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Holy bunny poop Batman! What a crazy week this has been, and I'm only two days into it! I've been kind of a sucky blogger friend as of late - skimming blogs, days late, and commenting infrequently. And still, you all come to visit!
Holy bunny poop Batman! What a crazy week this has been, and I'm only two days into it! I've been kind of a sucky blogger friend as of late - skimming blogs, days late, and commenting infrequently. And still, you all come to visit!
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Monday was my day off. I scheduled a 3-hour evaluation appointment for Cam (there seems to be some question as to whether his Asperger's diagnosis is correct). This was a 9AM appointment - I figured he would be done by noon and we could at least have a little "fun" time later in the day.
We show up at the doctor's office and one of the staff members asks me who I have an appointment with. I tell him we are there to see Dr. Al and he gets a concerned look on his face. Seems Dr. Al isn't in the office.
Long story short, Dr. Al was sitting in the dentist's chair getting a root canal because he "doesn't schedule appointments for Monday morning." Well, the computer says you had one - with me - not with your dentist. We were able to reschedule for noon on the same day, but that rescheduling, coupled with a 6:30 orthodontist appointment, totally blew the day.
What I find most irritating about this is that there is a sign prominently posted in the doctor's office which reads:
Well then, can I expect a $500 credit on my account? My time is every bit as valuable as yours is and you didn't give me 24-hours notice! Sure, when hell freezes over ... or the Cubs win the World Series ... whichever comes first.
Monday was my day off. I scheduled a 3-hour evaluation appointment for Cam (there seems to be some question as to whether his Asperger's diagnosis is correct). This was a 9AM appointment - I figured he would be done by noon and we could at least have a little "fun" time later in the day.
We show up at the doctor's office and one of the staff members asks me who I have an appointment with. I tell him we are there to see Dr. Al and he gets a concerned look on his face. Seems Dr. Al isn't in the office.
Long story short, Dr. Al was sitting in the dentist's chair getting a root canal because he "doesn't schedule appointments for Monday morning." Well, the computer says you had one - with me - not with your dentist. We were able to reschedule for noon on the same day, but that rescheduling, coupled with a 6:30 orthodontist appointment, totally blew the day.
What I find most irritating about this is that there is a sign prominently posted in the doctor's office which reads:
A broken appointment is a loss to everyone. Please inform us 24-hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment. Failure to provide 24-hour notice will result in a charged appointment. (Please note we cannot bill insurance for missed appointments.)
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I had to renew my driver's license yesterday (it expires Friday). I went to the Secretary of State Driver Facility (Can't Illinois be like every other state and call it something like the DMV? We don't even rate an acronym!) and was quite impressed. From the time I left my car, until the time I got back in my car with my new and improved license was ... are you ready?? 13 MINUTES!! Seriously! Quite impressive.
Anyway, in the short time I was there, I watched several people in various stages of the application process. I waspissed off a bit disturbed by the lack of English skills some of these applicants had. A young man was asked, "Have you ever had a driver's license in any other state?" and could not answer the question because he didn't understand English well enough to know what was being asked.
Call me a racist pig, but if you can't answer the verbal questions asked of you in ENGLISH, maybe you shouldn't be driving in "my" country! Oh, but that would be discriminatory, wouldn't it? Instead, it appears my local Secretary of State Driver Facility employs several interpreters who speak the most common languages for this area. We'll just ask them questions in their native language because it's not like the street/traffic signs are printed in ENGLISH, or that the police will be speaking ENGLISH if they pull you over, or that, should you have an accident, the person driving the other vehicle might speak ... well ... ENGLISH!
OK, I feel better now. Not really, but I did need to get that off my chest! Along with my shirt ... oh ... it's not Half-Nekkid Thursday yet?
I had to renew my driver's license yesterday (it expires Friday). I went to the Secretary of State Driver Facility (Can't Illinois be like every other state and call it something like the DMV? We don't even rate an acronym!) and was quite impressed. From the time I left my car, until the time I got back in my car with my new and improved license was ... are you ready?? 13 MINUTES!! Seriously! Quite impressive.Anyway, in the short time I was there, I watched several people in various stages of the application process. I was
Call me a racist pig, but if you can't answer the verbal questions asked of you in ENGLISH, maybe you shouldn't be driving in "my" country! Oh, but that would be discriminatory, wouldn't it? Instead, it appears my local Secretary of State Driver Facility employs several interpreters who speak the most common languages for this area. We'll just ask them questions in their native language because it's not like the street/traffic signs are printed in ENGLISH, or that the police will be speaking ENGLISH if they pull you over, or that, should you have an accident, the person driving the other vehicle might speak ... well ... ENGLISH!
OK, I feel better now. Not really, but I did need to get that off my chest! Along with my shirt ... oh ... it's not Half-Nekkid Thursday yet?
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One more thing, while I'm successfully ranting ...
I had to register Cam for 7th grade last night. Remember, he attends a public school. The cost? $115 just to walk through the door of the building in September, and extra $15 because he participates in band.
Now, if this was the only money I was expected to pay I wouldn't be complaining, but there will be more ... much more!
If he decides he wants to participate in an after-school sport, he will need a sports physical. At a minimum, that will cost me a $20 co-pay AND the participation fee (currently $50/sport).
Band? Well, I'm currently paying $54/month to rent an oboe - that's $648/year. Yes, I should consider buying one, but do you have any idea what an intermediate level oboe costs? You don't want to know. Then there is the band uniform - black slacks and whatever shirt they decide is appropriate this year. Cam won't be able to wear last year's clothes, so we're probably be looking at about $150 for a uniform (including new dress shoes).
Then we have all of the little stuff ... the assignment notebook ($2.50), the PE uniform ($25), the school supplies (usually in the $100-$200 range depending on the calculator requirements). Oh, and speaking of school supplies, can someone please tell me why a 24-pack of CRAYONS are still on his supply list for 7th grade?? All that I can say is he better have learned how to color inside the lines by now!!
I had to register Cam for 7th grade last night. Remember, he attends a public school. The cost? $115 just to walk through the door of the building in September, and extra $15 because he participates in band.
Now, if this was the only money I was expected to pay I wouldn't be complaining, but there will be more ... much more!
If he decides he wants to participate in an after-school sport, he will need a sports physical. At a minimum, that will cost me a $20 co-pay AND the participation fee (currently $50/sport).
Band? Well, I'm currently paying $54/month to rent an oboe - that's $648/year. Yes, I should consider buying one, but do you have any idea what an intermediate level oboe costs? You don't want to know. Then there is the band uniform - black slacks and whatever shirt they decide is appropriate this year. Cam won't be able to wear last year's clothes, so we're probably be looking at about $150 for a uniform (including new dress shoes).
Then we have all of the little stuff ... the assignment notebook ($2.50), the PE uniform ($25), the school supplies (usually in the $100-$200 range depending on the calculator requirements). Oh, and speaking of school supplies, can someone please tell me why a 24-pack of CRAYONS are still on his supply list for 7th grade?? All that I can say is he better have learned how to color inside the lines by now!!
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