• The art of procrastination.

    Have you ever put off doing something for five years, then got up in the morning and decided, “I’m going to do that today.”? We were printing our tee-shirts – “I survived the dog days of summer, 1998” – when I told Cheryl that I would run some speaker wire behind the wall. (No, we weren’t really printing tee-shirts.)

    Imagine a lazy summer day, five years ago… “Cheryl, I was tired so I just ran the wire from the ceiling (from the attic), but I think I can run it behind the wall. I’ll do it soon.”

    If you were talking about continental drift, then five years really is soon. Somehow I don’t think Cheryl had that in mind. None the less, today was the day. I sit here, in my living room, listening to music from speakers with newly re-routed speaker wire. After leaving more body fluids that I would have liked in our attic, I would have thought it sounded better. Maybe that’s just the dehydration talking.

    It’s almost a shame we did it. Five years is a household record for putting things off. It will take some time to top that one.

  • Eyes wide open.

    Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives.

    Originally posted: Jul 10, 2003, Beth’s age: 5 (almost 6)

    We have been thinking about Beth’s birthday present for some time now. Tonight we took action. Cheryl called around to see which stores had the item in stock. After a couple of disappointments we found one that had it. Cheryl took off this evening after dinner to pick it up. When she returned we were both eager to open it up and see what all the fuss was about. Sitting on our bed, gathered around this thing like a couple of thieves admiring their stolen treasure, we opened it up. After dispensing with the requisite “oohs and aahs” we put it away. Just as we were closing the box Beth appears in the doorway with a question. The item was small so it was easily hidden.

    “What are you guys doing?”
    “We’re wrapping your birthday present.”
    “What is it?”
    “We’re not going to tell you.”
    “Is it a Game Boy?”
    “Beth! Just go to the family room and close the door.”

    Well, as a general rule I don’t like to lie to the kids… but I wasn’t about to tell her the truth. However, this was one of those times I wondered if Beth was pushing certain buttons on purpose.

  • Frustration, insurance style.

    What is your favorite part about seeing doctors. Some would say that they don’t like to be poked and prodded. I suppose I don’t like it anymore than the next guy, but I’ll survive. Some people are aggravated by the long waits in the lobby. I guess I’m more patient than average; either that or I’ve long since been beaten into submission by countless lines and waiting. Growing up within driving distance of Disney World builds up your tolerance for that kind of thing. Here’s what gets my gourd: showing up for an appointment not knowing if your referral (otherwise known as “pre-authorization for care”) has been completed by your “PCP” (Primary Care Physician ) and health insurance provider. It sometimes feels like I’d have better odds getting a straight answer from a politician.

    What could possibly have brought this issue up? It wouldn’t be because I’m sitting in a doctor’s office now, could it?

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m mostly happy with my health care – even my health insurance provider. I usually get what I want out of it, it just takes a little effort. It’s just times like these that I wonder if the private sector can really do everything better. My experience suggests the notion is nothing but a pipe dream – and someone definitely inhaled.