As I take a break from packing for our upcoming return to the Happy Island of Aruba, I thought it appropriate to repost my blog from March 5, 2020 -- 722 days ago.       Last Sunday, we took a flight back to New York from the happy island of Aruba (that’s the subject of another blog).  

The Chinese Winter Olympics unfolded as a bland spectacle.  The ratings were the lowest for any Olympics.  An average of 11.4 million viewers watched each night as compared to the 19.8 nightly viewers for the Korean Winter Olympics in 2018.    The reasons for the drop are varied.  The time difference and the lack of fans are obvious.  The COVID restrictions on coverage made for awkward broadcasts.  The men’s hockey event was hurt by the decision to not send NHL players.   

Stop and think for a moment about numerology – not that I know very much about it, but given the numerical pattern of the date as you read this, maybe we all should think just a little.   

Last week I received a compliment that I haven’t received in a long time. A colleague complimented me on my perfume.    In this Covid world my first instinct was to ask, “Am I standing too close?” After being assured that I was not standing too close I comfortably responded, “My go to perfume, Prada.”   

Normally, this blog heralds optimism about the start of the baseball season; while some ballplayers populated Spring Training complexes, none currently find their names listed on any Major League Baseball team’s 40 manning roster. It reflects an inability of rather wealthy team owners, from the perspective of this labor-affiliated advocate, to bargain in good faith. It remains unfortunate. It puts the start of the baseball season at risk. Fans can only hope for movement sooner than later.

I found some great quotes in honor of my Saturday blog :)   “Saturday mornings, I’ve learned, are a great opportunity for kids to sneak into your bed, fall back asleep, and kick you in the face.” – Dan Pearce   “Anybody have plans to stare at their phone somewhere exciting this weekend?” – Nitya Prakash   “You know what I want to do? Wake up one weekend and not have to go anywhere and do nothing.” – Derek Jeter  

The hit Netflix crime drama Ozark is, hands down, the best streaming series on TV!   And Julia Garner is a transcendent star!  Her Fbomb laden hillbilly delivery just must be experienced.  And once she is in your head you are seriously hooked.     Yes there are bigger names in the star laden cast (check it out) and the dark, nearly unreal scary scenarios are bordering on disbelief, but once you’ve had a taste of Ruth Langford (Garner) you’re compelled to binge.    

We talked about this last week at the New York Health and Longevity meeting and I thought it was worthwhile to share the information in today’s blog.On January 1st, the federal No Surprise Act went into effect. Basically, it is designed to protect patients from “surprise medical bills”.