Tag: ACP

ACP in NOLA Day#7 “Going Home: Travel Tips, Funny Photos, and One More Dessert for Eric”

by reissmd, posted in New Orleans, New Orleans (NOLA), Uncategorized

We head home today but our flight scheduled for 6:40 pm has been delayed twice (current departure time is 8:53 pm) so we have time to do some more sightseeing. Last night we had an incredible dinner at the Pelican Club (312 Exchange Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130). It was recommended by her friend, Ellen. Patrice had the Cioppino and I had the Red Fish. This trip I learned that I love Red Fish (aka Drum).

This morning we trekked to the French Quarter to have Beignets and Cafe Au Lait at Cafe Du Monde, a New Orleans tradition. We could have gone to their satelite outlet at a nearby mall but that would not have been the same.

How can you go to a recent add-on when there is so much tradition with this place.

After that we walked back to the hotel during a light mist of rain. Before I forget here are some travel tips for NOLA that might help you in other areas.

As previously stated don’t trust the taxi drivers in NOLA except for trips to and from the airport. Walking is a great option but bring an umbrella and jacket no matter how warm it is. It can get very cold very quick here. Next is a great tip from my son, David. Pack this incredible backpack. It has tons of pockets for all sorts of goodies (I used it in the conference to bring my laptop, phone charger, ear phones, glasses, etc.) Also as you can see it folds up to a very. tiny size that is very easy to stuff in your luggage.

Backpack ready to be filled.
This is what it looked like when I slipped it into my luggage.

Also, don’t look like a tourist. See below.

What? Does wearing a hat that says Portofino, holding a city map, and a cup from Cafe Du Monde look suspicious?

Now for some photos that I found interesting. Some need no explanation, some need a few words, and some are beyond my comprehension.

Southwest now has these huge overhead compartments which are very convenient for storage but very hard on the head. I banged mine getting into my seat and on my way out. Hopefully I will remember and not do it on the return flight.
I saw this sign upon arriving in New Orleans. I had to investigate the Pet Relief area.
I found this room, equipped with fire hydrant. It also had a sink in case your pet wanted to wash its hands. I mean paws.
This speaks for itself.
Love this slide of a doctor counseling a patient about colon cancer screening. Check out the doctor’s left hand.
Patrice and me posing at the ACP sign.
For those of you who didn’t believe my story of the song “Father and Daughter” here is a list of the final songs slated to be played. By the way, I am not crying now. [Patrice here: Yes he is.]
Even the police sell souvenirs.
Of course I had to buy Patrice something as a souvenir of the trip.

But she opted for this instead.

And finally in honor of Eric.

Carrot Sticky Toffee Cake with Cream Cheese Ice Cream from Peche (where we had lunch today).

That’s all for this trip. Speak to you in May when we go to ………………

ACP in NOLA Day #4 “Bad News, Good News, and Great News”

by reissmd, posted in New Orleans, New Orleans (NOLA)

This morning I planned on attending a 7 AM lecture for the 3rd day in a row.  I awoke at about 4 AM and decided rather than playing Duolingo, Wordle, and checking emails I would close my eyes for one more second.  When I next opened them it was 6:58 AM.   At that point it was unlikely that I would make it to the 7:00 AM lecture so I just closed my eyes again and smiled.  What a wonderful feeling it is to get a good night’s sleep.  I finally got my act together and made it to the 8:00 AM lecture and those that followed.  Today was a good day in which I learned all sorts of great tips that will help my patients and me. 

Mid day we met for a quick lunch at the nearby Mulate’s (201 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130) so I could get back to the conference.  The main courses were okay but the highlight was the dessert.  So here at the request of Eric is a photo of a dessert: beignets filled with Nutella. 

Worth every calorie.

The highlight of the meeting occurred today when Patrice and I saw a UCLA Health VIP. Yes, Janet, one of the high level doctors at UCLA Health was at the conference. We chatted briefly then Janet told Patrice that I was a UCLA superstar.  How could I not love that? 

That’s all good news but I’m sure you are asking “What is the great news?”  Turns out that one of my sister’s high school classmates is in town and we will be seeing him tonight.  Many years ago I recall looking through my sister’s high school annual.  I was curious to see what she looked like when she was 18.  I wondered if she looked anything like what I remembered.  After finding her I looked at the other students.  Suddenly I stopped and yelled out, “ANNETTE, YOU WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH SIMON AND GARFUNKEL?”.  As I recall she said, “Who?”.  So tonight we will be seeing Paul Simon perform. Much to my amazement we could buy excellent seats at a very affordable price.  We looked online and saw that balcony seats for his performance in Los Angeles cost far more than we paid for seats in the orchestra section for tonight’s performance. 

Yes, Paul Simon in New Orleans.

Home now.  Too tired to write more. I’ll tell you all about the concert tomorrow. 

ACP in NOLA Day #2 “More Food”

by reissmd, posted in New Orleans, New Orleans (NOLA)

Today I started the ACP conference and Patrice toured the city.  She definitely got the best of the deal.  For example I started my day with a talk about pains in the butt.  That was my highlight.  In all sincerity the talk was very informative and gave me some tips that will help me assist my patients.  I hesitated writing that knowing that someone will make some butt jokes at my expense.  Go ahead I can take it.  The rest of the talks were just okay. Patrice on the other hand took a city tour.  Here is the one picture she sent me.

Caesar’s Palace Casino? Do I need to keep a closer eye on this woman?

The afternoon lectures were okay but none were as good as the 7:00 AM Butt lecture. In addition to going to the didactic sessions we have time to go to the the exhibit hall where all sorts of companies are looking to sell their products to doctors. There are electronic medical records companies, drug companies, and a variety of companies looking to hire doctors. I stopped at one of the booths to talk to a recruiter. I cut to the chase, “Would you consider hiring a doctor of my age?” The rep enthusiatically said, “Yes, yes!”. So we had a conversation and I think we might have a deal. I really liked the look of their booth. What do you think?

I later asked if they knew who their oldest primary care physician was at UCLA. They did not, so I told him it was me.

In addition to looking for a job I was availed some health food in the Exhibit Hall. After all this is the meeting for the nation’s elite internal medicine specialists, of course we eat healthy.

Delicious brownines. Not up to Patrice’s quality. But how would I know, did I eat one? No, I ate two.
Hmmm, maybe this is why I’m so thirsty.

That’s enough about food. Well maybe not.

Tonight’s dinner was at GW Fins (808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112). It was recommended by my friend Andy, who said he had the best meal of his life there. Andy is from Fresno. Should I have been worried?

The restaurant is in the French Quarter and they had a modest dress code (men required to wear collared shirts). They started us off with biscuits. They looked very plan but beleive me they were anything but.

Very tasty biscuits.

Patrice and I both ordered the Scalibut.  Seems like this day started with a lecture about butts and ended with us eating two. The Scalibut dish was Shrimp, scallops, halibut, and risotto.  Also with a few peas to fool you into to thinking you’re eating healthy.

This was amazing and gone in a flash.

I don’t know about you “butt” I’m exhausted. Talk to you tomorrow.