Health Insurance Sucks - Benazir Bhutto was assassinated

Pakistan opposition leader, ex prime minister, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Bhutto was a women who was prime minister. But the country is Islamic and there is no hope in today's world for freedom in an Islamic environment. But nobody cares.

I just did an evaluation of Cigna Health Insurance for 2007. We paid over $15,000 for 2007 for a family of 3.
If we had just paid what the doctors charge, our costs would have been $12,000. The negotiated rates our costs would be $4000. So the doctors are out $8000 and it goes to the insurance company. That pisses me off. If we just split the difference between the doctors and patients we would save thousands of dollars.
The problem is nobody cares. It's sort of like school taxes. It's cheaper to send all children in the Nyack district to private schools instead of the mediocre public schools that spend $23,000/per child with a 44% of students not reading/math levels at grade level in 6th and 8th grade. It's probably higher in high school but they move all those who won't pass into another school program so they don't count.We just pay. Nobody cares.

Foreign Transaction Fees on Credit Cards

I just found out that credit cards charge a foreign transaction fees in addition to the conversion rate on purchases. Visa charges 1%. The banks add on to that. Most companies are 3%. Discover and Capital One does not have this charge.

December 25

Cutie is getting cuter. We discovered a new toy Playmobile and I want a Wii. I've wanted it since I saw it at my brother's house around thankgiving. I played it at my sister-in-laws house today. Gotta love a new video game that's cool.

Club Penguin, Webkinz and Facebook

I've been avoiding Facebook and Linkin for a while now. I finally succumbed to Facebook. I wanted to see what all the hubbab was about. I can see possible applications for PTA, soccer and other secretarial duties one has with children. I can see the appeal with students. Facebook has legs.

Now Disney has an online game, Club Penguin for children. Cutie Face is 3yo and is navigating and playing the games. She can't acumulate friends and communicated with them yet because well - she's only 3. The online game is free the start, but if you want more functionality and the ability to buy things for your penguin, you have to pay about $5/month. I would sign up except I have know idea how long this game will keep her interest with the ability to email and collect friends.

Now Webkinz is a better model for the consumer. You buy a stuffed animal (or more) and it has a code that you enter into the website and you now can play games, collect points and buy things for your Webkinz(s). A Webkinz must be feed, clothes and entertained. The longevity is 1 year from sign-up. If she doesn't play - at least you have the stuffed animal.

It's only a matter of time before we sign up for club penguin. But the price must drop to $1/month.

The Problem with the Internet

So I'm looking for a book that I read a review about a month ago or so. It's by a popular writer (can't remember the name) and it's about India (I'm going through an India phase right now). I end of focusing on Physics lectures from MIT. This is the problem with the Internet I'm interested in almost everything. :)

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Dolly and Rod and a Free $25 Gift Card for my Mail Delivery Person.
I'm in the Dentist today getting a scaling when Baby,It's Cold Outside starts playing on the radio. The Hygienist says isn't it odd that Rod Steward and Dolly Partner teamed up for this Duet. Since I can't talk I get to think about that for a while.

Finally I had a moment to share. As true artists get older they like to try and do new things - to stretch their range of experiences. It helps them grow as people. Both of them can sing. They probably met one another at a party and said wouldn't it be fun to sing a song together. Because both are famous and are blessed with iconic status they can pretty much do what they want. And as long as it's good, it will be successful. They are now cross pollinating their brands and telling the world that we are comfortable with who they are. They achieved a sort of wisdom and are having fun with it. The funny thing is I never really liked either singer. But today I recognize them for the true artists that they are.

Commerce Bank opened up in New City today. I stopped by and opened an account for $250 and get a free $25 gift card. Since I didn't have time to finish the process, I told them to complete the application for me and I'd be back later to sign what needed signing.

I came back with Cutie Face. She had loads of fun at the bank. There was a "C" (their logo) mascot. She didn't understand why he couldn't open his mouth. But figured out it was a person inside. She also got candy canes, and "C" bank, change purse, teddy bear, t-shirt, santa hat, bandaids, tissue pack, magnet, and tree ornament. All is crap and still they don't charge fees for things.

Maybe I can team the bank up with Cutie's school.

New Job

So I finally found a Brand Manager job in Nyack listed on the web. Unfortunately it is through a web job site called careerbuilders.com which is not exactly a brand that I trust. There's also the added component of going through a placement company where you get to talk to people who are clueless.

I'm not sure this job is for real - we'll see.

On Eating

There's no enjoyment for me to stop what I'm doing and eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. I'm a snack all day while doing things kind of person. Eating for me is just a BIG waste of time. Plus, I only like to eat when I'm hungry - not when the clock says 6pm. I prefer foods at 3pm and 10pm in front of the TV or computer.

This causes some contention with hubby. He's a stop whatever you are doing at noon to eat at the table kind of person.

So now we have Cutie. She also thinks eating is sort of a waste of time and only likes to eat when she's hungry. Her favorite words when called to the table are "I'm not hungry" or grabs the food from the table and brings it to the computer. Hubby makes her sit at the table to eat. It's painful to watch her cry as she sits at the table. She won't stop crying and won't eat unless you give her something else to do. Usually talking about a picture book or playing a game will help.

When growing up, I remember hating to eat at the dinner table. Mom used to threaten us with no food. I opted out many times. I couldn't wait to leave home so I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted. I have the same problem when working. I don't usually like eating with colleagues.

LOVE THE INTERNET

On Thanksgiving weekend we went to Paulo's father's house in WDC. I had the opportunity to read the Washington Post. There was this little article about an Indian writer who has written chick lit for the single Indian girl. Since I still love Sex and the City (can't wait for the movie this summer); have a fascination with India since I did a report on India in 7th grade with Hope Kirk; and finally visited India in 1992; I thought I'd get the book. "Almost Single" by Advaita Kala.
http://www.advaitakala.com/ak/

I forgot about the book for a few weeks. I needed to pick up a few books for our visit to the Carribean. First stop Amazon. Almost Single hasn't been released in the US and when it does get released it will be with a different title re-marital Syndrome but I'd like to read it in the original. I found the book on an India website for less than $5/book and $5 shipping. It will be here in 15 days or so. I bought 5 to give as gifts.

You can find the book here
http://www.oxfordbookstore.com

If you are a friend who is actually reading this - let me know and I'll give you a copy. : )

I Hate Holidays

I'm not a fan of Holidays - any holiday, birthday, or special occasion annoys the crapola out of me. This year it's the worst ever. Cutie face is three and we have to light candles every night, wrap and open presents, and we have so many parties to go to. I actually say no to most of the gatherings and only do the ones I should go to.

I don't like getting presents (or writing thank yous). I don't like giving presents (wrapping paper destroys the environment.) I don't like cooking or eating at a table with people. I'm happiest doing things that I want to do when I want to do them. The amazing thing is that some of the things I want to do actually does make people happy. Yes, this is childish and it has served me well.

One of the reasons I never really wanted to get married or have children was because of my dislike of celebrations. Paulo also is not a fan of the gift-giving. Although he does like the whole family thing.

As for seeing cutie's face light up when she got Singing Princess Barbie, it is priceless. I would have given it to her last month when she said she wanted it.
We have a point system and ended up using her points to buy "King Barbie" with the little boy. So now she has a whole family.

As for taking off from work during the holidays - I always preferred to work when nobody was around and take vacation when everyone was working.

I'm the Chanukabuster.

New Car, House and Website

Our lease is up on the Nissan Murano. I didn't like driving that car. It was hard to drive and had limited visibility. We just bought a Jeep. (We're planning to install solar panels as a trade.) They honored my old company discount. The Jeep is better than we thought. That's good business. Why a Jeep - Well, our new house is on the top of a mountain and a Jeep will help us get there.

Cutie's website is a hit. Just set it as your home page when your child is on the computer and they are busy for 2 hours - only asking you to see their work.



Cutie is doing well. She officially sleeps in our bed. We don't even fight it anymore. When we move into the new house we'll get her a "pretty bed" and then she said she'll sleep in her room. That of course, won't solve the "I'm lonely", but it's a start.

Kill the Farm Bill

$288 billion for crops for processed food are in the top 2% of the country is welfare for the rich and keeping everyone else unhealthy. It's time to end this practice. We can keep the food stamp and school lunch portion of the bill. But with bills in congress you can't pick and choose. So kill it and start again.