Amnesity Lights a Fire

I received my monthly issue of The Nation yesterday (a gift bestowed to me by Roma when I earned my doctorate degree). I admit that over the past couple months, I have not been as politically active as I would've liked. Yes, I'm still writing petitions - especially for Planned Parenthood - but I feel like I let my zeal go. When I turned over my new edition, I discovered an ad for Amnesity International. I ended up purchasing the Instant Karma CD and received the 6 bonus tracks for using my AMEX. I added the player to my blog so everyone else could sample the music and, more importantly, sign the petition. After browsing through the songs, I have to agree with the ad - John Lennon would've been proud. He would've been proud that a younger generation of musicians were using their popularity to promote a very worthy cause. I also think he'd be proud that this same generation could cover his songs and do it with such grace that you can actually hear Lennon's songs. I think my little liberal magazine and its ad have lit a little fire under my ass. I'm ready to get back in the scene - and for more than just Planned Parenthood. I'm a little peaved at the Democratic Congress right now. America voted for a change and I think it's time they stuck to their guns and tried to change course in Iraq. They backed down on their spending bill, and they cave whenever they meet just the slightest resistance. I didn't vote for this. I voted for CHANGE. I'm ready to stand up and "be my brother's keeper." Election year is only 6 short months away. I'm glad I'm finding my zeal again. :)

Summer in Summary

So...this is my first post as a full-time, staff pharmacist at the VA. Funny, it feels the same as all the other posts. Oddly enough, it feels the same at the VA too. I think a big obstacle with staying on down there is that I need to break out of this residency mold. I personally have shed that skin, but there are some people down there that still see that skin. I'm working on it.

Today I helped diffuse a disgruntled vet at the pick-up window at the pharmacy. As with every other realm of pharmacy, Mr. Vet was not necessarily mad at the pharmacy, but rather mad at the world. As the saying goes, shit slides down hill. Apparently he had some frustrating experiences with his physicians early that day and decided that my volunteer made a great punching bag. I, however, decided that this was not permissable. I carried his case of epsom salt to his car. When I got to the car with him, he turned and said, "You know, I was a real jackass back there. I'm sorry." I told him that I accepted his apology but wanted him to know that his anger was very displaced. He acknowledged this and asked me to pass on his apology to our volunteer. After I helped him load the epsom salt in his car, he got a t-shirt out of the back for me. He thanked me for my patience with him and my friendly smile. In return for being nice, I got a VFW t-shirt. I was quite impressed by the situation.

In concert news, this truly has become the summer of all summers for concerts. Rock on the Range kicked off a hell of a summer line up. In a couple weeks, I'm going to see Nickelback, Daughtry, and Staind with the VA crew. The seats suck, but the company is good. The first week in August, I'm going to see the Black Crowes with my two best VA pals. Then to wrap it all up, Cathy & I are going to see Papa Roach, Hinder, and BUCKCHERRY the last weekend in August. Yes, for those of you that are counting, that makes two Buckcherry concerts in 3 months. :) Buckcherry started the summer of concerts, and it will end it. Very fitting, very fitting indeed.

Closing Another Chapter

And so I close another chapter in my book of life. :) This time the closing isn't bittersweet. It's nothing but pure sweetness. I graduated from my PGY-1 residency this past Saturday. Tomorrow I start my full-time position. :) I spent the last couple days cleaning out my office and moving into my locker. My sister says this sounds like a demotion rather than a promotion. However, I'm actually quite proud of my locker. It has a prime location. Joe was the previous owner - which gives it rockstar appeal. My neighbors are pretty awesome - Cathy to the left and Corey to the right. Pictured above are me on the right and my fellow resident - Grafs - on the left. So here's to the first day of my new career and the first day of making double and a half of my resident stipend. :)

So Far

Ten points if you recognized that the last two titles to posts are Buckcherry song titles. :) So far, this has been a great year. For the first time in a long time, I can actually say I'm happy. I enjoy getting up and going to work every day. I feel rejuvinated. My residency is officially over this coming Friday. There were days I hated it, days I loved it, and days I couldn't wait until freaking June 8. For the first time, the end of something isn't bittersweet. Sure I'll miss the 30 minute walks around the VA and the "rock star" persona the residents have at the VA. However, at 25, being the rock star isn't as important anymore. I'm ready to be the respected staff pharmacist. I'm ready to help coach our new residents to be "rock stars" for a year. I guess I'm making that final transition to full-fledged pharmacist. I know now that I am ready. And this is good - because Monday, June 11 I transition to my full-time staff position at the VA. I still smile when I say it...and I think I'll be smiling for a long time when I think about my job choice. As far as my personal life...there are still some glaring holes, but I finally have surrounded myself with people that support me and make me feel whole, rather than sucking the life out of me. The best part is, they're my co-workers. So now, they're enriching my life personally and professionally. It's amazing. And...I've found someone who can jump up and down with me when we listen to Buckcherry. HA! It's a good feeling. So far, I feel better than I've felt in a long time. I feel healthy and inspired. I look in the mirror and I'm pretty happy with the person I see looking back at me. Gone is the bleach blond hair and the extra pounds. Looking back is a clear face and a shaplier body. And the hair - it's now brown with some fun color in it. The best part - staring back at me is a strong, independent, intelligent woman who is confident in her position in life. Apparently this residency taught me more than drug knowledge. I got more from this experience than I ever could've imagined. So far, I have no regrets about chosing this path. And being that there are only 5 days left of the residency, I don't think there ever will be any regrets. It's about time I stop regretting decisions I've made and start embracing them. Finally, so far, Buckcherry is still the greatest band in the world (see Joe - I am relentless in that). :)