For Community Health class we have to write a paper profiling one of Chicago's neighborhoods, including health care centers, recreation areas, businesses, crime rate, disease, and the community's health needs. I chose West Ridge, more commonly known as West Rogers Park.

This afternoon I did a Windshield Survey, in which I drove around and observed everything I could about the community and its inhabitants in preparation of identifying assets and deficiencies. My friend Katie told me to look out for the ramshackle Miracle Medical Center on Devon. Not to judge a book, but I doubt a single miracle has ever occurred here.

Because we have Fridays off, it has become a convenient day to get hours in for my new job.

On Wednesday, I met with a prospective student and her mother about the BSN program. Because students transfer in for this two year program, the most important part of these meetings is the transcript review, where we make sure that they will have all of the prerequisites completed by the time they start. I also answered a bunch of questions via email and phone. I really enjoy being helpful.

I got this "Do No Harm" bumper sticker at the Common Cup in Rogers Park. It's from some social justice not-for-profit that I was too lazy to research. I'm not sure if nurses take the Hippocratic Oath, but so far I feel like I have kept the doing of harm to a minimum.

Kristie and I met a woman there today to discuss the possibility for doing our Community Health education project with a group of Burmese refugees that began attending her church. Our preliminary plan is to teach the children about germs and illness prevention.

On my refrigerator you will also notice Meador, The Happy Nurse Monster; crayon, ball point pen, sticker on printer paper, 2007. I like to think of it as a caricature, but Jane, Nick's daughter, insists that all of her art is based in Realism.

I have been forgetting my camera a lot lately, so I had to dig into the archives for a past picture that didn't originally make the cut.

This guy was tooling around the West Loop promoting a smoothie shop or something. I saw a group of Segway riders on a Chicago tour the other day, and to use my favorite line from any novel, "They conveyed a mood of clever fun." I want to ride one of these things so badly that I am willing to pay $70 for Steve of Steve's Segway Tours to point out that I might recognize Buckingham Fountain from the opening credits of "Married With Children".

Today was our first full day in the Uptown Health Clinic. Me and Sarah and Michael helped out at a smoking information table under the guidance of a couple Public Health employees. We administered saliva and urine tests to determine nicotine levels in patients who stopped by, and distributed "Quit Kits" for people who were interested in smoking cessation. It was kind of neat for about 10 minutes, but quickly became pretty boring compared to the action you get in the hospital.

Woman: That's what my lungs are gonna look like?
Me: Yep.
Woman: That's nasty.

I joined Julie and her parents and Kellina for brunch at the Heartland Cafe today. It was a nice time, even though I couldn't live up to Julie's mother's expectations and complete the Sunday crossword puzzle.

As much as I want to like this place, I think I have finally placed it in my overrated category. My meal was all right (it's hard to make basic breakfast items poorly), but for some reason I always expect so much more from them. They can offer all the alternative publications and Che refrigerator magnets they want; it doesn't make up for poor service and totally mediocre food.

Twas a good weekend.

Ryan (center), a high school buddy, is getting married in July. Friday night we convened in Peoria for his bachelor party.

In high school, we started going to Peoria to watch friends in the IHSA All-Star game for basketball. Then we ended up going there in college a couple times. When we started reaching marrying age, it became a bachelor party destination, so I have ended up spending a weekend there every couple years since I was 17.

We played golf today, and I shot 110, with two legitimate par holes. I was pleased with this. If I wasn't terribly hung over, I might have broken 107.

Today Jenny and I reported for our first day of work in the Office of Academic Programs. We did some training with a student who had just finished the RN portion of our program. We will be responsible for communicating and meeting with prospective students, conducting information sessions for the Graduate Entry and BSN programs, tutoring, and any odd jobs that need to be done around the office. I get the feeling that we will be doing a fair amount of filing, as one of the people in the office jokingly said, "Are these the people that will be doing my filing?"

This summer I start out with the Community Health rotation. I visited the Chicago Public Health Department clinic in Uptown today with Jackie. Our clinical instructor gave us a brief tour, and then Jackie and I went to a coffee shop to do some studying. I still don't have a real clear idea of what kinds of things we will be doing in Community, but I look forward to the variety of experiences ahead.

FYI, Cafe Neo in Lincoln Square charges for internet usage. Boo. But they have crepes, if you're into crepes.

Yesterday we went to the Library of Health Sciences to learn about health resources available in other languages so that we can better serve Chicago's diverse population. These statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on the third floor is made entirely of surgical tools and hospital supplies.

We were spoiled having the big lecture hall last semester. We could spread our stuff out, and there was never a lack of space. We also had outlets right there at the tables. Now we are in a regular classroom with tiny desks, and we have to use these jumbo power strips. I got an assistantship position for the summer working in the Office of Academic Programs, and I have been assigned the job of getting the power strips for class. It makes me feel important.

It was hard going back today, but I was really excited to see everyone. It had only been a couple weeks, but I felt like a fourth grader who hadn't seen many of his friends all summer because he doesn't really live close to anyone, and would ride around the country block on his bike over and over again hoping to run into somebody, anybody that he knew from school, and occasionally stop at the creek to catch minnows.

I spent my last moments of freedom in a pool tournament at the bar. I did not play well, and went home to do some prep work for classes. Some former students said that the summer semester is easy and fun. Then a later group of students said it is difficult and not fun. Time will tell.

Even though I didn't go anywhere fun, this was a nice little break. I got to spend some time with people, see my family, sleep, stay out late without any guilt, and see a couple shows. Tonight I went to The Cure with Troy, Justin, and Val. They played for almost three hours, and sounded great. I couldn't understand a word Robert Smith said, except for something about being blessed by a god he didn't believe in. Whatever, Bob.

A couple nice ladies made cupcakes for Justin's birthday celebration. I was impressed with the color matching, and give them a lot of credit for even attempting maroon. I ate the 11 ball even though my dentist identified a small cavity that morning. Cupcakes are too wonderful for me not to eat them.

Here is my dentist: http://www.24hrdentist.com/. He is kind of a badass, and reminds me of a more charming Willem Dafoe.

I have an inherent trust in tamale guys everywhere, so Ten Cat tamale guy, I know you didn't poison me on purpose. Just understand that I won't be purchasing from you for at least a month, as I do not enjoy series of internal stomach stabbings waking me at 6am. When your cries of
"Tamales, tamales, muchachos, caballeros!" fail to turn my head, know that my heart extends a crumpled $5 bill in your direction. March on, brave tamaleman, until I once again have the answer to "Pork, chicken, or cheese?".

I went to the Family Health Clinic at school today to inquire about some gastrointestinal issues I have been having. Gross, I know. The doctor gave me a referral to see a specialist because he said that I am at that age where certain symptoms may mean something bad is going on, and they should be checked out.

This is the first time I have seen a doctor since I started school, and I found myself being critical of the nurse that took my vitals, and of the med student who took my health history. I have often heard that doctors and nurses make bad patients, and I am going to do my best to always be a good one.

Unrelated, I saw a Cubs fan on his way to the game with a jersey that said "Kondorsack" on the back. Whether a hilarious nickname or an unfortunate last name, it made me really happy.

The new sheltered loveseats they installed at the Belmont stop are wonderful. On a nice day, I'm almost tempted to sit there and read instead of catch the Red Line home. But what is in the bench compartment? Afghans and pillows? Personal flotation devices? Emergency rations?

Went to see Iron Man tonight in Evanston with Carol, Kristin, and Justin. It was a very enjoyable movie. I was happy to see Downey Jr. and Paltrow back in action. Bald Jeff Bridges was pretty good too.

Priority list of summer movies I want to see, regardless of how crappy they may be:

The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones
The Mummy III
Incredible Hulk
Speed Racer
Ghostbusters 3
Sex and the City
X-Files 2
Pineapple Express
Get Smart
Tropic Thunder

This display begs the question: Who would win in a fight between Kung Fu Panda, The Hulk, and Justin?
(Considering The Hulk's strength is only limited by his rage, I think he would win. But Kung Fu Panda knows a martial art. Justin would totally get his ass kicked by both of them.)

My parents, grandma, and my sister's boyfriend's mother came into the city to have Mother's Day dinner with us. It was great to see everyone.

I was pleased with Trattoria Trullo in Lincoln Square. Unlike everybody else in the world, I am not a huge fan of Italian food. I think it's fine, but other choices usually trump Italy when it comes to mealtime decisions. This place was good, and reasonably priced, and became a viable dining option for trips into the Lincoln Squarea.

And as much as I want to believe this is a trick of perspective, I'm afraid my skull is at least twice the size of my mother's.

Stopped by Poitin Stil for Yvette's birthday karaoke celebration. I've been laying low from the bar lately, and it felt good to be out for a little bit and see some people. Carol coerced me into singing Britney after I had retired it forever, so the night wasn't completely without shame. Seriously, never again.

I saw DeVotchKa at The Vic tonight with Julie. My favorite part was when the aerialists performed during the encore, which probably says a little about what I thought of the show. (I was without camera, so I pilfered this from the internet.)

Trupe:(via email) Meador, I think DeVotchka is totally nerdy and boring. I'm guessing Julie loves it? Bring a crossword and maybe a portable TV.

It was too dark for the crossword and I couldn't get any reception on the TV, so I had no choice but to pay attention to the show. They are incredible musicians, but I just couldn't get into the music or even like them as performers. I really dug a couple songs, but besides that, I thought they were joyless and wooden and took themselves way too seriously.

After a string of semi-crappy improv shows, The Diplomat Motel came through. We were energetic, and playful, and supportive. Lately we have been working too hard on stage, plodding along through scenes like it's a minimum wage job at the worst car wash ever. Tonight it was effortless, and we all enjoyed ourselves. I am usually Mr. Critical after bad shows, and Mr. Modest after good ones, but we were funny. Even Young, a known Mr. Surly even after a pretty good show, had a huge smile on his face.

And Schlitz is back in bottles, people. Spread the word.

After 9-ball league (I triumphed in an epic battle between two mediocre pool players), I went to Arnie's to participate in his latest project, in which we sit around and drink beers and chat while he records the conversation. I talked about nursing school, and Jeff told a story about faking his age all through high school to keep a job at Babbages, and we just generally shot it for a couple hours. It might be super lame to anyone who doesn't know us, but Arnie has a knack for producing quality side projects. If nothing else, I got to hang out with a couple friends on a Wednesday night and laugh.

It feels great to be done for a little while. We went to Hawkeye's for lunch and drinks to celebrate the conclusion of the semester, supposedly the most difficult of the program. I think I have whatever it takes to be a nurse, and to succeed in a rigorously paced academic program.

It was a nice afternoon in the blazing sun, and everyone was in good spirits. It kind of had a last-day-of-high-school-have-a-great-summer-LYLAS feel to it, even though it's only a few days before we see each other again. Even the waiter (right), who we initially mistrusted and disliked, turned out to be an okay guy, and did a pretty good job taking care of a large group of unruly and demanding nurses.

I treated Kristie to lunch at Moody's today in exchange for occasionally giving me a ride back to The Rog (I need a better spelling for that; Rog looks gross). Beer garden season is upon us, and I am pleased. Also, the usual assortment of squirrel and sparrow beggars was not in attendance, so we got to eat in peace.

The Pathophysiology/Pharmacology final was harder than expected. I destroyed the section on Reproductive Disorders and STDs, which is what I studied the least, and even though I felt adequately prepared, I kind of tanked on Musculoskeletal Disorders and Shock.

I enjoyed the class a lot. We had great teachers, and the textbooks were well written and interesting. This is an excerpt from the anti-depressant chapter of our Pharmacology book:

Yawngasm.

Rarely, patients taking clomipramine [Anafranil] experience yawngasm. Experience what? A spontaneous orgasm while yawning. Honest. This unusual side effect, which affects both males and females, may be considered adverse or beneficial, depending on one's view of such things. In at least one documented case, yawngasms strongly influenced adherence, as evidenced by the patient asking how long she would be “allowed” to continue treatment. Although data are scarce, one might guess that the occasional yawngasm would help relieve depression.

I have two final exams on Monday and Tuesday, then I am done until May 19th. I had to dig pretty deep to find enough motivation for a worthwhile study session.

This is the view from my workspace on the dining room table. I was initially hesitant to trust myself to be productive in a room with a television, but I like having it on while I study. Also, I am still looking to get rid of the bottom TV. Craig's List proved unsuccessful, so before I put it on Freecycle, anyone want an old TV, approximately 26", with a remote and tempermental RCA jacks? Did I mention it can be operated by REMOTE CONTROL?

Yesterday Angie brought in a picture of those first, tender moments in the life of a woman and her lipoma.

Today we had a guest speaker teach us about the complementary therapy of Music Thanatology. She is one of 77 licensed Music Thanatologists in either the country or the world (I don't remember which). These specialists visit patients at the end of life and conduct Music Vigils for patients and their families to provide comfort in a time of pain and grief. The music and vocals are improvised in response to the patient's physiological signs and needs. The example song she played was beautiful and haunting, which is precisely how I like my harp music. When I'm on my way out, I want a Music Thanatologist at my side, or at the very least, a boombox playing "Who's Next" on repeat.

Angie had surgery the other day to remove a lipoma from her flank. She let me take a picture of the Jackson-Pratt drain used to suck the excess fluid out of her surgical wound. She also told me that she had the same surgery done years ago, and somehow convinced the doctors to take a picture of her with the swaddled lipoma as if she had just given birth to it. Hilarious and weird.