I want to tell you about a piano piece. If technologically feasible, please listen to this recording while reading. Continue reading L’isle Joyeuse
Sports Spectating
I follow two sports: NBA basketball and pro Super Smash Bros Melee.
Growing up, I was blindly anti-sports. How people could get so invested in their region’s sports team, enough to spend hundreds of dollars for seats and enough riot when they lose and parade when they win? It’s just a sport! You idolize men who spend their livelihoods throwing a bouncy spherical thing through an elevated hoop! Continue reading Sports Spectating
Not Treating Dementia
Of all the diseases, I am most terrified of dementia. Senile dementia is a gradual deterioration of memory, movement, and other mental capacities. It’s extremely common (especially Alzheimer’s the most prevalent etiology). It steals the very essence of your mind. Unfortunately, with no known palliation or treatment, the disease is relentless. I’ve read about the condition, but on Friday I had my first close encounter with dementia in the healthcare setting: Mrs. A, a kind 88-year-old black lady living in the city with end-stage dementia. Continue reading Not Treating Dementia
Perfect Pitch on Superhuman?
I got a funny email this weekend. It’s about taking perfect pitch onto a TV show featuring weird abilities. Here, just read it. Continue reading Perfect Pitch on Superhuman?
Macro Study: Blossoms
The rough-hewn urban surfaces of New York City don’t appeal to my eye or my camera. However, when natural phenomena happen — the changing of autumn, dramatic snowstorms, spring’s fist bloom — that’s when my camera has its fun. Continue reading Macro Study: Blossoms
One Vote of Confidence
This weekend is Cornell’s Accepted Students Weekend, when we invite in all the students who earned our school’s stamp of approval and try to convince them to choose Cornell. We bribe them with lavish food, enthusiastic current students touting their extracurriculars (hi), and NYC excursions such comedy clubs and museums and bars. They also get to meet their fellow prospective students and decide if they are people they can befriend for the next four years. It’s a wonderful two-day ordeal. Continue reading One Vote of Confidence
GERD is hungry
Today in the OR, I had a crummy revelation. As you might know, I have GERD (aka reflux, aka heartburn). It’s been developing for years, but I was officially diagnosed in December; since then, I’ve been treating it diligently with medication and avoiding things like eating too late, eating before exercise, or eating spicy or drinking hot foods. It’s been going well, but I just learned that my GERD has a new enemy now: hunger. Continue reading GERD is hungry
Music, Fire, Cancer
This is a post about music, fire, and cancer. Here, listen to this while reading if you can. Continue reading Music, Fire, Cancer