Viva Las Vegas

May 5, 2014




A nursing convention in Las Vegas. That should be fun, right? I was there many years ago on my way to Bryce Canyon. The kids were teenagers. As we drove from the airport the city arose from the desert like OZ. We stayed at the MGM Grand.  I HATE to gamble. I work too hard to throw my money away like that. But it was hot, which I love, and we went to great restaurants and saw some good shows. I spent most of the day by the pool. We were only there for three days. I think that is key to an enjoyable experience.



Las Vegas is like Disney World combined with Times Square on steroids. Both two of my least favorite places in the world. The next time I go to Disney it will be with grandchildren. (If I have any!) And the only reason to go through Times Square is to get to a Broadway show. We are not REALLY in Paris, Venice or New York in those casinos. Just like we are not really in Mexico or Morocco at Epcot center. It is make believe. Go see the real thing.



And the weather. It rains one inch a year in Vegas and both times I have been there it has rained. Am I bringing the clouds? And this time the Santa Ana winds brought cold weather and windy conditions. Even though I sat by the pool on my free day it was too cold to go in the water. And let me tell you a little about the hotel. When they tell you to bring your own coffee pods, be very afraid. Not only the pods but a cup, which we purchased in the gift shop. That's all I'll say on that subject. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. Just let me assure you that physicians would never be expected to have a conference at this hotel.


But I'm not really complaining. While our colleagues were working Jeanne and I DID have a good time. We learned new things, networked with colleagues from around the country and had some memorable moments. And let me add a picture of our poster so you can see that we actually presented one. I'll refrain from posting the picture of our component night where we had to dress up like show girls. Some things are better left a mystery.

Friction Party

April 25, 2013



Last week Jeanne and I went to Chicago for a nursing conference. It was a very good conference, we learned a lot of new things and networked with nurses from all over the country. And you already know the trip ended with us being stuck in Chicago foe an extra night due to weather issues.


But the trip also started with a new learning experience. We decided to spend the Saturday night before at the Sheraton at the airport. We had an early flight and decided that would be the most convenient way to park our car and get a good nights rest. We arrived about 6:30 PM and brought our bags to our room. Then we headed downstairs to have a bite to eat and of course a drink in the bar so we could watch the Yale/ Quinnipiac hockey championship game. On the way out of the elevator we passed a couple. An older man and a young Asian woman.


"Did you see her?," I asked Jeanne. "She had on a skirt the size of a handkerchief and f--- me shoes." Not typical attire for the Sheraton at the Bradley Airport. But, oh well. As I now know airport hotels are the scene of many activities I never would have dreamed about.


We had a seat a little outside the bar area and right in front of the TV. Perfect! Burgers and cocktails and so much more. One after another coules arrived. Women so provocatively dressed we began to wonder about the dress code. Of course the men were nothing special but the women looked like hookers. "Something is going on here," said Jeanne.


On the way out we checked the message board. There was a meeting for Densitometry ( which has something to do with bone density) and the Friction Party. Probably NOT densitometry unless all those half dressed women were there for bone density tests. More likely the friction party.


So I looked up Friction Party. Lo and behold. They bill themselves as Hot Parties for Hot People. But apparently only the women have to be hot. You can come in couples or single women but no single men. Do the old geezers there feel threatened?  No sex or nudity in public areas, such as the ballroom. Imagine. What a bummer. You have to be screened to attend. They won't let just anyone in. And you need a wristband to parade around on the "private" floors. What a fun time THAT sounds like. Had I known it was going on I would have worn my sexy nurse outfit.


But alas. We just returned to our room and went to bed so we could leave early the next morning to learn new things to better care for our patients. Some people simply have way too much time on their hands.

O'Hare International Airport

April 18, 2013


Jeanne and I should be in our own homes right now getting ready for work tomorrow. We spent the week in Chicago at a nursing convention. Ensconced in our hotel in the city, going to lectures and dinners we were unaware of the extent of the storms in the west and Midwest. This morning we were so happy to find that our flight was not canceled as many others were scurrying to arrange new ways to get home. We arrived at O'Hare to find mass chaos. Hundreds of people waiting in line to check in and rebook. We got in line and while we were waiting to check in our flight was canceled. What to do???


Our flight could not be rebooked today or tomorrow for that matter. We could not fly to Hartford at all. We had to settle for a flight to White Plains tomorrow night. But Jeanne's car is in Hartford. So we had to enlist our families to help. Jeanne's husband to pick up her car and Josh to pick us up in White Plains.


So here we are in Glenview,Illinois. In a Wyndham Suites. Grateful that we have a place to stay as many people spent the night in the airport. And hoping that we can get out of here tomorrow. We met many people while we've been on this adventure who have been waiting here for days.

Obituaries

August 22, 2012



One of the reasons I still get the New Haven Register is to read the obituaries. I always check to see if there is anyone I know. Either family, relative of a friend or a patient. Lately, even a few of my contemporaries.

The New York Times has the best obits. Loving wife, faithful friend, devoted mother etc. They also publish sentiments from other people. Things to tell about a life well lived. I always wanted mine to be in the Times. I instructed my friend Jeanne to make sure any obituary includes the fact that for years I sewed Halloween costumes for my kids. The poodle skirt, the Cleopatra outfit and the beautiful witch costume for Hilary. The Mozart vest, the Renaissance caftan, and the wizard's robe for Josh. In fact if I can find them I want them hanging at my memorial service!

But mostly I always imagined the first lines would read, "Loving wife and best friend of 50 years to her husband Dave." But I can cross that wish off my list. I will never have a 50th anniversary picture published with a caption that says "party hosted by their children." Their wedding invitations will not read the son or daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Graboff. I am still amazed and saddened by this turn of events. And I'm sure I always will be.

I have learned one thing from hearing the stories of my friends who have been divorced. No matter how long it has been the wounds never go away. The time between thinking about them may grow longer but when they surface the pain is still unchanged.