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