House and Home

I thought about getting involved in the philosophical discussion that is going on elsewhere, but decided against it. For a start, I'm not that intelligent or well up on philosophy. Secondly, I don't think we can work out logically why we're here or why life is as it is, so my thoughts would probably just go round in circles. And thirdly, even if I did make out a good case for anything in particular, I'd probably just end up with conclusions about the world that I didn't like, and realisations that I couldn't change anything. Maybe one day someone will work out how the world runs, but I doubt it. Until then, I'll just live with the pain and confusion.

And so. Yesterday I was informed that if I wished to get three month's supply of the contraceptive pill, which I am taking to try and stop my face being so much like a pizza, that I would have to pay $50-100 for a doctor's appointment alone, and then about $45 for the pill. This is because you can't get Provincial Medical Insurance here until you've been here for 3 months, so mine doesn't kick in until January. I do have insurance, but it's that crap emergency medical care only thing, which wouldn't cover the costs of something that is deemed non-urgent. So, it looks like I will have the worst skin ever encountered for the next three months, until I can get back to England and get another prescription. Which is something to look forward to. On the possibly-positive front, and on the advice of my mother, Denise and I have ordered some Boudreaux's Butt Paste (I'm not joking) which was originally developed for nappy rash, but has now been touted as a miracle cure for many evils. I'll let you know when it gets here, dear readers, and whether smearing baby arse cream on my face is any better than the tens of other products I have tried to no avail. Any acne tips gratefully received.

I bought more stuff yesterday: snow boots, ski gloves, ski pants, and a body warmer. However the total of all this was about £25, so it's not like I went overboard. Still, when you weigh this up against the lack of a job, I suppose it's money I can ill afford. After advice (cheers Dan!), I posted my resume on Monster, so let's hope that someone really needs a forensic worker really soon.

Next week, a program starts here which looks good, like a combination of ER and CSI. It's called House and stars Hugh Lawrie as a maverick, American, limping doctor, and Robert Shawn Leonard as an oncology specialist. Sound bizarre? It's worth it just to hear Lawrie using an American accent. It actually does look as though it will be worth watching - the basic premise is that Lawrie (Dr House) is a disease specialist, and gets sent the patients that no-one else knows how to diagnose or treat. It's directed by Bryan Singer, the bloke who did The Usual Suspects and X-Men, so I'm giving it a try.

Nothing much else to report - first driving lesson in the dark today, my best one yet, so damn the fact that driving tests stop at 4pm and aren't at night!