Domestic Geek

Current mood: contemplative
Today is my 38th birthday!

After reading a post at Laura's site, I got to thinking about how I have never posted about what it's like having my birthday fall on 9/11.

You know, I still get people who say things like, "So how's it feel to be born on that day?" when they find out my birthday is Sept. 11. I still don't really know how to answer that question.

For the most part, it's fine. It was my birthday before the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. Granted, that actual birthday sucked ass. I certainly didn't feel like celebrating while I was glued to the TV in shock. But every tragic event in the world has somebody born on that day. Horrible things happen all over the world every day. It just so happens that something really terrible happened on a day that happened to be my birthday.

I don't usually have a big celebration on my birthday. My friend Mike's birthday is on the 5th, so we usually have a small gathering somewhere in the middle. On the actual day, Marcus and I will go out to dinner.

Anyway, my life goes on. It has to. I can't stop celebrating my birthday because some terrorist nut jobs decided to take out their anger on our country and several thousand innocent victims. If I feel guilty for celebrating my life just because there are others that no longer can, the terrorists won.

As for the 9/11 Remembrance, I still bawled during the moment of silence this morning, recalling the horror I felt three years ago. I cried for those that lost loved ones. I have my flag out today in observance of Patriot's day. I do worry that we're becoming too complacent as a country. The horror of 9/11/2001 will unfold in this country again. It's just a matter of time. Unfortunately, it will be someone's birthday.

The guys Marcus works with have too much time on their hands. Here's proof.

Current mood: angry
I'VE HAD IT! This whole medical/legal/insurance system in this country is stupid, out of control and I'm sick of it. I pay over $100 a month for WHAT? Nothing, apparently. The insurance company for the guy that hit us two months ago says they will assume all costs for my neck injury. Great, right? No. Problem #1: They can't be billed by the doctor. I have to pay first to be treated and they'll reimburse me. Or I could settle for some arbitrary amount (they're offering $1000) and hope that covers it. If it is more serious, tough. You took the check. Problem #2: I have NO MONEY, therefore, I can't go see a doctor because Problem#3: I can't find a doctor willing to bill me other than the emergency room where I already owe money. Problem #4: Attorneys won't touch this seeing as how I haven't been seen by a doctor yet and can't prove this injury is the result of said accident and the insurance company is willing to cover it.

However this turns out, I'm screwed. All because I don't work for a company that provides affordable health insurance or I don't have money in my bank. I'm so disgusted with how lawyers, insurance companies, doctors and the government has gotten health care in this country so damn screwed up. It's a wonder there are any healthy people out there at all.

All I know is that I want to stop hurting and I want to get on with my life. Is that so wrong?

ATTENTION FRIENDS AND FAMILY:
This may be a tacky request, but hear me out. If you were planning on getting me a birthday present, I'd really like Apple Store gift certificates. I'd like to get my own digital camera. Thanks!

Current mood: frustrated
I had a nice long chat with the president of my school this evening about my neck predicament. He's about the fifth person that urged me to get a lawyer. He told me that both of his daughters have been rear-ended and have had lengthy whiplash recoveries. I was smart not to take the insurance company's offer of $1000. He told me that each of his daughter's cases racked up several thousand dollars and recovery times were from 1 - 2 years. Oy. As it has become increasingly clear that this will not heal on its own, I need serious medical attention. He said I didn't need to drop the class, he'd help me however he can to make sure I finish the class after I take care of myself first. He is the kindest man I think I've ever met.

I hate my neighbors. They have become the bane of my existance. These are the same neighbors with the screaming trampoline kids. They recently got a dog. I don't know why. The kids played with him for less than a week before they lost interest in him. Now they keep him on a 3 foot chain right outside my bedroom window. He's always out of water and I think he only gets fed once a day. Last week when it rained really bad, they left him out in it with no shelter. The poor thing cries and barks for attention late at night and early in the morning, which they ignore. I can't since he's right outside my window. I complained to the park management about the dog and how he's being treated, but apparently they don't care, either. Of course it's in my lease that a dog may not disturb the "peaceful" enjoyment of others or some such crap. This situation is definitely not peaceful. Their dog was getting into our yard through the gap in the gate/fence between our properties. This gate was tightly shut until they decided to dig it free so they could cut through our yard. I put cinder blocks up to keep the dog out of our yard and today I find that they'd been through the gate and our cinder blocks are in their yard. Marcus was pissed. He's written a rather irate letter that will be delivered to them tomorrow stating that he expects our property to be returned and for them to quit cutting through our lot. We'll see how that turns out. I hate them.

I went to Mom's grave today. I don't know why. I just started driving after I left work and ended up there (she's buried over at Fort Logan). I haven't been there in ages. I must've sat in the grass for about 45 minutes just thinking and staring at her headstone. It still amazes me that, on days like today, it still really hurts. You'd think that after 7-1/2 years, I'd have gotten used to her being gone and be over the hurt/anger of her dying. I guess I'm not. How does one get over that? Will I ever really? *sigh*

OK, I need to try and get some rest. Gotta call a lawyer from Tom Martino's referral list later today.