I should have started writing hours ago. Why didn’t I? I have even less initiative than usual. I have to fight that. No use beating myself up, let’s start writing. My victory today was calling to make an appointment for my next infusion. It’s due a week from Saturday. I wasn’t even sure if I could get it as the hospital where I have the procedure is one of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Today I found the wherewithal to make the call. I had the wherewithal to make the call after I was disconnected the first three times. I don’t blame them; Montefiore is a great hospital, but their resources are being stretched to the limit. When I got through I discovered to my dismay that the infusion center, a ten-minute walk from me, was closed. I have to go to one 3.6 miles away. I have made that walk but I was worried about the risks of spending that much time out or the alternative of taking public transportation. I once again rose to the occasion and asked about getting my transportation paid for because I’m on Medicaid. That’s how I got to the hospital where I had my abdominal surgery at 6 AM. I had forgotten I had that option at first. The person I made the appointment with was great and she arranged for the social worker to call me. The social worker is a saint and didn’t just give me the number to call but made the appointment for me. She also got me qualified that I can get free transportation to any medical appointments for the next six months. People complain about the government and they complain about bureaucracy, but you have to give them credit when they earn it. Thank you New York State for having such a generous Medicaid plan. Thank you, social worker for being so helpful. Thank you, infusion appointment person for helping talk to the social worker. My transportation is not a van with other people, it’s a car service I take by myself.
Before I knew I had the ride I posed on Facebook asking medical professional friends which I should do, walk the 3.6 miles, or take two buses? My friends that weren’t medical professionals chimed in not just with opinions, not just with emotional support, but people I know can’t afford it offered to pay for an Uber or chip in to pay. Thanks to all of you. I know I keep saying it, but I have amazing friends.
I had planned on writing something serious and difficult today. This saves from that fate. Mind if I talk about food again? I have pretty much stopped using the stovetop since I got the air fryer. Cleanup is easier on it and I’m pretty sure it is healthier. The food comes out just as good. Last night I did use the stove top to make fried plantain. I could have tried it in the fryer, but I didn’t know how long to cook them and suspect that it’s one thing that wouldn’t be as good. I made them perfectly, so it was well worth it. I made the chicken breast filet in the air dryer instead of the stovetop grill I think it’s better in the air fryer. This time I made it Cajun style. I don’t have any Cajun spice, so I just put on a mixture of salt, cayenne, and paprika. A slice of garlic bread with cheese topped off a great dinner. Minimal effort, minimal skill, and great taste; it’s touch to beat that combo. I just realized that the secret to cooking is not in the cooking but in understanding what you love. If it doesn’t give you joy don’t cook it.
I came up with an aphorism today. I wrote this about people trying to convince Bernie or Busters to vote for Biden but it could just well refer to Sand People (I came up with that four years ago and haven’t given up on it) trying to convince people that they are right.
We need to seduce people, not bully them
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This is true in all arguments if you want to make the world a better place. If you want to make yourself feel better by scoring points and don’t care about the world, go ahead and bully.
Wise Madness 