Back to blogging

I am returning to the blogging world, with an emphasis on the NBA and the Houston Rockets. Eventually, I'll write a book. I will pass on last night's 30 point beatdown the Dallas Mavericks administered. Thank goodness I did not watch.

A positive story

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/steffy/5484544.html

Houston Chronicle Business writer Loren Steffy has written an article that praises a local bank for having sound fiscal policies. After my post regarding critics and criticism, I'm happy to see a positive leaning story.

Ice Capades

In preparation for next week's annual Daddy/Daughter dance, my wife had declared that my 5 year old daughter needed a new dress. So we went to the Galleria to get a new dress. So of course, we ended up going ice skating. Now, ice skating is not hard if you're just skating yourself. But when you're lugging around a 43 pound weight that can get a concussion if you slip, it adds a layer of difficulty.

Health Care issues

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/01/reader-letters-primary-care-crisis-dont.html#comments

I was just thinking (living) this. On a related note, Medicare wants to cut payments to physicians by 10%, and almost all insurers base their pay scale on Medicare. One congressman said this would not be a problem because doctors will keep taking Medicare because it is covers so many patients. We'll stop covering patients when we go out of business. I gotta figure a way to see more people in less time while providing more comprehensive care.

http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2007/08/wall-street-can.html#more

A post about approval for a drug for prostate cancer. It brings up a variety of important issues. Makes you shudder, too.

http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2007/11/your-yearly-phy.html

OK, I've found a new favorite blog. This post echoes my thoughts about the annual check up or physical. Of course, this writer is a heck of a lot better than me.

http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2007/11/autismanother-e.html

Did you know that autism affects 1 out of every 150 children? Me neither.

And finally, click on this link to help donate a free mammogam to someone, or something like that.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

What to do about racism.

OK, as an African American I'm supposed to get all up in arms about Kelly Tilghman's comments about lynching Tiger Woods. And the Jena 6. And Don Imus. But I'm not. If I really believe racism exists, why am I always so shocked and appalled when someone makes a racist statement? And is complaining about racism going to do?

My suggestion to other African Americans (and Hispanics, Indians, Chinese, Native Americans, etc) is to hug a white person. Invite one for dinner. Walk their dog. Let them see you as a regular person. The righteous indignation card only goes so far. At some point, you have to use other tools in your belt to accomplish a project. And if a white person knows you as a person, he or she will listen to you when you are offended with a more open mind.

I do think racism (and sexism and religious intolerance and homophobia) exists. I just don't think that the current tactics of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are helping anyone.

Cartoon Wisdom

The movie Ratatouille has been on heavy rotation here at the house. Anything that makes my nearly 3 year old son sit still is like God himself has bestowed an 84 minute blessing on my family. Plus, I like the movie, too. I like the fact that the movie is not just regular kids fare, but it also has good character development, a plot, and a message ("anyone can cook").

One line from the movie resonates with me (please note the poor segue way- I'm not a good writer yet). During food critic Anton Ego's review of the rat infested, 5 star Gusteau's Restaurant, he commented on his job and responsibilities as a critic. I'm misquoting here, but here's the gist of the line:

The average piece of junk is worth more than the criticism designating it so.

I blog. I spend a chunk of time criticizing columnists or policy makers. I don't make much of anything original, but I criticize those who do. I listen to sports talk where dorks like me complain about quarterbacks and wide receivers who don't like getting pulverized by 250 pound heat seeking missiles called line backers, when they were too chicken to play Pop Warner football. As a medical students, we got used to presenting work, only to have a more experienced clinician systematically break down the holes and flaws- as if we were fully tenured professors. It's much harder to create something than to judge it. That's why there's millions of bloggers, columnists and commenters. But few original thinkers

Championship weekend picks

San Diego (-14.5) at New England- If the game were at San Diego, and the Chargers were at full strength, the Chargers could win. If New England had spent the season running their running backs into the ground, the Patriots could lose. But none of that has/will occur. So New England wins. I have no clue if they'll cover- I'll say yes. New England by 15 or more. I'm bad at this anyway. Thank goodness no one is reading this.

New York (-7) at Green Bay- Why do people live in Green Bay? It's so cold so much of the time. I went to Winnipeg, a city in the prairies of Canada in October, and it was in the 40's most of the time. The city is below freezing from December thru February. And people say things like, "It's fine- I can leave the car at home and skate to work." That's crazy talk. And you never want to fight crazy people, you don't know what they'll do. Green Bay (only crazy people live there) will win by more than 7 points.

Please remember- the difference in talent level on NFL teams (and in playoff teams who make it this far) is so small, that one of these games will be close. Evaluated individually, I can't figure which one. But one of them will be.