Bag of Randomness for Friday, May 9, 2018

  • We watched Thor: Ragnarok recently. That is one fun entertaining movie. I liked that the Hulk was on a planet in which he could just do Hulk things.
  • While on my break, I was able to binge watch Netflix’s ‘The Punisher’ which was much better than I anticipated. I was also able to squeeze in two seasons of HBO’s ‘Crashing’ which is loosely based off Pete Holmes life, who stars in the show. If you grew up in a Baptist youth group in the 90’s you’ll get a lot of the humor. In a way, the show was very therapeutic for me and I now subscribe to Holmes’ podcast. I’m currently halfway through bingeing HBO’s ‘Veep’, which is also better and funnier than I expected. I guess there’s a reason why the show has won so many Emmys.
  • I really wish I would have cleaned my home office better before my surgery. I don’t really have the strength or dexterity to do it now.
  • I just finished reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It’s been one of those books on my “I want to read it but I’m sure I’ll never get around to it” list for quite a while. It may be a bit trite and most folks have adopted his principles a bit here and there in everyday life, but it’s good seeing how he structured it and put it in context. Sometimes we need to go something we already know and see it presented a different way. Next up, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
  • President Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by May. I remember that being a debate question for Obama and McCain. Well, something close. I think the debate question also included preconditions and other regimes of Cuba, Iran, and Cleveland. I think McCain wasn’t willing to meet and Obama was, which Republicans were upset about. My memory might serve me wrong and I’m too lazy to verify it. Personally, I’m all for open dialogue an diplomacy between nations. But I’ll be honest and say having Trump work the negotiations makes me a bit nervous if Twitter is anything to go by. Maybe he can prove me wrong, that would be a good thing.
  • I take an allergy pill every day but this spring is the first time I’ve been taking an allergy decongestant consistently and it’s done wonders. I’ve also been taking a prescribed allergy eyedrop and that’s been a godsend as well.
  • And I thought I was a nut for presidential history – Meet the 26-Year-Old LBJ Enthusiast Who Had Her Bachelorette Party at His Presidential Library
    • Of note: “They each had t-shirts custom made, with a photo of their favorite iconic Texan on the front and a taco above the words “Texas Forever” on the back.”
      • Of all the famous Texans to choose, three chose Anna Nicole Smith and Jessica and Ashley Simpson.
  • Eater.com – The Myth of Authenticity Is Killing Tex-Mex – Overshadowed by barbecue in its home state, Tex-Mex is the most important, least understood regional cuisine in America
  • It’s only March, and Texas Health Fort Worth hospital has delivered seven sets of triplets (the same amount it delivered total last year) and 23 sets of twins (double the amount from the same two-month period ending in February 2017.)
Posted in Goofy | 5 Comments

Bag of Randomness for Thursday, March 8, 2018

  • I returned to work yesterday for the first time in about six weeks. It was only half a day, but it felt good getting back in a routine again.
  • Can’t win for losing
    • When I first started to look for a back doctor, the first thing I researched was to find one “in network” so I could save on cost. When surgery was required, I verified the hospital was an “in network” facility, again, to save on cost. Yesterday, I received a bill from the internist I saw an hour before surgery which was about $1,100, a lot more than I was expecting. I dialed up the insurance company and they explained it was that high because I chose an “out of network” doctor. I told them I didn’t really have a choice in the matter and verified I chose an “in network” surgeon and hospital, but I had no role in choosing the internist. Heck, I had no idea I would see an internist. The insurance company said they’d review it and they may possibly adjust it so I’ll be paying the “in network” cost, which is about $115. The process would take about seven to ten business days and before ending the call, they emphasized I should have sought an “in network” doctor. I guess she didn’t pick up on the part that I had no idea I was going to be seen by an internist and I did my due diligence in picking an “in network” surgeon and facility. She also suggested I call the doctors office and try to negotiate a lower fee.
    • You may recall I wrote something similar when DaughterGeeding went to the ER last year. The hospital was “in network” but the doctor who treated her was “out of network” and we were charged an extra $400. The insurance company stated they were willing to pay the “out of network” charges since we didn’t have a choice in what doctor we saw.
    • Man, I really feel for those suffering from major illnesses like cancer or ALS and have to worry about this petty insurance stuff all the time. Speaking of which, we have a friend whose husband needs surgery for a rare form of cancer but can’t find an “in network” surgeon in the area. “Someone with experience in the matter”, told them to go to the ER about the problem who would admit them because of the severity. Because they don’t have a choice of the surgeon, they would get the “in network” price. I doubt that would work, but it stinks people have to try to do these things.
  • I’d love to own a house with a front porch.
  • I followed up on a Reddit tip to search for “divorce” in Craig’s List to find cheap stuff for sale. I found a plethora of vehicles for sale and filtered them out. One of the first results was a puppy. That made me sad. However, WifeGeeding is getting an upgraded engagement ring for Mother’s Day.
    • I can never remember if it’s “Mother’s Day” or “Mothers’ Day” and always have to look it up. I always reason it out to be the latter since all mothers are being honored but I’m wrong.
  • Over 500 Canadian doctors protest raises, say they’re being paid too much (yes, too much) – The group say they are offended that they would receive raises when nurses and patients are struggling.
  • This is an old GIF, but I crack up at the Queen getting excited about seeing some cows.
  • The New York Times – For Two Months, I Got My News From Print Newspapers. Here’s What I Learned.
  • Man, 70, finally gets Eagle Scout rank
Posted in Personal | 3 Comments

Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, March 7, 2018

  • I voted yesterday around 11:00 AM. At the time, I was the 54th Democrat to vote and the Republican total was 41. And I’ll be honest, I was a bit disappointed WifeGeeding didn’t vote. I respect that she doesn’t want to vote unless she’s informed, but the polling station was located at the church she works at.
    • I didn’t expect Lupe Valdez to be so popular.
    • I thought Huffines would beat Paxton.
    • I thought Brett Shipp would have fared better.
  • Jim Gaffigan recently stayed in a Plano hotel and thought the shower in his room was insane.
  • In other Plano news – Members of a church in Plano got a big surprise during Sunday service when each family got a check that can be spent however needed.
  • Trump’s Company Removes Presidential Seal From Golf Course
    • As ProPublica and WNYC reported yesterday, President Trump’s company recently ordered dozens of presidential seals to be used as golf tee markers. It is illegal to use the presidential seal for commercial purposes.
  • When Prince, like William, Harry, Charles, and even George, attend school, do their teachers refer to them as “Your Highness” when called upon? I had a friend, a one-time blog reader, who earned a theology Ph.D. from St. Andrews, where William and Kate graduated.
  • It’s not that I miss the hair on top of my head, I just miss the ability to grow hair on top of my head.
  • I hear Caroline Craddick, daughter of the late great local DJ Kidd Kraddick, will be on the first episode of the relaunched ‘American Idol’.
  • The first non-white NBA player was a Japanese man, Wataru Misaka. He joined the NBA the same year Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball.
  • People keep mistaking the National Restaurant Association for the NRA
  • Funny/Cute but not great. I think my favorite question, one which made me think for a while, was, “I there a trend you tried in which you thought you couldn’t pull off?”

Posted in Personal | 2 Comments