OK. so I've sucuumbed to the Bob Woodroof thing. At least half of it is about the VA. And it's just confirming what I've observed, due to my brother and SIL's battles with the VA. VA doctors and nurses at the primary sites? Rock. Do their damndest. I was at Fort Hood when SIL gave birth, and while it was highly ..not routine, but regimental.. those doctors and nurses took it so seriously and professionally. The way they dealt with the woman having a late miscarrige in the waiting room? Made me proud, but sad, to be part of the human race.

Secondary care or less? The beauracracy fucks people up. For life. Seriously, nonjoking,terminally in some cases. It's scream worthy. God, it's infuriating. My brother and SIL are still chasing down their paperwork. And their stuff wasn't life-changing.

ita, I got a box. made me smile. then life happened.

VA and military hospitals aren't the same, I don't think. My father has to be there at certain times, and wait a while, but he gets excellent care. Physical and psychiatric. I'm not sure what you mean by primary/secondary, but with him, it's mainentance (knee issues, heart issues, etc.) rather than urgent (e.g., heart attack). And for very little out of pocket. VA also is way ahead of most providers in terms of doctors/nurses having electronic access to full records, etc.

What/where is the Woodruff thing? I'd be very interested to see that.

It was on ABC at 10 Eastern.

When the VA works, it really, really works. However, if your VA center isn't really that big (rural areas, or small VA population) it can get...sparse. Which, yeah, expected, but you'd hope they'd partner well with local resources. Even in Birmingham, a major medical research center, my brother & SIL's records have both been "lost." It's easier for SIL to drive to Ohio where she enlisted than to get service-related treatment than to try to seek it in Alabama. My brother...well, he gets treatment by being a guinea pig. And student health. Still. It's got to be easier.

NY subways make my head hurt.

In a migraine-y way, or in a frustration way? (I get headaches on the subways, and I've never been able to pinpoint the cause. Maybe I'm allergic to the rat poison.)

Well, hell. A good friend bought a house with her best friend a few years ago. A year ago, he decided he wanted out. For them to sell. They were going about it all methodically and whatnot. He just flipped out and wants gone in 60 days. She doesn't even recognize her friend anymore. It's sad and fucked up.

In a migraine-y way, or in a frustration way?

Frustration way (which these days leads to migraines, but still). They're not as userfriendly as the other systems I've used. Including Moscow.

msbelle, I'm glad the box made you smile. Sad about the life, but hopefully the bumpy bits pass soon.

I could totally grow my hair out for my putative wedding. Go in with a big fro.

I love afros, especially blonde ones. I think that would look SWEET.

Er, I have a stupid question that demonstrates how little I know this site anymore. Where do the people who talk about Heroes talk about Heroes?

And for that matter, where do they talk about Eureka? Boxed Set, right?

I think I can figure out where Drive will be discussed, but I'm lame enough I might blow that one as well.

Boxed Set for both, Burrell. BSG talk is in there too so don't be alarmed at the sheer number of posts.

t deadpan

I have no idea where Drive will be discussed.

t /deadpan