Wow. Thank you internet for giving people from all corners of the country a chance to be heard - and seen. Hope you can still sleep at night after this one.... Oh and because he/she mentions "Clown Tunes #1 and #2", I've also included the song from the first "episode" below. Enjoy!
The person looks like Heath Ledger in The Dark Night... sort of.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
AOL Error?
Why am I not so surprised by this bit of satirical irony on AOL.com today... I think they mean "collision", but it's Washington, D.C so "collusion" works too...
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.
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