And now for an Andy Rooney moment

I got a UPS package delivered today.  When I received my email from UPS saying the package had been delivered, I noticed they began the note with “Hi Gretchen.”  I found that immensely refreshing.

This whole propensity for starting communications with “Hey” gets under my skin.  I look at it as a youthful, perhaps hip, way of saying hello…ie Facebook and Uber both seem to start written conversations that way.

“Hey!”  like they are shouting to me from across the street.  (And we are the closest of compadres.) “Hey!”

I know I am not quite a millennial but I don’t like that greeting.  I find it obnoxious and disrespectful.  And, honestly, like someone is shouting at me.

I’d like to bring back hello or hi, or even Dear…would that be so wrong?  J

Uber (free ride)

I’ve been driving Uber for three and a half months.  It’s pretty cool.

Most people are pretty nice.

I find I don’t get road rage nearly as often as I did when I used my vehicle to commute for a job.

Uber is very inexpensive for passengers.

It’s cool to swap the shortest of stories with all sorts of people all day long.

Again, most people are pretty nice.

I feel like it is more a service than a job, although I do get paid.

It’s exciting to start the process of being fully self-employed, even if money is a struggle.

Here is a code anyone can use to take a first ride on Uber for $20 free.  Share it with anyone/anywhere

J8y9rue

at me, and from me

considering today from Charleston...

misogyny, racism, hate, anger, rage, mindless ambition, arrogance, selfishness, cruelty, violence, impatience, greed

at me, and from me

so sad, so sad





- postscript -  Obama

Time Magazine's Top 100 List of Most Influential People

I am speechless regarding the state of our society.

These are a few of my favorite things

Actors

Christian Bale

Jason Bateman

Russell Crowe
Jason Sudeikis

Actresses

Frances McDormand

Jennifer Aniston

Edie Falco
Cameron Diaz

Questioning the "Affordable"

The Affordable Care Act.

 

My experience has shown it’s anything but affordable. 

I remember President Obama saying, (something to the affect), you can have medical insurance for the price of your phone bill.

That is ridiculously untrue.

For the last year, I have struggled to portray myself honestly to the beleaguered phone reps at healthcare.gov, struggled to find a policy (that actually offered anything of worth), struggled to pay the premium, and struggled to understand why I am getting reamed financially and all I've done in terms of use my insurance is have my annual check up, and get my blood drawn (to check my thyroid levels).

Getting my healthcare is making me sick.  (you have my permission to steal that phrase from me)

That said, as I once again called healthcare.gov two days ago (after just filing last year’s taxes and realizing I owe $$ because I got too large of a tax incentive on my healthcare premiums last year) I came to a deep understanding.  Health care is not cheap. 

If (like me) you want to go to the doctor when you feel badly, and get the tests that come along with your gender and age, and if having a doctor and insurance adds to your well being, it’s going to cost you, but it is out there.

Now, I’m no great mathematician, but it is my guess that the high cost of this “Affordable Act” health care mostly impacts those people who are above the poverty line (or not able to get medicare) but who are not over the poverty line by much.  Its people who work, but for whatever reason, who don’t excel in the economy that are making this act "affordable" for everyone else.  

THAT BEING SAID, Having come to grips with the reality of the cost of healthcare (as well as my lowly place in society), I am quite pleased with my plan!  Some people can’t get insurance.  But under the Affordable Care Act they can.  Everyone can.  And that is a good thing!