To everyone:
As things get busy and crazy this holiday season, it’s common for people to forget what’s really important. There are people that make every day something special. There are people whom cheer you up when you are down. The people that help you make things possible. There are the farmers that grow your fruits and vegetables and harvest your meats and dairy products. There are people that drive the truck to get products to the store. There are people at national retail chains that work long hours so that people can buy the things they want and need. There are the fast food workers who give us a quick meal when we want it. There are the bus and train operators that get us to work safely. Most importantly there are our police, firefighters, and military men and women out there risking their lives every day for the sake of our freedom and protection.

There are so many people that help you live your life. I could go on forever on all the possible people that make your life easier, or have created something that is invaluable in your life, but I’ll leave it to you to think of all the people that have an impact on your life.

To all of these people, you, and everyone else, THANK YOU, and Happy Holidays.
Thanks to everyone that has ever extended their friendship to me, or has helped me out in any way.

I wish the government would get off their asses and pass health care reform already. Like today, and make it effective today.

I just was denied coverage from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL. For what reason? It's still to be determined.

I called BCBS and they told me that a letter detailing the specific reason for the decision is being mailed. The website was updated as well.

"Application Declined Unfortunately, we are unable to offer coverage at this time. A letter detailing the specific reason for our decision is being mailed. 12/1/2009... 8:47:11 AM"


So now what? I guess I go shopping for more health plans, and apply until someone accepts me. I mean, am I supposed to lie and say I don't have any pre-existing conditions to get insurance? I don't know what i'm supposed to do.

A friend of mine on facebook gave me a link that I'm going to look into:
http://www.chip.state.il.us/planalt.htm

There was another website that I found that gives you quotes on various plans(they even check what plan your doctor is in): http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
OMG, they have an awesome tutorial:
https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/StandAloneFlashHelp.ds?flashEnabled=True

I have my work cut out for me. This totally sucks. I had a lot of respect for BCBS, and now I am just very disappointed they would not extend coverage to me, or even offer me an alternative plan. It really breaks me heart that in this economy, they would do this to people who are willing to pay them for their service.

I guess I'll just start going down the list of the insurance that my Advocate Health network accepts

That is all I can do. You know, figuring out all this crap is like a full time job you don't get paid to do.


Perhaps I should call an insurance agent to sort all this out?

So does anyone have any recommendations on the particulars of insurance like what's a good deductible, copay, co-insurance, and drug coverage? I'm seriously lost here, and I don't really understand all the nuts and bolts about choosing insurance. It's so frustrating.

Hey all. We finally got around to gathering all of our stuff from our storage to sell. Prices are negotiable. Supplies are limited to first come first serve basis and best price offer ONLY!

Item Listing is here

If you are interested in anything that you see, please use this form to request items:
Item Request Form

PLEASE BUY SOME STUFF WE NEED TO GET RID OF IT!!!

Happy Turkey day everyone!

Well, we cleaned out our storage a bit, and figured before we donated anything or threw it away, we would offer it up for you all. Some of the stuff is not identifiable, so we will need some help. If you want any of this stuff, let me know! Prices are all negotiable! I'm offering up this stuff to you guys before anyone else.
( stuff for sale )

It's amazing the way that employers can now abuse their employees taking in consideration the fear the economy has set into people. Employees are pressured into doing whatever the boss says in fear of losing their job. People are overworked, and under appreciated. Companies are laying off people like mad, and the existing employees have to compensate for the missing staff. Working long hours, and working on multiple projects at the same pay rate! It seems to imply that no one is safe. I have seen this with several people I know.

Granted, with all the hour reductions and furloughs that employees must endure, you wonder why the upper management hasn't sacrificed as much as the lower end.

This is a major problem in this economy, and I have seen this time after time. Seriously, if the top people in the company are getting paid six figure salaries, even when the company is hurting, then that is where the problem starts.

This effects companies too. Companies are pressured to pay these executives high salaries to keep them, or so they claim.

Thus begins the never ending circle of financial woes.

Really, the problem with our economy is fairly simple. Overspending and greed.

I'm going to have to go without my COBRA coverage come December 1st. The nine month 65% ARRA subsidy has not been extended by congress, so my monthly payment will be $574.15 12/01/09. No way I can afford that.
So I have been shopping around for health coverage. The plan that I'm most considering is a SelectBlue, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan.

What do you think of this coverage for the price? It's a $2500 deductible with 100% coverage with Dental insurance.

Now, I am worried about the pre-existing condition thing, but I won't know the details of that until i actually apply.

I know you all are very smart, and I am asking for your opinion on this plan, since I don't want to make a mistake...

While fangiriling over some awesome FFXIII images on IGN, I came across an image of Lightning, the main character that really stuck me as a familiar face, for some reason.
See More Final Fantasy XIII Screenshot at IGN.com

It was eating at me...Why?
Well, it was because I related this image of Molly Quinn from the TV Show Castle who plays Alexis (Castle's daughter(the girl in the red dress to the far right):

Almost a striking resemblance in my opinion, the face, that is.

CTA bus crashes into house on South Side; 4 hurt - Chicago Breaking News

The picture is priceless.

You know there are some days I just don't want to get out of bed. I'm sorry, but I have been feeling like complete crap lately. Lately, my body has been aching so badly, that I just cannot find the will to even go on my walks anymore in the morning because my feet and ankles hurt so bad. Also, I wasn't seeing any results from my walks every day, so I guess I just gave up on them. I do small things around the house, and then end up completely exhausted. I just have no motivation to do much of anything.

I cannot seem to be at the computer for a very long time, sitting at my desk because it really hurts my neck and shoulders.

I see a lot of people around me, that still have a job, and are able to afford the things they want and need, enjoying a seeming carefree life of financial stability. I guess I am envious of this carefree lifestyle. I remember what it was like to be able to buy that video game/DVD/book I wanted and not feel like it will bankrupt me.

Yeah, there are a few people that seem to try to understand, and seem to care, but it all feels a bit insincere at times. Don't get me wrong I appreciate help, but I don't want to feel looked down upon either. I guess people think I'm a real loser.

Admitted I don't have a lot of friends to help and support me, and I actually feel more and more isolated and shunned by people now that I am jobless and useless to them because I cannot afford eating out and excess "fun" spending. Yes I bring it up a lot, but it hurts to be in this financially strapped situation. Do you feel it's my fault for being in this situation? I certainly do not feel that I deliberately lost my job. I certainly do not feel that I have done nothing in these months I have been unemployed. I look for jobs at least twice a week, most of which I don't bother applying for because I'm clearly not qualified. The ones I do find I apply for and hear nothing back from. You know how that makes a person feel after working 13 years yet you are qualified for nothing?

It's easy for one to say "suck it up and put you big girl pants on" when your not in the situation yourself. Look, college is just not affordable right now, and aside from all the grants and what not there are potentially, it won't cover the entire costs of college. I have to figure out how to pay for it somehow, and it's just not an expense that fits into the budget right now. Yes, it really sucks and hurts me that I cannot get an education, but that is the harsh reality for me.

Well, I'm going to have to go without my COBRA coverage. The nine month 65% ARRA subsidy has not been extended by congress, so my monthly payment will be $574.15 12/01/09. No way I can afford that.

So I went shopping for health insurance on my own. I found a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for about $270 and month(with dental coverage!), that I think will fit into the budget. It's looks like it's actually a bit better coverage, and my doctor is in the network. I'd really like to know how they get away with charging $574.15/ month for such crappy coverage.

Anyway, I know that a positive outlook is the best thing to have, but it's not easy when time after time the number of negative things that happen outweigh the positive. I know I am suffering from depression. I know that people don't like to deal with people like me who are depressed and find the negative over the positive. I know that I hide my depression and loneliness when face to face with people, it's like a mask I wear all the time to try to find some sort of enjoyment out of my misery. It's like everyone around me just is progressing, and I am not. I try, but for every step up, I am knocked back four. Something good in my life happens, I am punished(usually within days) for it by something bad happening.

Trying to end this on a positive note, the only thing I seem to enjoy anymore is watching anime. I guess it's a bit of an escape for me from my problems. I have been able to watch a lot that I have downloaded, and been able to catch up on anime that I have wanted to see, that I used to not have time for when I was working. All I can say is thank goodness for fansubbers and those who do scanlations. As much as i want to support the anime/manga distribution industry right now, I am just not financially able, so it's actually nice to be able to see and read some of the things I want to without breaking the bank.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Sorry for the mood swings. Pap test tomorrow. yay.