Though I've lived in the Birmingham area for over a decade, I had never been to the UAB Medical Center. Drove by the area, once or twice, but it's rare that I've ever had occasion to drive into Birmingham proper, even when I lived relatively close, in Hoover.
I knew UAB was big, kind of in the same way I know that the Grand Canyon is big. But other than that, I knew very little about the place. It's big and where all the professional wrestler's go to get put back together.
The other day, I went there with my father, so they could perform some tests and find out why he suddenly had a serious case of jaundice. UAB isn't big. It's Ginormous. They tell me that over 20 buildings comprise the Center, the few I saw being connected by large crosswalks. The Starbucks was a welcome site. (God, I Love Coffee.) The Sushi Bar was another nice temptation. (God, I Love Sushi!) I thought the bakery with Cake Decorating services was a little much (I don't like cake. Unless it's Cheesecake! God, I Love Cheesecake!)
I had taken B2 along, to keep me company and as I walked through a few of the buildings, learning my way around and getting lost on occasion (every employee I met asked me if they could help me find where I was going,) I couldn't help thinking about what a cool Mutant Future dungeon the place would make. A complex the size of a small city, filled with ancient technology and multiple factions, monsters and all sorts of mutated strangeness. But, since I was reading B2, I kept imagining Hobgoblin and Orc strongholds, with the Sanctuary Area being a rather obvious place for the horrid Temple of Chaos.
Posting is going to be erratic, over the next several weeks. My father has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While the doctor's tell me that it was discovered uncharacteristically early, his general state of health is so poor that they're unsure if they can even attempt surgery.
The News will continue, though it may be late, here and there. I'll otherwise pop-in, as I'm able. A lot of my time will be going to clearing out a couple of room's and moving my dad's stuff over here. Though he doesn't like the idea, I'm afraid that his days of living alone are over.
I am sorry to hear about your dad. That is a rough diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteBut glad to hear your imagination marches on. You know, I live in England so for about half your post I was thinking of the wrong (well, the original) Birmingham.
When I was a kid, I lived in Loma Linda, CA. I'd often go exploring (sometimes with one of my sisters) at the University Medical Center there.
ReplyDeletehttp://lomalindahealth.org/medical-center/index.page
I'm sure the security people hated us, although we did develop countermeasures. I remember eventually we hit on the idea of grabbing one of the complementary wheelchairs on the way in and me pushing her around in it, which, along with a basic cover story about her being a patient and me a visitor, was sufficient to prevent us getting booted out. Most of the time. :)
It's a big place, alright. It even had underground floors that were often mostly closed-down, dark, and empty on weekends and out-of-the-way sectors where the public didn't usually visit, but we sneaked into (surgery wards, the proton accelerator control area, etc). Lots of fun.
All the best wishes for your father.
ReplyDeleteHe's in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteAww shit James, I'm sorry to hear it.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to the elder.
ReplyDeleteIf you have raw notes and links, I could help compose the HTML and send it back to you as a text file - you could just copy and paste into blogger...
Will keep you and your father in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI work at a hospital and have many times thought what a great Dungeon it would make!
My prayers are with you, your father,& your family. All of my best but please take care of what you have too. The blog will be here when you get back. Regards,Eric Needles Fabiaschi
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your father. The fact that you were taking B2 to read-- you're a man after my own heart.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear about your dad. You're in our thoughts. :(
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you, your father, and your family, James.
ReplyDeleteAllan.
My sincerest hopes for the health of your Dad. Use your time in the way you most need to :)
ReplyDeleteSuzi and I are hoping for the best for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAll the well wishes to your old man!
ReplyDeleteI understand the feelings about the hospital. We have one of those big sprawling ones where I live, and I have been lost there in the tunnels a few times.
When I visited a real live mine I also got that wonderful feeling of actually visiting a dungeon. Quite something.
Your dad, you, & your family are in my prayers. It can be very rough to weather things like this, so hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI've been around a few hospitals myself lately and found myself wondering along similar lines. I'd swear newer facility areas are designed by sci-fi fans or rpg'ers.
Ciao!
GW
Thanks to everyone for your support! I'll be back sometime this weekend, but I'm not sure when.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your father. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThe wifey speaks up: Many thanks for all the prayers and support for my father-in-law. Now, with that being said, I'll never be able to walk through the hospital now without thinking about the troll or orc that is around the corner....thanks Honey!
ReplyDelete