James Brown

Mike White just reminded me, via blog, to say how thankful I am to have seen James Brown perform with DMB at MSG in Dec 2002!! He put on such a great show with all the guys. I listen to him frequently while working out or just hanging out at home with my Timmay..he will be musically missed.
Also, President Ford, another great man...
Praying for the repose of their souls.....

Embellishment..

Inasmuchas Timmay's writings are humorous and enjoyable, you must realize that it is complete and utter embellishment!! I won't go into details. Not for nothin', but do you really think a man was intelligent enough to think of the Ginsu, well except maybe for the Monkey, in such an immediate time of need?!! Of course, the erection of the tree must be completed by a WOMAN!!! And the trumpets??..Timmay....Happy New Year All!!!
By the way, have I said how much I love my Timmay??!!!

The Tale of the Ginsu

I almost forgot to pass on the story of this fabled knife that actually occurred earlier this month. I can't let the holidays pass without sharing. There's not much to it, but here goes.

When Lago and I brought home our Christmas tree, the tree's top branch hit our ceiling. We've always had to cut this top branch off the tree to allow for the star to rest on top.

Ah, a saw or simply some scissors will do the trick. Sounds easy enough, right?

With the move, finding what you're looking for takes a moment to figure out where that thing may now be, then looking for and finding said item.

The hand saw... I think I saw the saw... oh, where was it now... ummm, I know I saw the saw somewhere.

Scissors, of course, I know where they are. I just saw them. I go to the kitchen and grab Lago's shears that are actually for cutting meat. They look pretty strong and if they can cut raw meat, by golly they can certainly cut a simple tree branch, right?

Wrong. The shears broke almost immediately. Now what?

Oh yeah, I have my new Black & Decker cordless tool set that includes a power saw.

Now before you start thinking this story involves a trip to the ER, let me add that the saw in question was not a circular saw, but one of those reciprocating saws.

I knew where that saw was, but the blade wasn't attached and I didn't want to take time to go through the directions. I just wanted to cut a little tree branch!

Wait... the Ginsu! That's it. If it will cut through a soda can as easy as slicing through a tomato then it will certainly cut through this little tree branch.

I climbed onto the step ladder as Lago handed me the Ginsu. Just then a bit of sun light caught the blade and made it shimmer like the steely sword of a knight going into battle. Ah, a battle indeed. I grasped the handle firmly. What balance this Ginsu had. A simple kitchen utensil? No, this ingenious blade was the stuff of legend. Why if King Arthur's chef were chopping vegetables while preparing hasenpfeffer, this Ginsu would be at his side. Yes, this Ginsu just might work, I thought, as I held the tree branch in one hand and the Ginsu in the other. I started to cut through the branch slowly at first and when I saw the blade's momentum I knew it was a matter of time. As the Ginsu made its last cut through the branch releasing it from the tree, it was a joyous occasion. I believe I may have even heard trumpets sounding throughout the land, or that may have been the Jazz channel on Sirius. But there was rejoicing nonetheless. As I placed the Ginsu in the dishwasher, I thought, thank you Senor Rob Monkey for presenting us with the Ginsu that has made our world a brighter place.

The End

Twas the night after Christmas......

and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except Lago..who can't sleep b/c she knows she has to get up at 5AM!

I don't mind going to work so early, it's just that I have tis terrible sleeping, or lack of sleep problem, when I know I have to get up so early. Why does this happen? I lay in bed, as tired as can be, especially after the last few long and stressful days I've had, and my mind races..what I have to do tomorrow, who I need to call, how are my patients in the hospital now?, I have to get my allergy shots tomorrow durign the day, but I only get an hour for lunch and I can't eat in the Dr's office waiting room ( I have to sit there for usually just about an hour between the time I wait to see the nurse and the time I have to wait after I get my shots), will I be to tired to work out tomorrow?, will I have time for breakfast?, need to make lunch, oh crap, I'm going to be too tired to do surgery...the list goes on. I hate this feeling. Am I the only person in the world who feels this or is it just inherent in my profession?

I came on part time so I wouldn't have this problem, but my logic didn't work. I think in part it's becasue I don't know how to say no. First of all, I got completely shafted this year b/c I'm the new guy. I'm sort of upset about this b/c in my interview I told them that I don't work the Christmas Holiday, period. Secondly, the 2 Drs who were supposed to be on call, one decided to go on vacation and the other who was scheduled to be on on Christmas Day just decided not to be on call. I felt like I live close and I'll be in anyway, it makes sense for me to be on call.Besides the fact that I didn't want the interns to be left alone with no one to call or our regular clients to not have someone available to do emergency syrgery on their pets. Boy was I wrong, all it did was add to my ability to stay awake at night.

The daytime hours aren't so great, either as you can see from the previous post.

This weekend was difficult also because I was responsible for the hospitalized patients. I have not had to do that since I've been here and no idea, procedure wise, what I was doing. I had no problem with the patients, but the rest of it stunk. Besides the fact that the interns want to keep their own cases but don't want to ask the associate on duty about them. Which really sucks, because ultimately, I am responsible and will have to pick up the peices in the end. I have no problem taking responsiblity for myself when I make mistakes, but I have trouble when I have to cover for someone else. I'm really not known for my ability to cover the truth.

Fortunatley, I really like my job and the owners and the people I work with, but there has to be a better way. Maybe all hospitalized cases should be the primary responsiblity of an associate(ie the associate makes all the decisions) and the intern can be the secondary and do the monitoring, etc. That's howe my internship was. Maybe that way is to not ever have me be the hospitalist again. LOL!! I just feel this great sense of responsibility with no control.

Maybe if I am still up in an hour I will go to the gym and get my workout early. THen maybe I'll come home and crash. Please pray for me.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Blessings to all!!
I have to say, this is my favortie time of year, despite the fact that it's been 70 degrees all week. The Advent and Christmas seasons give me a feeling like no other, especially when I truly stop to give thanks for the Birth of Christ. It is only through His birth that He could later die and rise again to save us, to provide for us a seat with the Lord.
I think, however, that many of us lose sight of this fact. What are people thinking about during this time? It seems as though people are worried more about who is getting what and when and how much rather than the true "reason for the season." I wonder how many people who aren't even Christian celebrate Christmas. Always interesting to me...especially those who obviously capitalize on the season...besides the department stores....Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Barry Mannilow sing O holy NIght, Away in a Manger and Silent Night. There just seems to me to be something inherently wrong with that! I struggle each year with how much worse it gets.
I believe that Christmas should be spent in Church and with family and a good meal, creating memories. These memories were never in the gifts I received but in the feeling that my parents created surrounding Christmas. Waiting for the Birth was the most important thing. Santa wasn't just a guy who broguht us gifts but an example of how to treat others who couldn't do for themselves. I remember on Christmas Eve being so excited to put the Baby Jesus in the manger. I hope that Timmay and I can continue to create these important memories.
My future memories do not want to be like the ones I have of this season...work...I was at work from 630 AM Sat til 11 PM then Sunday from 630 AM til 6PM the Christmas Day from 630AM til 930 AM. Did I mention I have been on call Since Friday night? I am graterfuly to not have been on call last night. I was scheduled for the weekend but took the on call duty top help out another associate and the interns. All I can say is...never again. I am so exhausted!! I slept through Chirstmas afternoon so we didn't get to dinner until after 8 PM. While I enjoy being on call and teaching, I don't want my Christmases to be like this anymore. I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow!!!
Nonethe less, Timmay and I had a beautiful Christmas. I look forward to Christmas with my Timmay. Timmay and I have created that family feeling that I have always dreamed of. And it's not just on Christmas, it's every day. Knowing that when I come home that Tim will be there just makes me happy. Every year he is my Christmas blessing.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

By the way, our Christmas Concert for Carolina Voices was last weekend. It is so inspiring to me to be in concert with so many talented people. I felt like the sound we created was amnazing. I wish that we could have taped it. Because we performed in a real venue (Ovens Auditorium ) and not a church, we were limited becasue of copyright infringements. So, hopefully, we'll get at least an audio copy. I'm looking forward to next seaon's concert "The British are Coming" featuring the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, Andrew Llyod Weber and the Beatles. I was thinking of auditioning for Carolina Oratorio Society in January. They sing with the Orchestra and perform at the Belk theater. I have to say, though, there were more peeps at our singing Christmas Tree than were at the symphony Christmas Show.

Thank You Santa!

Tony say hello to the turf.

Merry Christmas!
EAGLES beat the Cowboys -- now that's a Christmas present!

GO EAGLES!!!

All Aboard!

Our new train, the North Pole Central.

In case you're wondering, we've gotten into a tradition of not putting the presents under the tree until Christmas Eve. Buon Natale - Merry Christmas everyone!

>> Santa's on his way (NORAD Tracks Santa)

Holiday Visitors

This afternoon while installing a software update, I happened to look out the window, and what to my wondering eye should appear but three tiny deer. (click the image for a larger view)

Yes, this is our back yard, and yes we live in the city. I figure they live down the street in the park and ventured down along the creek that runs through the middle of our neighborhood. They stayed for a short time eating leaves. The one in front seemed a little more brave than the other two in the background. I quietly went downstairs and pointed the deer out to Lago. We watched them for a brief moment and then the sound of a nearby train scattered them back down along the creek. I saw some of their larger kin last week when we had a couple foggy mornings. They stood and looked at me and I said hello, but was off to work.

I was home early from work today and Lago wrapped presents. She works this weekend during the day, but she's off Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. I have presents to wrap myself this weekend and catch some Christmas movies and... set up our new train! I won't say anymore, but will post photos when it's up. Lago just told me to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, or as they say in Italia... Buon Natale!

Deck the Halls, Part II

O' Tannenbaum

'Round the Christmas Tree

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

While we watched Christmas movies...

... in our Theater Room.

Deck the Halls, Part I

Holiday Greetings

Christmas Dreams

Christmas Friends

Waiting for St. Nicholas

Jolly Staircase

Hot Dates, Cold Nights

No snow here yet, but cold as a bastard! Our highs might be higher than those in Virginia or Pennsylvania, but our lows have been almost the same of late.

Went to see “Spamalot” on Friday night. Lago and I have been to a number of Broadway shows, but this was our first touring show here in the Queen City. It was great! They took all the best parts from “The Holy Grail” movie and added some great musical numbers. I always thought “The Holy Grail” needed dancing girls. :~) Seriously though, the show was great and so was the cast. You would never know you weren’t seeing the show on Broadway, except the drive home was a lot quicker.

Last night, we went to the symphony again, this time to see “The Magic of Christmas.” Very similar to a Boston Pops holiday show, but again the commute was much better. :~) The first part of the show was more serious, although they had a sing-along just before intermission. The second part of the show was more of your standard Christmas caroles including a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

Afterward, we went over to Lago’s animal hospital Christmas party. It was right around the corner at one of our favorite restaurants “Blue.” We had gotten the tickets for the concert awhile back so we knew we’d be getting to the party late. It was still a fun time and we shared a great meal.

I started my annual Christmas movie viewing last week with “Elf” – yeah, I know the movie is dopey, but it makes me laugh and no matter how many times I see Will Ferrell jump into the Christmas tree while trying to place the star on top, I roll off the couch laughing every time! Yesterday afternoon while eating lunch I caught my annual viewing of “Holiday Inn.” Last year, we added “Polar Express” to the holiday library, but we’re reserving that for right before Christmas. This year besides adding “Elf” to the library, I added the new widescreen releases of “A Christmas Story” and “Christmas Vacation.” I don’t think I’ve seen either of these movies in widescreen and looking forward to viewing them on the big TV.

A couple years ago I found out that the director of “A Christmas Story,” Bob Clark, also directed a horror film called “Black Christmas” – that kind of creeped me out. I’ll still watch “A Christmas Story,” but that will always be in the back of my mind. I shouldn’t hold anything against him, many directors for some reason or another start out with a horror or scifi movie.

This coming weekend Lago will be singing with the Carolina Voices in their performance of “The Singing Christmas Tree,” which will be at the same auditorium we saw “Spamalot.” Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary is also next weekend. Lago will be performing at an afternoon show on Sunday so we’re planning a quiet evening at home to celebrate. As a special treat, I ordered the same wines we had at our wedding reception to be delivered this week. It’s a big deal for us, because most stores down here don’t carry Barboursville wines.

Buon Natale!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Yesterday got the tree, two trees actually. Got a big one for the living room and a small one for the theater room. The two rooms are on the opposite ends of the house. We were disappointed not to be able to get a Concolor or White Fir tree that we've gotten the last couple years. They're not available here. We got a Fraser Fir, which are very prominent here. These are good looking and have soft needles, so we're really happy with these.

We put all gears in motion yesterday. I put lights up outside, the full length of the house. Even pulled a "Griswold" and fell off the step-ladder -- too funny. My foot got caught and I just rolled over backwards in the grass. No biggy, pretty funny actually. While I did that, Lago hung real pine garland down the staircase. I also did lights on both trees and did a string of white lights around the staircase garland. We were pretty tuckered out after that and still have yet to trim the trees, besides stringing the lights. I'll post some picts once we do.

All the Merriest!