Compliments that have been directed to a particular counter staff at work:

"He is able to make Adeline [daughter] feel relaxed."
(yeah, just like an Osim chair)

"My child was very happy with his attention towards her. I appreciate him. Very good."
(The recep shows attention?! Why aren't your mental alarms sounding off?)

It is easy to be nice when all you do is overwork the underpaid Doctors by sending in walk-in patients who have no urgent need for treatment. This despite the eye-catching sign outside that clearly says walk-ins will not be entertained.
Try being the good guy when you're wielding the injection needle and restraining bawling, struggling kids, while the helpless mother stands guiltily in the the corner, tears streaming as if witnessing an execution.

Oh yes, maybe we should let counter staff diagnose problems and alleviate pain next time.

City of God

Powerful, graphic film. It wasn't scary until I read that it was based on a true story, and then I just thought Brazil is a really messed up place.



The second half of this clip gives a good idea of what this show is like

A colleague attempted to treat an 8 year old who thought pissing us off was really fun. So we had to reciprocate in kind.

It resembled this:


except with clothes on and less gay. Oh and we didn't have an umpire either, though that would have been funny.

So there we were after the devil's offspring had left, working the think tank, wondering how we can better manage kids like these in future.

1. Pills

Diazepam 5mg Stat 1 Hr before treatment. Wati or Mr Chan can help distribute at counter. Forget the prescription. We want your kids to be HAPPY!
Disgruntled parents are encouraged to have some too.







2. Tasers

Nothing says "I care" like 1,000 kilo Volts through the body. Side effects include pain and death.





3. Blowpipes

Probably can get this from some African Shaman off E-bay. Or a toy store in China. Poison darts sold separately. Batteries not included.




4. Papoose Board

Ok, maybe this is a little more elaborate than the conventional ones, but still an essential in every pedo clinic.

Californication: The second coming

Showtime is getting ready to engage in some more "Californication."

Cabler has greenlit a second season of the David Duchovny starrer, which has emerged as a frosh hit. Twelve additional episodes of the half-hour comedy have been ordered, with lensing expected to start in April.

After a strong debut last month, "Californication" has impressed Showtime execs by adding viewers. Its last three Monday premiere telecasts have averaged 18% more viewers than the show's Aug. 13 debut, scoring Showtime's best ratings for a new series since 2004.

Most cable shows tend to premiere well and then lose eyeballs, making "Californication's" perf all the more encouraging for Showtime.

When the multiple weekly plays of "Californication" are added up, skein is averaging just shy of 2 million viewers each week and is holding onto roughly 90% of its "Weeds" lead-in. Showtime is seen in about 14 million homes.

"Californication" is the latest in a string of success stories for Showtime and entertainment prexy Robert Greenblatt. Other shows that have performed solidly for the net recently include "Weeds," "Dexter," "The Tudors" and "Brotherhood."

Wine tasting at Amici Italian Restaurant


Clueless about texture, acidity, but at least able to distinguish red from white.