No, it's not a foray into a bad joke. It's my life at the moment.
I'm on my signifiicant others' tenth-year vet school reuniuon cruise to Belize and Cozumel. It's the first time I've been out of the country in twelve years...and I'm loving every minute--except for the hours I've spent worrying about how I'd ever manage to post my blog entries.
Shortly after embarking, I was informed that Macs are not this cruise line's forte. Consequently, there's no wireless available for ME.
After this news (which broke my heart and occasioned tears), I'd found myself a Spring Break boy with great tattoos, a killer tan...and a laptop. Hmmm...this might not be so bad after all...
So if you ever thought I wasn't a dutiful blogger, think again. As always, I'm selflessly considerate of you and your readership.
Now that I've tamed my seething anger over the wireless thing and gotten past the blogger's angst I'm so incorrigibly afflicted with (for now anyway), it's off to my private balcony for some solo sunbathing.
Yes, it's true...even vets deserve some time off to bask in the glorious Caribbean sunshine.
Though I miss my creatures (at home and at work), I'm feeling liberated now that I'm on a pet-free ship bound for ports-of-call where wildlife is the closest I'll get to my work life--except for the vets and our inability to talk long without the obligatory veterinary pillowtalk.
In fact, I don't think I've ever discussed novel blood clotting products at 11:30 at night over the strains of a mediocre salsa band. Does this mean this trip is tax deductible?
Predictably, most of the vets here are specialists and their spouses (who else can afford the time off and vacation fare?) but their company is supremely refreshing--not to mention stimulating blog fodder.
Throughout this personal adventure, I promise to still bring you news of exciting veterinary experiences gleaned from far frong locales as I get my tan on and hike the wilds of these thrilling Central American places.
Stay tuned...
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Dr. K., a huge and worthy undertaking!! I forsee your site becoming similar to the "online" New England Journal of Medicine, that I also enjoy & subscribe to.
In past years, an excellent resource was vetinfo.com, but sadly lacked visuals for the case submissions, or opinions from other than textbook sources (it is still a great site though).
How about adding a "legal" department, which I noted past topics definitely elicited comment and interest, such as variable state laws regarding the Veterinary Practice Act, existing animal laws and proposals, and newsworthy cases in court.
Perhaps, as need arises, and it most likely has already, expenses can be met via on-line or mail donations from the readership.
I look forward and support your wonderful endeavor! Barbara/New Hampshire
Barbara A. Albright February 24th, 2008 12:24:00 PM
I forgot to add, I enjoy the "what is this image or your diagnosis" part on New England Journal, where a photo, x-ray, etc. is posted and several choices are given to "vote" along with the actual answer & its confirmed diagnosis technique. These are images ranging from skin conditions, x-rays of disease process, etc. I see it as fun and enlightening for the "professional" readership as well as the general public. Barb
Often, an ethics section is a highlight, such as the recent discussion of the 8th ammendment and physician participation during "lethal injection", a subject you discussed earlier comparing "euthanasia". This perhaps could be combined with "legal & ethics"
Barbara A. Albright February 24th, 2008 12:45:00 PM
Like Barb, I was going to suggest a section on ethics. As a vet student, I find that ethics topics are the ones I'm most interested in hearing from practicing veterinarians - what comes up and how they deal with it. I also think it's important for the general public to realize that as veterinarians we deal with these things every day and that they aren't so 'cut and dried' as people often think. I'm very appreciative of the posts you've already made on these subjects and would love to see more.
Ingrid
Ingrid February 25th, 2008 08:10:00 AM
Ingrid: Would you be interested in offering your point of view in a guest post? I'm looking for vets and vet students to post here occasionally on why they chose their career path and what really gets them going in this profession. Email me!
Dr. Patty Khuly February 25th, 2008 08:40:00 AM
Not that you don't have enough to do, but have you ever thought of making a book from your blog postings? There's a company that makes it possible to publish small runs, even one book, now for what looks like a pretty reasonable price. (see www.blurb.com). Apparently they have professional looking dust covers and everything.
They even have partners that will organize / write the book for you from you blog. . .or you could always recruit a freelance writer at elance.com.
I don't have any stake in either of these -- I just read about blurb and thought it was cool you can publish your own book now. I've been desperately trying to think something up so I can write my own book. (I don't think a book of mildly sarcastic blog comments would sell well...but who knows, 30 bucks is a pretty small price to be able call yourself an 'author' !)
You could sell the book on your site, use it to help market your practice, or market your self for that matter.
Perhaps best of all when someone says something stupid you've already blogged about you can literally whip out your book and whack them on the head with it. You can't put a price on that.
Larry February 25th, 2008 02:19:00 PM
I've considered something like that, Larry. I just don't think I've got enough brilliant postings for that endeavor. Talk to me in five years.
Dr. Patty Khuly February 25th, 2008 06:56:00 PM
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