Because I usually like to be a minimum of 3-5 years behind all trends, I recently purchased a turntable and have joined in the vinyl collecting craze. Spend 30 bucks to listen to something I can already listen to on Spotify? Count me in!.

My last three record purchases are all albums that you would probably expect from a 50-year-old dude who grumbles about the quality of music these days: U2’s The Joshua Tree, Radiohead’s Kid A, and John Lee Hooker’s The Cream. While I do love John Lee Hooker, I have to admit that a big part of the reason I bought it is because of the album cover.

The sundae, the pipe, the suit, the hat, and the grin…it’s all pretty great.

One convenient consequence of owning a turntable is that now I have something to do when my wife wants to go antiquing or flea marketing. It’s amazing how many boxes of old vinyl you can find at these places. It’s also amazing how many terrible albums you can find in those boxes. Some are terrible, some are hilarious. I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective. Here are three terrible/hilarious albums I’ve found during my crate diving last weekend, judged entirely by the album cover.

Yikes.

The great thing about wandering around a giant flea market looking at records by fast food icons is that the steps add up awfully quick. I was over 15,000 steps by the end of the day without even trying, easily qualifying me for the CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge, if I was allowed to enter (I’m not [frowny face]).

So, if you’re looking for ways to get over that 10,000 step mark, may I humbly suggest a round of crate diving at your local flea market? Or perhaps an accordion dance party? I know an album you can play!

Also, this is a reminder that the CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge ends Sunday. Click here for all the details.

Good luck and happy stepping!

you don’t need to find
a C+C Factory
to make a haiku

pumpkin spice lattes,
red leaves, decorative gourds,
and Palooza Fall

turn steps to cash with
the STEPtacular Challenge
thank you Talem Health

9 AM ET – Your Answers are Only as Good as Your Questions

alternate title
“put garbage question in, get
garbage answer out”

10 AM ET – This is Your (Grant) Life!

naming a session
after an ancient game show
is what we do best

11 AM ET – Should I Stay or Should I Go?  When Your Career Aspirations and Current Situation “Clash”

after rocking the
Casbah and calling London
please watch this session

Noon ET – The Role of the Patient in Continuing Medical Education

If patient rightness
and patient leftness fail, try
patient centeredness

1 PM ET – CME Sound Check: From Static to Stereo Learning

we got actual
podcast pros for this session
they make us look smart

2 PM ET – Spilling the Tea: Issues for the Next Generation of CME Professionals

my only request
is that this panel explains
skibidi toilet

3 PM ET – CME Hot Topic Spin-the-Bottle

a true confession
it’s not real spin-the-bottle
you’ll thank me later

4 PM ET – Learning Progression Over Time in Narcolepsy: The Impact of Environmental Changes and How We Evaluate Behavior

we solemnly swear
our last session of the day
will not be a snooze

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Gold

palooza without
MLG is like A-Team
without Mr. T

be they PlatformQ
or be they the new Medlive
we think both are great

yay to Haymarket
their first time as gold sponsor
not their first haiku

Silver

if Healio had
a headquarters in Philly
they’d be Heali-yo

Projects in Knowledge
is a much better name than
To-Dos in Wisdom

a film about docs
fleeing boring CME
is The Great Medscape

it’s often been said
you will never be misled
at DKBmed

thank you CEA
for the silver sponsorship
and the acronym

Academy for
Continued Healthcare Learning
perfect syllables

every day at
Academic CME
is a bit Hayes-y

this group does not dote
on unimportant details
they’re the Antidote

what org has three eyes
and is a silver sponsor?
Daiichi Sankyo

if Integrity
switched to work in politics
would they change their name?

A few years ago, I drove to Forbidden Drive in Fairmount Park – one of the jewels of the city of Philadelphia – to go for a run. I was in a bit of a hurry since my wife and I had plans later in the day, so rather than find a secure place for my car key fob, I stuck it in the unzipped hip pocket of my shorts, like an idiot. (note from Scott: Nah, this would be too easy. I’ll let it go.)

Reader, you will not be surprised to hear that that was a bad idea.

At some point during my 5-mile run, the fob bounced out of my pocket, never to be seen again, despite my best efforts to hunt for it. Not only was I tired from my run, not only was I even more tired from retracing my steps during my search, not only was I way behind schedule, but now I also had to call my wife and ask her to pick me up. And then I had to explain to her why she had to come pick me up.

Reader, you will not be surprised to hear that she was not impressed.

Here at CMEpalooza, we care about your educational needs. We care about your health. And we care about your keys bouncing out of your pockets. That’s why the CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge is the perfect event. There’s no need to run and risk losing your keys, annoying your spouse/partner and missing your dinner reservation. Walking is totally fine*. You can walk fast (be careful!), or you can walk slow. It doesn’t matter, and we don’t care!

*Running is also fine but the owners of CMEpalooza cannot be held responsible for any keys, wallets, or phones that may be lost while participating in the CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge.

Today is the start of the fifth CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge. Here are all the details you need to know.

• The challenge begins today (October 7) and will go until the end of the day on Sunday, October 13
• The challenge is to record at least 10,000 steps in one day. For each day during the challenge period that you record 10,000 steps, please send in a screenshot of your step-counting device with the number of recorded steps, either by email (thecmeguy@gmail.com) or text (267-666-0CME [0263]). Please include the following information:
  • Screenshot of number of steps
  • Date of steps
  • Name
  • Email
  • Physical mailing address (we need this to send you merch)
• For each day you achieve 10,000 steps and send in a screenshot, you will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card (there are five gift cards; you cannot win more than one.) Winners will be drawn during the week of CMEpalooza Fall. You can send in each day individually or you can send them all in at once at the end. It doesn’t matter to me.
• The person who records and submits the most steps in one day wins a $250 Amazon gift card
• Everyone who enters even one day will receive some free CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge merch from Talem Health. We’re still finalizing what it will be, but it’s usually good stuff (but sadly, not likely a keychain for your car keys or key fob).

Thanks everyone and good luck!

CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge sponsored by: