more about the soonger |
august 2001 |
Saturday, August 18.Whoa-- I've been avoiding this page like the plague! Ever since my BMW comparison drive, I suppose I haven't had that much to say. Let me begin by saying that I am extremely disappointed by my piece of crap Advantix camera. You know why? All the photos I took in Toronto did not turn out! That means no photos to post on this page... I am very upset and swear never to buy a Fuji brand camera again! Film is one thing, a camera is another. Last weekend, I did the unthinkable -- I was scheduled to work! It was a matter of time before I was included in the 'rotation'... Saturday was okay-- pretty straightforward but Sunday was a nightmare. Sunday started off great-- they asked me to come in a little early in the morning to catch up a little earlier (we're open 7-4 on w/e instead of the traditional 7-8) We caught up really fast but near the end, it was one problem after another. I was 'clinical' so I had to do the gent dosing as well as see if people could be stepped down. If things are busy, I'm supposed to stay down and hold the fort with the other pharmacist but I felt things could be adequately controlled. (Plus, I feel the other pharmacists are too lazy to do actual follow-ups and chart assessments over the weekend.) One thing I did discuss with one of the techs-- my job doesn't pay to be productive. If I go my own slow pace, I can get overtime to do the same work I normally do. We're not self- nor peer-assessed on efficiency. For instance, on Sunday, I worked up every person on the clinical list generated in the morning (15 or so people). I stepped down 4 people from IV to PO Zantac (that's a huge savings per person). I also changed the dose of gent on 2 patients (so they would be 'therapeutic') Now... if I did half as much work in the same amount of time and I am asked to do the full rotation, I can collect overtime (time-and-a-half) to do it. (The other option is to collect overtime hours and save them towards having a paid day off without using up vacation time.) There may be some change in philosophy now... On Monday, I had the day off. Went over to the 'States to bid farewell to my mom's cousin who's been studying at a community college. He's going back to Taiwan to find a job (he has a master's in multimedia or something like that -- a modified M.A.) He left me some good stuff (blank CDs, etc) so it's all good. I also helped my friend Mike out with applying the special car polish I bored you all about a couple months ago. He and his father were very impressed on what it did to Mike's new ('98) Sebring convertible. (I gave him advice about application as well as little things to help with the process-- I went home for supper thereafter.) Mike came over the following evening to show me the fruits of his labour. It was dark so I didn't see the full effect. His dad, a car buff, as well as himself, were very impressed by the end result. And they were very happy to see how easy the application process is compared to more readily available products such as Maguir's. |
On Thursday, it was the late shift for me (12-8). I enjoyed being able to sleep in (for a change) but my body always wants to wake up at 7. In any instance, I was able to do a couple of things this morning not normally possible, besides the extra rest. One thing was watch TV: I watched some of the swimming highlights from the Canada Games in London, ON. Great to see competitive swimming at a national level. Let's hope some of these talents can progress to the world level -- hey, 2004 isn't that far away! As for exercise, I finally got that UofW membership card and using the pool facilities 3-4 times a week. Right now I'm a little shade over a mile workout (1700-2000 yds) but if I continue, I should be at 3000 yd+ in no time (at the end of April this year, I was at 2-3km at the U of T pool with little problems) Let me tell you how much harder it is to lose the weight! My BMI hovers 26 and I'm seriously wanting to hit the 'magical' 25 (thus be defined by StatsCan as 'normal' weight, not overweight). Just 7 more pounds (3.5 kg) to lose. More swimming is my solution -- I find it much to taxing to jog. Yesterday was an okay day for work. Not much happening -- surprisingly quiet and the coworkers were very restless. Needless to say, I did the work I was given in my normal speedy fashion and then punched out. After supper (my mom cooked lobster!) I then watched a little of the news before going out to thoroughly wash my car. After drying it, I drove it around the block to shake out the water in the cracks. Then I cleaned the tires. Afterwards, I had to cut the lawn. It's funny how good things are at the part near my house, but then it turns to garbage near the curb. Oh well -- I watered the lawn for at least 2 hours to help out the crappy parts. Went over to Mike's house to see how he's doing. Played a little of his Playstation2 game, Gran Tourismo 3 (race car driving game). His brother even bought the steering wheel and gas pedal for the game! I didn't do so well, considering I never played it before. Great graphics but I wouldn't go out and buy a Playstation because of it! Then I went home and relaxed. Took Rex for a walk (he loves a walk, you don't understand). Watched a little TV. Used MY computer for a while then retired for the evening. This weekend, it's gonna be nothing out of the ordinary. I may catch a flick possibly Sunday but I have no idea what's going on for today. It's lunchtime so I better get changed... |
Sunday, August 26.Work's been okay -- was doing order entry for much of the past week. No clinical stuff so it was me finding 'my groove' to enter stuff AND minimizing corrections at the first-fill counter. I think I've found that happy medium of speed and efficiency so I'm feeling more confident about matters. (keep my fingers crossed!) Outside of work, I've been trying to faithfully go to the university to swim. I do believe the pool is closed for renovations for the next couple of weeks (right before school begins) so I must find a new avenue to workout now. It appears that jogging will be my friend the next couple of weeks (not good). Just when I was starting to build up distance nicely... |
Since it is my brother's birthday next week, I did some shopping in the health-related market. I will buy a workout bench from National Sports along with accompanying free weights for the basement. Now there is no excuse for my bro to complain about not having apparatus at home. (It also benefits me -- I can workout in the comforts of my own home -- no excuses not to learn how to workout now!) Last couple of nights, Vince (high school pal living in Chicago now) has been back to see family. Each night, we've gone out with the fellas -- just pub hopping, no 'gentlemen clubs'. Let's say I can't keep up with the guy -- he LOVES going out. That's not my calling -- sure, the odd occasion is all good but back-to-back fetes ... I'm tired! Good seeing him and the guys all out, though. Upcoming week: regular hours (8-4). Last 2 days will be 'clinical'. Long weekend thereafter -- have a friend's wedding reception to attend. Nothing much else planned other than that. |