HEATHERTALK.COM

Healthcare

2009-09-11T01:18:00Z

Today I went to a great meeting on Health care. I work for a financial services company and we brought in our portfolio manager on our health care fund to talk about changes. Timely, considering our President made an impassioned speech about health care last night.

Here is what I learned today--regardless of what anyone thinks or feel--we are going broke on health care. The 45 million we are talking about our breaking us and for the smaller good the greater will sacrifice to make it -- worse for all. It's a sad commentary on the universe we live in. We have the best health care in the world but about 15% of us our broken in to 3 categories--5% qualify for medic aid but do not apply for it, 5% can afford health care but choose to decline it--they fall in the 20ish years of age category and think they are invincible, and 5% can't afford it--for the 5% that can't afford it we are all going to change. We rank 37% in health care because we have people who for some reason refuse it. Funny.

It comes down to what's the right thing to do. We are bankrupting Medicare...so we have to do something. I repeat the same line again and again...we are the most generous society in the world but we are also extremely greedy. And we are also a me me me society. AND the majority of us our hard working and if we are going to share the fruits of our labor we want to decide who we share it with. I don't think we want the government telling us who to give our money to.

I like the people who can easily say we should be equal in our giving. Okay? So what does that mean? We do have a moral obligation to health care. I want access to it and if someone is sick I want them to have access to health care as well. But do I want to sacrifice myself for someone else? That is the hardest question to answer. I mean, I'm pretty darn happy with the insurance plan I'm on at work--but when I retire I'm not going to have a health plan -- so -- that's the question I have to ask myself NOW-- is it worth it to me to change today for something I will need later?

AND OMG our fearless legislators. Could they be any more helpful? Oh yes, I'm talking to both you democrats and republicans who would rather blame each other than come to some type of agreement. And hello pharmaceutical companies who line up as soon as the president comes calling -- yes, take care of yourselves first and throw the insurance companies under the bus. Wow, we are so lucky to live in a country that puts bonuses and shareholders above of the common good. And we wonder why we can't come to an agreement? We would rather bankrupt our country worrying about what the rest of the world thinks about us than come to a common agreement. Okay, last time I checked I wasn't worried about what the rest of the world really thought about us (well except for you China, because you pretty much own us now) but really? I mean really? Do I really need to stop a minute and worry about the rest of the world? Come on--we may not be a SUPER power any more--but last time I checked most people around the world are still emulating us. I think Ellen Degeneris becoming the 4th judge on American Idol did trump the dumbo heckling the president last night. Okay, am I the only person in the world that thought that was funny? I guess I do have a dark sense of humor. Nancy Pelosi's make-up almost slipped off from turning her head so fast. It reminded me of grade school. She immediately picked up the seating chart to see who the guy was. Oh yes my friends, welcome to America.

I hate titles

2009-07-23T22:03:00Z

I volunteered at the Houston Food Bank yesterday. What a great organization. I can't imagine another place I can volunteer my time, spend a few hours in an organized environment and walk out of the place knowing 800 people are going to get a meal because of my efforts. Well mine and about 40 of my new friends.

On my drive home I saw a Lexus 400h--that's the hybrid version of their most popular SUV. I notice the person driving the SUV is smoking. It seemed counterintuitive to drive a hybrid and smoke. I don't know why that struck me as odd.

We have regional meetings for our sales force and the latest one was in Georgia. My territory is in Florida but my counterpart is going to the meeting in New York. A few co-workers were wondering why he decided to go the meeting in New York. One of my smarter co-workers made the comment that New York was probably closer. When a couple of the guy's corrected her she let them know she does not travel in the U.S. and has no idea where anything is....I'm glad I wasn't there.

So, Obama's health plan looks like it is going to be put on hold. Wait, I have a new name for Mr. President--it's Mr. Half Ass. He seems like the type that would rather do something to say he did it than do it right. If you are going to overhaul a system why don't you get your vision on paper and share it with the people? Isn't that what a good leader does? Well, I think so--I mean a good leader delegates to his yes men, who run to their office and delegate to their yes men until some guy sitting at his cubicle at the wrong moment get's a big wad of shit put on his desk and is given a 2 hour deadline to get it done. And then when he doesn't get it done we blame the Republicans. Yes, hope and change we can believe in.

All rightie then. I'm off to watch the evening news with Katie Couric. Girl power at it's finest.

A part of my history

2009-07-01T22:21:00Z

It's been 21 days since my last blog and wow has a lot happened! I've been meaning to write about world peace and all that but at some point I discovered we don't have world peace and really the only thing that matters in my house is dinner. So, the world has gone crazy AGAIN and yet it keeps turning. Interesting.

I did feel like I got punched in the stomach by the death of Michael Jackson. I will admit I got tired of the freakiness for awhile--but I got pulled back in by the music. The guy was talented. I grew up with him. I've always liked his music. I was not expecting him to die so young. And now can we celebrate his music or do we have to drudge up the crap? I watched a retrospect of his life the other day and the reporter left it with: Michael Jackson got more caught up in the celebrity than his music and that is when we lost him. So true. And now when I want to celebrate his life and music I have to hear about the bad side...again. I don't care anymore. That was a few years ago and I'm not convinced he did anything wrong other than being off a little. There are two sides to every story and I would never want to discredit a child if they have been molested...but when so much money is involved I struggle. So, I'm sad. I now know how generations before me felt when Elvis died. And I'm truly sad that Michael will never get the opportunity to redeem himself. Some people do get a shot at a come back. Maybe he didn't have a come back left in him.

It was funny in an interesting way to watch all the old videos. The one that struck me the most was Man in the Mirror. How funny that nothing that we experience is new. We are always fighting something, people are always starving and important people are always dying. Every time I think we are original I take a look at the past and realize how wrong I am.

Peace out until next time.

Who's Choice is it

2009-06-11T00:19:00Z

Okay, don't get me on my soap box, but with all this talk of choice, why is it that it's up to someone else to decide what's best for me? Here's two perfect examples: Adam Lambert of American Idol and Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol.

Let's start with Bristol. People everywhere were outraged and excited that the young women got pregnant at what 16 - 17? And decided to keep her baby. I myself wondered why someone so young would not choose an alternative. But another part of me thought good for her. And good for all the women before her who fought so hard for women to have a choice. But suddenly it was a pro choice - anti abortion issue. Why? Why did it have to become an issue? She made a decision that she felt comfortable with and I'm assuming her family supported her or her parents made a decision for her and she felt she had enough support that she could handle the decision to have a baby. Either way she made a choice -- and the choice was what worked best for her. Hallelujah that we have reached the point where all women have a choice! Regardless of their decision we should rejoice in the fact that she can have a baby, finish school and even go to college. And what a gift to have a family that supports her. Who could ask for more? And why does she have to be a joke or a roll model for this decision?

And Adam Lambert--now why does this guy have to be the poster child for Gay rights? And why does he have to "come out". I think equality would be Adam showing up at a party and bringing his boyfriend and all the guests saying, "oh, that's Adam and that must be the guy he's dating". We could all turn around and go back to talking or run over and get the scoop because we are nosy. Now wouldn't that be equality? Does the guy have to make a statement? Do heterosexuals make a statement? No, we just show and BE. That's it. It's simple. It doesn't matter to me that he's gay. I still think he's talented and kind of hot in that tall lanky kind of way. And his voice reminds me of Axl Rose...so stop me now. I don't care who he sleeps with or chooses to love. And I don't think his parents minded either because I saw them on American Idol every week. And the one thing I thought was what a lucky guy to have such a great family.

Rudy the Pisser

2009-06-09T22:46:00Z

I'm sitting here writing this with my little pisser, Rudy. He's the cat that has single handedly pissed from one corner of my home to the other making me get creative in putting something in a lot of corners of my home. I'm not sure when he decided that 4 cat boxes between 2 cats was just not enough but it happened when I wasn't looking and it really frustrates me. My favorite thing is he can go outside! And yet he comes back in to use the cat box or a corner. Who can understand what this little turd thinks? He likes to meow at the top of his lungs at midnight, 2 and 4. It makes no sense. I call him because in my pea brain I'm thinking he must be lost because it's dark and he wants to find us. See, I'm human so I have to rationalize. Last night he cried so I got up and checked his food bowl. I topped if off and it seemed to calm him.

He likes to hang out with his best girlfriend, mom, and mentor our dog Barkley. She's the $10,000 wonder dog. In 6 months she had a toe amputated, blew out her 2nd ACL and almost died from stealing some really bad chocolate chip cookies off the counter. They weren't worth it! I was going to throw them away, but no....Barkley saw temptation and she could not resist. She was really excited when I got home wanting to show me how she had pulled that big pan of the counter and eaten almost everyone of those cookies. And yet she moaned painfully the whole way to the vet. It may have been the only time she was kind of excited to go there.

Then we have our moody girl, Sophie, the little football AKA little piggie. She is the best cat in the world that does not want us to know she exists. She loves to let the dog lick her behind. I feel like I'm watching kittie porno. We like to make beeping noises as she backs her hiney up to the dogs nose...lick me, lick me, lick me. And for a tiny little cat she makes more noise than most humans. I can hear her snoring from a mile away. She likes to look at you with these dreamy eyes: open and close open and close- like she is calling you to pet her but as soon as you make a move she jumps off the couch as if to say how dare you touch me. She does like to be petted. On her terms of course. Typical woman!

Play list

2009-06-08T15:22:00Z

Okay, here is what I'm listening to if you are looking for ideas for your next long run:

The Beginning is The End - The Smashing Pumpkins
Bad Things - Jace Everett
One Last Breath - Creed
Heartless - Kanye West
Boom - P.O.D.
Cumbersome - Seven Mary Three
Little Suzi - Tesla --Shout out to Ed C. for this suggestion -- it's a mood changer. I like it halfway through for a kick start.
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Beyonce (Chuck's dream girl)
Gotta Get Through This - Daniel Beddingfield --This song pulled me through last Saturday's run.
Coming Undone - Korn
Caught in the Rain - Revis --one of my favorite songs
Run (I'm a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley
Bleed it Out - Linkin Park
Love and Peace or Else - U2
Whole Lotta Rosie - AC/DC
Beautiful Day - U2
If U Seek Amy - Britney Spears
Dance, Dance - Fall Out Boy
Right Round - Flo Rida
Jai Ho! - The Pussy Cat Dolls
Get Your Boots on - U2
Let it Rock - Kevin Rudolf
Ya Mama - Fat Boy Slim -- This song brought me in strong at the Las Vegas Half marathon. It's hard not to kick it up once it starts.

Peace out and hope you find something here that will help you hit the hills harder.

Hope and Change....Yes?

2009-06-08T14:59:00Z

It's been 12 days since I've added to my blog. A lifetime in a blog universe I guess. I had this vision of what I wanted my blog to be: beauty products, things I've come across that work really well for me and getting things off my chest about work and home. I want to talk about work but in this current economic environment I want to keep my job. If I talk about beauty products am I selling them? No, I'm sharing. I love beauty products but I recently learned after getting on the scale that putting lotion on my skin and hair products in my hair and finding the best mascara ever helped me avoid the downward or upward slide of my body. Shockingly the scale hit a number I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE! So, now I'm on plan Z of a diet plan -- no I refuse to diet! But, I could cut out handfuls of M&M's at night and drink a lot less beer (but beer is my friend!) I love you Corona. Parting is going to kill me but maybe you will miss me more than I will miss you. Of course there is always the doubt that what I write will suck or no one will read it. Well, no one will read it since I haven't told anyone about it yet. But what's the point in having a blog if no one is going to read it? I will have to share the website eventually. So, what's it going to be then? My husband wants me to be the voice of the new republicans but that would mean I would have to take a stand! And I'm not really sure I'm a "true" republican. I hate both parties. Geeze, I can't imagine feeling so passionate about so much crap and then the only real thing a political party can associate itself with is pro choice or anti abortion. What a pathetic country we are to vote on an issue that the majority of us will never experience. I think I've met two people in my life who have had abortions and it never changed my feelings about them. I can't imaging killing over it or being frightened enough to think we would truly lose it. I'll put it to you this way if abortion goes away it won't be coat hangers killing women it will be the guy that knocked them up! Ha ha. Maybe I should stick to beauty products so much for Hope and Change.

Hey Man, Everybody's gotta have a dream

2009-05-28T00:15:00Z

Well, it's true! I spend so much time doing the right thing or should I say the responsible thing that somewhere along the way I think I forgot what my dreams were and settled for a 7:30 to 4 job with 5 weeks vacation. Hey, it ain't bad and in this economy I am not complaining but I used to want a little bit more and have more drive. Somewhere along the way I got beaten down in the man's world of ties and ass kissers. I don't kiss ass and that's not a good thing when you work for a publicly traded company. I do put on a happy face, I try to only complain to a few people, and just keep my head down. But, if I was smart I would schmooze and do a lot of ass kissing. I think I've been turned down at least once for a promotion for my lack of butt licking. It's a little disconcerting to not want to pimp myself and suck up to someone so they know I want a job. How about common sense dictating that ? Hey, if I'm applying for a job, if I interview for a job and I tell you when the interview is over I want the job that I want the job, then I want the job! Why do I have to tell you I love your tie and think you breath smell just great to get a promotion? Seems stupid to me. And why is it that only a few people who seem to live in this incestuous pool of ass kissing seem to get promoted for jobs never posted while you have amazing talented people that stagnate because they've done the job too long and you think they have passed their prime. Ah, the life of a working fool. But hey, I'm here and I'm writing my own blog! This is a dream. I am doing something I always wanted to do and maybe the sky will be the limit again. Or if nothing else I can vent a little.

Okay, I'm training for my next marathon. Now that's living the dream! So, join my on my quest for number 4. I think I will call this my retirement tour and maybe I'll have enough sense to make number 4 my last marathon. If not, I'm going to really have to work hard so I can qualify for Boston so I can really live the dream. Peace out brother and sisters until next time. And remember if it's wearing a tie it's up to no damn good.

Back to Work

2009-05-26T22:20:00Z

I don't think there is anything harder than going back to work after a 3 day weekend. Well, unless the weekend sucked. But, I had a really nice Memorial day and around 5pm Monday I started getting that awful feeling that I would be getting up early and going back to my office space universe. I think the majority of my co-workers were feeling the same angnst because it was dead quiet in the morning. I picked up that darn book Twilight yesterday. Damnit! I'm a sucker for a good vampire love story. I'm still not over Buffy the Vampire Slayer leaving TV. That was a sad day for me and now this darn Twilight! I'm probably going to spend the next month reading the 4 books and then wait anxiously with 12 years olds for the next book to come out. Kind of like I did with Harry Potter. Well, I didn't go to the midnight sale but I did order the book on Amazon and check for the mail man every 2 seconds the day the book came out. I then had to take the day off (not the excuse I used of course) so I could finish the book and know how it ended. I was telling a friend I'm not sure why those darn pesky vampires are so appealing. They're cold, they don't eat and they kill people to live! It makes no sense that they bring out so much desire in people. It's not like they are all hot. As I said, I did watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and when they turned vamp they got ugly. They don't age either. So, if I don't want to be a vampire at some point I'm going grow up and move on yet this hot guy is going to stay exactly the same. If he does make the girl of his dreams in to a vampire there is no guarantee she is going to hang around she might turn evil and kick his ass or stake him. I guess it's the whole unrequitted love thing and the bad boy appeal. Ah, we women we never learn.

Saturday Blues

2009-05-23T19:10:00Z

Well, it took Chuck, my sweet husband 5 minutes to fix my blog. I've only been trying for a week to get it up and going! Man power, I tell ya. Last night we headed to Shakespeare's, a local bar close to home. We met Chuck's friends for Sushi at Nori, which is kick ass. The sushi rocks and the waitress was nice enough to put up with the master tormentor, Dale. Shakespeares is this little hole in the wall off of Memorial. Not sure how to describe the crowd? Locals, like zydeco and drink beer. A drunk guy asked me to dance and I was pretty much ready to leave after that. I recently bought T3's Evolution blow dryer. Pricey yes, works amazing. It's nice to blow dry my hair and not have to spend 20 minutes with the flat iron when I'm done. Even in Houston's humidity my hair held up. I got a great deal on the blow dryer through my favorite shopping channel QVC. Much cheaper than anywhere else and if you don't like it they have a 30 day return policy. I'm keeping it as there is no buyer remorse on this one. I may not spend 150 on blue jeans but I'm all about the latest and greatest when it comes to beauty products. The weather stinks today. Cloudy, humid and on and off rain. Why is it perfect when I'm at work and shitty on the weekends? It's just plain wrong! Peace out until next time.

Welcome to Heathertalk.com

2009-05-19T05:34:00Z

Welcome to my blog. I hope I don't embarass myself, but I kind of think this is a natural for me because I'd rather write about my life than ever talk about it. So...come on in, get a cup of coffee if it's in the morning or a glass of wine if it's late afternoon. Or as my sweet husband would say it's noon somewhere so let's start drinking!

After about a month you are going to know way too much about my universe. Hopefully, I'll still have a job after this because if it's a bad day...I'll leave it there for now.

But let's start with me. I've been working in the Financial Services business for waaaaay tooooo long. I've become completely disenchanted. My mom would tell me I'm depressed and they have medication for that but I consider myself to be bored. Bored and sad. Bored because my job is boring and sad because I kind of like being bored in a boring job. I like having 4 weeks vacation, medical and to work 7:30-4 and not take the crap home with me. It's nice to walk away from a job and not be stressed out. But I hate a lot about the job and I'm not going to spill it all right now.

I think this is a good start. Don't worry this isn't all there is. You are going to join me on my quest for my 4th marathon, finding the perfect hair color I can do at home, and what's really better: a lengthing mascara or a volumizing mascara. These and other important questions that will be answered as time goes on.