I've posted a few times with retrospective-ish thoughts on the progress of this last year, so I won't belabour the point. Even so, a lot has been surfacing for me the last two weeks--I guess because it's finally been a little quiet. All the stuff, the reactions, the emotions that I shoved to the back of my consciousness because I didn't have time to deal with them because we were Moving On™ have been quietly pushing themselves to the forefront and demanding their moment of attention.
So beyond the obvious of what a year of incredible accomplishment it has been, it has also been one of great sadness for me. I don't think it really hit home until I got, well, home, and my grandmother and grandfather were both glaringly absent. Especially my grandfather, because my grandmother had been so withdrawn and frail for the last 2 years of her life. But in a way, my grandmother too, because she told my father before she died that she didn't want a service. He honored her wishes, but it was hard to not have some way to ritualize saying goodbye and acknowledging the whole of her life, either. And then there was Gibson. What can I say but I my heart aches missing his sweet face and six-toed feet clicking their way through our tiny home?
There were other heartbreaks and disappointments along the way too, which I didn't get to grieve or resolve because, well, it's complicated. And I had board exams to pass and a life to pack up and plunk down in a new place. I'm just finding it hard to be fully at peace about it without at least looking at what is gone, let alone acknowledging that I had to say goodbye to some things way too soon, way before my heart was ready, way before it could accept that some things will never change or be what you want them to be no matter how much wishing and hoping you twist yourself up in doing. It helps me understand those realities intellectually, which I grasped nearly instantly, but it doesn't make me feel any less sad, and the sadness can't be gone over or under or around, only passed straight through.
This has been a year of great happiness too--I saw a 4-year project of incredible effort and endurance culminate in a master's degree and the crushing of my state and national board exams. I've met some incredible new people and reconnected with countless old ones I thought I'd never see or hear from again. I live in view of some of the most beautiful mountains and wide open skies on earth. For the first time in almost 20 years I get to see my brother nearly every day and be a part of his life. I finally found a field I love that helps people and communities heal, whether I end up going to PA school or not (Dude, I KNOW.) And all of these things are in the end separate from the sad and setback things. It is not a zero-sum game. It is possible for my heart to exult and grieve, to love and to lose at the same time. Indeed, it is the only way it has ever known how to be.
Occasionally you listen to an old song and the lyrics jump out in bold relief at you because they ring so true. Here's one from Kate Wolf sung by the incomparable Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris--which I particularly love these days because I am at a literal and figurative crossroads, looking simultaneously backward and forward. I am far enough along in life that I have a bona fide past while still having a bright and promising future, and because I am literally on a Great Divide mountainside where the rivers indeed change directions. I keep the last stanza close when the sadness and uncertainty seem intolerable and endless:
The finest hour that I have seen
Is the one that comes between
The edge of night and the break of day
It's when the darkness rolls away
All of the lyrics are here.
This second one is about the return of light after darkness, covered by Nina Simone whose styling suits my bittersweetness.
Enjoy. And gratitude to all who have made this year what it was for me, for showing me all you have shown me and taught me all you have taught me. Mahalo to you and to 2008.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Project Tamale '08
15lbs chicken, 10lbs carne, 32oz mole paste, 400oz crushed tomatoes, 60oz ea of black beans and corn, 22.5lbs masa harina, 96oz shortening, 320oz vegetable broth, 60oz corn husks, 15lbs cheese, plus amounts of carrots, roast peppers, onions, squash, and red/green food coloring to dye the raffia strips that tie it all together, so to speak=about 400 tamales. New this year were vinyl gloves from my med kit so that my hands weren't also dyed red and green for a week.
This year I really, really tried to find local and organic everything--did reasonably well, considering I had no idea where to go for anything. The project completely overwhelmed my tiny kitchen. I listened to endless amounts of NPR. Even the boring BBC stuff. If it was on last week, I heard it. Several times.
At least Zooey had some fun.
And I was able to use the garage for extra cold storage since it was so stinkin' cold--seriously, it was colder outside than inside the fridge. Once I get them all distributed, I'll stash a bag in my freezer for myself--it should be about 4 months or so before I'm able to look at them again. I know I say it every year, but next time I am seriously recruiting help. The happy looks I get when I give them take some of the weary ache out of my neck and shoulder muscles too...See the whole process, including Zooey's invaluable oversight here.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Project Tamale Update
The finish is in sight! 120 veggie and 180 chicken so far, likely 130-150 carne by the time I have to cram some clothes into a suitcase and light out and hop a plane tomorrow to Sacto for the family holiday thing. Pictures to follow soon.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Conchords News!
New season starts in just 30-something days!! To herald, there's a lip dub video submission contest, and the best will be cut together and aired on the show. Here's one submission I found on Youtube:
I think his Jemaine is a dead ringer, don't you?
I think his Jemaine is a dead ringer, don't you?
Monday, December 15, 2008
I Wanted the Opposite of LA and I Got It
I'm impressed that at 2:35 in the afternoon I still have ice on the indoor side of my windows. Allegedly out at DIA the windchill is supposed to give one the impression of having been knocked out and kidnapped to some undisclosed location in Saskatchewan. It was nearly 14 below when I went to bed and according to the news it got down to 20 below. It's in the mid-teens at the moment. It's a record! Yesterday was a record too! And I was here!! We are supposed to get a teensy bit of snow tonight, possibly teensy bits every night through Thursday. The highs are never expected to much top 32. But at least the sun is shining bright! Ahem.
I guess indoors slaving over a hot kitchen making 300 tamales is as good a place as any to be this week, no?
The rest of the park at sunset series can be seen here--taken when it was a balmy 41 out. I hear that's shorts and teeshirt weather in Antarctica...
Thank-You to Gabby Johnson, For Saying What Needed to Be Said
I could watch this all day. Via Petulant at Shakesville who came up with the best-titled post ever.
To see the original song from the Liam Show and one of the most incredible homages to shoes ever click here.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Rocky Mtn Rox
At least I think it does. It hinted at scenery and vistas--Dr. Ken swore up and down on a stack of Bibles it was there, but I kind of had to take his word for it. But hey--his word is good, no reason not to assume he's not good for it. And what little we were able to see when the snow and wind calmed down was compelling enough to make me drive straight home and buy an annual pass to find out more. Okay, not quite straight home--after the mandatory pint of beer and plate of eats, then.
Oh....speaking of eats...my belly feels vacuous and is making me feel a bit peevish. I'll be right back.
So much better! I continuously underestimate the power of low blood sugar to make one feel crappy. And may I gush for a moment about how happy I am that it is pomegranate season? I don't care if pomegranate-flavored/juiced foods are so totally last year, it will always be one of my favorite fruits, filled with those succulent garnets as they are. Tonight they went on my barley and wild rice pilaf. For the last 3 days they've gone in kale salads. Tomorrow, I don't know. I need to roast the butternut squash I bought last week, make pumpkin bread, and shop/cook all the tamale fillings and sauces. I know! Maybe I'll make pomegranate molasses and incorporate it into the sweet tamales...and I'm totally blogging that stuff this year--way, WAY too much of a 3-4 day process not to.
So yeah, RMNP. About the same distance from Denver as some of the trails in the Angeles high country, of which I thought nothing when going for a hike or monster training run. I find that I'm needing to put distances in terms of LA equivalents because everything feels so much further here I find I don't want to drive--nah...too far! Drive to Boulder for a road ride? Or even the foothills for a 10k? I'm having a hard time, but Wash Park is beginning to get very tiresome. Anyway.
I set out early after getting way too little sleep staying out late and Craig and Jen's holiday sweater party. But it was worth it to catch the sunrise hitting the Flatirons--holy nature show! And it was already in the high 30's in Boulder. As I rolled through Lyons, however, the bright sun disappeared. As I climbed higher still, so did the mountains. As I got to Estes, I could see furious maelstroms of snow blown off the Divide whipping around the ridgelines. On getting out of the car I discovered the wind was an icy knife as well--nothing but the snow pants I haven't worn since 2000 would do, and on they went. I really, really need better true coldweather gear, btw.
Ken and I set out and ditched my car at the visitor's center, which was near empty. Apparently in the height of summer you have to be in by 6AM or so if you want a spot. Which, I guess if you're going to be bagging peaks or otherwise climbing up high you need to be up and below treeline by the time the storms come in around 1, so... After a brief start up the trail we decided to go back and retrieve the snowshoes. Which turned out to be the call.
Fortunately, we stayed in among the trees most of the time and there wasn't much wind. I was temporarily fooled into thinking the temp wasn't so bad. Ha! As soon as we got to the frozen lake, I discovered my folly. We paused long enough for Ken to point out some of the ice hanging off some frozen slabs in the rock above us where ice climbers go to play. It's still wild to me how gigantic icicles can get, or that gushing, unruly waterfalls can be tamed into silence when they freeze solid. We pushed on toward Black Lake. I began to feel sparkly, either from not enough food or altitude or both. We got close to the lake, but decided to turn around (ok, I decided, Ken kept shrugging good-naturedly and saying he was fine with "whatever") when it got too blustery--the kind that stings your face as the snow scours off the top layer of skin.
We headed back, and found the downed tree on which we rested before, to eat lunch. Ken brought hot chocolate. I have GOT to replace my thermos--I have no idea where it went but a thermos of hot tea or soup or something is mandatory gear when it's cold like that. I also learned that you should pack a down jacket for when you sit down to eat or rest for more than 5 minutes. Before too long we were back at the first lake, looking up at the ice climbing formations underneath the lacy veil the snow makes as it fills in the cracks of the rock wall. Ken swore the ice was in enough to walk on, and we still had the snowshoes on so we opted to take the shorter route across the middle. I didn't fall flat this time (man, the stuff is !) and it's totally neat-o how the bubbles freeze in the very thick layer of ice--like you're going factor five in space when you look straight down into it. Anyone who gets that reference award yourself 500 bonus nerd points.
At the fork in the trail we took the fork untaken to a small, frozen waterfall. Not big enough to climb on, but interesting nonetheless. You could hear the water running under the ice in the creek, too. Yeah, so I'm easily amused in wilderness. There are way worse things to be, right? Right. Before we knew it we were skittering across the icy parking lot to the car, and my indecisive fingers which had been thawing and refreezing the entire time were grateful. My frozen behind was sorry, however that Ken's car had no butt-warmers. Butt-warmers are the business. There's something about radiant heat that just makes you feel safe and happy. And whatever they don't take care of the post-outing beer and eats will. Unfortunately, my fingers were too cold to feel like whipping out the camera and taking lots of pics. Or any, for that matter. Not that there was that much to see vista-wise. You'll just have to trust me that it was awesome in the purest most slang-free sense of the word.
So yeah. I finally got out since that embarrassing ride up Lefthand in October. I remembered why I moved here, why I fell in love with this place at first sight. Why I would be perfectly content to call myself a near-lifelong Coloradan.
Oh....speaking of eats...my belly feels vacuous and is making me feel a bit peevish. I'll be right back.
So much better! I continuously underestimate the power of low blood sugar to make one feel crappy. And may I gush for a moment about how happy I am that it is pomegranate season? I don't care if pomegranate-flavored/juiced foods are so totally last year, it will always be one of my favorite fruits, filled with those succulent garnets as they are. Tonight they went on my barley and wild rice pilaf. For the last 3 days they've gone in kale salads. Tomorrow, I don't know. I need to roast the butternut squash I bought last week, make pumpkin bread, and shop/cook all the tamale fillings and sauces. I know! Maybe I'll make pomegranate molasses and incorporate it into the sweet tamales...and I'm totally blogging that stuff this year--way, WAY too much of a 3-4 day process not to.
So yeah, RMNP. About the same distance from Denver as some of the trails in the Angeles high country, of which I thought nothing when going for a hike or monster training run. I find that I'm needing to put distances in terms of LA equivalents because everything feels so much further here I find I don't want to drive--nah...too far! Drive to Boulder for a road ride? Or even the foothills for a 10k? I'm having a hard time, but Wash Park is beginning to get very tiresome. Anyway.
I set out early after getting way too little sleep staying out late and Craig and Jen's holiday sweater party. But it was worth it to catch the sunrise hitting the Flatirons--holy nature show! And it was already in the high 30's in Boulder. As I rolled through Lyons, however, the bright sun disappeared. As I climbed higher still, so did the mountains. As I got to Estes, I could see furious maelstroms of snow blown off the Divide whipping around the ridgelines. On getting out of the car I discovered the wind was an icy knife as well--nothing but the snow pants I haven't worn since 2000 would do, and on they went. I really, really need better true coldweather gear, btw.
Ken and I set out and ditched my car at the visitor's center, which was near empty. Apparently in the height of summer you have to be in by 6AM or so if you want a spot. Which, I guess if you're going to be bagging peaks or otherwise climbing up high you need to be up and below treeline by the time the storms come in around 1, so... After a brief start up the trail we decided to go back and retrieve the snowshoes. Which turned out to be the call.
Fortunately, we stayed in among the trees most of the time and there wasn't much wind. I was temporarily fooled into thinking the temp wasn't so bad. Ha! As soon as we got to the frozen lake, I discovered my folly. We paused long enough for Ken to point out some of the ice hanging off some frozen slabs in the rock above us where ice climbers go to play. It's still wild to me how gigantic icicles can get, or that gushing, unruly waterfalls can be tamed into silence when they freeze solid. We pushed on toward Black Lake. I began to feel sparkly, either from not enough food or altitude or both. We got close to the lake, but decided to turn around (ok, I decided, Ken kept shrugging good-naturedly and saying he was fine with "whatever") when it got too blustery--the kind that stings your face as the snow scours off the top layer of skin.
We headed back, and found the downed tree on which we rested before, to eat lunch. Ken brought hot chocolate. I have GOT to replace my thermos--I have no idea where it went but a thermos of hot tea or soup or something is mandatory gear when it's cold like that. I also learned that you should pack a down jacket for when you sit down to eat or rest for more than 5 minutes. Before too long we were back at the first lake, looking up at the ice climbing formations underneath the lacy veil the snow makes as it fills in the cracks of the rock wall. Ken swore the ice was in enough to walk on, and we still had the snowshoes on so we opted to take the shorter route across the middle. I didn't fall flat this time (man, the stuff is !) and it's totally neat-o how the bubbles freeze in the very thick layer of ice--like you're going factor five in space when you look straight down into it. Anyone who gets that reference award yourself 500 bonus nerd points.
At the fork in the trail we took the fork untaken to a small, frozen waterfall. Not big enough to climb on, but interesting nonetheless. You could hear the water running under the ice in the creek, too. Yeah, so I'm easily amused in wilderness. There are way worse things to be, right? Right. Before we knew it we were skittering across the icy parking lot to the car, and my indecisive fingers which had been thawing and refreezing the entire time were grateful. My frozen behind was sorry, however that Ken's car had no butt-warmers. Butt-warmers are the business. There's something about radiant heat that just makes you feel safe and happy. And whatever they don't take care of the post-outing beer and eats will. Unfortunately, my fingers were too cold to feel like whipping out the camera and taking lots of pics. Or any, for that matter. Not that there was that much to see vista-wise. You'll just have to trust me that it was awesome in the purest most slang-free sense of the word.
So yeah. I finally got out since that embarrassing ride up Lefthand in October. I remembered why I moved here, why I fell in love with this place at first sight. Why I would be perfectly content to call myself a near-lifelong Coloradan.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Whirlwind, or What's a Lazy Blogger to Do?
I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. So much has happened, so much is still on the horizon. I think I might have to break this into a few posts, before it turns into a 10-pager.
To start with, I'm a hobo no mo. I found a nice little finished basement with tons of storage for bikes, gear, etc. I even have a garage, which now that it seems like it's snowing once a week at least, is nice. Zooey is not always happy with the smaller space--I think she got spoiled at Craig and Jen's spacious house. She also definitely does not like being alone--getting a kitten (or at least broaching it to the landlord) is definitely on the agenda for next year, once I finally start working. Whenever I come home from being away she meows incessantly for the first 30 minutes, when she's not fiercely rubbing her forehead into me or literally running after me when I change "rooms" (this place is really more of a studio) to make sure I'm not going to abandon her again. I'm finally unpacked, mostly arranged, almost entirely furnished.
So far, the weather has been making me really happy. I went for another semi-slippery run in the park, where the slush that got tamped down from the runners yesterday froze overnight. But, that park is gorgeous at any time of year. I love it covered in snow--it made me so happy to look down and see exuberant dog tracks dotting the trail. There is now a thin layer of ice that covers the entire pond--it was fun watching the geese walking on the water instead of swimming in it. And it is just wide open and peaceful. As long as have to live in Denver, having this within walking distance makes it not so bad. I did discover yesterday that what I thought were my cold-weather tights were really only mid-range--my entire backside was completely numb by the time I was halfway around the park, and it was only 28º when I went out (which don't get me wrong is cold, but not as cold goes, you see.) Today (like yesterday) there is not a cloud in the sky and the sun is blazing brightly. They said it was only supposed to get to mid-40's, but it's at least low 50's. I shucked my long-sleeve and ran in the tank top before I even got out of my neighborhood.
We have had our first bona fide storm--and 2nd and 3rd, really. We've had our first night of authentically butt-cold (10º qualifies, no?). The day of the 10º night I believe the high was only about 19º, and it snowed off most of the day. I thought I was being smart scheduling all my errands/meetings (including up in FC) for one day, but it turned out to be that day. Have I sung the praises of my little Saabaru lately? And if I had a dollar for everyone I saw slid off the road along I-25 I could have taken my self out to a very nice lunch when I finally got to Fort Collins. And yeah, I know I'll be sick of it by February, but it's barely December and we got off to a late start...first time in years the kids had Halloween with no snow, they say!
And now, since I have to come up with a superbill form by tomorrow and because the incessant cigarette smoking at the next table is driving me nutz (the only thing I don't like about Stella's...besides not much in the way of eats and sometimes too noisy). Off to try Pajama Baking instead...
I haven't had much chance to get to explore trails and rides yet. I had an embarrassing ride up Lefthand to Ward in October. Yes, I didn't eat enough, yes I was not used to the altitude (Ward is up at 9K at least) but still. That ride was not that steep. At least I beat the guy in the shorts full of holes--no one wants to ride behind that if they can help it.
And I'm finally getting up to Rocky Mtn this weekend for some hiking/running with my new friend Ken the Hand Surgeon! He lives up near Horsetooth in FC, and rides and runs all the time. He even did a 100 mile ultra last year. Talk about living the dream. Trip report to follow.
I also had a fantastic week up at Ortho Center of the Rockies. I got to meet and watch some wonderful docs, including Dr. Ken Duncan (the hand guy), my physio friend Nik, and a non-surgical ortho guy who used to be a family doc named Dr. Steve Yemm. Both Drs. Duncan and Yemm were great, and taught me a lot. I also got to see lots and lots of xrays. I spent a few hours in clinic with a spine surgeon, and I got to spend two mornings in surgery (in the OR!) watching knee replacements and foot/ankle repair/osteotomy stuff. It seriously made me bummed I didn't go to med school first. I was very interested to chat with Dr. Sobel's (total joint replacement guy) PA, Jason. He was Dr. Sobel's right hand, and all the other docs in the group that I met spoke very hightly of him. He got to do a lot. First Marcus and now this guy--perhaps PA school is in the cards after all. I know, I know--MORE school?! But hey--at least I know now that I love medicine of all kinds, so it's not like I'm totally switching fields...I don't know if there will ever be a job there, but there may at least be a referral list someday. Keep your fingers crossed!
And speaking of jobs, I've been shmoozing up a storm trying to get something going. I'm working out particulars with the pain clinic, which will hopefully be unbelievably awesome and shortcut 80-90% of the headaches and pain new acupunks go through when starting out. I've met with a bunch of acus and chiros here and in Boulder and up in the 970. I also got a tip-off to go get on the list for shifts at a local rehab drug/alcohol rehab council, which would be good experience and good connections too. Since my dream of a community-style clinic will have to wait for now, this may be the next best thing. Other than that, everyone's freaking about the economy and holiday craziness in general. Good thing there's always stuff like applying for EIN's and insurance credentialing and work comp training to keep me busy in the meantime.
And the wild and woolly world of work comp! I can now do impairment ratings (even though technically I can't sign my name to a report as an acu. Yet.) There's a whole boatload of potential patients and fun with paperwork and endless tables and figures I could delve into. Dr. Lerner's position is of course that we should--that it pays well compared to what we earn as acus, but it pays crappy compared to what docs can earn as surgeons, so there's our niche. Speaking of which, the Whole Foods thingey is rolling right along, even though some of the regional managers are being curmudgeonly. I will fly out to San Francisco in January, after my ortho test for the orientation and to hopefully meet someone in CO who can help me get it going here. I wonder if Fred would be interested in having me teach some courses out here...
Fina
To start with, I'm a hobo no mo. I found a nice little finished basement with tons of storage for bikes, gear, etc. I even have a garage, which now that it seems like it's snowing once a week at least, is nice. Zooey is not always happy with the smaller space--I think she got spoiled at Craig and Jen's spacious house. She also definitely does not like being alone--getting a kitten (or at least broaching it to the landlord) is definitely on the agenda for next year, once I finally start working. Whenever I come home from being away she meows incessantly for the first 30 minutes, when she's not fiercely rubbing her forehead into me or literally running after me when I change "rooms" (this place is really more of a studio) to make sure I'm not going to abandon her again. I'm finally unpacked, mostly arranged, almost entirely furnished.
So far, the weather has been making me really happy. I went for another semi-slippery run in the park, where the slush that got tamped down from the runners yesterday froze overnight. But, that park is gorgeous at any time of year. I love it covered in snow--it made me so happy to look down and see exuberant dog tracks dotting the trail. There is now a thin layer of ice that covers the entire pond--it was fun watching the geese walking on the water instead of swimming in it. And it is just wide open and peaceful. As long as have to live in Denver, having this within walking distance makes it not so bad. I did discover yesterday that what I thought were my cold-weather tights were really only mid-range--my entire backside was completely numb by the time I was halfway around the park, and it was only 28º when I went out (which don't get me wrong is cold, but not as cold goes, you see.) Today (like yesterday) there is not a cloud in the sky and the sun is blazing brightly. They said it was only supposed to get to mid-40's, but it's at least low 50's. I shucked my long-sleeve and ran in the tank top before I even got out of my neighborhood.
We have had our first bona fide storm--and 2nd and 3rd, really. We've had our first night of authentically butt-cold (10º qualifies, no?). The day of the 10º night I believe the high was only about 19º, and it snowed off most of the day. I thought I was being smart scheduling all my errands/meetings (including up in FC) for one day, but it turned out to be that day. Have I sung the praises of my little Saabaru lately? And if I had a dollar for everyone I saw slid off the road along I-25 I could have taken my self out to a very nice lunch when I finally got to Fort Collins. And yeah, I know I'll be sick of it by February, but it's barely December and we got off to a late start...first time in years the kids had Halloween with no snow, they say!
And now, since I have to come up with a superbill form by tomorrow and because the incessant cigarette smoking at the next table is driving me nutz (the only thing I don't like about Stella's...besides not much in the way of eats and sometimes too noisy). Off to try Pajama Baking instead...
I haven't had much chance to get to explore trails and rides yet. I had an embarrassing ride up Lefthand to Ward in October. Yes, I didn't eat enough, yes I was not used to the altitude (Ward is up at 9K at least) but still. That ride was not that steep. At least I beat the guy in the shorts full of holes--no one wants to ride behind that if they can help it.
And I'm finally getting up to Rocky Mtn this weekend for some hiking/running with my new friend Ken the Hand Surgeon! He lives up near Horsetooth in FC, and rides and runs all the time. He even did a 100 mile ultra last year. Talk about living the dream. Trip report to follow.
I also had a fantastic week up at Ortho Center of the Rockies. I got to meet and watch some wonderful docs, including Dr. Ken Duncan (the hand guy), my physio friend Nik, and a non-surgical ortho guy who used to be a family doc named Dr. Steve Yemm. Both Drs. Duncan and Yemm were great, and taught me a lot. I also got to see lots and lots of xrays. I spent a few hours in clinic with a spine surgeon, and I got to spend two mornings in surgery (in the OR!) watching knee replacements and foot/ankle repair/osteotomy stuff. It seriously made me bummed I didn't go to med school first. I was very interested to chat with Dr. Sobel's (total joint replacement guy) PA, Jason. He was Dr. Sobel's right hand, and all the other docs in the group that I met spoke very hightly of him. He got to do a lot. First Marcus and now this guy--perhaps PA school is in the cards after all. I know, I know--MORE school?! But hey--at least I know now that I love medicine of all kinds, so it's not like I'm totally switching fields...I don't know if there will ever be a job there, but there may at least be a referral list someday. Keep your fingers crossed!
And speaking of jobs, I've been shmoozing up a storm trying to get something going. I'm working out particulars with the pain clinic, which will hopefully be unbelievably awesome and shortcut 80-90% of the headaches and pain new acupunks go through when starting out. I've met with a bunch of acus and chiros here and in Boulder and up in the 970. I also got a tip-off to go get on the list for shifts at a local rehab drug/alcohol rehab council, which would be good experience and good connections too. Since my dream of a community-style clinic will have to wait for now, this may be the next best thing. Other than that, everyone's freaking about the economy and holiday craziness in general. Good thing there's always stuff like applying for EIN's and insurance credentialing and work comp training to keep me busy in the meantime.
And the wild and woolly world of work comp! I can now do impairment ratings (even though technically I can't sign my name to a report as an acu. Yet.) There's a whole boatload of potential patients and fun with paperwork and endless tables and figures I could delve into. Dr. Lerner's position is of course that we should--that it pays well compared to what we earn as acus, but it pays crappy compared to what docs can earn as surgeons, so there's our niche. Speaking of which, the Whole Foods thingey is rolling right along, even though some of the regional managers are being curmudgeonly. I will fly out to San Francisco in January, after my ortho test for the orientation and to hopefully meet someone in CO who can help me get it going here. I wonder if Fred would be interested in having me teach some courses out here...
Fina
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