It turned out to be an atypically good call on Saturday, but heck, I'm not complaining. :) Cardiology is definitely one of the more interesting postings around, but it's also very specialized, so 3 months here will not be enough to pick up on its finer points.
Got some good news today -- we have a new resident joining us, yes! Haven't been formally introduced yet, but was told she's a German lass and will be with the department for 6 months. From a practical point of view, that translates into extra manpower, fewer calls and better post-call coverage. From a more human perspective, it'll be fun to have a nice conversation with her and learn more about her previous experiences. We've got a lot of foreign residents here in Singapore, but don't think I've met any from Germany yet.

Watched The Affair of the Necklace on a rented VCD last night. This is an obscure little film which didn't make any impact at the box office, but which I borrowed because of Hilary Swank and a guy named Simon Baker.
For those who went "Huh?", Swank won the Oscar for her portrayal of a woman with a sexual identity crisis in "Boys Don't Cry", while Baker is currently heating up the TV screen on "The Guardian" which airs every Wednesday night on Channel i.
I first saw Baker on TV when he took the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Drama Series last year. So when "The Guardian" arrived, I started following it religiously, and it has been worth it. Unlike "Ally McBeal" -- which makes lawyers look dumb -- or "The Practice" -- which makes lawyers look godly -- Baker plays a legal eagle with immense talent, but also so many flaws and such a terrible sense of timing, I'm surprised his character is still breathing.
Thankfully, the central plot is original: rich kid Nick Fallin ( Baker ) works for his hotshot dad who owns a huge law firm in Pittsburgh, and gets slapped with community service after being arrested for taking drugs. His life takes a turn for the better when he starts working for social services and represents the likes of abused and homeless children. He even develops feelings for a fellow co-worker, but gets rejected when she elopes with her fiancee in order to get over her infatuation with Nick -- really stupid, but makes for compelling TV.
The latest episode is an indication of the series hitting melodramatic proportions -- Nick becomes embroiled in manslaughter just after his father becomes a federal judge, and the firm is passed on to a sleazy senator. However, the performances all round are wonderfully understated, so there's no yelling or bawling. In fact, in a rare show of emotion, Nick breaks down only when he calls his dad and leaves a message to apologize after unwittingly killing a club dancer. I can't even imagine what's coming next week!

Anyway, back to The Affair of the Necklace. This one claims to be based on true events, and relates how Jeanne Valois, a young countess whose father's estate was usurped during the French Revolution, attempts to take back what's rightfully hers. Along the way, she meets Retaux ( played by Baker ), a gigolo who shares her mission to keep the monarchy on its toes, and they embark on an elaborate scheme to deceive and cheat the 2 most powerful figures in France at the time -- Queen Marie Antoinette, and the Cardinal.
Masterfully directed by Charles Shyer, it is lusciously filmed and intriguing to the very end -- despite being post-call, I remained wide awake till the end-credits. Swank, who played a tomboy in her Oscar-winning role, is the total opposite here, complete with dollish curls and ruffled dresses, making you sit up and exclaim, "Wow, she's a knockout!".
Baker, on the other hand, gives an admirable supporting performance as her loyal partner. "Guardian" fans will be happy to know that he smiles a lot in this film, unlike sulky Nick Fallin. Which goes to show that he's actually quite versatile. :) Too bad he lacks the height, a la 1.9-metred Heath Ledger and Hugh Jackman ( his fellow Australians ).
You can rent this if you're curious, but I would suggest it mostly to Baker/Swank fans, or anyone who loves period pieces as much as I do.

Also bought -- yes, bought! -- the DVD for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It's just been released here, and
I just couldn't resist when I spotted it at the rental shop! I got it for $45, and got a free giant poster as well! I looked through the bonus features last night, and there's a 10-minute preview to "The Two Towers", plus a music video of "May It Be" -- a hauntingly beautiful piece by Enya, brought to life with equally gorgeous snippets from the film. The only problem is it's a widescreen version, and my DVD player can't expand the picture on-screen, so the top and bottom are cut off. Really sucks. But this is one DVD everyone should add to their collection. Don't bother with the VCD or video. It has to be DVD or nothing at all.