What a busy weekend! It was Drew Ross's 30th birthday, BT's 34th, and Halloween.

The party was at Aaron and Liz's. I intended to dress up as a Sockeye Salmon, but the full-body suit didn't work out with the felt I bought, so I regrouped and made a 3-foot long salmon hat instead. Of course nobody knew it was a Chinook, but it was bright red nevertheless. Naomi came straight from work and painted her face with gaudy white makeup as a geisha. This was the first Halloween I actually enjoyed dressing up. It is fun to let your imagination loose once in a while. I don't know if Naomi really had a good time or not. She drank a little bit, but didn't have much to say to anyone...

What iPod revolution?

I like this piece about how unrevolutionary the iPod is.

http://www.slate.com/id/2152197/

For the past few years as everyone has had a little wet dream with their white ear buds, I've been like:

has everyone forgot that Sony invented portable music with the Walkman in 1979, and that MP3s have been floating around for a good decade before the iPod landed in our pockets claiming to be the next killer app?

But we here in America love fads and gorging on the hype of the new, even if it isn't.

Physician Workforce Shortage

Went to the Oregon Medical Association bi-annual delegates meeting. One of the big issues these days is physicial workforce shortage, especially in relation to primary care. Medical school graduates these days prefer entering a specialty because of better pay, more control over their working hours, and the feeling that primary care is becoming the "dumping ground" for uncomplicated health issues. Among students graduating in 2007, only 13 of 100 plan to enter primary care.

On Sunday Joel, Casey, and Hilary had an apple pie baking gathering, mostly in recognition of the apple festival. We stopped by but all the pies were in the oven and didn't get any.

On Friday this weekend I went to see Westside Story at the new Armory Gerding theater. The production was very good. Actually, this was the first time to see the show. I was amazed at how profound and visionary the story is, and when you consider the genius of the music, it is really a masterpiece of American creativity. Unfortunately Naomi had to work.

This Sunday was the OMA house of delegates meeting. Although I did not have anything to say, I spoke with the chair of the Community Health Committee about possible involvement.

Saw the Oregon Ballet Theater's fall show. Everything was miraculous, the challenging Four Temperments and the hilarious "The Concert." There was an rude couple that was noisy and came in late behind us. People can be so disrespectful and selfish these days.

Saw "The Devil Wears Prada" on Friday. Naomi kept asking me why I suggested going to a chick flick. The film made me think about how all of us have to confront the question of how much we are going to dedicate ourselves to our careers. How much personal sacrfice is success worth?

Saturday night I went to a Portland talent show with BT and Briar, then drinks in Belmont where Dan Hubbard met us. I think I got a few good ideas for the folleys from the talent show.

Sunday Naomi and I played around downtown...bought some clothes and visited the museum. It is great to have a membership pass and walk right in. We caught the last day of what I believe was an exhibit of local artists. Some wonderful, clever stuff.

We watched The Motocycle Diaries on Saturday night - which was an gorgeous, and moving film - over mate with the gourd and bombilla I bought in Argentina. Sunday went to Lincoln City for lunch at Blackfish and a walk on the beach. Weathe was great, but getting a little nippy. Boy the food was good.

Sunday night was dinner with Dad, Marsha, and Sharon. Dad is doing well on this weight-watcher's diet. Marsha even has him eating acorn squash and drinking a little red wine. We taught everyone how to play Pitch, which we learned in Corcovado, Sharon in return, taught us whist.

Weekdays continue to be routine, tedious, but more tolerable than last year. This is due to more clinical relevance of the courses, a more realistic approach to med school grades, and refined study habits. My preceptorship is with Rob Cloutier in the ER. I love it there, the caos, the variety, the acuity, and humor.