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# Friday Notes #73 — Special Thanks to David Bowie for “Space Oddity”
- URL: https://numericcitizen.me/friday-notes-73-special-thanks-to-david-bowie-for-space-oddity/
- Published: 2022-05-06T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-05-06T12:00:06.000Z
- Description: When a song marks the beginning of a surgery.
- Author: JF Martin
- Tags: Friday Notes Series

Two days ago, after being on a waiting list for seven months, I had surgery to remove an [inguinal hernia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inguinal%5Fhernia?ref=numericcitizen.me). The surgeon used the [laparoscopy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laparoscopy?ref=numericcitizen.me) method for the intervention, which requires smaller incisions and makes the recovery process much faster. It was the first surgery with [general anesthesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anesthesia?ref=numericcitizen.me) experience. I was nervous about losing total control of my body and anxious about never coming back. I had this thought all week long before the intervention.

During the surgery preparations, there are numerous people in the operations room: two nurses, an anesthetist technician, the anesthetist himself, and the surgeon. A lot is going on in a short time. At some point, someone turned on the music. I was surprised. Someone asked me what I’d like to hear while falling asleep; I was caught off-guard. After a few seconds of hesitation, I asked for [Space Oddity](https://music.apple.com/ca/album/space-oddity/697650603?i=697651126&ref=numericcitizen.me) by David Bowie. The song started playing. Then came the mask covering my mouth; looking up, I began to quit this world while hearing the following part of the song:

“*Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare*

*This is Major Tom to Ground Control*

*I'm stepping through the door*

*And I'm floating in a most peculiar way.”*

It was a cool experience, a genuinely memorable moment. I woke up an hour later, remembering that song playing, which put a faint smile on my face. Thanks to David Bowie for “Space Oddity.”

💡

What did I learn this week? Why are so many Russian Generals dying in Ukraine? Botched advances, and insecure communication equipment, generals had to go to the front to get a feel of the combats. As a result, they became more exposed and easier to locate. More detailed explanation [here](https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2022/03/31/why-are-so-many-russian-generals-dying-in-ukraine?ref=numericcitizen.me).