Opinions/Views on moving from Vancouver, BC to Los Angeles?
What do you hate about Vancouver? And what's so great about LA? I live in Vancouver and have been to LA 2 times and I don't think I'd ever want to move to LA, but that's just my opinion. LA is definitely very polluted, there are a million cars on the highways, and the salespeople in stores that I go into look like they'd rather be someplace else. But that's probably not in every store. I'd rather stay in Vancouver because it's less polluted, has less people, non-chaotic traffic, and people have good manners.
Is AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE accredited?
No. Because American Career College is not regionally accredited, you can not later transfer to a university to get your BS-RN. However, if you were to study nursing at a regionally accredited school, such as a community college, you would be eligible for a BS-RN program. A community college will also be far cheaper than a trade school like American Career College. At any school, before you enroll, ask them what percentage of their nursing graduates pass the NCLEX-PN exam within six months of graduation - that's the exam you must pass in order to practice. This is a stat that you can use to compare the quality of programs.
What's the closest Airport to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center?
The most direct routes to Cedars are about 15 miles from both Burbank Airport and LAX. Burbank is smaller and convenient, *if* you can find flights. From both airports to Cedars, it would take just under a half hour best scenario. During typical slow traffic, it would likely take about an hour from Burbank and probably longer from LAX.
Should we keep Kaiser Medical Insurance if we move to Cambria, San Luis Obispo, and the California area?
You didn’t say where you live now. But regardless of where you move, you may not even have the option of keeping your Kaiser insurance. If your residence address is not in a zip code that Kaiser provides service to within California, you won’t be eligible for KP individual coverage—which I assume you are asking about.Kaiser, you probably know, is in some counties and not in others. For example, it is all over Santa Clara County like a blanket; but cross the line into San Benito County and Monterey County, it’s not available for you to purchase. As it happens, when we lived for some years in Monterey we kept our Kaiser insurance attached to our old address in Oakland, a building we happened to continue owning—because pre-ACA, no other insurer would have written us a policy—but for medical care we had to drive almost an hour up to the clinic in Gilroy, or to Santa Teresa (Kaiser) Hospital, respectively 1 and 2 hours away.
What percentage of times do police officers not show up to testify in traffic court?
As Christopher Hawk said, it depends on which law enforcement agency is involved. Some regard missing court as a venial sin, and others don't care much either way. Cops almost always get paid overtime for attending court, which you would think would be an incentive to show up. However, sometimes free time and not having to interrupt your day (or night, if you're on the graveyard shift) are more important than money. I don't know what the stats are or were, but I had the impression that a lot of the officers from my agency blew off court frequently. Several defense attorneys told me, with good-natured disparagement, "Dammit, Dees, you always show up!" The primary defense strategy for many lawyers was what we called "the whites of the eyes defense." If you see the whites of the arresting officer's eye in the courtroom hallway, plead your client out. Like Christopher, I also missed court twice. It was my fault, both times. I wrote the appearance date or time down incorrectly in my pocket calendar, and just blew it off. It was uncharacteristic of me that there were no consequences. I did a lot of DUI enforcement, and because of that had more court appearances than anyone in the patrol division. My record was seven in one day, all at different venues, and I made every one of them. I doubt anyone knows the answer to the question. There are too many variables, and it's doubtful anyone tracks this outside a single agency.
Can a nurse love comfortably in Southern California?
Totally depends on your definition of comfortable. If your definition includes Louboutins and multiple Coach bags, a Lexus and a 3500 square foot house, then absolutely not. If you want to live a nice, middle class existence with a modest home, and you spend your money wisely then yes you can. But understand that the cost of living almost anywhere in CA is ridiculous. You don't make substantially more money than nurses in other areas of the country so it will be harder to live 'comfortably' compared to a nurse working in Missouri or Florida or Maine. There are other states that have ocean coastline that are just as beautiful and far more affordable to live.
What's it like moving to California from Pennsylvania?
Depends where in Pennsylvania. As they say: Pennsylvania has Pittsburgh in the west, Philadelphia in the east, and Alabama in the middle. It also depends on where in California. California is FREAKING BIG. Your experience will vary dramatically depending on where you live. There have been proposals to split California into 6 states, which is just about right.I present my observations, from 1989, when I left my home town of Philadelphia for Silicon Valley, in no particular order:Bad shockYou can drive and drive and drive, and you are still in the same state.An hour drive to something is typical, as opposed to unusual. Things are way farther apart. Driving to LA from San Jose is like driving from Philadelphia to Boston.State and sales tax much higher.Much more scattered public transit; poor regional transit planning.Everything is more expensive: Food, housing, rent, fuel (due to special anti-smog formulations).People tend to be newcomers and transients. Most people don't set down roots here, because everything is more expensive.Deli? Fuhgettaboutit. You may find a rare gem somewhere, but there is no deli culture.Hard to find good New York Style Pizza. But possible.The Pacific Ocean is REALLY COLD, at least here up north.Beach/Boardwalk culture is different. There is Santa Cruz, but it's a pretty different vibe from the Jersey Shore.Good ShockLiquor is available in supermarkets and private stores. None of this state store/beer distributor nonsense.Pedestrians have the right of way. For real. You need to stop for them.No "auto inspection" and the attendant fees. Just auto emission inspections.What are "snow tires?" (at least if you're not in snow country...)You can drive to snow if you want it. And then you can drive away from it!No "State Police," you have the "California Highway Patrol."Roads are in WAY better shape, since there is no freeze/thaw cycleHard to see the change of seasons; it's way more subtle.Way fewer ticks and mosquitoes, makes outdoor activities much more pleasant.Serious mountains. Not the cute little baby-mountains in Pennsylvania. Skiing is a totally different experience than the Pocono mountains. (EDIT: My friend from Colorado just asked me, “What mountains are you talking about? I don’t know about any mountains in California.” So, it’s all relative…)Wine country. Become a single varietal snob; tons to choose from.I may add more as I remember, or if commenters jog my memory. That was a long time ago.
I found someone's phone and tried to give it back in exchange for $50 for the time. They declined so I said fine and left. Can I get in legal trouble?
Legally, I believe you have committed a crime. I’m not a lawyer or police officer, so I can’t say that with 100% certainty. The reason I suggested it might be a crime is because you showed up with the phone and you clearly established who the owner was. Then, when they refused to pay you, you left. I think that might be larceny. And, depending on the cost of the phone, could be a serious charge.In my opinion, your behavior was not very nice. How would you like it if you lost your phone or wallet and someone found it and kept it from you unless you paid them?And why do you think you should be paid for your time? Is it really that much of a big deal to meet somebody halfway and return the phone to them? Who knows, you might even make a friend.If you’ve ever done anything nice for somebody out of the goodness of your heart, you’d know what a good feeling it gives you inside. That is a much greater reward than any financial gain you might get.Have you ever heard of the “golden rule?” In case you haven’t, it goes a little something like this: “Do unto others as you would have done to yourself.” In other words, treat people the way you would like to be treated.You have to understand that nowadays mobile phones are VERY expensive. Think of how much work a person has to put in to get one.All I am saying is that if you were on the opposite end of this situation, you’d want the person to try to find you and return your property. Am I right? If the answer to that question is “yes,” then maybe you should simply return it without asking for a reward. And who knows? The owner may be so thrilled and appreciative of your kindness, he/she may even offer you a reward. Maybe it will even be MORE than $50!I don’t think you are a bad person for thinking this way. I think it’s simply human nature. I don’t know what your financial situation is like, but I could totally understand somebody who was in dire straits thinking about asking for a reward.As I said earlier, the feeling you get from doing a good thing for another is amazing. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s priceless!I hope my answer at least gave you a bit of perspective on the situation. Again, I think it’s a normal human response, but once you think it over a bit, you’ll probably feel like giving the phone back without asking for any money in return.I have faith in you!