Growth, Special Cities, and the Band
If I could, through myself, set your spirit free...
Finally, I am feeling qualified. Finally, I am feeling like I can be
called a doctor. I'm not there yet, but the light at the end of the
tunnel is clearer, closer, and not an oncoming train.
The UAB Internal Medicine program has helped me turn the corner, from
oft-befuddled student-of-facts to flourishing, holisitic understander of
what problem(s) might be occurring and here's what we're going to do to
fix it (them).
I had so much fun over the course of the last month that there were
times, as I walked into the MICU to see a patient during wee hours, that
I wondered if could possibly be happier.
Halle...halle...halle...halle...Hallelujah.
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I guess that I have reached Nice. For you eight or nine consistent,
loyal readers, you know that is a reference to my
recent blogs that were a reminiscence of
times in France, a reminiscence brought on by seeing inanimate but
accurate paintings of scenes of France in the halls of the VA. Those,
and a conversation with Deepak.
Nice is nice. It's a nestled little town, older than the one where I
grew up, but very similar. Like Laguna, Nice is a beachfront landscape
that is tucked away, surrounded by hills, protected from the outside
world. Folks live their lives there, with not a care for who you are.
Where you are is where it's at, and the rest of the world surrounds you,
revolves around you, and can be taken or left as you wish. Cannes is
near to Nice, as Hollywood is near to Laguna. Both of the former can
burn and perish, but the souls of the softer cities remain, burning
bright and forever.
The beach, the water, the sunsets...each of these are constant, daily
gifts of Nice and Laguna. I knew a couple who lived in a hovel - a one
room flat that was a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom- and that was all. They
paid an extraordinary amount to live there, nearly $2,000 each month in
1980s dollars. But it was literally a stone's throw from the ocean, and
that was worth the price of admission. On the one hand such prices
perplex me, but on the other hand, I completely understand the
satisfaction of living so close to the spiritual effervescence of the
ocean. It's a daily charge to one's battery, and once experienced, it's
a permanent memory of goodness.
Laguna calls me often, like an old friend. At Grand Rounds last
Wednesday, Dr. Saint was the guest presenter from Michigan. He studied
at UC Irvine for part of his education.
Given that UCI is my undergraduate alma mater, I greeted him after his
excellent talk (on preventing nosocomial infections). We instantly
bonded, striking a chord when we found Salt Creek Beach in common. He
invited me to consider Michigan when I apply for residency programs. Dr.
Massey stood behind me, wagging his index finger and saying no,
good-naturedly. "We want him here."
Three places have
given me this oceanic feeling of home. Laguna, of course is there, and
Nice has it. Then Three and a half beach
south of Cape Town has it too. Once again nestled in the hills,
otherworldly,
peaceful, but within reach of the realities of life, these are.
Have you come to raise the dead? Have you come to play Jesus to
the lepers in your head?
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So let it go! uh huh...And so fade away...
I'm pondering whether to go the national
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
meeting next month. There are some great speakers scheduled, and I think
that I could make some re-connections there, particularly with Paul
Farmer. It would also be interesting to hang out with students from
around the country, just to see what others are doing, and to find folks
with similar interests. The reason I stop myself from going is cost. It
will mean a few hundred dollars out of pocket to go, and my pockets are
shallow these days. I have to decide, would the connections for the
future be worth the now-price of admission? I'm not sure yet.
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You've no doubt
noticed these panels with pictures in this blog. As I am writing, I am
also watching various U2 videos on my computer. As a member of
U2.com, I have access to all of U2's
videos over the years, which for me, are the best value for the price of
membership. The current video playing is one made when U2 was in their
Joshua Tree heyday. It's a live performance of Where the
Streets Have No Name, on location at 7th and Main in Los Angeles on
an ordinary day in southern California. The police shut down the
performance due to crowding, and this is captured in the video. It's a
rock and roll moment, with Edge in his ponytail and suspenders, Adam
shirtless with sunglasses and a cigarette, Larry in black T and
sunglasses, Bono in polka dots, and LAPD with their cursing and helmets,
concerned for the people.
I am an unabashed fan of the music that U2 produces. Irish. Concerned
for problems that the politically powerful often neglect. Originators.
Perfectionists. Committed to one another. Committed to communicating to
the world through music. They make for a multitude of good reasons to
continue to be interested in music. My favorite songs by the band change
over time. A recent top ten list was posted
here earlier.
"I just know I need you...tonight."
