ER Etiquette

So I learned tonight that ER is in its last season (this cheese has been over-ripe for a LONG time). But it got me thinking about all those Thursday nights in college where the world stopped so we could catch the lastest drama on who's sleeping with whom in the midst of saving lives (cue dramatic music and heart monitor beeps). And I wondered if my job had enough material to be a weekely soap opera. Turns out, the answer is a resounding...no. The ER's too dirty a place to kindle a romantic hook-up.

However, sometimes people do things in the ER that makes my jaw drop. So here's some basic ER etiquette for all you potential patients out there.

1) Don't come into my ER complaining of abd pain with nausea/vomiting and the first thing you ask for is food. If you can eat, you don't need to be here.

2) If you think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test at home. No need to get us in the middle of it. And no, we can't tell you the very day and hour of conception so you're going to have to invest in a paternity test in 9 months.

3) If you haven't been making poopy, please try to get things moving at home (google it people).

4) Please, please, please write down your meds. We don't know which med is in your little pink pill you take every morning. They can't all be as well known as the little blue pill you take every weekend (wink).

5) If you're going to get drunk, please do it from the safety of your own home. And if you're passing out in front of liquor stores, it may be a sign from God that it's time to pull an Amy Winehouse and go to rehab.

6) Finally, if your doctors are looking at you like this, it's probably because you've done something really embarrasing and all the hospital staff wants to get a look (I think half these guys are from housekeeping).

Utah Cookies

I finally raided the Kay Family Cookbook for an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. And let me tell you, it was delicious! What's the difference between a regular cookie and a Utah cookie? The secret is shortening. I'm going to learn to cook yet!

Oh Daniel Craig...

While Joy was in the hospital, I snuck out to watch the new James Bond movie. And it was awesome. I'm glad they've dropped the skeezy sex scenes with the bimbos/nuclear scientists (I'm wagging the finger of shame at you Denise Richards) and the double entrendres coming faster than speeding bullets.

Daniel Craig suggested that it's time for a black Bond (after Obama was elected president), and that Prince Harry would make a good Bond. I can see it. What do you think?





"Really? Prince Harry?," you're thinking. "I don't know. What does he look like with his shirt off?" Well the Globe and Mail leave nothing to the imagination.

Through the Looking Glass

So Joy's home from the hospital and feeling much better (YAY!) and I've gained a whole new perspective on the hospital floor from the patient's perspective. First, getting meds after 11pm sucks. No one should be woken up at 3am to have antibiotics started. Second, having to wait for your nurse to arrive to unhook you from the IV so you can use the bathroom also sucks. I vow to try to answer those call bells faster if I can. Third, it's amazing the difference good staff makes. I was so impressed by the people at VHC - even the housekeeper was fantastic! And it was so organized. They hid most of the wires, monitors, and equipment behind counters and cupboards, but it was still easy for staff to get too. Definitely a left-brained hospital.

Finally, a picture of my nursing skills: I taped up Joy's IV so she could take a shower. Look how excited she is! If there's one thing I've learned in nursing it's the value of additional tape. And a stylin' hospital gown to make a girl feel pretty.

Domesticated

In an effort to beautify our apartment, we've made a trip to Ikea. And Best Buy. Check out the new kitchen storage, spice rack, and the flat panel TV. Guess which one is getting the most use from me? Although I do love organizing the spice rack. It appeals to the left brain in me. However, in an attempt to broaden my domestic art horizens, I'm watching Two Fat Ladies. It's British PBS and these ladies are fascinating! Especially when they flirt. Thanks Joy for ordering it on Netflix!

Hair Day

I was inspired by a friend's blog to change my hairstyle. See if you can spot the difference in the picture. I parted my hair to the right! I never realized until today that my hair was left brained as well. My life is never ending excitement.

Celebration at the White House

So I just found out that I was at the White House celebrating Obama's victory with Joan Baez on Nov. 4th (among thousands of others who thought ticker tape parades should be brought back along with candy pink refrigerators). I have never seen DC so happy. I have never been in a friendlier place. Eat your heart out Disneyland. Here are two videos of places that I went to celebrate on election night. Not having a camera, I've relied on You Tube. Thanks You Tube!







Lastly, I'll never forget being on U street in DC frozen in a moment as we all gathered to listen to Obama's victory speech. People were spilling out of bars, others were blasting it out on speakers from souped up SUVs so we could all hear. Every car honked (including mine) in a three syllable tatoo: O-ba-ma, honk-honk-honk, O-ba-ma.