Brian Cox, UHC CEO Murder, 오십견

Getting a haircut before going to Mexico became a ritual. I really like this one.

- Who knew Brian Cox and I have so much in common! This Guardian interview (https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/dec/07/i-feel-ive-upset-a-few-people-over-the-years-actor-brian-cox-on-overrated-co-stars-charmless-politicians-and-the-joy-of-smoking-weed) turned me into a big fan of the old cranky scottish actor. I have read his other interviews, but this one describes him so endearingly I just want to be friends with him. He is puzzled over why/how Trump got re-elected. He thinks/fantasizes about how he's going to die every day. He mainly lives in the US for his kid but he has a strong bond to his hometown, Scotland. He is very candid about sensitive subjects like politics or fellow actors' method acting. I think I'm allergic to forced positivity and drawn to people who aren't afraid to reveal their negativity and zaniness. (That's why my favorite character in <Friends> is Phoebe.)

- My current news focus is Luigi Mangione, who shot and killed the CEO of United Healthcare (UHC), the largest private insurance company in the US. I've read people's comments online and so far half of them sort of think this murder was inevitable because the whole healthcare industry is fucked up and I'm one of them. Doctors and nurses at hospitals hate UHC because they are notorious for denying acute care and mental health claims. But despite this murder generating a lot of discussion, I don't have much hope for change because this country is regressing in every possible way with Trump, abortion, etc. Even the press hasn't published this killer's manifesto (more like a note https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/luigis-manifesto) (probably they don't want other people to go and murder other CEOs). Recently, I had to pay $200 for a regular mammogram and a pelvic ultrasound for fibroids and my insurance is UHC.  

- There's just so much we still don't know in medicine. For example, take frozen shoulder 오십견. Nobody knows what causes it. All we know is it happens to some people at age around 50 and it eventually goes away within 1-3 years. But what's more important is to know I'm not the only one going through it. Just sharing the problem with someone offers so much comfort, which I find doctors don't do enough. I've intrepreted a few calls in which a mid-30 or 40 aged woman complained about PMS and fatigue. Their GYN usually explains "Oh, it's because of hormone changes. Get hormone therapy and/or do exercise!" I had to suppress my urge to tell them "I experience the same thing and other women too. It's normal!" It seems they don't know how to make patients feel better with empathy. Of course, they shouldn't say it in a dismissive way.

- I'm going to Mexico on 12/17. I can't wait. I guess I got used to this escape. 

- Bad news: my company is laying off interpreters due to workforce transition after it was acquired by another company a few months ago. My contract will end on Jan 31, 2025. Since I am going to be in Mexico, I can't start working for a new company right away. I am just going to interpret until Jan 31 and start applying for other companies so I get a job by March when I come back to NYC. Well, nothing is permanent. Annoying to look for a job but not too worried because I know there is demand in the market. I'm really grateful for the Whatsapp interpreter group. It's a great source of information and camaraderie. I'm still learning a lot about this industry.