We swim like lions through the crest and bathe ourselves in zebra flesh

It has been incredibly hard to post lately because there is very little that has really changed of any note. My work remains stressful but overall enjoyable. I still, weekly if not daily, encounter situations that I had heretofore no experience with and try piecing answers together with less direction than Ikea furniture comes with. However, I generally learn from my errors. So, the good news is that if you come down the pike in about 6 months I ought to be pretty well schooled.

My weekend workmate, partner in crime, has gone on her maternity leave early. This leaves me with people from the float pool who, hopefully, are versed in the clinic. The last time my cohort was out, I ended up being the MOST experienced member of the group with a number of patients scheduled for the clinic (an error quickly and mercifully remedied by the people up at the top). This could have been a bad thing. I have the capacity to perform a majority of the tasks required at this point........but only IF everything is ready to go and proceeds smoothly. If either aspect fails, then I end up with that blank stare that woodland creatures get when a car's headlights strike them. Hopefully the foresight of those in charge prevails and I dont have to develop a permanent thousand yard stare.

In other news, Tia actually had to turn down an intriguing opportunity this week. It would have taken quite an offer to pry her loose from her current position (she has a great work environment and a stellar group of coworkers) including about a 15% pay increase, and that wasn't part of the offered package. The job would have been more in line with her direct interests, but one always has to be careful what they wish for. They tried though and it is always nice to know you are in demand. I think we both realize how fortunate a position we are in when she can turn something like this down. This economy truly sucks.

The house buying, while not put to bed, is in its pjs waiting to be tucked in. The rise in interest rates caused a corresponding decrease in our interest in purchasing. Plus, it is increasingly clear that our residence is not a highly desirable commodity. Ah well........only a few more months. Int he meantime, my sis found a great place out in Beaverton.

My dad finally made it out to Portland. And not a moment too soon with the unbearable heat of summer already quite pronounced down in Florida. I spent one summer working with him out in the heat and I will forever be thankful that he did that for the family because the weather, especially on blacktop, is unbelievably cruel. I am overjoyed to think of him spending his retirement puttering and tinkering and doing it at his own pace while exploring all the Pacific NW has to offer. You deserve it dad!

Other than that I am agonizing (okay, that's hyperbolic) over the purchase of a netbook to replace my ill mannered laptop (it tries mightily to inflict third degrees burns on whatever surface it rests upon.......frequently the lap. Ouch!). I always take FAR too much time researching these things because I fervently hope that, somehow, I will make the best decision possible and end up with something that will actually last me. Of course, all the research really does is make me wonder aloud if, as soon as I pull the trigger, the next newest greatest will come along. My worst fear isnt that of course, but rather buying a lemon like the one I presently own. On the upside, a netbook is only a fraction of the cost of this POS. decisions decisions.

Saw Up! this past week. Quite good really. Is it sad that between that and Wall-E, I feel like they can now put more emotional depth in a cartoon than in real actors. Also recently watched Benjamin Button which, to me, felt a lot like a less humorous, slower paced, Forest Gump. Of course the acting and the look of the film was fantastic but the story, for whatever reason, didn't get me to emotionally invest in it. Also recently rewatched Back to the Future. Still holds up, though it doesn't have the 'magic' that I remember it having. Might have to rewatch the trilogy.

Well, I have the dreaded Friday (our busiest day of the week typically), Saturday, Sunday rotation this week, so I better shuffle off to lala land. I will try to be better about updates......but unless the mundane becomes the exceptional, it is dicey. Until next time, you stay classy Portland.