Ollie - Obstreperous Young Lady🦇🦄

They can't do any of the above on a whim, though. Laws have to be formally passed first, other things depend on consultations with various committees...

It's mostly ceremonial. Our president signs things into law, appoints various political positions, and handles a lot of state visits, and is the head of the defense forces (also ceremonial, not actual). They're considered representative of the Irish people and are voted for in a direct vote.

Fluffy grey dog, Thyra, looking regal and looking over the edge of a couch toward a window. (Which is off screen, but provides light.)

Skyline cleanse.

Yes. That, too! :-)
I wouldn't want that, even though the role is mostly ceremonial here. (Influential, though)

I may need to take up smoking again!

From the president. So much better than the bs from yer man.

(Note for my American moots: our President isn't the same as yours. It's a different job.
The equivalent of your president here is the Taoiseach)

Thank you for adding the alt!

Can we just make her taoiseach?

Shame on the Irish government.
Crawling up Trump's ass so far, they can see the sun shining through his teeth.

There is absolutely no justification for murdering children (or anyone, really) and yet, here they are, justifying it. Again.

Propping up a fascist makes you a fascist.

That's so scary. Sending you hugs! 🫂

Whoa.

Eyyyup!!
🫂

Yes. Granny is wise indeed!

People really suggest the stupidest shit sometimes.
I'm sure acupuncture has its place, but this is so not it. Like...really so very not. 🤦‍♀️

Yep. Weirdo foreigner here. ;-)

But no no... your suggestion to contact them was a good shout. Always a good step to take, regardless of where you are. :-)

I don't mind hooey, either, but not in healthcare or where it has an actual impact. Chiropractic, homeopathy, all sort of other wellness junk injures and kills people, if not actively, then by giving dangerous "advice".

I'm glad you managed to find an alternative route with the NP! I had a look and the lists are anywhere between 3 and 18+months, which isn't nearly as bad as I thought!
I'll have to do some soul searching and budget reviewing, I think.

I'm just so annoyed that they pay for unscientific bullshit, but not for qualified professionals, because they don't have the right subscription to some organisation.
And the lack of psychiatrists on their list bis mind boggling! (Pun only somewhat intended)

I'm seeing a therapist already. It's worth cutting back other things for. There are others who would be covered, but he's a bit of a unicorn (ND, genderfluid, kink positive, lgbtqia+, geek...)

Not in the US, so I'm quite lucky, as it's not as expensive and if it comes to it, I can go the public route and get a free appointment with a psychiatrist. They just have long waiting lists, and I don't want to take away a public spot from someone who needs it more if I don't absolutely have to.

The last few months, I've been bombarded with "come visit the USA! It's awesome!" tourism ads. I don't remember seeing that many in tge entire decade before!

Absolutely bonkers!

My GP also offered a public referral, so there's that option. It's just a long waiting list and I don't want to take up a free spot if I could make a private appointment with insurance.
(I'm lucky to have that option here in Ireland)

I've sent them an email and am hoping that it's a bug in the list. (Though they've denied claims for psych visits before, because the consultant wasn't covered, so... 🤷🏼)
Luckily, it's not an emergency and my GP can tide me over a while longer.

If I had the energy to scream, I'd scream. Ugh!

It's so stupid!
The benefits table says they cover psych, but my therapist was rejected, because he doesn't have the right membership level with the psychological society...
And when I checked for consultant cover, a whole one (1!) came up and he works in child and adolescent care.

So my health insurance covers *checks notes* homeopathy and chiropractors, but not *checks more notes* psychiatrists or my therapist.
Guess next time I spiral, I'll go get myself twisted into a pretzel or have some sadness water or whatever.

Nah fuck that right in the eye.

Sure walking isn't running, but a gentle run with plenty of breaks? Sure why not?
Might cause the DOMS of a lifetime, but a mattress made of cash would ease that recovery for sure. 😅

D9 they actually make you say that? Or can you just tell them the thing underneath the affirmation?

It also doesn't stipulate that they have to be consecutive miles or a minimum pace. Hell, I could do that and I haven't been well enough to exercise properly in months. LOL!
Though the beer might actually be my downfall. That would be the real challenge for me. 😅