The Chase

There is something about a pursuit that makes it almost impossible to walk away from before it's over.  And the longer you're after something, the harder it gets to give up before the end.  This concept has been true for me for many goals and dreams in my life, but it is also extremely true for high-speed car chases.

A few weeks ago, I had yet another LA first: first televised police chase.  Apparently it happens somewhat frequently out here and apparently most everyone stops what they are doing to watch the action.  I came home from work and turned on the TV to find every channel taken over by the footage.  At first I was annoyed that I couldn't watch Family Feud as planned, but before I knew it, I was totally invested in the chase.  And it wasn't even a very good chase!  There was a white pick-up truck (I almost thought it was a white bronco at first, damn) driving around the neighborhoods of Echo Park and Silver Lake going about 40 mph.  Not so high-speed... but you can't look away!  And why was this fool not getting to a highway and trying to outrun everyone!?!  What was his plan!?!?  When will it end!?!?  Ahhh, I swear, this is what must have started reality TV.

Anyways, like all good things, this too had to come to an end:  

The conclusion was satisfying, but the best part of this delinquent's endeavor truly was the chase.  The suspense, the effort, the uncertainty of the outcome and the speculation of how it would all go down was what kept me (and many of the citizens of LA) on the edge of the couch.

As for my current pursuits?  We (the other genetic counselor and myself) recently got privileges from the VA to start seeing patients!  I imagined that when this day finally came I would be handed a patient chart, given a pat on the head, and sent into an exam room to do my job.  The process has turned out to be a bit more step-wise and more of a challenge then I initially imagined.  The expectations are definitely high and the learning curve is steep.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated, both with the process and myself, but I have to keep in mind that this is what I asked for; what I wanted.  I wouldn't be satisfied with a job that wasn't a challenge and didn't push me.  Success is better when it's earned, patience is a virtue, good things come to those who wait, yadda yadda, blah blah.

As much as I try to tell myself all of these things, I'm still dying to get on the highway and hit the accelerator.  But if there is anything a moderate-speed car chase can teach you, it's that the journey is what ultimately makes the outcome worth it.  Guess it's time to set my cruise at 40 and make the most of the ride... and hope I have a better ending than the dude in the white pick-up...