Castle, Oct 29, 2013

The 2013 Halloween episode of Castle was as excellent as any of the series to date. The dialogue was as Whedon-esque as ever, rapid back and forth banter with frequent pop culture references("A felonious monk! Ha!) The cut scenes flowed smoothly.  And the music was appropriately light and ominous at the same time. 

Of course, Nathan Fillion is the shows standout. His way of blending the every-man persona with witty, rich-guy sensibilities  makes him irrestible to males and females alike. He has excellent comedic timing, with facial expressions that say everything while saying nothing at all. It's amazing that he hasn't migrated to the big screen more often. 

And since day 1, Castle has been able to do something that so many shows have not; it has a strong female lead that comes across as tough and no nonsense while still appearing feminine. Stana Katik is superb in this role. Too many shows today try much too hard to make their female lead really just a man. It doesn't work. We love strong female characters, and when it's done right, like in Castle, it's knockout. But when it doesn't work ( think Prime Suspect) it fails miserably. 

Walking Dead review

It's going to be really hard for The Walking Dead to live up to its first season, but so far this season does not disappoint. It's been a perfect mix of story telling, character development and zombie assaults!

I'm glad that Rick seems to have sobered up a bit. I didn't like the tension being built by the unstable Ricktator; but art is supposed to make you feel, whether it's a positive or negative emotion. However, only about 1/4 of the current survivors have even seen Rick in leader-mode. I'm not sure how the newcomers would take to Rick just putting on his hat and saddling back up. 

Carol's character has certainly taken a turn down a dark road, one that her long-dead abusive hisband set in motion back in season 1. She just seemed to snap after Sophia's death. She'll now just kill anybody at any time. At first I was glad she seemed to be taking charge of educating the children, but now I worry she shiv one of them for talking back. 

Sourdough bread

I just got too busy there for a while, and stopped baking my sourdough bread. We recently took a trip to Chattanooga, TN, and ate at several local eateries, all of which used local bakeries for their bread. I guess that's what got me thinking about homemade bread. I froze my starter a couple of years ago. I took it out last night to thaw. This morning I'm going to try to revive it. I'll be shocked if it works, but yeast are hardy creatures. Wish me luck!

Just because you're paranoid...

Over 60 years after George Orwell wrote the book "1984", the US government is working diligently on the sequel. He's a brief list of how:

1. The IRS might possibly be the most powerful organization on the planet. After all, it was the Treasury that took down the likes of Al Capone, not the police. And they have been targeting groups that opposed President Obama's reelection or his current policies. Any group that has the words "patriot", "tea party," or similar words were pressured, harassed or audited. Any group that specified it wanted to educate people "about the Constitution or the Bill of Rights" were targeted as well. As if that weren't enough, we've just recently learned that the IRS spent $50,000,000.00 on "employee conferences" since 2010.

2. The Obama administration has been spying on the media. Initially the AP discovered that some of their reporters were targeted. Then it came to light that they had been spying on Fox News reporter James Rosen. The Administration even spied on James Rosen's parents'! Also on the Fed's list was Sharyl Attkisson, a reporter for CBS.(The Dept of Justice has denied that it spied on Ms Attkisson). The government had been monitoring their movements, tapping their phones, and prying through their personal emails.

3. The National Secrecy Security Agency (NSA) has been accessing millions of Verizon customer phone records. They've been getting the "metadata," and deny they've listened directly to actual conversations. Yah, right.

4. The NSA has also been covertly accessing the servers of many internet giants, in something called "Project PRISM". It has accessed information such as search history, the content of emails, file transfers and live chats. Best I can tell, all the involved internet companies (Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, etc) have denied cooperating with the NSA.

5. Let's not even discuss Benghazi.

Tornados

What a tragedy the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado has become. This may go down as the most economically expensive natural disaster in US history.



However (and fortunately) this tornado is far from the most devastating, at least from the most important perspective, human lives. It isn't even in the top 10.



The most devastating tornado was actually March 18, 1925, in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. It injured over 2000 people, and it killed 695.



The May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri, tornado was the 5th most devastating tornado in our history. One thousand people injured, 158 dead.



The 10th worst was in Omaha, Nebraska, on March 23, 1913. Total cost of life: 103. 

 I pray to all the saints in heaven that the death toll from Moore, OK, doesn't rise to the level of previous tornados. I pray that the souls of those killed be carried to heaven on angel's wings.

National scandals

Wow. What a rough couple of weeks for the Obama administration. Looks like somebody high up in his administration lied about Benghazi. Then the IRS illegally targets right-leaning organizations, and it looks like this has been going on for 2-3 years. Next, the administration spies on the press. 

The president my not have expressly ordered any of these heinous activities, but his is the head of the executive branch. The buck stops with him. He needs to do more than just talk about it, or fire people who really weren't involved directly with the actions ( ie Steven Miller of the IRS). 

Then, we find out that the AG has approved warrents for spying on reporters, including the Associated Press and several at Fox News. But the worst one was placing wire tap on the PARENTS of a FoxNews reporter.

As Jay Leno said, Fox News is going to change it's tag line from " Fair and balanced" to " Told you so!"

Dr Evil loses

I don't know if you've been following the Dr Kermit Gosnell multiple murder trial or not. Chances are you haven't, since the mainstream media claims this is just a "local story." (despite the fact that they trumped the Sandra Fluke story as if it was the most important story in history)



Well, Dr Gosnell was convicted of several counts of murder, for savagely killing infants that survived his abortion procedures. Today, he gave up his right to appeal, in order to avoid the death penalty. So instead he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. At age 72, that will probably be a death sentence. He'll either die of old age, or his fellow inmates will murder him.

Viral apocalypse

Several months ago, a newly discovered virus, related to the infamous SARS virus, killed 7 people in Saudi Arabia. Today it was announced that this virus has hospitalized a 65 year old man in France; he had apparently recently travelled to the Middle East.

So, while it took The Plague a few years to spread across continents, this new pathogen has travelled 1/4 the way around the world in a matter of months. 

Since we didn't all die a couple of years ago from the media-fueled epidemic of swine flu, be prepared for the top of the hour news telling us that this coronavirus will be our extinction event!

Cranberry juice and urinary tract infections

Here's something I hear in the office at least twice a week:" I thought I was getting a bladder infection, so I started drinking cranberry juice."

The truth is, once an infection has settled in, drinking cranberry juice is no better than drinking water. They'll both help reduce your symptoms of burning or pain because they dilute your urine. But neither one will treat an active infection.

However, drinking cranberry juice EVERY DAY can reduce your chance of getting an infection in the first place, by as much as a 38% reduction in some studies. That might not seem like much of a reduction, but if you have a history of recurrent UTIs, that is pretty huge.

And, of course, if you think you have a kidney or bladder infection, go see your doctor.

Yet another ADULT stem cell victory

A 2 year old girl, born without her trachea (windpipe) has been saved by adult stem cells. Hannah Warren had stem cells removed from her own hip's bone marrow, seeded onto a plastic scaffold, where it took <7 days for a new trachea to grow. It was recently successfully transplanted into Hannah, and she appears able to breath on her own for the first time in her life. Thank you God!

Once again we see stem cell success without killing a baby ( embryo). Fetal or embryonic stem cells have never show what Dr. Frankenstein promised us they will. There are now dozens of stories of success using adult stem cells.

Stop all funding of embryonic stem cells , and plow the millions into adult stem cell research.

The Flu Sux

I've gotten a flu shot every year since 1993, the year I entered medical school. The first 2 years of med school are mostly spent in the classroom, so I wasn't exposed to flu any more than a regular dude. However, beginning in 1995- present day, I've been treating patients. For the past 13 years, I've worked in the field of Urgent Care, so I have been nearly constantly exposed to the flu virus. And I've never gotten the actual flu; until this year.

In November 2012, I got Influenza A. Fever to 102,sore throat, cough, fatigue & body aches. I started Antiviral medication within 24 hours of my first symptom. It took 5 days for fever to go away, and 3 more days for the aches to disappear. The fatigue lasted another week.

Then, in March 2013, I started feeling bad again. Temp only 100, mild cough & mild aches. This time I tested positive for Flu B. I skipped the antivirals this time, and I was only sick for 5 days.

I'll still take my flu shot next fall. But if I get the flu again, especially twice, I'll think hard about it for the future!

The problem of pain

We have become a nation addicted to pain medicine. Somewhere down the line, we came across the notion that there should be no pain. People have decided that for every minor ache or pain, they must take a pill. Pain is there for a reason. It's the mechanism your body uses to tell you something isn't quite right. Pain isn't always bad. That soreness in your back? Maybe you need to rest. Maybe try a heating pad for 10 or 15 minutes. Maybe soak in a hot bath. And yes, maybe even take a pain pill.

The problem seemed to become much worse when the government decided that pain was a "vital sign". By definition, a vital sign is an objective measure of a physiologic process in life, like your heart rate or blood pressure. Objective meaning measurable and reproducible. But some do-gooder bureaurocrat decided pain should be measured just like your temperature. The problem is, you cannot measure pain. I've seen people with shattered ankles after a car wreck who rate their pain a 2-3 out of 10. They can't walk, but their pain is low. I've seen others who swear their migraine or back pain is a 12 out of 10, yet they sit comfortably on the exam table, hair and makeup perfect, clean shaven, takling to their buddies on their phones about going out for a beer after the game.

Here are some do's and don'ts about talking with your doctor about pain.

Do: tell the truth about what happened. Did you really trip and fall, or did you get pissed off and punch the wall?

Don't: use street terminology when asking for meds. "Hydros" "oxys" "percs", etc

Do: be polite. You might be surprised how far that goes.

Don't: expect to get more than a few days of short-acting pain pills from the ER or Urgent Care. They are not your primary care physician, no matter how often you show up at their door, and they will not prescribe your OxyContin, Soma or Morphine.

Do: get a primary care physician. A doctor that will get to know you well, understands your problems and long term needs. If you really need pain meds for more than a few days, they are much better options than hydrocodone or Percocet.

Don't: lie. I know, I kinda said that one already. But most states now keep records of pain prescriptions in online databases that the doctor can, and should check, before writing you a new prescription. The quickest way to get no pain meds is to not admit up front that your doctor wrote you 60 Tylenol #3s last week.

Network TV had better wake up

I really hope that the Network television big boys & girls would wake up and take notice of what the "little" cable channels are able to come up with. Blockbuster shows like Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Mad Med, Ripper Street, Copper and Falling Skies, just to name a few.

In stead, they just keep pumping out trash like "dancing with the Glee idols in Nashville".

If you're a fan of sic-fi television, not since BattleStar Galactica has there been such a heart wrenching take on the human condition as Falling skies. It grips you from episode one, with the main characters and their struggles against their seriously overpowering antagonists.

What things do all these shows I mentioned have in common?

1. Having smaller budgets that NBC, CBS or ABC allocates requires the writing, directing and producing staff to be much more awake and alert, not having time for a "crap" filler episode.

2. Only having 10-13 episodes per season keeps the actors on top of their game. They don't get tired of playing their roles; quite the opposite, they stay excited and committed to making the best shows they can.

3. The only thing that could make this better? With the success of the afore mentioned shows, I think the incredible tale that was Firefly would have risen to the top and shone like the start it was. Watch it.

Father Emil Kapaun given one of our country's highest honors

Father Emil Kapaun has been awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama for his selfless sacrifice during the Korean War.

The priest risked his life, time and again, for our POW's held captive by the Chinese and Korean governments. He held regular Mass, even when threatened with his own death. He carried wounded soldiers on his back during forced marches, because those soldiers would have been murdered if they couldn't move. He gave his own rations to other soldiers.

Father Kapaun died on May 23, 1951, of pneumonia and dysentery. His nephew accepted the Medal of Honor in his place. God Bless Father Emil Kapaun.

End of the world as we know it

I'm reading a few news articles about "avian flu" again. Mark my words. Within the next 6 months, the news media will be talking ominously about this every day, telling us we are all going to die from the bird flu. Or will it be swine flu? Or SARS? Or Global Warming? Or the upcoming ice age? Or a comet about to crash into the planet?

In other words, Chicken Little is always telling us the end is nigh.

Music

I guess I've gotten old, because I don't like much of what is considered "music" on the radio any more. I don't care for American Idol, the Voice, Glee or any of the shows on Disney. I like original music. I like unique music. I like music that comes from the heart, not from some voice mixer.

I've discovered new music using services like Pandora and Songza. I also love the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast by Marc Gunn. Check it out. Buy a song or two. With the internet, you have the opportunity to hear music that you'd never hear otherwise; so support these small time, local artists. You'll be much better off for it.

Changing jobs

Doctor: from the Latin word "docere", meaning teacher. After working in the specialty of Urgent Care medicine for a lucky number 13 years, a new opportunity dropped into my lap.

Four months ago, I just happened to notice that my former residency program, where I trained to be a Family Medicine specialist, was looking to add new faculty. So I sent the program director an email inquiry. I didn't hear back from him for 2 months, so I just assumed that they already filled the position.

Then, 2 months ago, I got a reply from the program director, Dr Gregg Mitchell, telling me that they were indeed looking for new attending physicians to teach the doctors. We met for lunch a couple of times and had a great time catching up with each other. Dr Mitchell was a resident at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Family Medicine department, when I did a 3 month rotation with them. He became faculty in the program during my last 6 months of training

After much thought, prayer and discussion with my wife, I decided to make a more formal inquiry. So I met with Dr Mitchell again, but this time he was accompanied by Dr David Maness, chairman of the Medical school Department of Family Medicine. After talking with Drs Mitchell and Maness, I told them I was very interested in the position.

Three weeks ago, I was offered the job. After a couple more weeks of thought and prayer, I accepted their offer. I will be an official Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine for The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Family Medicine, Jackson, Tennessee.

I will still have a few days of my own clinic every week, but my primary responsibility will be teaching newly graduated physicians how to become Family Docs. I'll give lectures; see, examine, and discuss treatment plans for patients with the residents. I'll also occasionally round at the hospital with the residents, teaching them how to manage everything from newborn baby exams, to managing acute myocardial infarctions (heart attacks, to administering comfort measures to patients dying in the Intensive Care Unit.

I always thought I would enjoy teaching at the college or post-graduate level. This will be exciting, intellectually stimulating and scary at the same time! A lot has changed in the 13 years since I admitted hospital patients.

I will deeply miss my current partners. They are the best group of physicians I've ever met, and are more like family than colleagues. Hopefully, before too long, my new colleagues will seem the same!

Podcasts

I've lately become addicted to talk-show format podcasts. I've listened to the Dennis Miller show for several years. Lately I've discovered Leo Laporte's network, TWIT. Thru that, I've found the No Agenda Show, which has rapidly become my favorite podcast.

It's hosted by Adam Curry and John Dvorak, AKA "Crack Pot" and "Buzz Kill". They are on twice a week, Thursdays and Sundays, and spend most of 2.5 hours breaking down the news into it's quantum level. They frequently point out the conspiracy theories behind almost everything that the main stream media or the government wants you to be brainwashed into believing.

The hosts have incredible chemistry, with rapid repartee often leading to tangential topics that eventually lead back to the stories they are covering.

I find their show quite refreshing. I would label them both as classical libertarians. By libertarians, I am most definitely NOT referring to the wacky political party that has hijacked the name "libertarian". What I mean is that they don't trust Big Government or Big Business. They just want people to be left alone. They'll trash Presidents Obama and Bush in the same show, pointing out the hypocrisy that exists in our modern times. Back in the "good old days", they would probably fall under the term "classical liberalism". However, the term "liberalism" has also been hijacked by douch bags.

They have no commercials, and their only sponsors are their listeners, who voluntarily send the show money in support of their cause. Any amount is acceptable, from $5 on up. They aren't yet taking BitCoins, but just give them time.

Anyway, give them a try. Listen to 4 episodes of the show before you make up your mind.

Gun Control

The government wants to keep people with "serious" mental illness or who are "potentially"dangerous from owning guns.

On the surface, this sounds great. But what bothers me is who gets to determine what serious is, or what potentially dangerous is?

Remember, the government is mandating that your personal Medical records be computerized, thus easily available to be screened and audited by government bureaucrats. I think everyone would agree that someone who is psychopathic, chronically violent, or Severely schizophrenic should not own a gun.

But what about the husband who goes to his doctor because he's grieving after the death of his wife of 50 years. Once his doctor diagnoses him with grief or anxiety, the mental illness flag is up. Would this keep him from owning a gun?
Or the woman with postpartum depression?

And how can you determine who is potentially dangerous, or who might commit a crime? More people are killed in automobile accidents then by firearms. Should the guy who's gotten 4 speeding tickets in the past two years be considered potentially dangerous?

Is the guy with the "who is John Galt" bumper sticker dangerous? Is the person with the pro-choice license plate dangerous?

The new Pope

I am truly excited about the future of Christianity with the election of the newest Pope, Francis I. Everything I read about this man is grand. A truly humble man, he refused to live in the mansion available to him in Argentina. He lived in a small apartment. Cooked his own meals. Road the bus to the slums to visit with the poor and forgotten. According to an article in our local paper, the Argentinian poor have a nickname for this holy man of God. El Chabon, ( the Dude).

Now, I realize that Pope Francis I is just a man. And after the media infatuation has ended, I'm sure I'll read all sorts of less-than-kind things about him.

However, I choose to believe that, like his namesake Saint Francis of Assisi, God has called this man to rebuild his Church.

Problem with pain pills

There has been much in the media lately about the prescription drug problem we face in America. "Something must be done," the masses cry. So, in typical bureaucratic fashion, the FDA convened a panel. These esteemed experts have decided that if they classify hydrocodone as a Schedule II narcotic, less people will become addicted or abuse the drugs.

The sad truth is that won't do a thing to stem the tide that is narcotic abuse. Most people who abuse narcotics are obtaining them illegally, either on the streets or in their mothers medicine cabinet. What it will do is make it more difficult, and more expensive, for legitimate patients to obtain the pain medication they need. Fewer doctors will be willing to prescribe them, and the patient will be required to pay for a office visit each month to get their meds.

I agree there is a problem. I don't think new laws and regulations will help. What people need can't be provided by the Looters in government.