patience_limited's recent activity
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Comment on Tilderinos in ~talk
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - We are Legion (We are Bob) - How is it going? in ~books
patience_limited Link ParentNot finished yet, but I'm not enjoying (?) it as much as Babel. I didn't read any blurbs or book jacket summary before diving in on the strength of her previous work. It's just not exactly my cup...Not finished yet, but I'm not enjoying (?) it as much as Babel. I didn't read any blurbs or book jacket summary before diving in on the strength of her previous work. It's just not exactly my cup of tea right now, which is why I was willing to set it aside and go through the Book Club book instead.
This is normal reading behavior for me, I'll have a half-dozen books in progress at once. It's not a comment on whether I'll finish Katabasis eventually.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - We are Legion (We are Bob) - How is it going? in ~books
patience_limited Link ParentI don't think you're wrong about the Gary Stu problem. I'll admit now that I'm hate-reading to figure out why it's popular because that's among the smaller issues I have with the book.I don't think you're wrong about the Gary Stu problem. I'll admit now that I'm hate-reading to figure out why it's popular because that's among the smaller issues I have with the book.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - We are Legion (We are Bob) - How is it going? in ~books
patience_limited LinkFinished We Are Legion today and I definitely have thoughts... that I'll save for the discussion. I found it a quick read and I'm debating starting the next one or finishing R. F. Kuang's Katabasis.Finished We Are Legion today and I definitely have thoughts... that I'll save for the discussion. I found it a quick read and I'm debating starting the next one or finishing R. F. Kuang's Katabasis.
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Comment on Experiences with united healthcare in ~health
patience_limited (edited )Link ParentThe deductible is there to discourage using health services "unnecessarily". It's part of the problem with applying the insurance model to health. Everyone needs medical treatment at some point in...The deductible is there to discourage using health services "unnecessarily". It's part of the problem with applying the insurance model to health. Everyone needs medical treatment at some point in their lives - it's not an adjustable "risk" in the same way as car accidents and floods.
I don't know about anyone else, but emotionally I'd rather hit myself with a hammer repeatedly than experience the delights of stripping naked before strangers, being poked with needles, prodded in uncomfortable places, having broken/damaged parts yanked around, and taking drugs with exciting side effects...
Being relieved of large sums of money too just adds insult to non-figurative injury. I have difficulty imagining (non-mentally ill) people using health care without really, really needing to. More often, they don't get care when they should, and wind up costing far more in emergency treatment and hospitalization. Health care should be a social obligation that we all undertake to assure that we're as healthy as we can be as members of a commons of concern for each other.
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Comment on Hate-reading? in ~books
patience_limited Link ParentLikewise, I slogged my way through most of the "uncut" version of Stephen King's The Stand while in bed with a bad case of the 'flu and pneumonia. Not only did it make me more anxious about the...Likewise, I slogged my way through most of the "uncut" version of Stephen King's The Stand while in bed with a bad case of the 'flu and pneumonia. Not only did it make me more anxious about the neverending cough, the book desperately needed the editing done with the original version. There was just too much gratuitous cruelty and gore left in, and the plot meanders were too hard for a feverish brain to follow. The religious metaphors were even more heavy-handed, and I was left wondering what personal traumas King was working through.
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Comment on Experiences with united healthcare in ~health
patience_limited Link ParentYou're right, I've got them swapped and will edit accordingly. The mistake is deeply annoying to me because I literally made the FSA election during open enrollment this past week.You're right, I've got them swapped and will edit accordingly. The mistake is deeply annoying to me because I literally made the FSA election during open enrollment this past week.
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Comment on Tilderinos in ~talk
patience_limited Link ParentPlease stick around! You and /u/DefinitelyNotAFae always have interesting, useful, insightful, and compassionate things to say. You make Tildes a better place!Please stick around! You and /u/DefinitelyNotAFae always have interesting, useful, insightful, and compassionate things to say. You make Tildes a better place!
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Comment on Tilderinos in ~talk
patience_limited Link ParentLet me also add that I'm grateful you're here. I've backed away from posting and commenting because I just don't have the energy, compassion, resilience to dark times, eloquence, or patience (!)...Let me also add that I'm grateful you're here. I've backed away from posting and commenting because I just don't have the energy, compassion, resilience to dark times, eloquence, or patience (!) anymore. You've often expressed what I would say far better, and I admire your continuing willingness to enlighten those with less experience of life and adversity. I wish you and your partner all the best, and hope you'll remain among us!
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Comment on Experiences with united healthcare in ~health
patience_limited Link ParentThat video is a great summary, but doesn't mention that UHC also owns medical practices with thousands of providers, operates an IT outsourcing company that brings in even more money from the U.S....That video is a great summary, but doesn't mention that UHC also owns medical practices with thousands of providers, operates an IT outsourcing company that brings in even more money from the U.S. health system, and bought the primary transaction management provider, Change Healthcare, for over 50% of all medical billing transactions. They really are the "most evil" in terms of oligopoly profiteering.
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Comment on Experiences with united healthcare in ~health
patience_limited (edited )LinkI'm the one who posted this screed about UHC. I'm in a small city surrounded by a rural area, so both primary and specialist care are in short supply. Neither my spouse nor I could find primary...I'm the one who posted this screed about UHC.
I'm in a small city surrounded by a rural area, so both primary and specialist care are in short supply. Neither my spouse nor I could find primary care providers in-network; those visits are essentially out of pocket until we meet our deductible. My rheumatologist joined the local hospital system, so he's now in network at $50 a visit. There are no cardiologists within 200 miles who are in-network and taking patients. My spouse's ongoing specialist care post-heart valve replacement is essentially uncovered. [He had his urgent heart surgery while we still had Humana coverage, and there were no questions or delays in getting treatment approved. He had about a year of wrangling over $1,000,000+ billing, but ultimately we only wound up about $4,000 out of pocket.]
We make full use of my employer-sponsored flexible spending account every year. I highly recommend setting up an FSA for families with even moderate care needs in the current insurance environment. An FSA means you can use pre-tax earnings to cover deductables and co-pays, but the money set aside is use-it-or-lose-it. Best if you know how much money you're likely to spend.
On the good-ish news side, we haven't had problems with prescription drug coverage, including the very expensive specialty biologic medication I'm taking (after the UHC-required lengthy process to get it). Though I'm using a generic biosimilar, it's nearly as expensive as name-brand Humira because of UHC's pharmacy benefit management shenanigans, so it's costing my self-insured employer far more than necessary ($100k/year vs. $10k for the lowest cost generic). I know it's not legal, but I have a paranoid suspicion all the time that I could lose my employment for being too expensive to cover.
Even though my ortho surgeon was in-network, he didn't have his preferred choice of where the surgery could be performed. After the surgery was finally approved, I also had to pay the ortho surgeon a $5,000 cash deposit in advance that was ultimately refunded when UHC insurance paid out three months after the surgery. I don't know if requiring a deposit is legal or not, but I wasn't in a position to argue. This sort of extortion would be a huge burden for most families, and it's another reason to take advantage of an FSA (or HSA if you choose a high-deductible plan).
Edited to fix my error over HSA vs. FSA.
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Comment on What are some of your favorite stews/soups? in ~food
patience_limited Link ParentI'll throw hot sauce on everything, just because I like spice, but otherwise it's good as-is. I might squeeze a lime wedge over it since it could use just a touch of acidity.I'll throw hot sauce on everything, just because I like spice, but otherwise it's good as-is. I might squeeze a lime wedge over it since it could use just a touch of acidity.
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Comment on What are some of your favorite stews/soups? in ~food
patience_limited Link ParentYes, my bad!Yes, my bad!
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Comment on What are some of your favorite stews/soups? in ~food
patience_limited LinkHere are a few of my go-to winter soup/stew recipes: Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Soups/Stews Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins | Servings: 8 servings...Here are a few of my go-to winter soup/stew recipes:
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken and Wild Rice SoupSoups/Stews
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins | Servings: 8 servingsIngredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup (5 ounces) wild rice
2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2 cups water
4 cups roasted chicken or turkey, bite-size pieces
1 cup heavy creamDirections:
Gather the ingredients.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, thyme, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just start to soften, about 10 minutes.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, until evenly coated and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
Add the wild rice to the saucepan and gradually stir in the stock and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Add the chicken and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chicken-and-wild-rice-soup
Mushroom Barley Soup
Mushroom-Barley SoupPrep Time: 1 hr 40 min | Cook Time: 0 min | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
5¼ oz brown mushrooms
1¾ oz dried porcini mushrooms
4 cups water (lukewarm)
7 oz barley
3 shallots
1 clove garlic
6 sprigs thyme
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ stick unsalted butter
4 tsp sherry
½ cup white wine
1 star anise
1 bay leaf
1 Parmesan rind
4 eggs
½ lemon
salt
pepper
Metric Use setting ImperialDirections:
Soak the dried porcini mushrooms in lukewarm water. Drain the mushrooms, saving the soaking water for later. Roughly chop soaked and drained porcini mushrooms. Slice brown mushrooms. Finely chop the shallots and garlic. Remove thyme leaves from sprigs.
Heat olive oil and butter in a pot. Fry shallots, garlic, and brown mushrooms briefly. Add porcini mushrooms and barley, fry briefly, then deglaze with sherry. Add white wine and porcini mushroom water, star anise, bay leaf, and Parmesan rind. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for approx. 45 min.
In the meantime, boil the eggs for approx.5 – 6 min. in a separate pot.
When the barley is cooked, remove the bay leaf, star anise, and Parmesan rind. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir in thyme leaves and serve a boiled egg with each bowl. Enjoy!Nutrition:
Cal
Source: https://www.kitchenstories.com/en/recipes/mushroom-barley-soup
Provençal Greens Soup
Provençal Greens SoupEntree, Fall-Winter, Soups/Stews, Vegetarian
Total Time: 45 min | Servings: 4 servingsIngredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 leeks, cut in half lengthwise, sliced, rinsed of dirt and drained on paper towels
4 garlic cloves, sliced
Kosher salt
6 cups chopped greens (leaves only), such as Swiss chard, dandelion greens, watercress and beet greens
Black pepper, to taste
2 large eggs
4 thick slices country bread, toasted and rubbed with a cut clove of garlic
Grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat, and add the leeks. Cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the greens, and stir until they begin to wilt. Add 1 1/2 quarts water (6 cups) and salt to taste, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the greens are very tender and the broth sweet. Add pepper, and taste and adjust seasoning.
Beat the eggs in a bowl. Making sure that the soup is not boiling, whisk a ladle of it into the beaten eggs. Take the soup off the heat, and stir in the tempered eggs. Brush the garlic croutons with olive oil, and place one or two in each bowl. Ladle in the soup, sprinkle on some Parmesan if desired and serve.Nutrition:
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Fat: 10 grams
Calories: 174
Saturated Fat: 2 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 7 grams
Sodium: 363 milligrams
Sugar: 2 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Carbohydrate: 16 grams
Protein: 7 gramsSource: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018496-provencal-greens-soup
Gochujang Potato Stew
Gochujang Potato StewAsian, Entree, Fall-Winter, Korean, Quick Dinner, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 40 min | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 4 servingsIngredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
Salt and black pepper
5 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons gochujang, plus more to taste
3 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey or dark brown sugar
1 pound baby gold or fingerling potatoes, large ones halved
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or butter beans, rinsed
1 large bunch Tuscan kale, stems and leaves chopped (6 packed cups)
Cooked white rice, for serving
Sour cream and chopped flat-leaf parsley (both optional), for servingDirections:
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Melt the butter and add the onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and gochujang, and stir until heated through and fragrant, just a few seconds.
Stir in the vegetable broth, soy sauce, honey, potatoes and beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle boil. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, then add the kale. (It will seem like a lot at first but will wilt down considerably.) Tamping down the kale, continue gently boiling the covered stew, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the broth is thickened to your liking, 10 to 20 minutes. Taste the broth and add more salt, pepper and gochujang as desired.
Serve the stew alongside white rice and, for coolness against the heat, top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of parsley, if using.Nutrition:
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Fat: 9 grams
Calories: 388
Saturated Fat: 4 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
Sodium: 1248 milligrams
Sugar: 6 grams
Fiber: 11 grams
Carbohydrate: 65 grams
Protein: 15 gramsSource: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024082-gochujang-potato-stew
Creamy Butternut Squash and Coconut Noodle Soup
Creamy Butternut Squash and Coconut Noodle SoupAsian, Side Dishes, Soups/Stews, Thai, Vegetables
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 25 min | Total Time: 35 min | Servings: 4 servingsIngredients:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 to 1¼ pounds peeled butternut squash, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt
2 tablespoons red or yellow curry paste
1 (3-inch) piece ginger, grated (about 3 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 (13-ounce) cans full-fat coconut milk
2 to 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 teaspoons fish sauce or 1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
8 ounces fresh or dried egg noodles (wide or thin)
Lime wedges, cilantro, thinly sliced shallots and chile oil, for servingDirections:
Bring a pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Meanwhile, in a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high. Add the squash, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly softened and lightly golden in spots, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the curry paste, ginger and turmeric. Cook, stirring often, until very fragrant, about 1 minute, lowering the heat if necessary to keep from scorching.
Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender enough to mash, 10 to 12 minutes. Uncover and use a wooden spoon or potato masher to crush the squash into small pieces. Add 2 cups of the stock, fish sauce and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat off. Add more stock for a brothier soup. Season with salt and adjust other seasonings to taste.
While the squash simmers, cook the noodles per the package directions.
To serve, divide the noodles into bowls, ladle the soup over, very generously squeeze lime over, and top with cilantro, shallots and chile oil.Nutrition:
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Fat: 55 grams
Calories: 824
Saturated Fat: 37 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 15 grams
Sodium: 1318 milligrams
Sugar: 11 grams
Fiber: 5 grams
Carbohydrate: 75 grams
Protein: 18 gramsSource: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026109-creamy-butternut-squash-and-coconut-noodle-soup
Columbian Chicken Stew
Colombian Chicken Stew with Potatoes, Tomato, and OnionColombian , Entree, Fall-Winter, Latin, Poultry
Prep Time: 0 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Servings: 4 servingsIngredients:
4 large Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1- to 2-inch chunks
1 large onion, sliced into 1/4-inch slices (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 medium beefsteak tomatoes, cut into 1- to 2-inch chunks (about 3 cups)
1 whole chicken, back removed, cut into 8 pieces (about 4 pounds), or 4 whole chicken legs, cut into thighs and drumsticks
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepperDirections:
Combine potatoes, onion, tomatoes, chicken pieces, bay leaves, and a large pinch of salt in a pressure cooker. Toss with hands to combine. Seal lid and cook under high pressure for 25 minutes. Release pressure, remove lid, season to taste, and serve.
Nutrition:
(per serving)
433 Calories 7g Fat 71g Carbs 24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 433
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 415mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 9g 30%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 47mg 236%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 2115mg 45%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.Source: https://www.seriouseats.com/colombian-chicken-stew-with-potatoes-tomato-onion-recipe
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Comment on What are some of your favorite stews/soups? in ~food
patience_limited Link ParentPaprika3 is another one-time purchase recipe manager app (pay per platform - Android, iOS, Mac, Windows) which includes cloud sync with the purchase. Clean recipe imports from Web sites, print to...Paprika3 is another one-time purchase recipe manager app (pay per platform - Android, iOS, Mac, Windows) which includes cloud sync with the purchase.
Clean recipe imports from Web sites, print to PDF, share Markdown, share directly in Paprika3, shopping lists, full data export, and other nice features.
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Comment on Dick Cheney dies at 84 in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentI was thinking more along the lines of "RFK, Reanimator", but I don't think the families talk.I was thinking more along the lines of "RFK, Reanimator", but I don't think the families talk.
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Comment on Dick Cheney dies at 84 in ~society
patience_limited LinkMe: "So Dick Cheney died today." Spouse: "Completely?"Me: "So Dick Cheney died today."
Spouse: "Completely?" -
Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of October 27 in ~society
patience_limited Link ParentThat's a Goatse-sized sphincter, comrade. -
Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of October 27 in ~society
patience_limited (edited )LinkTrump held a Great Gatsby/Roaring 20s-themed party at Mar-A-Lago as his cutoff of SNAP funding begins.They were careless people... they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
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Comment on Looking for movies that combine religion mythology and supernatural elements in ~movies
patience_limited LinkA few missed ones: John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness - a syncretic mix of Christian mythology, science fiction, and Lovecraftian horror inspired by the Hammer Films classic, Quatermass and the...A few missed ones:
John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness - a syncretic mix of Christian mythology, science fiction, and Lovecraftian horror inspired by the Hammer Films classic, Quatermass and the Pit. I'll also pitch Carpenter's final "Apocalypse Trilogy" film, In the Mouth of Madness, because it's got the same genuinely creepy vibes, even if it's not related to any specific existing religious canon.
Lord of Illusions was written and directed by Clive Barker - it's on the middling side as far as acting and pacing are concerned, but it's another film with a dab of Christian mythology and enough supernatural elements to provide some great cinematic moments.
The Bride with White Hair is an engrossing Chinese ghost saga of doomed love, with spectacular wuxia scenes and occasionally funny subtitling.
Hello, fellow Til-diddly-dumplings and Tildents!
I'm still partial to "Tilders" as a Til-demonym - it's comfortably minimalist (for my oversensitive ears) and it implies the ending of the English reflexive/objective first person plural pronouns (ours/ourselves).