South by Southwest!

The Grownup is playing in Austin. I will be there Wednesday through Saturday too. Can't wait!

If you're there or know someone who is here's the schedule:

Wed. March 14th, 12-6 @ Agave (As Built PR/ Vanya Records Day Party)
We are on at 2:30 pm - 415 E. 6th St.

Thurs. March 15th, 7pm @ Lambert's, 401 2nd Street
Official SXSW Showcase (Green Room Music Source/ Rock The Cause) w/ Tommy Stinston of The Replacements
We are on right at 7:15 sharp

Fri. March 16th, 1-6 pm @ Friend's Bar, 208 E. 6th St.
Berklee's Official SXSW
We are on right at 3:30 sharp

Sat. March 17th @ 12 noon
SXSW Party @ Waterloo Cycles
2815 Fruth, Austin Tx. We are on at 1:30pm

A Dance with Dragons

Well, finally on to book 5. I can't seem to put these books down. But when this book is over, it's over. Until Martin can finish books 6 and 7. And then it will really be over. I will have to go back to my old New Yorkers for the past 4 months that I haven't been reading.

Because I am obsessed with these fantasy books.

Book Four

I am on to a Feast for Crows, 4th book of A Song of Fire and Ice series. I can't get enough of it. I'm so glad there is another book left and two more "forthcoming".

Martin has no issue with killing off main characters in an abrupt and shocking way. And then resurrecting them in another twist. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

A Game of Thrones

I have to admit that I LOVE A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. The book, that is. I haven't had a chance to see the show because we don't have that fancy cable. :)

I just finished book one and it is amazing. I don't usually consider fantasy. I don't even peruse that section of the book store, Amazon (for my kindle of course) or library. Dragons, swords, kings and queens. Never really thought it was my thing.

I did read the Lord of the Rings but only after I got in to the movies. I enjoyed them, certainly. But Tolkien puts you to work with all the details (probably really helped Peter Jackson out with set design though). I tried to read these books when I was younger, maybe middle school, but couldn't do it. And that says a lot because I read everything, under the covers with a flashlight until all hours of the night. (Don't tell my parents) ;)

A Game of Thrones is fun. And although I live in the 21st century, somehow I can identify with the characters and the delicate balance of society that they contend with. Somehow I get the expectations that are put on all of them by archaic hierarchies and rules. There is something familiar about what is required and expected of allies (personally, politically).

I burned through book one and am starting on book two. As soon as I hit the "publish post" button.

Mini-vans, moving and time that flies

10 years ago I moved to Boston. My parents drive out with me--I in my mini-van and they in theirs. Both packed full of most of my earthly possessions. Including my cat Sassy. Oh boy, that was a trip. Sassy yowling all the way to Boston. The tranquilizers didn't do much to her except make her stay up all night AND keep me up all night. I had a rough time driving the next day.

We used walki-talkis to keep in touch, which was pretty fun. Our halfway point was Rochester and we stayed at P's parents' house, even though they were out of town. It was nice to be somewhere familiar. When we got to Boston we moved all my crap into my tiny little room on Dimick St in Somerville. I had 3 new roommates, a new neighborhood. My parents and I explored the city, picked Paul up from the airport the night before they had to drive back to Ohio.

For the first night or so I actually stayed with my friends K and G. It helped me transition into this new life. It took some time for me to get used to the driving, the buses and subway. Just the number of people everywhere.

3 apartments later and Somerville is home. 10 years has sped by and I imagine I will be here another 10.

Summer sun

So on May 1st I got a sun burn on the left side of my neck. Just one of those spots you miss sometimes. It happens.

But, this was different. It got irritated, turned into a rash, and stuck around for 6 WEEKS! Yuck, 6 WEEKS. That's right. Gross. I switched from a lanyard to a clip on name tag, bought scarves and hats and new sunblock. I bought a face powder with sunblock in it.

I tried several lotions and ointments with little luck until the past week.

Needless to say I am now more than paranoid about the sun. I just bought three tops from Coolibar for my trip to New Orleans next month and ordered more sun screen.

It's possible I am somewhat overreacting to this sunburn/rash thingy. But why not prevent something I can prevent. I don't want to go through this worry again if I must not.

Lotion up everybody. And look for me in my scarf, sunglasses and fedora hat. You will be dazzled.

The Fellows

I have 6 weeks left in my fellowship. It has gone by quickly. I have learned so much from the other fellows. It has been an interesting dynamic with all women and occasionally we discuss how it might have been different if there were any men in the group.

Well, I doubt the new mother in the group would talk so openly about breast feeding or insomnia. We probably would not have shared as much personal information. We have shared a lot of professional information as well. I have a new respect for medical residency and the continued struggles faced by women in male dominated fields.

In the process I have given myself a little room to grow, recognizing that I have many years ahead of me to keep improving my skills as a therapist, "ethicist" and in personhood overall. I plan to continue work in medical ethics where I work and perhaps beyond that. We'll see what comes my way (or what I go chasing after).

Truthfully I am looking forward to some rest from academic ventures at least for a couple months. Between the DPT and this I've been a student for the last 3 years on top of everything else!