Top Gear Drive

Sydney is one big town and today, once again, that was brought home to me as I drove my family out west to Emu Plains to see the relatives. Didn't get to see any emus, mind you, plain or otherwise. But leaving the bright lights of the central part of the city, my trusted GPS voice said as we entered the M4: "Continue straight for 47 kilometres.." 

Sad state of affairs for pharmacies

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It comes to something when a perfectly functioning arrangement between providers and pharmacies is unilaterally broken off, causing inconvenience and chaos to so many patients and pharmacy patrons. What on earth is going on, you may well ask. Allow me to elaborate on this situation involving Walgreens and Express Scripts . It is quite unfortunate and, for some of those involved, positively heart breaking to say the least.

For ages, Walgreens had an agreemen with Express scripts that seemed to work absolutely okay for all those involved. Customers liked the fact that they enjoyed loyalty benefits and also Walgreens outstanding competive pricing, not to mention the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens .

Because Walgreens is now no longer part of Express Scripts customers are unhappy that they have to change their familiar pharmacies  but they are now also  finding that in some cases they are having to travel further to find a suitable pharmacy, depending on their specific personal needs.

 

Tricare, as you may or may not know happens to be the health and prescription drug scheme for the U.S. military service. They are one of Express Scripts clients. Walgreens went out on a limb when it offered press Scripts an water tight assurance that Walgreens prices would match or even beat the average costs per adjusted prescription of all other pharmacies that are actually within the Tricare network.  Walgreens after all did not want brave men and women losing out unnecessarily. All to no avail, I hasten to add.

 

Check out more information on Walgreens on Twitter and you can show your support for Walgreens there as welll as here with Walgreens on Facebook .

Christmas provided a welcome break for me and my loved-ones. A break from work, from everyday cares, from always being in a rush to get everything done. It was also a very peaceful time and a most welcome break from the Droning One, our spectacularly ungainly PM Gillard. She's back though. Comforting flood survivors in Brisbane, sucking up to Japanese whalers, preparing her daggers to knife K-Rudd all over again. The droning has started right up again. Is it Easter yet?

Out and About

Just the other day, my wife and I were enjoying a few days off over the Christmas period and we decided to go and visit Vaucluse House, an estate in the Eastern Suburbs. The drive there was gorgeous, along Rose Bay and into exclusive Vaucluse. The house and grounds were lovely, not too ostentatious and I enjoyed reading the history of the Wentworth family, erstwhile residents. It would make for a ripper film or  telly drama with all the requisite ingredients; convict heritage, high society intrigue, exploration, daring entrepreneurism, scandal concerning births out of wedlock, exotic travel and more besides. 

Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and sundry. I used to watch the Urbi et Orbi when I lived in Europe but, being based in the Antipodean region these days, that's no longer an option. Still, here's hoping next year will bring hope and faith to those who are in desperate need, many of whom are to be found in the developed world..

Rock-salt, a winter's tale

Even though I tend to live my life these days in somewhat balmier climes, I have ample experience with having to deal with rather severe winters. In the Netherlands, where I grew up, and also in parts of the United Kingdom where I lived for quite a long time, it can get pretty darn cold during the winter months. 

I remember when the temperatures used to drop suddenly during a cold snap and invariably the roads would become quite dangerous because of sleet and black ice. And then you would see the council trucks appear like the cavalry in a cheesy western, in this case dispersing vast amounts of grit in a huge effort to keep traffic moving at a pace. 

 But of course, people’s own drives turn tricky and slippery as well and that is when you should use rock-salt to avoid any nasty accidents on your driveway or foot path. We cannot help winter arriving and cold temperatures but we certainly can make our drives safe with the use of rock-salt.

Gadget Heaven

I used to love watching James Bond films and one the things I enjoyed most was his masterly use of yet another marvellous gadget, invariably supplied by that genius Q. back at head office. There was a never ending series of wonderful handy gadgets and gizmos, always sure to help Bond escape a deadly serious predicament. I saw it and it was good. I still love to read those magazines with tech gadgets, smart instruments and things that just amaze with their ingenuity and clever applications. A joy it is to imagine using those smart little implements. But lest you think all of this belongs to the world of fantasy and imagination, check out what I have found for you and you will be as happy as I was.

Think Geek coupons and a world of gadgets and gizmos and then head on over to Geek Alerts to be dazzled as well as delighted. You will love what you will find at this geeky treasure trove of splendour. 

For a Dell coupon or two, the latest gadget news hot of the press and more, just check them out. Also do not forget that you will find great discount coupons and the very best promo codes which you will be able to redeem at some of the most reputable online outlets and services.

 Just ThinkGeek promo code and you will be off and running to geek gadget heaven. Have fun!