We had a nice day recently and I decided that my car needed washed. I could have done it myself – I have a driveway, soap, and a hose – but I also had a coupon for a free car wash.
And it was on my “list of things to do that aren’t super important but that I should eventually get around to doing”
So, after work, I headed to the car wash and realized that this was the first time I’d gone to a car wash where I was the driver. And solo, no less.
Yes, I lead a sheltered life.
I got my coupon scanned, pulled forward to the correct stop, and put my car in neutral. And let the machines take over.
It was loud, the suds made it impossible to see, and I was worried something was going to happen to my car. And of course it was fine, but I was still unnerved by the experience. I skipped the complementary vacuum cleaners and just headed home.
Just… didn’t care for it.
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Also on my list of things to (don’t make me retype that), was a trip to the eye doctor. It’s been a few years since I’ve gone and my glasses are in terrible shape – so, I hit their website and pushed the button for Schedule an Appointment.
I put in my name, phone number and the day, then clicked the next button. Instead of taking me to a page to select a time, I got a note that said they would call me to finish the appointment.
So, instead of at my convenience, it was now at theirs. Nice.
The office called me a little later and got my info. They also required my insurance information – which threw me off and I didn’t have. I dug through my wallet and couldn’t find the card – and without it, they wouldn’t make the appointment. So, I said I would look it up and call them back.
I went to UA’s HR website and found the provider – then learned/remembered that they don’t issue cards. I could go to the provider website and get my membership number.
So, I tried to do that. I tried to create a new account, but apparently already had one. I tried to reset my password, but didn’t have an email address on file so they couldn’t reset my password.
I had to call them and they told me that my member number was the last four digits of my social security number. I hung up with them, called the eye doctor back – and the day I wanted was suddenly all booked up.
I picked a different day, gave them my provider info – they didn’t need my number – and then gave them my name twice and what I needed (eye appointment, glasses) twice.
On the day of the appointment I got a text telling me to be there 10 minutes early. Nice.
When I got there I had to fill up that HIPPA form again and go through all my info and tell them my provider. Does no one write things down?
I saw the tech pretty quickly and got the preliminary testing done. Then I waited. And waited. And Waited.
Fortunately, I had plenty of paper. Finally, the door opened and… an intern came in. She was maybe 14 years old, I think.
She checked my eyes and did the “better one or two, better two or three”. Then she used a prism to shine the sun directly into my eyes for a while – which was impressive considering it was raining outside.
She left and I waited some more. And more. And still more.
It was a full hour from my appointment time and I was down to my last few sheets of paper when the doctor finally came in and did the same tests the intern did. She said I might be headed towards glaucoma or bifocals – and suggested two pairs of glasses that I would have to swap back and forth when using a computer.
Sigh.
The exam done, I was directed to pick out some new frames and even with my really great insurance it was still stupid expensive out of pocket.
And then it was back out into the rain with a headache and partially dilated eyes. I went home and took a nap. In 7-10 days, I’ll have new glasses and I’m hoping I look amazing and can see through lead for all the trouble it was.
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In both cases, I felt like I should have had more control. Driving my car, using a computer, using…well… my eyes. I’m okay when giving up control is my choice and when that happens I’m pretty chill. When it’s taken away – and it’s stupid (so stupid) – I don’t do so well.
Maybe I need some more art therapy?