You may have noticed, (if you're that one reader) that I haven't updated my blog in almost 3 full weeks. That's because school has started for real, and I've been busy.
It's the terror of knowing what this world is about. I'm doing okay in classes so far, but I feel I need to do better. I don't think being ever-so-slightly below the average is going to impress that many folks. On the other hand, I am competing against future doctors. It's hard, and I study lots but I guess I didn't exactly expect different.
But I don't like complaining about it... I signed up for it, and it will totally be worth it if, 5 years from now, I can sign my name as:
Bob, MD.
So that's school stuff.
da da dup bup bup
Okay
What about current events?
Well, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a huge douche, but who didn't already know that one?
Boy, did we have a wild one in college football today. 5 of the top 10 teams in the nation lost. Ohio State will be moving up to #4 in the nation. Also, this sets up a huge meeting next week between Purdue (my brothers alma mater) and Ohio State. As you may know, next weekend is also my brother's wedding, meaning we will be together for the game -- but not watching it due to a rehearsal dinner (insert gay little frowny-face here -- but not if you're from Iran).
I also love John Edwards, for making it so easy to be conservative.
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out!
Other than that, not a whole lot going on in my life.
Wish me luck on my embryology exam this Monday. I should be fine, I know all about storks.
Pray tomorrow takes me higher!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend
This morning General Petraeus testified before Congress. Also this morning, the New York Times (or "Toilet Paper," as I like to call it) ran a full page ad saying something to the effect that "Petraeus betrayed us." Clever rhyming aside, what the hell is wrong with the people on the left in this country. Petraeous gave a more or less cautiously optimistic appraisal of Iraq which pissed off many far-left liberals in this country. Truth be told, many (not all) on the left do not WANT the US to succeed in Iraq. Besides being socially and patriotically irresponsible, this is a blatantly stupid attitude.
Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Say what you will about links from Saddam to 9/11, but the fact is that people must wake up and realize that yes, events happening 10,000 miles from home do have a serious effect on America. The world is safer now that Saddam is not in power, and the world will be safer if we pull out the "W" in Iraq. I certainly do not agree with the Bush administration on many of the facets of the war. But I am glad we went, and I want us to win. I can see your point if you disagree with the way the administration sold the war. I can respect you if you think going to war was a bad idea, though again I would definitely say that the world is safer with Saddam dead. But if you want America to lose, your a disgrace to this country.
I agree with several liberal ideas, and though as a whole I would definitely call myself conservative I hate some Republican stances. But some on the left (mostly what Bill O'Reilly would call "the far left") in this country are hurting this country, and it needs to end.
If you do not want to see me again, I would understand.
Perhaps I'm just the angry boy, a bit too insane.
Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Say what you will about links from Saddam to 9/11, but the fact is that people must wake up and realize that yes, events happening 10,000 miles from home do have a serious effect on America. The world is safer now that Saddam is not in power, and the world will be safer if we pull out the "W" in Iraq. I certainly do not agree with the Bush administration on many of the facets of the war. But I am glad we went, and I want us to win. I can see your point if you disagree with the way the administration sold the war. I can respect you if you think going to war was a bad idea, though again I would definitely say that the world is safer with Saddam dead. But if you want America to lose, your a disgrace to this country.
I agree with several liberal ideas, and though as a whole I would definitely call myself conservative I hate some Republican stances. But some on the left (mostly what Bill O'Reilly would call "the far left") in this country are hurting this country, and it needs to end.
If you do not want to see me again, I would understand.
Perhaps I'm just the angry boy, a bit too insane.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Across the Field!
We're two weeks into college football's 2007 season and already some very interesting happenings have... happened.
Notre Dame and Michigan are both 0-2. This is the first time this has ever happened in the 110 some odd years of football at these two schools. For Notre Dame this is understandable, they have no talent whatsoever. Their offense is one of the worst I have ever seen from a major college team. The Notre Dame defense is bad, to put it kindly.
But let's take a closer look at Michigan. Their defense was a big question mark coming into this season, and we've now found out why. Their defense from last year was less than stellar, and they appear to have lost not only all of that talent, but also the leadership that went with it. Still, their offense has considerable skill, and most of it has been working together for quite some time. They obviously should have beaten App. State, and should have at least made a respectable showing against Oregon. What happened? Well, it's hard to put it onto one thing. Firstly their defense is atrocious, and it's clear that D-coordinator Ron English is nothing special. Secondly, I would say that the team has lost confidence in head coach Llllloyd Carr (Ohio State fans put five "L's" in his name to demonstrate his 5 losses to Jim Tressel in 6 seasons). On some level or another Carr seems to be wholly out of touch with his players. It's not so much an age thing as it is a demeanor. Carr is the anti-players coach, not for disciplinary reasons... but because he's a dick. Sorry to put it so bluntly, but players can't identify with a man with such an ego and callousness in his soul. Obviously Carr has done some great things at Michigan, but it's time for him to go. This is a sad thing for Ohio State fans. Why?
What kind of car does Jim Tressel own?
A Llllloyd Carr.
Notre Dame and Michigan are both 0-2. This is the first time this has ever happened in the 110 some odd years of football at these two schools. For Notre Dame this is understandable, they have no talent whatsoever. Their offense is one of the worst I have ever seen from a major college team. The Notre Dame defense is bad, to put it kindly.
But let's take a closer look at Michigan. Their defense was a big question mark coming into this season, and we've now found out why. Their defense from last year was less than stellar, and they appear to have lost not only all of that talent, but also the leadership that went with it. Still, their offense has considerable skill, and most of it has been working together for quite some time. They obviously should have beaten App. State, and should have at least made a respectable showing against Oregon. What happened? Well, it's hard to put it onto one thing. Firstly their defense is atrocious, and it's clear that D-coordinator Ron English is nothing special. Secondly, I would say that the team has lost confidence in head coach Llllloyd Carr (Ohio State fans put five "L's" in his name to demonstrate his 5 losses to Jim Tressel in 6 seasons). On some level or another Carr seems to be wholly out of touch with his players. It's not so much an age thing as it is a demeanor. Carr is the anti-players coach, not for disciplinary reasons... but because he's a dick. Sorry to put it so bluntly, but players can't identify with a man with such an ego and callousness in his soul. Obviously Carr has done some great things at Michigan, but it's time for him to go. This is a sad thing for Ohio State fans. Why?
What kind of car does Jim Tressel own?
A Llllloyd Carr.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Talkin' Hampton Roads
Rambling out of the sweet Midwest
Leaving the towns that I love the best
Thought I'd seen some ups and downs
Til' I come into Norfolk town.
Roads goin' under the ground
Buildings goin up to the sky...
Summertime in Norfolk town
No wind to blow the heat around
Walk around with nowhere to go
Somebody could melt right to the bone
I melted to the bone
Virginian Pilot said it was the hottest summer in 17 years,
I didn't feel so hot then.
Well, I got a med school job, begun to play,
Beatin' my brains out for a dollar a day.
I learned inside out and upside down.
The man there said he loved m' thoughts,
He was ravin' about how he loved m' thoughts;
Dollar a day's worth.
Now, a very great man once said
That some people rob you with a fountain pen.
It didn't take too long to find out
Just what he was talkin' about.
A lot of students don't have many books on their desk
But they got a lot of syllabi n' notes,
And they gotta learn somethin'.
So one mornin' when my learnin's done
I'll ramble out of Norfolk town
Pull my cap down over my eyes
And head out for the western skies
So long, Hampton Roads
Howdy, who knows where
*This is a rip-off of a Bob Dylan folk song, "Talkin' New York," from 1962, and if you knew the song, you'd find this post mildly amusing. But, nobody I know would know this song... so it's kind of lost on all you fine folk, isn't it...
Leaving the towns that I love the best
Thought I'd seen some ups and downs
Til' I come into Norfolk town.
Roads goin' under the ground
Buildings goin up to the sky...
Summertime in Norfolk town
No wind to blow the heat around
Walk around with nowhere to go
Somebody could melt right to the bone
I melted to the bone
Virginian Pilot said it was the hottest summer in 17 years,
I didn't feel so hot then.
Well, I got a med school job, begun to play,
Beatin' my brains out for a dollar a day.
I learned inside out and upside down.
The man there said he loved m' thoughts,
He was ravin' about how he loved m' thoughts;
Dollar a day's worth.
Now, a very great man once said
That some people rob you with a fountain pen.
It didn't take too long to find out
Just what he was talkin' about.
A lot of students don't have many books on their desk
But they got a lot of syllabi n' notes,
And they gotta learn somethin'.
So one mornin' when my learnin's done
I'll ramble out of Norfolk town
Pull my cap down over my eyes
And head out for the western skies
So long, Hampton Roads
Howdy, who knows where
*This is a rip-off of a Bob Dylan folk song, "Talkin' New York," from 1962, and if you knew the song, you'd find this post mildly amusing. But, nobody I know would know this song... so it's kind of lost on all you fine folk, isn't it...
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Doctor, Doctor -- Gimme the news!
What is medical school like?
Well, I'm not entirely sure yet, but it seems an awful lot like high school -- with much harder classes of course. Speaking of course difficulty - so far (after only one low stakes exam) I'm high passing one class (though most people high pass/honors pass it) and right at the average for a second course. Not bad, but I've got more work to do if I'm going to get to where I want to be.
Of course, my view of medical school will be different from that of someone who has gone/is going to med school at a large public school, or a prestigious private (Ivy) school. You see my medical school has about 115 people per class. Furthermore, the EVMS campus proper is all of about 4 buildings. We're small. Kind of like my high school actually. So everyday is sit in the same classroom, with the same people, with the same (four) professors. Kind of like high school. Still, the people are all intelligent, the people teaching the classes care, and it isn't a massive drama/clique driving machine -- not at all like high school.
The professor in my (only -- for this semester) Master's Degree only class is a man of about 65 years of age. He's a succinct, no-nonsense, bastard of an old man. He also tells sexist jokes, and apparently gives much higher grades to pretty girls. Yeah, I think it's fair to say I liked him from the start. He's also relatively high on the admissions committee, and I think he likes me -- or at least doesn't hate me.
I was shocked to learn today though, that he's a recovering alcoholic. I want to say a few things about alcoholism for the close of this post. I do feel somewhat bad for people (such as my old prof.) who have struggled with alcohol addiction. Given the appropriate opportunity I would do what I could to help people with such an addiction. But alcoholism is not a disease. It's an addiction, and there are obviously biochemical changes within such a person. But alcoholism is the result of weak people who've made repeated bad choices. Calling it a disease, when it is self-inflicted is a smack in the face of people who have been hurt/crippled/killed by real diseases.
There's my rant of the day.
My brother's wedding is only a month away. Being the best man I have to give a speech. I have it more or less planned out -- though I've yet to put pen to paper for the finishing touches. I have a feeling that about 10 people are going to think that I gave an excellent toast/speech, and everyone else is either going to think it was boring and stupid or worse. I'm still going to do it, because it's what I believe in. Consequences be damned!
Well, I'm not entirely sure yet, but it seems an awful lot like high school -- with much harder classes of course. Speaking of course difficulty - so far (after only one low stakes exam) I'm high passing one class (though most people high pass/honors pass it) and right at the average for a second course. Not bad, but I've got more work to do if I'm going to get to where I want to be.
Of course, my view of medical school will be different from that of someone who has gone/is going to med school at a large public school, or a prestigious private (Ivy) school. You see my medical school has about 115 people per class. Furthermore, the EVMS campus proper is all of about 4 buildings. We're small. Kind of like my high school actually. So everyday is sit in the same classroom, with the same people, with the same (four) professors. Kind of like high school. Still, the people are all intelligent, the people teaching the classes care, and it isn't a massive drama/clique driving machine -- not at all like high school.
The professor in my (only -- for this semester) Master's Degree only class is a man of about 65 years of age. He's a succinct, no-nonsense, bastard of an old man. He also tells sexist jokes, and apparently gives much higher grades to pretty girls. Yeah, I think it's fair to say I liked him from the start. He's also relatively high on the admissions committee, and I think he likes me -- or at least doesn't hate me.
I was shocked to learn today though, that he's a recovering alcoholic. I want to say a few things about alcoholism for the close of this post. I do feel somewhat bad for people (such as my old prof.) who have struggled with alcohol addiction. Given the appropriate opportunity I would do what I could to help people with such an addiction. But alcoholism is not a disease. It's an addiction, and there are obviously biochemical changes within such a person. But alcoholism is the result of weak people who've made repeated bad choices. Calling it a disease, when it is self-inflicted is a smack in the face of people who have been hurt/crippled/killed by real diseases.
There's my rant of the day.
My brother's wedding is only a month away. Being the best man I have to give a speech. I have it more or less planned out -- though I've yet to put pen to paper for the finishing touches. I have a feeling that about 10 people are going to think that I gave an excellent toast/speech, and everyone else is either going to think it was boring and stupid or worse. I'm still going to do it, because it's what I believe in. Consequences be damned!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Hail to the Victors!
As you, my beloved readers, must by now know -- Michigan was defeated in football by Appalachian State yesterday, 34-32. Appalachian State, from Boone, NC is the two-time defending 1-AA National Champions. They are an excellent Championship Division (new NCAAese for 1-AA) team. But, were still giant underdogs against Michigan. In my opinion, this was the greatest upset not only in college football, or ever football history, but the history of sports. David slew Goliath yesterday. This got me thinking back to other great upsets, and below is my list of the 5 greatest upsets in history.
1. Appalachian State defeats Michigan, Football, 2007 (see above).
2. Bill Clinton defeats George H.W. Bush, U.S. Presidential Election, 1992. Many of you who are around my age will not think that this was an upset -- especially if you liked Clinton as a president (I did not and I admit it, but this did not color my decision here). Bush had an approval rating of 89% only 18 months before the election. He also left office with an approval rating of 56%. In the time between the Clinton campaign did an unbelievable job, and that along with Ross Perot getting 19% of the popular vote meant that Clinton won 370 electoral votes, compared to Bush's 168. (The popular vote was a much closer 42.9%-37.1%.)
3. Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman, Heavyweight Boxing, 1974. Ali was a 3-1 underdog, way past his prime, and Foreman was the most athletic Boxer between Fraiser and Tyson. Rope-a-dope gets 'em every time.
4. Buster Douglas defeats Mike Tyson, Heavyweight Boxing, 1990. Tyson was the best boxer in the history of boxing. He lost because he gave up. There's not much else to say. Sad story though.
5. NC State defeats Field, 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament. The Wolfpack were a #6 seed in that tournament -- still the lowest to win the title. Coached by Jim Valvano, the 'pack were only 17-10 before winning the ACC tourney, and then the NCAA tourney. Helluva year. Jim Valvano was an amazing person, and his tragic death does not cover the brightness of his life. Please watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s . This was his speech for accepting the Arthur Ashe award at the 1993 Espy's. I urge you to listen to this speech and take it to heart. It will make you laugh, it will make you think, and it will make you cry (it makes me cry like a baby.) Jimmy V passed away only 8 weeks after this speech.
*Noticeably absent from this list is the 1980 U.S. Hockey team defeating The Soviet Union in the Olympics. I don't care about hockey, and this game has been totally blown out of proportion. Firstly, the U.S. Hockey team was no slouch -- they were the 3rd best team in that Olympic year. Secondly, the only reason this is so famous is that people looked at this contest as so much more than a game. It was a symbolism of the Cold War as a whole. It wasn't -- it was just a damn hockey game.
So there you have it.
If you disagree, or wish to add another one, please post a comment and tell me about it.
1. Appalachian State defeats Michigan, Football, 2007 (see above).
2. Bill Clinton defeats George H.W. Bush, U.S. Presidential Election, 1992. Many of you who are around my age will not think that this was an upset -- especially if you liked Clinton as a president (I did not and I admit it, but this did not color my decision here). Bush had an approval rating of 89% only 18 months before the election. He also left office with an approval rating of 56%. In the time between the Clinton campaign did an unbelievable job, and that along with Ross Perot getting 19% of the popular vote meant that Clinton won 370 electoral votes, compared to Bush's 168. (The popular vote was a much closer 42.9%-37.1%.)
3. Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman, Heavyweight Boxing, 1974. Ali was a 3-1 underdog, way past his prime, and Foreman was the most athletic Boxer between Fraiser and Tyson. Rope-a-dope gets 'em every time.
4. Buster Douglas defeats Mike Tyson, Heavyweight Boxing, 1990. Tyson was the best boxer in the history of boxing. He lost because he gave up. There's not much else to say. Sad story though.
5. NC State defeats Field, 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament. The Wolfpack were a #6 seed in that tournament -- still the lowest to win the title. Coached by Jim Valvano, the 'pack were only 17-10 before winning the ACC tourney, and then the NCAA tourney. Helluva year. Jim Valvano was an amazing person, and his tragic death does not cover the brightness of his life. Please watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s . This was his speech for accepting the Arthur Ashe award at the 1993 Espy's. I urge you to listen to this speech and take it to heart. It will make you laugh, it will make you think, and it will make you cry (it makes me cry like a baby.) Jimmy V passed away only 8 weeks after this speech.
*Noticeably absent from this list is the 1980 U.S. Hockey team defeating The Soviet Union in the Olympics. I don't care about hockey, and this game has been totally blown out of proportion. Firstly, the U.S. Hockey team was no slouch -- they were the 3rd best team in that Olympic year. Secondly, the only reason this is so famous is that people looked at this contest as so much more than a game. It was a symbolism of the Cold War as a whole. It wasn't -- it was just a damn hockey game.
So there you have it.
If you disagree, or wish to add another one, please post a comment and tell me about it.
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