Actually not a good time to post, being semi-drunk-ish -- But, I do have tomorrow off so I can sleep late .. if I can. Not that I have been able to sleep well, or late lately.. Not that anything in my life is wrong right now, juts a general baggage I carry around and need to drop..

The health care reform is a big deal now. I don't understand what's the big deal. Yes, I come from Finland, a nice country where I never had to pay for anything if I couldn't afford it. But let me tell you some of the things I had:

 I (and OK, I say 'I', but this means my parents) never paid for school, or supplies until I was in high school.  I never paid for school lunch, not even through high school. I college, I paid for attendence, my books and supplies, and a small fee for health care.

After I graduated from College, it took me a bit to find a permanent job (being a science teacher). While I was listed as 'looking for a job', I got unemployement payments. I also still was having health care: Go to the 'urgent care clinic' and get taken care for free .. you might have to wait for 2 - 3 hours
if it was REALLY busy.  If you don't want to wait, fine.. just schedule any doctor from any of the clinics, see them within 2 hours and pay a bit more. You'll still get an reimbursement from medicine unless it is for non-medications.. like birth control.

Anyway. I come from a country that lets you have very good options of basic health care/dental care/mental care/any care.. In addition to good unemployement care.. great maternity care/leave (10 months) . Good pension... I don't even know all the pension benefits atm.

In Finland, yes, the taxes might be a bit higher, but wouldn't it be nice: have your kids school supplies paid, have great health care, with school kids free, free basic vaccinations, free emergency room clinics. And a lot more, with unemployement, but not something the US public is used to seeing!

 I'd have higher taxes any day, to know I have my heath care taken care of. To know my kid will have a meal at school and.. oh wait.. Maybe soon..

And whoever says 'Oh! is Finland a socialist country to have all this?' .. For God's sake,  ANYBODY should have this, and then some! 

 I might comment/post more late on.

Margaritas are good.  Finnish system is good!

Margaritas are good 

I might edit this later!!

- Mint 

OK, my blog is probably going to be full of ranting! Isn't that what blogs are for? Just write about whatever, ramble on.. I am VERY good at rambling!

Let's start!  Oh, I should be brief today.. this is a good day! =)

It has been cold and snowing for the last week.  When it snows, I will try to keep my pathetically short 'driveway' clean - (just a turn into the garage from the street , 2 car lengths).  I pretty much had to keep the driveway clean last winter because I had sucky tires. If there was more than 5 snowflakes on the driveway, I couldn't pull up to the garage!

I have excellent tires this winter, but I still want to keep the driveway clean. Just why, WHY does it have to start snowing right after I showel it, EVERY TIME!!?? I think I am solely responsible for this 6+ inch snowfall in Columbus, OH area!

Today is the Inauguration day! I took today off - (sorry Misty who happily said they'd do a 10-hour shift to get extra hours so I could have this day off.. ). There's still tons of snow on the ground, but it is SUNNY! I can't believe this! I am off, I can watch the Inauguration, and my driveway is clear!  I bet it is going to snow like crazy overnight...

Anyway, Happy Inauguration Day everyone! Yay! for Obama! Now I just need to get NetRunner to wake up,m and we'll plop in front of the TV and be lazy and celebrate! =)

OK, my first only slightly ranting blog entry..  I'll do more if I feel like it! I hope nobody reads this. Or if you do, be gentle! Like I said, my first ever entry and I am weird! =)

 Snow looks so pretty.. I wish I had a sauna here...