Author: Jsoze

Where Are The Cool People At? Sincerely, Soze

A rant for the weirdos of the world… 

As a disclaimer, before I delve into my seemingly pretentious stream of conscious about music tastes, know that I would never judge someone for what they enjoy. I am friends with liberals and conservatives, heavy metal headbangers and classical music aficionados, straight edge people and hippies alike. While it is somewhat immature to ostracize and judge folks with different opinions, every human being likes people who agree with them. We surround ourselves with people who have similar mindsets, interests and values. A dedicated bodybuilder will seek out gym partners to discuss training techniques and diet. A stoner will hang with others who smoke. A medieval historian will have long discussions with colleagues who share knowledge and interest in that era. An animal lover will be drawn to others who have a similar passion for animal protection and rights. It’s human nature. Our passions define us, they give us life, and often, they even give us purpose.

You can strike up conversation with random passerby’s on the street about the weather. You can go to work and talk about Tom Brady’s legendary comeback in the Super Bowl. These are examples of topics that just about everyone can relate to and share their thoughts on. But what happens when you have a burning passion, or an interest that you’re dying to discuss, but no one shares your interest? It is frustrating, and at times isolating.

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Can You Have a Life in Medical School?

Can you have a life in medical school? If you’ve read my previous posts on How Hard is Medical School and Medical School: Expectations vs Reality, you’ll know that I have mentioned that it is certainly possible to “have a life” during these years.

While I briefly addressed the topic with short anecdotes, I’ve been messaged with several questions regarding social life, improving your bench press, partying, hanging with friends, and anything else that constitutes non-medical related activities during the years of medical school. Therefore, it is appropriate to elaborate on the topic in full.

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Lollapalooza vs Bonnaroo

If you have a pulse and a social media account, you already know that music festivals are widely gaining more and more popularity around the country.

Coachella is the first name mentioned – That girl you know from college will see that Beyonce is headlining and heard that Radiohead is good so she’ll tweet a picture of the lineup captioned, “OMG dying. Going to Coachella this year” (spoiler alert: she doesn’t end up going). For most, Coachella isn’t feasible logistically unless you have a few G’s to blow.

On the east coast, we’ve seen the emergence of many new festivals in an already oversaturated festival market. Governor’s Ball seems chill and usually puts out a solid lineup. While the brand new Goldenvoice New York City product, Panorama, has put together some smaller outstanding lineups over the past two years, they don’t really tap into the “Mumford & Sons was the best concert I’ve ever been to” crowd. Firefly does an excellent job at that – like a PG-13 rated Bonnaroo. Or an edited rap album. Similarly to Panorama, Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago seems to put out smaller, yet potent festival lineups yearly.

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The Music of 2016: A Year in Review (Part II)

In Part I of my review of the music of 2016, I assessed the state of our musical culture – the good, the bad, the trends, the overrated superstars, the surprises, and the let downs.

While the year was filled with social media hype-driven bullshit, there was undoubtedly classic material released throughout. And in the face of such a music culture that embraces cheesiness, cliches, derivative trends, and minimal original ideas, the artists who are making authentic, genuine art shine even brighter.

Instead of ranking all of my favorite songs of the year numerically, which I think is kind of stupid, I have compiled a list of my favorite songs of the year, with only one song per artist. Following the best songs of the year, I have ranked the best albums of 2016.

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The Music of 2016: A Year in Review (Part I)

Yeah, I know most of these lists are released before 2016 actually ends, but cut me some slack, I’m a busy med student. I had a three week winter break, but those days were reserved strictly for drinking, sleeping, and doing the least productive activity I could come up with at the moment. Without further adieu, let’s say peace to 2016 and review the year’s music.

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Med School Memoirs: Playing Doctor

Typically, the first two years of medical school are comprised of learning the science of medicine in a classroom setting. You have lectures, books, and exams. Just like college. Except every week is like finals week for the hardest classes you ever took. Years three and four, they ship you off to a hospital where you learn how to actually practice the medicine you’ve been learning and deal with those bewildering creatures called “patients”.

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Med Student Syndrome

Through the trials and tribulations of medical school, your personal sanity will undergo many tests.  I’ve seemed to avoid the stereotypical medical school depression, typically sparked by the doom & gloom mentality that seeps its way into one’s psyche when they’re forced to learn seemingly endless amounts of drugs, diseases, and whatnot for years on end with minimal breaks. So far I’ve also avoided burnout, which is good considering I’ve only been here since July 5th and I’m only 25% done with my preclinical classroom-lecture-exam format of learning.

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How Hard is Med School?

It’s midnight and I have a headache. I’ve been staring at my bright computer screen all day and my eyes are bloodshot. My lower back is sore from sitting at my kitchen table for the entire day. Yes, the entire day. I have finally traded the caffeinated beverages for a glass of Makers Mark on the rocks, poured from a glass decanter inscribed with the phrase, “So it goes.” Fitting.

This morning, I woke up, brewed some coffee and sat down. Cracked open Functions and Disorders of the Immune System: Third Edition and read for two straight hours. One coffee lead to another. And another. I became so stimulated that I had no appetite.

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