Arrrgh.

Did I mention how much I hate moving, simply because of all the addresschangesutilityhookupsinstallationguynoshows? Yeah. Not only do I get mail (4 to 1 in favor of the prior tenants in my apartment) that has no forwarding info (e.g. I got a handwritten note from the Philippines addressed to previous tenants. It looks like an elderly person's writing. What am I supposed to do with that? Trash it? After it was airmailed from another country? I have a heart, people), but I also have to reapply for health insurance, get cable, buy a refrigerator and pass a California driving test. Hey, I find it really hard to believe that many Los Angeles drivers actually know enough to pass any sort of standardized test, but if they can, I guess I can too.

Health Insurance: I applied with Blue Cross at 8 a.m. , 26 August. I receive a confirmation email saying I have been placed on the 'rapid approval list' and tells me to eagerly wait by my overstuffed mailbox in two to five days. My insurance coverage lapsed on 31 August. On 1 September, I call to check my status. I am told they have 'five business days' to respond. I state that it has been five business days. I am told it is not yet 5 p.m. I groan. Partly because of the 12-hour-old hematoma which I'm hoping won't clot and kill my brain, especially while I'm uninsured, partially because of the absurdity of the situation.

As of today, they have contracted with some other company, who emailed me a HIPPA release form that they'll fax to one of my doctors, and upon receipt of that information, they will take ANOTHER 6 business days to complete my approval. Meanwhile, I am STILL UNINSURED. Out of the kindness of their hearts, they offer interim $2000 deductible coverage, because they are concerned about my peace of mind. I have trouble believing this.

Cable Guy: I have two TVs. The cable cords in the apartment stick out approximately .5" from the wall. They carry no cable information right now. Two weeks prior to moving, I made an appointment for cable installation. They scheduled me for last Saturday. Friday, I called simply to inquire about the possibility of a DVR. Short version: after waiting on hold for 20 minutes, I am told that yes, I can have a DVR. But that, in signing me up for that service, the appointment people lost my installation date and I have been rescheduled. For two weeks later. As a kindness to me for having waited 40 minutes on the stinking phone only to lose my precious appointment, the rep waived the installation fee and gave me a $10 credit. Glad I have Netflix.

Melanie, my roomie, arrives tonight.