I had a flat-tire this weekend on my way back home from Edmonton. The weather was extremely cold and I was grateful to have 24-hr free roadside assistance. Trying to change in tire in minus 35 weather is definitely low on my list of things to do. In fact it isn’t even on the list!
I have yet to meet anyone who has this type of auto service that regrets paying for it. Inevitably it always comes in handy. Contrast this to insurance. This past week we have made a claim due to some flooding in our house. I opted for a bigger deductible ($1000) for a lower monthly payment. The work will amount to some $3000ish dollar yet somehow I’m not as elated or grateful for this purchased service or the savings. I also begrudge auto insurance. However, I’m sure that those who haven’t purchased home insurance feel regret for lack of coverage.
Flat Tire
I’ve become a warrior
I was recently sent a link to the Hinckley Challenge. The challenge urges visitors to honour President Gordon B. Hinckley by reading the Book of Mormon in 97 days, the number of years President Hinckley lived. I truly felt a connection (and still do) to this great man of faith. I’ve been wanting to read the Book of Mormon again for some time.
I’m in.
Are you?
Quotes
Does anyone ever read the quotes on the sidebar of my blog? I collect these and add to them periodically. Many of them I do not remember actually adding at all. Still I find them all stimulating and refreshing. Give it a whirl with the refresh button to see several. Also if you have a short quote you think I should add please email it to me or add it in the comments section.
Here is one I haven’t yet added:
We may convince others by our arguments; but we can only persuade them by their own.
-Joseph Joubert
I found this philosphy very helpful in university when convincing professors of my cause or plight.
The Darndest Things
More and more I’m aware that my children are listening to every word I say and interpreting it. This can lead to some funny moments. Here’s one that still has me laughing.
Last week Brigham was very sick. At one point we suspected he had contracted the measles and were even discussing the possibility of quarantine. Daria said, “Nate, I think we are going to have to isolate Brigs.” A few moments later a concerned Joshua bellowed from the other room, “You’re going to freeze Brigs?!!” After our laughter died down I explained to Josh the difference between ice and isolate. What a kid.
Upcoming Article featuring Yours Truly
Today I met with a reporter from a local magazine called Lethbridge Living. The interview centered around my Lethbridge Snoring and Sleep Apnea Clinic. The article should appear in the next month or so. If you’d like to read a draft of the article please email me. We talked about the fascinating field of sleep apnea and its profound connection to the quality of life for those diagnosed. I’m really excited!
Sleepy Time
I’m excited to add yet another set of skills to my dental practice. This month I begin my training to provide IV sedation. The course will take place over the next several months and is known to be among the most comprehensive in North America.
I’m also excited as Daria occasionally seems this close to needing an IV and if needed I will be able to help her in a pinch.
Also sleep related I’ve started working closely with the local sleep lab to help treat my obstructive sleep apnea patients. I’m thrilled with my new assistant as well and enjoying working with someone who is pleasant, organized and shows up everyday to work.
I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here in Lethbridge and the training I’m getting from Dr. Bryan Murray —a true friend, colleague and relative.
Bjorn vs. Kindle
The Kindle is a new electronic book reader from online book purveyor Amazon. It offers the ability to wirelessly download, read, and store dozens of books and is about paperbook size. Most of my reading is currently online, in a dental journal or text, or in my daily newspaper. At this point I don’t see a Kindle in my future. However, if I were planning an extended vacation and wanted to save precious packing space—maybe. If I was a daily public transportation user I think I would have clicked buy-it-now yesterday (if it were available in Canada).
I wonder if a die-hard reader like my brother-in-law would be able to switch from paper to screen. Prediction: Highly unlikely. I suspect Bjorn enjoys the romance of page-turning and looking back at the shelf with fondness. I suspect he also believes in the futurity of books.
The device is priced at $399 US. Interestingly, this is a barrier to me, which is paradoxical because I have been more then willing to buy the similarly priced iPod and Palm Treo in the past. I can only conclude that for me this is not a must have device based on design. Perhaps in person my thoughts will change.
Las Vegas Review
For the third time in as many months I find myself in Las Vegas. Each trip has found me pursuing advanced education in implant surgery and prosthetics. I’m very excited about this field and the remarkable things I have already done. I look forward to pacing my ever expanding knowledge with clinical experience. My passion grows and grows each month on this front.
But enough on that subject. This trip found me at a different venue: the Rio, a good walk from the strip. The Rio is a typical Vegas hotel with pretty good restaurants, and some 70 floors spread over 2 towers. The buffet was the best of the four I have tried in Las Vegas and also the lowest priced! A typical casino resides on the main floor and I am amazed how the motivation for the big win seems to override the boredom of tv screen gambling. Scantily clad women are sprinkled throughout. I spent most of my time in the convention center only catching a half-hour of sun beside the under renovations pool.
Nonetheless, the larger than life presence of Vegas is still a wonder to behold. In particular the incredibly imaginative entertainment. The highlight of the trip by far was The Beatles: Love by Cirque de Soleil (note the trailer does the performance no justice). I have never been more enthralled at a live show. No circus, grandstand, play, or even musical of my experience came close. The story-telling, imagery, costuming, group and individual performances, athleticism, staging, and music were completeley out of this world. At one point I wondered if this show would approach entertainment in the afterlife. Absolutely incredible choreography coupled with the best band of all time created a delirious and delightful experience weaving through each of the creative periods of music produced by the Beatles. I think even the Beatles would approve, and I was left with not a single disappointment. If you haven’t already caught my strong recommendation to see this show let me seal it with this - I absolutely expect anyone travelling to Vegas to attend and an invitation to go with you. I’ll be reliving the experience via my Beatles music collection in the mean time. Perhaps the only way to better experience the Beatles would be an actual Beatles concert.
I’m hoping to take Daria to the show at the end of this month when I return yet again. Anyone else in?
