SO. Know when I went out to the doctor a couple of weeks ago with pains in my side, just to make sure they weren't more serious? To make sure it wasn't something bad like an ulcer or anything else? And they turned out to be nothing a couple of days' worth of advil couldn't handle?

Yeah, I now owe my insurance company $150+ for that.

I called today to find out what the hell the deal was with that. Because I mean, come on...$150? For 15 minutes in the office to have the doctor (not even MY doctor) tell me not to worry; just to pop a bunch of advil? Surely that was covered by my insurance, right?

No, no, turns out, it is not. I'm on the most basic of individual plans since I couldn't stay on my family plan anymore...only covered for serious injuries/visits to the emergency room, or things like the annual physical. I pay $90 a month for the privilege of not going bankrupt if some drunk driver slams into me and breaks my legs, and the occasional dentist's visit. But if I try to be preventive in any shape or form? Make sure I catch something potentially serious early, save myself the pain and money? Haha no, better pony up for that! Thanks, Blue Cross. Thanks SO damn much. I'm just never going to go to the doctor again. Not unless I've been bitten by a parasite crab and I'm bleeding out my eyes and ears.

And the really disturbing thing is? I'm REALLY fortunate about this. I'm lucky enough to be able to afford to flush $150+ down the toilet. I don't have to worry much about the doctor...I VERY rarely get sick, I don't smoke, drink, do drugs, I don't engage in risky behavior at all, and I don't have sex. I've had maybe one cavity in my entire life. I don't take any medications; I rarely even take advil when I get a cold. Paying for health care is not really something that crosses my mind ever. So then...if it's costing me TEN BUCKS A MINUTE just to pop into the doctor, how the everloving HELL do people less fortunate than me fare out? How the hell is a hard-working American living paycheck to paycheck supposed to be able to afford a simple doctor's visit, if that's not covered by their insurance? They're basically being punished by being responsible about their health. And what about someone born with a preexisting condition, or getting injured in an accident? Geezus, no wonder no one goes to the doctor to be preventative...they can't afford ten minutes in the office.

Oh but of course, America has the bestest health care in the world, and if you can't afford it it's obviously because you don't deserve it, and trying to fix everything that's wrong with this picture is just DIRTY, DIRTY SOCIALISM.

Yeah, next person to toss me any such spiel is getting a punch in the face courtesy of a really heavy boot. Yes, I will find a way to punch with my feet. Except if it's a blood relative. Then I'll just...glare at them and relate this story, probably.

Just. NNNNNNNNNNNNNGH.


In barely-slightly-vaguely related news, I think I'm going to try and start swimming every day that I can. The weather's been pretty nice, I've got a good swimsuit that doesn't get nearly enough use, I like to swim, and swimming is supposed to be one of the best exercises you can do. Losing a little weight would be nice, but first and foremost I just need to be more fit. I just need to get off my lazy butt and do it. Maybe tomorrow or Saturday I can start.

Also, I now have almost 15 pages worth of notes for an Okami speed run that I ironically do not have time for. D8 SOMEONE PLEASE STOP MEEEEEEEE

Drawing: LG pages

Writing: Almost done with chapter ten

Days until BBS release: 102