Category: Writing

Settling In

~ ladyquirky ~ Leave a comment

 I was all set to write some pitiful diatribe about how cold I am and complain about the time of sunset here. Instead, I opened Facebook and was greeted with the sad news of Alan Rickman’s death. Jareth, The Goblin King and The Sheriff of Nottingham in the same week?

I am not going to pretend I knew these men in real life. I am not going to be one of those people who acts like I suffered a loss anywhere near as horrible as their family and friends. I just want to share how my life was influenced by these artists. If we are being honest, all the kids of my generation benefitted from their presence.

I was raised to be unapologetically myself. I wore what I wanted and I never had to wonder whether or not my family found me charming and funny. Let’s be honest, they were frequently wondering where they went wrong, why I was so weird, and whether or not I would ever outgrow my radical ideas. No worries. I grew up eventually. The point is, they loved me and supported me no matter what strange idea I had.

What does this have to do with all of these characters? Well, they set the stage for people to be embraced for their individuality. I like to pretend people like my quirky personality. I like to pretend it all makes sense on some really deep level. Whatever, I just like what I like. 

 

 

Tripping over my shoes

~ ladyquirky ~ Leave a comment

  There is a reason your mother always told you not to leave your shoes in the middle of the floor. 
When you are traipsing through your new apartment in the dark, you are more likely to trip over them. You may be wondering why I am meandering around in the dark. It’s because I have to wake up in the middle of the night to get ready for work! I’m not complaining.

I did learn to pick my shoes up instead. Chalk it up to lessons learned. 

Obsessed with the weather

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  I have been working for four days up here in the northern tundra. (Okay- I know there is no snow, but where the hell is the sun?) 
I think it may snow next week. 😏 I am not sure how to feel about this. I am obsessed with The Weather Channel. 

Newbie

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  I am learning so much, mostly because I know so little. Some people are hesitant to admit their ignorance about certain topics, I am not. It’s embarrassing, sometimes. 
I have never lived somewhere with a radiator. In Texas, central heat and air reigns supreme. The radiator makes strange noises in the night, if I did not know better, I would be nervous. 

Working on a surgical service is completely different than working on a medicine service. I always knew this was true, but I never really knew the surgery side of things. 

Not all residents are douchebags. You would think I would have already learned this, however most of my experience with residents has been minimal exposure. The residents I am working with are nice and quite willing to make me feel welcome. I don’t feel like they are waiting for opportunities to make me feel inadequate. This is truly a welcoming learning environment. 

Physicians are not all natural teachers, however once you express interest in their passions they will stop and spend some time explaining their expertise to you. 

I am having fun. I am exhausted by all the new ideas. 

I am still a newbie and I have a lot to learn. So excited! 

Pager Nightmares

~ ladyquirky ~ 3 Comments

  I have never wanted a pager. I always moved heaven and earth (well actually I just gave out my cell phone number like it was a party favor), to avoid a pager. 
Ponytail? Check. 

Labcoat? Check. 

Stethoscope? Check. 

Pen light? Where did I put it? Oh. Check. 

Nerves? CHECK! 

Okay. Ready for work. 

I feel like I am forgetting something quite important. 

First Day Jitters

~ ladyquirky ~ 4 Comments

 First of all, I LOVE my apartment. It is the first floor of an old house. I am learning about steam radiators and getting used to all the cool noises old homes make in the night. Seriously, it is beyond charming. The owner was amazing. He gave me advice on local points of interest and made me feel very welcome. I could not have asked for a better reception. 
I went to bed incredibly early last night. I was exhausted from all the traveling and more than a little mind blown by all the sights. This area is beautiful! 

Getting ready for my first day of orientation. Yep, I’m nervous. What if they don’t like me? What if I’m not quite as clever as I think I am? (We all know I crack myself up on a regular basis.) Excited and nervous. I think a third cup of coffee is a good idea. 

People keep telling me they are proud of me for seeking these new adventures. I find that hilarious. I was feeling like I was behind. Somehow I should have started all this years ago. Nope. I’m right on schedule. 

Wish me luck. Cross your fingers my hair does what it is supposed to do. Let me be calm and professional. I need to keep the first day jitters down to a dull roar. Adventures are fun. It is so much more than I expected. 

I know I’m in the way. 

~ ladyquirky ~ Leave a comment

  
Yes- I am that awkward girl with all her crap scattered under the water fountain in the airport. 

Yes- I realize I look like a heathen. 

I am thinking of writing a new song… “The Things We Do For Plugs.”  

 
No. I am not all that comfortable. I just know I have a four hour flight- and I will need my phone. 

Who knew? Even adventures have a lot of hurry up and wait. 

Airport Bars

~ ladyquirky ~ Leave a comment

  Anyone who knows me knows I hate flying. It’s one of the reasons it is so funny I have chosen this new lifestyle. 

So, I am sitting here in the airport bar. First, Vegas then Albany. Crazy. 

Armed with podcasts and Amy Poehler’s book, I should be plenty entertained. 

New adventures. The story of my life. I chose this lifestyle. I’m not going to regret it. 

Stench

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  You know how to tell someone really does not care about their job? When you walk into a truck stop- and all you can smell is the stench of soured water being sloshed around on the floor with a filthy mop. 

You venture out of the warm cocoon of your car and wander through the freezing fog to get a warm cup of coffee. You are obsessed with the thought of the bitter caffeinated jolt of truck stop coffee.

As you step over the threshold you are assaulted by a wall of rancid odor. You can taste the sludge in the air. You try unsuccessfully to maintain your composure. You use all your nurse’s might to avoid gagging. You don’t want to breathe through your mouth or your nose. 

Obviously, you think the feeling will pass. You really want that coffee. So, you venture to the ladies room, expecting to see an oasis of cleanliness that so many of the roadside pitstops offer. 

Alas, you are disappointed. The filth is even more deplorable here. Nope. Not doing it. This is more distasteful than your terror of Port-a-potties. You decide to wait. 

You glare accusingly at the lone employee standing behind the register. This is obviously his fault. You do not respond to his apathetic “have a nice day.” 

Opening the door to the foggy abyss is a sweet relief. You hustle to your car. You can always stop up the road for your coffee. 

I don’t want to be a gawker

~ ladyquirky ~ Leave a comment

As most of you know, the weather has been crazy here in Texas. We had a blizzard in Lubbock, and the day after Christmas there were several tornados in the Dallas area. 

This morning on my drive home, I am traveling down I-30. To my right I see several apartment buildings with the second story demolished. My first instinct was how I should stop and take a photo. It was oddly fascinating. Then my brain kicked in and I realized I was witnessing the wreckage of tragedy. People lost everything they own. There were lives lost. I did not stop to record this interesting sight. 

I did take a moment to reflect on my gratitude that no one in my family was directly affected or injured by this storm. My brother’s family was entirely too close to this tornado for my comfort. (I swear, they are trying to make me a nervous Nellie with all of their close calls.) 

I don’t ever want to be a passive observer. I  don’t want to drive by your tragedy and not feel pain for your loss and suffering. I don’t want to be a gawker.