Shamnesty (adj) a bill the pretends to offer amnesty and opportunity, but is really a sham.
I'm proud of my little neologism (a GRE word) "shamnesty" though I worry that it'll far too often be applicable in the next few weeks.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Taxes
I'm settling in this week and beginning to face the task of filing my taxes. As a progressive I don't really mind paying my taxes. I like the idea that my taxes go to programs that educate children, fund roads, help pay for the arts, support scientific research. All good things. I'm less thrilled when my tax dollars go to a misguided war and creating another Halliburton millionaire. So that hurts a little. Oh, and I realize I'm paying the government for the right to live in a country where I have no federal representation. I seem to remember a catchy phrase that summed this up.
Let's see... "When in doubt, I whip it out. Got me a rock an roll band it's a free for all." No that's not it.
If it does not fit, you must acquit.
Nope not that one. Well anyway, I'm sure it'll come to me.
My main frustration with tax season is two fold.
1) as a person who has worked for many employers in many states in the past few years, tax time is a dizzying array of municipalities, governments and employers taking, deducting, refunding, contributing and taxing my money. To say nothing of the several states from which I have received refunds, or unemployment benefits in the same time. It's maddening. This year, the most sane in a while, still features 3 separate W2 forms and 4 separate states. Yuck.
2) The government knows what the right answer is. That's the frustrating part. You fill out your taxes trying to get the right answer. But all along there is a predetermined answer, that you're supposed to arrive at. So it's a little annoying. It's like if the electric company asked you to estimate how much your bill should be and then had the power to punish you for getting it wrong. I'd much rather get a bill from the government for my share of the nation's efforts. That'd be much nicer and less stressful.
So my hope is that I'll have ONE job for the next 12 months and have ONE state of residence and ZERO unemployment. That'd be pretty terrific.
Let's see... "When in doubt, I whip it out. Got me a rock an roll band it's a free for all." No that's not it.
If it does not fit, you must acquit.
Nope not that one. Well anyway, I'm sure it'll come to me.
My main frustration with tax season is two fold.
1) as a person who has worked for many employers in many states in the past few years, tax time is a dizzying array of municipalities, governments and employers taking, deducting, refunding, contributing and taxing my money. To say nothing of the several states from which I have received refunds, or unemployment benefits in the same time. It's maddening. This year, the most sane in a while, still features 3 separate W2 forms and 4 separate states. Yuck.
2) The government knows what the right answer is. That's the frustrating part. You fill out your taxes trying to get the right answer. But all along there is a predetermined answer, that you're supposed to arrive at. So it's a little annoying. It's like if the electric company asked you to estimate how much your bill should be and then had the power to punish you for getting it wrong. I'd much rather get a bill from the government for my share of the nation's efforts. That'd be much nicer and less stressful.
So my hope is that I'll have ONE job for the next 12 months and have ONE state of residence and ZERO unemployment. That'd be pretty terrific.
Monday, March 20, 2006
All my favorite singers*...
Last night I saw Silver Jews live. It's only the 8th time they've ever played a live show. It was amazing. I'll post more about it, and certainly tell you anything and everything you could ever want to know if you wanna ask me. I spent the entire concert about 10 feet from David Berman. Front row. I cannot stress how close to the stage I was...during the opening bands, I was siting on the stage. That's how close I was.
Wonderful show. Just terrific.
After the show, Mark jumped on stage and retreived for me the set list used by Cassie Berman the bass player and D Berman's wife. Needless to say I was the envy of many of the other geeky SJ fans in attendance.
The set list is here. I think it's particularly endearing that the set list includes the chords for the songs. I guess when you never tour it's harder to remember how to play all the songs.
Sadly they didn't play the second encore (Inside the Golden Days of Missing You). But it was so good that I can't say I really minded in the least.
*From "we are real" which they didn't play, alas. Hopefully in years to come I'll be able to hear them again. How exciting.
"Repair is the dream
of the broken thing.
Like a message broadcast
on an overpass.
All my favorite singers couldn't sing."
Wonderful show. Just terrific.
After the show, Mark jumped on stage and retreived for me the set list used by Cassie Berman the bass player and D Berman's wife. Needless to say I was the envy of many of the other geeky SJ fans in attendance.
The set list is here. I think it's particularly endearing that the set list includes the chords for the songs. I guess when you never tour it's harder to remember how to play all the songs.
Sadly they didn't play the second encore (Inside the Golden Days of Missing You). But it was so good that I can't say I really minded in the least.
*From "we are real" which they didn't play, alas. Hopefully in years to come I'll be able to hear them again. How exciting.
"Repair is the dream
of the broken thing.
Like a message broadcast
on an overpass.
All my favorite singers couldn't sing."
Friday, March 17, 2006
Jogging
According to my PT I'm making good progress. I've even been cleared to start jogging. With this permission I went to the gym and ran on Wednesday. It was delightful. I don't normally enjoy running. The oft referenced runners high doesn't seem to work for me, maybe I'm doing it wrong. I get a high which I'd imagine is not unlike smoking oregano. Not so effective.
But running on Wednesday was perfect. I ran 3 minutes and walked 2 and did this for 20 minutes. The walking was per PT's orders. Not from fatigue.
First 3 minutes: 7mph, or roughly 8:30 mile.
Second 3 minutes: 7.5mph or closer to 8 minute mile
Third 3 minutes: 8mph or about 7:30 minute mile.
Fourth 3 minutes: 9mph or a scorching and liberating 6:30 minute mile.
Again, it's a long way to go, and 3 minutes of running even at a brisk pace isn't comparable to playing game 3 on a Sunday at a tournament. But it's a start. And a reassuring one at that.
PT says I'll be able to play at FoolsFest. Not as much as I'd like, and clearly not as well as I'd like. But knowing that I'll get to play is such a treasure. Such a great feeling. Here's hoping I don't step off any curbs or do anything stupid in the next few weeks.
Corpse foot is no more, it's been replaced with shiny sleek foot. I shaved my ankle to make taping it easier and less painful. Pretty sexy, I might add. So I've entered the world of the ankle tapers. Here's to a brief visit.
But running on Wednesday was perfect. I ran 3 minutes and walked 2 and did this for 20 minutes. The walking was per PT's orders. Not from fatigue.
First 3 minutes: 7mph, or roughly 8:30 mile.
Second 3 minutes: 7.5mph or closer to 8 minute mile
Third 3 minutes: 8mph or about 7:30 minute mile.
Fourth 3 minutes: 9mph or a scorching and liberating 6:30 minute mile.
Again, it's a long way to go, and 3 minutes of running even at a brisk pace isn't comparable to playing game 3 on a Sunday at a tournament. But it's a start. And a reassuring one at that.
PT says I'll be able to play at FoolsFest. Not as much as I'd like, and clearly not as well as I'd like. But knowing that I'll get to play is such a treasure. Such a great feeling. Here's hoping I don't step off any curbs or do anything stupid in the next few weeks.
Corpse foot is no more, it's been replaced with shiny sleek foot. I shaved my ankle to make taping it easier and less painful. Pretty sexy, I might add. So I've entered the world of the ankle tapers. Here's to a brief visit.
Boston
Heading to Boston this weekend to see Mark and Stacy. Oh, and the Silver Jews. I'm so excited. They've never toured before. I've heard some of the mp3s from the first two concerts in Georgia and it's amazing. I can't believe in a few days I'll be watching the 6th (or maybe it's the 7th) concert ever for SJ. Should be great.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Letter to Dobson
Mark just sent me this letter that Samuel Alito is supposed to have sent to James Dobson of Focus on the Family.
That's not a letter. It's Dobson's receipt.
.sigh.
"Dear Dr. Dobson:
This is just a short note to express my heartfelt thanks to you and the entire staff of Focus on the Family for your help and support during the past few challenging months.
I would also greatly appreciate it if you would convey my appreciation to the good people from all parts of the country who wrote to tell me that they were praying for me and for my family during this period.
As I said when I spoke at my formal investiture at the White House last week, the prayers of so many people from around the country were a palpable and powerful force.
As long as I serve on the Supreme Court I will keep in mind the trust that has been placed in me. I hope that we'll have the opportunity to meet personally at some point in the future. In the meantime my entire family and I hope that you and the Focus on the Family staff know how we appreciate all that you have done.
Sincerely yours,
Samuel Alito
That's not a letter. It's Dobson's receipt.
.sigh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)