Arrogance

Neurosurgery is an arrogant profession. Astronomers study the stars but never touch them. Particle physicists see God in the vapor trails of their atom-smashers, but cannot see the particles themselves, cannot reach into protons and feel the quarks with their fingers...These scientists must be content with the shadow nature casts upon their instruments and photographic emulsions. But not the neurosurgeon, for whom the greatest mystery of creation resides in a few pounds of greasy flesh and blood. Only the neurosurgeon dares to improve upon five billion years of evolution in a few hours.

- Frank Vertosick Jr., When the Air Hits Your Brain

From the back cover, the part I don't want to think about:
"He retired from surgery due to Parkinson's disease in 2002..."

From a lecture on dying:
"You don't really have to pay taxes. You can evade those. But everyone, everyone, gets sick and dies."

Summer means immersion, reading for fun, finding and sharing as much free food as possible, and avoiding discussion of my impending nuptials (you're all invited!).

I am growing more convinced that schmoozin' is an important, cultivatable skill. Also coffee is so delicious and breakfast joints are the best joints.


Italics!!!!!1!