Yup, still a lousy blogger. I seem to be logging in about one per month. However, considering the intensity of the jobs I'm holding, I guess that isn't bad.
An overall summary:
How many times was I on call for the entire month? Two times. How many times did I get beeped? Twice. Sheesh. No wonder I'm so tired. But I'm glad I went. Being a doula rocks. And I still love my scrubs. I've gotten to the point of competency that I no longer need to grab sheaves of papers to take with me to remind me of techniques. I just go, hang out with the mom and dad, and we wait and see what happens. That's how birth goes. You'd like to prepare for it, but ultimately there isn't that much you can do but play along.
I'm reading two vaguely connected books: I finished Blink by Malcom Gladwell and now I've just started reading Freakonomics by Levitt and Dubner. Both books are crammed with "I never knew that!" information, the sort that rewires a paradigm or two. Freakonomics is especially prone to throwing in fast bits that challenge conventional knowledge: real estate agents (says Levitt) are more compelled to sell your house quickly rather than for the highest possible price because their profit is better with a fast turnover of houses. Huh! I love that type of learning, so both books are fun to read. And they are fun to talk about at cocktail parties. (Does anyone really ever go to something called a cocktail party?)
Right now: I'm nibbling on a piece of candied ginger. I don't really like it. But I bought it to use as an ingredient for a plum crumble I'm making for this weekend (see below). Some people love candied ginger plain, which makes me think maybe I'm just not getting the concept, so I picked up a piece to try again. Nope. But it will be fine in the plum crumble I'm sure. We're seeing the last of the plums at the farmer's markets so I feel like I should honor them with a proper dessert.
Tonight: Back to Tacos Lupita, a saving grace in Somerville, for dinner with a friend. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have access to a decent hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint like that. It's one thing if you've never had good Mexican, but once you've had it, you can't live without it.
This weekend: To Vermont for a camping wedding (and a quick detour to get supplies!). I've never heard of such a camping wedding either, especially not in chilly October. But I'm game. Just wish me luck that I don't get eaten by a carnivorous moose. I guess you'll find out if I survived in my next post. Stay tuned!
Oh and next weekend: Off to the 'Burgh for the birthday. The picture above is one of Pittsburgh's saving graces. A French bakery in the middle of Millvale (where?) with the best croissants I've had this side of the Atlantic. Don't forget to check out the furniture store across the street. I won't tell you why here; you'll have to see it for yourself.
