On the path...

For Bobby...

2010-01-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

Where is Hobbiton?

Here:

Avatar...

2009-12-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

Just saw James Cameron's Avatar and I have to say, the film was incredible. I haven't felt such childhood wonderment since I saw Star Wars for the first time. The only real gripe I have about the movie is that the music sounds a bit clichéd at certain parts. Otherwise, the score, like the characters to the effects and everything, is simply amazing. I really cared for the characters. But what stands out most about the movie was the visuals. Cameron enlisted Weta and ILM to bring his dream of Pandora (the alien planet where the film takes place) to life. And they did a fine job.

The movie is more about the beautiful vistas of Pandora and its variety of inhabitants more than anything. It's a green film; at the heart of Avatar is a message that everything is linked and we should treat our planet with respect. But there's nothing wrong with that. The filmmakers basically plop you down in this amazing place and say, "Hey, look at all this cool stuff we created." It really is astounding. Everything's so interesting that you hardly notice a story is unfolding because you're too fixated on what's occurring on-screen. When the inevitable showdown between the humans and the native inhabitants of Pandora occurs, your heart is in your throat, hoping the characters you've gone on this amazing journey with make it through unscathed.

People are going bat-shit crazy for this film. And there's good reason. I'm not a fan of Titanic, but it was still a good movie. Like Titanic, Avatar may not be your cup of tea, but it is worth your hard-earned money to see in theaters. It's different from most of his films, and that's both good and bad.

My brother made the best analogy:

Avatar is a combination of Aliens, Princess Mononoke, and Last of the Mohicans (all of which are in my top 10 movie list).

Critics and fans are saying this will change movies forever. I don't know if this is necessarily true, but the technology has advanced incredibly. So much so that the line between CG and what's real is becoming more and more blurred. If you're still reading this, stop now and go out and see it. And if you do see it, check it out in 3-D. There's really no other way. Maybe, I'll catch ya there. I'm going at least two more times!

Dethklok and Mastadon in Atlanta, GA...

2009-11-06T00:21:00.000-08:00

Let's Just get the rough language out of the way... holy fuck that show was amazing!

Saw it at the Tabernacle. Basically, it's a smaller venue (not like Phillips Arena) and on the bottom, there's the floor. That's where I was. There were four bands. First two can't remember, followed by Mastadon, and lastly, Dethklok from the adult swim show Metalocolypse. Long story short, had a blast. Being in the pit with the crowd was crazy, you're basically fighting people the entire time. It was simultaneously awesome and frustrating. I just want to listen to music, chill, and occasionally head bang.

Mastadon was kind of like a heavy metal version of Phish... a big jam session of metal. An aquired taste, but enjoyable. Dethklok is just pure condensed hate. Love it.

Their show capped off the night and it was well worth it. Good head pounding stuff with some dashes of humor. It was like being a part of the show. And they sounded just like the record live. True mark of a good band, even if they're not "real."

All in all, bitching time. Really had a blast.

Well, that's the word. Pics will be posted when my computer gets fixed. Until then!

A quick note on GI bleeds...

2009-10-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

Had a guy who came in with a GI bleed.

Anyhoo, interesting diagnostic tool pointed out to me by the patient's GI doc... If you listen to a patient's bowel sounds and they are having a GI bleed, the bowel sounds will often be hyperactive.

"Blood acts as a cathartic," the physician told me.

Basically, it makes ya wanna poop (like a good cup of coffee). And that makes sense, because most people who have GI bleeds have to drop the kids off at the pool frequently.

Learn something new every day.

Thanks to the people who take just a minute out of their day to provide new insight and education. Even after running in the trenches for 3 years, I've only just begun to scratch the surface. I know quite a bit, but I also forget a lot too. And each day I learn something, I'm reminded how truly ignorant I am.

Do it yourself NG tube insertion...

2009-10-20T03:48:00.000-07:00

So the other day probably saw the most ridiculous thing in my nursing career to date... a patient inserted his own NG tube.

For those who don't know what an NG tube is, let me clarify: it's called a nasogastric tube. Basically, it's a tube inserted through one of your nostrils and advanced until it reaches your stomach. Confirmation in the state of Georgia is initially made by two Registered Nurses. A small amount of air (usually 10 cc a.k.a. 10 mL) is drawn into a syringe that's then attached to the end of the tube. The air's injected and you listen for a gurgle. A clear gurgle along with aspiration of gastic contents via the syringe confirms placement of the tube.

Depending on the patient (nasal obstruction, anatomy, mechanical ventilation), the oral route may be preferred and the tube is then called an OG (orogastric) tube.

Well, for conscious patients, putting in an NG tube is painful. First, you're putting something where it doesn't belong. Second, when you get deep into the nose and hit the back of the throat, the patient gags. To assist with passage of the tube to the stomach (and not the lungs), the patient is sometimes given ice to swallow, and instructed to swallow upon initiation of the gag reflex. The patient is also placed in an upright sitting position with the head to the chest. Again, for easier passage of the tube (but probably also for patient safety... if they're sitting up, they're less likely to aspirate or choke on vomit, etc).

Okay... school lesson over. Story time.

We get a patient in right before shift change. He's a suspected GI bleed and the physician wants us to insert an NG tube and lavage his stomach. That's a fancy way of saying he wants us to put in a tube and wash out his belly with water.

Long story short, we're about to do the deed when the patient tells me and another nurse, "Yall step back, I got this."

"Excuse me?" I ask.

"I've got this."

I snort in surprise and disbelief.

"You know what an NG tube is, right?" I ask.

"Yup."

"Okay, have you ever had one in before?"

"I've placde 'em on myself before."

I shake my head at that.

"Man," I exclaim, "if you can actually put that thing down and get it in place... I'll be amazed."

"I got this," he calmly replies.

"Alright man..."

The guy calmly lubes up the tip of the NG tube in KY jelly ( a standard for NG tube insertion) after estimating the length required to reach his belly. He then proceeds to slowly insert it into his noise and advance it past his throat. He gags a few times as he does this, but holds it together. Way better than I would have. Better than most people I could think of.

Sure enough, he gets to his estimate of where it should be to reach his belly. Me and the other nurse comfirm placement.

"I'm glad I didn't bet you any money," I say.

He laughed.

Never say never.

I paged the physician to tell him about the ridiculous feat I witnessed. He was just as surprised as I was.

Add another to the record book.

Zombieland...

2009-10-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

I think the above image summarizes what Zombieland is about.... zombies... and clowns. Sometimes the two merge in an unholy union that can simultaneously produce fear and laughter.

In the end, this image will totally make sense. Some critics have compared this to Shaun of the Dead, another movie that blended horror and the undead. In my opinion, that movie has nothing on this one.

During the course of the film, the audience follows four characters who each have their own quirks and background. The zombie apocalypse merely serves as the stage for these guys. Each character is unique, different, and downright hilarious. And when a movie opens with "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica, can you go wrong?

No.

You cannot.

If you like to laugh this movie provides plenty of that. Honest to God, there were a few spots where my belly ached from laughing so hard.

But what really gets this movie more than anything is the editing. It is so well done. Until you see a film that lacks good editing, you can't really appreciate the genius of Zombieland. Add to that good writing and acting and you have a classic. The movie manages to pull together a nerd, two con-artist sisters, and a redneck. Most amazing though, is that it makes you actually care about them. The film's climax is ridiculous. It had me on the edge of my seat, hoping everyone made it through. In the end, you'll be cheering and laughing at the same time.

Zombieland has it all: good scares, plenty of laughs, a little romance, and a celebrity cameo that seals the deal. The movie's great. Go see it!