The Bunker Hill Pool is nearly empty. I remembered everything, snack, drink, hat, everything.
This is the perfect calm before the storm of traveling to San Antonio tomorrow.
If you aren't in San Antonio this Labor Day weekend....too bad for you, lol.
I'm on the fabulous smart phone, so no links.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Hanging At The Cottage
Enjoying friends and music and delicious weather. This weeks tide is perfect.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Where Will You Be Today At Noon?
If you are not at the USS Constitution Museum in the Charlestown Navy Yard, you will be missing out!
Constitution vs. Guerriere: What Really Happened?
Commander Tyrone G. Martin, US Navy (Ret.)
12:00 Noon
USS Constitution Museum - Lecture Series
Commander Martin, former Commanding Officer of USS Constitution, will share the story of Constitution’s battle with HMS Guerriere, during which she earned her nickname, “Old Ironsides.”
CDR Martin is the author of "A Most Fortunate Ship: A Narrative History of Old Ironsides" which is available from the Naval Institute Press.
Also, I made five dozen chocolate chip/M&M cookies to share will my fellow attendees.
What more could you ask? Cookies & history, huzzah!
Constitution vs. Guerriere: What Really Happened?
Commander Tyrone G. Martin, US Navy (Ret.)
12:00 Noon
USS Constitution Museum - Lecture Series
Commander Martin, former Commanding Officer of USS Constitution, will share the story of Constitution’s battle with HMS Guerriere, during which she earned her nickname, “Old Ironsides.”
CDR Martin is the author of "A Most Fortunate Ship: A Narrative History of Old Ironsides" which is available from the Naval Institute Press.
Also, I made five dozen chocolate chip/M&M cookies to share will my fellow attendees.
What more could you ask? Cookies & history, huzzah!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Newark Airport
I wrote this Thursday the 9th in the wee hours - I couldn't post it for some reason, so I am posting it now.
I'm on my way to Annapolis for some fun with my peeps in the Naval Blogosphere/CHINFO/USNI world.
Right now I'm just past Newark Airport. I've only been twice, to and from Dubai back in 2003. But I always smile when I pass by. Tomorrow will be 9 years to the day. My Tommy drove down with me to take the car back.
There were flights out of Boston but they were madly expensive. The Sailor formerly known as The Favorite Naval Consort told me to check Malaysia Air. Sure enough it was half the price.
I remember packing and having him on the phone scaring me about my bags being too heavy. I had visions of having to leave shoes at Newark, lol. I was so nervous I told the guy checking my bags at the counter. He had just saved me from being trampled by a little Indonesian man. I was one of very few Americans. I had watched him push past a few sari clad women. Then he tried to push past me. Before I could object, the Malaysia Air counter attendant called out to tell the man to step back, I was next. Anyway, after he weighed my bags he said I was well under the weight limit. "Do you want to go home and get more shoes?" he asked laughing.
I passed and got on my flight. It was twelve and a half hours. The stewardess came every half hour to offer orange juice, water or wine I stuck with orange juice and water. The tiny woman who sat cross legged swathed in billowy layers drank every glass of wine offered. And she never got up once! I was doing laps around the plane for fear of embolism!
Anyway, that's why Newark Airport makes me smile.
I'm on my way to Annapolis for some fun with my peeps in the Naval Blogosphere/CHINFO/USNI world.
Right now I'm just past Newark Airport. I've only been twice, to and from Dubai back in 2003. But I always smile when I pass by. Tomorrow will be 9 years to the day. My Tommy drove down with me to take the car back.
There were flights out of Boston but they were madly expensive. The Sailor formerly known as The Favorite Naval Consort told me to check Malaysia Air. Sure enough it was half the price.
I remember packing and having him on the phone scaring me about my bags being too heavy. I had visions of having to leave shoes at Newark, lol. I was so nervous I told the guy checking my bags at the counter. He had just saved me from being trampled by a little Indonesian man. I was one of very few Americans. I had watched him push past a few sari clad women. Then he tried to push past me. Before I could object, the Malaysia Air counter attendant called out to tell the man to step back, I was next. Anyway, after he weighed my bags he said I was well under the weight limit. "Do you want to go home and get more shoes?" he asked laughing.
I passed and got on my flight. It was twelve and a half hours. The stewardess came every half hour to offer orange juice, water or wine I stuck with orange juice and water. The tiny woman who sat cross legged swathed in billowy layers drank every glass of wine offered. And she never got up once! I was doing laps around the plane for fear of embolism!
Anyway, that's why Newark Airport makes me smile.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
My Mother Jinxed Me
And then doubled over with laughter. She had to grab one of the kitchen chairs.
Humph!
I was, once again, on the phone with my favorite people at Commonwealth Choice and Blue Cross.
You see when I was first diagnosed, we had one of those cadillac plans from Blue Cross. It had $5.00 co-pays. I remember that my physical therapist for the Achilles tendon was agog. But it was really overkill and wicked expensive for my boss. So they we found another, more reasonable plan for everyone but me. Instead of joining them, they payed me what the premium would have been for me and I could shop elsewhere.
Now here is an aspect of Romney Care that is a very good idea and should be replicated in every state. There are three tiers to coverage. Mass Health for those who truly can't afford insurance. Commonwealth Cares for those who made to much to qualify for Mass Health, but would still be struggling. It's a plan whose costs are supplemented by the Commonwealth. The third option is Commonwealth Choice. This is for people who have the money to buy their own coverage, but for one reason or another they are buying on their own. The Connector gives the Commonwealth Choice people group buying power. You can review the plans and pick what fits you.
So I picked a top of the line plan. No lifetime max. No calendar year max. No deductible. No co-insurance. $25 co-pays and a good pharmacy benefit. I knew what was coming and I didn't want to be left holding the bag. $515 per month and my boss paid half. I had a good job and had no problem affording it.
But then in June, 2010, I stopped working. Slowly it became difficult to keep up on disability. People asked why I struggled to keep it, especially when the premium jumped to $800.88 per month. My response was that I was getting top of the line care and I should do my part.
Then last summer, I realized that I could get a grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to cover my premiums. Back before I chemo, I would have realized this a lot faster.....but...whatever.
Now though, even that's a problem. the premium has jumped to $845 and every single month except May there is some kind of problem. Even with a good pharmacy plan I am still shelling out $200 to $300 per month in co-pays. So finally I filled out the paperwork for Mass Health. In June there was a problem that caused me to be cancelled and now, even though the Connector has all the money they won't reinstate me.
This month, like every month, I call. And call. And call. First the Connector, 20 minutes, no result. Then nearly 30 minutes with Blue Cross. It seemed the person at Blue Cross was going to fix it. He kept putting me on hold. My mother saunters out into the kitchen where I am sitting.
"Are you on hold?" she asks. "Yes" I reply. "You know there's no reason to be on hold. He's not doing anything." I protest that Ryan can take all the breaks he wants because he said he can fix the problem.
"He's lying." she says.
Ryan comes back on the line at this point and starts to apologize. I stare daggers at my mother and jab my finger in her direction.
That's when the laughter started.
I hang up and call Mass Health to check on my application. The girl is unhelpful, dull and breathing noisily in my ear. She says new applications are sent to Charlestown. I already know this from work. Mass Health is in the Schraffts Building down the street. The Mass Health clerk asks where I am. "Charlestown" I reply.
"What?" Charlestown I repeat. "What?" "C-H-A-R-L-E-S-T-O-W-N." "Where?" "The place they send all the new applications." I say, taking a different tack. "What are you doing there?"
"I live here!"
My mother enjoyed that one too.
Humph!
I was, once again, on the phone with my favorite people at Commonwealth Choice and Blue Cross.
You see when I was first diagnosed, we had one of those cadillac plans from Blue Cross. It had $5.00 co-pays. I remember that my physical therapist for the Achilles tendon was agog. But it was really overkill and wicked expensive for my boss. So they we found another, more reasonable plan for everyone but me. Instead of joining them, they payed me what the premium would have been for me and I could shop elsewhere.
Now here is an aspect of Romney Care that is a very good idea and should be replicated in every state. There are three tiers to coverage. Mass Health for those who truly can't afford insurance. Commonwealth Cares for those who made to much to qualify for Mass Health, but would still be struggling. It's a plan whose costs are supplemented by the Commonwealth. The third option is Commonwealth Choice. This is for people who have the money to buy their own coverage, but for one reason or another they are buying on their own. The Connector gives the Commonwealth Choice people group buying power. You can review the plans and pick what fits you.
So I picked a top of the line plan. No lifetime max. No calendar year max. No deductible. No co-insurance. $25 co-pays and a good pharmacy benefit. I knew what was coming and I didn't want to be left holding the bag. $515 per month and my boss paid half. I had a good job and had no problem affording it.
But then in June, 2010, I stopped working. Slowly it became difficult to keep up on disability. People asked why I struggled to keep it, especially when the premium jumped to $800.88 per month. My response was that I was getting top of the line care and I should do my part.
Then last summer, I realized that I could get a grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to cover my premiums. Back before I chemo, I would have realized this a lot faster.....but...whatever.
Now though, even that's a problem. the premium has jumped to $845 and every single month except May there is some kind of problem. Even with a good pharmacy plan I am still shelling out $200 to $300 per month in co-pays. So finally I filled out the paperwork for Mass Health. In June there was a problem that caused me to be cancelled and now, even though the Connector has all the money they won't reinstate me.
This month, like every month, I call. And call. And call. First the Connector, 20 minutes, no result. Then nearly 30 minutes with Blue Cross. It seemed the person at Blue Cross was going to fix it. He kept putting me on hold. My mother saunters out into the kitchen where I am sitting.
"Are you on hold?" she asks. "Yes" I reply. "You know there's no reason to be on hold. He's not doing anything." I protest that Ryan can take all the breaks he wants because he said he can fix the problem.
"He's lying." she says.
Ryan comes back on the line at this point and starts to apologize. I stare daggers at my mother and jab my finger in her direction.
That's when the laughter started.
I hang up and call Mass Health to check on my application. The girl is unhelpful, dull and breathing noisily in my ear. She says new applications are sent to Charlestown. I already know this from work. Mass Health is in the Schraffts Building down the street. The Mass Health clerk asks where I am. "Charlestown" I reply.
"What?" Charlestown I repeat. "What?" "C-H-A-R-L-E-S-T-O-W-N." "Where?" "The place they send all the new applications." I say, taking a different tack. "What are you doing there?"
"I live here!"
My mother enjoyed that one too.
Monday, August 06, 2012
What's The Big Deal About A Guy Who Makes Chicken Sandwiches?
That's the question my liberal/progressive friends and acquaintances are posing to me in the wake of the "Chick-Fil-A" controversy.
The answer is so simple and obvious that I have to laugh. They must be asking tongue-in-cheek!
First off, opposing gay marriage is not a radical position. Approximately half of America feels the same way. why, their own "Dear Leader" held the same position a mere three or four months ago. And Obama was only moved off of his previous position be yet another Biden gaffe. Where were all the "kiss-in" people back in April?
And even if it was a radical idea, Dan Cathy still engaged in what we like to refer to as "Free Speech". You know that little right that the Founding Fathers thought was so important that they put it in the First Amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Now, granted, Mayor Menino didn't enact a law that abridged Dan Cathy's right to free speech. But don't you get the feeling that he would have if he could have?
It doesn't matter what your feelings are about gay marriage or civil unions. All that should matter is that one man expressed his opinion and the highest government official in the City of Boston retaliated.
As my favorite Mayor used to say "Muth-ra-Gawd!"
So yes, we are at war and we have crushing unemployment and bad economic news every quarter. Yet plenty of us on both sides of these social issues care a great deal about the "Chick-fil-a" business. Because it was blatant and right in our face. And we were able to speak out definitively. I can't act in response to unemployment or foreign policy. I can't fight our nation's battles. I can't solve our economic woes. However, I can fly a flag to support our nation. I can donate to charities to help my fellow citizens. I can buy a sandwich in support of free speech.
Because for the majority there is no gray area here. He gets to say what he wants. You are free to disagree. And neither of you should be threatened by the Mayor of Boston.
If people don't like his opinion, they are free to boycott him. But the Mayor should not be interfering with the man's business.
The answer is so simple and obvious that I have to laugh. They must be asking tongue-in-cheek!
First off, opposing gay marriage is not a radical position. Approximately half of America feels the same way. why, their own "Dear Leader" held the same position a mere three or four months ago. And Obama was only moved off of his previous position be yet another Biden gaffe. Where were all the "kiss-in" people back in April?
And even if it was a radical idea, Dan Cathy still engaged in what we like to refer to as "Free Speech". You know that little right that the Founding Fathers thought was so important that they put it in the First Amendment.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Now, granted, Mayor Menino didn't enact a law that abridged Dan Cathy's right to free speech. But don't you get the feeling that he would have if he could have?
It doesn't matter what your feelings are about gay marriage or civil unions. All that should matter is that one man expressed his opinion and the highest government official in the City of Boston retaliated.
As my favorite Mayor used to say "Muth-ra-Gawd!"
So yes, we are at war and we have crushing unemployment and bad economic news every quarter. Yet plenty of us on both sides of these social issues care a great deal about the "Chick-fil-a" business. Because it was blatant and right in our face. And we were able to speak out definitively. I can't act in response to unemployment or foreign policy. I can't fight our nation's battles. I can't solve our economic woes. However, I can fly a flag to support our nation. I can donate to charities to help my fellow citizens. I can buy a sandwich in support of free speech.
Because for the majority there is no gray area here. He gets to say what he wants. You are free to disagree. And neither of you should be threatened by the Mayor of Boston.
If people don't like his opinion, they are free to boycott him. But the Mayor should not be interfering with the man's business.
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Grace Gets Mad When I Say This...
But sometimes you have to call a RETARD a RETARD.
Now I am not talking about people whose I.Q.s below 100. I am talking about people who brag about their degrees but then say something completely idiotic.
If I say to you that I was diagnosed with a "FATAL" cancer. That I am lucky to have gotten this 18 to 24 months remission.
Don't tell me in saccahrine tones "I wish you a speedy recovery".
Retard.
Now I am not talking about people whose I.Q.s below 100. I am talking about people who brag about their degrees but then say something completely idiotic.
If I say to you that I was diagnosed with a "FATAL" cancer. That I am lucky to have gotten this 18 to 24 months remission.
Don't tell me in saccahrine tones "I wish you a speedy recovery".
Retard.
Friday, August 03, 2012
My Day Was Covered In Awesome Sauce
...and sun tan oil! I ran my errands. I hooked a ride back from Thompson Square with my cousin Danny. I hooked a ride up the Bunker Hill Pool with my Dad. I swam and sunned.
Dear You-know-who-you-are,
Hahahahahahaha! *gasp for air* hahahahaha *holding my sides* hahahahahahaha.
Thanks for the laugh. *snicker*
And if anyone else needs a laugh, go read @JDurant52. This is the Twitter feed of a Detroit Lions linebacker.
Justin Durant @JDurant52
"So people not gon get the best chicken sammich and lemonade on the planet because of a personal belief? Word?"
Followed by
"Chicken too tasty RT @ThatStatBoy: @JDurant52 Would you boycott Chick Fil A if the owner came out and said slavery was a good idea?"
Dear You-know-who-you-are,
Hahahahahahaha! *gasp for air* hahahahaha *holding my sides* hahahahahahaha.
Thanks for the laugh. *snicker*
And if anyone else needs a laugh, go read @JDurant52. This is the Twitter feed of a Detroit Lions linebacker.
Justin Durant @JDurant52
"So people not gon get the best chicken sammich and lemonade on the planet because of a personal belief? Word?"
Followed by
"Chicken too tasty RT @ThatStatBoy: @JDurant52 Would you boycott Chick Fil A if the owner came out and said slavery was a good idea?"
Thursday, August 02, 2012
I Don't Get It....
....how was I late? I had nothing scheduled for today except dinner with My Marine. I enjoyed a leisurely manicure and pedicure.
But somehow I couldn't get out of my own way. I couldn't find my glasses. I tripped over the phone charger and had to sit on the floor and feel bad for myself.
Then I realized I hadn't picked up my blouse from the dry cleaners. I couldn't find the tank top I wear with it. So when I got to the dry cleaners, I had to slip in the fitting room and change. Then I was stuck with the tank.
When I got to the Navy Yard I hid it behind a bush. Lol. I picked it up on my way home.
So I was late. I swear he jinxed me so he would have something to tease me about.
I thought we were going to the Tavern on the Water, but My Marine was waiting for me at a perfect outside table at The Bistro.
The waitress even teased me for making him wait. We enjoyed house salads and the flank steak special For dessert I picked the bread pudding du jour.....S'Mores. Right up my cousin Jessica's alley! Delicious!
Of course the draw is the conversation. It"s like having a tutor who adores me. What could be better? And he loves my Navy Yard.
Although I found out that while I was out I missed seeing "The Best Years Of Our Lives" for the 84th time. I should have cooked dinner and we could have watched the movie.
Don't worry my Dad has boxes and boxes of Kleenex in the cellar.
But somehow I couldn't get out of my own way. I couldn't find my glasses. I tripped over the phone charger and had to sit on the floor and feel bad for myself.
Then I realized I hadn't picked up my blouse from the dry cleaners. I couldn't find the tank top I wear with it. So when I got to the dry cleaners, I had to slip in the fitting room and change. Then I was stuck with the tank.
When I got to the Navy Yard I hid it behind a bush. Lol. I picked it up on my way home.
So I was late. I swear he jinxed me so he would have something to tease me about.
I thought we were going to the Tavern on the Water, but My Marine was waiting for me at a perfect outside table at The Bistro.
The waitress even teased me for making him wait. We enjoyed house salads and the flank steak special For dessert I picked the bread pudding du jour.....S'Mores. Right up my cousin Jessica's alley! Delicious!
Of course the draw is the conversation. It"s like having a tutor who adores me. What could be better? And he loves my Navy Yard.
Although I found out that while I was out I missed seeing "The Best Years Of Our Lives" for the 84th time. I should have cooked dinner and we could have watched the movie.
Don't worry my Dad has boxes and boxes of Kleenex in the cellar.
I Know I'm Late To This....
...but the Nabisco Saltine thing. It's finally hit the McInnis household. My Dad makes chicken soup (awesome homemade chicken soup) at least once a week. And today, there were no Nabisco Saltines.
Hello?
It seems in December, 2011 Nabisco decided to make the saltines round. So we tried them. I didn't realize that this meant there were no square ones. My Dad does all the shopping and he buys in bulk. When the Zombie Apocalypse happens, we will be able to make brownies for a long time. And we will have plenty of toilet paper.
The result of all this careful shopping means that the Great Saltine Crisis - look it up on the Internet, people are mad - didn't hit us until nine months after the change.
I've looked online to see what's going on. Besides the change, there were two more added insults. First, you are paying the same price for five and a half fewer ounces. And as a last little slap, it is labelled "Original". Um, no it's not.
So I guess I will have to hit the little "Mom & Pop" places to see if there are any squares out there. And I suppose I will look online. When I used to dye my hair red, my favorite conditioner was discontinued. I was able to get enough online to go another two years.
Hello?
It seems in December, 2011 Nabisco decided to make the saltines round. So we tried them. I didn't realize that this meant there were no square ones. My Dad does all the shopping and he buys in bulk. When the Zombie Apocalypse happens, we will be able to make brownies for a long time. And we will have plenty of toilet paper.
The result of all this careful shopping means that the Great Saltine Crisis - look it up on the Internet, people are mad - didn't hit us until nine months after the change.
I've looked online to see what's going on. Besides the change, there were two more added insults. First, you are paying the same price for five and a half fewer ounces. And as a last little slap, it is labelled "Original". Um, no it's not.
So I guess I will have to hit the little "Mom & Pop" places to see if there are any squares out there. And I suppose I will look online. When I used to dye my hair red, my favorite conditioner was discontinued. I was able to get enough online to go another two years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
