In other news, have I talked about my love of Linda Holmes here yet?

She tackles a lesson handed out by reality TV here: [link] The best bits:

I, personally, don't have a lot of time to nurse grudges against my friends, because of rent-paying and grocery-shopping obligations. I mean, I doubt I would anyway, but who would have the energy? Who would babysit my friends' kids if they went to war with me? Who would drive me to the airport if I went to war with them? Getting over grudges is utilitarian. Being somewhat judicious in your choice of things to get incredibly upset about is the only way you're going to have enough time left over to make dinner.

So as you pay your bills and cook your dinner and take your cat to the vet, take a moment and thank your life for containing at least a few small challenges you have to meet on a given day. Your unrelenting routine may be one of your weapons against becoming kind of a horrible person.

Also true of the internet! The busier I am, the less tussling and arguing I do because who has the time?

I thought getting mac off my COBRA would be pretty easy and that I could get him on the state insurance thingy-ma-bob for kids. But with my NY salary, I made too much this year for him to qualify for the TX state kids insurance thingy. And the private insurance options I have looked at will only take us as a package or me alone. I may still be able to get a cheaper plan than my COBRA, but I first have to clear that they will cover his therapies and meds and not discount them as pre-existings, have to clear that the therapist will take the insurance (possibly not a deal-breaker is the insurance has an HSA allowance), and must find out what hospitals are covered. I am guessing it will take me over a week to check out 4 plans.

Oh, I hope Polgara gets some relief and a doctor soon.

It was a stone. She's on her way home. Getting meds. What meds do you get for a stone. Something to dissolve it? Ease the pain?

It was a stone. She's on her way home. Getting meds. What meds do you get for a stone. Something to dissolve it? Ease the pain?

Pain meds. Sometimes they can do a ...laser? ultrasound?...thingie thing to break up stones. I think usually they wait until they pass unless they're huge. And then they start going "Um, so why do you HAVE one?" and try to figure out if there's meds to give to prevent future ones.

They use ultrasound to break up the stones.

But you still have to piss jagged rocks.

Oh noes! Poor Polgara! Those things hurt. Does she need tending to? Let me know. I have some time tomorrow.

Less pain~ma vibes to Polgara.

However, I still would not be able to spend $400 on a pair of jeans.

Yeah, the only way I'd pay that much for jeans is if Ben Browder would be breaking them in for me and then stopping by to strip them off and hand 'em to me in person.

Really, coats are the only items of clothing that I'll break three digits on. (Well, and suits, but I already have one that will hopefully remain serviceable for another decade or so...)

msbelle, I do believe supplemental mental health plans are available, as my folks had (have?) one for my sis. Will check into it and get back to you.

Am not sleeping well tonight, and now there seems to be a thunderstorm rolling in. Feh.

Much ~ma to Polgara!!!

And I'm so sorry, Kat.

True, smonster. I think this is The Year of Best Interns. Too bad they're all seniors.

I'm taking the day off today to get a couch delivered and clean all the things.