David Michael Bruno

A Lot of Average

A quick thought. If a lot of average people did lots of average things, it might produce spectacular results.

Spllenig fol olw up

My post about spelling created quite a stir, but I never weighed in on the subject, as Somebody pointed out. And so my awnesr is:

I beeilve taht sllpeilng ins t vrey iportmnet, wchih you porabbly dagsiree wtih buacese it behtors you taht tihs bolg et nry is pefretcly rdaeable. A nd dno't you drae s ay taht it is illgieble. I konw yu'oll be liyng.

Health care

I hesitate to write this. Honestly, the health care debate has not caught my daily interest. What I have noticed is that some folks are really opinionated about these issues. All I want to point out in this quick post is a personal story that might shed some light on where some of the wasteful health care costs go.

To me. Here is how it happened.

About eight years ago we had two children, a toddler and a new born, and we lived in Wheaton, Illinois. At some point in our two-year stay while I was attending graduate school, we overpaid for one or more visits to the pediatrician. In all we paid $71.12 more than we should have. Now, nearly a decade later, the "Front Desk/Patient Accounts/Medical Records Supervisor" has sent us a hand-signed letter and a reimbursement check.

Pure speculation here: What do you think that $71.12 actually cost? Can you imagine how many paid people were involved in tracking down that inconsistency? Can you imagine how much processing of paperwork and seeking of approvals had to take place once the audit was complete and the reimbursement put into motion, eight years later? It wouldn't surprise me of my $72.12 check cost Wheaton Pediatrics $10,000.

Ideot or Not?

Just curious: Is poor spelling an indicator of low intelligence?

(Disclosure: I have a vested interest in the answer.)

Jolt

It's often hard for me to say, "I have had a down-in-the-dumps kind of week." I live in San Diego, for crying out loud. I have an amazing family - a loving and caring wife, three incredible daughters, a faithful dog. I have a job. I ate at In-n-Out tonight and spent time with good friends.

Truth be told, though, I'm feeling low. I think getting my head cracked open by my surfboard and then stapled shut at the hospital was the jolt that put me over the top. But before that, I'd hit a writing slump that has been frustrating. Also I slammed my watch - my faithful altimeter watch - in the trunk of my car. Twice. The second time did it in. And I just cannot bring myself to spend $200 to replace it (originally I got it on sale for much less). And, as I wrote last time, I've been annoyed that I cannot more easily just get things I need, like a replacement watch, which I finally did buy tonight (on sale), but only after fretting about it way too much.

Doldrums do not last, though. I'm hopeful a few days of camping next week with family and friends will help perk up my mood. And perhaps some time to write will help, too. I might say something more before going MIA for most of the week.