SMA News March ( Junior Doctors ) Issue
-- as expected, quite a bit of complaining. But at least it's now being done "openly". Well, anonymity notwithstanding, heh heh. Hey, walls can't be broken down overnight.

American Idol This Week

My top 4 ( always seems to be 4, hmm ):

Nikko Smith: He rocked this week! His performance of Sisqo's Incomplete ( a song I don't even know ) blew me out of my reverie ( it was my day off, and I'd just done some major house-cleaning ). He'd been my least favourite male finalist up till then. Now he's a CONTENDER. Mighty interesting.

Constantine: This guy has convinced me to dish out money for tickets when ( and I'm sure of this ) the AI4 group of 12 comes to Singapore later this year for a concert. Gave the AI3 gang a miss ( can't stand Fantasia ), but Constantine ALONE is worth the price of a front-row seat. :)
Here's a fellow who's suddenly developed a knack for making me smile in spite of myself. Didn't really like him in the earlier episodes, but he's grown on me a lot since last week's powerhouse version of You Make Me So Very Happy, and his cover of The Partridge Family's I Think I Love You yesterday sure induced some good-natured laughs of appreciation. :D
He picks rather odd songs, but is confident enough to pull them off every single time. He's a rocker at heart, but doesn't turn songs from other genres into heavy metal nightmares. There's a very fun spirit in his performances which I'm beginning to get addicted to. And that SMILE... I haven't seen any AI finalist smile this much since... Clay Aiken! :)

Anthony Fedorov: He's done better previously, but at least he picked a catchy tune ( I Knew You Were Waiting For Me by George Michael and Aretha Franklin ). I still prefer the original, but Anthony has got some smooth moves in him yet. If only he could find a way to harness and control that pure, unique and beautiful voice of his.

Carrie Underwood: Sporting big hair and all, she bravely broke out of the country-girl stereotype and belted her guts out on Heart's Alone. Wow. Although, I have to disagree with Simon Cowell's over-the-top statement about Carrie winning AI4 and going on to outsell all her predecessors. No way, man. This year, the guys rule.

Disappointments: Nadia Turner's poor choice of song ( Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time ) and Anwar Robinson's weak vocals on Chaka Khan's Ain't Nobody. But hey, their fans know better and could care less. Me included.

Deep Throat

Well, not really.

But I've heard so many shocking pieces of news today that my head is spinning right now.

First, something about a training fee certain junior specialists have to fork out every month. And it's significant.

Second, the dire conditions in a particular medical specialty.

Third, the number of cases being sent to the wrong departments for the wrong reasons.

And it isn't even a case of concerned parties doing nothing. It's a case of concerned parties trying to do something, but hitting obstacles in every direction.

If you're in a position of power, but use that power irresponsibly, then the patients suffer, and ground staff will grow increasingly disgruntled. The lack of a strong foundation does not bode well for a large healthcare institution.

Sigh. Maybe life as an ignorant MO was better after all.

In Retrospect

The conversation was extremely one-sided.

The realization of the misstep grossly delayed.

The method of making amends - disturbingly inadequate.

Note to self: Stop doing favours for people.