Possible PhD

I'll never understand why people like to go and mess up something that was perfectly fine. 
Our nursing board has changed our entry level to DNP instead of MSN for nurse practitioners.  Which would be okay, except that I've been thinking about going back so I can say I have a PhD.  It sounds cool.   So, this is the kick I need.
I follow my new friend Boots and Bluestockings  who finished school recently.  Her accomplishment has inspired me as well.

Happy Spring Gnome!

But, Dissertation.  It sounds like something too close to dessert, which should be good, but....
Has anybody done one of these? 
What have you wanted to do but keep finding excuses not to do?  What kick do you need in order to start it?

On a lighter note:  Elementary and Hannibal?  My two favorite crime solvers in one night?  Thank goodness for two TVs!
Question:  Will Graham vs Sherlock Holmes--who would win solving a crime involving voodoo rituals?

Doreen McGettigan  Pop-Culture and marketing.  Two great topics. 
Lydia: not one, not two, but THREE blogs!
           Chalk Outlines the name is great, nice pictures. 
           ReVue  arts and entertainment reviews of a different nature
           Haiku 365  A haiku a day...interesting photos, too...worth a look, this site
Misha Gericke--another multiple blogger.
           My First Book  great information regarding craft and publishing.  Also features fellow bloggers.
          Taking Charge of My Life--like the name implies; check it out
Maggie at ExpatBrazil  I've been to Brazil.  Wish I knew this site first.
Silvia @ Silvia Writes   stories as life tells them. 
Phillipscom. Ariel's Jotting  informative and inspirational
KaTy Did   check out the sunglasses and crazy "roads"
Ice Girl  where fashion and ice collide in beautiful form

One thing I'm impressed with is how many bloggers can keep up with more than one site.  One only has to look at mine to see how I dream big, but can't quite keep up.  Reading other's thoughts is encouraging.

Knowing Killers

I’ve been watching Hannibal—the new TV series—and while it may grow on me, right now it’s just annoying.  I know it’s way more dramatic to make a flawed character, but I don’t understand why Will Graham has to be some borderline personality which he describes as closer to autism than narcissism, or something like that.  I mean, I get that it’s difficult to think like a criminal, but you don’t have to be crazy to do it. 

It does bother me when my kids come into the office wanting to shoot or blow up something or someone.  I’ve heard some disturbing things in my practice.  But, when I sit and talk to these kids, I get it.  You should hear some of the things they say.  They’re pretty fascinating.   I wouldn’t say I’m disturbed though—just maybe a little nutty.  But then, aren’t we all? 

I’ll admit the obvious sociopaths don’t bother me as much as others.  I know I can do something about those:  call psych, admit, call the cops, CPS, whoever.  People intervene on those. 

What bothers me more are the ones I can’t intervene on because they’re not doing something classified as wrong.  Things like “Oh, he’s just like his lazy, selfish sperm donor,” and “He’s out of control.  I can’t get him to do what I want him to do.” “He’s so bad” —spoken in front of their children.  One place I really cringe is the ball parks:  football, soccer, baseball, any of them.  I want to take some of those kids home and say, “Don’t listen to them.  You’re just fine.”  What about those who decide their current family isn’t good enough?  Try helping a parent explain why mom decided that other guy is better than her kids and their dad.  Then you have those kids that never have rules enforced. "No" is a bad word to them.  Don’t ask the parents to train them in the way of considering others and delayed gratification.  You’d do better telling a serial killer to stop killing. 

I think what’s most distressing is that this is considered acceptable behavior no matter how much it hurts others, killing confidence, self-esteem, and ability to love and care.  Maybe that’s why we like to classify and label the “monsters.” That way we can feel good about ourselves and say “well, I don’t act like that” as we criticize and gossip, tearing down others.

See, it’s not so disturbing when those with true disorders act in accordance to their condition.  They are fairly predictable.  You try to anticipate and intervene early.  It’s those who are supposedly normal that bother me most.  You can’t figure out what to expect.  Their actions are more subtle and far more damaging and long lasting, especially since they’re most likely directed at those we say we love. 

I do understand Will Graham’s emotional turmoil at trying to categorize and keep a normal perspective.  Listening and looking at the worst humans do to each other is hard day in and day out.  It’s easier when we can explain it away by having some kind of sociopathy or psychopathy.  It’s harder when it comes from someone who is supposedly a “really nice, upstanding person.”

Kind of makes me wonder: Who gets to make the rules on what defines humanity?