Chanson du Jour

Hey, my computer is letting me access my own blogs again. So, I can resume my posts from my home away from home, here on the back row of room 124 in the MET building. No big flashy return today, just picking up where we left off.

Circle of Fifths by Clinic

Chanson du Jour

I am much more consistent at this when I am not in school, huh? That could be good or bad. Here is today's effort.

(Even If You Die On The) Ocean by Saturday Looks Good To Me

Songs Of The Day

In case you ever wondered where these songs of the day come from, I will tell you. I frequent a few places to hear about bands I have never heard of. They are in descending order...

1) Itunes - if you don't go here to hear about new bands or bands you have never heard of you are crazy. They have the genius, recommendations, and albums that others have bought that are all majorly useful

2) Metacritic.com - this lists the albums coming out each week. If they look interesting, I take note and check them out.

3) Pandora.com - Everyone knows about this place now, but they play songs that are similar to ones you set up. It's not nearly as efficient as the others though because you can only forward through so many songs per hour. But, it is pretty good.

4) Youtube - on the side column there are videos from other bands that are similar to the one you are watching or on the same label or have the same lead singer, etc.

You go to these places enough and you end up with this: (Click to Enlarge)


This is one of 5 pages just like this that I have. I keep a running list of over 100 bands that I want to check out. If they are no good, they get crossed off the list. It's actually a physical list in a notebook that goes with me everywhere (actually, it just stays in my backpack). This is actually the page I am currently on, so you all have a sneak peek at the upcoming songs of the day. In the left column you will see Fanfarlo, Kings of Convenience, and Tunng. The last three songs of the day. You now know what is coming up. But, you will still be surprised. Maybe.

Anyways. That is how this magic happens. Any questions? Direct them somewhere else.

Blogger out.

Chanson du Jour

The song of the day today was almost Darling Dear by Little Fish because the lead singer and I have pretty much the same morning routine. But, they lost me there at the end. But, I still think it's a pretty cool song.

But, today's song is a completely different tune than that one.

It's Because...We've Got Hair by Tunng

Chanson du Jour

Have I got a treat for you today. I am in a good mood. I have two days of class, a test on Friday morning at 7:30, and then I am off for 3 weeks (assuming I pass the test). I needed a little study break and you all are the beneficiary of said break. Enjoy 3 songs from today's artist, straight from Norway: Kings of Convenience.

We will start with the most silly and move to the more melancholy.

I'd Rather Dance With You

Misread

Cayman Islands

SDKJ Chronicles

Unwitting Participants

People have heard all kinds of awful things about how difficult medical school is, how high the divorce rate is, how competitive it is, and all manner of other things that I have found to be somewhat exaggerated. Med school is not too tough. The material is not too tough. It's just a lot. Volume is the problem, not difficulty. I think most med students would agree with that stellar assessment. That being said, the volume can overtake your life if you let it, which can cause mental breakdowns, difficulties in your personal life, etc., but that is only if you let the voluminous material run your life. I have chosen not to.

But, my med school does some perplexing things to its students, all in the name of better education and better preparation to be better doctors. We have precious little free time and precious little time to master all the material presented to us. Yet, they feel the need to pack on extra assignments and programs that seemingly have little value, but take up some of our free time. Today we will talk about one such program.

Let's face it baby boomers, y'all are getting old. Just look in the mirror, take a deep breath, and say it out loud. It will be cathartic. I do the same thing each morning. I look in the mirror, take a deep breath, and say "Man, you have razor sharp wit, dashing good looks, and an intelligence unmatched by anyone on earth". It really helps to say the hard truths to yourself sometimes. So, as future doctors it is our charge to take care of the health care needs of you geriatric patients (or "greedy geezers" as the Obama administration likes to call you). Speaking of which, maybe we won't have to take care of you because the Obamacare plan dictates that no money will go toward healthcare for the elderly, so all this training might be pointless. (Had to.) I digress. So, because there will be a great number of elderly patients in our future waiting rooms, my school has developed a little side "project" for us to do to help us learn more about geriatric health care - because it differs from regular health care.

We call it the SAGE program (something something Geriatric Education...I don't know...just call it SAGE like the rest of us for crying out loud). The program includes lectures during each of our classes talking about geriatric specific problems/issues pertaining to what we are learning. A few questions will inevitably end up on the test. No one really likes the lectures so no one really prepares for the test questions. They trip us up sometimes. Another part of the SAGE program is going to the home of an elderly person in the community and doing some sort of health-related assignment with them.

Website here for the truly bored.

Now, we will get to the meaning of the title of this post: Unwitting Participants. I have recently found out that the SAGE program is part of a federally-funded research project that a couple of our faculty members are doing on the effectiveness of geriatric education in medical school. In other words, we are the lab rats for the researchers. They are trying things out on us. Seeing what things work and what things don't work. Secondly, the geriatric patients that we go visit in the community are Meals on Wheels participants. They were kind of roped into letting first year med students into their homes by participation in a needed program for their daily sustenance. Hence, we are both unwitting participants.

That being said, I love our little old couple that me and my partner go and visit. They are so awesome and are fun to talk to. Other students have had great difficulty with their "patients" but I have had no such problem. The assignments are easy and it doesn't take too much time away from us. But, some of my fellow students think it's a huge waste of time. But, I think those are the same students who have to microwave their Pop Tarts in the morning. It's time to loosen up the schedule and enjoy the educational ride.

Chanson du Jour

I'm gonna try and rattle off a few of these songs of the day for a while. I have an ever-growing list of bands that is somewhere in the 150 bands range, so I better get crack-a-lackin'. Well, here is today's meager effort. I'm assuming the name of the song is a take on the hilarious Stanley Kubrick film, but I have not talked to the band about it, so I'm not sure.

Harold T. Wilkins or How To Wait For A Very Long Time by Fanfarlo

Chanson du Jour

Discovered this guy yesterday when I should have been studying. I really like him. This song isn't too representative of his body of work, but it is great. Now back to studying about gram-negative bacterial infections.

Take Me Home by Sad Brad Smith

Chanson du Jour

Listen. I'm no dummy. Let me rephrase. I am not an idiot. Nah, that's not right either. I guess what I am trying to say is I am self aware enough to know why all of my many reader comes to this blog once a year. To hear some weird crap. Today, I will oblige. Not only is today's song weird, it is also a little spooky. But, I really like it. I don't like too much of their other stuff, but I really like this.

You Are The Blood by Castanets

Chanson du Jour

Sorry that it has been a long time between songs. See I have this little problem. I cannot login to my blogs from my school laptop. I don't know why it won't let me do it. It just won't. So, I now have to go up to our upstairs computer to make posts, and I am just way too lazy to make that trip very often. But, I am here now, making sure a baby clad only in a diaper does not destroy anything and allows her mother to get a little work done. I love having "days off" at school.

Here is today's song(s).

Shake Shake Shake by White Denim


I Start To Run by White Denim

Chanson du Jour

I don't think Anonymous will make it to the end of this one.

Planes Like Vultures by Le Loup

SDKJ Chronicles

I get asked a lot of questions about school and the goings on there. That gives me lots of opportunities to talk about what students do as they train to be doctors. Even if I don't get asked questions, I am usually more than happy to tell my stories anyway. Why? Because if I kept them all in, I would explode.

What kind of stories are these? Stories about my classmates, stories about my curriculum, anatomy lab fun, shadowing doctor fun, etc. So, we are starting a new segment on the blog called Student Doctor Kevin Jensen (SDKJ) Chronicles. These stories will be engrossing or grossing to those not in the medical field, and boring and insignificant to those in the medical field, but it should be fun anyways. Since the first year is almost over, we are going to have to do some retroactive posts, but I don't think y'all will mind too much. And if you do, tough. I don't really care. How's that for future doctor compassion!

First up, I will talk generally about the anatomy lab experience. Many of you have never been in an anatomy lab. Let's just say it's an experience. Our lab is one really long, skinny room with "tanks" (metal coffin looking bins with the bodies in them) on both sides and an aisle down the middle. Each tank has an iMac on the wall next to it as a reference and guide for the dissection and identification of body parts. There are about 40 tanks in the room, 20 in a row on each side.

Here is a picture of a really rinky dink lab (not ours) but it gives you an idea of what the tanks look like and what the bodies look like under the shrouds inside the tanks.


On each tank is a small notecard with a brief description of the person(of course, leaving out the name) that includes age of death, cause of death, gender. There were 5 of us assigned to each tank which contained one body.

For about 2/3 of the first year, we were in the lab at least once a week dissecting some part of the body. It was very systematic, because once you cut a part of the body, it will never be intact again, so we kind of had to work from the outside in and work on one region at a time. Then, we would move on to the next section. We will get into specifics later, for those of you interested, but I just wanted to give a flavor.

FAQ Answered...
1) No, I never saw anyone vomit
2) Yes, we got grossed out by some stuff we found - those stories will come later
3) Some people wore masks because of the horrible smell, but I did not
4) Yes, you smell like the lab for most of the semester
5) Yes, it is a mess inside the body
6) Yes, dissecting the body and learning more about it made me want to be healthier
7) Yes, I really truly enjoyed being in there
8) Yes, I do miss it now that we are done

If you have any questions, please put them in the comments and I will answer them. More to come on SDKJ Chronicles.

Chanson du Jour

Well, I think a three month break (exactly, btw - not planned, but awesome nonetheless) is quite enough. I know, I know. You were getting the "ridiculous band shakes", but don't worry...those will go away. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We'll pick up right where we left off. If you are new here, yous gots lots of catchin ups to do. This is a Seattle band.

Last Dance by Math and Physics Club


Oh, what the hay. In honor of my two favorite things (not people mind you), 1) the $1 Mickey D's double cheeseburger and 2) the $.99 Wendy's double stack, let's make this bad boy a double, just as a "welcome home son" to me. This band is not from Seattle, but they are from Finland. So, that's good.

Higher Ground by Cats on Fire

Chanson du Jour

A little break from learning about the adrenal gland. Fascinating stuff. Today I bring you a fairly good song with a pretty awesome video.

The Weakest Shade of Blue by Pernice Brothers

Chanson du Jour

Every once in a while supergroups form and treat the world to fantasticness. The Eagles are not such a band. Today's group is. Let's do a quick rundown of the accomplished members of today's band:

Jim James from My Morning Jacket
Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes
Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes
M. Ward from M. Ward and She & Him

Put them together and you get Monsters of Folk.

Enjoy The Right Place by Monsters of Folk

Chanson du Jour

3 weeks til spring break. Thing we're excited? We get to clean the house uninterrupted. Now, that's a party. In the meantime, I better find out what happens to T3 and T4 when there's a hot nodule on the thyroid gland and how that differs from when there is a cold nodule. Got a thyroid quiz tomorrow at 8:15. Peace out.

X-Pat by Octoberman

Chanson du Jour

Can't believe it's Wednesday already. It has been a good week so far. I owned my two tests on Monday, the presentation got moved to next Wednesday and we are just having so much fun learning about the endocrine system now.

Today's song is Bob Dylan meets wife beaters.

Roll On Arte by The Felice Brothers

Chanson du Jour

Well we didn't get our 1-2 inches of snow today as predicted. We got 6 inches instead. It snowed all stinkin' day. School was canceled today and tomorrow. My test tomorrow got pushed back to Monday evening, so now that makes 2 tests on Monday and Student Grand Rounds on Wednesday. But, I get to stay home with the wife and kid and ...puppy.

Enjoy this tune from Nora Ephron's You've Got Mail. The Puppy Song by Harry Nilsson.

Chanson du Jour

This is the last song from Julie & Julia during Nora Ephron week. Little AK loves this song and especially loves it when her mama sings it to her. Pretty cute.

Meanwhile we are awaiting some snow (maybe 2 inches) here in Dallas overnight. Maybe school will be canceled tomorrow. That would be excellent. Give me extra time to study for my test on Friday, my test on Monday, and prepare for Student Grand Rounds (a big presentation that I have) on Wednesday. Then again, I would miss out on the exciting lab that is prepared for tomorrow where there are three stations where we learn a clinical skill for an hour a piece. Tomorrow is phlebotomy, X-ray reading, and listening to different heart and breathing sounds. I know Anonymous will be volunteering for the phlebotomy lab. He loves that stuff.

A Bushel And A Peck by Doris Day

Chanson du Jour

Let's continue with Nora Ephron week. This song too is from Julie & Julia.

Psycho Killer by Talking Heads

PS - The chick plays the bass like I play Guitar Hero...and that is not a compliment. How rigid. How amateur looking. How funny.

Chanson du Jour

We passed up these artists, The Skygreen Leopards, Malcolm Middleton, Megatawn, Imogen Heap, and Arctic Monkeys to bring you today's song, straight from the soundtrack of Julie & Julia.

Stop The Train by Henry Wolfe

Chanson du Jour

We are going to try out a new band for today's competition. Neither of the videos are official videos, but the songs are good. I don't like everything these guys do, but I like a lot of it. Enjoy The Magnetic Fields.

I Don't Want To Get Over You


All My Little Words

Chanson du Jour

I have been listening to this group/guy nonstop for the last few days now. I am really enjoying his stuff, despite the fact that he performed at a few Obama rallies during the campaign. We have previously played this video of his on the blog, but here are the videos for today's competition. Enjoy today's artist, Bright Eyes.

Easy/Lucky/Free


First Day Of My Life


Road To Joy (pardon the bleeped words, don't worry about watching the interview afterwards if you don't want to, and enjoy the trumpet man smashing his trumpet)

Chanson du Jour

The rest of this week we are going to have head to head competitions. The fact that these songs are greatness is not up for debate. We are only curious as to which is the greatnesser. Enjoy.

First up, a Weird Al duel (clearly inspired by yesterday's CNR)

White and Nerdy

If you want to hear the song spoofed, click here to listen to Ridin' Dirty by Chamillionaire (expect rapper lyrics - although edited - and video vixens if you watch this)

Or, Trapped In The Drive-Thru

If you want to hear the song spoofed, Trapped In The Closet Parts 1-12 by R.Kelly, you are going to have to find them on your own because the content is not that which is condoned on this blog. But, suffice it to say, Weird Al nails it again.

A True Gift

We can always count on the hadzic clan for some great songs and videos. This is no exception. Here is the antidote to Mount Eerie. If you are offended easily, find a new blog to read (although I keep it pretty clean here), but this has some off the wall funny lines that may rattle our feebler readers. Beware.

CNR by Weird Al

Chanson du Jour

Another week. This week we start the renal system. Yippee. I will tell you the entire pathway of your pee shortly. Stay tuned.

Two by The Antlers

Chanson du Jour

I have about one hour left until the start of my last GI test. I am as ready as I care to be and am looking for something to do. My wife is on a work conference call and is unavailable to talk to. So, I will waste everyone's time with another song today. Enjoy.

No Flashlight by Mount Eerie

Chanson du Jour

For the religious revivalist in you...

This video made the blog for one reason and one reason alone. Can you guess it? (Hint: Def Leppard ain't got nothing on these guys)
Dancing On Our Graves by The Cave Singers

Chanson du Jour

A little break from studying GI. I have had enough biochemistry today to last me a lifetime. But, after studying all day, I know not to eat too much sugar. What a revelation!

It took me a while to decide on today's song. I passed up songs by such noted artists like Emiliana Torrini, Basia Bulat, El Guincho, Be Your Own Pet (whose song The Kelly Affair has a pretty good video - I just don't like the song/style), Taken By Trees, and It Hugs Back. So, I hope you appreciate the few minutes it took to weed those out. Today's video mesmerized me and terrified me all at the same time. But, the song is pretty good and the video is pretty stinking awesome.

I Say Fever by Ramona Falls

Chanson du Jour

Boy have I been bad lately. For that, I apologize. I will try and do better. Maybe when I am not fighting tests and carpet beetles.

Shampoo by Elvis Perkins In Dearland

Chanson du Jour

I have a lot of Itunes money that needs to be used. I think I will use some on this recent discovery. I really like what I have heard of these guys.

We's Been Waiting by As Tall As Lions

Chanson du Jour

Another guaranteed flogging for Anonymous. I have to be in the right mood, but sometimes I really like this kind of stuff.

Why Must It Always Be This Way by Choir Of Young Believers

Chanson du Jour

Drove to school on ice today. Nice. The first lecture was supposed to be 2 hours but he did it in 1. Even nicer. This song? Nicest? Maybe. At the very least, it is unique...

Cuts & Lies by Acoustic Ladyland

Chanson du Jour

Today I am playing hooky taking care of a sick baby and tired wife. Who needs the anatomy lecture anyways?

Cherry Tulips by Headlights


Those pajamas don't strike me as very comfortable.

Chanson du Jour

The dude that sits behind me in class suggested I post this song today. This is for a certain Elder Jensen. If this song doesn't cheer you up, I don't know what will.

Willoughby Wallaby by Raffi