Has anyone heard from Maria since yesterday? As of 23 hours ago she was still feeling awful running almost a 102 degree fever, and I don't know if she has anyone to bring her soup and meds and take her to urgent care or her doctor if she needs it.

I haven't seen her post on FB but she might be sleeping.

Plus, an iPhone service plan costs way less than health insurance, and people need a goddamn phone.

Plus, you are generally locked into a contract for the cell phone. So, if you get downsized, and are out of work, you could be out of insurance, but still forced to pay for that cell phone you got during better days. And, often times, the cell phone plans aren't that much more than a land line. Plus, free long distance!

The problem isn't choosing between iPhone and health insurance. The problem is the health industry is structured in a way that is not all that great. But the politicians want to focus on cutting benefits to curtail the outrageous costs of health care, rather than fixing how the system works to curtail the rising costs of health care.

(says the guy STILL battling with insurance and debt collector for an incident that happened while on "great" health insurance, but out of state, a year and a half ago!!)

t /soapbox

Dog update: a friend of a friend is trying to rehome her Shih Tsu and Yorkie. And also, the person from the shelter just emailed me saying that they've got a dog that might be right for me. So, need to figure out what's going on with both of those, and decide what do to.

People who say - get rid of your cell phone - usually forget about the Early Termination Fee which can be a few hundred dollars. Then you either go with a pay as you go plan (where you have to shell out money) or get a landline (where you have to shell out money).

There was some talking head who was aghast that poor people had refrigerators and microwaves! I mean the gall of living in a modern world. And then those people who have computers and internet service! I've seen the stupid frugal advice of "use your local library's computers." My current library has 3 computers and a 30 minute limit. Where I lived before, had more computers but I think still a 30 minute limit and the waiting list was always long. There's even a sign directing job seekers to another organization to use the computer there to apply for jobs (since almost every job has online only applications).

I think a lot of Entitled People really want visual identifiers of those who aren't "the right type". I, personally, think all the assholes should have to wear signs that say I am an Asshole.

Of course the way I've been feeling the last week I'd probably earn one of those badges. I'm still feeling irritable and anti social. I'm not sure if this feeling is tied to PMS but I need to start tracking my moods better.

Did see the pdoc, he's increasing my lithium and said if I'ms till feeling like this in a week call him and we'll discuss whether this is really anxiety instead of bipolar stuff and maybe increase the anti anxiety medication.

Oh and he warned me there's a chance the endochronologist will want me off the lithium even if it's not causing thyroid problems. It's an off chance, but I'm glad he warned me.

Do you know that most people in "developing" countries use their phones for Internet access? I read that somewhere and I at once was astounded and understood it.

Yorkies can be astonishingly stubborn, just so you know. Incredibly sweet, and awesome dogs, but stubborn.

Maria has posted. Still feels awful but fever has broken. In case I was not the only one who worried.

Do you know that most people in "developing" countries use their phones for Internet access? I read that somewhere and I at once was astounded and understood it.

Aren't data plan rates in a lot of the rest of the world really cheap compared to the US? I feel like I heard that recently.

Yorkies can be astonishingly stubborn, just so you know. Incredibly sweet, and awesome dogs, but stubborn.

Good to know.

My landlord basically said maybe about getting the two dogs. She's worried that the older one will develop incontinence, and wants to know how I plan to protect the carpets.