Underground Thoughts

For labor day weekend Darren and I drive up to Provincetown to camp with Todd and his boyfriend. Not realizing it was the gay vacation destination of New England, I was surprised when we arrived that there were so many rainbow flags everywhere. Being that I kinda hate the rainbow being the gay symbol my insides seemed to cring a little. However, as the weekend rolled on I was impressed with the family oreinted culture. I had never seen soany gay and lesbian couples with families. The couple in the campsite next to us had a 5 year old son, 14 year old daughter and a 16 year old son. Watching them interact and play catch made me realize how normal they were.

The trip was good for me for many reasons. 1) it helped me see the rainbow as not simply a symbol of crazy pride parades–it’s a symbol of embracing diversity. 2) exposed me to a large number if gay families, helping see how many healthy loving ones there are in the world. 3) allowed me to watch a community where no divide exsisted between gay and straight; families of all types interacted, and coohabitated.

Darren and I went shopping last week for the first official items for his new East Village apartment. He often says I am the one who makes him spend more than he wants, but investing in his first bone china set was all his idea. (but I am definitly not complaining)

I stumbled across this book over a year ago Ina bookstore. I had read a chapter and was extremely intrigued by the author’s depiction of what healthcare could look like in the US if we created a consumer driven system. When the helathcare debate began to range this summer I decided it was time to end my ignorance on the subject. I looked up the book and bought a copy. (Its the reason I haven’t been blogging on a regular basis. I have been spending my subway rides entrenched in it’s pages.)

I cannot recomended the book enough. Reading it was almost depressing as I came to realize how flawed our current system has become. But it also brought me a lot of hope. There is so much we can do to create an effective system, and although it’s going to take a lot of work, it encouraging to learn what needs to be done.

I wiped my eyes a few times embarrsed to be seen Geary eyed while reading a book with such a boring subject. But I will admit that I think it stired a new passion. I have been passionate about health since switching to a wholefoods plant based diet three years ago. But I feel like my passion for helping people find health has greatly grown in scope as I have started to study the healthcare system. Now I am left with the directionless questions, what now? How do I put myself on a career path to help?

I often take my shoes off during the day… And many times change into casual shoes before leaving the office. So it nit untypical for me to have a collection of dress shoes scattered beneath my desk.

We had Liesel’s surprise farwell party a few weeks ago. When she first told me she would be leaving to take another offer I was shocked and somewhat emotional. She was a great mentor. Fortunately her sister is back from maternity leave to fill her shoes so I have not been left mentorless. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again.