The General Chat Thread (2016-2022)

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This photo I took years ago in Venice inspired me to write a children's story. I deliberately waited for the Gondola to pass almost completely and then photographed only the last part.
And so 'Once upon a time there was a Gondola that ran away to the ocean' was born.
 
rascal said:
I went skiing for the first and last time with a workmate who was a fanatic. I couldn't ski, I gave up and sat in the car for about 4 hrs while he skied. 30 plus years ago. I could ice skate and roller skate but couldn't ski. I too would be happy in a bar.

Russ
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We tried skiing, I couldn't stand up straight so gave up. Thankfully it was an indoor ski slope in this country. Tried it-not keen.
 
I love passing on my health insurance tribulations, especially for those who have some kind of national health service, just so you know what you're missing. The latest:

Last year, I went to CVS (national drug/chemist chain and my pharmacy) to get my shingles vaccine. This is a two-part shot, and not covered by insurance because I'm under 60yo. No worries.

While I was getting that, the pharmacist asked, "Do you want your pneumonia vaccine? It's covered by your insurance, so no cost."

"Let me check with my doctor first, I don't know when I had it last."

That was September. Checked with my doc's office in November, they couldn't find my pneumonia shot.

Back to the pharmacy for shingles part two, now December, and she asked me again whether I wanted my pneumonia shot, and that it was covered by insurance. I again declined until I had a chance to meet with my doctor in person and ask about.

I did that this week. She was able to track down my shot and said I was definitely due. Great!

Back to CVS. Waited a bit, finally got seen:

"I'm here for my pneumonia vaccine."

Tappity-tap-tap on the computer...

"This isn't covered by your insurance, so if you want it, it's $145."

"That's weird. Before, it was covered."

"Let me call it in, just wait a bit."

Tick...tock...tick...tock...

"No, they're telling me it's definitely not covered. Maybe call your insurance and see what's up?"

So home I went, on the phone with the insurance company:

"Hi. Does my plan cover a pneumonia vaccine? That seems pretty basic."

"Let me check..."

Tick...tock...tick...tock...

"Yes, it's covered, 100%, that's a basic service."

"Thanks. I went to CVS today, and they said it wasn't covered. They checked twice. Any ideas?"

"Yeah, most likely, they're reading as out-of-network. Let me get you a list of in-network providers near you, and that should work."

Now, I should point out that CVS is hardly out-of-network. They're either the first or second largest drug store in the US, and I get all my prescriptions there, have done for years, and they're associated with my employer for all my prescriptions, like a preferred vendor/supplier.

"Ok, Mr. Tasty, I'm showing the closest walk-in clinic to you is... 123 Main Street, Next-Town-Over, Ohio. Does that work for you?"

"Yep, that's about 20 minutes from me, that's fine. Thanks for the help!"

Got off the phone, plugged in the address, and...it's the freaking CVS the next town past mine! It's going to be the same issue when I go there. 😒
 
rascal said:
I went skiing for the first and last time with a workmate who was a fanatic. I couldn't ski, I gave up and sat in the car for about 4 hrs while he skied. 30 plus years ago. I could ice skate and roller skate but couldn't ski. I too would be happy in a bar.

Russ
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To elaborate on Lu's post. Five years ago for my birthday (August) I treated us both to a day ski training at the indoor slope in Tamworth. Eight hours one on one with lunch thrown in. Lu as she said really didn't get on with it, but by the end of the day I was happily ploughing the length of the slope, controlling my speed and direction fairly well.
When we were done I congratulated myself on my competence and we both agreed that we would never ski again because it was actually quite boring, cold, and with a lot of waiting around. So although it cost me £200 to work that out, at least I didn't spend £3000 and waste a week's annual vacation finding it out in the French Alps like most people do.
 
The Velvet Curtain said:
To elaborate on Lu's post. Five years ago for my birthday (August) I treated us both to a day ski training at the indoor slope in Tamworth. Eight hours one on one with lunch thrown in. Lu as she said really didn't get on with it, but by the end of the day I was happily ploughing the length of the slope, controlling my speed and direction fairly well.
When we were done I congratulated myself on my competence and we both agreed that we would never ski again because it was actually quite boring, cold, and with a lot of waiting around. So although it cost me £200 to work that out, at least I didn't spend £3000 and waste a week's annual vacation finding it out in the French Alps like most people do.
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Yeah I'm never going again, ever.

Russ
 
The Velvet Curtain said:
To elaborate on Lu's post. Five years ago for my birthday (August) I treated us both to a day ski training at the indoor slope in Tamworth. Eight hours one on one with lunch thrown in. Lu as she said really didn't get on with it, but by the end of the day I was happily ploughing the length of the slope, controlling my speed and direction fairly well.
When we were done I congratulated myself on my competence and we both agreed that we would never ski again because it was actually quite boring, cold, and with a lot of waiting around. So although it cost me £200 to work that out, at least I didn't spend £3000 and waste a week's annual vacation finding it out in the French Alps like most people do.
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I loved skiing. I don't know if I could still do it today. I've always loved activities that include going fast and the potential for serious injury. Someday I need to write down the number of ways I have broken bones. IIRC, the first one was playing tackle basketball.

CD
 
caseydog said:
I loved skiing. I don't know if I could still do it today. I've always loved activities that include going fast and the potential for serious injury. Someday I need to write down the number of ways I have broken bones. IIRC, the first one was playing tackle basketball.

CD
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Not one broken bone in me. And I played rugby and rugby league. I was picked for our province for rep games, we didn't have a car so I never went. I raced stock cars where you were paid if you rolled your car or another's. All before I was 21.
Actually thinking on it more I may have had a cracked rib about 10 years ago? Intense pain for a few days?

Russ
 
caseydog said:
I loved skiing. I don't know if I could still do it today. I've always loved activities that include going fast and the potential for serious injury. Someday I need to write down the number of ways I have broken bones. IIRC, the first one was playing tackle basketball.

CD
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+1

Skiing is a biggie that I've missed since having the hips replaced. Risk v. reward and all that.

Many many broken parts, only a couple of "big" ones though. A lot of fingers & toes from Rugby.
 
Never been skiing, but I always thought I'd enjoy cross-country skiing - not enough to actually try it, though. :laugh:
 
TastyReuben said:
Never been skiing, but I always thought I'd enjoy cross-country skiing - not enough to actually try it, though. :laugh:
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Cross country is hard work. No gravity to move you over the snow. You have to provide 100-percent of your forward progress.

Go hiking, instead. The day after I broke my left thumb in a yard sale at Squaw Valley, I took a day off and just went for a hike. It was wonderful. It was similar to my experience on a mountainside in Kauai that I mentioned somewhere before. Different temperatures, same feelings.

CD
 
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rascal said:
Actually thinking on it more I may have had a cracked rib about 10 years ago? Intense pain for a few days?

Russ
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I broke a rib in my 29th year. Cracked it at first and then felt and heard the snap when the full break happened a few hours later when I sat down on the toilet of all things. The pain lasted a LOT longer than a few days. It was weeks before I was comfortable doing most things and months before I stopped having sharp twinges if I moved the wrong way or tried to lift something heavy or stretched to reach something, etc. You don't realize how much you use your torso to move about until you break a rib. We had a waterbed at the time. Craig had to help me into and out of bed, especially out.
 
medtran49 said:
I broke a rib in my 29th year. Cracked it at first and then felt and heard the snap when the full break happened a few hours later when I sat down on the toilet of all things. The pain lasted a LOT longer than a few days. It was weeks before I was comfortable doing most things and months before I stopped having sharp twinges if I moved the wrong way or tried to lift something heavy or stretched to reach something, etc. You don't realize how much you use your torso to move about until you break a rib. We had a waterbed at the time. Craig had to help me into and out of bed, especially out.
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Wow, pretty certain it was onLy cracked, pain kinda like a kidney stone I had 10 years ago. I still can't remember how I did it.
I just knew it was not broken?

Dr russ
 
rascal said:
Well done, I hear it's addictive?

Russ
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It's not if you use it right. You get addicted if you abuse the substance and go over the presctibed dosage, at least thats the view of doctors here.
I know that in America chronic pain sufferers rarely get opioids anymore because chronic usage is labeled as addicition no matter what the reason is for chronic use.
 
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