Archive for August, 2005
WordPress 1.5.2 “Strayhorn” Upgrade
Posted by: | CommentsI finally bit the bullet and did a compete backup of the web site and upgraded the software to the newest version of WordPress. You can download WordPress 1.5.2 “Strayhorn” here and try it out. Like the man said, “Kick the tires and take her out for a spin Buddy”. I can guarantee that you will like it.
For those that do not know what is being discussed, WordPress is the software that is used to drive this web site, run the blog and manage all of the content on the site. For me it is wonderful and my hat is off to Matt and the rest of the WordPress crew.
The upgrade was needed for the security improvements that have been made in the software and to iron out a couple of little bugs with the older version. Suffice it to say I am very happy with WordPress – the best thing for a web master since sliced bread.
Hawkin 54 Caliber Black Powder
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54 Caliber Hawkin black powder rifle in full glory
Voices of Experience
Posted by: | CommentsThe Voices of Experience is a testimony to those that have worked the hardest for the welfare of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Community. This current testimony is from the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists web page. It is also recorded at the NurseAnesthetist.org web site.
Provider of Distinction:
Christopher Stein, CRNA, MS
Born in the small farming town of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Christopher Stein, CRNA, MS, developed a disciplined and strong, early to bed, early to rise, Midwestern work ethic. By age 17, Chris knew that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and chose to demonstrate his dedication by volunteering to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Navy. Chris met his wife Ann during his tour of duty in the Navy. She, too, had chosen to make a difference in the world by serving her country. Finding that they both had so much in common, Chris and Ann married before leaving the Navy in 1977. After joining civilian life, Chris worked as a mechanic in a foundry to support his growing family while Ann attended nursing school.
Following nursing school graduation it was Ann’s turn to support Chris while he attended the University of Wisconsin’s Nursing Program. In 1986, Chris started practicing nursing in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center. Several years later, Chris set his sights on becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and entered the UCLA Program of Nurse Anesthesia. His first experience as a CRNA was at UCLA-Olive View Medical Center where he worked his way up to the top position of Chief CRNA while also maintaining a clinical faculty position for the UCLA Program of Nurse Anesthesia. For the last 5 years Chris has been the Chief CRNA for the Northridge Pain Management and Surgery Center, and a clinical faculty member for the University of Southern California (USC) Program of Nurse Anesthesia.
Chris became involved in the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA) immediately after graduating from the UCLA Program of Nurse Anesthesia. He started out on the public relations committee, and served as the public relations committee chairperson. As he became more familiar and interested in the issues facing CRNAs, Chris was voted in as a trustee, followed by vice-president, president-elect, and finally president of CANA. After his term as president ended, Chris assumed the position as 3-year director for CANA. This position, he feels, is his favorite position within CANA because he has acquired first-hand knowledge and experience of every position inside CANA while at the same time developing a global understanding of the issues facing CRNAs in California.
When asked to look back over his career and articulate the highlights, Chris replied that he had four experiences that will always fill him with great memories and grant him a sense of accomplishment. First, despite the challenges of his work for CANA, Chris was able to get people to see differing points of view while still trying to bring people together. Second, Chris was instrumental in developing the CANA Foundation – a foundation dedicated to providing financial stability to CANA, and also to sponsor student scholarship and research. Third, he is proud to be able to provide safe, excellent, anesthesia care and alleviate pain for people undergoing surgery or pain management procedures. Fourth, Chris spoke of what a tremendous honor it was to be the keynote speaker at the graduation celebration of the University of Southern California (USC) Program of Nurse Anesthesia. While presenting his opening statements Chris looked out over the audience and realized the importance he played in preparing the next generation of CRNAs, and what a tremendous legacy that was to leave behind as a gift to the world.
We appreciate the sacrifices Chris has made to our profession, and we find it a great honor to have him within our ranks. Thank you Chris.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum
Posted by: | CommentsThis past week our Chinese visitors were able to take a little trip to the Los Angeles County Arboretum here in Arcadia. The botanical gardens are local, cheap and a highly recommended visit is called for especially when the weather is moderate.
The start of any day is best served with fresh coffee from the Coffee Bean in Sierra Madre. The coffee bean has been visited by some very famous persons including my mom. Last year we were able to go up there to the quant little coffee shop together.
This was the first visit for Xiao Hui to the Coffee Bean and the little town of Sierra Madre which by the way is one of the oldest settlements here along the San Bernardino ridge just to the East of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Arboretum is a wonderful place to spend a pleasant afternoon. The flowers and trees are spectacular at every season. The planning of the gardens is such that something is blooming almost year round. Having Xiao Hui here was a perfect excuse to visit again after several years away.
One of the features of the Arboretum is the wild Peacocks that roam across the gardens and lawns of the place. In many places we could see little chicks following their hen mothers in groups of 5 or 6. Good thing they did not decide to start their racket. From what I understand they can make a lot of noise especially around 4:30 in the morning.
Mahatma Gandhi -An Average Man
Posted by: | CommentsI found this writing on An Average Man by Nadesan Satyendra during a Google search. Average has many meanings and for me Gandhi typifies what this is when I speak of the Average Man’s life. I have posted the bulk of the essay below:
Mahatma Gandhi – An Average Man by Nadesan Satyendra
10 February 1869 – 30 January 1948
Gandhi’s Daily Resolution:
Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day
I shall not fear anyone on earth
I shall fear only God
I shall not bear ill toward anyone
I shall not submit to injustice from anyone
I shall conquer untruth by truth
And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering
Mahatma Gandhi was an Average Man – at least, that is how he regarded himself. He laid no claim to be either a saint or a mahatma. He declared with humility:
“I claim to be no more than an average man with less than average ability. Nor can I claim any special merit for such non-violence or continence as I have been able to reach with laborious research. I have not the shadow of a doubt that any man or woman can achieve what I have, if he or she would make the same effort and cultivate the same hope and faith. Work without faith is like an attempt to reach the bottom of a bottomless pit.”
These words were not the expression of a pretentious modesty. They reflected Gandhi’s fundamental conviction that each one of us can achieve that which he had achieved – and more. For Gandhi, life was a permanent experiment with truth. He walked his talk – and where his walk did not coincide with his talk, he changed either his walk or his talk.
“I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough in me to confess my errors and to retrace my steps. I own that I have an immovable faith in God and His goodness and unconsumable passion for truth and love. But, is that not what every person has latent in him?”
Patric O'Brian
Radical Brewing
