Musings on Life and Living

So my father-in-law and at least one friend have asked me to explain why I feel that Obamacare will wreak havoc on the health care system as it currently stands. I have also been asked to explain why I believe a capitalist-based system would be better. So, in my very non-professional, non-expert, and very biased way, I shall attempt to do so. First: why is Obamacare so bad? I have a number of reasons. Here they are, in no particular order: 1) Pres. Obama's plan is to force employers to provide health coverage for all of their employees. Those employers who have small businesses with a certain number of employees will be exempted from this requirement. Individuals who work for such companies, or work in jobs that do not provide coverage (because the employee is part-time, etc), as well as those who are below a certain income threshold, will be able to buy into a government-run plan (that is somehow different from Medicaid, although I am not sure how). What is the result of these pla...

I have been without health insurance since July 2007. Crazy, I know. I was also without health insurance from about January 2005 until January 2007. The only reason I had insurance in between was because I went to Australia for a semester and had coverage as an overseas student. Gretch and I have been trying to arrange health insurance through a somewhat local provider (actually in Mattoon), but we seem to have had trouble contacting the man possibly handling our potential account. Yeah, real specific and certain, I know. Anyway, in the midst of all this, there is of course the supposed debate about health care reform going on in America. I called it a supposed debate because, honestly, I am not hearing much actual debate. What I hear is the President telling Congress to pass the reform that he wants. The Republicans are saying that the proposed plan is bad, but they have as of yet to offer a viable alternative. The Democrats are saying that whatever President Obama wants, President O...

Several years ago, Number Two (aka my brother Aaron) introduced me, and several of my other brothers, to the wonderful sport of Disc Golf. Also known as Frisbee Golf or Frolf. It basically consists of throwing PDGA-approved "Frisbees" (not the actual trademarked Frisbees that you know, though) around a course, trying to get them to land in baskets. Rules of golf apply (each "hole" has a certain "par" assigned to it, etc.) Anyway, I played this game pre-mission, and then didn't think much of it until after my mission, except fleetingly, until my friend Noah mentioned to me that he had played it on his mission. So I went out, bought some discs, and... didn't do much with them. Until Noah and I decided to go on a double-date and chose Disc Golf as the outing. It was fun, and Noah and I were quite confident we'd make this sport a regular activity. Forward 18 months later. Or so. Probably longer. Noah and Cherry were up in the Chicago area visiting ...

A friend of mine introduced me to the concept of a JIC. No, this is not related to the pseudo-Mormonistic acronym, BIC. A JIC is a person who keeps things "Just In Case". I admit to suffering from this ailment, which I have decided to name jicicitis (ji-keh-ci-tis). But I am trying to find a cure. My mum suffers from this ailment, as well. In fact, it is most likely an inherited disease, which would explain much. Anyway, my sister Amanda has unwittingly given me the best idea for treatment yet. She has used it many times when treating my mum, and has enlisted me in the process often. The first step is to banish the sufferer from the premises. The second step is to acquire several heavy-duty, 50-gallon trash bags or cardboard boxes. The third step is to start throwing things away. It works remarkably well. Unless you are the individual suffering from jicicitis. In which case, self-treatment is nearly impossible. But it can be done! As this is mostly a psychological problem, it...

I decided when I was about ten years old that I would become a grade school teacher. I held to this aim, and taught myself the things I needed to know to become a great teacher. I went to U of I to pursue my education in education. And in May 2008, I graduated with my B.S. in Elementary Education. A year and a month later, I am now the owner of Simply Spotless, Inc. My current title is officially "President/Treasurer" although I prefer "CEO". Gretch is now the official Vice President/Secretary, although, really, she does the work of the Treasurer, as well, which means I think she should use the title of CFO. Regardless of what titles we ultimately decide to give our things, the awesome thing is that I am now committed to the path in my life. Not to say that I am not planning on still entering the education profession. I am. But I am also a business owner, as well.

Yes, yes, I am one of the many who love XKCD. If you haven't read it, shame on you. If you have read it, congratulations. If you read and understand it some of the time, you are like me. If you read it and understand it 100% of the time, then you are far smarter than me. And sometimes I read it and think, "Wow, this is so meant for Gretch!"

So Gretch and I had her parents and siblings over for a Memorial Day steak-fest and viewing of the classic film, Renaissance Man . Before the family arrived, I decided that no Memorial Day feast is complete without deviled eggs, so I ran to County Market to get some eggs. While there, I saw this display: Something about the juxtaposition of the grocery store's slogan (WE value FAMILY) and home explosives (TNT) just made me chuckle. The only thing that would have made it better would have been some humorously misplaced quotation marks .