Germany.

I had a nasty fall off my bike about five weeks ago, but nothing seemed immediately broken. I went to the orthopedist the next day. Hand X-ray, then CT. Got a splint prescribed. I had to pay a 10€ fee for the splint, and might need to pay for the CT (we did it directly there instead of referring to a radiologist), but the insurance might cover it, as the reason for not transferring was due to a holiday and long weekend starting the next day.

Then I realized my other hand was having issues. Back to orthopedist. X-ray, referral to MRI, elbow splint prescribed. 10€ fee for the splint.

I also had some magnet field therapy, which I had to pay out of pocket: 40€ per session.

So the total out-of-pocket cost, assuming my insurance covers the CT: 300€ for three orthopedist visits, CT, MRI, two splints, and seven sessions of magnet therapy.

Germany does allow certain high earners to opt out of the public insurance and go private, ans the experience for privately insured people tends to be better, which I think sucks a lot. I personally am on the public plan and am overall very happy with it, but I can also easily afford the things that are out of pocket.

I got it out today, and ended up doing essentially this. Was a pain, but I’m very happy now.

Well, I kept at it, ans got it out today! 🎉

I was able to use a screwdriver to get a grip and twist out the part that was stuck, and then use my electronics pliers to get the plastic ring out.

Yes, this is a rental flat, but we will never buy such a faucet for ourselves. Massive pain.

I did that and broke off another piece, but I’m having trouble getting that piece out now. We’re getting ever closer to calling a plumber :).

It might be lime or calcium. The German word is Kalk, but it’s basically the hard water, as you say. Yes, we were doing exactly that (the water is very hard here), and tried to remove the aerator in order to clean that too, which we hadn’t done before, and that’s how it all broke.

I’ve now made progress in breaking off another piece, but we’re getting closer to just calling a plumber.

I just started Cult of the Lamb. I’ve tried so many roguelikes and struggled to enjoy them, but this one hits right. It’s not too too hard, and I like the style a lot.

I’ve beaten the first two bishops already, and am working my way towards the third.

Schau bitte dieses schöne Exemplar an

I never really thought of it as science fiction (see her MaddAdam series for something more SF-y), but I love the book and think it does a great job of extrapolating from various political trends into where parts of the “western world” could end up going.

I’m also not surprised it’s a candidate for being banned, either from people who think it paints religion or conservativsm in a negative light, or people who think it might make anyone under 18 uncomfortable. Is it appropriate for 5 year olds? Probably not. 16 year olds? Seems reasonable to me.