Reply #13: I used to do EEGs

[Dogmudgeon]

And I was so good with the patients, as a reward, I was the one who was assigned to do EEGs on all the psych patients.

If you ever want to hear some truly amazing stories, arrange to observe a severely mentally ill, paranoid- or agitated-schizophrenic, as the tech is putting electrodes on him/her. Actually, though, it's kind of sad, since most such patients are miserable and terrified every moment of their lives.

If you're a physician (or even an allied health care doctor -- DDS, DC, PhD audiologist, even a naturopath -- there are plenty in Philly; I live here too) I'm sure you've been dealing with this since your second year of med school. And I'm likewise sure there are some truly facepalm-worthy moments like the one you just had.

And it's not just a doctorly experience. My brother used to be a computer tech, and started in the early days. At one point, during one of the first virus scares, he was flooded with phone calls from terrified people.

"I'm scared about this computer virus! What do I have to do to avoid getting it?"

"Hmmm ... what kind of computer do you have?"

"Computer? I don't have a computer."

It's become one of those urban non-legends among computer folk ... like "where's the 'any' key?"

--d!