Friday, August 31, 2007

Labor day holiday...

I was starting to get a little burned out last week, so my wife and I took a little vacation. I hadn't been off since February. Life was grinding away rather than gliding smoothly forward . Little things were bothering me more than they should. I had two laparoscopic cases I had to convert because of lack of progression. Trauma call was busy. Lots of phone calls at night. Had to re-admit a wound infection. Just one of those weeks and I guess I was cooked to begin with. So we went away to Niagara Falls. Last time I was there, I may have been two or three. Tell you what, NF is a highly underrated little getaway destination. For one thing, the Falls are beautiful, breathtaking, awe-inspiring. The steady, thrumming roar of the water rushing forward, cascading over the precipice, the mist of the crashing water wafting around you like an ocean fog is something you just have to see. Not many things on this earth you can just stand there and stare at for an hour. It was only a three hour drive and it was just what the doctor ordered. We stayed at the Hilton and did all the touristy things (Maid in the Mist, Cave in the Wind, etc) and just ambled our way through the town and ate well and slept in late. And did I mention there is Casino? Yes, Casino. A little more delicate when you're with your wife, but I put in some profitable time at the tables.....

On Saturday we went to my nephew's pee wee football game at some middle of nowhere middle school field in Springfield. I love watching little kids play sports, especially football, with the awkward, oversized football helmet and pads seemingly ready to capsize the skinny mites who donned them. My nephew played hard. He likes to take off his helmet and stare up at the bleachers at his family, but that's all right. I had to keep yelling at him to pay attention and watch the game. Late in the game, he crashed through the line and caused a fumble and we all stood and screamed and pumped our fists. Later that night was a birthday party for my niece. We all drank too much and got the latest gossip and watched the Indians. It was nice. My uncle gave us a bucket of full sized Koi for our backyard pond. Now I have to figure out why the water keeps turning green. And the Buckeyes won handily. After all, it was only Youngstown St, a division I-AA school. No one loses to I-AA schools, right? Oh, except for that evil school up north. I'm not allowed to gloat (wife a UM alumnus) but how about those appalachian state mountaineers?

Back to work tomorrow. The time of rest is over. Looks like a busy day scheduled. I can't wait.

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