Garmin vs. TomTom

Garmin vs. TomTom - an epic battle

For the longest time, I used TomTom GPS units.  What I loved about them is that you could make corrections to the maps.  Some of those changes (like correcting turn restrictions, changing speed limits, etc.) could be made immediately effective, while other changes (like adding new road segments) wouldn't show up on the map, but the modifications would be communicated to TomTom's office each time you connected the unit to your computer.  Another thing I liked about TomTom is the relative accuracy of the street name pronunciations.

Unfortunately, with the introduction of "hands-free" driving laws, I was forced to switch to Garmin, which had the ability to listen to my spoken commands and start navigation without me ever needing to touch the unit.  Garmin's pronunciation of street names is passable, but can be annoying.  I happen to live on a street whose name it does not pronounce properly, so I am annoyed daily.

Even more annoying is the lack of correction capabilities.  You cannot make changes to anything on the device other than points of interest.  If a speed limit or even a traffic routing is incorrect, there's nothing I can do about it.

By far the most annoying part of the Garmin, however, is that map updates, despite being posted quarterly, don't seem to update roads in my city with any regularity.  For example, there's an exit on one of the local highways that has been in existence for about 10 years.  I think it only appeared on Garmin's last update following a half-dozen emails from me over the years to the company.  And there's another system of highways that has been under construction for the past four years.  Portions of the highway have been open to motorists for quite some time, while the remaining portion was just recently opened.  None of these roadways are on my Garmin device.

TomTom, on the other hand, delivered an update today which includes the complete new highway.

I cannot afford to buy even the least expensive voice-activated TomTom.  Meanwhile, my voice-activated Garmin cost me less than $150.00.  If TomTom were to come up with an affordable voice-activated unit, I would switch back in a heartbeat.

So, come on, TomTom.  Win me back.  I'm ready when you are.

Things to do while sick

Things to do while sick

I'm still sick.  I feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I have a ways to go.  The antibiotic I was on didn't seem to be fighting my infection, so I went back to the doctor yesterday with the goal of getting a different type.

A little background is needed here.  I had an infection more than a year ago that required an antibiotic, and the first medicine didn't do the trick.  The replacement medication was amazing and kicked the crap out of whatever had taken hold of me.

So, on my way to the doctor, I stopped by my pharmacist (whose dispensary is in the same building as the doctor's office) to ask which medication I had originally been prescribed last year; and which medication had been used as a replacement.

I was able to confirm that the medication I was on now, was the same one that had failed last year.  With this knowledge, and the name of the medication that worked last time, I got the new medication.  I'm only two doses in, and already can feel my body getting better.  I'm glad I didn't wait until the end of my original prescription to go back.

Sensitivity to commercials

I use a PVR to record programs for future viewing.  I can avoid most commercials that way.  Today, sitting home sick with a lung infection, I was watching the Hillary Clinton Benghazi hearings, live on CNN.  A commercial aired about a product called Opdivo.  Opdivo is a drug that is prescribed to patients who have been fighting various cancers, where chemotherapy is not doing the job.  This very upbeat commercial proudly proclaims that Opdivo was able to "reduce the risk of dying by 41% during a clinical trial".  That sounds amazing until you read the fine print (half the patients were still alive at 9.2 months, vs. only 6 months for chemotherapy).  Potential side effects are monstrous (including death itself).  As a recently approved drug, I'm certain it's expensive and equally certain that few, if any, insurance plans would already be providing coverage.  I can't even imagine the mindset of someone SO DESPERATE for a few more weeks of life that they would consider using this drug.

If you haven't seen the commercial, you can catch it online here:  http://tinyurl.com/opdivo-ispot

When it rains, it pours

When it rains, it pours

Yes, I'm still alive.  Haven't had much to talk about in quite a while.  It's not that nothing is happening, it's just nothing I choose to share.

Right now, I'm trying to make it through a nasty bout of a cold with other complications.  The coughing has been continuous... to the point where it has triggered a long dormant asthma condition.  I managed to drag myself to a doctor today, where I was given antibiotics for the lung infection, an inhaler for asthma, and a prescription strength cough syrup.

So, after all these months, why did I choose this moment to post?

Things have been very slow with my business.  I'm not earning enough to pay the bills.  Thankfully, I do have a government pension plan payment each month that helps, but I'm still falling behind.

During the last two days when I've been totally unable to function and don't want to risk infecting anyone by going out, I have received SIX requests for service.  To put that into perspective, I have not had a total of six service calls over the past two months!

I only hope that these clients can wait until next week, when hopefully, I'll be well enough to provide service.

The power of negative thought

The power of negative thought

Since just before Christmas, I've had nothing but negative thoughts.  You see, the most important person in my life was going through a very rough time, and all I could do to support her was think *negative*.

On Tuesday, a full four weeks after the scare of her life, she got the news - and the results were NEGATIVE.

Thank you, G-d, for taking good care of her for me.