RealAvalon

I'm pretty sure I'd make a mess too, if I was in that room

Reminds me too much of beef, which I haven't eaten since 1989.

Humans are more like dogs than cats, evolutionarily. We aren't meat 'centred' like cats, we are scavengers and omnivores. And can also do without meat, if we have access to a range of foods for complete protein. Other than cheese, I have an almost complete vegan diet. I wouldn't be surprised if I could out run you.

The soy ground round (fake hamburger) gives a spaghetti sauce more substance, if you're craving something more than a vegetable sauce. Some of the new 'fake burgers' are so ... beef like ... I can't even eat them.

Did you get any phone numbers?

Veganism probably has more to do with ethics (treatment of animals in the slaughter industry) beyond all of the health and environment reasons. Eating meat once a month? Nope. A cast iron fry pan, and dark green vegetables (spinach/broccoli) provide iron. Carl Lewis was vegan as an athlete. https://www.bustle.com/articles/177239-7-olympic-athletes-who-are-vegan-or-have-been-in-the-past-because-you-dont

Asking for a friend?

would you look at the time. it's already 'sit on my face o'clock'

Obelisk? That's pretty subtle for an Aussie ... haha

I'm more of a quasi vegan, as I still eat dairy. What I found with eliminating all meat, including fish, from my diet is that my cheese consumption increased. I think its the "substantiveness" (I know that's not a word) of animal protein that can be missed, beyond any taste/health/nutrition factors.

Sorry, I know this is off topic of the OP. I do get a bit dumbfounded with the USA health system though. I had a bad medical year last year (for me it was bad, as I usually don't have much to with the health care system). Off the top of my head I've had: my once every two year physical exam and all the blood tests involved; a referral to a dermatologist for a couple of treatments for a possible pre-skin cancer; a referral to a podiatrist; physio-therapy for what is turning into a chronic joint issue; referral and several follow-up calls (close monitoring as prevention) to a urologist and all the blood tests involved. Total calls to insurance about coverage: Zero (Amount of time spent thinking about insurance coverage: Zero) Total out of pocket expenses: Zero Wait times: my appointments were more about prevention, a specialist second opinion, even so, it took, at most, two months to see the specialists Standard of care: I was very pleased with the standard of care. My doctors encouraged my questions. No complaints

Is that the annual cost?

Does 'in network' and 'out of network' mean that the health care system is made up of different 'teams,' that are somewhat mutually exclusive for coverage? What would these plans cost on a monthly basis? Would a family pay more money for insurance than an individual?

If I understand what you wrote above, you would pay $3,000 out of pocket (as the deductible) before the health insurance would kick in? Is that right? There is so much detail to go through. What does insurance like this cost?

Forget Google Glass, that's Google Stick Shift, hands free gear shifting

Hermaphroditic flatworms fence each other with their penises. The winner stabs the loser with its penis, inseminating them.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

You asked for a shot, you didn't ask for cream.

I'm certainly not making a perfect analogy, this is more just a visceral reaction. There is an element with discussions of USA health care coverage, in terms of values and principles, with the complicated web of private insurance, that feels more akin to the health coverage I have for my dog, rather than for myself.

Amazing. I'm NOT staring at his crotch. Now that's a make-up artist at work! (Okay, okay, I'm going back and forth ... but still)

"Yes ... I'm staring at your ass"

"what a coincidence ... we're both having deep thoughts"

so much fabric, so little time

"Archie ... are you expecting Mr. Lodge?"

Who's the alpha in that little wolf pack? Asking for a friend