PS3 milestone

The Playstation 3 outselling the Wii!! That's great. It may not last long, but at least some people are realizing that the PS3 is a great value and gaming console for people serious about playing games.

I'm so happy with my choice!

I'm reading a book called, The Race for the New Game Machine. It shows how Microsoft's chip was based on work that Sony, IBM and Toshiba had done for the PS3. I'm not done with it yet, but it's a fascinating look at the drama behind how the PS3 and Xbox 360 chips were developed.

Hair Open on Broadway, Tonight

One of my favorite shows, but not sure if I will see it. Part envy and part I've seen it about four times! I just had to give a shout out!

Sick Days

Well,

After being out Thursday and Friday from work I'm back and feeling better. Who knew there was still a flu going around. I am thankful and blessed to have a job. I still got paid even though I was out of the office for two days. Everyone in this country can't say that. People go to work sick.

Health (taking a deep breath)...

I don't take my health for granted. Soon in this great country of ours only the rich and poor will have peace of mind about their ability to have affordable health care. The rest will be hoping and praying that an expensive illness doesn't come knocking on their door.

Here are some yearly costs for treating certain cancers...

• Prostate $41,134
• Lung $39,891
• Breast $20,964

You might say, "I have health insurance and I'm covered, think again." If you've got a 80/20 split (regarding co-pay) and have Lung cancer you still have to come up with $7,978.20 a year for treatment. That's not even mentioning loss of work and transportation costs.

Let's say you lose your job. COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) allows you to keep your current company's insurance rate (for a limited time), but now you have to pay that expensive monthly bill. For me it would cost almost $500 a month to keep my company's insurance rate. Single plans are a lot more expensive. Try $1077.78 a month for an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). Add that to your cancer cost and you've got a bill of $21,989.34 for the year.

Imagine getting laid off, unable to pay your bills, you have cancer and can't get new, possibly cheaper insurance because you have a pre-existing condition (cancer). Meanwhile, you have mounting costs for that you won't be able to pay back. Why do we allow this to continue in this country without outrage? I'll tell you why!

Because we are health now. When you are sick you won't be up to fighting the system. You need to reserve your strength to fight your illness. Think about it. The fight needs to happen now.

I thought if quit my job and took a low paying job to get me on the poverty level. I could have food stamps (for free food), medicaid (for free health care) and my housing cost subsidized by the state. Why should I work everyday. There is no incentive for everyday hard working people to be honest when you have people making 40 million dollars a year AND doing an awful job. I see why people take advantage of the system. It's so clear now.

That's my story...now back to work.

Their move...now what?

Something is fishy about this.  The insurance companies have every reason to be on the offensive.   When this economy gets on better footing the next project with be reforming health care in this country.  They are frightened of being put out of business.  I have no sympathy for companies that deny coverage to people who pay hundred of dollars a month to be covered.

Requiring all Americans to carry the insurance that already exists is a problem (click title for article).   Just because they want to ease restrictions on people who are already sick (pre-existing conditions).  There are still fundamental problems such as:

1. Pre-existing conditions (exclusion)
   
2. Procedures that aren't covered
   
3. Business plan model - (current system is set up to decrease cost/care and make money)
   
4. Cost of Premiums
   
5. Dental & Vision Excluded
   

I was a supporter of Hilary Clinton because of this main reason.  I'm not a huge fan of Obama's Heath care plan of putting health care in the hands of private companies and supplementing that with tax credits.  If teaching our children are important enough to put that under state control, then so is health care.  It's a no brainer.  I don't have children and my income taxes go toward educating children I don't have.  If you want to participate in Universal Heath Care, you don't have to.

I hope Obama makes them shake in their boots.  Personally, I'll wait in line and deal with issues with Universal Health Care.  I'd rather know I'm getting health care instead of wishing and hoping for it even after I pay $600 a month for standard bare bones care.

Twitter Rant

I like Twitter and have been using it for years. I have discovered some great websites and applications while participating in the community.

Now that it has hit the "mainstream" (i.e. there was a New York Times article) I'm tired of having people ask me over and over again, what is it for.

Below is my answer...

"Check twitter.com and if you don't know it's possibly not for you!" Goodness, is it that hard to understand?

Off Broadway Shines

Wow I don't remember the last time there was so much theatre written by black folk that was being staged at the same time. Outside of Hedda Gabbler (with Mary Louise Parker) it's the only reason I have to see the theatre. Everything else out there seems forgettable. Here's my list.


Ruined by Lynn Nottage
I love this playwright. She wrote of my favorite plays of this decade Intimate Apparell. Her stories are like fabric. Woven with care and attention to detail. I can't wait to see it.

The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson
Don't know much about it, but it has quite a buzz going about it.


Inked Baby by Christina Anderson
Sounds like a good drama! More melodramatic, but at least black people aren't dancing and singing. I like singing and dancing, but it's great to see a variety of artistic expression.

Julia Roberts is...over?

SO WHAT the movie didn't open at #1. Would children or teenagers want to see two real actors in a romantic/suspenseful/comedy??...NO!!

They want to see a doomsday or bromance movie.

That's fine and makes a lot of sense. I didn't see it either, but that's because movies are $12.50 plus $1.00 if you're buying online. Seeing a movie and getting popcorn can cost you on average $24.50. That's ridiculous. Can you see why I buy video games for $17.99 and fix my own dinner (when I cook)? I get more food and hours upon hours of entertainment.

That's exactly what I did Friday night sans the cooking! I like Julia a lot, but the next movie I'm seeing is Monsters vs. Aliens this weekend.

Killzone 2 Medic Ability

I finally got this badge unlocked last night. This one I'm looking forward to because it's more than just extra weapons. It's about strategy.

This I Believe

Taken from the website....

About This I Believe

This I Believe is a national media project engaging people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives. NPR airs these three-minute essays on All Things Considered, Tell Me More and Weekend Edition Sunday.

I was turned onto this series by a friend a few years ago and I listen every week. It's enlightening and extremely touching. I've heard stories about people who believe in talking, hugs...you name it.

Unfortunately this series is coming to an end because of budget cuts. It's a shame. I've wanted to submit something but waited. Since I've missed my opportunity to submit it on the air I'm going to post it here in a few (days, weeks).

Killzone 2

I'm obsessed with this game. It's such intense gameplay. I didn't think I'd like first person shooter, but this one is so addictive and the graphics are amazing.

Just another great reason to have a PS3.