Doctors, Medicine, and Prayer...

Before I start, let me give you the link to the story that I'm referring to...Click Here. The gist of the story is a young girl (age 11) died when her parents did not take her to a doctor, but instead chose to pray for the girl. Her death was by diabetic ketoacidosis, a lack of insulin in the body resulting in use of proteins and other compounds as a source of energy instead of sugar. Harmful by-products build up and cause the body to shut down and death to occur. Completely avoidable and treatable. This kind of story really bugs me. I'm a full believer and supporter of prayer. And I truly believe that prayer aides the healing process...but it does NOT replace medical treatment.

My biggest problem with parents and people who believe God is the only healer is this. Why do we have doctors and medicine if not to help heal people? Did God allow the entire practice of medicine to come about as a test of faith (if so, I fail...miserably)? Clearly, since I'm a pharmacist and am seeking a degree that will allow me to investigate and develop new drugs, I think medicine is here to help. Without medicine, I'm fairly certain I wouldn't be here today (asthma attacks require medicine to breathe again). I think God blessed me with an analytical, scientific mind and I'm using that in the medical field. There is scene in the HBO movie Something the Lord Made (about heart surgery and race) where Alan Rickman (playing Dr. Blalock) is talking with a priest before doing surgery on an infant with Tetralogy of Fallot (blue baby syndrome). The priest pleads with Rickam not to tamper with God's plan, to which he replies, "Perhaps God is, as you say, trying to kill this child. I am not."

Doctors and modern medicine is not a pagan, heathenistic practice. It is not anti-God, and most certainly works best when used in combination with faith and prayer. I don't want to heap blame upon the parents who try and live a faithful life according to their beliefs, especially since the situation wasn't one they wished for, but shunning doctors and medicine just doesn't make sense. This isn't the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last.

I'm not sure the level of God's participation in daily lives. Does He actively play a role in every little thing people do? Does He gently nudge? Does He make every thing happen? Or did He put in place everything people need and allow life to occur as free will and people dictate? I'm not sure, but I know Doctors exist, medicine exists, and they aren't evil. God may be the healer, but I think he chooses to heal through the many MDs, RNs, and PharmDs practicing in the world.

A Weekend of Basketball

I realize that the NCAA tourney was not the most important event over the weekend (that would be Easter and all its significance), but it was the event that took up most of my time. I'm hugely grateful that CBS allows viewing of games online regardless of local coverage. Thursday, I had games on my computer all day (since games begin at 10:30 AM here). I did however, actually get some work done on Thursday. Friday, was a different story. I didn't get any work done, and just watched basketball. Which is fine by me, since there were two buzzer beaters for upsets and Butler routed South Alabama. A fine day of basketball. Saturday and Sunday were similar in that I watched basketball and played video games. No complaints from me, a darn good weekend.

Now, previous I ranted about Butler's seeding, and I stand by that. In the end, though, they have to play where they are placed. After an amazing shooting performance against South Ala., they lost a heart breaker to Tennessee. It was an excellent game and I was glad to see Butler keep is poise and confidence despite double-digit deficits in both halves. They are the only team to push Tenn. to overtime all year, and just needed a little better execution down the stretch (missed layups and free throws). An excellent season and amazing team. A good note for Tenn. is that 3 of Butler's previous trips, the team that defeated them went on to play for the national championship.

As for how my bracket faired...well, not so great now that you mention it...thanks. A surprising event has occurred. I made it through the first weekend with my Final Four intact. However, I'm down to 5 of the Elite Eight teams, and I only got 9 of the Sweet 16. I'm pretty much going to hop on the little guy band wagon (go Davidson and Western KY). Best region for me: South, I've only missed 2 games and have the entire Sweet 16 there. Worst: West, only UCLA is left alive and I missed all the other Sweet 16 entries. Now, I have several days to sit back and not watch college basketball....booo....guess, I can do work.

March Madness Predictions

First let me get the rant off my chest, and I know I'm overly biased, but...How in the world is Butler a #7 seed? Really, a 7? Are you serious? What was the committee thinking? Let me quickly play the numbers game (from the IndyStar). Last year, Butler made the tourney as an at-large team with a 5 seed. This year a 7. Here are their stats.

"Last year, heading into the tournament, Butler was 27-6 with a No. 21 national ranking, No. 27 RPI, 7-3 record against the top 100 and 11-4 record away from home. This year's corresponding figures are 29-3, No. 12 ranking, No. 16 RPI, 10-3 and 15-2."

A better overall record, a higher national rank, a better RPI, better top 100 record (with all 3 losses in this group), and better away/neutral record. Yet somehow, the committee feels they are a worse team. I'm shocked by this. I can only hope that this gets Butler to play with a bit of a chip on their shoulder and they take care of business against South Alabama. Note, not only do they get a 7 seed, but they play South Alabama IN Alabama...wow. Then get arguably the best 2 seed in the field in Tennessee in the second round. Ok, I'm done complaining, I simply just don't understand it.

Here are my predictions:

1) All 4 number ones won't make the final four. It's never happened, and it won't happen this year.

2) First rd upsets: 11 St. Josephs over 6 OK, 10 Davidson over 7 Gonzaga, 11 Kentucky over 6 Marquette, 10 St. Marys over 7 Miami (FL) [8-9 matchups don't count as upsets]

3) 12 over 5 upset special (it seems to happen every year), Western Kentucky over Drake (partially out of spite, but it isn't a bad choice)

4) The Big East is overrated and crazily got 8 teams in the dance. However, the Big East will be out before the Elite 8. (potential exceptions being Louisville and Georgetown, but I have them losing).

5) Surprise Sweet 16 appearances: 7 Butler, 6 Purdue

6) Surprise Elite 8 appearances: 7 Butler, 4 Vanderbilt, 3 Wisconsin

7) My Final Four: 1 UNC, 3 Wisconsin, 2 Texas, 1 UCLA (NOTE: I never, ever, get the final four right)

8) National Championship: UNC defeats Texas by 7

9) First number 1 to lose: Kansas, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's Memphis.

10) I'm guessing that 80% of these predictions are wrong (including this one).

There you have it. If you haven't filled out your bracket yet, go ahead and choose the opposite of these predictions...you'll do better, I promise. It's a great time of year.

What I Would Like to Do....

So, there is this piece of equipment that is being a constant thorn in my side. It's likely older (or about as old) as I am. It runs in conjunction with a computer that only has a 5 1/4" floppy disc and a whopping 56 MB....impressive, huh? Well, the old school dot matrix printer had issues....then it worked, but the equipment hooked to the computer stopped working right...again it got working, but now the computer isn't talking with the equipment (communications error). However, as anyone who remembers old computers, they aren't exactly user friendly. No diagnostic, no right click, nothing to actually track down the issue...just communications error. Regardless, I've been fiddling with this machine for awhile. The video below shows what I'd like to do with it. Simply put, I want to go Office Space on it. (Parental Advisory for song lyrics...sorry that's how it is).

Houston, we have a problem...

And the problem is summed up by the above picture. My Xbox 360 appears to be dead. I'm blaming this on my brother. His box died about a month ago, and pretty much the day he got his refurbished system back, mine went on the fritz. Now this isn't the dreaded red ring of death. That consists of three red lights on the system, whereas my error only has one. The RROD would actually have been preferred because that falls under a Microsoft extended warranty and the fix would be free. According to my brother, this type of error carries a costs of roughly $100 with it. Cheaper than a new system, but still you go without the console for a month. The thing that really annoys me though, is the apparent death of the Hard Drive. That means, I lose all my saved games. The ones that hurt the most are: Madden Franchise (half way into my third season), College Hoops 2k8 legacy mode (2nd year of career, and 1st of open), and Call of Duty 4 (final level on Veteran difficulty). Losing those hurts...alot. But, nothing I can do about it.

Well, the short of it is that I'm out of gaming for a little bit. I might think about picking up another console, then having my refurbed one as a backup. I might look to sell the refurbed version and apply that to the cost of getting fixed and also buying a new one. Lots of options, I'll sit back and weigh them.

Here's what I learned this weekend. Saturdays and Sundays can be very long without games, and that cable shows a lot of bad movies during those times.

Enjoy your week everyone and I'll keep you updated on my 360 issues.