I’m going to make this quick but I am tired of feeling like I’m the only one who cares about climate change. The American people elected idiots the other day who plan to destroy the earth even more by limiting the EPA, pushing through the Keystone XL pipeline, etc.
I’ve changed my diet (I’ve been a vegetarian for like three years) because it’s better for the planet, I’ve recycled, I got solar put on my house, I put my life in danger to ride a fuel efficient scooter… I even researched what Halloween candy was more “earth friendly” and gave that out.
No one else seems to care. I have my husband on board for some of it but he wants me to tell him what to buy instead of looking for himself. He wants me to suggest meals. He doesn’t want to do any of the work.
I feel like I’m in this alone. None of my friends are vegetarians. They are all supportive and try to accommodate but it’s still hard.
My family is the same way. I go over there and all they have is meat. We go out to lunch and they all order meat; even my husband.
No one cares. Do people even know the earth is fricken dying? And people still don’t care and do and say anything to remain ignorant.
I don’t even have kids! I don’t have any legacy. You’d think people would give some sort of shit about it since it’s their children and their children’s children but they don’t. I don’t get it.
I’m tired of being the only one who cares. We only have one earth and this is my planet, too!
Candice “Candi” Cane Musselman, 18
Candi, of Rockville, Maryland, passed away on June 1, 2014, peacefully at her home next to her family.
Candi was born, presumably, around Glen Burnie, Maryland in the winter of 1996. She was a lost dog that was later found near a pawn shop in Glen Burnie by Ann Musselman. She immediately had a new home there with Ann and her two daughters, Janis and Stacy.
Candi mostly grew up in Pasadena, Maryland with her owner, Janis, her family, and a bunch of cats. She later lived in such places as Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Frostburg, Germantown, and finally settling down in Rockville, with her owners, Janis and Brian.
Candi enjoyed car rides, human food, walks, shedding, and, in general, being with people and her family.
Candi will be remembered by her broad smile, her ever happy attitude, the joy she brought into everybody’s life, and her saying, “I’m just a puppy.” Candi had a way of warming her way into everybody’s heart.
Survivors include her owners, Janis and Brian, her brothers, size_t and Wiki, and many others. Candi is preceded in death by Spooky, Tina, Lauren, and Rocky.
Feel free to share Candi stories in the comments below and on Facebook.
I’m not a big believer in valentines day. I let Bri off the hook and tell him not to do anything. It’s a silly holiday, in my opinion.
However this valentine’s day was very different. Bri wanted to surprise me, and that he did.
On Tuesday night Bri went to the store to get groceries. He came home, I unpacked the groceries. Bri then told me to go into Wiki’s room for a few minutes. When he was done, I walked out to find this:
The note reads:
My love,
I wanted to give you a little bit of the beauty you give me everyday.
Love you always
Bri Bri
I brought the flowers into work the next day. Everyone loved them, as usual. Bri gets me flowers about once every other month. My coworkers get jealous and Bri loves hearing stories about what my coworkers say about them.
I thought it was over from there, but I was wrong. The best was yet to come.
I had been experiencing vertigo for a few days where I’d get disoriented when I tilted my head. We finally went to the doctor about it. (It’s nothing, I should be fine.)
When we got out of the doctors, Bri got something from his trunk:
The note reads:
My Dearest Janny
You give me so much love, I can’t return it all myself. This guy is here to help me return some of the love you show me everyday.
Love
Bri Bri
We decided to go to Carrabbas since we hadn’t been there in a while for dinner. He got something out of his car when we got to the restaurant.
I ordered a drink for him and myself. He came to the table and asked me a question: “small, medium, or large”. I was hoping it wasn’t food since I’ve been on a diet for a little while now… I said “small”.
It wasn’t food, it was a hat:
In fact, it’s a headphone hat. A few days prior, we went for a walk and my ear buds kept falling out. Bri had gotten me a hat with headphones in it. (I had one before but our cat chewed the cord.)
The note inside the hat read:
My Dearest Janny
I hope this can keep you warm during the day because you keep me warm every night.
Love
Bri Bri
Once our main course arrived, Bri got out another surprise for me.
He got me what I had been wanting for a few weeks but was too afraid to buy. Some friends of ours have Up bracelets which tracks their sleep, their water, how much they’ve walked, etc. I’ve been wanting one for a few weeks but couldn’t find the right one. The reviews online were bad.
Bri had done his own research and got me one that had better reviews. It’s called Fitbit Flex:
It was one of the most amazing gifts. I can’t wait to use more of it. It should definitely help my progress in getting more in shape.
The last gift came after dinner:
Now anyone who knows me knows that I don’t like jewelry. I don’t wear rings or anything. Bri later said I had a look of horror on my face when he presented this jewelry box to me.
I was thinking, “Oh, great. Another piece of jewelry I’m going to have to pretend to like and never wear.” But I was wrong:
TESLA KEYS! He had them made!
When I bought the Tesla it only came with one key. We went to Tesla to get two more keys. They were able to make the keys but not cut them. It had been on my to do list for months to find a locksmith to get the keys cut since Tesla didn’t do it. (Model S keys aren’t keys; only Roadster keys are actual keys.)
The note inside read:
My Dearest Janny
You are the key to my happiness, so I hope these keys can return some of the happiness you give everydday.
Love
Bri Bri
I have the sweetest husband. I love him so much.
I’ve been niles38 everywhere since I was like 12. Recently I joined instagram and found out that niles38 was already taken. I know I was late in joining but I really wanted to be niles38 everywhere. There were always a few exceptions (ebay, aim).
I have decided that niles38 isn’t for me anymore. I still like it and I will still have my email as it but I want something new and something that’s free everywhere; hence why I’m writing this blog post.
I need ideas. In another month the domain niles38.com will be available again as I will not be re-registering it. I’m looking for something short and something that’s me. I think LLTM (longlivethemonkey) is long… but maybe I’ll check around to see if it’s available in other places… hey, I have the domain, right?
Anyway internet, what you got for me?
My husband, a loving Liberal, does not believe in the glass ceiling for women.
Reflecting on National Women’s Day, I think about how women have changed the work force. Although we have in major ways, I feel like it hasn’t been enough. The statistics simply do not show that women are making that much of an impact in breaking through the glass ceiling.
More women are now going to college and graduating than men. However, women still make less than their male colleagues in the same fields. Only 4% of Fortune 500 Company CEO’s are women. This year women hold only 97 (or 18.1%) of the 535 congressional seats (PDF – 663 KB) according to Center for American Women and Politics.
I think these kinds of barriers can be broken through confidence. I think that if we were to give girls at a young age the strength and confidence they can grow up to be as good (if not better) than their male colleagues. I feel this in my own life, for example, when I was applying for jobs. I wouldn’t dare apply for a job that I did not meet 100% of requirements. However, my husband has applied for jobs of which he’s had little experience.
I feel in order to break through this glass ceiling, women need to be given confidence at a young age. It would also help if we started to elect more women to congress and get more women in top positions, therefore providing more examples that we can do it.
Also to note I did a paper and presentation (PDF – 16 KB) about women in my own field (computer science) in college. The statistics and data haven’t changed much since then.
My Ravens, a team I’ve loved for years now, has won the Super Bowl. I’m still beyond shock. I’m still in disbelief. They’re a great team this year.
But I figured it out last night, I’m afraid to love them like I did another team.
Years ago I loved the Philadelphia Eagles. I loved them with all my heart and I was a fan through the tough losses. We had friends who were Eagles fans as well so it was perfect (besides when the Redskins played them). I was supersticious to no end with them. I cried when McNabb went down. I was there with the rookies. We even all wanted to buy tickets and go up there.
Then the most awful thing happened… they signed the dog killer, Michael Vick. That tore my heart out. I cried; I was angry. I threw all my Eagles stuff out, including stuff that really meant a lot to me; like the hat my boss gave me (I don’t get many presents from bosses), the ornament my aunt gave to me, the glasses my friend gave me, the many hats I bought… everything.
I loved that team so much but when they signed that monster, I could no longer.
I’m afraid to love another team like I did the Eagles. I’m afraid to open up my heart just to have it venerable again. The Ravens have won my heart, but not my whole heart.
But on a lighter note, I’m very proud and happy for my Ravens!
In order to discourage myself from eating meat and becoming more of a vegetarian, in the entire year of 2012 I kept track of all the meat I ate. Granted this list doesn’t include seafood in which vegetarians do not eat but I still eat… I’m more of a pescetarian.
A lot of this list contains meat of which I was “forced” to eat via going over family/friends houses where their main course was meat. Also it contains instances where I ate meat because it was going to be thrown out anyway. Here’s a key for the reasons why I ate it:
^ = went over someone’s house who served meat
* = ate meat because it was going to be thrown out anyway
# = chose to eat meat
| Date |
What I Ate |
Reason |
| 1/5/12 |
chicken & broccoli |
# |
| 1/8/12 |
1 piece bacon, turkey |
^ |
| 1/14/12 |
chicken & broccoli |
# |
| 1/15/12 |
chicken wings & sloppy joes |
^ |
| 2/4/12 |
half hot dog, chicken & broccoli |
^, # |
| 2/14/12 |
chicken teriyaki |
# |
| 2/17/12 |
bbq that ar wouldn’t have eaten |
* |
| 2/25/12 |
chicken & spare rib |
^ |
| 3/4/12 |
ham |
^ |
| 3/11/12 |
lasagna with meat |
^ |
| 3/22/12 |
chicken teriyaki |
# |
| 3/24/12 |
pepperoni pizza |
^ |
| 4/3/12 |
roast beef |
^ |
| 4/8/12 |
chicken, turkey, ham |
^ |
| 4/15/12 |
sausage |
^ |
| 5/6/12 |
chicken teriyaki |
# |
| 5/28/12 |
sausage, part of steak |
^ |
| 6/28/12 |
lasagna with meat |
^ |
| 7/1/12 |
fillet minion |
# |
| 7/22/12 |
chicken teriyaki |
# |
| 9/2/12 |
bbq sandwich |
^ |
| 9/27/12 |
hamburger |
# |
| 9/29/12 |
hamburger |
# |
| 9/30/12 |
meat in pasta from pizza hut |
#/* (I didn’t realize the pasta had meat in it when we ordered… damn Pizza Hut) |
| 11/3/12 |
piece of roast, little bacon |
^ |
| 11/22/12 |
turkey, ham |
# |
| 12/25/12 |
ham, little turkey bacon |
# |
| 12/28/12 |
little hot dogs |
* |
So I guess I didn’t do too bad for the year. I ate meat 28 times. I averaged eating meat once every two weeks. I only really chose to eat meat 13 times. I definitely cannot call myself a vegetarian after eating all of that meat though. I will do better in 2013 as I’m more familiar with meat substitutes (Morning Star Ribs, Veggie Chinese place, chik’n, etc).
I’ll continue to keep track and see how I do in 2013. I need to be more strict and refuse to eat meat when it’s served.
By the way, the main reason I became a quasi-vegetarian/pescetarian is to help save the planet. Eating meat is very hurtful to the environment.
After years of finding my personal documents on google, I finally got a win and got docstoc to remove my documents!
I’m a paranoid person and I like to keep tabs on my online presence so I started googling my name every month or so. About two years ago I noticed that some of my personal documents got onto this lame website, docstoc. One of the documents was my resume (outdated) and a paper I wrote in college.
If you googled my name, this website would come up where you could download the documents.
I tried emailing docstoc several times to get them removed but they refused. They said I needed copyright status or whatever. It’s like, it’s a college paper and a resume. It’s no secret that the resume was mine considering it had my name and my email on it (the same email I used to email them). And who gets their college papers copyrighted anyway?
I emailed them earlier this evening and again asked them to be removed. I cited the usernames who shared them. These were two usernames consisting of weird characters, obviously not real people. I also said that if they did not comply, I would be contacting a lawyer.
That seemed to do the trick. They wrote me back and removed the documents. I’m a happy and accomplished Janny tonight!
With this question about “are you better off than you were four years ago”, I thought I’d blog about how I am better off than I was four years ago.
Here’s a few examples of how my family is better off under Obama:
- Obama helped my Aunt Ruth by bailing out the automotive industry. Without that, my Aunt would have lost her health insurance.
- Obama extended unemployment benefits, which helped my mom.
- The Cash For Clunkers program helped Bri’s parents trade in their old van for a Honda Civic.
Note that this is just a list of what Obama has done that effects me personally. He’s also done a lot more that’s good for our country such as federal support for stem cell research, killing Osama bin Laden, overturning Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, bills for veterans, signed START, overturning Bush’s deregulation for endangered species; the list goes on and on. Almost every area that you can think of, Obama has done something about.
I’ll probably blog again a little closer to the election with other stuff that matters.
I wanted to start out with something to say… well nothing really to say. I guess I’ll just talk about the weather. It’s been good. I’ve been scootering to work. I’m thinking about taking the Prius though since it seems almost every day I have a near death experience. Crazy people on the road.
Football is gearing up. I’ll be posting my picks of who will go to the playoffs in a few weeks. I can’t wait. However it’ll be sad to see Sundays go to nothing but football… Same every year. I say this sucks since that’s one of two free days we get a week… Then football ends and we’re like “What will we do with our Sundays?”. It’s kinda crappy that football will be on Thursday nights as well. We’ll have to get our fantasy line up for the next week in two days.
Bill Maher is also coming back. Just in time too for the craziness that is the 2012 elections.
Anyway since this blog post is lame, I’ll gear up for a new one soon.
I am ready to embark on another new adventure. I have resigned from my company of whom I’ve been with since July 2010. I regret that I wasn’t able to make it a longer stay. This job was my second since I’ve been out of college.
The experience I’ve gained with this company has been profound. I look back and think I knew very little before coming here. My knowledge in CSS has gone up exponentially. I was just a noob but they threw me in the deep water and now I’m an expert. They also taught me 508 compliancy which is huge right now and fits well with my web background. I learned how to remediate PDFs, learned more about SharePoint administration (though I don’t put that on my resume). I’ve also learned Drupal; which is huge for me. They helped me grow my skill set and experience so much.
I’m leaving behind a few people of which I’ve grown quite fond; although I’m in the middle of four people who have left or are leaving our small company. I hate leaving people that I like and who understand me. We work very well together here. It’s hard to leave them.
I’m trading in my Prius for the metro and a much longer commute into the trenches of DC.
So I guess this makes Fourteen years of my life in four places.
I haven’t cried here yet about leaving.
When I first got this job I didn’t like it very much but I did grow to love it. It was a very quiet place but I soon made friends and livened things up. I regret leaving after only a year and 9 months or so. I also hate the fact that I’m leaving two months before a new project is deployed, a project that I’ve worked very hard on and that I loved doing.
I also think I’m happy because I’m leaving my company a better company. I hope they thrive and succeed in what they’re doing and I wish them all the best.
Here’s to a week and a half off before I start my new job! Another new journey awaits.
Not sure what it is about this week but something’s either pushing me out the door of my current job or else I’m having really REALLY bad luck.
Let’s start with the “bad things happen in threes” that happened to the Prius:
- Starting last week (around April 18th, when I gave my two week notice) I noticed that my tire pressure was low since the indicator light was on. No biggie, just put air in the tires. A day later it came on again. Come to find out there’s a hole in the tire. Okay. Luckily we went over Uncle George’s on Sunday where he was able to repair it.
- Monday morning, on my way to work, I get hit by a rock. I know because I heard it. It sounded like a big rock. Since it was raining I wasn’t able to see any cracks in the windshield. However Tuesday I noticed it. Called Geico Tuesday to fix it. They came yesterday (Wednesday) and repaired it.
- When I leave work yesterday (Wednesday), my car doesn’t start. WTF? The battery was dead. Called a tow truck since I didn’t think it was the battery. Bri arrived before the tow truck and we were able to jump it. I didn’t make it to yoga last night due to the dead Prius battery.
I forget to mention the fact that my scooter also decided to die. It too needed a new battery as it kept needing to be recharged.
The Camaro needs to be fixed again. Nothing out of the usual there.
Last night I accidentally poured hot wax all over my left hand. Worst pain ever.
My websites got hacked or something. When I go to any of them on any mobile device or in IE, I get redirected to sweepstakesandcontestsdo.com… I emailed Dreamhost but haven’t heard anything… I noticed this issue last night.
Then this morning my hair brush breaks! What are the odds?
Tell me, is this just bad luck?
After my previous post, this harassment didn’t stop. I received calls again at 2:51, 5:22, 6:37, and 8:23; with another call today at 11:40.
As I explained, I had spoke to Verizon yesterday and blocked a few of these numbers. I got this app on my phone, Call Control, which lets you block three numbers for free (then you have to pay for the pro). I also blocked another number with Verizon.
All those numbers again, plus a new one:
- 561-463-5521
- 443-419-2016
- 443-816-1645
- 216-282-5522
- 877-874-5811
- Restricted
Bri was actually able to call them yesterday. They are some education service that finds a school for you (for a fee)… much like Education Connection. Bri was able to get their location and a persons name (just in case we need to file a restraining order). Their PO box (if you’d like to spam them, please), is the following:
PO Box 515381-67004
Los Angeles, CA 90051-6681
We’re compiling all the information (when they call, what numbers, what’s said, etc) and will be filing a law suit if this does not stop.
I don’t know what really to do about this issue. It started yesterday afternoon, I got a call from a 443 number that I didn’t recognize. I decided not to answer it. They called twice but didn’t leave a message. I basically ignored it.
Then starting at 8:03 this morning, I get a call asking for a “Vanessa”. I said they have the wrong number and hung up. It wouldn’t stop after that. They called again at 10:17, 10:23, 10:31, 10:42, 11:24, 11:31, 11:35, 11:58, 12:06, and 1:50.
They call from various numbers and sometimes their number is blocked. Two of the numbers I looked up. It seems they’re some company asking if people want to go back to school or something. It’s a total scam and complete bull shit.
Around 11:30 I texted Bri about it. He said that I should call the police. He did for me and they said to call Verizon, my carrier. They weren’t really helpful as they suggesting downloading an app that blocks numbers and blocking them with Verizon. I did both and haven’t gotten a call yet.
Here are the numbers that they call from (besides unavailable):
- 561-463-5521
- 443-419-2016
- 443-816-1645
- 216-282-5522
I’ve tried several times to speak to these people. I asked them to please stop calling and remove me from their list… the other times, they just hang up on me.
I’ve been running around stressing for the past two weeks trying to figure out a name for my freelance stuff since I’m getting back into that again. My first instinct was to go with whatever my friend, Dimitri, recommended. He’s good at funny, catchy names. He suggested a lot but none of them felt like it was the one.
Then we moved on to choosing names that described the company. We came up with a few good ones but there was always something or other I didn’t like with it. It was either too long or too forgettable.
Throughout this process I kept telling myself like one more day but then the next day came and I couldn’t choose. It was difficult.
The thing holding it back was like if it got popular (yeah right) then I’d have to register it minus the designs at the end and then create a Twitter for it, a YouTube for it, a Yahoo for it, a Facebook, etc. If the minus designs part was already taken, I didn’t want to tread on someone else’s name. Those were my real stress.
Today I had enough. I’d been rolling a name around in particular for like two days. I liked it but I was too worried about the above.
Finally, I’ve made my decision. It’s over. My web development/freelance website will be MusselmanDesigns.com . I already registered it via GoDaddy (saved $23 by looking up promo codes) and DreamHost has already pushed the hosting. So it’s all good and this little debacle is over.
Thanks to all who helped. I should have gone with my first instinct. I realize this name is pretty boring and generic and probably easily forgotten, but in all reality, I just expect to set up another website to kill time cause that’s what I love to do! (Web design, not killing time… Hey that rhymes!)
So here’s a list of all the domains I have registered to date:
This post already went on for too long! The end.
My car is basically brand new. His name is Orion. He’s a Toyota Prius. I’ve had him about two years now. He has about 20,000 miles on him.
So I’m driving to work, like usual, I had just dropped Brian off, when all of a sudden my accelerator stopped working. I just thought, oh Prius! I tried to use it again and it wouldn’t accelerate. It then flashed warnings at me. Check engine as well as the big fat red triangle with an exclamation point (that means BAD). So I pulled over. I’m on 270 I thought I can’t break down here, I got to get to work.
I just restarted the car. The warnings were still there, but I tried to get it to work. I was like a mile away. I drove it as far as it would go then it stopped going. Oh joy! I’m in the middle of the frickin road! I call Brian and freak out on him cause he just changed the air filter last night, thinking he did something. He told me to call Geico, so I did.
They were really cool. They called a tow truck for me. For free. They said an hour, so I called Bri to let him know. He was on his way, he called a taxi.
I waited there, must have been like 20-30 minutes just sitting there in the middle of the road. A cop came by but didn’t offer any help. Got lots of honks. But I actually had a woman in a minivan stop to see if I needed help. Just thinking, man, people are not like what they used to be.
Anyway, Bri finally got there. Then a cop shows up. This time one who wanted to help. He said we should push the car over, out of the road, so we pushed it over to the side.
I hugged Brian and walked to work. All that’s left is waiting for the tow truck and then Toyota.
So Bri went to Toyota with the car. About an hour and a half later they diagnosed the problem… it was rat crap. Rat crap had gotten into my engine.
Apparently rats and mice like to live under cars at night. While they’re there they poop and sometimes chew through wires. No wires were chewed, luckily. Just the poop got sucked into the air filter and had a hole in that, then into the engine.
Weird, huh? The bill will be around $200. They had to replace the air filter (which Bri had JUST replaced the night before) and clean out the engine.
Crazy… Size_t will now be in charge of watching for mice at night.
I’ve been out of it for a few weeks since the election. It really hit me hard. An overwhelming sense of depression, helplessness, and hopelessness for our country. I haven’t tweeted or done anything social networky in weeks.
I wanted to blog about this before last week, but I was hoping last weeks episode of Dexter could have changed how I felt about the show. It didn’t really, despite the two somewhat shockers.
This season of Dexter has just sucked. I kept searching for Dexter in the news and found an article today, finally, verifying that there WILL BE a sixth season. I have mixed feelings about that considering how crappy this season has been, but it’s good to know that the stupid cop guy (the one who Quinn hired) will probably not be the one to take Dexter down.
So I’ve compiled a list of why this season sucks:
- No personal relationship with the villain(s) – In season 1, it was Dexter’s bro which we found out at the end. In season 2, it was Dexter himself. In season 4, it was Trinity of whom we had a known relationship from the start. Maybe we’ll know more about the Jordan Chase people, but there’s only four episodes left…
- No twists or shockers – With the exception of the last episode (a tiny bit).
- No character building – Are we just learning about Lumen the whole time?
- Little emotion shown by Dexter – At least the first episode there was sort of emotion. I did like when he covered Lumen’s ears though last episode.
- Little Harry involvement – I can’t remember the last time Dexter talked to Harry. He doesn’t even have flashbacks or anything. At first I didn’t like the Harry/Dexter talking, but now it’s an important part of the show.
- Little time’s going by – So I guess we’re only like a month after Rita’s death? Shouldn’t Dexter still be grieving? Shouldn’t anyone still be grieving?
- No one knows Dexter’s secret – Strike that now. Lumen knows but it wasn’t a shocker.
- No cliffhangers – I hate cliffhangers to begin with, but this season has nothing. Maybe with the exception of last episode. There’s been nothing that makes me want to scream or tweet. Not Dexter like at all if you’ve seen any episode.
- Previews don’t make me want to tune in – Seriously, I’m not thrilled like I was last season with previews. They don’t show anything that really make me want to watch or get me on the edge of my seat or wanting it to be Sunday even when it’s Friday night.
- Julia Stiles takes away – Is it just me or does her acting suck? She was so good in10 Things I Hate About You.
- Little problems get solved right away – Like with Laguerta’s money… solved by the end of the episode. Nothing’s lingering or coming back to haunt anyone.
- No explanation of little things that matter – Like the dude Dexter killed in the first episode… what happened with that? Did he really clean up the body, clean up the blood, shower, change clothes, and get to the funeral that quickly? I still don’t understand why Paul’s parents (let alone anyone) weren’t at Paul’s funeral in season 2.
- A nobody has gotten closer to Dexters secret than anyone else – Even Doakes didn’t get THAT close. Who the hell is this character of whom we know nothing about and who has nothing to do with any of the other characters. That blows.
As some of you know, I found another job. Today is my last day with a company who I’ve been with since August 2006. My first real experience job. My first job out of college. A company who actually gave me a chance.
It’s been great for the most part, I do have to say. I’ve learned a lot. I am who I am today because of them. Working with a small business has given me the opportunity to work in a lot of areas, which I like. I think I’m a well rounded person.
I’m leaving behind a few friends, which I don’t like to do. However, I’ve seen quite a few friends leave. Hopefully we will all keep in touch. This company has changed so much since I started here.
I’m trading in my scooter for my Prius and a longer commute and a smaller company. I know I will do well there just as I have here.
I figured out that I’ve been spending four years at a time at places:
- Four years at high school (Broadneck)
- Four years at college (Frostburg)
- Four years at this job
Twelve years of my life in only three places.
I can’t help but feel so happy and so sad at the same time. It’s kinda surprising, I’m not as emotional as I thought. I haven’t cried here yet. I cried at home but not here. I guess, when I’m here, it doesn’t feel like it’s hit yet. I cleaned out my stuff. I took it home yesterday. I’m riding my scooter for the last time here, at least as a full time employee.
A new journey awaits, a new chapter in my life.
I’m really starting to take issue with people feeding my dog table scraps and treats. None of my friends do it, but my family does. My Aunt Ruth has always been bad with her, giving her numerous hot dogs. It’s not good for Candi.
My Aunt Janet said that’s what killed her dog, Emma, was people feeding her table scraps. She got obese and died early.
Candi is overweight as it is. I’ve always been a stickler for giving Candi table scraps. I only do it on rare occasions, and it’s always in small quantities.
My mother in law constantly gives Candi treats. Treat after treat. It’s pretty frustrating when I’m trying to keep Candi healthy and active. I’ve tried talking to her about it but there’s like no arguing with her. I just want to keep my dog.
Candi is going on 14 now. That’s pretty old for a dog. I want to keep her around for as long as it’s possible and she’s not in pain. I can’t help but feel sabotaged when Candi gets fed an abundance of treats and things that aren’t good for her.
Also there’s the fact that I don’t want to lose my dogs love. It’s clear anyone or anything would prefer the person giving them good stuff. With me, Candi doesn’t get many treats. It’s gotta be clear she prefers Brian’s mom.
I feel so helpless in this argument. How do I tell someone NOT to feed my dog, please?
The other post I blogged about Another Victim Of The Health Insurance Industry, Me Part I still hasn’t been settled, but I’m just dealing with it. I guess my body got used to the forced medication from my health insurance company.
Another incident happened. This time with my ChoiceCare Card. Don’t let the name fool you, there is NO CHOICE.
I had signed a HIPAA Substantiation form which gives CareFirst the access to my medical records so they can pay the doctors without me having to fax them 3,973 things proving I went to the doctor… typical things insurance companies are supposed to automatically do.
I went to one doctor this year, one. My OBGYN… way back in August. In late October they emailed me and sent me a nasty gram saying they denied my claim. My copay of $30 to my ChoiceCare card. I was told by HR I can use my card to pay my copays. ChoiceCare card threw a fit.
After receiving the nasty gram, I talked to the HR about it. They told me what to do. Call my doctor, ask if they filed the claim, if so did it go through, and could they fax it to me. That was the easy part. I got the detailed patient log. The problem was getting in touch with them to fax it. I tried calling them before like 10 times, all the time being put on hold for periods of 15 minutes. I eventually gave up since I have other things to do (my fault since I have to make a living).
A few weeks later I received another nasty gram saying my card had been FROZEN. I tried to resolve the matter quickly, you know, in case something happens to me that I would actually need my health insurance. I called directly at 8:00AM. That seemed to get me to a representative pretty fast. They told me to fax it to them, so I did. I also emailed them later in the day to make sure it went through. No response.
I called earlier today to make sure they got everything they needed so I can have health insurance again. I was only on hold for 16 minutes! What a surprise! Anyway, they were able to unfreeze my card so I have health care again.
It’s a comfort to know in the event of an emergency, my health insurance company can freeze my card over a matter of $30… that of which they already had permission to view my claims.
