| I am down right amazed at what I can destroy with just a hammer |
[Nov. 21st, 2009|01:41 pm] |
| [ | What bouncing off the walls in my head |
| | Dredg - Ode to the Sun | ] |
So yeah, LJ it's been too long. I know I said I'd call you back but you see I've been bu... don't cry... please... I know I'm a dick... no stop. ow! quit! I need an adult!
so yeah. I've been busy. 2 weeks left of internship #3 and it's been a hectic roller coaster of good times and drama. But it's almost over and then I can begin to quote Ms Swan "work for tha money" Then I'll be able to sign my name Robert Blair, MOT, OTR/L kind of has a ring to it. It's amazing how well I have been able to pull apart what it takes to do a simple task separate it into even smaller simpler steps. (is simpler a word?) It makes for long drawn out notes though for example here is what I would write up for someone who has experienced a right sided Cerebro-vascular accident (CVA)/Stroke who is putting on pants and socks:
"pt performed LB dressing at EOB donning elastic waist pants and socks with Mod I using AE: reacher and sock-aid with set-up/supervision. pt performed using hemi technique to place RLE into figure-four to don sock and right pant leg; left sock using sock-aid. pt stood at R/W to pull pants past hips."
which can be read:
"Patient performed lower body dressing at edge of bed donning elastic waist shorts and socks with modified independence using adaptive equipment: reacher and sock-aid with set-up and supervision. Patient performed using a hemi-dressing technique to place right leg into figure-four (place right heal on left thigh) to place right sock on and right pant leg; left sock using sock-aid. patient stood at rolling walker to pull pants past hips."
now imagine if you will writing that PLUS descriptions of exercises and other activities (such as upper body dressing, bathing ect) for 12 patients a day. GOD DAMN
I am currently interning at the VA medical center. It's nice because of electronic documentation and the ability to give my patients whatever they need. I may work at the VA, MAYBE. The job I would be filling is a combination of Acute Care (patients in ICU or surgical floors who require some rehab or home programs they typically stay for 3-5 days) and outpatient hand therapy. That would be nice because I get board REALLY easily and it would keep me on my toes.
And on the social front:
Currently happily residing in St Petersburg, FL with Todd-Face December will be 3 years and he continues to make me giddy on a daily basis. AND he puts up with my social and personal neurosis, fun! We just bought a house together and are in the process of fixing it up to make it awesome and keep the retro charm that the house was given. We are looking at that retro 50s mid-century/danish modern look.... so gay huh?
Oh and check out the Beards of Comedy. Pretty fucking funny... pretty fucking pretty. |
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| six weeks in and I am having doubts. |
[Jun. 14th, 2009|07:57 pm] |
So yeah, It is officially the start of week 7 of my first internship. Inpatient Rehab here in sprawl-ass Whorlando... Every day has been a struggle. For the most part my supervisor is pretty cool but I am not sure what she thinks about me except the ever growing list of things that "I need to work on." Some days I feel on top of the world; that this is my chosen profession; that I am making differences in people's lives; that I could do this forever... Then there are other days, when my confidence is running exceptionally low, I feel like I have just made a 7 year mistake. I know that it is the right decision; that I did not make a mistake... I just can't wait for the struggle to be over. For the point when it becomes more effortless and I can concentrate on being better; not just getting by. Well I have until December to rise above mediocre to greatness, or at least that is what I tell myself to get by. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 20th, 2009|10:19 am] |
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Happiness killed my LJ |
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| Twitter |
[Mar. 14th, 2009|01:35 pm] |
So yeah, I'm using Twitter alot more than Livejournal these days... I kind of like it better actually. If anyone wants to follow me I'm monkycub there.
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| Money for nothing... |
[Mar. 8th, 2009|06:35 pm] |
I want my... I want my... I want my EM TEE VEE.
So yeah, today I got to sit on my ass and make $75 for it. I was a back up patient for the Dental Licensing Examination. If they would have needed me I would have been payed $200 for my "troubles" but I wasn't so $75 will do. Free money... yay!
So I am seriously counting my days here in G'ville. 42 to be exact. I cannot fucking wait! I'm getting ready to sell my crap and start anew. Next week I have my peds 1 week practicum and then I don't ever have to touch a child again! In the beginning of May I start my Level 2 fieldwork and I have to be a real person and actually use what I was taught. It's crazy and I am scared shitless.
I just finished Wicked (the book) and I really enjoyed it. Interesting perspective. I'm not sure if I will read the other 2 in the series though. I will read anything though, to keep me from reading my text books.
Being broke sucks but at least I am fat and happy! |
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| Well that was fun... |
[Feb. 27th, 2009|12:34 am] |
| [ | How I'm feeling |
| |  tired | ] |
So yeah, I visited the folks tonight... and somehow it turned into "tell my Dad how much he sucked at being a Dad to me when I was younger night." Honestly it was kind of refreshing. This spawned from a episode of Wife Swap (eww I know) that I was mesmerized with due to the militant ass hole step-dad that was featured. I could see myself in his teenage step-son and it really brought home how much of a Dick my Dad was. Overall he took the tongue lashing pretty well and agreed that he was less-than-stellar. So we all I win!
Classes are coming to an end very very soon. I can't fucking wait. I am tired of working with children and am ready to be finished so I can work and get a much needed paycheck... (and promptly begin paying the $60,000 I'll own in student loans... YAY!)
Florida winter is hell on my cuticles.
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| 86 days and counting... |
[Feb. 3rd, 2009|12:31 am] |
So yeah, anyone who knows me well enough knows that I love to have count downs. I count the days until my b'day (258), until I finish school (309), until Bush left office (0!), ect... Well I am happy to say that I can finally count down the number of days until I am out of this forsaken hell hole, Gainesville. I cannot wait. I have this itch to be somewhere else, anywhere (thats not North Central Florida). My next destination will be Orlando for a 3 months for an internship and then off to St. Petersburg.
Don't get me wrong G'ville is nice and all. It has it's charm, and I do have some friends up here that I will really miss. But... I've gotta leave. You can be only one of two things in Gainesville... either a student or an ACR (Alaucha County Resident) and noone wants to be one of those.
Hopefully my ultimate destination will be Portland, OR. I long for the Pacific Northwest, she calls my name like sirens to seamen. I really need to hug a redwood.
oh yeah and I am rehabing an Ax Murderer this semester... fun. |
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| god damnit! |
[Jan. 21st, 2009|11:25 pm] |
| [ | How I'm feeling |
| |  cold | ] |
::begin Whiny Floridian::
Fuck it is god damn cold. Florida isn't suppose to get 25F weather.
so cold...
so cold...
::end Whiny Floridian:: |
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| Children = Dementors |
[Jan. 7th, 2009|12:58 am] |
So yeah, today was my first day of pediatrics... and let me tell you that this semester is going to be the longest semester in history. So out of 44 students there are a handful of us (probably like 7) who couldn't be happier if we never had to touch a child again. This includes the 3 guys in the class. I really wish I didn't have to take this class but I do... because apparently every OT needs to know how to treat a child.
So in lab we had our first child come in and we observed a therapist do some simple observation type assessments. It is amazing how as soon as a kid walks into a class room every girl's voice becomes so high pitched that my parents dog was howling an hour away. Seriously, you couldn't cut the estrogen in the room with a lightsaber.
I was warned by a good friend of mine that children suck out the souls of the unsuspecting through eye contact. Apparently thats how it happens. Even the most child loathing beast can be turned into a mushy pile of sunshine and rainbows by prolonged eye contact with a child. I admit for a few seconds the frozen part of my heart reserved for children* began to melt looking at the sad puppy dog eyes of that kid... but that all changed as soon as she started screaming during the therapy... if froze right back up and I was snapped back to reality. I'll have to be more careful next time.
I hope mental health goes better.
* Only one child is permitted to penetrate the ice... my nephew, Brayden. |
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| Uh huh.... it ain't no big thang.... |
[Jan. 6th, 2009|02:44 am] |
So yeah, can't sleep and I have to be in class at 9-7 tomorrow. This semester sucks. God damn children for the next 4 months... seriously.
Well another year come and gone and here I sit wondering where the time has gone. I graduated this year after 6 long years of undergrad... and then started grad school. That is the highlight of the last year... everything else was pretty uneventful.
I rang in the new year at a bear party in Trampa. It was fun and I totally got a huge dose of validation, seeing as I was the youngest guy there and hardly anyone knew who I was. Todd's ex Bob was there so I made sure to hang all over Todd whenever Bob was around, just for shits and giggles. Todd upgraded and Bob downgraded. It was nice to let loose a little.
No bull shit resolutions this year. I am going to stay the course and see where it takes me. I am just going to keep me happy and I am sure everything else will fall in it's place.
5 days late but Happy New Year! |
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| I <3 hard J.K Scrumpy's Hard Apple Cider on a cold night |
[Dec. 24th, 2008|12:01 am] |
| [ | How I'm feeling |
| |  calm | ] |
It makes me happy on the inside where it counts.
So yeah, It's been a while I know but I have been more fucked than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. Grad school is a bitch especially when you are taking 15 credit hours and still working 2 jobs (But damnit I still manage to rake in a 3.92 GPA... damn you B+ ) . But the semester is over and it is officially ex-mas eve.
Some recent developments:
Todd is attempting to buy a house... it's really nice, 60s block construction, terrazzo floors (which I love) and a kick ass Kenmore Elite 5 burner, gas stove with wok stand! OMG the things I can cook on that. Right now he is renting it and if the bank accepts his offer it will be his for a steal. And yes that means I will be moving in sometime in July at the start of my 2nd internship. And yes that is exciting.
One semester left of in-class work and then it is internship time. I had a 1 week practicum at a SNF (skilled nursing facility) and had a pretty good time. It really helped my confidence alot to hear from my supervisor that I am a natural. Finally I have chosen the right profession. Next semester is all about Pediatrics and mental health. I will be leading group therapy once a week at Meridian behavioral mental health facility here in town. It sounds pretty exciting!
My Uncle had heart attack this month. He is doing pretty good now but we thought we lost him a couple of times. He died in the ER once for about a minute and started breathing spontaneously again. Now he is speaking and ready to go home. He is going to need some therapy for sure. Everyone pretty much decided it was best for him not to have surgery to have a pace maker put in as it is a very real possibility that he wouldn't live through the surgery. So we are going to make him as comfortable as possible at home.
Other than that life has been pretty good. I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday. Be safe and take care of yourselves - Monky. |
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| Show me that smile again... don't waste another minute on your cryin' |
[Oct. 8th, 2008|04:13 pm] |
So yeah, lately for no apparent reason I have randomly gotten 70s and 80s theme songs stuck in my head. It's kinda weird... especially when I start humming them in the middle of my "OT's role in Burns" lecture.
So it's October. My favorite month, and also my busiest month. I'm the best man in my brother-from-another-mother's wedding next Saturday. I think it will be alot of fun, I love the bride, Leisa. I just hope that I don't have to give a speech... I need to think about that. seriously. At least he doesn't want me to take him to a strip club, because I really don't want to spend my B'day weekend looking at fake tits.
Speaking of birthday... my 25th is the day after the wedding (Oct 19... just FYI)
Twenty-fucking-five. My mid-fucking-twenties.
It's crazy. Where have the last 5 years gone? At least they have been a relatively good 25 years, so I cannot complain.
The following week is going to be mild, it is homecoming here at UF and I typically like to vacate G'ville during this time. I love the Gaytors but I HATE Gaytor fans. Fucking Fratty McFrat-Frat, and Sally Sorostitute. Todd is coming up so we will be in town together, so hopefully it wont be so bad.
Btw Thanks for helping to boost my ego. I will have to post pictures more often ;)
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| me as of 9/17/08 11pm |
[Sep. 17th, 2008|10:55 pm] |
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Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair...just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with your picture....
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| Grrr |
[Sep. 16th, 2008|07:39 am] |
I fucking hate mornings. Fuck you sun. Fuck you birds. Fuck you alarm clock
Love me coffee. |
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| choking... |
[Sep. 11th, 2008|10:55 pm] |
So yeah, in my MOT program... I am surrounded by Conservative Christians.
help. |
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| Mother Fucker! |
[Sep. 9th, 2008|12:30 am] |
That's what I said earlier when I realized why I had a shit ton of blood dripping down my arm.
Somehow I had managed to rip a wart off of my arm.
It hurt like a bitch.
but on a positive note. I have one less wart! |
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| Down the Rabbit Glory Hole... |
[Sep. 7th, 2008|01:07 pm] |
| [ | How I'm feeling |
| |  determined | ] |
::stops to catch breath::
So yeah, I'm going to make an attempt to come back to eljay as best I can because I really need one more thing in my life. seriously. These last 3 weeks have been crazy busy and it is only going to get worse from here on. The week before classes started I took a trip to Ann Arbor for 3 days to visit my good friends John and Adena. I had a really good time and it was nice visiting them. The weather there was fan-frigin-tastic! For those of you in FL it was like our December. Warm sun, cool breeze, chilly nights... all without the 100% humidity. So nice.
So after the mini-break, classes started and we hit the ground running. Week 1 was "Neuromotor Rehabilitation Bootcamp," and it seriously was. Mon-Fri 8am -5pm, with homework and readings due the next day. I gotta say, it was hard work but I really had a blast. Monday was Pathophysiology of Stroke (just FYI Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the US). Tuesday we saw our first clients in the lab. It was pretty awesome. Ms. H, is a stroke survivor who's primary deficit is Aphasia We practiced some assessments with her (specifically my group did the Wolf Motor Motor Function Test (WMFT), which is primarily used as an outcomes measure for research on Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT); and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) which is widely used in rehab to assess independence. Ms. S, is a stroke survivor whose story made me bawl, seriously. She suffered a stroke, due to abuse, when she was 20 years old, and had been living without the use of her right arm/hand for the past 30 years. We practiced some treatments with her including some traditional NeuroDevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habituation (Neuro-IFRAH) techniques. It was incredible to see results so quickly with Ms. S. On Tuesday when we first saw her she couldn't and didn't use her right arm. On Friday after we worked with her again she was able to open her hand and grasp some objects on the table. Granted this kind of improvement is temporary and she needs much more therapy and exercises and tasks to do at home to keep it up.
I am totally stoked about my career choice.
During the weekend I saw Todd and we went to Orlando to see my brother-from-another-mother, Rob and hang out. He is getting married on Oct 18 (the day before my 25th Birthday), and he told me I am his best man! It's pretty exciting. It'll be awesome. His wife-to-be is amazing, and I think they are perfect for each other.
Last week, We had a hodge-podge of topics in class. Two skills classes, one on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), those include dressing, bathing, eating, grooming, toileting, ect. The other class was on Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), those including cooking, cleaning, driving, financial management, child care ect. For the IADL lab we drew an impairment from a hat and had to prepare food with said impairment using some adaptive equipment. Needless to say I gained a whole new respect for those who are living with disabilities. Just the simple task of cutting cheese (har har har) can take alot of time and energy.
Now starts week 3: Cognition week!
Oh and on top of my hectic school schedule I just got a second job, yippee!
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Ehh.
thirsty