Below is the complete email conversation that Adelaide man David Thorne claims he had with a utility company chasing payment of an overdue bill.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account
Dear David, Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account
Dear Jane, I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account
Dear David, Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately we are unable to accept drawings as payment and your account remains in arrears of $233.95. Please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.32am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account
Dear Jane, Can I have my drawing of a spider back then please.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.42am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Overdue account
Dear David, You emailed the drawing to me. Do you want me to email it back to you?
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.56am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account
Dear Jane,
Yes please.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 12.14pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account
Attached
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 09.22am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Whose spider is that?
Dear Jane, Are you sure this drawing of a spider is the one I sent you? This spider only has seven legs and I do not feel I would have made such an elementary mistake when I drew it.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.03am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Whose spider is that?
Dear David, Yes it is the same drawing. I copied and pasted it from the email you sent me on the 8th. David your account is still overdue by the amount of $233.95. Please make this payment as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.05am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Automated Out of Office Response
Thank you for contacting me. I am currently away on leave, traveling through time and will be returning last week.
Regards, David.
From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.08am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
Hello, I am back and have read through your emails and accept that despite missing a leg, that drawing of a spider may indeed be the one I sent you. I realise with hindsight that it is possible you rejected the drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb ommission but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings. As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 2.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
Dear David, As I have stated, we do not accept drawings in lei of money for accounts outstanding. We accept cheque, bank cheque, money order or cash. Please make a payment this week to avoid incurring any additional fees.
Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 3.17pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
I understand and will definitely make a payment this week if I remember. As you have not accepted my second drawing as payment, please return the drawing to me as soon as possible. It was silly of me to assume I could provide you with something of completely no value whatsoever, waste your time and then attach such a large amount to it.
Regards, David.
From: Jane Gilles
Date: Tuesday 14 Oct 2008 11.18am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?
A sure sign I'm procrastinating away - scanning YouTube videos for quick entertainment and posting them up here, when I should be revising ASAP.... o_O Bleh.
Anyway, this one here is by comedian duo Bowser and Blue from Canada. Quite unlike Amateur Transplants, but I prefer the wordplay in this one. XD
Hope you like the clip....me heading off to bed first. Early start tomorrow. *winks*
Third week into psychiatry, and I think I'm getting used to it. haha.
Anyhow, just yesterday we had a range of psych topic sessions, and a consultant added some really hilarious psych-related jokes into his presentations. So I figured, "why not find them online and share them here?"
The first two were included in my consultant's powerpoint. The rest however were found incidentally on the net, which I found amusing and therefore worth sharing. Enjoy!
If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press 1 repeatedly.
If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2.
If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5, and 6.
If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Just stay on the line so we can trace the call.
If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.
If you are depressed, it doesn't matter which number you press. No one will answer.
If you are delusional and occasionally hallucinate, please be aware that the thing you are holding on the side of your head is alive and about to bite off your ear.
(Note: The joke above was first published in Marooned, a magazine produced by the Cromwell House of mental health facility in 2007. It was however deemed distasteful by a number of people, and they thus demanded the editors to remove the article. Personally I do not think it has any malicious intent whatsoever. Besides, the editorial board was made up of psychiatric patients and staff from the mental health facility.... so my point is, if they (ie: the patients) found the joke funny in the first place and decided to publish it in their mag, why stir things up? For more details and comments, click here)
A doctor at a mental asylum decided to take his patients to a baseball game. For weeks in advance, he coached his patients to respond to his commands. When the day of the game arrived, everything went quite well.
As the National Anthem started, the doctor yelled, "Up Nuts," and the patients complied by standing up. After the anthem, he yelled, "Down Nuts," and they all sat back down in their seats. After a home run was hit, the doctor yelled, "Cheer Nuts". They all broke out into applause and cheered. When the umpire made a particularly bad call against the star of the home team, the Doctor yelled, "Booooo Nuts," and they all started booing and cat calling.
Comfortable with their response, the doctor decided to go get a beer and a hot dog, leaving his assistant in charge. When he returned, there was a riot in progress. Finding his tizzied assistant, the doctor asked, "What in the world happened?" The assistant replied, "Well everything was going just fine until this guy walked by and yelled, "PEANUTS!"
A schizophrenic patient comes in to the psychiatrist's office with another schizophrenic friend. "My friend is psychotic lately, he thinks he is Jesus"
After a mental exam the psychiatrist happily concludes: "You are right, I congratulate you on your insight."
"I knew it," the patient replies. "He is not My Son!"
Two doctors, a psychiatrist and a proctologist, opened an office in a small town and put up a sign reading: "Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones: Hysterias and Posteriors."
The town council was not happy with the sign, so the doctors changed it to read, "Schizoids and Hemorrhoids."
This was not acceptable either, so in an effort to satisfy the council, they changed the sign to "Catatonics and High Colonics." No go.
Next, they tried "Manic Depressives and Anal Retentives." Thumbs down again.
Then came "Minds and Behinds." Still no good.
Another attempt resulted in "Lost Souls and Butt Holes." Unacceptable again!
So they tried "Analysis and Anal Cysts." Not a chance.
"Nuts and Butts?" No way.
"Freaks and Cheeks?" Still no go.
"Loons and Moons?" Forget it.
Almost at their wit's end, the doctors finally came up with: "Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones, Odds and Ends."
I was completely bowled over when I found this "Nerdy Pick-Up Lines" group on Facebook. Gawd, I wonder how they came up with these in the first place. Classic! =P
Listed below are a few of my favs:
1. You have nicer legs than an Isosceles right triangle. 2. My love for you is like diarrhea, I just can't hold it in.
3. Baby, I know my chemistry, and you've got one significant figure.
4. You're hotter than a bunsen burner set to full power!
5. Are you cos^2(x)? Because I'm sin^2(x) and together we are one.
6. If i was an endoplasmic reticulum, how would you want me: smooth or rough?
7. By visually measuring the wrinkles in the front of your pants, calculating your body mass based on your height and weight, and dividing that number by your waist size -- I conclude that you have absolutely nothing in your pocket and are, in fact, glad to see me.
8. By looking at you I can tell you’re 36-25-36, which by the way are all perfect squares. 9. You’re so cute you make my zygomaticus muscles contract. (Muscles that make you smile) 10. Want to meet up so I can excite your natural frequency?
Word of caution: Don't use them on anyone....ever. =P
This block's one hell of a ride - so much to do, so little time....
Why did they ever lump FIVE major specialties in six weeks is still beyond my reasoning...but don't get me wrong. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CLINICAL BLOCK (surprise, surprise!). To be exact, this is one of the better surgical rotations I've had so far. Everyone I've crossed paths with are approachable (a few in a scary, sort of way =P), extremely passionate about their work, and are really keen teachers/mentors.
If only we didn't have to rush through.....I'm always up on my toes!!
On a side-note, if any of you medics are wondering which medical specialty "suits" you, check out the medical self-assessment atwww.mymedicalcareer.com.au. I've taken the test, and the following are my "top 2o" specialties I could consider in the near future:
1. Nephrology
2. Medical oncology
3. Infectious disease
4. Cardiology
5. Radiation oncology
6. Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine
7. Neurology
8. Child neurology
9. Paediatrics
10. Physical medicine and rehabilitation
11. Family practice
12. Haematology
13. Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism
14. Neurosurgery
15. Gastroenterology
16. Orthopaedics
17. Medical genetics
18. Urology
19. Child and adolescent psychiatry
20. Geriatrics
The results are what I've expected somewhat. As I'm moremedically-oriented at the moment, it's no wonder that so few surgical speciaties are on my top 20. I'm really, REALLY surprised that nephrology and oncology topped the list though.
Oh, and if you guys are wondering which specialties are at the bottom of my list:
5. Preventive medicine
4. Anaesthesiology
3. Emergency medicine
2. Pathology.....and lastly,
1. Diagnostic radiology
To my IMU friends who knew I've taken another medical aptitude test in the past, let me tell you that unlike the former, I did not have to answer 130+ questions. It was quicker, and the questions were not repetitive.
I'll definitely retake this assessment at the end of next year, just to see how much (or little) my options change with time. =P
I got "tagged" yet again....this time by our one and only - Leng Hui! =P I figured since I have some time to spare, I might as well get this done with. heh.
[Note to Leng Hui and fellow readers: What do you WANT from me anyway??? =P I mean....8 RANDOM FACTS!!! You guys know me in person already, so what more would you like to know? *grins*]
Right-o. Now moving on to 8 random facts about *coughs* yours truly:
Random fact 1:
I talk in my sleep. How did I find that out in the first place? When I was younger, I used to sleep in the same room with my parents. Thereafter I shared a bedroom with my younger sister for a while. They discovered my "sleep-talking". Not sure if I still do that though. [Question to my IMU-KKB buddies: Did you guys notice anything "out of the ordinary" when I bunk in your rooms? =P]
Frankly speaking, I didn't really bother to find out what I've said during such episodes.....I finally asked my sister yesterday, and her reply - there were times when she couldn't comprehend as I was rambling nonsense; on other occasions I was "happily" rambling about friends from school!
Hmmmm.....
Random fact 2:
I've lost 14-15kg in total since I started my weight reduction regime in 2005, right after EOS-3. So far, I've managed to keep those kilos off. Am I proud of it? You bet I am, so hear me gloat. =P
It was NOT easy at the beginning though. Old habits certainly die hard, so it took me a while to adjust my behavioural lifestyle. I loved food then (I still do), I was an emotional eater, and I was pretty much a couch potato. Top that off with mental stress during my preclinicals, and my general well-being went downhill: I slept late, I ate more junk, I was chugging down mugs of coffee to keep myself awake, I became even more sedentary. The wake-up call came when I started getting breathless after climbing just three flights of stairs in IMU. That was not a good sign when you are 20 years old. My BMI was 27+ then (which was considered OBESE by SouthEast Asian standards).
Looking back, I definitely have come a long way. My BMI is currently around 22, I make sure that I eat properly (although I allow myself to indulge every now and then), I feel fit and healthy, and I've never felt happier.
Random fact 3:
I have "stage fright", which may come as a surprise to fellow Trinitrians out there as we did drama during our foundation year. Perhaps not so much when I KNOW I'm on stage with my drama team. I notice, however, that my fear escalates when the spotlight's specifically on me.
It was really debilitating when I first started clinical school - I found myself tongue-tied whenever a question was directed to me, more so when there were at least 10 pairs of eyes staring back at me. I also had trouble articulating my thoughts, and hence presenting a case/clinical findings was never smooth-sailing.
[Matt and Wee Jie, you do remember how it was like then, don't you? =P]
Do I still get those "panic attacks"? Yes, I do....although they are (thankfully) not as frequent as before. Regular interaction with people at hospitals over the last six months did improve my confidence and communication skills. I am, at the moment, more at ease with the way I present myself. I think I am calmer in the face of "adverse events", although I still get uptight whenever something unexpected (or unpleasant) occurs. My clinical group helped me along the way too.
Random fact 4:
Yes, I am single and still loving every minute of it. XD
It irks me sometimes how a few of my extended family members and friends tend to gasp in horror and go, "What?? Already 23 and STILL not attached?!!!"
They made it sound as though I've committed a cardinal sin or something.... =P
First off, I'm 23, not 32. My mother married my father when she was 29, and had me when she was 31. Therefore, I'm absolutely in no hurry to start a family. Secondly, I love my freedom too much. Sure, I do have my fair share of fantastic male friends (and I admittedly fancied one of them in the past), but the point is....I don't think I am ready to commit just yet (sorry guys!).
[Note: Anyone who would like me to change my mind could try...but be warned that I'm a full-fledged Taurean/Wood Ox (lethal combo), so I'm difficult to budge! =P]
Random fact 5:
I'm terribly shy by nature, and I get embarassed very easily [First sign to look for: REALLY RED EARS and CHEEKS!] It's quite a vicious cycle, really. When I'm embarassed, I blushed. Then when someone pointed out that my cheeks were red-hot, I blushed even more!!! ><" A few people thought that was cute though. Whatever people may say, I do not think they are good traits to have when you are in med school. heh. Looking back, I guess I have progressed a fair bit in the last six months. Perhaps it's because I am perpetually surrounded by loud and "larger-than-life"medics/docs during the week? =P
Random fact 6:
I bruise easily. No, I do not think I have bleeding disorders. I guess it's more of the fact that my veins are very superficial, so whenever I knock into something, purpuric rashes form frequently, no matter how mild the "trauma" was. There are even many occasions where I discover bruises (particularly over my legs), and I don't recall knocking myself into anything! Hmmm.
I believe there is a benign condition afflicting young women, whereby they have bruising tendencies (it's somewhere in Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine, I swear by it!), so.....perhaps I have that medical entity?
(Note: I'm quite a klutz too, by the way. =P)
Random fact 7:
I still have my "security blanket" (more like a mini-pillow actually) *grins sheepishly* I've had it since I was 3, I think. My maternal grandmother made it for me. =)
Random fact 8:
If Leng Hui's vice is shopping, then mine would be food. To me, food is more than just sustenance. Often I find them a delight for the senses - from the interplay of contrasting colours on the platter, the aroma of wondrous spices right down to taste and texture as one savours something for the first time. Admittedly, I liked food too much for my own good in the past (refer random fact 2), so I watch my portions whenever I eat now. =P
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, my turn to tag 8 "lucky" people (!!):
1. Sidd 2. Ken 3. Johan 4. Christabel 5. Ionie 6. May Ying 7. Evie 8. Chuks! =P
Anyone else who wants to share 8 random facts about themselves are also welcome to do so!
Hello! I got tagged again, this time by Keat! XD So, here it goes:
5 things found in my bag:
1. Little note book - To jot some things I need to look up at the end of hospital rounds
2. Pens (black, blue and red) and a ruler - To take down notes ma.... =P
3. Oxford Clinical Handbook (6th Ed.) - VERY HANDY!!! XD
4. Tendon hammer, a 256Hz tuning fork, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope/otoscope, measuring tape, red hat-pin, 2 mini Snellen charts and 2 pen-lights - You know what they ARE for =P
5. 1Gb thumb-drive - My precioussss!!!!
[Side note: Yeah, it's obvious that I've written down more than 5 things already....BUT, note that I've lumped them up into 5 groups instead. hehehe]
5 things I like in my room:
1. My little pillow and 2 dog-plushies XD
2. The bed (nothing beats a goodnight's sleep!!!)
3. That bar of dark chocolate *squeals in delight*
4. Hairbands and scrunchies - To keep my hair off my eyes whenever I'm at work
5. Kakuro gamebook - To keep me busy when I have nothing to do!!! lol.
5 things I've always wanted to do:
1. Keep fit and be lean! (well, that's what EVERY girl wants, right? =P)
2. Sample foods the world has to offer!!! (and hopefully will still stay fit...LOL) 3. TRAVEL!!!
4. Paintball XD
5. Take up a martial art for discipline and leisure - Kendo, for instance. heh.
5 things I'm currently into:
1. Baking....as always. XD
2. Anime - No longer have the time to enjoy them like I used to though =(
3. Terry Pratchett's Discworld Novels
4. Sampling whatever Melbourne has to offer, foodwise! hehehe 5. Erm, haematology?? =P
5 people I'm going to tag *drum rolls*:
1. Min-chan 2. Ionie 3. Ken 4. Po Yin 5. Anson (I'm aware you don't have a blog, but I don't care!! Send me your answers via email or something!! ROLFOL)
Anyone who wants to do this, feel free! Post your answers in your blog, or send them to my yahoo/hotmail account la. XD
Did a "medical specialty aptitude test" after I read Man Keat's entry, and.... surprise, surprise, my top five were apparently:
1 : Neurology 2 : Endocrinology 3 : Allergy and Immunology 4 : Nuclear Medicine 5 : Dermatology
(note: they rank some 36 specialties altogether, so the actual list is long)
Neuro's definitely my weakest system of all, so chances of me becoming a neurologist are.....erm, nil. LOL.
As for the others...well, we shall just wait and see, alright? =)
It was a pretty long test, with 130 questions altogether. I was kinda annoyed at the end of it though, as the questions were somehow very repetitive to me.
I actually got the impression that they ran out of questions halfway through, simply decided from then on to churn out the remainder by rephrasing questions they had previously asked, and later pass them off as new ones!! (-_-")
Well, if you still like to have a go at it, here's the link:
Got tagged by lil' sis this time around, and since I'm extremely free at the moment... :
1. Grab a book nearest to you and turn to page 18, find line 4. "Ease pastry into the tin." (-_-"); from Family Circle Chicken Recipes.
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. And then...???
3. What is the last thing you watch on TV. Some HK TVB series.
4. Without looking at the clock, guess what time is it. 9pm? Perhaps close to 9 la.
5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 8.59pm! Wah, not bad!!
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? The tv downstairs - some female singer serenading away on screen. My cousin clicking away in front of his laptop on my right. My other cousin clambering down the stairs. My sister showering upstairs. The keyboard as I type this answer. =P
7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? Between 2.30pm and 4.10pm. Went to the gym....and now my right arm hurts like h*ll!
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at? At my sister's blog for this survey? o_O
9. What are you wearing? White tee, tracksuit, bedsocks, slippers and a jacket.
10. Did you dream last night? Yea, though I could barely remember it....twas' something to do with fellow SOS members. =p [I miss you all (T_T)]
11. When did you last laugh? As in a real, hearty laugh? Three hours ago, when I read one of Kenny Sia's entries.
12. What are on the walls you are in???? I'm in a wall???
13. Seen anything weird lately? Not recently, but have been noticing objects hanging/dangling on telephone lines along Errol St. like a teddy bear, a marionette and a pair of laced shoes.
14. What do you think of this quiz? *yawns*
15. What is the last film you saw? A Korean film: 200 Pounds Beauty
16.If you become a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? A chef, a personal trainer's services....oh, and a white West Highland terrier!!!
17. Tell me something about you that I don't know. I have six toes on my left foot....nah, I'm just kidding. What you don't know huh? Hmm, let's just say that appearances can be very deceiving, shall we? ^^
18. If you could change 1 thing in the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? Ban fastfood! (Watch "Supersize Me" and you know why I say so) 19. George Bush. No comments.
20. Imagine your first child is a girl, what would you call her? Sze Yuen Jr? o_O Seriously, I have no idea la....
21. Imagine your first child is a boy, what would you call him? Refer answer above (the 2nd sentence, that is) -_-"
22. Would you ever consider living abroad? I'm sorta living abroad now. lol. Kinda nice, and yea, perhaps I'll consider it.
23. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates? "Welcome aboard!" ?
24. Tag 5 people who must also do this in their blog: Nah, getting lazy to tag people here....whoever wants to do this survey, by all means do it la.
A food-obsessed medic
who'd rather spend her time in the kitchen,
and pores over cookbooks
more often than she should.
Loves furry, white terriers to bits -
would do (almost) anything to own one.
Currently in Melbourne,
attempting to understand
the pathogenesis of every disease,
and wonders why she has to learn
molecular oncology in great detail....
VISUALIZED ♥
WISHLIST ♥
Travel! [NOTE: not for another few years unfortunately]
Sample (almost) every single food known to man
Stay fit and healthy [NOTE: Contradictory to the 2nd wishlist, I know :P]
An 8Gb iPod nano [Update: obtained!]
Master another language
Learn to play the violin properly [Update: learning atm! ^_^]
