Possibly the last academic paper I will have to write (but not likely)

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Originally uploaded by Axle Adams

Dateline: nearing the conclusion of year 2 of grad school.

What I should be doing: writing a paper on the pros and cons of constraint-induced movement therapy in pediatric hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy.

What I am doing: not that.

A couple months ago, we had a minor plumbing catastrophe in our bathroom. A shut-off valve disconnected from its supply line, shooting a very steady stream of water all over our second floor. Lots of mayhem, lots of running amok, lots of gnashing of teeth.

Since that day, we have hired a plumber, a painter, bought a new water heater, had some repair work done on our chimney, and spotted all sorts of other projects-in-waiting around the house. There's a small voice inside that keeps telling me to torch the place and build a new house from scratch. I'm not yet convinced, though I'm putting up less of a fight with my conscience these days.

School continues. Somewhere less than four months of class left (including a three-week break) before we scatter to the winds and begin our clinical rotations. I am simultaneously thrilled with the opportunity to practice what I've learned and scared to death to be responsible for an actual patient. The interaction between me and my first patient will be classic:

Me: "Hi there! I'm Andy and I'll be your physical therapist today."

Patient: "Great! What shall we do first?"

Me: "..."

(Then I stare blankly for a couple minutes, get all pale and clammy, then run away.)