Finally, after 30 calls (I've been keeping a record) with my former insurance providers, they found where they sent my COBRA information.

Back in April. To an address I never had.

But it took until Sept. 15 for them to find it. Amazingly efficient, no?

I've been out of my prescriptions for two weeks...tried to load up before the insurance ran out, but the e-filing by the family doctor didn't work. So I went to the office to check, on the last day of my insurance, since calls didn't engender an adequate reply.

Suffice it to say, no scrips, no efiles, and I have no meds, except the few that I had stockpiled.

COBRA will cost me 50 percent of my unemployment. That's all. Amazing how costly it is.

And that's with the healthcare reform in place on COBRA, I think.

I may have to put off my surgery if we can't get this together.

On the job front, I did get turned down for two positions I am overly qualified for, and for which I have 10 plus years of experience. I guess I don't look young and cute enough.

Like I said, at least Auburn's 2-0... but now we travel to Clemson this weekend.

Given how well things are going, tonight is comfort food night. I'm boiling a corned beef brisket, and later I'll add carrots, onions, potatoes, and last, cabbage.

And then I'll eat like a starving man.

At least the doggies are well. they must know when I'm upset, because they spend a lot of time trying to give me kisses. I guess they get the frustration of being ignored.

The US health care system, if my experiences are any indication, isn't doing so well. I don't mean that doctors are incompetent, in general. They aren't. They actually are quite good, and when talking to them, the actual doctors, they are willing to work with me, give me free samples, and do other helpful acts.

But the system itself has to be collapsing in on itself. Phone calls don't get returned, scrips don't get filed, and  patients without insurance get placed on the far back burner. Even patients with serious conditions.

So... what's up with you? I want a beer or six, and to listen to some old Johnny Cash or Bob Marley.

Have I mentioned lately that the healthcare system takes pretty much 40 hours a week to negotiate? Time to hope for the Gray Aliens to teleport me. I think they give you a checkup and a clean bill of health before providing implants or doing any probing.

I am sooo looking forward to finding a new country in which to live. Let's go schools in Colombia! Hire me! I'm easy, but I'm cheap, too!

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.

And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.

Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.