calculate, prepare, execute

so at the moment my computer is having seizures and will not run any photo viewing or editing software, so unfortunately no photos.

here's the photosets i have in mind to post:

friends in virginia

the parkers visit to norfolk

appalachian hiking with pete, tyler, austin, peter

moving to ohio, with thanks to andy and brian

first day as a doctor

fourth of july

here's a story of something that happened recently:

i found this awesome offroad biking site at Alum Creek state park, it is a great track, with lots of jumps and valleys where you slide down a bank, cross a 1 foot wide bridge, then crank up the other side. also there are fallen logs that you jump over. well my first time riding it, i approached a larger downed tree preparing to jump over it. except, at the last minute, i h e s i t a t e d, decided to lose some speed and take the jump more cautiously. at this moment my front tire froze against the log and my entire momentum went right over the front wheel. i'm sure it would have looked cool from a lateral view, but in my perspective i saw the sky, then the ground, then the sky again, then i felt and heard the metal-plastic snap as my bike landed right on my helmet with about the force that you would use to split a cord of wood with an axe.

there are several things i could take from this experience: one, keep wearing a helmet. it is not the first time it has kept me from being food for worms. two, and i think more importantly, is this: calculate what you must do, prepare, and then execute at full speed! jumping over logs cannot be done tenuously or with reservations, it is like yoda said "do, or do not. there is no try!" so on my second trip over that same jump, i changed my approach and went all-out, knowing that if i wrecked and broke bones at least it would be dramatic. and guess what? i sailed right over the top, with the thrill of beating an opponent that has beat you before. then once i had done it, i found it so easy and natural to jump over other trees. it was just a matter of confidence and committing fully.

starting residency has been fast and furious.... and awesome. its hard, but so far i love it. i've now done 6 shifts at the university hospital emergency room, and tomorrow a.m. i'll start at columbus children's, then the last part of the week myself and my fellow interns will take a two day course in "advanced trauma life support" which i'm looking forward to. (yeah i know i'm a nerd). there's so much more to say about life here in a new city, but i'll let the pictures show you all that.