Just to say Happy St. Valentine's Day to everyone! I haven't had a memorable Valentine's Day in years, but it's ok because I do not get too wrapped up in it all. Back in my former life when I was flying, this was always the week me and the other pilot went to our annual simulator training down in Orlando, FL. If you ever want to curse Valentine's Day, trying going to a warm, mega-resort area during the winter with all the love birds and get a decent meal at a decent hour. Rick and I would have been in training all day, go back to our hotel, get ready and head out to dinner only to find.........lots of prom-date-look-alikes clogging up 'our' restaurant. We would always forget what day it was and then notice the corsages. That's when my gag reflex would kick in. It was at least a 2hr ordeal. It would not have been so bad if we didn't have an early schedule, but we always did.
So yeah, not a huge fan of VD (in any form), but still hoping everyone had a lovely day.
It's rained/snowed here today and expecting more of the same (probably all rain) tomorrow. Yippee.
Over-N-Out
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Free Health Care??? Biggest Scam Yet.
If there is one thing that boils my blood, it's false advertising. 'Oh, you'll have FREE healthcare in Scotland'... Well, that depends on your definition of free. A tax of 20% on all goods, to start, does not exactly equate to 'free' for me. But, I self admittedly am not very good at math.
So, all I wanted was my annual gynecological exam, a health form filled out for school and some vaccinations needed for vet school. I first scheduled the gyno exam and was told to discuss my paperwork for the vaccinations when I arrived. Since my appointment was still 2 weeks away, I decided to take my paperwork to my doctor's office so they would have it before my appointment. I already knew I would have to pay for some of the vaccines, but I was fine with that since they are not something everybody needs.
The half-page form I needed filled out requests the following information:
Height
Weight
Blood Pressure
Pulse
And, to describe any abnormalities of the following:
Eyes
ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)
Neck
Heart
Breast
Abdomen
Rectum
Nervous System
Genitalia
Extremities
It requires a signature by a physician.
This is where it gets really interesting. Pay attention. I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but my ob/gyn from the States does a thorough examination in addition to performing a pap smear. Because, yes, I'd really like to know if she finds a lump in my breast that I've missed, an abnormality in my abdomen (like where my ovaries and uterus are located), any swollen lymph nodes, etc. She also would tend to discuss with me relevant issues that may affect my health...my relationships, diet, any major changes in my life, emotional well-being, medications, etc. You know, all the normal stuff, right?
I am informed by the lovely receptionist that I will need a separate appointment to get this form filled out. Why, I ask? I am getting seen by a gynecologist and fairly certain she/he will be able to easily complete this form. Oh no, it is a nurse and she is ONLY doing a pap smear. Like, as in not even checking ANYTHING else. Wow, really? You are going to have a nurse get me in the stirrups, take a swab, and be done with the deal? Not even she is going to take a peek around while I'm all there for her to see? Nope. Not even throw a stethoscope on my chest/lungs to have a listen? Nope. How about a breast exam. No, not done here.
I informed them they have never even done a physical on me and do they not practice preventative medicine here? No, they really don't. I said, 'So, you do not do a physical exam to find a baseline on your new patients'. That answer is No again. They said I could have a complementary 'chat' with the nurse and she would do my height, weight, BP and I could drop off a urine sample. Gee, thanks. Do I get a free cup of coffee with that? I told them that I wanted EVERYTHING checked by a doctor because lo and behold, I am NOT a doctor and would really like someone to listen to my heart, look in my ears and make sure their trained eyes do not see anything out of the ordinary.
They advised me they can help with my request! Alright, I'm now getting somewhere. Yes, I can have all of that and more for a mere £120. That is $200USD to look me over with out even a prick of my skin!!!! After my jaw hit the floor, I said, "So, this really isn't free healthcare, is it?" I had two ladies dealing with my smarty pants by this time and they literally stared at me for 30 seconds before saying, 'Well, our system is different than yours'. You think? I passed on the offer. Not sure what I would have done if they would have said, 'But wait, there's more. For £120 you can have your form filled out and we'll throw in a free colonoscopy. And, if you book your appointment TODAY, we'll give you this handsome 'I survived the NHS (National Healthcare System) t-shirt in either happy, pastel pink or dashing green.'
Moving on to the vaccinations. I am asked to fill out a form so that they may research exactly what I need. Wait a minute....I am GIVING you a form by the vet school as to EXACTLY what I need. And what I really need, is to make an appointment so that we can get started. The 'consultation' fee to do the research is £25, or $42USD and then I get to pay for all of the vaccinations as well...anywhere from £30-40 per shot. Oh, and it will take them a week to 'research' what I need (it's ON THE FORM) and then I could make an appointment, which will take 1-2 weeks to get in. <Bangs head on desk so hard it starts to bleed profusely>. Oh wait, NOW I can go get my 'free' healthcare to get all stitched up. Perfect system.
So yeah, Scotland can take their 'free' healthcare and shove it up into a place that I can't get them to look at on me for less than 200 bucks. I'll pass on the free pap smear. I don't trust you to read the results correctly anyways.
I'm not going to start on my political rant....but, just know that THIS is what happens when the government sticks their nose where they shouldn't. Only the sick are seen here. There is no such thing as preventative care. It's only for the well-to-do. And don't even get me started on dental.
I am soooooo Over-N-Out
So, all I wanted was my annual gynecological exam, a health form filled out for school and some vaccinations needed for vet school. I first scheduled the gyno exam and was told to discuss my paperwork for the vaccinations when I arrived. Since my appointment was still 2 weeks away, I decided to take my paperwork to my doctor's office so they would have it before my appointment. I already knew I would have to pay for some of the vaccines, but I was fine with that since they are not something everybody needs.
The half-page form I needed filled out requests the following information:
Height
Weight
Blood Pressure
Pulse
And, to describe any abnormalities of the following:
Eyes
ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)
Neck
Heart
Breast
Abdomen
Rectum
Nervous System
Genitalia
Extremities
It requires a signature by a physician.
This is where it gets really interesting. Pay attention. I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but my ob/gyn from the States does a thorough examination in addition to performing a pap smear. Because, yes, I'd really like to know if she finds a lump in my breast that I've missed, an abnormality in my abdomen (like where my ovaries and uterus are located), any swollen lymph nodes, etc. She also would tend to discuss with me relevant issues that may affect my health...my relationships, diet, any major changes in my life, emotional well-being, medications, etc. You know, all the normal stuff, right?
I am informed by the lovely receptionist that I will need a separate appointment to get this form filled out. Why, I ask? I am getting seen by a gynecologist and fairly certain she/he will be able to easily complete this form. Oh no, it is a nurse and she is ONLY doing a pap smear. Like, as in not even checking ANYTHING else. Wow, really? You are going to have a nurse get me in the stirrups, take a swab, and be done with the deal? Not even she is going to take a peek around while I'm all there for her to see? Nope. Not even throw a stethoscope on my chest/lungs to have a listen? Nope. How about a breast exam. No, not done here.
I informed them they have never even done a physical on me and do they not practice preventative medicine here? No, they really don't. I said, 'So, you do not do a physical exam to find a baseline on your new patients'. That answer is No again. They said I could have a complementary 'chat' with the nurse and she would do my height, weight, BP and I could drop off a urine sample. Gee, thanks. Do I get a free cup of coffee with that? I told them that I wanted EVERYTHING checked by a doctor because lo and behold, I am NOT a doctor and would really like someone to listen to my heart, look in my ears and make sure their trained eyes do not see anything out of the ordinary.
They advised me they can help with my request! Alright, I'm now getting somewhere. Yes, I can have all of that and more for a mere £120. That is $200USD to look me over with out even a prick of my skin!!!! After my jaw hit the floor, I said, "So, this really isn't free healthcare, is it?" I had two ladies dealing with my smarty pants by this time and they literally stared at me for 30 seconds before saying, 'Well, our system is different than yours'. You think? I passed on the offer. Not sure what I would have done if they would have said, 'But wait, there's more. For £120 you can have your form filled out and we'll throw in a free colonoscopy. And, if you book your appointment TODAY, we'll give you this handsome 'I survived the NHS (National Healthcare System) t-shirt in either happy, pastel pink or dashing green.'
Moving on to the vaccinations. I am asked to fill out a form so that they may research exactly what I need. Wait a minute....I am GIVING you a form by the vet school as to EXACTLY what I need. And what I really need, is to make an appointment so that we can get started. The 'consultation' fee to do the research is £25, or $42USD and then I get to pay for all of the vaccinations as well...anywhere from £30-40 per shot. Oh, and it will take them a week to 'research' what I need (it's ON THE FORM) and then I could make an appointment, which will take 1-2 weeks to get in. <Bangs head on desk so hard it starts to bleed profusely>. Oh wait, NOW I can go get my 'free' healthcare to get all stitched up. Perfect system.
So yeah, Scotland can take their 'free' healthcare and shove it up into a place that I can't get them to look at on me for less than 200 bucks. I'll pass on the free pap smear. I don't trust you to read the results correctly anyways.
I'm not going to start on my political rant....but, just know that THIS is what happens when the government sticks their nose where they shouldn't. Only the sick are seen here. There is no such thing as preventative care. It's only for the well-to-do. And don't even get me started on dental.
I am soooooo Over-N-Out
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Doctor is In
You can just go ahead and start calling me Doctor, as in Ph.D-worthy. I have ground-breaking evidence that dogs also need a healthy dose of sunshine to be all that they can be.
You may have inferred from my last post that I am not enthralled with the weather in Edinburgh. Congrats, you have an IQ of at least 20. With that being said, it has come to my attention that perhaps one of my dear Bingo Boyz is also afflicted with the wintertime blues. I have realised that I actually have years of reliable and overwhelmingly convincing data to prove my thesis that dogs also suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Please follow along my photo research project as we see the transgression of poor Mugsy from a happy, well-adjusted (in most aspects) pooch to one who just wants to sleep the day away and dream of summertime's past.
Following is the ground-breaking data:
We must start at The Beginning. We lived at the beach on the coast of sunny, humid and warm South Carolina. The was the start of the Mugger's days on Earth and he enjoyed his time here immensely. He was a very young pup, but early pictures show how he is drawn to the light, much like a newborn piglet.
We moved from SC to the blistering hot desert of Las Vegas, NV. This is where research has shown Mugsy to thrive. The house was one level and had a sliding glass door out to the back yard, which consisted of artificial grass surrounded by a rock garden and a 6ft tall cinder block 'fence'. As I worked from my home, I would wake up and immediately open the slider about 6 inches so the dogs could enjoy the 'cooler' part of the day when the backyard was still shady. It became clear that the Mugger waited until about 10am, when the sun started to shine in the backyard, to make his way out for hours on end. It would easily be 90F by this time. These are a few photos capturing his Heaven on Earth:
He liked the sun so much, he liked to jump in the pool, take a swim, cool off and then catch some rays.
He was also so invigorated, he became a tad mischievous. While I was inside hard at work, he dragged all of these items out to his little desert play land...apparently he did not want to come back inside. Ever. He's the bad boy out in the grass. His brother came out with me to assess the damage.
Sunny and hot Las Vegas was left behind for Richmond, VA for 10 months prior to leaving for the dark depths of Edinburgh. Again, the proof is in the pudding. Didn't matter if he was inside or out. See for yourself:
You may have inferred from my last post that I am not enthralled with the weather in Edinburgh. Congrats, you have an IQ of at least 20. With that being said, it has come to my attention that perhaps one of my dear Bingo Boyz is also afflicted with the wintertime blues. I have realised that I actually have years of reliable and overwhelmingly convincing data to prove my thesis that dogs also suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Please follow along my photo research project as we see the transgression of poor Mugsy from a happy, well-adjusted (in most aspects) pooch to one who just wants to sleep the day away and dream of summertime's past.
Following is the ground-breaking data:
We must start at The Beginning. We lived at the beach on the coast of sunny, humid and warm South Carolina. The was the start of the Mugger's days on Earth and he enjoyed his time here immensely. He was a very young pup, but early pictures show how he is drawn to the light, much like a newborn piglet.
He liked the sun so much, he liked to jump in the pool, take a swim, cool off and then catch some rays.
He was also so invigorated, he became a tad mischievous. While I was inside hard at work, he dragged all of these items out to his little desert play land...apparently he did not want to come back inside. Ever. He's the bad boy out in the grass. His brother came out with me to assess the damage.
Sunny and hot Las Vegas was left behind for Richmond, VA for 10 months prior to leaving for the dark depths of Edinburgh. Again, the proof is in the pudding. Didn't matter if he was inside or out. See for yourself:
I thought I would take the Bingo Boyz to the beach in Hilton Head one last time before we sailed off to Europe. We stayed a month, and of course Mugsy loved every second of his sun-soaked vacation:
But, then....it was time to go. We sailed over on the Queen Mary 2 from NY to Southampton, England. Mugsy loved his time on deck when the sun was out:
Then, we docked in dreary Southampton and I became concerned for our well-being. But, have no fear, Edinburgh was absolutely lovely in August! Check out the puppy basking in the sun:
I advised both of them to take advantage of all the sunshine they could get, because before too long, it would be gone.
And unbelievably, they listened....
Then, winter came and it was dark. Thankfully, dogs are resilient and adapt to their surroundings. So, when given something that vaguely represents the sun, guess who takes advantage of it? From a floor heater:
To my computer desk lamp:
Suffice it to say, winter is in full force and the does not come out often. And, when it does, unfortunately it does not enter into the flat where Mugger can soak it up. So, sadly, this is what he's become:
I don't even have many pictures of him from this winter, because they are all the same....his eyes closed and sound asleep. I think I have found the solution for the poor little guy, but you will just have to tune in next time for it.
Till then,
Over-N-Out
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