Memorial Day, a day off, though one with a very lengthy to do list that finds me less than motivated. It wasn't a total washout. I went to Bellvue State Park, cleared a path from the study entrance to the computer, planted dill-coriander-chives in the backyard herb garden, planned out the coming week and made some headway on the next six months activities. I put clothing away, though not all of it, and used my new camera of limited capacity. Milchig dishes got washed. The herbs on the front entrance got watered and inspected. AKSE annual Cafe Tamar tonight.

I'm a little tired, maybe disappointed in how little I did today relative to plans. I was to remove ivy from the side of the deck, which I attempted using scissors. I could not find my sickle and went from place to place trying to obtain another, eventually settling on a 22 in machete which chops a lot better than it slices. My new camera needs a slot card and some good batteries. I wanted to write some things and of course work on my office departure and new professional destination. Tomorrow is another day off to give it a go.

Back better. Using the morning to work on my transfer to Philadelphia in August, then most of the weekend to seek my highest level of amusement. My back is less sore, still not quite right, though.

Rabbi probably does not pay attention to the implications of his own sermons. He spoke last week about how Rabbi Shlomo Riskind denied future Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan a Bat Mitzvah in the manner she preferred, citing Halacha. This future icon of American law diverted her interest, transferred from orthodoxy and observant. If a giant of rabbidom can dispatch a future giant of law, I suppose it is understandable that a rabbinical peasant of Rabbi Joel's electronic training can bypass Dr. Moe and Dr. Larry to make a decent physician such as myself contemputous of how Jewish law is best applied. For probably the third time since my Bar Mitzvah, I find myself heading toward looser observance. First as a teen I had some confrontations with the rabbi and the teen minyan director. Then after college graduation I relocated to the land of Jesuits for medical school. Both times I saw a return to stricter observance under different circumstances. This time I am truly contemptuous, not of the people or of the circumstances, but of what the people value. My one way ticket away from this would probably fall under rabbi generated attrition.

Injured my lumbosacral area yesterday, not sure how but I found it rather disabling last night, though better today after some motrin and some stretching and more recently a warm shower.

My weekly tasks seem to be proceeding a little better than usual. My PA license application is ready to go, my News-Journal ad should be composed by tomorrow along with my patient departure letter. I decided to invest in a Park Pass that allows me entry to all the state parks for the 2010 season, starting with a trip to Cape Henlopen this Memorial Day weekend. I need a little more amusement and a little less doctors and rabbis.

Quiet day of catch up. Nobody in hospital, just a handful of office patients this afternoon, then a weekend sort of off. We missed mothers day last weekend when I was on call so a postponed dinner of elegance is in the offing. Some chores, some Kaddish, some amusement.

Trying to get out from under in the office. The amount of paper leaves me astounded. As I start winding down my practice I need to find a new home for things. The recycling bin should do well for the journals, the trash can for cd's that drug companies gave me. There are my wall hangings and shelves and desk and electronics. Maybe Howard will sell some of it for me on ebay. Perhaps I can now have my study redone the way I always wanted it to be.

Have some quiet time for a few minutes. Formal job offer came yesterday to which I will confirm today, then start the specifics. I feel very relieved that the search and uncertainty of the immediate future has ended.

I would like to amuse myself this weekend after being on call last weekend. Beth Emeth Friday night, AKSE Saturday morning, my highest level of amusement Saturday afternoon, housework and Mothers Day Dinner prep Sunday morning, DVC Sunday afternoon, then delayed fancy Mothers Day Dinner Sunday night. Still have to get to the weekend, though.

Last weekend off before tackling mother's day on call. Trying to be productive but also trying to get some rest. Planted basil in pots on front stoop and in garden, trimmed and tied some sage that probably would have been better ripped out and replanted as some of the leaves have a white spotted blight. Tidied bedroom, put sweaters, long sleeve shirts and other winter items in plastic bags and vacuumed the air out. Washed and folded my cold water laundry. Got a mothers day gift for next week. Made a tray of brownies and a lasagne. Observed Lag B'Omer by trimming my beard and agreeing not to shoot any public arrows in the Cantor's direction. And finally, talked to my exasperating son.