A Conversation with Elizabeth
1999
Frustrating day

From:          Elizabeth 
To:            LMixson@PEC.com
Sent:          Tuesday, January 12, 1999 4:20 PM
Subject:       Frustrating day
 
I have been frustrated all day because my telnet[1] connection isn't working.  I can get to the National Library of Medicine Docline screen, but then it locks up.  I called Washington and they checked it from there and said it was a "local" problem.  I just NOW got someone down here to check it out.  Arghh--Sometimes I wish I knew more about computers than I do.  I also got frustrated when I called BX BS to clarify my prescription reimbursements.  I filed a bunch, but only got 7 dollars back out of almost 100.  I found out for non-generics I have to meet a 200 deductible first.  I can't meet that much, because I don't have much I use or take.  I was expecting a 100 cash for spending money, so I felt the crunch.  This week the car lottery is giving away a single prize of 500.00.  I quit using it after winning twice because so much got taken out by taxes and with all the hassle it didn't feel worth it.  Oh well.  Petty cash flow deficits now that I'm going to school full time.  I could cut back on what I'm putting into retirement, but that's kind of like burning the furniture.  Also, I do have money I could use, but it is for true emergencies, not just "spending."  Yesterday I read Wired in the bookstore rather than buying it, because I also wanted to buy Parabola which is almost 8 bucks, which I did buy.  The new AL gov has just created a "Children's Cabinet Position."  That's exciting as I have Children's Law this term, and rather like it.  It's actually parent's--children--state law, but it is interesting.  Oh well, had to moan and groan.  Elizabeth

[1] Telnet, short for “teletype network”, is an early internet protocol that allowed remote users to connect to other systems. Elizabeth would use it to connect to other library systems like in this case, the National Library of Medicine.

I felt bad for her financial situation, she seemed to be living from week to week, much like she did back in 1981 when she asked to borrow $300 from me. I hope she wasn’t going to ask me to loan her money again.

Telnet fixed