Sonoma
Calhoun
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Heidi Montag: 'My Boobs Are Crushing Me' | PopEater.com
Um, yeah, you think??! What a train wreck this girl has become... Heidi Montag: 'My Boobs Are Crushing Me' | PopEater.com
Monday, August 16, 2010
High Fructose Corn Syrup
This is a good article on AOL today about the health concerns associated with High Fructose Corn Syrup. Crystal and I have made an honest effort to eliminate many sources of HFCS from our diets already. I can't shake sodas yet - which are probably the worst offenders (of HFCS and a myriad of other cancer causing chemicals), but we've done well in other regards. We've even stopped buying the Claussen brand Kosher dill pickles that we so adore. Hmm, side note, maybe we could try pickling our own cucumbers (Crystal - jot that down if you're reading this)?? I already knew I had to cut back my HFCS intake since I was diagnosed with IBS. It's not like anyone would happen to prefer HFCS in comparison to other sugars, but it's just so darn prevalent. Anyway, enjoy the article and comment below with any thoughts.
'Fructose-Slurping' Cancer Could Sour the Soda Business
'Fructose-Slurping' Cancer Could Sour the Soda Business
Friday, August 13, 2010
Has the White House Gone Tone Deaf?
This article is interesting and reflects sentiments in my previous post "We are here!"
Has the White House Gone Tone Deaf?
Has the White House Gone Tone Deaf?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Wine Tasting
Here are some pictures fro our wine tasting adventures on Sunday. We went with Crystal's mom, Steve, Tim, Becca, Crystal, West, and myself. It was a nice day in the warm sun of Sonoma Valley having good wine and great company. I also found my favorite Chardonnay of all time at Chateau St Jean.
Pictures from Carmel-By-The-Sea
We spent time in Carmel, CA on Saturday. The weather was a little cool, but made the beach a nice place to play. Enjoy the pictures!
Examination Process
After screwing up my tax return in 2009, the IRS contacted me through mail to notify me that I was undergoing the "Examination Process". Okay, I test well....
First, the background story with my 2009 return. I worked for two Boston Scientific locations in 2008 and should have received two W2s. Without knowing it at the time, I filed my taxes with only one W2, representing only half a year's earned income. When I realized my mistake, I filed an extension (it was close to April 15th) and ultimately filed a correction form (1040X). By the time I sent in the correction, I had already received a monetary return through direct deposit for the erroneous amount I claimed on the form. Because of this, I sent in a check with the 1040X for the money I owed back to the IRS (based on what they should have originally owed me had I filed my taxes properly). The check was deposited by the Fed, and I never heard another thing.... until late April this year...
I was notified of the Examination Process via a package in the mail. Here's a sampling of what was in the package:
I wonder why the IRS didn't answer any of my concerns? I was really hoping for an opportunity to get answers and information flowing the other way. I played nicely with them, why can't the IRS return the favor? After all, they work for - and because of - us.
I'll quit while I'm ahead, but have half a mind to respond to this letter saying the issue remains open from my side. What if I had sent in a payment without arguing the Examination? Luckily I had the presence of mind and resources to pull all the information together. Others may not have been so lucky. If the amount they expected me to pay was like $100, I may have just written a check to be done with it. If the government needs to collect such a staggering portion of my income, they must keep track of it better.
First, the background story with my 2009 return. I worked for two Boston Scientific locations in 2008 and should have received two W2s. Without knowing it at the time, I filed my taxes with only one W2, representing only half a year's earned income. When I realized my mistake, I filed an extension (it was close to April 15th) and ultimately filed a correction form (1040X). By the time I sent in the correction, I had already received a monetary return through direct deposit for the erroneous amount I claimed on the form. Because of this, I sent in a check with the 1040X for the money I owed back to the IRS (based on what they should have originally owed me had I filed my taxes properly). The check was deposited by the Fed, and I never heard another thing.... until late April this year...
I was notified of the Examination Process via a package in the mail. Here's a sampling of what was in the package:
1) First they inform me I owe the Fed $10,000.
2) Then, I have to choose an option (clearly, option 3 wins).
3) And finally, they provided me with the errors they've identified with my return.
Upon hearing this news, I wasn't so shocked, but irritated (naturally). Right off the bat there were logical issues with their corrections. For example, they claimed to have records of additional income I made during the 2008 year, but no records of the additional withholding from that income!
I dug around my records a bit and called the IRS. I explained exactly what happened that year (similar to what I've written here) to the agent on the phone, and she said there were no additional records on file for my return that year. Only the first return was showing in their system, no 1040X and no additional payment. With this information, and after some communication with my bank, I put together the following response for the IRS. I did it in a three part manner which the IRS would be familiar with:
I sent this letter a little over a month after receiving notification of the Examination (a couple days late of course) and heard nothing for a while. But then in the middle of July, I received this note:
2) Then, I have to choose an option (clearly, option 3 wins).
3) And finally, they provided me with the errors they've identified with my return.
Upon hearing this news, I wasn't so shocked, but irritated (naturally). Right off the bat there were logical issues with their corrections. For example, they claimed to have records of additional income I made during the 2008 year, but no records of the additional withholding from that income!
I dug around my records a bit and called the IRS. I explained exactly what happened that year (similar to what I've written here) to the agent on the phone, and she said there were no additional records on file for my return that year. Only the first return was showing in their system, no 1040X and no additional payment. With this information, and after some communication with my bank, I put together the following response for the IRS. I did it in a three part manner which the IRS would be familiar with:
1) First I told them I don't owe $10,000.
2) Then I explained why I will not be paying them any more money.
3) And finally, I provided them with the errors I identified with their Examination.
3) And finally, I provided them with the errors I identified with their Examination.
Here's the letter:
I sent this letter a little over a month after receiving notification of the Examination (a couple days late of course) and heard nothing for a while. But then in the middle of July, I received this note:
I wonder why the IRS didn't answer any of my concerns? I was really hoping for an opportunity to get answers and information flowing the other way. I played nicely with them, why can't the IRS return the favor? After all, they work for - and because of - us.
I'll quit while I'm ahead, but have half a mind to respond to this letter saying the issue remains open from my side. What if I had sent in a payment without arguing the Examination? Luckily I had the presence of mind and resources to pull all the information together. Others may not have been so lucky. If the amount they expected me to pay was like $100, I may have just written a check to be done with it. If the government needs to collect such a staggering portion of my income, they must keep track of it better.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
FBI vs. Wikipedia
This story is an interesting read. Basically, the FBI threatened Wikipedia with legal action if they didn't remove the image of the FBI seal from their website. A lawyer from the FBI sent Wikipedia a letter to remove the image and a Wikipedia lawyer followed up with a rather entertaining response.
Monday, August 2, 2010
First ASCA Trial
This weekend was Sonoma's first Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) agility trial. This group is another governing body, like the American Kennel Club (AKC). Because it's a new venue to "Team CGS", we started in Novice with no qualifying runs. The trial was sponsored by our local ASCA chapter called the Peninsula Australian Shepherd Association (PASA), of which we are members.
We got up at 5:30 Saturday morning and made the 1 hour trip south on 101 to Prunedale, CA where the trial was being held. We arrived at about 7:00 in the misty 50 degree air - ideal for the dogs, but Crystal and I were not prepared for the weather. By 7:15 we were thoroughly chilled and the bottom foot of our jeans were soaked from the grass. Hmm, agility is fun...
There were five runs on Saturday: 2 Gamblers, 2 Regular, and 1 Jumpers (because ASCA is different from AKC, the agility games have slightly different rules, but are mostly similar in concept. ASCA Gamblers is similar to AKC FAST, Regular is similar to Standard, and Jumpers is similar to Jumpers with Weaves). Of the five runs on Saturday, we only Q'ed in one event. It was a rather discouraging performance for our first show at ASCA. Sonoma and Crystal had a second Q in the Jumpers class, but it was taken away when Sonoma ran out of the ring off-leash at the very end and sniffed another dog. We couldn't buy a Q...
We had been so excited to try out the new venue, new course styles, and we really blew it. One out of five?? Oof.... Our runs weren't horrible, we just made silly mistakes. It was so frustrating!! By the time we left the trial Saturday evening, we were in rare form: disappointed, discouraged, cold, wet, and honestly, slightly embarrassed. Another day of agility on Sunday seemed like an impossible task... But come on, agility is fun...
That night, back at home, we decompressed from the day. We questioned if we even wanted to go back on Sunday for another 5 runs. But that sense of "poor us" quickly began turning around. We sounded like a couple of whiners! Really, where would quitting get us? Was that really the way to recover and clean up from Saturday? True embarrassment would come from failing to rise to the challenge and not showing our faces on Sunday.
We couldn't quit. We're going back on Sunday to qualify. Sonoma and I hadn't gotten a Q for three or four trials and dammit I was fittin' on getting one Sunday. So we woke up early Sunday morning with a fresh mindset and replaced our anger and frustration with positivity and humbleness. We prepared better for the weather and wet field by wearing better clothes and shoes. We came back on Sunday having learned lessons the hard way on Saturday.
When we arrived back at the venue, the trial representatives joked with us that they were surprised to see us back. Apparently we were outwardly upset the day before - oops! We told them we were back to improve upon yesterday and to just have fun. Let's be honest, the more experience you have in agility, the more days you've had like Saturday. But you stick with it, because its rewarding and it's a chance to bond closely with your dog. And you stick with it, because agility is fun!
And wouldn't you know, Sunday was a different story. Sonoma had five runs on Sunday as well: 1 Gamblers, 2 Regular, and 2 Jumpers. We used our one Gamblers run to train issues we had on Saturday - primarily issues with contact obstacles. Because of this decision, we intentionally sacrificed qualifying in this event so we could have a better chance to Q in the Regular and Jumpers courses (this is a common strategy among agility handlers, training during the Gamblers event). After Gamblers, came my turn to handle Sonoma in Jumpers. I have not been nervous handling Sonoma in a long time. But something was different on Sunday, I was finally nervous.
I stepped up to the line with Sonoma ready to perform. The timer announced that they were ready for me to begin our run. I made Sonoma sit and stay, took off her leash, and I stepped into my starting position. I released her from her stay and we were off! She cleared the first two hurdles with no problems, then came the tunnel. I motioned for Sonoma to enter the tunnel, but she started heading toward the wrong end! Our hopes for a Q could collapse right here! I clapped and shouted her name, "Sonoma! Here! Whoa! Hey! S!" She looked up, turned sharply, and entered in the correct end. Disaster averted. We then cleanly made it over the next 9 or so jumps, and then she apprached the 10th jump at a sharp angle. She actually hit the jump upright with her left front shoulder as she went over and I heard the bars rattle. We moved on, finishing the rest of the course cleanly. I looked back and both bars were still on the jump we hit. A clean run! A Q! It was my first Q with Sonoma in four trials!!
Overall on Sunday, we qualified in four runs! We finished with three 1st places and one 2nd place. What a difference a simple attitude adjustment makes. All three of us were grinning from ear to ear by the end of the trial on Sunday. Sonoma clearly felt our excitement and pride.
I am very proud of "Team CGS". We came back on Sunday and showed the stuff we are made of. Saturday was humbling, no doubt about it. But Sunday was redemptive and this weekend was educational in terms of life lessons. You really don't lose until you quit. We ended up 5 for 10 and a 50% qualifying rate is impressive in any agility venue.
Sunday night felt very different from Saturday. We swung from low, low, lows to high, high, highs. The PASA reps were very impressed by Sonoma and are looking forward to seeing her progress through the ranks. We are too. We'll be back for more ASCA - agility is fun!!
Here's a video from the weekend:
We got up at 5:30 Saturday morning and made the 1 hour trip south on 101 to Prunedale, CA where the trial was being held. We arrived at about 7:00 in the misty 50 degree air - ideal for the dogs, but Crystal and I were not prepared for the weather. By 7:15 we were thoroughly chilled and the bottom foot of our jeans were soaked from the grass. Hmm, agility is fun...
There were five runs on Saturday: 2 Gamblers, 2 Regular, and 1 Jumpers (because ASCA is different from AKC, the agility games have slightly different rules, but are mostly similar in concept. ASCA Gamblers is similar to AKC FAST, Regular is similar to Standard, and Jumpers is similar to Jumpers with Weaves). Of the five runs on Saturday, we only Q'ed in one event. It was a rather discouraging performance for our first show at ASCA. Sonoma and Crystal had a second Q in the Jumpers class, but it was taken away when Sonoma ran out of the ring off-leash at the very end and sniffed another dog. We couldn't buy a Q...
We had been so excited to try out the new venue, new course styles, and we really blew it. One out of five?? Oof.... Our runs weren't horrible, we just made silly mistakes. It was so frustrating!! By the time we left the trial Saturday evening, we were in rare form: disappointed, discouraged, cold, wet, and honestly, slightly embarrassed. Another day of agility on Sunday seemed like an impossible task... But come on, agility is fun...
That night, back at home, we decompressed from the day. We questioned if we even wanted to go back on Sunday for another 5 runs. But that sense of "poor us" quickly began turning around. We sounded like a couple of whiners! Really, where would quitting get us? Was that really the way to recover and clean up from Saturday? True embarrassment would come from failing to rise to the challenge and not showing our faces on Sunday.
We couldn't quit. We're going back on Sunday to qualify. Sonoma and I hadn't gotten a Q for three or four trials and dammit I was fittin' on getting one Sunday. So we woke up early Sunday morning with a fresh mindset and replaced our anger and frustration with positivity and humbleness. We prepared better for the weather and wet field by wearing better clothes and shoes. We came back on Sunday having learned lessons the hard way on Saturday.
When we arrived back at the venue, the trial representatives joked with us that they were surprised to see us back. Apparently we were outwardly upset the day before - oops! We told them we were back to improve upon yesterday and to just have fun. Let's be honest, the more experience you have in agility, the more days you've had like Saturday. But you stick with it, because its rewarding and it's a chance to bond closely with your dog. And you stick with it, because agility is fun!
And wouldn't you know, Sunday was a different story. Sonoma had five runs on Sunday as well: 1 Gamblers, 2 Regular, and 2 Jumpers. We used our one Gamblers run to train issues we had on Saturday - primarily issues with contact obstacles. Because of this decision, we intentionally sacrificed qualifying in this event so we could have a better chance to Q in the Regular and Jumpers courses (this is a common strategy among agility handlers, training during the Gamblers event). After Gamblers, came my turn to handle Sonoma in Jumpers. I have not been nervous handling Sonoma in a long time. But something was different on Sunday, I was finally nervous.
I stepped up to the line with Sonoma ready to perform. The timer announced that they were ready for me to begin our run. I made Sonoma sit and stay, took off her leash, and I stepped into my starting position. I released her from her stay and we were off! She cleared the first two hurdles with no problems, then came the tunnel. I motioned for Sonoma to enter the tunnel, but she started heading toward the wrong end! Our hopes for a Q could collapse right here! I clapped and shouted her name, "Sonoma! Here! Whoa! Hey! S!" She looked up, turned sharply, and entered in the correct end. Disaster averted. We then cleanly made it over the next 9 or so jumps, and then she apprached the 10th jump at a sharp angle. She actually hit the jump upright with her left front shoulder as she went over and I heard the bars rattle. We moved on, finishing the rest of the course cleanly. I looked back and both bars were still on the jump we hit. A clean run! A Q! It was my first Q with Sonoma in four trials!!
Overall on Sunday, we qualified in four runs! We finished with three 1st places and one 2nd place. What a difference a simple attitude adjustment makes. All three of us were grinning from ear to ear by the end of the trial on Sunday. Sonoma clearly felt our excitement and pride.
I am very proud of "Team CGS". We came back on Sunday and showed the stuff we are made of. Saturday was humbling, no doubt about it. But Sunday was redemptive and this weekend was educational in terms of life lessons. You really don't lose until you quit. We ended up 5 for 10 and a 50% qualifying rate is impressive in any agility venue.
Sunday night felt very different from Saturday. We swung from low, low, lows to high, high, highs. The PASA reps were very impressed by Sonoma and are looking forward to seeing her progress through the ranks. We are too. We'll be back for more ASCA - agility is fun!!
Here's a video from the weekend:
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