Why I wander, perhaps

I like to go places and get cranky when I don't go somewhere different regularly hence the regular road trips and plotting involved in trainings I attend. As an engineer is wont to do, I was analyzing this the other day and came to the conclusion that Scouting is the greatest factor in my desire to go places.

For those who were in active Scout troops, you know that your troop calendar had monthly camping trips and longer summer trips. For those who stuck around longer, there was camp staff or NOAC or Jamboree or an assortment of other trips. What it boils down to is that for 7 of my formative years I was away from home on a trip at least one weekend a month and then for some portion of the summer. By the time I was in high school I sought them out and found other trips to add to the Scouting traveling. This was my exposure to areas outside of MI and visiting relatives in California.

Thus I reached the conclusion that Scouting built the expectation of regular trips as a side effect of a good program. The same trips also helped other ways (self-sufficency, road navigation, adaptability and preparation--"The Moose Who Prepares for the Journey"...). Funny that wanderlust is not something we list as a Scouting outcome.

In other more mundane aspects of life:

• Went and saw the Groove Hogs, a great local blues band, on Saturday night. It was the first time I have intentionally went on my own to a bar and stayed for 3 hours regardless of the company. I didn't stay for the last set partly from being tired and partly because drunk Baby Boomers dancing are a little much to see on an empty stomach.
  
• Also, did the first hike of the season Saturday. Man, I felt out of shape. I did a 3-mile loop at the state beach. The beach part was fine with the frozen sand, but the dune cord-walk (boards connected by ropes to protect the dunes) was not a good plan being that it was partly snow and ice covered. It did feel good to get outside again for the fun of it.
  
• Had my first run-in with health care challenges. Being that I have made good use of my insurance I'm actually suprised it didn't happen sooner. I received a bill for a treatment I had last January in MI that I thought was paid for, but the insurance paid what they thought they owed and the hospital just realized that the amount was less than they thought they owed. Since the insurance company ignored their first two attempts to fix this, they billed me. Bastards. I freaked when I got the bill and called both parties to see what is going on. The hospital had been aiming for my response so that I could mediate and have the problem solved. This is stupid and bad customer service on both sides and both heard about it. In essence, since they can't pick up the phone to solve the problem they bill me and expect me to solve the problem. In theory, the insurance company is supposed to work this out by month end. Bastards.
  

That's all for now.