It has felt like eons since the last time I wrote on my blog. So much has happened in my life and the world. For starters there was/is a global pandemic. COVID19 has ravaged the economy, spirits, and daily lives of everyone. Our daily lives feel like something out of a science-fiction novel as one day everyone was enjoying normal lives and the next everyone is wearing masks and social distancing, and there is strife and anger in the streets. It was an interesting time in the Emergency rooms across the country as we were lauded as heroes and people stayed away if they weren't truly sick leaving the truly sick and dying to be seen and cared for like real functioning ERs. We all felt like heroes and were willing to risk our own health for the safety and health of others. But as the pandemic stretched on feelings shifted, burnout was high, friends and family members were becoming ill and/or dying. 
Despite these trying times both Emily and I were able to obtain jobs in Juneau, Alaska. After working nearly a year on shifting financial/medial sands a vaccine was produced which in and of itself cause mind-boggling strife and division in the US population. Now, once lauded as heroes, medical providers are being ostracized and persecuted for promoting an obviously beneficial public health initiative. With approximately 63% of the United States receiving full vaccination, the unvaccinated people have started to overwhelm the healthcare system. Many systems are reverting to 'crisis mode' and having to ration care. It's because of this that the public is attacking providers. It does feel unfair that there's a simple solution yet people are avoiding it like the plague (pun intended). I am seeing many patients in the emergency department who are opting for untested and poorly evidence based treatments as well as obviously harmful treatments versus getting an evidence backed and FDA approved vaccine. My mind is numb and I do feel severe burn out. But all that aside Emily and I have been able to squeak out a spectacular life. We just bought a my dream house. As I write this I'm sitting at a desk facing an unobstructed view of a giant glacier. 
Last night while crawling into bed our room was lit by the Northern lights dancing over that same glacier. We made another addition to the family Ajax who is just as amazing as Bear. 
Our lives are incredible.
Now for even more crazy news in my own personal life, I signed up for the Juneau Alaska Iron Man triathlon. That means I will be swimming 2.5 miles followed by 110 mile bike ride followed by a marathon race. I've never completed any of those except for the swim. I figure now is the appropriate time in my life to do it as I have no kids, the race is here, and I'm only getting older. This is going to be one of the hardest journeys I've ever undertaken. But if you don't have high aims what else is there? We are doing five runs a week, swimming, and biking. We both are feeling fit but exhausted at the same time. I hope to write more often so please stay tuned. 
