Use the force luke..

I’d like to think I have some integrity, especially when it comes to promoting this blog. I have not shamelessly thrown in guaranteed words into my blog or tags which would likely increase my hit count, such as sex, porn or tits, as it would be probably classed as a cheap ploy. Nope I would never stoop that low…well sort of.

I thought. I’m a movie geek. People like movies.  How about using famous movie quotes to try and sum up each new blog entry. Naff you say. Probably, I say.

So, today, the first time since I started this job, I can say I enjoyed myself. I also finally got to do my first CVC, as well as another failed A-line- jeez they’re so fucking hard to do! It took the reg ages to get one in. Finally she got one into the brachial artery. Made me feel better, though I’ll be happier when I score a success.

I’ve always thought that a friendly, supportive and co-operative team will make one’s post more enjoyable and can help in choices for the future. So far, I’ve felt some of the reg’s have been unapproachable or smug and some of the consultants have been very intimidating.

Over the weekend, I had a cool reg, who probably thought I was crap, but taught me and showed me how to assess acutely ill patients on the ward. The consultant was very nice and friendly and supportive. From speaking to the reg, I had a better idea of what to do next- I need to learn how to assess acutely patients and go out with the Outreach team. Despite doing the cool procedure today, I am never going to be able to do it on a gen med ward, which is my career path, I think.

Let’s hope tomorrow continues OK…despite being on-call.

nhsdr

New job, nights and general update

It’s been a while since i last updated my blog. haven’t honoured my promise to update it more regularly—oh well!

So yesterday i started my new 4 month F2 job which is Cardiology. I was well and truly happy to finish doing Psych. I met my new boss who wanted me to be in OPC but i couldn’t as I didn’t have any: ID, bleep, parking permit, met secretary etc. I found out i have only 10 patients at the moment which is OK and met some of the nurses on my new wards. Unfortunately i won’t really get to meet my team until 10 days time as i am starting nights tonight. Tonight i am on a 11am to 11pm shift and next week i am on a 7pm to 7am shift. It’s been ages since i’ve done nights, let alone medical nights and at least 2 years since i’ve done medical nights at GEH—bit nervous really! Not held a cardiac arrest bleep in ages too!

Since the last time i wrote my blog, i have seen the new Bond film and seen 2 gigs: The Charlatans and The Futureheads—i’ll try and write some reviews in due course.

Other than that, i’ve continued to play footy and tried to study for my MRCP Part 1 which is on Jan 23rd.

I’ll attempt to update this blog this weekend or next week.

Cheers

Film Reviews and other stuff

I know, i know! where the hell have i been? Just been plain lazy when it comes to updating my blog. Can’t really say i’ve been busy, because i haven’t. I have been drinking a lot lately and just 3 days ago i hit the 4th decade on this earth—yup i’m 30! How did it feel? no difference from 29 really. Got a party planned for a few weeks time and kind of nervous about people turning up and there being space and what to do etc etc.So in the last few weeks i’ve seen 2 films, but other than that i’ve not been that regularly as i would like to. I’ve also decided to quit the gym to concentrate on my exam studies and am surprised that i’m actually getting into it. sad, eh?!

So the films are:

Saw 3
Premise: Like the other films. This final chapter (allegedly) involves inventive ways to kill people very gruesomely created by the serial killer Jigsaw. In this 3rd film, more people are trapped and killed, Jigsaw and his accomplice have another agenda too.

Verdict: This film is SO GORY! one particular death machine is freakin’ horrible. I think this film tops Saw 2 and is as good as Saw 1. It also explains alot of inconsistencies with the earlier films.

Rating: 8/10

Borat
Premise: Based on the character created by Sascha Baren Cohen from the TV show, comes a potentially political, often very funny and offensive film, with one of the dodgiest fights you’ve seen in ages. Basically Borat goes to U S and A to learn about their culture and take back any teachings to Khazakstan. Some pieces of the film appear staged, but for the most it is basically Borat interviewing and offending Americans and getting them to say stuff they would not normally willingly say.

Verdict: I thought it was a bit hit and miss, though i tend to not like comedies the 1st time round and need to see it again later. It seems to be half documentary-half fiction plus a dollop of offensive comedy. I’m surprised this has done well in America as it basically takes the piss out of them unashamedly.

Verdict: 7/10

I have seen some rental DVD’s with my flatmate recently though. The 1st was the Jennifer Aniston chick flick “Friends with money” which was boring and the Nick Cage “comedy”- “The Weatherman” which was plain depressing and not funny at all.

OK what else to say? hmmm? can’t think, got to do some dictations and maybe some more studying.

I’ll try and write a bit sooner next time!

One month later…

As I am no longer unemployed, sitting on my arse watching daytime TV, i now seem to be less inclined/interested in updating my blog— guess i am being just lazy really! Anyway with that stupid statement, I am now paradoxically updating my blog, almost one month after my last one!

So, I’ve almost done my first month of Psychiatry as an F2 SHO. How has it been then? Well to be honest, the first 3 weeks was rubbish—why? —well my boss was away and thus there were no outpatient clinics and we seemed to have no ill patients. For 3 weeks, me and my F1 (PRHO) were bored out of my brains. Thankfully our boss returned and we were both plunged into doing our own clinics and i did my 1st of many dictated notes. The other massive hassle, which i have finally sorted out is a bloody audit which i’ve been trying to get registered. I hate doing audits, but i need to do at least one of these bloody audits to complete my F2 year!

As I am lucky to have my weekends off, i have been off visiting friends etc. So last bank holiday weekend, I went home, back to the new flat, to check out how things had progressed. I built more furniture and sorted out my room so it was more livable. I went out for my mates 29th birthday on Saturday and met up some old mates (from Sheffield Uni) at the Notting Hill Carnival 2006 . Bought more furniture in IKEA on Monday, and then took the wrong turn back home, so we had a scenic view of London back to Islington.

I am now sitting in my room of the hospital accomodation i am renting, for a bargin price. Luckily this rented house is only 8 minutes from work and i save money on petrol. I’m just about to watch the England vs Andorra match now. Played footy earlier in Warwick— I am now aching! I am so unfit!

Might check out Leamington tomorrow. Do my usual, non-specific, ambling around town and try and do some work later.

Gotta go!

Double Film Review- "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest" and "Superman Returns"

Once again, I’ve been lazy with writing my reviews. Guess that will change when i start work again in less than 2 weeks, and thus i won’t have time to think or blog, or tirelessly watch dvd’s in marathon sessions like this week so far!

Anyway, last week I watched Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and this week I saw Superman Returns.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Premise: The sequel to the original which was quite cool and enjoyable pirate flick. The story involves Davy Jones and the further adventures of Jack Sparrow, Keira and Orlando and the human versions of R2D2 and C3PO.

Verdict: It was quite enjoyable, but i might have to see it again to be sure.

Nowadays, my expectations for films are so high, i never like a film the 1st time around, or it could be that i had seen the hype for the film before it came out.

To be honest the film is too long— at least a half hour could have been chopped out and it would have been much better. There were some cool stuff, such as the 3 way fight scene and all the comedy stuff with the R2D2/C3PO clones. Davy Jones was quite cool too, i thought he looked like Bill Nighy, though my sister didn’t think so, though she thought the film was better than the 1st. I’m not sure, yet. The 3rd film, probably called “POTC: At World’s End” will be out next next Summer. I’ll re-evaluate the 2nd film after watching the 3rd one.

Rating: 7/10 (let’s just wait and see what the next film is like!)

Superman Returns

Premise: Superman has been away for 5 years looking for Krypton and has returned back to Earth. That’s it!

Verdict: It was OK, but not brilliant.

The film uses Superman 1 & 2 as a foundation, and ignores 3 & 4. But I reckon Bryan Singer should have done what Batman Begins did, and restart the franchise all over again with a new origin story. The makers of this film assume the youth of today can be arsed to watch Superman 1 & 2 on dvd and then watch this film—i don’t reckon they would!

Moving on. There are some cool action scenes— a cool ‘plane about to crash, Hollywood is not thinking 9/11 anymore’ scene and some other stuff. There are many bits that hark back to the old films, such as using John Williams classic score and some scenes that also resemble the old films, especially the ending itself.

Rating: 7/10 (OK, not amazing, not shit)