Wednesday, April 30, 2003, 11:33 p.m.

Well la de da...

I think if there's any sin i can freely admit...it's giving in and posting one of these survey results as a journal entry. It amuses me tho cause i'm all too aware of my bad points and weaknesses, and maybe i embrace them somewhat because most of my friends seem to have this skewed perception that i am mostly a good person. I'm not a good person or a bad person, just a person. In a universe governed by chaos theory, perfection is a load of crap:

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Fifth Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Very High
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	High
Level 7 (Violent)	High
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Very High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Moderate

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test

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Tuesday, April 29, 2003, 04:02 p.m.

That no-talent ass-clown...

I saw the movie Office Space on tv again, a few days ago, and the scene where the character Michael Bolton bitches about the crappy singer who ruined his name, the famous line was quoted. Since then i haven't been able to get it out of my head, and of course i laugh every time i hear it, but i've been desperate to find someone to call a 'no-talent ass-clown'. Oh well, i *know* someone qualified will come along.

On a different note, some new goodies arrived. Should be fun to install them on sat.

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Saturday, April 26, 2003, 12:38 p.m.

Theres a new face in the family...

Today at 12 pm i picked up the keys to a new 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX and didn't look back. Farewell RS-chan, we had great times and well as bad ones, just like in any meaningful relationship. I hope she finds a good home with a new owner. I'll post pictures of the new car when i have ones worth taking.

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Thursday, April 24, 2003, 12:19 p.m.

One good theft deserves another

Stolen from Janelle who stole from....oh who cares:

[ x ] Spell your first name backwards - d-e
[ x ] The story behind your LJ user name - its my first name plus my last name
[ x ] Are you a lesbian - not unless i'm a lesbian trapped in a male body
[ x ] Where do you live - Indianapolis (soon to change)
[ x ] 4 words that sum you up - diplomatic, impulsive, introspective, impatient (if there was a word that means 'hating flakiness with a passion, i'd add that too)
DESCRIBE YOUR
[ x ] Wallet - i've had it for 7 years and counting, bought it at a Loehmans, its a worn brown leather and i never carry my wallet in my back pants pocket anymore. usually stick it in my car door pocket when driving or throw it in a coat jacket
[ x ] Hairbrush - green plastic handled brush, i clean hair out of it every once in a while
[ x ] Toothbrush - oral-B sonic care brush by Braun
[ x ] Jewelry worn daily - gold chain, some would argue if a 0 wristwatch is jewelry or not, its silver and shiny
[ x ] Pillow cover - Dark blue...from the dark blue aisle at Target
[ x ] Blanket - dark blue (holy crap a matching bedset!)
[ x ] Coffee Hot Tea cup Slupie cup- don't drink that stuff at home
[ x ] Sunglasses - Tommy Hilfiger
[ x ] Underwear - BR or Gap boxers
[ x ] shoes - My Nikes black running shoes, i need 3 more pairs like them
[ x ] Handbag - fuck you, i don't believe in man bags
[ x ] Favorite shirt - long sleeve dark blue knitted gap shirt, not cause its the most expensive or best looking, but it was a b-day gift from a good friend and something i didn't expect, i'd cry if something happened to it
[ x ] Cologne/Perfume - Dolce & Gabbana's By and Issey Miyake's L'eau D'issey Pour Homme (what a mouthful)
[ x ] CD in stereo right now - DJ Epic dance mix
[ x ] Piercings - none
[ x ] What you are wearing now - cheap comfy sweater i've had since high school, Versace jeans, tube socks from meijer, Fruit of the Loom wifebeater
[ x ] Hair - short, black, receding hairline, thinning top
[ x ] Makeup - does soap count as makeup?
WHO or WHAT (was/is/are)
[ x ] In my mouth - slightly over-acidic saliva
[ x ] In my head - thoughts of sex, astrophyics and cars
[ x ] Wishing - to fastfoward to Saturday
[ x ] Person you wish you could see right now - good question, i don't know
[ x ] Is next to you - my checkbook (just paid my phone bill)
[ x ] Some of your favorite movies - Shawshank Redemption, Calmi Cuori Appasionati, Shaolin Soccer
[ x ] Something you're looking forward to in the upcoming month - go to chicago to hang out with friends mid month
[ x ] The last thing you ate - colorado omelette at IHOP
[ x ] Something that you are deathly afraid of - being rejected by everyone i care for
[ x ] Do you like candles - they're ok
[ x ] Do you like hot wax - no, tried it once, don't see the appeal
[ x ] Do you like incense - does flatulence count as a form of incense
[ x ] Do you like the taste of blood - no, and i don't like the taste of rusty well water either, and i think half the ppl who do say they like the taste of blood are liars
[ x ] Do you believe in love - yes, although i may not find it
[ x ] Do you believe in soul mates - yes, and again there is no guarantee one finds his/her finds that person
[ x ] Do you believe in love at first sight - nope because that is contradictory with my personal definition of love
[ x ] Do you believe in Heaven - i don't believe people should be good for the promise of something better after life, they should be good because its the right thing to do (i know i didn't answer the question, but you can figure out the answer)
[ x ] Do you believe in forgiveness - i do until i get angry with that person again
[ x ] What do you want done with your body when you die - salvage whatever parts you can, burn the rest
[ x ] Who is your worst enemy - myself
[ x ] If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be - a footlong praying mantis, they look intelligent i guess
[ x ] What is the latest you've ever stayed up - i think 40 hrs has been my personal record
[ x ] Ever been to Belgium - no, whats in belgium aside from legal hookers and french frieds in mayo?
[ x ] Can you eat with chopsticks - yes
[ x ] What's your favorite coin - i don't have a favorite coin, i hate loose change
[ x ] What are 5 cities you wouldn't mind relocating to - LA, SF, DC, Chicago, Seattle
[ x ] What are some of your favorite pig out foods - HK BBQ pork on rice
[ x ] What's something that you wish people would understand - that my last name is spelled 'K-W-O-N', i hate Michelle Kwan....
[ x ] What's something you wish you could understand better - music, singing, composing, improvisation
[ x ] Anyone you miss that you haven't seen in a long time -ironically its someone who doesn't treat me right half the time


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Wednesday, April 23, 2003, 04:35 p.m.

Back in black a.k.a. Farewell gray-chan

Why oh why is impreza-chan black again?

Why does it have stock wrx wheels on it?

What is the meaning of all this?

Answers shall be revealed soon...

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Tuesday, April 22, 2003, 04:06 a.m.

Heh heh heh...

Just finished discussing with Kourin/Karen my secret (evil) project number 2. Why secret? So it'll be a surprise when i reveal it dummy! Anyways this is related to Acen. I have much work to do to make this work.

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Friday, April 18, 2003, 09:04 p.m.

What can i accomplish in 8 weeks?

It's funny now that i think i'm home free, i suddenly realize i'm going to be busier than ever. So many things to do and so little time. My mental checklist includes:
1. Book a flight back out to philly and find an apt
2. Get all my liscensure and privileges and contract paperwork read and filled out
3. Finish reviewing internal med
4. Start reviewing my anatomy
5. Start reviewing my general surgery
6. Start reading basic textbook anesthesia
7. Get my letter of resignation formally drafted for work
8. Start packing (i accumulated a lot of crap)
9. Get working on my secret project (more details as they come)
10. Oh yes and going to some event called Acen as well.
*slumps over and faints*

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Thursday, April 17, 2003, 11:51 a.m.

o/`and i'm movin on up...to the east side o/`

I got accepted into U Pennsylvania's anesthesia program. They're ranked up there in the top 5 with Harvard, Stanford, Hopkins and a couple other fancy-schmancy names.

Looks like i'll be moving to Philly this July. I'll go back to making shitty pay and working long hours for the next 3 years.

I've never been more happy in my life.

More details to come, i have a lot to do now...

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Thursday, April 10, 2003, 10:31 p.m.

I brake for nobody

Ah, another night working at the lovely St. Vincent 86th hospital. Last night was pleasantly boring even though i was on admissions duty, and i hope this night follows suit. I can't complain since i'm working for extra cash this week, and i certainly need it. As i'm typing on the computer in the storage room next to the ICUs, i can't help think about the 'body cart' parked right behind me. That's not the official name but it's the covered cart on wheels that's used to transport people who have died in the hospital, over to the morgue. I know its empty, but i don't really want to lift up the covers and check...

Dale was good enough to help me change my front brake rotors for a record THIRD time, and now i hope with the appropriate love and attention, i'll finally get rid of my damned rotor vibration problem. Only time will tell i guess.

Speaking of upgrades, i know i've been bitching about all the costly car repairs that have blind-sided me this past week, but i guess that wasn't enough to keep me from purchasing a new set of height adjustable coilovers. They're made by JIC, they are of kickass quality and phenomenal ride quality. Plus i can actually adjust the stiffness of my ride so my teeth fillings won't rattle out. That's a good thing.

Waiting to hear from the programs i interviewed with is killing me. Part of me really shouldn't feel this confident that i will actually get a spot, so i'm letting the fear and paranoia creep back in my mind. Either way i'm going to know something by next week...i hope. I'm staking everything on this (ok that wasn't putting TOO much pressure on myself).

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Tuesday, April 8, 2003, 12:46 p.m.

Theres a hole in my wallet...

This has turned into a very expensive week and i have to blame most of it on impreza-chan. First was the 0 bill for the wheel bearing failure, but now i've found my master brake cylinder has gone bad and its going to cost me another 0 to replace that. Talk about all the weak links in the car rearing their ugly heads at once. Now i just discovered a loose jiggling in one of my front wheels that i can't explain as well as two new noises that have me worried. It would be nice to put off these repairs til i have more cash...except they're the kind of things that could get me killed if i dont fix them. Having a wheel fall off my car or my brakes ceasing to work entirely at high speed is not cool...

On the other hand, my Northwestern interview went pretty well. By the end of the week i got pretty used to the whole process and pretty much knew what to say before they even asked the questions. Practice makes perfect i guess. I had 4 interviewers back to back, with the program director being the first one. My session with him was a little different, because he asked me a series of weird psycho-profiling BS questions such as; 'do you consider yourself a leader or follower and why?','if you were at a party, rate your level of socialness in the setting', and things like that. It felt more like an interview for a company than a medical training program. I surprised myself answering most of those questions pretty frankly and promptly. I guess i've grown to know myself a lot better these last few years than i have before...or maybe i'm just good and feeding a lot of BS. The weekend i spent in chicago was nice but made me realize how much more i need to leave the midwest and start a new chapter in my life, and leave some of the past behind.

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Friday, April 4, 2003, 03:21 a.m.

My April Fool's week

When I set off for my road trip on Monday, i didn't think that April Fool's day would extend to prior and thru the whole week. During my week i drove about 2000 miles and visited 3 cities and 3 medical schools on my grand tour of the eastern USA. So many things happened that i really don't want to go over every detail now, so instead i've broken up the week into the ups and downs:

The good:
1. The mountains of Pennsylvania were a gorgeous sight and kept my attention while i was driving.
2. Philly is a really nice city, more hilly than i thought, and less dirty than i thought for an east coast metropolis. Having two rivers running by either side of the city makes for pretty riverfronts, especially by the Schuykill river where i hung out, ate a late lunch and watched college crew teams practice on a lovely afternoon.
3. U Penn anesthesia looks like a top notch program and i feel pretty damn lucky to even be invited for an interview. I almost feel, dare i say, a little out of their league. But i think the whole experience went ok.
4. Temple U was also great and even tho they are a 2nd tier program, both the residents and staff seemed great and the program while smaller than Penn, felt like almost a better fit for me. It was also nice that both the Program Direction and department Chairman were both just like me, former Internal Med grads who jumped ship to Anesthesia. Talk about luck.
5. bahn mi - I love these vietnamese sandwiches and i found a place in Philly chinatown that makes them. I of course had two.
6. The weather was terrific in NYC when i drove up to see my old high school friend Mike. I haven't seen his face for 2 years, last time was in New Orleans for new years eve (a much colder and less boobed version of Mardi Gras).
7. We caught up on each other's lives for the last few years, found we have been having some of the same ups and downs, and best of all, finding out neither of us have changed a bit.
8. The terrific and fast service of Condrin Subaru in Altoona, PA. Larry was a terrific service rep and had no problems getting in my car on short notice for a pretty major job. Major props to them.
9. People in central PA are really really nice.
10. Finally making it to Chicago in one piece.
11. The Fitzpatrick hotel in downtown Chicago is really nice, too rich for my blood if i were paying.

The bad:
1. The beauty of the mountains of Pennsylvania were ruined by that legion of jackasses known as the Pennsylvania state troopers, and the ticket they handed to me in a speed trap for going 12 mph over.
2. While U Penn was a top program, they definitely acted like it, with a little of the 'Harvard' attitude. The interviews were a little intimidating as well, as if the answers i gave them weren't exactly what they wanted to hear. It's too bad this was my first set of interviews and i was a little rusty and less rehearsed.
3. Even tho i came out of the interviews feeling pretty good in general, i wont know whats going to happen one way or the other for another 3 weeks. Ouch.
4. The chairman from Temple U said flat out'we want you on board BUT....we don't know if there will be a position open in July...'. Which made me wonder 'why the hell did you ask me to come out in the first place. However, he did add to this that if its not July, then possibly January of '04, which may actually work out better for me. That means 6 more months of making money and vacationing. I could live with that.
5. I only had time to spend one night in NYC and couldn't meet up with any of my other friends.
6. While i've gotten over some of my own personal drama, Mike's unfortunately was still plugging along and he was 'called away' from his place, leaving me to hang out bored at his apt later in the night.
7. Finding out that annoying sound in the back of my car was a failed wheel bearing, and driving 2 hrs to the nearest Subaru dealership constanly worried that my whole wheel assembly would fall apart while i was moving at 80 mph.
8. The 0 bill for replacing the wheel bearing assembly (a pretty typical price).
9. Driving on the streets of NYC. They're awful, and I thought Detroit had shitty roads...
10. Making it to Chicago at 2am CST
11. Too bad i have only 8 hrs to sleep and enjoy the Fitzpatrick.

So i've made it to the last major leg of my trip. I'm exhausted and plan to crash before anything else unforseen happens to me today.

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