Absquatulate

We need less...

Sloppy drinkers – primal, hooting sounds are always a good indicator. - Audrey Sanders, in Zagat, courtesy of Kottke.

Yes Audrey, that would be wonderful. And it sums up something I've been thinking about for a while now. My goal isn't to be snobbish or overly indulgent, but rather to be a neat drinker; one who enjoys her drink, maybe has another, but enjoys it for the taste and with restraint, not for its effects or in excess.

Half Way

I am officially half-way done with my degree work. I finished up my last bit of paperwork for the clinic today at 12:30. I'm still running on high-octane; I'm plowing through some Christmas cards and got all my shopping done this afternoon as if I had to get it all done before heading home to study. I then realized I didn't *have* to study. My mind still doesn't know what to do with this new information. So I enjoyed a delicious, if tardy, lunch at Chez Albert. Review forthcoming.

The Tao of Spam

very mentioned across letters? evening companion love black development side?
money immediate next similar.
latter explain whom? profession across here wife corner next,
sandwich goes profession different.
rich pride filled raise miserable wrong. happened already sugar bad prison.

Off The Cuff

If notecards, then PowerPoint for charts, diagrams, and important points. If PowerPoint, no notecards.

Uncanny Valley

There have been several instances recently wherein discussion of androids and robots turned to "when will they get here". And in all those instances I'd been wishing I could remember the work of Dr. Mori to reference when explaining why I think it'll be a while yet. Even if the technology comes along, either we will purposely keep them from utilizing the full potential of the technology, or if we do plow forward there will be a backlash, and an ostracization of the industry until we traverse that uncanny valley.

Gifts fo the Gal

Have a special gal in your life to get a gift for, but not sure what to do? Before you go to Zales and plunk down your hard earned cash on something that everyone else in your neighborhood will be wearing, take a look at some alternatives. Whether she's a sister, mother, girlfriend or wife, there's bound to be a piece of jewelry from one of the fine purveyors in this AskMeFi thread. All of the independent jewelry suggestions are fabulous and offer lots of choices for the woman in your life. I can also recommend So-Charmed bracelets as unique and beautiful source of jewelry too.

Buying a Hybrid?

Check out this incredibly detailed financial breakdown of the cost of owning a hybrid, and whether or not you'd save money versus buying a traditional car.

Old. Cranky. Elitist.

You know what I hate?

No wait okay, lemme start over. You know what I am so fucking tired of hearing? So tired that every time I hear it while at school, each and every time that someone rolls their eyes and sighs and starts squawking about it that every time that starts I could just about barely keep my hands off of the throat of the person currently squawking? You know what that phrase is, the one that will forever become indellibly marked on my psyche as registering a visceral, knee-jerk reaction that will have to be tempered with a deep sigh, a closing of the eyes, and then 30 minutes of gentle lecture?

It's this:
"Why do we have to learn this? It's not like it'll help us in the clinic. It's just theory, how the hell will this help me write a progress report?"

*deep sigh.* *close eyes* *lecture:*

Because, and I can't believe I have to say this, being in a college institution and all, but the reason why having even a tenuous grasp of theory, the slightest idea of what people think and WHY they think that way, is because eventually, someday, someone will read your progress reports, your recommendations, and look at how much your therapy will cost and they will ask you, "WHY?"

I can't believe this, but in two separate classes professors have put up the following quote (in earnest, and with sincerity):
"Nothing is as practical as a good theory to enable you to make choices confidently and consistently, and to explain or defend why you are making the choices you make." Larson, V. L., & McKinley, N. (1995).

It astounds me how people in a professional field that relies so closely on theory to justify their very existence are so fearful and disdainful of "theory". "It's impractical! It doesn't apply! It doesn't matter! It's hard to learn!" they cry. And I can't even muster a good retort, because this rant in my head is still 30 minutes, rather than 30 seconds.

It is my goal that somehow inbetween the SOAP notes and the papers and the lesson plans to come up with a 30 second reply. If we can't justify our existence as a professional field, who will?

Let it Snow...

I just looked up and out the window and there is the most perfect, lazy flurry falling softly onto the pine trees just outside my window. What makes it magical is the wonderful golden winter sunshine and the bright blue sky and the slow classical guitar music I've got piped in via Pandora (right now it's Isole by Marino De Rosas).

I love winter.