medical insurance debacle and noah in town

This morning was a battle with the Medical Insurance establishment.  About this time last year, my lung collapsed.  Consquently, I racked up quite the bill from the hospital (near 20k).  Fortunately, I had health insurance, but even with this assistance, I am paying quite a bit.  Today, I decided that I would fight back.  I think that it is a strategy of insurance companies and hospitals to bombard with as many bills as possible.  I have bills from 8 different departments within the hospital! The strategy is that they hope that a patient will feel overwhelmed by total bills and will just pay whatever they say to pay. Today, I realized that if I am confused about how much I need to pay, then whose to say that the insurance company or hospital didn't get confused while figuring out my bill?It's not as if they are good buddies of mine who want me to pay less. I basically came to the realization today that there is a certain amount that I have to pay out of pocket, and I understand this and itis fine, but any amount above that is unacceptable.  Thrilled with this realization, I dove headlong into the process, and was proud to show instant results.  For one of the bills, the insurance company mis-calculated (which means i pay less).  I imagined it as if i had made a dint in the armor of an inpentrable knight. Before I thought that insurance companies couldn't make a mistake, now I smell blood in the water. Now to more positive matters. 

Noah came to town today and we spent a good deal of time discussing the substance of life.  We mostly just sat at Otherside, basking in the sun and talking a good many things. We tried going to the garden and watering, but alas, the main water pipe is still broken. The tomato plants look pretty thirsty. 

Later on we went all the way to the north end to Mike's Pastry. We ate them at the waterfront, watching sailing races in the harbor. 

Also i watched this video today