Let me start by claiming, I don't have a solution.  But really, something has to give. 

I was reading an article (hopefully the link works) about Michele Bachmann, and how Democrats showed up to her town hall meeting in Lake Elmo.  I almost wish I could have been there.  I would actually love to talk to her.  I want to see how she can continue to spout out lies, when cold hard facts claim the opposite of her stance.  Although it is best that I wasn't, because someone would have to have held me back after she said "Let's not destroy what truly is the greatest health care system the world has ever known".

Wait, what???  Has she used the health care system in the last 8 years?  Does she really believe this?  In an industry that has seen premiums double in that 8 years?  If you are a healthy person, who sees the doctor once a year, you're probably right.  The health care system is fine.

I will never get to be one of those people.  In a healthy, non-crisis year for myself, I have 3 office visits with 3 different doctors, just to say "Hey, I'm feeling good", since refills on prescriptions aren't unlimited and I need those meds to live.  I also have 3 other appointments to check the workings of my defibrillator (with a forth tacked onto my office visit with one of the doctors).  I also have to have an echo-cardiogram every 9 months.  I have 7 prescriptions I have to take, 5 of those are daily meds, while 2 others are as needed.  All that happens in a GOOD year.  If I have a bad year, you can add about 5 doctor visits, and a hospital stay or two, with my average hospital stay being 4-7 days.  This is my life.  I have fought from the brink of death a few times (actual death, as in no heartbeat), and I will keep fighting.  Even though my fight to live means I will probably never be financially stable.

Well, at least not in this "greatest health care system the world has ever known".  I didn't cause my heart condition.  Nobody knows why I was blessed with it.  Hell, we still don't even know what it is.  But this isn't from me eating poorly, taking recreational drugs, drinking, smoking, living under a powerline, or any other preventable action.  (most of which I haven't done)  It was a fluke in genetics that I will have to l live my life with it.  And because I live with it, I have to pay for it.

But is it really fair that from the age of 22-25 I had to decide between paying medical bills so I could be seen (if you don't pay they won't let you schedule an appointment) and food on my table or putting enough gas in my car to get to work?  Even with health insurance, I now spend on average $200-300/month (in a good year).  In one of those bad years?  I spend about $1,000/month.  This is WITH HEALTH INSURANCE.  And this is out of my pocket.  I'm not even talking about what my health insurance covers.  At 25, I couldn't make a choice anymore.  After I'd pay rent, utilities and medical bills I'd have $20/week for gas, food and recreation (those fun things we do in our 20s like parties, bars, movies, etc.)  Guess what, my pocket book broke.  I couldn't do it anymore.  I was falling behind on everything.  I was left the only choice I had, and filed bankruptcy. 

If this is the "greatest health care system the world has ever known", why am I still trying to pay off a $3,000 hospital bill from 2005?  The $3,000 my insurance company says isn't part of my coverage.  But the $3,000 worth of medical attention I HAD to have while in the hospital?

Medical care shouldn't cause someone to choose.  It should be one of our basic human rights.  If we are sick, we should be able to see a doctor.  And not have to choose between food and medical care.  I am not alone in this fight.  I am also far from the worst in this fight.  I am just an average 30 year old, who will always have to decide if that sore throat I have is worth the added doctor bill.

I will have to continue to teeter, knowing I have open heart surgery looming over me.  Someday will be the day my valve quites, I just keep hoping that its much later.  I also know I am facing needing my defibrillator replaced.  The battery life is fast approaching it's expiration date.  That will be within the next year.  And I will have to face the added debt I will acquire to have those surgeries.  Surgeries that could mean life and death.  These are not surgeries I'm taking as electives to improve my looks, or selfessteem.  Without them, I would have my days numbered.

If by Michele's statement she meant we can receive top notch health care, then she is right we can.  It can just come at a cost that the majority of people can't afford.  And like I said, I don't know if Obama's proposition is the right answer.  I don't know what is, I just know that something in the health field needs to give, because it's costing more then dollars at this point.

And I've just had enough of it.

All-in-all weekend was fantastic.  It involved grilling, hanging on a patio, the zoo, sitting on the couch with my boy watching hockey, and one horrible outing on Sunday!!!

Joe and his friends had tickets to see Third Eye Blind at 1st Ave.  Donnie (one of the guys) broke his foot, and didn't really feel like standing on it for several hours.  I ended up going in place of Donnie.  They had decided to meet up at Applebee's in Block E before heading over, the idea to get some food and drink before paying $6 for a bottle of Premium.  As much as I'm not a chain fan, I wasn't planning, and really not that huge of a deal to go to Applebee's.

Joe and I got there early, and were seated on their "patio" (a space that is in the hallway of the mall type area).  After 20 min, I had to find the hostess and have her send out a server to take our drink order...with no apology for the wait, our drink order was taken.  Our drinks were brought, and a few minutes after that the rest of our party showed up.  20 minutes after that the server came to take their drink order.  We asked to place our food order since he seemed really slow on coming back to our table.  He said he would when he brought their drinks back...only to have him drop them and run away as we were asking to give our food order. 

He finally comes back to take our order.  Our food comes minus one correct order, so one of the guys is made to wait while they make his correct dish (since his was brought to the wrong table, or so he claimed).  Oh and the bathrooms...I'd rather have been in a 3rd world war zone then pee in there. 

All this, with no apology and no compensation.  So, I contacted Applebee's to complain.  All I was told was that they would pass it along to the manager and area director.  I got an apology from the customer service rep who sounded like he was reading from a script, but that's been it.  So, my advice to anyone reading this...avoid Applebee's...especially the Block E one...it will also save you a case of food poisoning like I had yesterday (I wanted to die at about 9:30!!!)

The concert wasn't bad.  I obviously wasn't as familiar with their music as the rest of my group, but I knew a few songs.  And the show/atmosphere was really good.  We got to watch a girl meet a guy and pretty much have sex right there next to us.  I almost got a broken nose from the jerks who "moshed" into our area...and stayed.  I watched my boyfriend stand his ground with some jerks (fairly scary), and win.  Nobody was hurt, so that was good. 

So, if I could turn back the clock and avoid Applebee's the entire weekend would have been a success, instead just the rest of the weekend was.  I'll live with the hiccup in an otherwise fantastic weekend.

• Twins have been back, and kind of meh to watch over all.  I see some spark here and there, but I'm not holding my breath.  I really don't think this will be our year.  But Tolbert is back...and thus I'm happy.
• I turned 30.  I don't want to talk about it.
• I am now looking for new employment.  I'm still employed, it just is a bit dicey right now.  Construction is hard.  And last week they couldn't make our payroll.  They were 4 days late.  And I'm kind of worried the same thing will happen on the 20th when our next payday is.
• I got myself a boyfriend...and he's awesome.  I'm very happy.  I won't gush...too much :)
• My dad is in the hospital right now, he's been sick for a month or so.  Yesterday he started having chest pains and trouble breathing.  They aren't sure what is going on, but they are keeping him for now...so he's crabby and bored sitting in a hospital bed.
• My nephew/godson is almost 7 months.  He's crawling, sitting, pulling himself up to standing, and able to walk along while holding on the couch or table.  He's gonna be full fledged walking in no time.  I don't think he knows he's only 6 months.  Craziness.
• I am now on a softball league.  My hitting is better then I thought it would be, which is nice.  My fielding...I don't want to talk about that either.  I have only fallen down once, and for that I'm proud.
• There have been many nights spent at the bar, restaurants, couches, Twins games, trivia, softball, and other places.  It's gonna be a crazy summer!  Which I like...if only I could find time to sleep.

I actually started a post yesterday, but got bombarded with work and what not, so we'll try again.  Hopefully this one makes it to your eyes.

Hmm, in crap-tastic news there is article.  It's about the owners of the project in Vegas called City Center...I'm sure you have heard me talk about it.  Right now my company (a subcontractor on the job) is holding our breath.  This could be major bad new for us.  Let's hope it isn't.

Let's see, what are some of the other things that have gone on since I last spoke...hmmm.  My nephew turned 5 months and is almost sitting up, crazy.  He sits for a very short time then teeters over, but he's getting close.  He loves to stand, although with assistance, and he'll dance...well I think it looks like dancing.  He'll bop up and down and wave his hands around and make this squealing sing-song noise.  It is hysterical. 

We have officially joined a softball league...I am so very much excited over this!  We will be team "Live(r) Strong" and our team color is yellow.  Hehehe.  Our motto will be "Not Last" as we are the least likely softball team to ever walk the earth.  It will be fun, and a great change from bowling, and allow drinking outside on Thursday nights a must do.

I have my games set up for the Twins season, well the ones I've paid for already.  Our draft was held last week, so I'll be looking for some peeps to attend some games with me coming up soon.  Hooray baseball, it starts in just under 2 weeks.  I can hardly wait!

Team Bill Brasky had their first loss 2 weeks ago.  It was a very sad day.  The only other team that had won to that point also lost, but we learned they are really cool...and I went to high school with one of them.  So, last week we were down our pillar of knowledge (read:  Konrad) and thus joined forces with our arch enemy to take our collective rival team "Le Cordon Bleu Mo-Fos" (I added the Mo-Fos).  And our combined team Voltron managed to reclaim victory.  Although this week it is back to team Bill Brasky and our hopeful replacement of our rightful spot in first.

And that is all I've got...hope all is well with you.