20 December 2004

Happy Holidays!! It's that time again, so here is a brief year-in-review for 2004...

Last year (as most of you may remember), I was lucky enough to attend the Sugar Bowl and watch LSU handle Oklahoma and win the BCS National Championship. We didn't stay in New Orleans for the post-game celebration, but here's a victory photo before leaving the Superdome.

Before football season started this year, I went to Tiger Stadium and did a "photo shoot" testing out some digital photography tricks and basically just goofing off / hanging around. Here are a few samples:

I was able to attend most home games and some away games this year. Travelling for regular season games was a first for me, and the experience was mixed. I had planned to attend LSU v Auburn, but a little weather disturbance called "Ivan" adjusted those plans (see below). Crystal and I were able to go to Athens for LSU v Georgia and it was misery. LSU played poorly, the Georgia fans were loud and obnoxious (I'm sure they say the same about LSU fans), and we were sitting in the upper deck with only one concession stand for the entire section. Needless to say, I wasn't in a picture-taking mood. Because of that trip, I wasn't quite willing to drive to Gainesville for LSU v Florida, which turned out to be a come-from-behind victory. Regardless, I returned home for Thanksgiving and went to see LSU v Arkansas in Little Rock (below was my view of the field). We'll also be headed to Orlando for the LSU v Iowa in the CapitalOne Bowl on January 1st, so look for me on TV!!

As for work, I'm a 4th year resident at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, still in Orthopaedics. Only 18 months until residency is completed, but I've decided to pursue a one-year fellowship in Adult Reconstruction - basically total joint replacement. I'm in the middle of completing applications, so it'll be awhile before I know anything about interviews. But at least I get to operate wearing fan-cooled "space suits"...

I was able to attend a course in Chicago in August reviewing complex fracture management and revision joint replacement surgeries. However, before the course started, we headed to watch the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. It's a strange feeling to actually be at a place that you've seen a zillion times on TV. Too bad the Cubs were true to form and lost in extra innings to the Padres. Afterwards we went to the ESPNZone in town and they had an interesting replica of Wrigley Field made with chewing gum wrappers.

Well, Hurricane Ivan caused alot of problems around here, mostly in the neighboring county. Crystal and Gibson (her yellow labrador retriever) evacuated to West Monroe, while I was at the hospital waiting for emergencies - but they didn't start until after the storm passed. I did have an opportunity to inspect the house the next day. No damage to the house, but the fence and shed took a beating, and the yard was a huge mess. I had to climb to reach the front door, and use the back door until I could get the yard cleared. I had to live at the hospital until the utilities were functional (5 days). However, things have slowly returned to normal (although the landscaping needs some major work).

Visiting Mobile this year were Matt Brown and his girlfriend Emily in March (we toured the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park),

As always, anyone is welcome to visit, even if only for a quick meal (my treat). All I need is a few days notice.

There's not much else to report on right now. My parents are visiting for Christmas again this year. I have a few more days of call left in 2004. I'll return to the Sports Medicine rotation for January to March, followed by an away rotation in Foot/Ankle in Birmingham for April to June.

That's all folks!! Please e-mail me or give me a call (251-716-3710) when you find the time - and send photos if you have them. Feel free to forward this web address to anyone you know who might be interested.

Take care.

Jared
jjpatt AT hotmail DOT com