All of my previous experiences with vascular surgery were neutral at best, but I'm actually kind of enjoying my time here at the VA. Part of it definitely is due to CJ, the fellow on the service, who happens to be Korean-American, and seems to have taken a big brother-ish liking to me, but I'm starting to enjoy the instant-gratification-vs-instant-horror aspect of the specialty, as well. So, blood vessel surgeon? Definitely maybe.

This week I've also had a little time to play basketball again after a long hiatus. How long? I honestly couldn't remember the last time I played. Maybe sometime last year? Anyway, it was good to get some exercise, and I'm sure my achy body will forgive me later.

One of the recent Bethel newcomers, Benji, played both times and I got a chance to talk to him a little bit while driving him home. He's a Michigan transplant, still looking for work in the big city, and at 23, just a baby. He's big, goofy, impulsive, and a generally nice kid. It's a little weird to think that he's the same age as some of the youth group kids I used to teach. And within five minutes of meeting me, he offered to set me up with a noonah he knows from Michigan. At that point, he only knew that I was a doctor and that I drove a Lexus. So like I said, goofy and impulsive.

But the warmth and carefree flings of summer are passing now. Fall cometh to Chicago, so it's time to hunker down. Come and hunker with me.