cupcake meeting
Life gave me a nice reminder when I got home from a meeting with a client. There was a package in my mailbox (a box of goodies from Chris) and a reviewer’s copy of Dadditude. I had spoke with Van and Viv earlier in the day during a “cupcake” meeting with my co-worker buddies Bill and Christine. Cupcake meetings involves us getting together over cupcakes from Classic Cake (Christine always seems to buy, lazy boys). The kids were excited to hear about the tiny bit of snow the day before. I stacked the log carrier full with the damp wood and then got to work. I installed phpList for Wheelies, created a favicon for Wheelies, updated the overnights section for the Battleship New Jersey, made a portion of the footer and about us text dynamic for Zeropercentcards.com, and then secured the site better.
I was tagged for the Seven Deadly Sins Meme by Maddy… so here goes…(which is actually the 7 Things about Me Meme, but I’ve done that a couple times, ergo, I’m going with Maddy’s format)…
- Greed - I am greedy with my time. I need my time to run and work in the evenings. I often forgo time with friends and family to get to chores, project stuff, and my own internal to do list. I need to work on this.
- Gluttony - depression hits and sometimes I eat like I’m going to win a prize or I can’t eat at all. It’s not necessarily will power I guess in a consistent fashion, moreso a random tidal wave of stuff I can’t stop.
- Sloth - this I definitely don’t have an issue with. Calling me lazy should be followed by you ducking. I work my ass off.
- Anger - I do have a temper, but I calm down fast and don’t have those moments of being so mad I can’t see.
- Lust - this is a bad one for me. Chemical castration might not be a bad option.
- Vanity - I’m happier with my appearance now that I’ve been running and riding the bike so much. I still have work to do. But I am not a preener for the most part, and am not that happy with my own appearance.
- Envy - I don’t really envy much materialistically speaking. I envy the financial freedom that I see friends of mine enjoying. And by freedom, I mean being free of worry and able to rest easy at night.
Verily I say unto you, I was tired at the end of the night, booking 6 hours of project work – I settled into my bed and watched Sicko. Think what you will about Michael Moore’s previous films, I dare anyone to stand up for health insurance. Seriously. As someone who had to fight tooth and nail to get my daughter’s dental surgery anesthesia reimbursed, because (and I am 100% not kidding) they said it was voluntary and not needed. That’s right, a 2 year old little girl is just supposed to tough it out and get their teeth pulled. I was lucky that I have a great person in benefits that got ticked when she heard about my problem and got all up in the insurance company’s grill. I’ve got a couple of Canadian readers, I’d like to hear your take on your national health care plan. Do you have to wait a long time for procedures and is the quality of your care OK?
December 4th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I’m glad you had a good rep with your insurance. My insurance is much better now that I work for the State, but still times can be difficult. With Brae having an immune deficiency (IgA) and me having MS, the bills can rack up. =o/
December 4th, 2007 at 9:40 am
dude, I am totally covering the whole sloth thing for you. duck if you call me anything BUT lazy.
nice to see a little snow. i grew up in Minnsota (yes, I’m STILL a Vikings fan) and i miss the snow. sometimes. occasionally.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:52 am
health insurance is not the greatest – but please NO GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE – we already see what a great job they did with everything else they get their hands on….I’m in the same boat on the gluttony, thankfully the lust thing has subsided, just a bit…..
December 4th, 2007 at 9:57 am
I HATE the insurance companies. They are legalized crime.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Cupcakes and chemical castration in the same post…no way could I tie those two together. You’re my hero…
And financial freedom? It’s an illusion. None of us are a free as it appears we are. We just hide it better.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:00 am
yeesh….7 deadly sins….every day…
December 4th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Christy – my HR rep is a freakin’ ninja, it’s so sad, health ins is so expensive up here, yet they fight so hard to not provide the service we all pay for
Jodi – I thought it was too cold in Minny to snow?
Mike D. – I’m all for loosening anything that prevents health insurance companies from allowing patients to get the care they need, but there is something inherently flawed with the current structure. there is only impetus to cut costs, which ends up literally killing people. that’s why i want to hear from people that are actually living in national healthcare.
Bud Buckley – I won’t argue with you on that one friend.
Carolyn – ok, then I need the hiding it lessons
lime – you must have a cool to do list
December 4th, 2007 at 10:23 am
I don’t have health insurance. I’m thinkin about gettin this shirt though.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Franki – that is bold, like A-1 bold.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Hey, hey, hey, none of your trash talk about Minnesnowta, there, Van.
Yeah, I had you pegged as the antithesis of sloth. Chemical castration seems a bit drastic, unless you’re planning to become a sex offender mayhap?
December 4th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Chris – oh no, I envy Minnesota’s snowfall and just about 50% of the best music came out of the Twin Cities too (the ‘Mats, Hold Steady, Bob Mould, Prince).
December 4th, 2007 at 10:50 am
I like that 7 deadly sins thing. I might just do it.
As for the Canadian health system, don’t let the Universal Health Care thing fool you. Emergency room waits of 15 hours are not unusual, nor is it unusual to spend 3-4 days sleeping in corridors in the hospitals for lack of room. I don’t have a family doctor, nor can I find one, so though there’s a walk in clinic I go to when I need health care, yearly checkups are out of the question.
Just sayin’
December 4th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Well, since it’s supposed to snow another 5″ today… Don’t forget Trip Shakespeare/Semisonic, the Auto Body Experience, Uncle Tupelo, Cloud Cult, Atmosphere, etc etc etc.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Jazz – thanks for an insider’s perspective, that’s definitely not the rosey view Moore depicted (which I suspected)
Chris – I always thought Uncle Tupelo was a St. Louis band, but yea, you’ve got Harmon Killebrew and lots of good music.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:07 am
D’oh, we’re both wrong. They’re from Illinois.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Chris – oh ok. Well for what it’s worth, I met Jay Farrar once at an acoustic radio broadcast taping with Son Volt and he shakes hands like a sissy. Jesse Ventura wouldn’t put up with that crap.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Lust is pretty normal for a healthy 36 year old male. In fact, I don’t think men get the hang of the whole thing until they reach your age.
The insurance thing is unbelievable. It makes you wanna go Rambo on the entire system. Fuckers.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:28 am
I’m privately (well, not anymore) wondering what happens if these 7 deadlies start arriving in clusters. I mean, how does it work if there’s lust, but you’re being greedy with your time, and so there’s like no time to grab a meal because you’ve been so busy staring in the mirror?
December 4th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Open Grove Claudia – I want to go so Rambo on them, that Rambo would one day say “I’m sorry I lost my temper there, I totally went Van”
liv – i’d just hump the mirror i guess
December 4th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Oh, great, crush my hero worship.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
but you’d be hungry.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Chris – luckily he doesn’t record any handshakes, so I think we’re cool. Uncle Tupelo is great stuff BTW
liv – hmm, maybe i’ll drink a bottle of A-1 steak sauce?
December 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Don’t forget Spicy. I’m not just Bold.
And I’ll give up good taste any time in favor of a laugh.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Our health care system is good, but like any other system, it has flaws. In my area there is a shortage of doctors. Many GP’s, including my own, have been forced to close their practices to spouses and children of patients only because they simply don’t have the means to see that many patients. Often times when you head to an ER you bring a book and a snack and a bottle of water and a change of clothes…sometimes it takes hours to be seen (but other times the wait isn’t too bad — I took Julia the other week when she had croup and we were in and out within two hours), and there are lengthy waits associated with seeing a specialist.
Still, it’s nice to know that when I need to call an ambulance or when I need to get care I can get it without having to worry about how much it’s going to cost or if my insurance company is going to cover it or not. It might not be the best system, but it’s a good system nonetheless.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Ooo, I like the 7 sins spin. Chemical castration though? Yikes. I envied people with more financial freedom for awhile because I assumed that meant they had more money than me. But that’s not always the case. These things we own, the house, the big HD TV, the super-fast computer, they all cost money and need monthly payments (be it mortgage, cable, or internet). THOSE are the things that tie us down. I look forward to cutting those strings one day.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Franki – duly noted.
mamatulip – ERs here can be the same situation. the routine visits are better it sounds like in our system. what you described about not having that worry is to me what health insurance is supposed to do, you pay your premium to remove that worry. yet we still get screwed money-wise. one of the other perceptions is that the doctors in universal care aren’t as good – any truth there?
Tink – i avoid subscriptions at all costs. i try to use only cash. i think if i keep on my plan, i’ll cut those ties as best i can. i just want to be able to think that my children will be ok going forward.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Aha! There you are. I had to pop on over because I thought I had you on my google feedreader [see how technologically advanced I am becoming!] But nothings been coming through. [back to square one, do not pass go...]
Glad to see your ‘deadlies’! I don’t you’re even a bit toasty with that list [are you polishing your halo?]
I’ve not seen sicko, but I’ll put it on the list.
Can’t speak for Canada and their health system but I have an out of date version of the British one = long waits, but it is FREE! And it’s FREE for everyone. Is it 30% of Americans have no insurance? [not good at figures]
I also read / heard that a significant number of personal bankruptcies are directly due to some hideous medical bill.
Cheers
December 4th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Chemical castration? For yourself?
I’m pretty much speechless.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I live in Belgium (for those of you who are geographically challenged: that’s in Europe, somewhere between Paris, London and Amsterdam. Brussels may sound familiar).
Belgium enjoys the benefits of low-cost, universal, state-sponsored (but liberal, as MDs are not state employed but independent) healthcare.
Just take at look at this post of mine:
http://antwerp.wordpress.com/2006/05/24/us-citizens-advised-to-break-a-leg-in-belgium-poking-fun-at-ailing-us-healthcare/
or just the (English) video feed over at:
http://www.mijnsocialezekerheid.be/nl/videos/vid.html
I busted several spinal discs recently: my 15 first treatments where free, I got a top-notch specialist (US $5 a visit), two MRI’s (4 US $ each) and 10 family MD visits (3 US $ each).
Belgian social security paid the ‘real’ bills.
There are absolutely no waiting lists, Belgian medical care is world renowned (just ask Veronica over at V-grrrl.com) and available for all. Right up to treatment at the local Antwerp University Health Center.
I’ve been 3 times to the ER: although my injuries were minor, I was attended to within minutes.
Who’s paying the bills? The taxpayer. It’s a weird trade-off: Belgium has extremely high taxes (up to 50% on income, 21% sales tax), providing a cradle-to-the-grave care system.
I guess it’s a matter of choice: does a nation take care of all (based on solidarity through paid by taxes), or does one prefer the exesses of commercial health care for those who can afford it?
All the best from a rain-swept Belgium.
[I discovered your blog on V-grrrl.com]
December 4th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
“Sicko” is a fascinating movie… I just thank the demi-gods of heath care that we are fortunate enough to have a great PPO plan.
& I wouldn’t rush off to that chemical castration if I were you… after all, you’re a single guy and I think that a procedure might make dating a wee bit awkward.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Two-toed or three-toed sloth? It matters.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Maddy – I’ve gone to the google reader too, Bloglines just dies too often. that’s the thing with our insurance that gets me, people talk about the wait, but the real problem are people that get no treatment at all. cancer patients that have claims denied and then get themselves into major financial problems, it’s terrible
meno – i’m kidding, i couldn’t do that to my boys
Peter – Hello! welcome. that sounds just about right to me, sure the taxes are high, but health insurance (that actually covers bills) is nearly worth as much as a salary for some
Kristin – yeah, that would make for a weird thing to mention during a dinner date wouldn’t it?
Dyna Girl – i couldn’t tell he was giving me the finger at the time (double barrell too)
December 4th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Ah yes, insurance companies…I’ve heard somewhere that vodka helps when dealing with them.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
I’m so conflicted about the health care thing. The post from the reader in Belgium is excellent btw. But I have heard both good and bad from people who live in countries with government sponsored health care. I’ve had friends from Canada and England say “don’t vote for government health care no matter what you do!” Overall, I’m stumped. If we didn’t have excellent insurance, we’d be screwed and I imagine a lot of people are, but somehow I just can’t see the government doing a good job of it either…
December 5th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Sing it on the health insurance, brotha.
On another note: there are few things I’m certain of, but I daresay I will never, ever create a flavicon.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:10 am
Mary – vodka is a panacea, gets out pesky grass stains… or makes you forget about them
SQT – yeah, the people having to wait for procedures sounds bad, but people being refused treatment or going bankrupt to me is unacceptable. maybe there’s a hybrid system that would be some sort of solution, but i’m very unsure
Jocelyn – wait, a second… I don’t remember a red headed sister. or even worse the dreaded flavorflavicon… boyeee
December 5th, 2007 at 10:00 am
I can’t wait to se Sicko. I haven’t had time yet, but really want to. I find him hard to listen to, but like hearing his point of view on things.
Cupcake meetings sound awesome!
December 5th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Working for a company that is based in the UK, I can tell you that many of my coworkers pay out of pocket for private insurance. The government plan just isn’t good enough.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
tori – I thought it was a better and more plausible documentary than the 9/11 movie, but it’s still fairly skewed with some validity
E – yeah a hyrbid might be some sort of solution, i dunno. i should be talking about fart jokes though, that’s funnier
December 5th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
1) Totall-Y should have done the ninja undermask thing, even if just for the cool’ness factor. Next time. And Lady in the Water…with quotes like:
” A boy, in the midwest of this land, will grow up in a home where your book will be on the shelf and spoken of often. He will grow up with these ideas in his head. He will grow into a great orator. He will speak and his words will be heard throughout this land and throughout the world. This boy will become leader of this country and begin a movement of great change. He will speak of you and your words and your book will be the seeds of many of his great thoughts. They will be the seeds of change.” how can you NOT like it?
I mean the SUSPENSE alone had to have had you foaming at the mouth….
December 5th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Re: the ‘doctors aren’t as good’ perception…
I can’t answer that with certainty because I don’t have anything to compare it to, meaning I’ve never received medical care anywhere other than Canada, in my home province. And honestly? I think there are good doctors and bad doctors. Example: when I took Julia to the ER just a few weeks ago she was seen by a doctor at the ER who looked at her for, oh…thirty seconds, concluded that she was allergic to Chewy, said she couldn’t go home until the cat was gone and I’d cleaned sufficiently and then launched into a lengthy speel about hypo-allergenic dogs and how fantastic his Schnauzer is, and how when they first got the dog he showed the dog who was boss by hitting him “really hard a couple of times.”
I just sat there and gaped at him, and when he was finished I pointed to Julia and said, “So, my child?”
Thankfully, he referred us to a pediatrician across the road who was FANTASTIC. Very thorough, listened to me, asked the right questions and diagnosed her with croup — NOT allergies.
And I’ll hedge a guess that the same kind of thing happens in the US, too. I’ll bet there are American doctors who go the extra mile, take the extra time to listen to patients and parents and really give a thorough examination, and I’ll bet there are American doctors who, just like that bozo in the ER that I had the pleasure of dealing with, grab the first thing that seems obvious and runs with it without really checking more in-depth.
You know?
December 5th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Claudia – i love foam
mamatulip – that’s about par for the course from my experience with doctors as well and particularly with pediatricians, which are a very polarized bunch. i either love a pediatrician or hate them. luckily there’s a couple of really kick ass peds here when the kids see me