There's nothing like dealing with the health insurance provider to put me in a confessional mode. Upshot is $444 for a crummy routine physical, of which I get to pay $333. May I note that I actually have very wisely-chosen personal health insurance? $500 deductible, 80% covered over that. Looks like I'll be needing it. We'll see how the tests turn out.

As long as the United States ignores the possibility of universal, state-funded health care, real public health agenda cannot be brought to the table. A country like this does NOT do well with epidemics.

On a random note, I nominate the silliest retail color name so far: "Shawl green" from Banana Republic.