...and for over 2 years even. Let's back up, on my trip next weekend I was told that a couple of people might be up for a fun game of Heroclix. Well a fun game sounds a lot better than the ones run at the comic shops where you're hamstrung by rules, etc. The only problem was that since it's been over 2 years, I got out before the battlefield conditions and feat cards were introduced. So even for a fun game, I had some catching up to do. So I went down to the LCS that's run by the same guy that judged the games I used to go to at my main shop, and he brought me up to speed. To thank him, and because of my own interest, I bought the new Danger Room starter set and 3 boosters of that there Sinister set. Here's how I made out (borrowing the list and set up from Mike Norton):
Jewel/Jessica Jones 1-0-1
Beetle 0-0-1
Wizard 1-0-0
Fixer/Techno/Fixer 0-0-1
Jack O'Lantern 1-0-0
Sprite/Shadowcat 1-0-0
Valkyrie 1-0-0
Spider-Man 0-1-0
Captain Marvel/Photon/Pulsar 1-0-0
Daredevil 1-0-0
and a unique Charcoal
Bystanders: Sgt. Tork 2
Feat cards: CAMOUFLAGE 1

Given my situation and finances, I don't know how many more, or if, I'll buy any more. I guess we'll see.

And tomorrow starts the first of my 2 trips, so this may be the last post until after the weekend. I'll see you and try to have fun.

In posting last night, I forgot to mention that the wife's got an appointment to take out that bad tooth and 3 of 4 wisdom tooth (the 4th is next to the bad tooth the dentist wants to keep in there for now) next Thursday afternoon the 8th. And I didn't hear back from the office, so I assume they were able to get the rate schedule/fee thing/whatever.

...So the person at the dentist's office that's been helping me out with all this suggested I call the dental plan and see if I can get an idea of how much they cover and how much I've gotta pay. I call and speak with someone who says that the dentist office needs to call their authorization number to get that, and no I can't give them the fax number to fax it to, a different department handles that. So I call the office back, relay the information, when they say they did that already, explained that I ran into similar situations in my last job, and suggested relaying who I talked to, when I called, as sometimes that does the trick. She said she'd try again and call back and let me know.
So the wife and I go to see Superman Returns, given what all's been going on, forgive me if I don't do a review (hopefully somebody on the Internets will do one) But I verified a comment I made earlier that how you like the film depends on how you like Superman: The Movie, given that it is presented as a continuation of that film. However, the wife started getting bad gas while watching it, which is something that hasn't happened in awhile, and we came straight home, she took some Gas-X, ate a small supper, and is resting as we speak.
From our "oh, yeah" department: Late last week, I got fed up with eating cheeseburger happy meals (and understanding how Morgan Spurlock felt) and getting repeats on the Cars happy meal toys, so I went on eBay and snapped up the rest of what I wanted at a reasonable cost, factoring in cost of the meals (in my area about a dollar more than just buying the toys themselves at the Mickey D's) gas and not having to eat another happy meal. I got Sally, Flo, the Ramone yellow variant and Fillmore.

Well, we went to the dentist yesterday, and after a long and anxious period (especially waiting at the desk while they inputted the info into the computer) we were told to get that bad tooth out, remove 4 wisdom teeth, and 4 fillings would be around $1500, without the replacement bridge for that bad tooth. Also, the plan we had was very good and should cover most of it, they'd call today and let me know.
Then they called, and said they were told that they couldn't tell them, that they were sending a fee schedule to us and wanted me to fax it over to them. Well, I don't have a fax machine, and don't know where to get access to one. Then they said an estimate (estimate? they were giving us exact figures yesterday) for the replacement bridge would be 1700-2300! This was part of the reason why I didn't want to go back and deal with dentists again, between personal bad experiences and the hassles with payment (remind me to tell you sometime about the dentist that months later socked me with a big bill for what I thought my insurance paid. He later dropped that insurance.)
So I went to one of my backup plans, applying for care credit, and got approved, so I know we can take care of it one way or the other.

I actually got a good night's sleep until just after 7. Then it was trying to sleep, deal with an upset stomach, etc. until 8am. Then I called, was able to get an appointment for tomorrow afternoon at 3:10. Then I went to the Dental Plans web site, verified the plan that the dentist we're seeing is on one of the plans offered, and signed up. They also offer a discount prescription card, discounts on vision, and a rewards program. If you're needing to look into getting a discount on dental, when you sign up, enter this in the rewards code space: 32C55A02. And you get a discount, and I get extention on my coverage.
Thanks for your best wishes. UPDATE 7/6/06 Do NOT contact dental plans, see my entry of 7/6 for details.

One of the varied things in my life that threatened to bite me on the ass has appeared to have done so. One of the wife's teeth (or remainder thereof) that has been troubling her developed some swelling on the gums around it yesterday. It's gotten better today, but what I've read online (and the problem's she's been having with it) lead me to believe that waiting until I get a job and dental insurance will not do. I've been looking into a practice that my parents go to, fortunately they have a web site, seem able to take care of it all, and have a coupon for new customers for a free visit and x-rays. Further investigation led me to a dental plan I'm going to see into that brings down the price on most dental procedures.
But they don't open until tomorrow morning, so I've had to go through this weekend worrying about all that, plus trying to get an appointment ASAP that fits her work schedule, find out what it's going to cost, trying to work out something to pay it, etc. And while it won't interfere with the first trip we have planned as we're going as guests of my parents, I hope it doesn't mess up the second one. Trip? I hope my wife will be all right. Please please please...
Best wishes, prayers, thoughts, mojo, etc. are much appreciated and needed.