Saturday, August 14, 2010
Medical mumble jumble. . .
The Endocrinology class went 'blank'.
p.s. Ryle's tube (rylz) n. a thin flexible tube of rubber or plastic, which is inserted into the stomach through the mouth or nose of a patient and is used for withdrawing fluid from the stomach or for giving a test meal. [ J. A. Ryle (1889–1950), British physician]
Door creaks to open into the dark room.
Never did the World 'blur' more than it did today.
We enter into the 'SEPTIC' Theatre terribly awaiting renovation, obviously! It looks like a kitchen filled Operation theatre stuff; damn it!
"God, somehow, is an arranged person. . . ."
Note:
"Sure. This is the last slide.
"I want to 'hear' him 'think'."
"It's got Menthol. It goes to places you have never known to exist. It doesn't open up your nose. You just feel it does."
Monday, July 26, 2010
The 'mental' journey [contd.]
Q. Define Bizarre.
Ans. I see a man standing on the moon and peeing on the Earth.
I looked around. Faces struck in windows, mouths wide open and eager hands stretched out, with periodic pronation and supination waiting to grab you in the very first catch. This was the impression the Bolly/ Tolly- woods and friends who already happened to visit the Psychiatric wards (especially the ones who got slapped while taking a patient’s history) left on me. I didn’t find any of them though it was easier to recognize the wards, as it was the only one with the entrance closed and a guard attending it, at all times.
I ran across the hall with ‘symmetrically’ parallel beds occupied by ‘unsymmetrical’ minds as they moved their eyeballs from one corner to the other, from where laughter arose, which seemed more intelligent and sane over the others that filled the hall, which is perhaps, the venue for my class. I was alone, but not scared. I opened the door slowly, just to make enough space for one single eye of a suspicious peeping Tom. The room was fully packed and not surprisingly, everybody was already examining this innocent eye through the narrow hole. Now, knowing that I am late, scared, I said nothing. The bespectacled, rough bearded man, the only one not in an apron other than the patient, who seemed to be the oldest and the wisest of all brought his double chin to his chest at once and again. The classic non-verbal! As I entered, he looked towards a serious young doctor who continued . . .
“ Mr. Balasubramaniam, aged 32 years, who hails from the Shimoga district of Karnataka presents to Kasturba Hospital on 16/07/09 with the chief complaints of . . .[which generally is the starting point of unbelievable non-existent, non- English, this time struck me like a thunderbolt!]
I see God (full stop) My heart (hyphen) his gateway.”
My jaw fell to the ground. He continued-
“ History of presenting illness-
I feel all energetic and believe in the capability of achieving anything I want . . .
The people of this country need a great leader and I am ready to give it to them . .
After my BSc Chemistry, I felt closer to him [G O D] . . .”
Past history-
h/o thorn prick. Didn’t feel like going to school.
I was tempted enough to grab a copy of the patient’s history. The duration of the conversation with the patient was recorded as an unbelievable whole 2 and half hours! Further, in the report-
Content: {All the dominant preoccupations of the subject including ideas of reference, persecution, grandeur, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, sin, nihilism, negation, love, control, infidelity, etcetera}
“ I feel the power of ten [10] people within me.”
Insight: {Awareness, attribution and acceptance of intervention}
“ I have no problem. Ask God, if you want.”
As I flipped through the pages, a lot of thoughts were randomly being fired in my mind. For once, I, funnily, thought-
Well, here is an ideal Indian and where should he be?
Y-e-a-h! The Psychiatry ward.
The Professor closed his eyes half way through the presentation, life less till the moment, suddenly erupted from his old wooden chair and exploded.
“ You! The young man in the blue, yes, blue checks”, he said. “ Is Malaria curable?”
My class mate took the chance and ran down the entire list,” Chloroquine, Quinine, Atovaquone, Proguanil . . .”
“ Oh? That’s impressive. So what are these drugs for? Against whom are your murderous intentions?”
The room giggled in union.
“I mean the cause of your Malaria, young man. The cause!”
“The protozoan parasite. The species of Plasmodium. “
“Exactly.”
“Let me ask you one more question, give me a cure for a mental disorder. Okay. I’ll be lenient this time. Any mental disorder. Any!
Silence.
“ What happened?” He laughed violently. “I wont blame you. Humans haven’t found the antidote for emotion yet. Emotions have no reason.
To find a cure, you need the cause. When your target is lame, bizarre, retrospective, where is the word ‘cure’. There is no mental illness with a cure”, he declared. “ So is Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, other chronic diseases, and psychiatric disorders, controllable, BUT are not curable.”
Suddenly, the nurse in the milk white uniform entered and spoke in a hurry.
“Doctor, doctor! The patient in bed no.32 is trying to kill herself again!”
“Aah! That old woman! Not again!” he said, flung the door wide-open and stormed out.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Roma
You've Never Lived Until You've Loved in Rome!
Three coins in the fountain,
Through the ripples how they shine,
Just one wish will be granted,
One heart will wear a valentine.
Which one will the fountain bless?
Which one will the fountain bless?
- From the movie “Three Coins In The Fountain” [1954]
In Rome, the past is the key to the present and the present to the past. Each stone has a history of ages and like all the historical monuments all over the world from the Ajanta & Ellora, The Pyramids of Egypt to the ruins of Rome, it’s always the story behind it. It’s always the story behind everything that’s more impressive than the deceptive appearances.
The Vatican was, of course, the holiest place in the trip. They got everything there, from ceilings painted by Michelangelo, extreme social respect, political power, influence of the Church, that richness and the Swiss security. What else needs to complete the list?!
To get to Pisa and Florence, we just had to travel too much to arrive at one foci of architectural beauty! Wonderful!
Three coins in the fountain,
Through the ripples how they shine,
Just one wish will be granted,
One heart will wear a valentine.
Which one will the fountain bless?
Which one will the fountain bless?
- From the movie “Three Coins In The Fountain” [1954]
In Rome, the past is the key to the present and the present to the past. Each stone has a history of ages and like all the historical monuments all over the world from the Ajanta & Ellora, The Pyramids of Egypt to the ruins of Rome, it’s always the story behind it. It’s always the story behind everything that’s more impressive than the deceptive appearances.
The Vatican was, of course, the holiest place in the trip. They got everything there, from ceilings painted by Michelangelo, extreme social respect, political power, influence of the Church, that richness and the Swiss security. What else needs to complete the list?!
To get to Pisa and Florence, we just had to travel too much to arrive at one foci of architectural beauty! Wonderful!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The miscounted days plus 1
Then, we drove to Swarovski, Wattens, Austria where the wonder- making Daniel Swarovski’s patented electric cutting machine had begun to change the beauty of crystal glass, itself! First, Chambers of wonder display followed by emptying of the dazzled disoriented visitors like all the other European industries.
That night at Innsbruck, no song was unsung and no wine left untasted.
Entry into the land of Italy didn’t mesmerize me as I expected. Maybe, the last days or the much more fashionable display in the movies, I didn’t know. I jus’ missed something.
All in all, as you stand at the Piazza San Marco aka Saint Mark's Square licking your Italian Gelato letting the salty breeze of the Adriatic Sea add flavor to those cold lips and still let you wondering about this floating city with its canals and bridges, those rotting colorful bricks, the richness and history, the Murano glass, the brides and the bells, the famous lover Casanova, the masks, the billion ‘Euro’ project to save this sinking islands and those Gondolas; you are standing on the most romantic place on this planet. That, you’ll know.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Day 10- Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, with it’s capital Vaduz, the only alpine country to lie entirely within the Alps inhabited by approximately 35,000 freaking rich German speaking people. It’s one of few countries in the world that maintains no military and with more registered companies than citizens!
Not very surprisingly, they almost had the whole area shut down for a marathon where (many sobbing, all cute) children ran through the streets with their anxious mums running behind them.
Though it was mentioned in the itinerary, I couldn’t imagine we were just stopping for lunch, getting our passports stamped [optional for a few Euros], using the free toilets (a rare thing to cherish in Europe; generally a visit can cost you around 0.3-1.3 Euros equivalent to 20- 80 INR!) and continuing with our journey. Later, we were explained that there wasn’t much to see either. Very clever!
Vaduz Castle, home to the Prince of Liechtenstein stands majestic on the hill just above the stop, right below which was the museum. The prince woke up each morning, brushed his teeth and discarded the toothbrush, which flies right out of the window landing in the Royal gallery of the museum. Take it easy. I just made that up!
Somewhere in the middle of Europe
No sooner the trip began, I lost the count of the days and nights. Then, one fine day after crossing five countries border to border, I pull out my hand from the warm pocket to count my fingers as I heard my neighbors on the bus discussing plans of return. I only thing that reminded me of the passing time was my faithful growing beard.
Each passing day got me more tired. Tired of giant price tags. Tired of meticulous marvels, surprises and cheap bargains with the blacks. Tired of low battery indicator beeping at the end of each tiring day and me running to fetch a travel adaptor only to lose more of the little permitted sleep. I blinked less too, I suppose, maybe I subconsciously couldn’t afford to miss any passing beauties. I never understood the reason we get tired after traveling for long hours though we do nothing. I wrote less and instead made many new friends.
So, at this saturation point, when the memory was low and surprises were not surprises anymore and your head is bursting with information like at the end of a 3-hour straight study session, I scribbled-
With so lil’ time in each place, you wish you didn’t know they existed rather than now knowing that you traveled a 5 thousand miles to miss something at some place you’ve been and probably will never be again!
Each passing day got me more tired. Tired of giant price tags. Tired of meticulous marvels, surprises and cheap bargains with the blacks. Tired of low battery indicator beeping at the end of each tiring day and me running to fetch a travel adaptor only to lose more of the little permitted sleep. I blinked less too, I suppose, maybe I subconsciously couldn’t afford to miss any passing beauties. I never understood the reason we get tired after traveling for long hours though we do nothing. I wrote less and instead made many new friends.
So, at this saturation point, when the memory was low and surprises were not surprises anymore and your head is bursting with information like at the end of a 3-hour straight study session, I scribbled-
With so lil’ time in each place, you wish you didn’t know they existed rather than now knowing that you traveled a 5 thousand miles to miss something at some place you’ve been and probably will never be again!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Day 6- Chamonix, France & Switzerland
"Bon Voyage!"
- The Swiss officer at the border without checking our passports! ;)
Chamonix, France is perhaps going to stay as my favorite place. A lovely place, hidden deep in a valley surrounded by the French Alps, secluded from the rest of the bustling world with its river L'Arve running in rivulets calmly, can steal any given heart. For the very first time I had a longing to return to a place so much, no sooner than we left. Love at first sight, indeed.
What a view! What a sight! Into the oblivion till the horizons meet! 'Mountain clad' snow, melting white stuff creating falling waters and those infinite shades of green. I could starve to stare at it forever & ever, all my life. The two way cog wheel train ride with a single intersection point can equally mesmerize, as we watch those stretches of steep mountain land change from green to tall dark green to barren brown to thick milky white. Heaven! Even the cable car ride is available, if you wish, all the way to Italy!
Just yesterday, we rolled our heads high at the foothills to trace the bright bulb glowing on the peak and wondered how anybody could get there. Today, under the good God's warm Sun, we stood and stared from a 4,810 m high. All these interventions and pioneering began in these strange small lands in the beginning of the 20th century itself and by the way, who own the planet's highest peaks?! Oh boy! I ain't saying anything. I just feel so poor and backward.
In all those seemingly ending but 'still- an- hour to reach' bus rides, which the Cox & Kings called leisure drives, there was always, Michelle, our tour operator to comfort everybody, saying,
"Like in life, rather than the destination; it's the journey we undertake that makes the difference" to which we couldn't help but agree except for the ripened arse. Also, the wonderful vent for expression- 'Ooh là là' was something everybody took to and chanted day in and out, helplessly.
Switzerland is one supremely talked about place for its Alps, film shooting, honeymoons, neutrality, richness, quality of life and everything. Sparing the sarcasm in those dialogues of Ranbir Kapoor in the movie 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', yes! There were the grass and the cows, let's add dark chocolate to the list and let's complete the statement with the word 'imported'!
"It's what you have seen on the post cards and wall posters or perhaps may have dreamed of, in the wildest of dreams. It's picture perfect."
- Michelle, as we touched the Swiss border on the 'false perfect' count of 10.
After the visit to the Mount Blanc, we didn't dare to miss out any optional tours. Next, Jungfraubahnen! To Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe, a UNESCO world heritage of the Swiss Alps via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg stations by the Cogwheel train again, was another such visit. Quoting, 'The high Alpine tour, a simple stroll, skiing in eternal snow, the breath taking views of France, Germany and Italy from the Sphinx' and including half naked men Sun bathing in freezing temperatures, sculptures in the Ice Palace, 'moving frozen' glaciers and the hot Indian lunch.
Art flourished, may be because their tummies were already well fed to think about 'after food' unlike in the developing world. Signboards flourished, with the names of UNO, ECE, ICC, ILO, ITC, UNHCHR, WHO, WMO, UNESCO et cetera et cetera.
At Trümmelbach Falls, more than the sight of the series of glacier- water falls; what's remarkable to understand and notice is that these tons of water penetrated through the mountain forming crevices and how man decided to dissect open this huge chunk of rock and made it accessible. A marvel created when nature's best gifts are coupled with man's best efforts.
P.s Mahatma Gandhi lives in many gardens all around the globe.
All in all, from the fantastic view from the hotel window to the night walk with Dr. Adilakshmi and Dr. Ramanuja, it was an amazing stay.
- The Swiss officer at the border without checking our passports! ;)
Chamonix, France is perhaps going to stay as my favorite place. A lovely place, hidden deep in a valley surrounded by the French Alps, secluded from the rest of the bustling world with its river L'Arve running in rivulets calmly, can steal any given heart. For the very first time I had a longing to return to a place so much, no sooner than we left. Love at first sight, indeed.
What a view! What a sight! Into the oblivion till the horizons meet! 'Mountain clad' snow, melting white stuff creating falling waters and those infinite shades of green. I could starve to stare at it forever & ever, all my life. The two way cog wheel train ride with a single intersection point can equally mesmerize, as we watch those stretches of steep mountain land change from green to tall dark green to barren brown to thick milky white. Heaven! Even the cable car ride is available, if you wish, all the way to Italy!
Just yesterday, we rolled our heads high at the foothills to trace the bright bulb glowing on the peak and wondered how anybody could get there. Today, under the good God's warm Sun, we stood and stared from a 4,810 m high. All these interventions and pioneering began in these strange small lands in the beginning of the 20th century itself and by the way, who own the planet's highest peaks?! Oh boy! I ain't saying anything. I just feel so poor and backward.
In all those seemingly ending but 'still- an- hour to reach' bus rides, which the Cox & Kings called leisure drives, there was always, Michelle, our tour operator to comfort everybody, saying,
"Like in life, rather than the destination; it's the journey we undertake that makes the difference" to which we couldn't help but agree except for the ripened arse. Also, the wonderful vent for expression- 'Ooh là là' was something everybody took to and chanted day in and out, helplessly.
Switzerland is one supremely talked about place for its Alps, film shooting, honeymoons, neutrality, richness, quality of life and everything. Sparing the sarcasm in those dialogues of Ranbir Kapoor in the movie 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', yes! There were the grass and the cows, let's add dark chocolate to the list and let's complete the statement with the word 'imported'!
"It's what you have seen on the post cards and wall posters or perhaps may have dreamed of, in the wildest of dreams. It's picture perfect."
- Michelle, as we touched the Swiss border on the 'false perfect' count of 10.
After the visit to the Mount Blanc, we didn't dare to miss out any optional tours. Next, Jungfraubahnen! To Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe, a UNESCO world heritage of the Swiss Alps via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg stations by the Cogwheel train again, was another such visit. Quoting, 'The high Alpine tour, a simple stroll, skiing in eternal snow, the breath taking views of France, Germany and Italy from the Sphinx' and including half naked men Sun bathing in freezing temperatures, sculptures in the Ice Palace, 'moving frozen' glaciers and the hot Indian lunch.
Art flourished, may be because their tummies were already well fed to think about 'after food' unlike in the developing world. Signboards flourished, with the names of UNO, ECE, ICC, ILO, ITC, UNHCHR, WHO, WMO, UNESCO et cetera et cetera.
At Trümmelbach Falls, more than the sight of the series of glacier- water falls; what's remarkable to understand and notice is that these tons of water penetrated through the mountain forming crevices and how man decided to dissect open this huge chunk of rock and made it accessible. A marvel created when nature's best gifts are coupled with man's best efforts.
P.s Mahatma Gandhi lives in many gardens all around the globe.
All in all, from the fantastic view from the hotel window to the night walk with Dr. Adilakshmi and Dr. Ramanuja, it was an amazing stay.
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