Rick's Blog 2007
08.14.07 --
I'm sad.
My BabyGirl came home from Sturgis about midnite Saturday, just
as I was getting off work, and drove away Sunday noon to
Minneapolis for school.
I told her not to drive on any bridges.
Now, both my children live too far away to bring their laundry
home. I dunno whether to celebrate or throw up.
Hospital Work is... hectic.
This must be like an airport ticketing job, where the phones
are constantly ringing, and (mostly) unhappy people are waiting
at the counter.
Except, our customers could die, if we're not quick.
I'm not sure a normal person could do it.
I seem to have jinxed the place. Three of the last six nites
I've worked, we've had "Trauma Codes". Trauma Code means the
Emergency Room is so over-whelmed that we call in extra soldiers.
Trauma Codes usually happen about once every three months.
Yesterday, I interviewed an ER PT over the "language line" -- a
two-handset gizmo that's rigged thru translators. None of the
others have ever done that.
The PT was Hispanic and has no SS # or permanent address (works
at a creamery in a little town west of here)... and the car
accident was his fault.
Bad Luck, Amigo.
08.01.07 -- Alexz and her Mom left for the Sturgis Rally this
morning. Be gone for 13 days. They have two booths out there.
Then, Alexz will move to Minneapolis. For me, that's a lot
farther away than Sioux Falls. I'm gonna be lonesome.
Yup, it's dry here. Word is... that down near Yankton
the crops look pretty good, but need rain now, and up by Huron,
the corn is already crisped like shredded-wheat. Mitchell is
right in the middle. We're supposed to have a 60% chance of rain
tonight up until 10PM... and a 40% chance after that.
Do your rain-dance for us both.
07.21.07
Consider it your Birthday and Christmas present and you
can have the guitar. It's a pretty piece.
Remember where your musical talent came from. Your Mom
couldn't sing a note.
Are you playing cover songs or your own?
Did the tape peel off the case? Glad the fret buzz was a
simple fix. I don't even know what a truss rod is. My
Gibson is maintenance-free. I haven't changed the strings
for years. They're finally starting to sound the way I want.
Our band is paralyzed, because Clay (see below) and I
never have the same weekend off.
So... I'm just finishing my sixth week at the hospital...
two weeks working days, (five people)
two weeks - 4PM till midnight. (two people)
and
two weeks - midnight till 8 (after training, you work
alone)
Strangely, I found this last 4PM - midnight shift the
hardest because I can't sleep when I get home. I lie
awake until about 5AM watching the clock... until finally --
I sleep fitfully until about noon. I've tried - the last
two nites - walking around the college (a mile) when I get
home. That helps work the kinks out.
Also, strangely, I liked the day shifts best (even tho
they start at 7:30) because I am a notoriously late sleeper.
At the hospital, I am the guy who wants to copy
your insurance card and makes you answer the same questions
you answered six months ago when you were in.
But, there are reasons.
We also generate a *lot* of paper... probably between
three and four reams each day. It will be interesting when
the hospital begins its *paperless initiative* in
mid-August. I don't think they've yet decided whether the
nurses will have computers in each patient room, or PDA-like
devices. At the Mayo, I remember computers in each room.
There's a lot to learn, because each department wants
things done *their* way. Copies for the Business Office have
be stapled *this* way, and Medical Records wants theirs
stapled *that* way. This gets filed here... unless this
happens... or sometimes...
Again, there are reasons.
The woman who started training two weeks before me is
struggling and doesn't think she can handle it. Our band's
guitar player, Clay, has been here about five months and
seems to have settled in comfortably.
I like the job and the people. I get frustrated because
there are a million things to know, and I feel like I've
only mastered a dozen of them.
I get to see a lot of people I recognize.
But, I can't tell you about any of them.
Privacy Rules!
Mom volunteers there, and I work there... we can't gossip
about anybody.
Other things...
Mitchell is dry, but we had earlier periods of
pretty-good rains. Sioux Falls is going for some kind of
*consecutive days without rain* record. So, moisture has
been spotty.
Alexz is getting ready to help her Mom in Sturgis and
then head off to Minneapolis for school.
I've accepted an offer on my house, but they have to sell
their house first.
Moving is like having kids. You're never ready.
My one tomato plant had flowers, but is now barren of all
but greenery. Not a stub of a fruit. I'm gonna pull the
sucker out by its roots.
My chives flourish.
Hugs to all,
Dad
Windee picked up the bass today. Perfect shape. Looks/plays really nice. Oiled it down and gave the truss rod a quarter of a turn - took care of the fret "rattle". Had practice tonight and we're gonna use it on at least one song Friday night when we play. Have several more that it will sound great on....just need to work it in and work up parts.Thank you again. Can't wait to use it.
02.11.07
Howdy,
