How is Mac 25? Happy Birthday to him!
Jess, no room for advice here because I am chock full of raaaaaaaage on your behalf. That is utterly fucking ridiculous.
I'm not sure how old he is, but I heard him use the word 'newfangled' one time, so he's gotta be pretty far gone.
Dawn ,'Beneath You'
Natter 78: I might need to watch some Buffy for inspiration
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Steph L. - Apr 23, 2026 12:02:22 pm PDT #12408 of 12473
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
Dana - Apr 23, 2026 12:17:57 pm PDT #12409 of 12473
I haven't trusted science since I saw the film "Flubber."
Fucking healthcare system.
DavidS - Apr 23, 2026 12:21:46 pm PDT #12410 of 12473
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Ooof, that's very stressful, Jess.
I recently (as in last week) got a new primary care provider. I've had my previous doctor for 20 years and have seen her exactly once in that time. There were so many barriers to getting appointments at her office, it was so expensive and it took six weeks to get in.
Finally I just buckled down and looked on my insurance to see what the other options were and wound up going with One Medical (which is owned by stinky ol' Amazon) because I could get an appointment immediately.
For me it's turned out to be a good fit because they prioritize ease of contact and appointments. My new PCP is a Family Nurse Practitioner who can prescribe meds and order tests. Also you can drop in for blood draw or vax without appointment. I do everything through their online portal which is easy and also prompts you on stuff you've been avoiding (like my shingles vax).
Anyway it's been a revelation to me because I've long felt the issue was the barrier at the beginning. Usually I need to see a doctor on the way to getting a referral to a specialist and that's where the obstacle were. Having an FNP as my point of contact is way easier for me.
meara - Apr 23, 2026 12:24:31 pm PDT #12411 of 12473
Ugh that is ridiculous and they should’ve told you sooner, also!! Adulting sucks.
Jessica - Apr 23, 2026 12:34:07 pm PDT #12412 of 12473
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
I've heard anecdotally that One Medical is good on the West Coast but crappy in NYC, but if they take my insurance and I can make appointments online I'm willing to give it a try.
Tom Scola - Apr 23, 2026 12:38:32 pm PDT #12413 of 12473
They pay me in WOIMS
I went to a new PCP yesterday, and I already hate him because he mentioned that he voted for Cuomo when he was making smalltalk, plus he refilled my Metoprolol prescription with the wrong dosage, and so far he hasn’t gotten back to me when I tried complaining about it.
Jessica - Apr 23, 2026 12:50:41 pm PDT #12414 of 12473
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
Tom, YIKES. I hope he gets the dosage fixed asap!!
Steph L. - Apr 23, 2026 1:31:54 pm PDT #12415 of 12473
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
Power just went out (it's a sunny 82-degree day, so I'm assuming someone hit a pole or a transformer blew). My laptop is fully charged and I can access the internet because I can tether to my cellphone, but on the other hand, it's 4:30 pm and I feel like this is the universe telling me to be done with work early today and go take a nap.
Laura - Apr 23, 2026 2:15:38 pm PDT #12416 of 12473
Our wings are not tired.
Good grief, Tom. Not a good sign.
I'm happy with my current PCP because he lets me get my way. Online appointment options and communication are essential. Phones! Yikes!
Calli - Apr 23, 2026 3:45:13 pm PDT #12417 of 12473
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
What is with health care providers? Three years is a ridiculously short window, and prescribing accurate meds is a bare minimum expectation.
Happy quarter century to Mac!