Feb 26 2018
Work and Play
(February 26, 2018) — I am back to my blog after a one-week absence for President’s Day weekend. My so-called holiday weekend was filled with work, as I reviewed all four CCSG program write ups, followed by the Community Outreach and Engagement and CPDM sections. I was cross-eyed by the beginning of the work week. However, Monday was one of the most productive days I can remember with respect to my volume and quality of work. Sprinkled among the usual tsunami of meetings over the week I also worked with two of my graduate students on two separate papers they are readying for submission and tackled the first ten or so of Department of Oncology self evaluations for the 2017 Faculty Evaluation process. I personally review all of the Professors in the Department of Oncology. Ten down, more than 20 to go.
One of the highlights of the work week, which basically started every day in the early morning and ended at about 11 pm, was the internal ACS grant review committee meeting we held on Friday. We reviewed nine really high quality applications, and a few stood out and will receive support. I always find it exhilarating to learn more about the exciting work being done by young Lombardi investigators.
The weekend had a very nice balance of work and play. On Friday evening, we had an impromptu dinner with Mike Atkins and his wife Susan Crockin at a really nice restaurant near Howard University Hospital called Hazel. I don’t know how we got reservations there on such short notice. They have been there before, but this so-called “medium plate” restaurant was new to us. We were so impressed by the inventive, delicious food and attentive service that we purchased gift certificates for our kids – we think they’ll love the place. And congratulations to Mike who, on the following evening, was honored by the Melanoma Research Foundation with its Humanitarian Award!
Saturday brought a visit by Elana, Isaac and Aviva. Harriet and Elana hung out with Aviva, and Ken brought by his two older kids for a visit while Isaac and I went to watch the Hoyas lose to Providence. Even though the result was disappointing, Isaac and I had a great time. After we got back and Elana took the kids home, Harriet and I then headed over to the Arena Stage for a quick bite, and then saw the play, ‘The Great Society’, about the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. It was thoughtful, well done and provocative. It is tempting to conclude that our current societal challenges are uniquely treacherous, but the play reminded me of the enormous events that made the 1960s a watershed era in American history. Ironically, I am now reading a fascinating biography of Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and am struck by the remarkable turbulence and high stakes of that seemingly placid era. Bottom line: political and cultural eras – even in peacetime – are rarely placid, and never dull!
I worked most of the day on Sunday, but we stole away for an hour or so to visit Ken, Sarah and their kids so we could hold Isabelle and play a bit with the other kids. We feel very fortunate to have our kids and grandkids nearby so we can be part of their lives.
The coming week promises to be very busy, but no doubt will be as interesting as last week. No complaints there!
Have a great week.
No responses yet | Categories: Uncategorized