Vacation

All I ever wanted. Free and escaped from the Hotel for more than seven days. That alone is enjoyment!

To start off this week of merriment, Bubba and I hopped in the Family Truckster (not an actual truck, we call it the big fat Silver Bullet) for a whirlwind trip to Memphis. Thanks to the fine Friendly Neighborhood Tire Store, the Truckster was cleared for takeoff, tires rotated and balanced and away we went.

Dahey got some important correspondence (aka the check the boss said was in the mail since the fourth of July) late Friday, so we left at 0800, since we had to visit our friends at the local bank. After that business was transacted, with our special mix of candy in hand (Swedish fish, saltwater taffy and Jolly Ranchers included), we took our time driving down the highway.

Some people used to count Slug Bugs when I was a kid, but not anymore. Bubba decided to bring the iPad along when he got tired of counting dead armadillos (still not too common in RehabLand) and use up all of my high speed data for the month (luckily, that message didn't come until we were nearly home). Sadly, we noticed 10 armadillos who died on their way to meet Elvis.

Our trip was uneventful and we made decent time, so we decided to head straight for the night's lodging. I decided to try something different, as the captain and chief hotel steward: we went for glamour and fun. As a result, since Bubba wanted to go to see Memphis's favorite pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le, we figured we'd better see some other famous critters while we are there. The Zoo has packages where you can stay at the famous Peabody Hotel downtown and see the ducks, in addition to tickets to see their zoo.

We took them up on it, and had a blast. Bubba was roaming around in the terry cloth robe looking like a Rockefeller wannabe. Thankfully, he didn't drink any of the expensive water in the room ($7) or take the rubber duck toy package home (a mere $9.95 plus tax). He wanted to keep the robe, but at $50, he didn't want to part with his allowance he had saved.  He was happy he had internet and the Travel Channel so he could watch Ghost Adventures.

However, we did leave the room. We are baseball fans, so who doesn't want to go out into a heat index of 106 and see Santa Claus? We did since it was Christmas in July at the ballpark. The players had an ugly sweater uniform (thankfully not wool), they played Christmas songs, and Kris Kringle himself was available for photos. Bubba looked funny and Santa had a good time holding his BBQ nachos (a park specialty). For a moment, I thought Santa might eat them.

The other bonus to the hotel proximity: no driving to and from the ballpark. This was especially appreciated, since I chose to indulge in a couple of cold frosties while I was there. Also, since it was so beastly hot, I made sure to have some iced water at the top of each inning. Bubba ate a huge snow cone, so that helped him, and neither of us got dehydrated. Thankfully, the home team won, and after the game was over, we had fireworks. It was a fun time, even though Bubba missed Dahey a lot.

On Sunday, we finally got to make one of  Bubba's longtime dreams come true: he got to meet a panda. It wasn't like we expected (only one of two showed up in view), but he was happy he got his selfie with Ya Ya while she was behind the glass. Ya Ya must have had one heck of a Saturday night, because she slept right through our visit. As the keepers who do some education outside the exhibit mentioned, pandas like to eat, sleep and poop.  We got a great view of the sleeping part. Maybe next time we'll see the rest.

Bubba was happy to hit the road, but he was hungry and nothing looked good at the zoo. Never fear, our kid loves barbecue and the sides that go with it. He has yet to find a place that doesn't have mac and cheese as a side, so we ordered that as a side for the trip. We got a slab of ribs plate for two to take home for our dinner. They were excellent!

All in all, we had a fun time on the road. Just wish Dahey could have been along for the ride. He was busy this weekend keeping an eye on a coworker wandering over the border in Tijuana.

Stay tuned. Vacation continues...

Irony or Day two of the JC

Yes, one of the executive secretary's must get a "communication" bonus, because we're getting a recap every day (with emoticons and gifs...I wish I were kidding) that the Joint Commission is at our hospital.

Kinder, friendlier hospital? I don't think so.

But after another day of digging, sorting, and moving things around in the files for another upcoming audit, I discovered some very interesting things.

1. Some people think they can BS their way through everything. Including three months of work, where they didn't really do much.

That should be an interesting conference for the slimy critter whose nose is tilted so high that she'd drown in a rainstorm.

Have fun 'splaining,  honey. It was nice knowing you.

2. Some data is really a mess. I'm so glad it's not mine. I did the best I could with it, and passed it along.
 
3. Don't mess with a big Army veteran in a red truck. Thanks D for keeping that guy from running me over in the parking lot! (Quitting time is scary in our neck of the woods some days!)

4. Read something light and fluffy to destress when you get home. My favorite today was the classic blog, Fmylife. Just when you think your work day blows, you read about someone else's craziness.

My favorites today involve lack of anatomical knowledge and the good old general crazy character.

Ahh! I feel better already. Back to the iTunes and going through the years.

Enjoy your moments wherever you are. At least, JC can't visit EVERYONE this week.

Stay tuned...

Nuggets for January 29: Occupation-specific issues

There are a lot of occupation-specific conditions that have been cropping up in the news and elsewhere. Here are some of interesting ones I've encountered recently.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has an interesting general article about occupational injuries for nurses. They also have a great IIF (Illnesses, Injuries and Fatalities) section.

The NY Times recently ran an article about degenerative brain disease among former NFL players. For more on chronic traumatic encephalopathy, check it out at eMedicine.com.

You'd never think that they'd have this kind of information, but Apple, yes, the computer, iPod and iPhone people have a great section on ergonomics and reducing eye strain.

And in the "No, I didn't make this up" category, it's been outed as a hoax disorder--the infamous cello scrotum. Alas, gentlemen, the symphony can go on!