Tricks not treats

Lots of bugaboos on this Halloween Monday at work. Technical difficulties galore and a small fire right when I had patients scheduled for appointments. Thankfully, when I called our local help desk, I was #22 in line, but my call was answered by a real person in about 10 minutes. All the rest of the callers must have given up.

I went on to my afternoon assignment at Washington and stopped by Starbucks to celebrate with a Frappula Frappucino and extra espresso.

Sugar and caffeine might not solve the world's problems, but they helped make mine seem like it went by faster.

Hope you enjoy whatever is left of your day, wherever you are!

Dear idiot on the Starbucks parking lot

Hey!

Don't know if you and the girlfriend noticed today, but it's hot.

Since I got into the parking lot BEFORE you, I indicated my choice of spot by doing a very normal thing: turning on my blinker, stopping, then putting the car in reverse to back into the shady, available spot.

Yes, I did see you in my mirror, but only because you sped up behind me as soon as I put the car in reverse.

Guess what? I'm first so I win. I will get my parking spot. Please drive around. I'm not moving until you do. You have plenty of room.

Too bad you have to find another that's not in the shade. I have folks who don't tolerate the heat well with me today (I'm on a respite trip to Starbucks, anyway.) and I got here first.

Sorry Charlie. Maybe you'll just have to spend extra and buy her an iced, cold Frappuccino.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

You know it's going to be an interesting day...

When there are so many people going to Starbucks via drive-thru, that the line is backing out into the street....at a major intersection.

I'm just waiting to see a) when I can escape and b) when a traffic cop is coming to stop this mayhem, since there are plenty of places to park.

So glad I'm going to work...

Conference rules

Still here in big Southern city for the monster conference for one of our Hotel Rehab specialties. Still blogging from Starbucks, since I can get internet here for free.

Nevertheless, here are a few things I've learned this week.

1. Be creative.
When you hang out with a bunch of people who have fun doing their jobs despite budget cuts, crazy bosses and whacked-out administrators, you can learn some new tips that you can use on your job.

2. Be kind.
Number one can really shell-shock people. Being out of it, for even a short time, can be like visiting an oasis.

3. Do what the leader tells you.
Especially when you're having a blast at the party and she starts the conga line...who can resist?! Yes, June, I'm talking about you!

4. Budget your time.
Just like on the floor, you have to budget your time, but always have some wiggle room. You never know who's going to show up that you just may want to talk to or listen to for a while.

Oh, yes, there's all the administrative stuff--wear your badge, say hi a lot, and get to the buffet early, but that pales in comparison to those vaunted pearls of wisdom. Not the pearls you find because some PhD, MD or HIJKLMNOP person has said with a microphone.

No, the ones you discover sitting across from someone you don't know, or riding in an elevator with, who, when you've travelled miles and miles, actually lives within a short distance of you.

It really is a small world, and yes, politics is local, as the saying goes. I'm just looking around here and there for the opportunities that arise. Some of those impromptu moments are the best ones of all.

More to come...stay tuned!