Random Rant

This morning we are observing the medical professional it its natural environment by sitting quietly in a hospital atrium. The herds of wild doctors gather at the coffee oasis, murmuring "doctor, doctor, doctor" to one another. They are quite striking in their white ceremonial garments that serve to differentiate them from the more common occupants of the area. Occasionally a single doctor will cut itself from the herd and, on first impression, seem to go mad, standing alone and talking loudly into empty space. But we soon realize that the individual is communicating via an electronic device. Nowadays many people are actually born with this type of device embedded in their heads. If they also present a predilection for bad handwriting, we know that they will become doctors. Most, however, simply become generally annoying people in grocery stores and air ports, alternately arguing with the air and shouting at children that are running amok and terrorizing innocent bystanders. Regardless of the particular type of mad shouter, we should resist the urge to club these individuals as the local constabulary tends to frown on this particular brand of community service.

In a "duh" moment, I just realized why there are flashlights hanging everywhere in this hospital. Earthquakes.

I suppose it is human nature to assume that wherever you live is backward. My example: I was sure that Southern California would be absolutely cutting edge when it came to technology. It ain't. Yes, I said "ain't". This particular hospital, while it is truly world class in its specialties, has NO wifi. None. Nada. Zero. Zilch. The Bannister Family House is the same way. NO connectivity. In a related aggravation, the Bannister House has a policy of no food of any kind in the rooms. Nothing but water. At first it seems trivial, but it turns out that this is a HUGE pain. Don't get me wrong. The Bannister House is great in many, many ways. It's a financial lifesaver, and I am very grateful that we are able to stay there. Back to the subject of So Cal being cutting edge. Either everyone here has mobile broadband, or they just naturally want to gather at the "Starbucks" type of establishment. That's probably it. Not me. I find it hard to type with Cold Play assaulting me. So, I park out front. Ha! What civilized piracy.

I have noticed that in Dallas you will find the attitudes of medical professionals to be very detached. The ones we have had dealings with are quite good but they tend not to talk very much. They certainly do not volunteer information of any kind and will be happy to sit and stare at you while all the questions that you had flee from your mind and your eyes slowly begin to cross. It's as if they are highly evolved, intelligent lizards that haven't quite decided if you are consumable or not. Most of the receptionists in these sorts of offices seem to exist on this plane only partially, and make every effort not to dip further into this reality by communicating with you in any way. We simply wander around following vague directions and hoping for the best.
San Diego, or at least Thornton Hospital, is very different. Everyone is engaged and very pleasant. However... You do tend to run into the Hollow Sympathetic Statement (HSS). You know, the “Oh, I wish I could do something for you”, with the same tonal quality and passion as “I think I lost my pen”. It is very much the exception and not the rule, but I haven't decided which I prefer, the being totally ignored or the HSS.