who's soonger??

Back in Canada...

Tuesday, February 4

Well, the vacation had to come to an end -- I was away in the Far East for almost 3 weeks. And the timing couldn't be any better -- it was freakin' cold in Canada (I mean like -10 C as a high!). It was only 27-30 C in Singapore during that time. Boo-hoo!

Got back to Windsor yesterday around 2pm. Wanted to thank Mike and his father to taking time out of their day to help us out and pick us up from the Detroit Airport. Much more convenient than flying outta Windsor. Going through US Customs was a pain but we breezed through Canadian Customs (whew!). Pat was feeling queasy due to motion sickness (yet he didn't want to take dimenhydrate...)

Have lots to do while I'm back -- pay bills, deposit pay cheques from last month. Will consider getting a hair trim, too. It's so cold here (-1 C the high)... I felt it most after taking a shower -- I nearly froze 'cause room temp was so low! OUCH! Will post my photos up on the 'net in due time.

Thursday, February 6

It took a while, but I finally posted the pictures from the holidays up on the 'net. There are two places you can check out, the first site has my brother's photographs. His Sony Digicam is so much better than my lousy HP camera. It's got 3.2 megapixels so resolution is much higher, thus producing clearer, truer pictures. You can also check out my photos on the 'net. They're OK.

What else has been going on... well, I'm still suffering from this retarded bug that's giving me a hoarse voice and a stuffy nose. Thought plenty of rest, fluids and eating as much as I can tolerate would do the trick but it still hasn't gotten me any healthier. Gotta work tomorrow and I may scare off some patients of mine out in the Riverside clinic (oh well!)

Have to do banking (again) today. Will go downtown to get my hair cut (I'm getting shaggy again!) and may go to the mall to scope things out. Being at home all this time is getting a touch of 'cabin fever'.

Tuesday, February 11

Can't believe I'm back to work ... putting in some major shifts at SDM (shoppers drug mart) by my house. People / staff are thinking I'm back on the team when in actuality, I'm just a hired gun. Cheaper for the boss, better tax incentives (ie self-employed) for me. If it weren't for the benefits, then it be a win-win for me. (But who can complain when I set my own hours?!)

Saturday was a crazy day of scripts -- 168. That's a busy day when you only have 2 techs helping you. And you know I'm gonna get tele-health questions over the phone. Free medical advice without having to leave the house (and wait how many hours at a walk-in clinic!)

I think pharmacy in general has to change that -- I don't mind helping store patrons but it's those losers who get their medications from a discount place but won't talk to them nor will call them for 'serious' medical inquiries. They don't want to pay but they want the service. Sorry -- that doesn't jive with me. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

Sunday, we had a crazy person who filed a major complaint with one of the pharmacy students at the store. I wasn't there at the initial encounter but knowing the student, I find it hard to believe the student would have such poor manners. Well -- we all have our days but I don't think it is in anyone to be that rude, as the patient noted to me over the phone (sigh, phone!).

Yesterday, it was a busy day but I had help. Two other pharmacists to cover the 'busy' day of the week. Let's hope the steady (not crazy) pace continues today. I can't take working under the pressure! ;)

Thursday, February 13

Ahhhh ... finally, a day off. Did a 6 day work-fest and this day off was just the medicine I needed! Whew! Got to sleep in, (9:30) and no stresses of the work day. Did, however, have to be the bearer of bad news to one of my employers. I had to back out of a scheduled shift next week 'cause I want to go to Toronto!

Yesterday in brief: worked 8:30-5:00 at a retail place. It was quite boring for I worked in the slower of the two places. Don't get me wrong -- it's a streaky place, meaning there are brief spurts when there are 3 waiting clients. Since I'm running the show solo, that turns out to be quite stressful when you have all those beady eyes looking at you work (when you make a compound, no less!) Overall, it was calm and what made my day was a very jovial Italian man from Milano. He has a Chinese granddaughter and he had to tell me all the positive experiences he's had with Chinese people. Hey -- that's great. If more patients had such a good outlook in life. What amazed me was how great he looked at 81!!!

What's in store today? I'll give Mike a call. Wanted to check out the mall to see what's going on there. Will also give Future Shop a scan. I did go to Costco yesterday to get back the $10.82 cashback from my AmEx but I ended up spending $50+ on entertainment supplies (2 DVDs and 1 CD for the car). Diana Krall has grown on me. Got her 'Live in Paris' CD and it's pretty good. Maybe my tastes are growing up?! But it's mellow and sometimes you need to have some mellow music in the car (in those instances when you have a female companion, perhaps?) I won't go there ... it's been a while since I've thought of that.

Tomorrow, I work over on the east end. Weather forecast says flurries so I won't wash my car yet. Probably tomorrow at the soft cloth place by my house. I am quite impressed at how good a job they do -- no swirl marks on the car! And the salt is notorious for leaving marks if you don't wash it right. (Believe me -- look at the mark it left on my rear bumper! $#%&@!!)

Monday, February 17

What an interesting weekend for me (considering how bland yet stressful last w/e of working was!) Saturday I was allowed to veg ... just did next to nothing. Went to the mall with Mike and I was spending like a madman! Got stuff at Chapters (magazine), the Gap (boxers), Zellers (sport drinks), and most importantly, Electonics Boutique (new PlayStation2 game). Let me tell you the virtues of Devil May Cry2. The first in the series is amazing (I am still playing it -- haven't finished it!) -- graphics = great, sound = very good, gameplay = challenging, storyline = very interesting. The sequel could arguably one of the most awaited sequels in the PlayStation library. I am so hooked to the series! The sequel is 2 DVDs long ... lots of full motion video and gameplay. Can't wait to see what's in store for me. Have to admit, it's quite a bit easier than the original game... Have to thank my cousin's BF, Thomas for the recommendation!

Had a little dim sum for lunch -- tasty! Haven't gone out to eat since I've been back from Asia and it was a welcome treat. Had pizza for supper (a Windsor specialty!) so I was so stuffed by night's end... man, I need to work out!

Sunday, it was a little work -- 10-2 so my day wasn't ruined. Got up late (9:15 -- that's late for me) and got ready for work. Thank goodness for good help, otherwise I would have dreaded the day. 60 scripts over 4 hours is a good pace -- not too busy, but not too slow. I think the really cold weather kept people indoors. (It's bitter cold for these parts -- -14C without the wind chill!) But it could be worse ... I think Ottawa's low was -28C on Sunday -- that's darn cold!

After work, I came back home and glued myself to the TV and PS2. More gaming for me! Supper was at home -- my mom made some great food... (drool). In the evening, I was glued to this very computer -- on the one hand, I was talking to friends from Edmonton and Toronto (different times, of course) while I was online chatting with people. I felt so special communicating with so many people at the same time. Anyway, I didn't go to bed 'til close to 1.

I felt a little gross this morning (didn't shower last night) so I better get cleaned up before work. Beforehand, I'm gonna workout in the basement -- it's been a while since I've done that so better get cracking! Work 1-9 today so I'll be wiped out tonight to do anything...

Thursday, February 20

Ahhh ... another work stretch almost done -- I did a mini-locum at a Shoppers Drug Mart to cover an associate gone on a conference. It's in a very convenient location so I don't mind putting the hours there. It also helps to have a great staff to make things go smoothly. The last place I want to be in is where there's bad help and I have to do a lot of things. (Some owners believe the pharmacist should do everything since they're getting paid the $$$ ... they fail to realize it's the work environment that makes the place worth working ...)

Yesterday I went to a continuing education (CE) event at the local golf & curling club. It was about COPD (lung disease) -- brushed up on the meds used in the condition and what news drugs are available. The speaker was brilliant (as always, Dorothy G!) and the 60+ minute presentation felt a lot less than that! The event was also a chance for me to meet up with other pharmacists in the area. Unfortunately, some heard that I am no longer at the hospital and a 'floater' ... one asked for my telephone number and another asked for it through a friend ... OUCH! The reason why I didn't put my name on the local roster was to avoid such a predicament! I don't want people to call me up when I don't want to work for them! Hate to sound particular but that's how I feel ... just work in the places I am comfortable with and only stay there. I know people who know people and they've told me to steer clear of some of the places I am telling you about!

Head to Toronto this weekend ... will have more to talk about next week!