On Sunday, February 7, I will be live-blogging the Super Bowl. Although I'm not an expert in American football (cricket is my passion), I am conversant in the subject. Last night, I forwent a dalliance with Salome to immerse myself in the intric… Read full post »

OS has been astir since Cartouche came out as O'Really. Now all OSers are divulging their true names, posting their true pictures, and identifying their alter egos. At first I was inclined to stay out of the fracas, but after some consideration, I've decided to come… Read full post »

One of the joys of practicing medicine is getting to know patients. In sixteen years of practice, I’ve met some extraordinary individuals. None have been more extraordinary than Father Paul Gallatin.  

Father Gallatin is a retired Catholic priest in Oklahoma City. He&rsq… Read full post »

Question: What do you like most about OS?  

No need to answer. I know what you're going to say:  The great writing. The spirit of community. Making new friends. 

Bullshit.  

You're here for the same reason I'm here: the bitching. No, I don't mean… Read full post »

...at the next person who puts up a colo(u)r post.

I love Cat. Her idea is brilliant! It elicited some marvelous poems, essays, and pictures. I've had a blast reading them. Plus, it's great to see so many writers participating in a wonderfully creative project. The first… Read full post »

I used to enjoy Christmas.

Then one movie ruined it.

In December 2006, I was enjoying a holiday lunch with my friends at the research center. We were sitting around a beautifully decorated table covered with delicious items.&nb… Read full post »

Reflections on the events of winter 2007.

December is a good month to attend on the wards. Patients arrive with their respiratory ailments, and students discover unfamiliar lung sounds.  In thirteen years of teaching at the University of Oklahoma, I never complained about a December as… Read full post »

When I joined Open Salon eight months ago, I read poetry and political commentary. Times have changed. OS is now saturated with sexual content. It's a shame. What began as a unique and intriguing online journal has turned into a prurient tab… Read full post »

10.  Colonoscopy gone awry

9.  Acupuncture gone awry

8. Face-lift (performed by Michael Jackson's surgeon) 

7.  Cocaine (in supratherapeutic doses)

6. Clorox intoxication

5. Cardiac arrest… Read full post »

Yesterday, Cartouche pointed out that "restaurateur" was misspelled on the OS Cover. This morning I learned that my high school English teacher, Dr. Elizabeth van Hamersveld, died. This post is dedicated to the memory of Dr. van Hamersveld.  She taught me to lo… Read full post »

First, let me apologize for being away from OS. I was on vacation in Fort Lauderdale – and what a splendid vacation it was! No electronic connections – just sun, sand, and surf! And now that I'm refreshed and back in Oklahoma City, I'm cat… Read full post »

I'm a sophisticated writer, so I avoid clichés like the plague. For all intents and purposes, clichés go hand-in-hand with a lazy mind. Fortunately, most are as plain as the nose on your face and therefore easy to avoid.

When I was in school, my teache… Read full post »

I'm a selfish bastard.

When I joined Open Salon six months ago, I found literary freedom. No one questioned my choice of topics. No one restricted my hours. No one limited my space. No one charged me a red cent for the expensive techno/… Read full post »

  Environmentalism is a daunting preoccupation:

• Global warming threatens the planet
• Pollution threatens our health
• Dependance on foreign oil threatens our economy and our national security

So we recycle, plant trees, and use public transportation. But w… Read full post »

Is it any surprise that Switzerland has, arguably, the world's finest health care system?  Would you expect any less from a nation where the air is crisp, the streets are clean, and the trains run on time?

Read full post »

My best friend has a new avatar. It's AWESOME!!!!!  My avatar SUCKS!!!!! It's soooooo dweeby. I'm NOT a DWEEB!!!!! 

I'm SUPER-COOL!!!!! Don't believe me? Ask my friend. He says I'm SUPER-COOL!!!!! Specially on Benadryl.  So I'm getting a SUPER-CO… Read full post »

I'm a general internist. I've been practicing medicine at the OU Health Sciences Center for seventeen years. Readers of my blog know that I support the Obama Health Plan. 

Eager to know if my patients are similarly enthusiastic about the plan, I decided to… Read full post »

When I joined Open Salon, I swore -- I swore -- I would never do an animal post. That promise ended last night when I watched the dazzling inaugural episode of So You Think You Can Dance: Animal Edition. 

The new dance show on FOX comes on the heels of the highly successful… Read full post »

I've witnessed a lot of hate speech on OS lately and, frankly, I'm fed up with it. Fortunately, much of it has already been exposed and condemned. But not all.

The worst attacks have been directed against my friend and fellow blogger, Dennis Loo.

Den… Read full post »

I apologize for taking so long to report on the meet-up in Las Vegas. I've been busy and haven't had much time to write. Fortunately, my fellow OSers have done a good job of describing the affair. I'm sure they'll post more details late… Read full post »

Susan and I have been married for thirteen years. I've learned a lot about marriage in those years. Specifically, I've learned the three "keys" to a successful marriage:   

• Apologize when you make a mistake
• Make amends
• Communicate, communicate,/
… Read full post »

Claude Renoir Painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

I love French culture. Consequently, I cannot allow Bastille Day (July 14) to pass without a tribute to France.

The French are greatly misunderstood. Too often Americans travel to Paris for a week, meet a few rude people, a… Read full post »

America has a rich musical heritage.

Consider the adaptations of Protestant hymns -- the Negro spirituals -- that gave birth to blues, jazz, and gospel.  Consider "pop" music, beginning with Tin Pan Alley and ragtime luminaries like Scott Joplin. Consider… Read full post »

When Saturn Smith was convicted of aggravated assault last week, a pall was cast on OS.  Saturn was the smart and savvy journalist who kept us in touch with the world. I am grateful to her for granting me this exclusive interview. My prayers are with her and he… Read full post »