100 Degrees in the Shade

Our room was disappointing. I shared a kingsize bed with Sharon (we were to move to two double beds tomorrow) and she snored alot, so sleep was interrupted. Our toilet was broken and ran all night, but Sharon closed the door to the bathroom and that made it tolerable. A patient called me at 4:31, probably not realizing that I was in a timezone three hours later than Baltimore, so I lay in bed afterward without sleeping. Despite that both Sharon and I woke up late and dressed hurriedly, just in time for the conference to start.

The first few sessions were interesting, but the talks soon devolved into 'preaching to the choir', with many enthusiastic practitioners lamenting the ills of society and insurance companies and doctors. There is great need for education in eating disorders, and little convincing information or data, and I get frustrated when I hear so much not based in fact or research. I also found out when I got here that I would not get CME credits, which I had expected and I am not sure I would have gone if I had known. I guess that is why there are so few physicians here.

I finally decided to escape, and walked the length of Scottsdale, to the 'Fashion Square' mall, the 'Fifth Avenue' section and the 'Old Town'. Scottsdale is a long strip mall, with upscale shops of all sorts, the usual mall stores, but also many specialty shops and artisan malls. There is even a 'waterfront', a 'malecon' of sorts along a canal.

I did not realize how hot it was until I got back and checked out the news. It was the hottest day of the year, unseasonably hot and unexpectedly hot. I was comfortable, the walk was flat with no hills and did not take much effort. I can imagine it being oppressive, but I felt comfortable, and escaped for a breather when I could.

We were invited out for dinner with a group of clinicians involved with one of the treatment centres, and I tried a sort of Armenian pizza, which was delicious and satisfying, and visited a beautiful office complex, which made me wonder why my office is so drab and unattractive. Perhaps I will be motivated to make some changes in my office space.