, I’ve almost got a social life back. I went to the movies on Friday night (Hellboy, was rather unimpressed, which surprised me, because I had heard such good things about it. Sean Means, my personal movie reviewer *cough* gave it 4 stars! We have never parted company in opinions before. What is the world coming to?), on Saturday, I volunteered at a nursing home playing Bingo with the inhabitants; I was the announcer of the numbers and gave out prizes such as a stuffed purple poodle, that I craved myself.

A friend came by later that night and we made microwave cakes and complained about the shortage of dateable guys in our ward. There’s a large group of us who are older and getting slightly bitter (more than slightly in my case), that these guys, who are our age, are only dating the 18-19 year olds, if they’re even doing that. We’re thinking about starting a support group, because like it or not, the chances of us dating and getting married get smaller every year, and it’s a hard realization. I think it’s just hitting me now, the fact that I’ll be 30 in just a few short, short months. Bah.

****
CuteIntern is still freaking adorable (although no longer an intern *sniff*). While commiserating with him about the should-have-expected-it ending of Dr. Horrible, he told me to check out a new show. A new show on ABC Family. A new, extremely campy, yet somewhat witty show on ABC Family, entitled “The MIddleman” which should should be checked out by everybody. I had to search everywhere for a streaming video (they lie about the season being available at ABC Family) so if anybody is interested, I can send you the link. It’s extremely campy, I don’t think I can emphasize that enough and it’s exactly why I think some of you will enjoy it. Seriously, take the pseudoscience alieny feeling of Doctor Who, add a good dose of insanity ala Red Dwarf, splash it with the chattiness of Gilmore Girls, and then spoof it all on turbo, and you’ve got the show.

****
I’m having an X-Files party tomorrow to get ready for the new movie. I’m so excited, yo! We’re going to be watching a couple of our favorite old episodes and then the old movie. Hmm, which ones would you pick?

I’ve been very, very good about avoid spoilers and reviews, so I haven’t heard if the new movie is good or not. I don’t care. It’s been 10 years since I watched the first one and became an instant X-Files fan. Ten years since I lived and breathed X-Files, watching the new eppys with Sus on Sunday and all the reruns on FX whenever I could catch them, collected action figures (shut up), cut my hair like Dana Scully. I’ve lost my XF callouses though… I used to be hardened enough that I could watch even the most disturbing episode (Home, anybody?), and not flinch (too much). Now, I’m a wuss; I’m going to be whimpering and cowering in the theaters. I. Can’t. Wait.

Please, make it good, Chris Carter. I’ve cursed your name and doubted you since the series ended. You had over 5 years to get it right.

Within a half hour, I was asked to dinner and threatened with a lawsuit ….by the same patient.

I talked him out of both.

*****
I haven’t received any of my mail since I got back from vacation and was getting really, really perturbed at the Post Office for stealing my mail.

Until I checked the hold notice, and noted the delivery date is July 21st. It’s not as fun getting pissed off at yourself. *sigh*

*****
I have the morning off tomorrow (this clinic life is so sweet. Well, except yesterday when I was there until aft 7:30 doing notes. Then it was not so sweet). I’m planning on celebrating by sleeping in and making myself breakfast.

*****
And, finally, PSA:

Do yourself a favor, click on the picture and enjoy the awesomeness that is Dr. Horrible, Joss Whedon’s mad scientist creation. I finally got to see it (the site has been overloaded for days) and it’s amazing and the most entertaining half hour that I’ve had in a long time. The last episode will be posted on Saturday, and then it’ll come down on Sunday, so you’d better act quickly!

You know what’s more disheartening than find out the guy you crushed on throughout medical school is now married? Finding out, now, that he’s a democrat and a supporter of Barack Obama. DRAT. Single democrat Mormon guys are so exceedingly rare, that if I had realized, I really would have tried to pursue much more than I did. 🙂 (Okay, that might have been an impossibility, save me throwing myself on the hearth and refusing to leave until he dated me)

Actually, I am ecstatic for him and not upset about his nuptials. I had gotten over the crush a long time ago and she seems very nice and just right for him.

But, oh, the lost opportunity.

****

I fly out to Utah tomorrow for a week of vacation. My parents were supposed to come out here, so we could work on my house, but my sister had surgery and is less mobile than anticipated. So instead I’m going home, where I hear that it’s hotter than blazes. Meanwhile, the weather here has been gorgeous for the past 2 weeks–an occasional downpour and then 60-70s with blue skies.

I’m excited to go home. I’m hoping to work on some projects such as transferring my blog (more to come), scanning family pictures, making DVDs out of some beloved VHS tapes that are wearing thin, BBQs, etc.

In the meantime, my ward had planned on coming over and helping me with my place as well. As there was something like 23 volunteers, they’ve decided to go ahead with it, so I’m leaving instructions on what needs to be done. Hopefully, I’ll come back to a smashed up sidewalk, a ditch that runs to front yard, bleached walls and patched window sills. I’m overwhelmed at the thought of all of the help–I know I couldn’t have done it on my own.

In any case, I need to get to bed. Have a lovely 4th, all of you!

This makes me happy. (Read his blog as well. Witty observations and pictures that almost make up for the fact that I can’t be the globe trotter that I want to be.)

(for HD quality, click on the video to go to youtube. It looks way prettier)

(The lyrics to the song, translated)

I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this over the last few days. There’s just something about watching all of those people in all of the world coming together that melts away every pessimistic thought in my head.