S.E. Sasaki's Blog, page 2
November 20, 2016
Welcome to the Madhouse Giveaway
Hi Everyone!
Sign up today for a chance to win one of 25 signed trade paperback copies of Welcome to the Madhouse! The giveaway is from November 20 - 28 only. If you want to get a head start on your reading, you can download the ebook for free! AN early Christmas present!
Good luck and all the best!
Happy Thanksgiving!
S.E. Sasaki
Sign up today for a chance to win one of 25 signed trade paperback copies of Welcome to the Madhouse! The giveaway is from November 20 - 28 only. If you want to get a head start on your reading, you can download the ebook for free! AN early Christmas present!
Good luck and all the best!
Happy Thanksgiving!
S.E. Sasaki
November 13, 2016
Welcome to the Madhouse Giveawayy
Win a free, signed, first edition trade paperback of Welcome to the Madhouse. One of twenty-five copies are available. This promotion is preceding the release of the sequel to Welcome to the Madhouse titled Bud by the Grace of God, soon also to be a Goodreads Giveaway!
Get your free copy of Welcome to the Madhouse via this book giveaway or download for free onto your Kindle at:
https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Madhou...
Strap in and enjoy the ride!
Get your free copy of Welcome to the Madhouse via this book giveaway or download for free onto your Kindle at:
https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Madhou...
Strap in and enjoy the ride!
February 4, 2016
Johnny Worthen Blogpost
Please feel free to check out the blogpost written by Johnny Worthen when he interviewed me about Welcome to the Madhouse: A science fiction thriller. Warning: it is very serious stuff! Hope you enjoy it!
http://johnnyworthen.blogspot.com/201...
http://johnnyworthen.blogspot.com/201...
January 2, 2016
Welcome to the Madhouse Giveaway
Thank you, everyone, for entering the Welcome to the Madhouse free book giveaway. Ten people have been randomly chosen by Goodreads to receive the books. I am mailing the books out to the lucky winners this week. I hope you enjoy the novel and are inspired and entertained enough to give the book a review!
Congratulations to all the winners and enjoy!
Happy New Year to everyone else!
Congratulations to all the winners and enjoy!
Happy New Year to everyone else!
November 18, 2015
I LOVE MY JOB
I have a day job, or rather, I have a 'day, evening, middle of the night, early hours of the morning, weekends and holidays' job. It is called surgical assisting and I am a physician who assists surgeons with their operations in a Canadian hospital.
At our hospital, we do general surgery, orthopaedics, vascular surgery, gynaecology, urology, obstetrics, ENT, and ophthalmology. We do not do neurosurgery or cardio-thoracic surgery. For many of the operations, the surgeon requires a surgical assistant to help with the procedure. Often times, the surgical assistant is the surgeon's second pair of hands. In laparoscopic cases, the assistant works the camera that allows the surgeon to operate inside the abdomen. For most elective cases, the work is during the day. For emergency cases, we operate at all times of the day and night.
When on call to the operating room for a twenty-four hour period, one never knows what will be coming to the OR and I may have to assist in several different operations in various specialties, one after the other. For example, last Sunday, I assisted with two hip operations, a case of necrotizing fasciitis, an open shoulder fracture dislocation and did not finish the last case until after 6 am. in the morning. Many of the patients are very sick; many require life-saving procedures. At times, we race to save a patient's life.
The work is demanding, often hair-raising, occasionally heart-breaking, but always fulfilling. The professionals I work with are some of the most dedicated, devoted, hardworking individuals I have ever met. They are from every race, nationality and religion. We all find common cause in our dedication to saving lives and a more collegial working environment, I cannot imagine. I feel so fortunate to be able to work with these individuals and do the job I do. Each day, is an honour and a privilege. I LOVE MY JOB!
Now, if I could only get a bit more sleep . . .
At our hospital, we do general surgery, orthopaedics, vascular surgery, gynaecology, urology, obstetrics, ENT, and ophthalmology. We do not do neurosurgery or cardio-thoracic surgery. For many of the operations, the surgeon requires a surgical assistant to help with the procedure. Often times, the surgical assistant is the surgeon's second pair of hands. In laparoscopic cases, the assistant works the camera that allows the surgeon to operate inside the abdomen. For most elective cases, the work is during the day. For emergency cases, we operate at all times of the day and night.
When on call to the operating room for a twenty-four hour period, one never knows what will be coming to the OR and I may have to assist in several different operations in various specialties, one after the other. For example, last Sunday, I assisted with two hip operations, a case of necrotizing fasciitis, an open shoulder fracture dislocation and did not finish the last case until after 6 am. in the morning. Many of the patients are very sick; many require life-saving procedures. At times, we race to save a patient's life.
The work is demanding, often hair-raising, occasionally heart-breaking, but always fulfilling. The professionals I work with are some of the most dedicated, devoted, hardworking individuals I have ever met. They are from every race, nationality and religion. We all find common cause in our dedication to saving lives and a more collegial working environment, I cannot imagine. I feel so fortunate to be able to work with these individuals and do the job I do. Each day, is an honour and a privilege. I LOVE MY JOB!
Now, if I could only get a bit more sleep . . .
October 18, 2015
Book Launch/Reading October 18
Today, I am to read from Welcome to the Madhouse in public, for the first time.I am a nervous wreck. Too bad it did not take my appetite away - at least something good would come out of this - but no . . . Appetite, unfortunately, is just fine! :(
I do not quite know when it became necessary for writers to read in public. I always thought writers were a shy, reclusive bunch . . . like me. Why else would one need to write, after all? If one was outgoing, talkative, exuberant, and extroverted, why waste time writing by oneself in a lonely room?
Now, however, a writer is expected to read in front of an audience. I have heard other authors say amongst themselves, 'this author is a terrible reader' or 'that author gives a good reading'. Now we not only have to perform, but other authors rate our readings, good or bad. I know which category I am going to fall into!
I used to read to my children when they were very young. I used to make up all of the voices. Try making up a different voice for every character in Harry Potter. It's not easy to do! But my children are now aged 24 and soon to be 26 years old. I am WAAAAYYY out of practice.
I have never liked the sound of my voice. Whenever I have heard it on playback messages or speaker phone, I cringe. Do you poor people have to listen to that, every time I open my mouth? Poor You! Nasal, flat, monotone,boring. In my mind, when I am writing, I have such a funny, provocative voice in my head. Why couldn't it do the reading?
People want to hear the author do the reading. Not someone else. Why? I could hire someone with a great speaking voice! It would be a more pleasant experience! What is this phenomenon called 'Author Reading'. I went and heard Margaret Atwood read at Erin Mills one year. I love Margaret Atwood's books. I did not care for her voice. Why should I? She's a writer, not an actress!Welcome To The MadhouseS.E. SasakiWelcome To The Madhouse
Thank goodness no one is paying to hear me read! They would want their money back! I am practicing but all I seem to do is practice the same mistakes over and over. I should have read the entire book out loud before I published it . . . or at least the first chapter!
Oh well. Please wish me luck, or is it, 'Break a leg'. Preferably before the reading at five pm. tonight so I won't have to make a fool of myself. They say doing things that frighten you, builds character. I think I'd rather eat a worm.
Here goes. Ahem. AHEM. . . bleep
October 12, 2015
The Bookshelf
S.E. Sasaki will be having a book signing of 'Welcome to the Madhouse' at The Bookshelf/eBar in Guelph, Ontario on Sunday October 18 from 5 to 8 pm. Book reading and discussion. All welcome!
September 26, 2015
Word On The Street - Toronto
Just got back from setting up my booth at The Word on the Street down at Harbourfront in downtown Toronto. It is right on the shore of Lake Ontario and there is a Waterfront park, where tents are set up for the event tomorrow. Word on the Street usually attracts hundreds of thousands of readers in the Greater Toronto Area. The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow - sunny and 22 degrees Celsius - with no rain in sight. A great day to browse from booth to booth looking for great reads!
I will be in Booth #175. Right beside the shops and restaurants of Queen's Quay! I hope lots of people come by to talk books, so that I am not lured into the Queen's Quay shops to spend money!
Looking forward to finding some great book deals myself tomorrow. Come by and say 'Hi!' If you live i the Toronto area, it should be a superb day!
I will be in Booth #175. Right beside the shops and restaurants of Queen's Quay! I hope lots of people come by to talk books, so that I am not lured into the Queen's Quay shops to spend money!
Looking forward to finding some great book deals myself tomorrow. Come by and say 'Hi!' If you live i the Toronto area, it should be a superb day!
September 18, 2015
Just Back From Denmark
My husband and myself just returned from Denmark. We were attending a back seminar on Spinal Stenosis given by Dr. Carlo Ammendolia, a chiropractor/researcher at the Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto. My husband is a chiropractor and I am a family physician. We both have an interest in the treatment of low back pain.
We visited a regional hospital in Middelfart, Denmark, called the Spine Centre. Rheumatologist, spinal surgeons, family physicians, chiropractors, physiotherapists, and kinesiologists all work together in a collaborative setting to treat patients with spinal disorders. The hospital was in a beautiful setting and was a state-of-the-art facility. Medical care is completely covered for citizens of Denmark and we were so impressed by the integrative approach to back care.
In Denmark, there is an emphasis on preventative medicine and exercise plays a key role in the fitness of the population. The push for regular daily exercise starts with the children. Almost everyone rides bicycles in Denmark and bicycle lanes abound. Even the mail is delivered by bicycle.
Copenhagen is a gorgeous city of canals and beautiful architecture connected by cobblestone streets and bridges. Stunning modern buildings such as the Opera Centre and Black Diamond library provide an interesting contrast to the older preserved buildings. Many of the museums were free admission. The palaces were open for tours.
The Danish people are friendly, polite, helpful, and very kind to tourists. Most speak fluent English. Copenhagen was easy to get around and the city felt very safe. I would highly recommend Copenhagen, Denmark as a place to visit for a holiday.
We visited a regional hospital in Middelfart, Denmark, called the Spine Centre. Rheumatologist, spinal surgeons, family physicians, chiropractors, physiotherapists, and kinesiologists all work together in a collaborative setting to treat patients with spinal disorders. The hospital was in a beautiful setting and was a state-of-the-art facility. Medical care is completely covered for citizens of Denmark and we were so impressed by the integrative approach to back care.
In Denmark, there is an emphasis on preventative medicine and exercise plays a key role in the fitness of the population. The push for regular daily exercise starts with the children. Almost everyone rides bicycles in Denmark and bicycle lanes abound. Even the mail is delivered by bicycle.
Copenhagen is a gorgeous city of canals and beautiful architecture connected by cobblestone streets and bridges. Stunning modern buildings such as the Opera Centre and Black Diamond library provide an interesting contrast to the older preserved buildings. Many of the museums were free admission. The palaces were open for tours.
The Danish people are friendly, polite, helpful, and very kind to tourists. Most speak fluent English. Copenhagen was easy to get around and the city felt very safe. I would highly recommend Copenhagen, Denmark as a place to visit for a holiday.
August 29, 2015
The Genesis of Welcome to the Madhouse
As a surgical assistant in a hospital in Southern Ontario, Canada, I feel that I have one of the best jobs in the world.
I believe the environment in which I work is unique and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it. The physicians - surgeons, anesthetists, gynaecologists, internists, family physicians - are from all over the world. The doctors are from different continents, different countries, different religions, different racial groups, and different backgrounds. We have physicians from Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Egypt, Guyana, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, and Taiwan. Amongst us are Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Atheists, and Agnostics. We have personnel working in the Surgical Department of different sexual orientations. Everyone gets along. The workplace is, for the most part, a happy environment. Everyone works hard to save lives every day.
We learn from each other about our different homelands and we are all the richer for it. In Canada, everyone's family was an immigrant family at some point, other than the First Nations People, and we appreciate how lucky we are to be in a democracy with strong social values. It is a pleasure to live and work in a country where people appreciate differences rather than fear them. No matter our differences, we all have the common goal of treating the sick.
This was the environment I wanted to capture in Welcome To The Madhouse - the same sense of camaraderie and playful fun and yet serious devotion to saving lives. I hope I have done so and I hope you enjoy it.
I believe the environment in which I work is unique and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it. The physicians - surgeons, anesthetists, gynaecologists, internists, family physicians - are from all over the world. The doctors are from different continents, different countries, different religions, different racial groups, and different backgrounds. We have physicians from Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Egypt, Guyana, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, and Taiwan. Amongst us are Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Atheists, and Agnostics. We have personnel working in the Surgical Department of different sexual orientations. Everyone gets along. The workplace is, for the most part, a happy environment. Everyone works hard to save lives every day.
We learn from each other about our different homelands and we are all the richer for it. In Canada, everyone's family was an immigrant family at some point, other than the First Nations People, and we appreciate how lucky we are to be in a democracy with strong social values. It is a pleasure to live and work in a country where people appreciate differences rather than fear them. No matter our differences, we all have the common goal of treating the sick.
This was the environment I wanted to capture in Welcome To The Madhouse - the same sense of camaraderie and playful fun and yet serious devotion to saving lives. I hope I have done so and I hope you enjoy it.
