Saturday, June 5, 2010

Jerry Springer vs. Clifford

A few days ago I went to the dentist, and as I have told you before, they have TVs in each of the rooms for patients to watch while getting their teeth cleaned. First I sat down and no one handed me the remote for a little while, and I started to get concerned they weren't going to let me utilize this great privilege this time.

But then finally, about 10 minutes into my checkup, the nurse says, "Oh do you want to watch TV?"

Oh, no, I'm great just staring here at your chin from a weird side angle, pretending you're not actually using a scrape-y thing to torture my gums. Of course I want to watch TV.

But then I faced my second challenge. Finding something good to watch on daytime television. Last time I went to the dentist, I lucked out, because the Price is Right was on, and it took up pretty much the majority of the time I was sitting in the dentist's chair. But at 11 o'clock in the morning on a Wednesday? Nothing is on. Nothing.

Finally, I stumbled on two channels that weren't showing the news or religious speakers. Clifford the Big Red Dog and Jerry Springer.

Now, I don't know about you guys, but given those options, I would watch Clifford any day. But for some reason, sitting in that chair, my nurse and dentist hovering over me, being 22 years old… I just couldn't do it. I felt like they would judge me so much. THEY didn't know there was nothing else on. They would just think this 22 year old girl, out of a whole range of channels, chose to watch Clifford. After talking to them at the reception desk about almost being through with college.

So I watched Jerry Springer. I'm ashamed to admit it. And I am only telling you this (because its embarrassing) because I want you to walk away with the take-home message here. If I could go back and do it again (which I cant, because as of Wednesday when I graduate I no longer have health insurance; thanks America) I would watch Clifford. Because whatever! I'll watch what I want! Even if it makes my dentist think I am some underdeveloped child-girl who still enjoys shouting "no, Clifford, Emily Elizabeth went over there!" at the TV, then so be it. It's better than watching Jerry Springer. Because now my dentist probably thinks I have a dysfunctional relationship and an anger problem. Or something.

Speaking of health insurance, I have been cramming as many doctor appointments in before graduation as I possibly can. Today I am going to see the eye doctor, and hopefully get new glasses, because I've had the same pair for 7-8 years. I have no idea about anything intelligent concerning insurance after I graduate, so that's another scary thing on my plate as soon as they hand me my diploma. Also paying off student loans, thinking about money… why was I excited to graduate again?

This weekend feels like the calm before the storm. Friday was my very last day of classes (maybe ever) and next Wednesday I have my only final exam. I still need to write an artist's statement to my thesis and turn that in, and then I am essentially finished. I'm not sure how it feels yet, really. This quarter has been so odd ( doing one off-campus internship, and a thesis class that met infrequently, as well as my cinema class I hated and didn't go to a lot) so I don't feel like "being done with school" is really going to sink in for awhile. Maybe not even until next fall when I don't have to go back.

I'm excited. And nervous. Tour always felt so far away because I had to "graduate first", and that's a huge unwieldy obstacle to stand in the way of other plans. But now it's only about three weeks away, and I feel like I still have so much to do.

Oh by the way, camping last weekend was a blast, and I'm working on a video about the experience (though slowly, since my to-do list this week is just absurd).

It felt good to update this blog today. I really need to keep writing during these crazy times. I know I'll just regret it later if I don't.

Last google search: petticoat junction
Chipotle burritos: 11

23 comments:

Liam Dryden said...

I always thought Emily-Elizabeth was the worst kind of double-barrelled name to have. You can't even acronym it! Then you'd be E.E, or just "Eeeeeee"...

asdaSKLJDSJK said...

I'm with you about the always choosing to watch Clifford over the disgrace to humanity that is the Jerry Springer show.

I thought with revised health care, as long as you were still claimed dependent on parents' taxes, you could use their insurance until you're 26? Is that wrong? Do I have terrible things to look forward to when I graduate? Oh no. lol. Not that AND student loans. Life fail.

That's so exciting that you're almost done with school! I'm still enjoying college far too much to ever be excited about leaving but I'm sure once that 5th year wraps up I'll want to move on.

I'm really sad that the ROFLCOPTOUR isn't hitting Michigan, but I guess I'll see you perform @ Infinitus, for which, as that con gets closer, I am ridiculously excited. I love summer solely because of fandom fabulousness.

Anonymous said...

The idea that I'm going to have to start paying off my student loans in about 6 months truely is frightening, so I completely understand where you're coming from. Add on to that car payments, cell phone bill, and gas and I'll probably have about 10 dollars a month to play around with. Eeeek. Luckily I think I'll still have insurance because I'm going right on to grad school...but eeeek nonetheless. Congrats on almost being done! It's still something to celebrate!

Anonymous said...

I thought the new healthcare bill said that health insurance companies have to cover the kids until they're age 26 now...

a quick google search:

http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14497

and from wikipedia:

"Young adults able to stay on their parents' health plans until age 26. Many health plans currently drop dependents from coverage when they turn 19 or finish college."

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/03/insurance_for_young_adults_ext.html

"If a child has already aged off a parent's insurance coverage, they will be able to get back on, as long as they do not have the option of getting insurance through their own employer and they have not yet turned 26, says Sara Collins, a vice president of the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit, non-partisan foundation focused on improving the health care system."

You really need to look into this because not having health insurance can be pretty devastating if you end up in an accident or God forbid find out you have cancer...

Aly said...

Clifford ftw <33
I would def look into the health care issue! Isn't it now till 26 or something?

Michelle said...

Dude, I would've watched Clifford no problem. That might be why pretty much all of the adults I know think I'm mental, though...

Sarah said...

I have a funny story like yours from when I went to get new shoes yesterday. I was checking out and it was buy one get one half off and we had an odd number of things so I found these amazingly awesome Buzz Lightyear socks. So I got them. And as the girl was checking us out she looked at me and said "are these for you?" to which I answered yes and she gave me the weirdest stare and it was very awkward. But who cares, the socks are amazing!

Also, can't you stay on your parents insurance until your 26? My sister was going through the same thing since she graduated in December and different insurance places have different rules but try asking your parents and insurance peoples about what you need to do in order to stay on =)

Unknown said...

I'm doing the same thing right now! In the UK you start having to pay for eye tests/glasses and dentist stuff when your're 18 (16 if you stop full time education) so I've just got new glasses and booked a dentist appointment :) thank god we still get free healthcare under the NHS.

Crystal said...

I'm staying in school as long as I can because until the law changes, I'll be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.

Actually, every eight weeks I have to go to the hospital to get an infusion. It takes about four hours, and each chair has its own TV. The last time I was there, my nurse couldn't find the remote for my TV, so she left it on TBS, which was According to Jim for two hours straight. It was horrible. Be thankful YOUR remote never got lost.

seurat2 said...

Watching the Jerry Springer show doesn't qualify you as an adult - or only a tasted challenged one at best- and watching Clifford is nothing to feel bad about. I personally watch the Big Comfy Couch all the time, and I'm older than you if not necessarily more grown up. The health care thing sucks. So glad I live in Canada and at least don't have to worry about being able to afford to see a doctor.

Aly said...

I totally feel you. I just graduated college too, but I still feel like such a KID! And it doesn't help that I look young, people think I'm in high school, and I just graduated college...ugh. And I've been going to lots of appointments too, but my mom has been coming with me to help me figure out my insurance stuff, which makes me feel like a kid, and she'll insist on answering questions for me, too. When I really was a kid I felt like 21 was SO OLD, but I don't feel old at all...

I also think your dentist would have understood watching Clifford as it seems like it would be a mellow, soothing show, a good complement to someone poking in your mouth...

comelygrace said...

To commenters regarding the health care bill: I'm not positive about this because I haven't exactly been researching much about it on my own, BUT I know my Human Resources professor last semester talked a bit about it and said it doesn't take effect until 2012 or the year after or something... So students who graduate before it actually starts being put to practice still lose their insurance after they finish school, even if they're not yet 26, unfortunately. Super sucks for us, but good for the future college kids. Lames!

Julia said...

Yeah, what Katie says is right. Reform doesn't go fully into effect until 2014. But the 26 year old thing is one of the first changes that happens. Also, some carriers are putting that particular rule into effect early, so you should check with your parents' insurance Kristina. I know one of the Washington insurance carriers has already put this rule in place. And I think it's also for even if you aren't dependent, as long as your current employer doesn't provide coverage as a benefit. Not totally sure on that one though.

Good luck with your finals and getting everything done!!

a C said...

Okay, so this is kind of unrelated to your post. But I've been reading a thread on The Strangers imdb discussion board where people are writing their "Strangers"-like stories and for some reason, even though your post had completely different subject matter, I was reading it like I was reading the thread and actually felt suspense hahaha

Something related: I'd choose Clifford over Jerry Springer any day! 1. Because his name is CLIFFORD and that is an awesomely cute name and 2. He's a big freaking red dog! Who WOULDN'T choose Clifford?

Iris said...

Clifford the Big Red Dog used to be my favourite thing ever, and for my fifth birthday I got a huge Clifford stuffed toy the size of an average dog which I carted around everywhere. Clifford's awesome. Seriously, why wouldn't anyone choose Clifford?

Anonymous said...

Check out this website: http://www.younginvincibles.org/cover.html

It has a lot of information about that under 26 health care rule...looks like you may be booted off your parent's plan until September 23rd of this year and then you can rejoin it.

To all the posters, please do not post information unless you can back it up with a source other than hearsay...unintentionally spreading wrong information can be very harmful--especially in the case of health care! I'm sorry if this comes across as big brother-esque, but health care is not something to fool around with...it can be very devastating for families not to have it, especially when they are eligible for it. I've seen it many, many times in real life since I work in the health care field.

I will never forget when I heard a mother crying on the phone to an insurance company she was fighting with when her daughter was next door with me, very sick. I can't imagine how traumatizing it was for her to have her child in the hospital extremely sick and fighting with insurance to pay for her care...

Jerry Cooke said...

I had a burrito yesterday and was heartily disappointed. British burritos are NOT as good as their American (or, indeed, Mexican) counterparts! I feel my country has let done the good name of 'burrito' and for that, I offer my embarrassment and apology to the world as a whole.

Alex Dahlberry said...

Hahah at least you realise your mistake in watching Jerry Springer. xD

Good luck with graduation and all your post-graduation stressfulness. <3

Excited to see you in Poughkeepsie!!!
(im driving 7 hours from Montreal)

-alex

Washington Irving said...

have I mentioned that your brother is hot?

and yeah, Clifford>Springer at all times, always. Although I'l admit it is kind of funny when they get midgets to fight. I guess Clifford has that too sometimes

http://imapasta.blogspot.com/

The Acorn said...

I couldn't help but laugh with the mention at getting different appointments while you could, health makeover! I went through that a few months back when I was turning 21 and would no longer be under my parents private health. Even though here (Australia) our healthcare system is more catering toward everyone than what I've heard about the US.

For the life of me I cannot ever remember watching Clifford. (Totally googled him) I feel deprived!

Madeline said...

The Price is Right is on at 11 AM on weekdays in the Eastern Time Zone. That just made me chuckle. Also, I would totally have watched Clifford, although I understand your reasons for not doing so. :)

Helen said...

HTC HD2

My friend has this one... It rocks. It plays ANYTHING.

Molly Jo said...

I'm waaaaaaaaay behind on blog reading, so over a month later I'm adding my 2 cents on the health insurance issue.

There are other options out there, I feel like a loser for not looking into them. I've been COBRA-ed on my parents insurance for 1.5 year, and it only lasts for 3. I have an autoimmune disease and am going to apply for disability b'c if I'm out of insurance, I'm screwed.

HOWEVER, should something major happen to you medically, there are programs to help you get your meds and help with major procedures. Example: Abbott, the company that makes Humira, have these cards that docs get from reps where you can get your script filled for only $5. When 1 injection costs roughly $1300 and you do one every week, $5 is AWESOME.

Also, yes, revised health care does have extended insurance for dependents. Sadly, that came around AFTER I was 26.