Quirky thoughts from a simple mind

I have a new respect for retail people. I realize now how frustrating a job it can be.

High school kids coming around, picking up a nicely folded shirt, unfolding it and putting it down with no intention of buying it. Families coming around, asking for what's on sale, showing it to them only for them to make faces saying that the sale stuff doesn't look nice. Old ladies saying they're looking for something to buy, not knowing exactly what, but sending you on a wild goose chase for 45 minutes and only buying a tie. Long periods of time--up to an hour--in the middle of a weekday where not a single customer passes by. And all while keeping an upbeat attitude........for less than $10 an hour. I'm so glad that I only have to do this for a couple of months. It'll be a relief to have to deal with pneumonia, heart attacks and broken bones in the hospital.

Today I went with my dad to look at property downtown. They were all in a nice cooperative about a 5 minute drive from the hospital. We saw probably 8 units, all the same floor plan, all with very different decorating styles reflecting the character of the different owners. One place was disgusting-- even though it was totally vacant. It had a burgundy bathroom and burgundy basement. Carpeting was dirty, walls needed painting. That property was off the list in 5 minutes. One had a tremendous kitchen. It was obvious the owner is quite the cook. Another property had decoration that was all over the place-- living area was half tile, half torn out carpet; 1st floor was neutral color, 2nd floor carpet was dark blue. I would guess that even without meeting any of the owners I would be able to figure out which ones I would be compatible with just by looking at the way they kept their townhouses. After seeing all the property, I have it narrowed down to 3. 2 which are very nice and require a little bit of work to fit my style. One which is a lower price, but requires a lot of upgrading. Since I figure to be pretty busy during my 1st year of residency, I'm kind of leaning toward the nicer places.

It's a great day to be a Detroit sports fan.

Pistons beat Bucks to take 2-1 series lead.
Red Wings beat Flame(r)s to tie series 1-1.
Tigers beat Cleveland with walk-off home run.
Lions have awesome draft.

I just added a link of the pictures Mandy and I took in Europe
(see Other Links at right)

So this is my first foray into this blog business.

I'm very slow when it comes to this computer and electronics stuff, so I hope anyone reading this can bear with me at the beginning of this whole adventure.

I'm in this weird transition point in my life right now, which is why I even have time to try this blogger thing. I just finished medical school (woohoo!!!) and have a couple of months to fill before starting my residency in July. So I'm working at the mall in a department store. Now who is crazy enough to get three degrees and apply to work in the mall? Me, that's who. I'm not putting down mall jobs. I applied for one 'cuz it sounds like fun, I don't have to study and the hours are flexible. But after going through the training, it seems like I'm not going to be doing too much thinking on the job.

Other transition things-- I'm looking to buy a condo right now near the hospital where I'm going to start my residency. So in the meantime, I'm living at home with my parents. Nice 'cuz I get home-cooked food and laundry. And I'm only earning mall-job money. It was only after I started looking for property that I started actually feeling like an adult. Before, I always felt like a student, which didn't feel very adult-like. Of course, technically and legally I'm an adult because I've reached my final adult height, I can vote and I can buy alcohol. But I didn't feel like an adult. Now that I'm looking forward to a life with a mortgage hanging over my head and a job, then I'm going to have to be an adult. It's just when I think of mortgage, I think of Death of a Salesman and I don't want to end up like poor Willie Loman.