Anyone alive who has ever been to a venue where a microphone is needed has heard someone testing out the equipment prior to starting. It happens at concerts, auctions, ball games, school functions, city council meetings and churches so we all have been exposed to the process of testing. I am not sure why people generally say, “testing 1, 2, 3” and not something worthwhile hearing but I guess it's just the way it is.
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Anyone alive who has ever been to a venue where a microphone is needed has heard someone testing out the equipment prior to starting. It happens at concerts, auctions, ball games, school functions, city council meetings and churches so we all have been exposed to the process of testing. I am not sure why people generally say, “testing 1, 2, 3” and not something worthwhile hearing but I guess it's just the way it is.
Ol’ Dutch has done his share of 1, 2, 3’ing in his lifetime, too, as Miss Trixie always insisted on having things as perfect as she could get them prior to leading the singing at church. This was all well and good and I guess necessary in order that the congregation could hear adequately during the service and Ol’ Dutch went along with the process like the dutiful man that I am.
(Does anyone know a good doctor who can help Miss Trixie's eye rolling? I don't know why it only happens when I'm talking.)
Not too long ago I received a letter from Medicare about coverage of medical testing. Anytime I see “testing” in the medical sense, it conveys a sense of something that needs to be done, or my health will suffer. And since it was addressed to me specifically, it was with some trepidation and fear that I read through the list. Never fear, dear reader. The list was only some “suggested” tests and not for Ol’ Dutch, personally.
It seems that an adequate amount of time has taken place that Ol’ Dutch has qualified for a lotta testing for preventative health care. What that means is that Medicare, in their wisdom and love for me, has decided that I can go get free testing for a range of health issues in order to find out early if I have any of them.
As I read down through the list, I realized I had not even heard of many of the things they thought I needed testing for, like a goiter on my gizzard, but then I did count up and there were 58 tests that I could have for free. Having been in the “testing loop” before I got to thinking – a risky business for Ol’ Dutch according to Miss Trixie – about how much time it would take to make and attend all those appointments and tests.
Now Ol’ Dutch comes from a family of fairly healthy folks, so we only went to the Doctor when we actually were sick and not as some form of preventative care. So, looking down a solid year or two of sitting in waiting rooms with others who were also being tested seemed like a trip to Hell itself.
It all makes sense now too as I can recall countless “old” people in the RV parks jumping up and driving 800 miles back to Texas for countless doctor appointments during the summer months. And now I understand what they were saying when I asked if they were okay when they replied, “it's just for tests.”
It's no wonder our Medicare costs are out of control as it's milked for as much as they can legally set you up for. Which reminds me that I am about due for a treadmill test as it's been long enough since the last one that Medicare will pay for it again. I guess I best try and get in some kind of shape for that ahead of time as there is nothing worse than a test other than failing said test and the subsequent treatment.
All my life I looked forward to being able to hunt and fish every day that I could after retirement only to find out that I was expected to develop a personal and almost daily relationship with my doctor. Testing 57, 58 and finally done and they put you in the casket.
Kevin Kirkpatrick spends his days fishing, hunting, ATVing, hiking or making people laugh. His email is Kevin@TroutRepublic.com. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.com or on Twitter at TroutRepublic.