Driving me Crazy

Why is it that every single girlfriend, wife, and significant other I’ve had in my life all act the same when it comes to riding in car. Every single one of them has acted the same. Is this inherent to the wiring of a female disposition? Do I have to just live with it? Will it ever go away? What am I talking about? Driving the car from the passenger seat! Recently I drove to the mall with the “First Lady”, here is how the ride went… “watch out for that person at the end of the block”, “Car coming to the left”, ”Watch out for that pot hole”, “Do you have your lights on?”,”Use your blinker!”,”SLOW DOWN!!!” and this was just pulling out of the driveway. I remember many vacations and travels as a kid but the one thing that always stands out is the memory of my mom yelling at my dad, “David watch out!” The other day I was driving to Wal-Mart and I do have a tendency to stand on the brakes a little, but when the “First Lady” said “that’s why we have to replace the brakes because you are so hard on the car” WHAT!!! I drive that car once a month at best so the 12 times I’m behind the wheel is enough to have to get the brakes replaced, not the hour a day she spends in the car but my 12 times. When I ride in the car and she drives I sit quietly and mind my business, I figure that when she slams into a car or goes in the ditch I’ll just get out and pick up the pieces and put them in the trunk. Screaming at her won’t make her a better driver. So why try. I’ve talked to her about just letting me drive in peace and Guys; you know where that gets you. So for now I have to be content driving and listening to the play by play travels around town. I am getting some more use out of one item in the car…The Radio volume!

Working out the Health Care Problem

I haven’t blogged in a while and it’s maybe due to the fact I didn’t have much to say. I have been busy but not in a conversational mood. So I thought if I start writing something would come out, something…maybe something. Crap, nothing. OK back to the ole stand bye. Politics! If anyone has talked with me they probably have heard a blurb or two about my political views. Some views they agree with, others they should agree with. So lets talk National health care! Everybody seams to have an opinion on how to fix it, I think mine is a good solid plan. First we need a little background on my health care plan and what changes our provider has made over the past couple of years. I used to have to pay a $20 co-pay for my health visits. I would make an appointment write out a twenty-dollar check and have whatever aliment diagnosed. This year I no longer have to do that, I have a $1500.00 dollar deductible. I go to the doctor and pay cash until I reach $1500; then the insurance kicks in. My health care in one year went from twenty bucks to $1500. That looks horrible. Maybe we should get national health care so I don’t have to pay so much. Hold Everything!!! Don’t go weeping for the sad state of Brian just yet… In reality my premium went from $215 a month to $40 an month. Now I am saving $600 a year and thinking twice before I go to the doctor. This is all great if I don’t get sick. We’ll maybe I shouldn’t get sick. Huhh, (Have I lost my fellow readers yet?) What is happening is that the insurance companies would rather insure healthy people. It's much more profitable. (Making even more money those evil rat bastards…) But what is better for me? Being healthy of course. With the extra 600 bucks I save a year I joined the local YMCA and am getting healthier. (Check out Worth the Weight Loss) This is a much better solution because I’m eating better, exercising, chasing the kids around again, all because my health insurance changed. What I propose is that instead of spending a trillion dollars on health care, buy them all gym memberships. It’s working for me…just keep your hands off my Life insurance.

Where's Christmas??

I read in the paper the other day that cities around the country are not putting up decorations because they are too expensive or they don't have money and or the staff. Most people I know would read the article and just think to themselves like I initially did, "Bad economy, have to cut back". Then I gave it some thought, almost to the point of anger. These cities have the decorations correct? It's not like they have to purchase new ones. They just need some good ole Christmas Sprit to get them up. The only thing I see is the government sitting back and pointing fingers at the economy and doing nothing. Shame, Shame on you! This summer the Mankato chamber of commerce told the city they where going to scrap the fireworks show because they didn't have the donations. Did anyone try? They just pointed their fingers at the economy and gave up. Shame, Shame on you! (This one has a happy ending) Radio Mankato jumped into action and in less than 2 months raised enough money to not only have a great fireworks show, but a live band to boot. They broke attendance records with their can do sprit. It's easy to sit back and point fingers and blame others, but I'm sure if allowed the community would pitch in and show their Christmas sprit. What are the little kids going to think when they go down town and there is no tree, no decorations, no Christmas spirit. When I was a child, our town was only a couple of thousand strong. I know there have been plenty of hard times but I never remember a Christmas where the decorations where not hung from every street post and intersection. My kid’s just love riding around and seeing all the houses dressed up in twinkling little lights, plastic Santa’s and manger scenes. I think it's time to become a kid again and share the enthusiasm, the excitement with others around you. Get together with your neighbors, communities and local governments and pitch in, let them know that you have found Christmas.