Dubbed or Subtitled?

Lately I’ve been streaming a few foreign movies. I was talking to someone the other day about movies and TV shows that are not in English (not necessarily foreign movies or shows; they could be in Indigenous languages).

Although it takes more work, I actually prefer subtitles rather than dubbing. For some reason, knowing the characters are NOT speaking English and hearing them “speak” English, even for animation (which really doesn’t matter), just feels odd. Maybe it’s just me.

I even streamed a movie that didn’t have subtitles and thoroughly enjoyed it even though I had no idea what the characters were saying.

Traditional Cuisines

I was talking to a restaurant owner friend and the question of home-cooking vs restaurant food came up. I love dining out, and I’m also very partial to traditional dishes that honor cultural heritage.

The problem with very traditional recipes is that they are usually very time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially the prep work, while the cooking part is usually quite easy, even for slow-cooking, like roasting or braising. Hours to prepare, minutes to eat!

The modern home cook just simply doesn’t have the time or energy to make a traditional dish that requires so much planning and prepping (which sometimes starts at least a day before). There’s a reason why meal kits are so popular nowadays for busy professionals. The prep work is already done.

Me? The problem is they never have the dishes I want, which is why I’ve kept my own cooking journal, What Shall I Eat Today? Check it out! Maybe one day I’ll get it properly published as a cookbook.

With or Without Insurance

 

I just had my annual eye exam. I was comparing my annual premium and how much it would cost without insurance.

My annual insurance premium costs $155.76.

For procedures that are covered, here is the breakdown:

Refraction: $35, insurance covers $22.60, I paid $12.40

Eye Exam: $235.00, insurance covers $185.40, I paid $49.60

Contact Evaluation: $100.00, insurance covers $15.00, I paid $85.00

Optomap: $39.00, not covered

Total Before Contact Lens Purchase: $409.00, insurance covers $223.00, out of pocket $186.00

Instant Rebate: $47.00 (not actually sure what that is)

One Year's Supply of Contact Lens: $217.96, insurance covers $150.00, I paid $67.96

Total with tax without insurance coverage: $626.96 (before any rebate, if any)

Total with tax with insurance coverage: $211.84

I looked into how much contacts would cost without using insurance:

Lens.com: $233.87, mail-in rebate $85.00, I'd pay $148.87 with tax and $9.95 shipping

1-800-Contacts: $243.96, 30% discount $73.19, mail-in rebate $35.00, I'd pay $135.77, free shipping, not sure how much tax would be.

So, just for contacts, I saved $67.00-$80.00 if I have insurance coverage.

Basically, I saved $56.08 total with insurance coverage; without insurance coverage, it would have cost me about $197 more before contacts.

Total paid out with insurance: $367.60

Total I would have to pay if I didn’t have insurance coverage: about $550.00 (rebate applied)

Does It Come With Rice?

 

I order in a lot. I like rice. Some Indian restaurants do not include rice with their entrees, which is fine, but it’s not always clearly stated on their delivery menu. While it’s not that hard to make rice (I always have basmati rice in my pantry), I don’t appreciate finding out after the food is delivered I have to make rice myself. Sigh!

How Old Am I?

See? No crows feet!

Is age just a number? I know I look young for my age (good genes, not gonna lie), but I often feel having to state my age puts me at a disadvantage, because people see the number and make a lot of inaccurate assumptions, and there’s nothing I can do.

I’m also at the age where I may be considered a senior but I’m too young to retire or collect social security (if there’s any money left and it’s time for me to collect!).