And to think that I saw it on......

Busy week:

Back from Maine late Sunday. I swear I saw a UFO emerging from the clouds on my commute back. A little sad that my new Residence Inn room is about as far as it could possibly be from the lobby. The upstairs room is by parking but nowhere near an elevator or all the amenities in the lobby. I’m not annoyed enough to ask them to try for a different room. I am annoyed enough to count going up the stairs 3 times as exercise and militantly refuse to put on sneakers and go for a run all week.

Going away party for previous COS (Chief of Staff:)

Awkward: Three days to go and no one planning so I take up a collection—I ask for the cookies and punch—I ask for a gift certificate/signed photo of the VA…. I’ve known him 3 weeks—they’ve known him 3 years. It might have looked self-serving.

 Service of Remembrance for Veterans who have passed over the year. Flags unfurling in the breeze all along the driveway. I sit in the front freaking row but none of the other team members do. I pretend the service was for MY daddy, who was a Vet. I try not to cry-in-public with nothing but a 3 x 5 card to use as a tissue.

Overseers dinner at Dartmouth in the wine cellar of the Norwich Inn. The gracious Dean of the School of Medicine lets me sit at the grown up table although I’m glaringly NOT a Dartmouth alum or medical student, NOT an orthopedic surgeon and NOT a NYC cardiologist. At least I didn’t spill my trifle in my lap.

Day 1 in the COS parking place. I continue to wonder if people are mad that I was “placed” here. I want to be interviewed and earn this position. If there are internal candidates, let them run    the gauntlet of applying on USAJOBS.com!

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth naming ceremony. The late Ted Geisel (Dartmouth alumni from ’25) and his wife Audrey have been great philanthropists to the school, and despite many Dr. Seuss jokes, everyone is very pleased to name the Medical School after Mr. Geisel. I was among about 100 guests to give thanks to and celebrate Audrey who, at 92 yo, had difficulty making the trip from La Jolla. The festivities were filmed for her. It was one classy ceremony with the Dean of the School of Medicine, Chip Souba, and the out-going President of the College, Jim Yong Kim giving statements. Quite frankly, I almost-cried-in-public a little more than earlier in the week, at the beautiful video clip made by Dartmouth, sharing faculty and students’ praise for all Dr. Seuss has done for children’s literacy. As some talked about selling old Dartmouth school of medicine paraphernalia on eBay, I was smug knowing I own every Dr. Seuss book known to man.

And then a 4 foot ice sculpture Cat in the Hat showed up at the reception, on the hottest day of the week...

And to thing that I saw it on Hanover Street!