Touchy feely

I detest Communication skills with a passion. It has taken over the medical curriculum like a virus infecting every area of importance. We will have spent six hours on communication skills by the end of this attachment, roughly the same amount of time covering upper and lower limb anatomy in the pre-clinical years. I was actually told that the aim of GP was communication skills and not the medical conditions. An absolute farce, what has medical training become? For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of doing communication skills sessions, you have definitely missed out. It usually involves a a scenario with an actor playing the simulated patient. Afterwards we sit in a small group and analyse the event giving constructive feedback. The first and second year involved many of these sessions. Of course it is important to learn how to communicate with patients but what use is that if you don't know any anatomy or basic physiology.

I went to the Heroes of Hip-Hop night in South London on Friday. I had never seen Jazzy Jeff live and DJ Premier and Supremo (Boston dude) were supporting. His mixing was 'ridiculous' (very good). The crowd were hyped, lots of head nodding and jumping around. I've never seen so many people in such a limited space. Got in at 5 a.m after which I realised I don't enjoy clubbing as much as I used to. The crowdedness, the lack of ventilation, queing at the bar and the music is quite loud.

On Wednesday, Leela James will dazel us with her amazing vocals at Jazz Cafe. Kano plays The Scala on 27 October. Madeleine Peyroux has sold out her Barbican show on 30 October. It serves me right for wasting time. The Fugees have reconciled (about time) and will be playing at Carling Apollo in December. £40 including booking fee is steep considering they're not Michael Jackson. At least they are not playing Wembley so their fans might actually get to see their faces. I recall chaperoning my younger cousins to a Destiny's Child concert at Wembley a couple of years back. I was the oldest person in the auditorium bar Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle. It was like the entire fall line of gap kids had exploded in the building-never again! Brixton Academy (The Roots) is a good venue if you don't mind chocking on the thick stench of cannabis. By the end of the evening I felt sick and that wasn't just because of the opening act for the Roots (think Spice Girls crossed with Vanilla ice). If you think Justin Timberlake is the best beatboxer (lol), check out Questlove (?love) live. Jaquar Wright and Floetry play Jazz Cafe (13& 14 November, and 14-18 December respectively). The debut album, Floetic has been rinsed (overplayed) by yours truly. Floetry's follow-up, Flo’Ology is out on 8 November. So much music, so little time.