Thursday, October 8, 2009
Neoplasia block
Friday, October 2, 2009
From the desk of KP
School has been nonstop lately, and I know I haven't been keeping up with anybody as well as I should. Bad friend! I'm neck deep in lectures I need to study, but when is that not the case? I maintain a healthy balance of "OH MY GOD I'm going to FAIL this test WHAT WAS I THINKING WASTING SO MUCH TIME THESE PAST TWO WEEKS!!!!" and "Ain't no big thang." It keeps me on my toes without making me too crazy. And at the end of the day, I have my friends to tell me to chill out, a porch swing to sit on in the warm evenings, a big bed to climb in to, kittens to cuddle with.
Here are a few random things from around the interweb (as A likes to call it):
Morgue chocolates from wound impressions! The perfect thing to give out this Halloween, I'd say.
How freaking sweet is this kitchen from the selby? Words can't describe my love for chalkboard paint.
I WANT ONE!!! From here.
Cartoons for the kiddies. Collect them all here.
That's all folks. Time for some vegetation. What are the rest of you up to?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Jim Carroll
I wanted to stop in and pay homage to Jim Carroll, who died on Friday. He's one of my two favorite poets and just a crazy wonderful character, and the world's a little less fantastic without him in it. Read his obit here. If you've never read any of his stuff, check out Void of Course--definitely my favorite of his books, full of really beautiful, sexy poetry. Here's a good one:
POEM
The wide Mojave sky dark
And vain as my heart tonight
Walking back by the feel
Of the blacktop under foot
What's that desert fragrance
That lights the 4 A.M. sky
With a shampoo green glow?
Is that a coyote eye
Or a tail reflector that bumped loose
From an old English racer?
Which are popular on the reservation
But never last long
They weren't made for this landscape
--Jim Carroll
Anyway, great guy.
It's raining here in New Orleans, off and on but really, always on again. How's the weather where you are?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
New plant
ANYWAY, if you are a fan (and even if you aren't), check it out:
The newly discovered Nepenthes attenboroughii, a rat-eating pitcher plant! Named after Sir David Attenborough himself! Article here.
(PS--thanks for the heads up, David!)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bronco
My grandpa used to have one just like it. When we'd visit my grandma in Bullhead City, AZ, we'd use it to tow a boat out to Lake Mead or take a cruise through the desert. It wasn't the most reliable transportation, but it got the job done most of the time. Not that I don't love my little Toyota, but I think my status as a bad-ass would jump up quite a few notches if I was driving this to class today. Found over at ACL (he finds the coolest stuff).
Anyway, if I leave right now, I'll be just the right amount of late for class, so I'd better get going. Ta ta!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Gay lovin'
You know California needs a good bitch slapping when a Bush loving super-Republican has to take up the fight for gay marriage. In addition to be a big Reaganite, he argued Bush v. Gore in 2000 and helped in the fight to impeach Clinton. But he also happens to be a stand up dude who fights for gay marriage because it's the right thing to do. It warms my cold little heart! Check out the article.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Secret treasures
I take this as the second sign in a week that I should get a subscription the National Geographic. It's only $15 a year for goodness sake!
I wallowed in the pits of despair for a few hours this morning after looking online and thinking that I got a 55/100 on Friday's exam. But it must've been a temporary glitch, because around noon, the world righted itself (i.e. they updated the records) and I PASSED!! Woohoo!!! One exam down, a depressingly indefinite number to go!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sweaty Sundays
Anyway, I hate it. H-A-T-E it. I'm not one of those people that gets a fabulous endorphin glow after working out. I just feel bored and tired. But I think I've finally found an exercise class that I can get on board with:
Sweaty Sundays! Leg warmers, lycra, indie rock and 80s pop...Oh Los Angeles, how we love thee! Seriously, doesn't doing aerobics to 99 Luftballons in a hot pink spandex crop top sound infinitely better than a half hour on an eliptical? Hells yeah.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Just try not to laugh
Seriously, if you're having an off day like I am (or even if you're not), this has to make you smile. Just pick your favorite breed from the list to the right and start browsing! Kind of makes me wish I was a dog, actually.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Armadillos and things
Who knew?
I know that people like my dear, dear friend Mississippi Brad call armadillos varmints and use them as target practice (does anyone know if Brad reads this blog?), but I can't help it. I think they're adorable. Seriously, how sweet would it be to be able to curl up into a little armored ball when you get annoyed with the world?
Also, check out the Pink Fairy armadillo:
Isn't it teeny weeny and cute? I do love things in miniature.
*One week into our microbiology course, it's becoming abundantly clear that there aren't a whole lot of "fun facts" in the field. Lots of nasty, terrible, tedious facts, but not too many that I would call "fun". I'm sure that my classmates can attest to that. So Fun Fact #1 might be the first in a very short series--I didn't want to get your hopes up and then dash them to the ground. Ta ta!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Air troubles
I mean really. Have you ever seen anything so lovely? I can almost see it sitting here at my desk with me. Bright blue, oscillating, even safe enough for my cats not to lose a paw in. If the financial aid office ever gets around to giving me any money, I might just have to splurge. Although if one magically shows up on my doorstep from a secret admirer, I wouldn't put up too much of a fight. Just sayin, y'all.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Boooooobs
Not to get all Dr. Dise on your asses, but since all of my friends seem to be having babies these days, I thought I'd share. Seriously people, breastfeeding is, like, mondo important. Check it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Seascapes
Oooo...take a look at these beautiful, peaceful seascape photos by photographer David Doubilet.
The rest of his portfolio is amazing as well. I especially love the freshwater photos!
(found via abbey goes design scouting)
Update: Sorry about the missing pictures, but I'm way to lazy to re-upload them right now. Just go look at the photos on his website--they're still there and just as gorgeous.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Oh, California
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Summer in the city
I just got back to Brooklyn on Monday night after two weeks in California with the fam. It was relaxing and beautiful as always. Laurel and I tend to spend our summer days lying in the sun, reading as much as possible, doing jigsaw puzzles, and generally trying to think up creative excuses not to leave the homestead and trek into town. We're jigsaw puzzle masters and incurable hermits, and we love it! But we did drag ourselves out and about for some quality river time with our friends and adventures with the family, including a trip to the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival for father's day. Tons of fun, as always! My trip home is pathetically without pictures, I'm afraid. Someday I'll get better about bringing my camera places.
And now I'm back in New York with my super-duper boyfriend and my fabulous cats, and apparently God heard my pleas because it's SUNNY! I celebrated the weather today by finally exploring Prospect Park a bit. It's huge, gorgeous, and filled with babies and little dogs like the rest of Park Slope. I really do love the big beautiful parks in New York, although they tend to highlight the lack of green-ness in the rest of the city. In my more cynical moods, I feel like New Yorkers like to keep their trees prisoner so that they don't take over the rest of the concrete jungle. But I'm feeling very un-cynical today, so moving on!
The highlight of my walk way lying in the grass and reading my book, while all of the dogs played and the runners ran. But I also had a traumatic moment with a snapping turtle that should definitely be mentioned. Some of you might remember that this isn't my first run in with a snapping turtle--if not, ask me about it sometime. Luckily this wasn't as alarming as the first one, because it didn't involve any physical contact with said reptile (or any urine, thank GOD). But I came across this poor turtle wedged between a rock and a fence, trying to get to the little stream running nearby. The terrible part was that I couldn't help him, because the fence was too high. So I had to watch him struggle his way onto the top of the rock and then consider his options as to how to get down. I wish that these stupid animals would just listen to me, because there was a perfectly passable way off the rock and into the water if he'd just turned around. But no, in the end, he decided that a HEADLONG TUMBLE off of the boulder was the best choice. It was terrifying! He somersaulted his way off the rock, banging back and forth until he splashed into the water, where he took a minute to get his bearings before swimming back upstream. Oi, nature can be so stressful!
Now I'm back home and waiting for Andrew to get off work. It's hot outside, so I thought I'd surprise him with a pitcher of this delicious looking white sangria.
Mmmm...doesn't it sound tasty? Mine isn't nearly as beautiful as David's, but I have high hopes for the taste.
You know, I keep starting these blog posts because I just found something neat on the internet that I wanted to share, or something along that line, and then I realize that I can't just jump back in after a month's absence without an update. And by the time I'm finished with the update, I've completely forgotten what I wanted to show you! Ah well, I'm sure it'll come back to me. Ta ta!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Ta-Da!
I'm finally done with year one! I'm now 1/4 of a doctor, although I feel like a lot less. The last three weeks of class were intense but actually really satisfying. We were finally learning things that are directly applicable to the practice of medicine, which was a nice feeling. Drugs, diseases, clinical diagnosis, that sort of thing. The exam was a bitch though. Three and a half hours, 39 effing pages! I'm still having stress dreams about it, which is just silly.
After a night of celebratory partying, a day of recovery and bbqing, and a day of packing, I set off for New York with two cats and a car full of crap. It was a long trip but actually very relaxing. It's a beautiful drive through Alabama, Virginia, etc, and it's not often that you get 20 hours to just think, listen to music, and catch up on phone calls.
I got lost trying to get to Brooklyn, of course. It was inevitable. But I finally found my way to the apartment and, even though it's teeny tiny, I'm thrilled! I certainly wasn't picky while Andrew was looking for a place to live this summer, but he hit the nail on the head! We're living in Park Slope, which is a cute little neighborhoody neighborhood in Brooklyn. It's full of families, babies, dogs, cute shops, and most importantly, about 130 restaurants within a 20 min walk. Oh baby. And the apartment is a tiny little studio with a tiny little kitchen, but there's tons of sunlight and bookshelves and closet space. Pictures to come.
So now I'm here, and I spent last week decompressing and being daunted by the thought of New York spread out all around me. Meaning I vegged. Lots of The West Wing and sleeping and wandering around, trying to remind myself that I don't actually have any money, and the tiny amount I have does not need to be spent in all of the boutique-y shops that stretch for blocks and blocks. I'm so happy to be here for two whole months with Andrew, and I hope I don't drive him crazy (and broke) dragging him to all sorts of restaurants and shows around the city. This weekened Andrew and I drove up to Stamford, CT for my girlfriend Kathleen's BIG WEDDING BLOWOUT and had a wonderful time. The weekend deserves an entire post with pictures, so I won't go into it just yet. But suffice it to say that it was huge and tons of fun.
I know this has been a long and not incredibly interesting post, but I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. I just wanted to get the nitty gritty updates out of the way, so now we can move on to more exciting things, with interesting stories and pretty pictures.
Until then, how about some nice shots of Romania? Vic over at Lost went on vacation, and even though it sounds like she had mixed feelings about the trip, the pictures are breathtaking.
Ok you beautiful people, I'm off to do something with my life. Or at least brush my hair. Let me tell you, after a day of being polished and poufed by hair and makeup people (being a bridesmaid definitely has it's perks) and feeling like a movie star, going back to jeans and my normal messy hair is kind of a let down. But I'll try to pull myself together. Hope it's sunny wherever you are!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Trout
But right now, after eight solid hours of studying, and a bottle of wine to forget it all, I wish that I was here:
Trout fishing in Tierra del Fuego. Anybody want to join me?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The new Boy Scouts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
POD snippets
Bowie
Instead of writing something of substance, thought I'd share a little vintage Bowie with you. Isn't his hair awesome? Photo via the fabulous bitches over at fabulon.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Distractions
I'm deeply absorbed in things like visual pathways, the frontal lobe, the auditory system, etc, and as such I don't have much space in my brain for any other types of thinking. My internet wanderings are basically restricted to pretty pictures and bright colors these days, but let's see if I can dredge up anything of interest to share with you guys.
- The nation's first face transplant patient showed the world her new face yesterday! Isn't medicine exciting?
- There's a pretty sweet sale going on over at LAMA for the next week. If I had two well-placed trees in my backyard I would buy one of their bitchin' hammocks.
- This adorable cat needs a home! Anyone in the DC/Baltimore/Philly area have one for her? Karla, this means you.
- Bulgarian soldiers get to wear sweet hats.
- Y'all know about FML, right? Vaguely funny, but not nearly as hilarious as texts from last night. It reminds us that we're not alone in our embarrassing drunken debauchery. A classic: "(703): I wish I could be a nicer person. Or a more sober one."
- Looking for a new way to waste time on the internet? Here's a word game for you. Not as good as crosswords, but still maddeningly distracting.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Shortage
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/health/policy/27care.html?_r=1&hp
Not enough docs (old news), so lots of talk about bumping up enrollment in residency programs, increasing medicare payments to GPs, and expanding the National Health Service Corps. Good news for you and me Nick!
Ok, have a great day. Watch out for swine flu!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day!
The pond back home in the summer--including dogs and friends.
Hot tub with a beautiful view of the canyon.
The log house up at the ranch. (photo credit to David!)
On the road going anywhere, especially with Laurel in the other seat.
Shelter Cove, and anywhere on the Pacific Coast really (up North, anyway). (photo credit to David)
In the air.
Eating breakfast with my family on the porch.
And last but not least, my new backyard. With Andrew sitting next to me, drinking drinks and smoking a cigar, in the evening with the fairy lights lit overhead (and plenty of bug spray).
Where's your favorite place to be?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Green Porno
Make sure you check out the earthworm and snail videos, and the death scene at the end of the bee. And the whale. Oh jeez, just watch all of them! You'll learn so much. The first "season" is mostly insects (it's the best!), and the second delves into the wide world of sea creatures.
Watch them all here. See? My blog is so educational!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Slow Loris
Luckily, none of that matters a teeny tiny bit. Because the wide reaches of the internet have provided once again. The heavens opened up and sent down this video to shoo all my cares away.
I know, I know, it's too good to be true. That, my friends, is a slow loris, the strangest, cutest little prosimian you'll ever see. And he likes to be tickled. My day is made.
(video found via petunia face--she always comes through)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Borneo
Oooo....check out this beautiful slideshow about Borneo over at the nytimes.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Oysters
(fresh steamed oysters, via flickr)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Cats and brains
I spent four hours studying today after class. Four hours! What a good student, right? I was feeling very proud of myself as I drove home, thinking about how nice it was that I would just get to relax all night since I'd gotten my studying out of the way early. So I pull up, and there's Conrad (scroll down for a picture) waiting on the sidewalk. Nothing new there. But when I got out of the car and leaned down to pet him, I realized that he had a HUGE GAPING HOLE on the very TOP OF HIS HEAD!! Blarg!! The fur was all matted down with gooey pink cloudy stuff around the cavernous wound, and I immediately thought of brain juice. Brain juice. Even though I've been poking at brains for two weeks and learning all of their ins and outs and know perfectly well that there is not, actually, any such thing as brain juice.
But my suspicions seemed confirmed when I (irrationally) thought that he was acting funny, and started trying to figure out exactly which of his gyri were leaking out of the top of his head to make him so loopy. Panic time!
Clearly I had to rush him to the hospital, which I did. I was hoping that my favorite vet would be there to give me a price break, but you can't worry about these things when you have a cat leaking brain juice all over your car seat! So off we went (I figured I could get there faster than an ambulance), trying to keep myself from bursting into tears. I know he's technically just a stray, but he's fabulous! He's always around to get some lovin', even when food isn't involved. He needs me.
I managed to keep the waterworks back long enough to talk coherently to the ladies at the front desk, who seemed, if I may say so, a little too calm for the gravity of the situation. But they were very quick, and soon we were in an exam room being fussed over. Whew. Turns out it wasn't brain juice (the doc was kind enough not to tell me I'm an idiot), but it was definitely a bummer of an injury. Once he got it all shaved and cleared out, it looked like a gigantic...well, hole in his scalp. The lady at the front desk said she thought a mocking bird must've swooped down and pecked him (?), to which the vet said "Yeah, or maybe it was Somali pirates" (insert "you're looney toons" look here).
But the best part is that the wound needs to be flushed twice a day. I figured, no big deal! Just squirt a little sterile shit on it and you're good. But when I asked him to show me, he stuck the syringe INTO THE HOLE and wiggled it around. We're talking between scalp and skull. Should be a fun morning.
Anyway, home I came ($60 lighter) to put the invalid to bed in the laundry room (his customary home). I filled up his food and water bowl, but when I went to turn off the hose, it would not. turn. off. At all. I know I'm not the butchest little blonde around, but I know how to turn off a damn hose, and this spigot was having none of it. I twisted, I pried, I pliered, all to no avail. And then my pliers broke. This was clearly not my afternoon. Luckily my landlady came to the rescue (she was there in ten minutes--how awesome is that?) and saved the backyard from being completely flooded by working magic with tools that I've never even heard of.
I decided to end the night by eating as much of a large peperoni pizza as I could and guzzling beer, which has worked wonders for my psyche. What is it about highly processed pork products that always puts a smile on my face?
Thanks for listening. You were a very satisfying audience. Here's a picture that a) always cheers me up and b) reminds me why I never mind spending lots of money on vet bills to keep my kittens kickin'.
(via you-know-where)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
ee cummings
since feeling is first
since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
- the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says
we are for each other; then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
Monday, April 13, 2009
Egg Roll
Friday, April 10, 2009
'Sup
The mighty Obamas TOWER over the itsy bitsy Queen of England...wahaha!!! Not only does this picture make them look like giants, but don't they look uncomfortable? You get the feeling that the Obamas are very chilled out and groovy, and they're chaffing a little at the stuffy Queen and her prim manners. Also, the Queen is a hands-off kinda gal, it turns out. No hugs for her.
What's everyone up to this weekend? I spent the day scrubbing the shit out of my house so that I can finally relax in it. I was putting it off until after my exam (which went pretty well, by the way), so I went crazy today. Why is house cleaning so calming?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The high seas
How riveting has this story been? It reminds me of that scene in The Life Aquatic, when the pirates take over the Belafonte and kidnap the bond stooge (although I imagine things unfolded a little differently in this real-life adventure). Check it out if you haven't already!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Back in black
Anyway, back to the ol' routine, thank goodness. Brand new classes though! Yesterday we started our six week neuroanatomy course, and my oh my. I'm glad for the change of pace, but wow-ee do we have a lot to learn! Did you know that each one of those little brain squigglies has a name? Yes it does. And a number. Good times.
So blogging my be spotty for a while (not that that's anything new). Also, Andrew's visiting this weekend! I'm dragging him to a huge garage sale Saturday morning and to Med Prom Saturday night--never thought I would have to relive prom, but at least there's an open bar at this one. Should be a kick. And Sunday is the strawberry festival, for strawberry shortcake and fun in the sun. Anybody else have fun plans for the weekend?
Here are some great pictures of David Bowie way back in the day to put smiles on your lovely faces.
Wasn't he pretty?