When I first moved to California back in 1998, I didn’t know anyone out there and I wasn’t really into the bar scene. That cramped my social life I guess, although I was also fairly introverted at the time. Or maybe just shy. Who knows.
In any case, to pass the time and amuse myself sometimes I would go to the public library on the weekends and read various periodicals that interested me. I used to read the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association fairly regularly. I wouldn’t necessarily read them cover to cover, and I’m not a doctor so I wouldn’t necessarily follow all of the biochemistry involved. Still, I do have some basic knowledge of biology and chemistry and I’m not stupid, so it was still informative and interesting to see what kinds of studies were being performed.
Since I’ve been rather stressed lately, I was looking for a way to relieve some tension yesterday. Normally my standard venting mechanism these days would be to go down to one of the strip clubs and have a scotch or ten. But that’s not conducive to not spending money, so instead I decided to go to the library down the street from my house and take a look at their periodicals. Alas they don’t carry JAMA but they did have the New England Journal.
There are a couple of interesting pieces in there regarding Avian Flu and the potential coming influenza pandemic. Some interesting work on looking at antivirals for treating influenza as well. Good stuff.
Yes, I am a party monster.