Fellowship begins

July 1st is New Years' Day for doctors. Given that July 1st fell on a Saturday, and given that we are pathologists-- and thus, unlike other doctors, work normal-human-being-type hours-- my forensics fellowship began today.

I wasn't really sure what they were going to do with me and my co-fellow today, so I wore something nice with a pair of sturdy (and not-too-beloved) shoes, just in case we'd been assigned cases (just to start us off with a bang!)

As you may have guessed, it was a largely ceremonial day, consisting of signing things that no one reads, having my picture taken, swearing in, and collecting keys. However, there were two notable highlights:

1) Lunch with the boss!-- a very nice and very approachable gentleman-- accompanied by the second-in-charge-and-heir-apparent (our immediate supervisor), the boss' secretary (a friendly woman) and her assistant (a very young woman who seemed surprised to be included)-- held at a nice little buffet restaurant about half an hour away.

2) Cubicle-warming decorations!-- placed by one of our co-residents while she was there on rotation last month, including streamers, a venus flytrap, snacks, and a CD of snapshots from residency.

Also nice: for once I didn't overshop. Usually, upon beginning a new stage of life, I tend to stock up on stuff I think I need (and usually overshoot by about 10%, which I've pretty much learned to accept.) This time, things seemed to fit just perfectly. Thus, I am proud to recommend the following shopping list:

Shopping list for forensics fellowship:
1) air freshener, shower gel, & moisturizer-- all on sale at Bath and Body Works!
2) drawer organizers, in/out box, three ring binder with calendar month dividers (for tear-offs of cases, push pins)-- all not on sale, but pretty cheap at Staples
3) surge protector/power strip
4) Spitz and Fisher
5) DiMaio and DiMaio (Forensic Pathology and Gunshot Wounds)
6) "I see dead people" poster

Also bring:
1) photos of friends and family
2) little office toys (I've got a little spaceman and some Homies)
3) your awards and certificates (look really wow! on a real office wall)
4) Henry's, Harrison's, Ackerman's, etc.