second opinion

"Managed care" is such a misnomer. I say this having worked in a claims office for HMOs before I started my current job. I'd roll my eyes as patients complained that surely chiropractic care was covered under their plan? I'd deny claims with wild abandon, as we were taught to do, that didn't meet the strict criteria set forth by the plan. Maybe that should be The Plan, as everything we did centered around an almost cult-like atmosphere

At the time, the concept of HMOs was entirely new to me, and I learned everything about them along the way. My family had a PPO plan, so the thought of having to be referred to see a doctor was foreign to me. That you couldn't just see a dermatologist because you had a rash, you needed "prior authorization" seemed ridiculous.

Fast forward 6 years and I am now an HMO subscriber with my own policy. The transition between PPO and HMO was interesting, but because of my former job I felt like any questions I would have had were answered. I haven't had too many issues.

Until I went on vacation and got sick. I went to the doctor I used to see when we lived on Maui, when we had a PPO, knowing that he wouldn't accept my insurance, but that I'd be able to submit it for reimbursement upon my return. After all, I was out of state, it's not like I had a lot of options. This doctor is awesome, and because it's half urgent care facility (or at least it used to be) and half regular doctor's office, he keeps irregular hours. Like when I went to see him on a Sunday. Not normal business hours for a doctor's office, but I got to reap the benefits.

So the bill, with medication, came close to $300. Figuring a) you can't put a price on health, and b) that my insurance would reimburse me, I didn't have any trouble forking my credit card over.

Fast forward to returning from my trip and trying to get my $300 back from my insurance company. According to them, I should have visited an emergency room and that's the only way the claim would be covered. The truth of the matter is that I wasn't sick enough to occupy a spot in the ER and would have felt guilty doing so.

So now I'm $300 poorer and pissed off at my insurance company. (And p.s. -- I'm still sick!)

Don't think I'm not going to appeal their decision.

electric company

Since I moved in nearly three years ago, I've wanted a ceiling fan in my living room. I know it's the first thing they rip out on "Trading Spaces" but since I don't have a/c and don't foresee getting it any time soon, it's really the best option.

My father keeps saying he'll install one for me, but after waiting a year for him to help me finish change out the light switches, plates and outlets (and there are still a handful of them left to be done) I decided to *gulp* pay someone to do it.

Electrician jobs are never cheap, so when I went looking for a fan and saw both Lowe's and Home Depot offered installation services, I thought that'd be the easiest route. Why I decided this, I still don't know, as after dealing with Home Depot's installation contractors for the Clarion shutters incident, I wasn't so happy. So off to Lowe's I went, where I found the perfect fan. Turns out they don't offer installation anymore, as their subcontractor lost his license. Ooops. Back to square one, aka Home Depot.

The guy at the installation services desk was actually very nice, and *gasp* helpful. As a former electrician, he advised me not to pay someone to do it, but to instead do it myself and save the money. (sidebar: I was quoted $110 at the store, but the electrician quoted me $375. Ridiculous!) J's hubby, then fiance, tried to install a fan for me when I first bought the place, and it didn't work out so well as he'd never done one before.

I hired an electrician on the recommendation of my mother's friend, and this guy didn't disappoint. He's about my age and the nicest guy ever. He brought a tarp to put under his ladder so as to not spread debris everywhere. He even vacuumed up after the install. And for a mere $100, he couldn't be beat. I gave him $25 extra cause he really went out of his way to bring several ceiling braces over, even though I already had one, to see which fit best. Then, because apparently I have funny ceilings, he needed extra long screws and he went and got those on his own dime.

The fan, in all its glory from the website:

I detached the awful looking pull tabs at the bottom, since the electrician installed a remote for it, which may be the best part -- it can be set to come on at a particular temperature!

And in its new home:

things i can't get enough of

(written while waiting, waiting, waiting for some peoples.)

The Killers. I caved and bought "Sam's Town" a couple of weeks ago after pretty much wearing out "Hot Fuss" in the last couple of years.

Jamba Juice lemonade, blended with lots and lots and lots and lots of ice. (And that's how I order it, too!)

The Decemberists. And I missed my chance to see 'em in SF!

Daniel Craig, on BluRay. 'Nuff said.

My new ceiling fan, a mere three years after I moved in
(photo to come soon).

My new bench and fluffy pad, courtesy of J and C Builders (photo to come soon).

Catching rays on the above-mentioned bench. (note to self: apply more sunscreen, that my legs are peeling the way they are is DISGUST-ing!)


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six word sunday: she would always have fond memories.

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[insert jaws theme here]

have you heard about this ?! tres scary! that's the beach i always go to on maui, down the street from our place!

here's hoping the woman recovers quickly.

six word story: mama said still waters run deep.

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go your own way

rumor had it that the four seasons wailea was hosting a benefit dinner for the maui food bank at $150/plate at the grand opening of the duo restaurant. while i have no doubt it's a worthy cause, i wasn't sure about parting with that kind of money to see b-list celebs. plus, i had nothing to wear. (age-old female dilemma, dontchaknow.)
we moseyed on down there anyhow, and ended up with first-rate seats by the pool, akin to cheapskate's hill above cal's memorial stadium, only much closer. and with live music!
spotted there: john corbett, christian slater and kids, amanda bynes, chris noth, mick fleetwood.

speaking of mick fleetwood, this is of him and various other musicians (including hawaiian musician willie k) performing fleetwood mac songs as well as hawaiian music and various other hits. what fun!

perks

I'm supposed to be back in California already, but at the airport yesterday they asked for volunteers to give up their seats. I pretty much always volunteer when this happens, because I usually travel alone and don't inconvenience anyone. Oh, and I like the perks.

This is the first time I've volunteered where the airline couldn't get me on a flight the next day, so I'll be here until Wednesday. My haul from voluntarily giving up my seat? Two nights at a Ka'anapali hotel, taxis to and from the airport, three paid meals a day and a $300 voucher to be used on a future flight. All told, it's almost $1000. There were 15 or so folks that volunteered. You do the math. No wonder why airlines are constantly declaring bankruptcy!

The meal vouchers are only good at the hotel, but the food is surprisingly good. I had two lobster tails, courtesy of the airline's generous meal allowance of $75 a day, for dinner last night. I think that in itself was worth giving up my seat yesterday.

When I checked in, I presented my Hawaii state id to the front desk. When she saw my local address, she upgraded me to an ocean view. The $15 I spent renewing my id was money well spent.

Staying a couple extra days meant cancelling the doctor's appointment I had scheduled for today. I've rescheduled it for Friday, but I'm hoping I feel better by then and won't have to go. (Yes, I got sick on my trip, my second day here, in fact. Another story for another time.)

I met a young couple from the Bay Area yesterday that also voluntarily gave up their seats. I haven't called them to hang out yet, but I suppose we'll hit the beach today, despite the fact that it looks like it'll be a windy day.

I've only stayed on this side of the island twice: once in high school, after our senior prom, and once when I was about 3 years old. Although I'm familiar with this side, it's still a bit odd because I don't have any transportation other than my two feet.

While I was staying at my parent's condo last week, I was pilfering someone's unsecured network, thus fueling my internet addiction when I was home. No such luck at this hotel, and if it weren't for the BlackBerry I'd probably be forking over the $10 a day. No, not really. (Yes, really.) It's just that I'm anxious to share photos! I'll have a plethora of them to share upon my return.

And with that, I'm off. They don't hand out beach towels until 8am, and the clock has finally struck that magic hour. Curses for continually waking up at 6.30am on my vacation!

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