[ … 7:20 AM … ] I have today off. Just dropped Amy off at work too. I’m putting this entry up early because there are actually a few things I want to get done for the rest of the day.

My plans include some medical reading, exercising, going to library to prepare for talk, and wander around computer store to see if there are any cool new games out that I won’t have time to play.

So at least I’m starting the day motivated, although I suspect after I put this entry up I’ll go back to sleep.

Amy had fun at the nurses’ party on Friday night. It was all fast dancing she said and the guys she did dance with were gay so it’s all cool. I’m a jealous person. I would be a little disturbed if she slow danced with some guy she worked with and saw everyday. Especially since everyone was drinking.

I have no reason to be jealous of course, especially with Amy. Even moreso since she’s not one to flirt (except with me of course) or even appreciate friendly flirting. It seems to turn her off more than anything else, at least the way she tells it to me. That’s just one of the bonuses of having a serious minded, seemingly unapproachable Asian goddess for a life partner.

Speaking of flirting … I met a new nurse Friday night. I was checking in on a patient I was covering for the other team. This nurse was short, dark eyes, dark hair … I was guessing Italian. She was very pleasant and smiled every time I asked anything. On the way out, she stopped me in the hall, and asked if I went to “Powerhouse Gym” in this area. Apparently she does too and has seen me there. I honestly didn’t remember seeing her before. She introduced herself as Carrie and I told her to call me Scott. The whole “doctor” title is unnecessarily distancing in my opinion. Then the next morning when I was at the nurses/doctors station, she sat next to me and asked what nationality I was.

Maybe it was the nervous hesitation in her voice. Maybe it was the way her eyes sparkled unblinkingly while talking to me. Or maybe I subconsciously noted her pupils dilating when she spoke to me, but I got the distinct impression she was flirting with me. So I went “back to work” for two minutes and then left the floor.

It’s times like that I wish I was wearing my engagement ring. I just don’t want women to see me as single when I’m really not. I remember what it felt like becoming interested in someone only to find out that they’re already involved. By the way, my engagement ring is “temporarily lost.” I knew I would lose it, that’s why I refused to wear it. So I wore it occasionally instead and now it’s lost. But at least I lost it at home and not at work, I think … I hope.

On the other hand, I really like that spark of interest in someone’s eyes when these moments occur … which are quite rare, I assure you. This all might sound conceited but sometimes even I can tell when someone’s interested, I think. If I talk to her again and we become friends I’ll let you all know. But knowing me, I doubt it.

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I was seeing an elderly lady Saturday morning. She had chronic lung disease and a broken hip (both of which exaggerated by smoking). While talking to her I saw one of those Taco Bell Chihuahua dolls by her pillow. I just bought one for Amy last week at Taco Bell. I picked it up and asked her if she knew the dog doll could talk. She looked at me like I needed a “Psych consult STAT.” Then I squeezed the dog’s belly and it said, “YO QUIERO TACO BELL.” She was so surprised and ecstatic at this new discovery that it made my day. Maybe we should get Taco Bell Chihuahua dolls for all of our patients. They can sure kick any Beanie Baby’s ass.

Of course the actual food would be a health hazard though. And it’s not like there aren’t enough “CODE BROWNs” already.