Nights misery - no. 12?

why??? why - when nights in my opinion are the worst kind of misery that can masquerade as Work - do I have to work the longest night of the year? life is unfair.

It's official

...Hackney has been declared worst place in Britain to live. Living and working in Hackney, I'm at once reassured that I'm not mad (or alone) in thinking that things are pretty rubbish here but also slightly offended - since becoming a community doctor here (though this is, of course only until february), I do feel in a (albeit miniscule) way responsible for the quality of life of Hackney residents.

I opened my email at work today to find a message from the Mayor of Hackney himself. "Crime is down by 22%..." it read, "the greatest decrease in London. Our schools are improving..." It went on to encourage recipients to write to Channel 4 in protest, or send an email of encouragement to the local council. "Wear your 'i love Hackney' badge with pride," it said. My what? Curious as to how to obtain one, I clicked on the link to the council's website. Must get the T-shirt.

first time I...

ok quick post as have to get up at 6:45 again tomorrow

Met a friend's two year-old daughter in Boston, who can read(!) and count to 100 in both English and Chinese. She's a clever little thing, and gathers new knowledge at an astounding rate. It reminded me of how much enjoyment I get from learning new things myself. (and also that not all 2 year olds are like the (too often) rather sorry examples I see in clinic). In the past week I have

-found out that I've passed the first part of my membership exams (at last!)
-done my first child protection medical (and written the report that will go to social services and the police)
-attended my first conference (unfortunately it's been rather uninspiring - I have definitely been put off community child health for good)

will (or more likely won't) elaborate on the above if/when I get time

As seen on TV

Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by cirrus29.rm.

...back to work after a week's break in Boston (and environs). For the latter part of our stay one of the couple's (we were there ostensibly to photograph a wedding) friends put us up at her apartment on Elm Street. It was a suburban street straight out of the movies - brightly coloured wood-panelled houses, each with the star-spangled banner hanging over the porch, weather-worn chairs and metal mailboxes with red flags on. Some had pumpkins put out for halloween. We went to a baseball game - where they actually sang 'take me out to the ballgame' - and stopped by a pumpkin patch with some monster pumpkins.