It was a beautiful day today in Charlotte but all I could think about was the other QC...Cincinnati. I miss my friends, hanging on The Hill, NsT, hoopin' with the fellas, or just laying in the grass in Mt. Storm trying to feel the world turn. I never said goodbye and that weighed heavy on me. I need to get back and tell my people how much I've missed them.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
62 miles to the next rest stop
I knew it would be a while before I was able to post something again but I've had some time to take a breath and reflect on the last 18 months.
After a tumultuous year (2009) in Florida, I finally decided to let it go. I thought I would be there for a good, long time but it wasn't meant to be due in-part to bad timing (a crappy economy) and my inability to assimilate into the culture. Had it been one or the other I probably would have tried to persevere but I'm too restless to be complacent; I let too many good years go by in Ohio to make that same mistake again.
Earlier this year I made the move to North Carolina and it felt right. It still does. My experience has been positive and I'm having fun again. All of a sudden each day is a blank canvas to fill which I haven't had in a while and I'm far more craftier than I used to be.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Should five percent appear too small, be thankful I don't take it all...
Well, we've gone and done it. Healthcare reform has begun and we won't look back. For better or worse, that train is rolling. Now that legislation has finally passed on that issue, what will our cavalier government do next to better serve the people? My vote: fix the ridiculously circuitous tax code.
Recently, Jonathan Kern wrote an article for All Things Considered on NPR that brought into focus a little bumblebee that's been buzzing around in the back of my mind. The premise of the article states that our acceptance of software used to file taxes averts our focus away from the fact that the US personal tax code is ridiculously complicated. The article can be read and listened to here.
As you might suspect, this hit a little close to home. For most of my professional life I was someone's employee working under a W-2. I never knew how good I had it. In 2009 I was offered a chance to work as an independent contractor under a 1099-MISC. The benefit for me was the ability to control my work schedule, earn more money and pay less taxes (or so I thought). My clients benefitted by not having to pay FICA, various insurances, and business taxes on my behalf if I were their employee. It seemed like an ideal situation...until 'Uncle Sam' got involved. Even researching the self-employment tax thoroughly didn't uncover the hidden hitch in the tax code. I didn't realize what I had gotten myself into until it came time to file.
I've been gainfully employed for over 17 years and only once have my taxes been completed by a tax professional. In the early days, I literally would do my taxes by hand. Longform. It wasn't until the late 1990's that I started using tax software. (I've never been audited.) Even the early tax software was cumbersome but I managed. During the US governments' Age of Decadence the tax code became more and more labyrinthian as they needed to squeeze more and more dollars from John Q. Public. Like a lot of other Americans, I relied on tax software more and more.
Present day, the software is telling me I owe 4,000 more dollars than I have calculated. My math has never been that bad. The self-employment tax is designed so that you do not have to pay the employers half of the FICA (Federal tax and social security) BUT, what they don't tell you is that you will be taxed twice on the amount earned under the 1099. You will have to pay the personal income tax on that amount and then pay the self-employment tax on the same amount. I was devastated. The only way around this is to become an S-Corp which essentially is a tax shelter. You would had to have set this up before you starting earning under a 1099.
At first I felt bamboozled, led astray, but at the end of the day I had no one to blame but myself. Maybe if I had gone one step further and consulted a tax professional in the beginning I would have avoided this trap. I consulted the worst possible source for the self-employment tax...the IRS publications website. Also, they were vague about having to pay those taxes quarterly or suffer a penalty. Although that penalty is minor, about 2%, it could be avoided.
In the end, I consulted a tax professional to at least get the tax owed down through additional deductions but the best I could do was still miles from where I expected to be. The minute she heard my issue she sighed and shook her head. In short, she said I had been setup. She's sees a dozen people a week during tax season who were lead into this trap. Like students who are roped into internships that don't pay or teach them anything in the hopes that they may land an actual job there someday. All they did was give the company free labor. The devastating truth is, universities and corporations are in cahoots.
I had always believed that we needed a simpler tax code but only through education on the subject did I realize just how deceptive it is. All along I had been drinking the Kool-Aid because the tax software made it taste so good.
Recently, Jonathan Kern wrote an article for All Things Considered on NPR that brought into focus a little bumblebee that's been buzzing around in the back of my mind. The premise of the article states that our acceptance of software used to file taxes averts our focus away from the fact that the US personal tax code is ridiculously complicated. The article can be read and listened to here.
As you might suspect, this hit a little close to home. For most of my professional life I was someone's employee working under a W-2. I never knew how good I had it. In 2009 I was offered a chance to work as an independent contractor under a 1099-MISC. The benefit for me was the ability to control my work schedule, earn more money and pay less taxes (or so I thought). My clients benefitted by not having to pay FICA, various insurances, and business taxes on my behalf if I were their employee. It seemed like an ideal situation...until 'Uncle Sam' got involved. Even researching the self-employment tax thoroughly didn't uncover the hidden hitch in the tax code. I didn't realize what I had gotten myself into until it came time to file.
I've been gainfully employed for over 17 years and only once have my taxes been completed by a tax professional. In the early days, I literally would do my taxes by hand. Longform. It wasn't until the late 1990's that I started using tax software. (I've never been audited.) Even the early tax software was cumbersome but I managed. During the US governments' Age of Decadence the tax code became more and more labyrinthian as they needed to squeeze more and more dollars from John Q. Public. Like a lot of other Americans, I relied on tax software more and more.
Present day, the software is telling me I owe 4,000 more dollars than I have calculated. My math has never been that bad. The self-employment tax is designed so that you do not have to pay the employers half of the FICA (Federal tax and social security) BUT, what they don't tell you is that you will be taxed twice on the amount earned under the 1099. You will have to pay the personal income tax on that amount and then pay the self-employment tax on the same amount. I was devastated. The only way around this is to become an S-Corp which essentially is a tax shelter. You would had to have set this up before you starting earning under a 1099.
At first I felt bamboozled, led astray, but at the end of the day I had no one to blame but myself. Maybe if I had gone one step further and consulted a tax professional in the beginning I would have avoided this trap. I consulted the worst possible source for the self-employment tax...the IRS publications website. Also, they were vague about having to pay those taxes quarterly or suffer a penalty. Although that penalty is minor, about 2%, it could be avoided.
In the end, I consulted a tax professional to at least get the tax owed down through additional deductions but the best I could do was still miles from where I expected to be. The minute she heard my issue she sighed and shook her head. In short, she said I had been setup. She's sees a dozen people a week during tax season who were lead into this trap. Like students who are roped into internships that don't pay or teach them anything in the hopes that they may land an actual job there someday. All they did was give the company free labor. The devastating truth is, universities and corporations are in cahoots.
I had always believed that we needed a simpler tax code but only through education on the subject did I realize just how deceptive it is. All along I had been drinking the Kool-Aid because the tax software made it taste so good.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
A Pleasant Surprise for a Card-Carrying Cynic
About 4 years ago a good friend of mine whom I'll call "T" (I have this habit of protecting identities when they don't have access to the material in which they are mentioned) asked me if I would be the Godfather of her two daughters. We certainly were very close and I wasn't surprised by the request however, it gave me pause. I'm not religious about anything and I felt that maybe I didn't meet the criteria.
First a little background: She, like me, was a native New Yorker and carried some of the cynicism you cultivate from running the streets and seeing the true nature of man on display but, she was always the kindest person you would ever want to meet. At that point we had known each other about 15 years and in all of our great conversations, we had never touched on God or religion. Eventually, I left for the midwest and she left for a dream detail with her employer in the Caribbean. The years passed and we maintained our friendship. Before long there was a wedding and then a daughter, then another.
And now I had a decision to make. For some, it's an easy one but, I wanted to take this seriously. Is there shame to be had for a non-believer to accept this responsibility? Would I feel like a fraud? Would I be making a mockery of this ceremony? It was probably all in my mind but a part of me felt it would be hypocritical for me to blindly accept. I'm no big fan of religion although I would probably be in big trouble if they organized one that centered on sleeping or food.
So, I asked her if I could think about it and a day or two later we discussed it again. For "T" it wasn't about the religious aspect but what I meant to her and the kids and that certainly put me at ease. She trusted me to give the girls guidance and protection when needed and that was enough for her. It was enough for me too. I should note that their father sets a good example for them. He's engaged in every aspect of their lives and works hard to provide for his family. My role is one on the periphery but you never know when you will be called into service.
We had a wonderful time at the Christening of their oldest daughter and a year and half later, we are at the Christening of their second daughter. I felt as though I should do something special for the girls that would fit in the moment so, I decided to purchase two very sturdy leather bound bibles: one black, one white. For each girl I handwrote a letter on the first blank page of each respective bible. I can't remember the exact words but I tried to convey how thankful we all were that they were in our lives and what the times were like. How much they reminded me of their mother at even such a young age. I wanted them to know that they could rely on me for anything, anytime, forever. It was incentive enough for me to live the right kind of life knowing that these young ladies could need me at any time. I took an oath and I had to be prepared for just such an occasion.
I had expected that the bibles would be kept in a safe place and possibly never used and that was ok. The family had about 5 bibles of various types in their household and could acquire a few more in their lifetime I suppose. However, yesterday I called "T" and she told me that the black bible (given to her oldest daughter) is missing. They haven't changed residences. I'm like, "Who would steal a bible?! And out of your house at that?". What she told me caught me off guard. The girls carried their bibles with them to church and to bible study every week. The oldest appears to have misplaced hers but they live on a island and its personalized so it can't be far. My hope is that it will turn up soon. If not, I will be more than happy to replace it with warm sentiments.
They carry their bibles with them every week. Who knew? The youngest can't even read yet. No sooner than they learn to read, they will read the words of promise and love that I tried to convey. A pleasant surprise indeed.
First a little background: She, like me, was a native New Yorker and carried some of the cynicism you cultivate from running the streets and seeing the true nature of man on display but, she was always the kindest person you would ever want to meet. At that point we had known each other about 15 years and in all of our great conversations, we had never touched on God or religion. Eventually, I left for the midwest and she left for a dream detail with her employer in the Caribbean. The years passed and we maintained our friendship. Before long there was a wedding and then a daughter, then another.
And now I had a decision to make. For some, it's an easy one but, I wanted to take this seriously. Is there shame to be had for a non-believer to accept this responsibility? Would I feel like a fraud? Would I be making a mockery of this ceremony? It was probably all in my mind but a part of me felt it would be hypocritical for me to blindly accept. I'm no big fan of religion although I would probably be in big trouble if they organized one that centered on sleeping or food.
So, I asked her if I could think about it and a day or two later we discussed it again. For "T" it wasn't about the religious aspect but what I meant to her and the kids and that certainly put me at ease. She trusted me to give the girls guidance and protection when needed and that was enough for her. It was enough for me too. I should note that their father sets a good example for them. He's engaged in every aspect of their lives and works hard to provide for his family. My role is one on the periphery but you never know when you will be called into service.
We had a wonderful time at the Christening of their oldest daughter and a year and half later, we are at the Christening of their second daughter. I felt as though I should do something special for the girls that would fit in the moment so, I decided to purchase two very sturdy leather bound bibles: one black, one white. For each girl I handwrote a letter on the first blank page of each respective bible. I can't remember the exact words but I tried to convey how thankful we all were that they were in our lives and what the times were like. How much they reminded me of their mother at even such a young age. I wanted them to know that they could rely on me for anything, anytime, forever. It was incentive enough for me to live the right kind of life knowing that these young ladies could need me at any time. I took an oath and I had to be prepared for just such an occasion.
I had expected that the bibles would be kept in a safe place and possibly never used and that was ok. The family had about 5 bibles of various types in their household and could acquire a few more in their lifetime I suppose. However, yesterday I called "T" and she told me that the black bible (given to her oldest daughter) is missing. They haven't changed residences. I'm like, "Who would steal a bible?! And out of your house at that?". What she told me caught me off guard. The girls carried their bibles with them to church and to bible study every week. The oldest appears to have misplaced hers but they live on a island and its personalized so it can't be far. My hope is that it will turn up soon. If not, I will be more than happy to replace it with warm sentiments.
They carry their bibles with them every week. Who knew? The youngest can't even read yet. No sooner than they learn to read, they will read the words of promise and love that I tried to convey. A pleasant surprise indeed.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Flying the Friendly Skies
This week, film director Kevin Smith was asked to de-plane a Southwest flight due to his size. The cabin crew made a determinaton that he needed two seats and since there were no side-by-side empty seats available he had no choice but to get off.
The policy of forcing larger people to purchase two seats due to their size is not a new one. Southwest has incorporated a "customer of size policy" for 25 years under the guise that it is a safety issue despite the fact that most airlines will give you a seat belt extender if you ask for one.
As someone who flies in the US roughly 46 weeks a year I can tell you that I barely fit in coach seating and I'm of average height and build. Airplane cabins appear to be getting smaller and smaller.
Now, some airlines are placing boxes under seats for wi-fi, safety equipment, and power recepticles. Along with increasing fees for checking luggage, this has caused a baggage nightmare on most flights. Even if you are the first person on the plane you only have a 50-50 chance of being able to fit your carry-on under the seat in front of you. If you are one of the last people to board then you face that dilemma combined with the lack of overhead space leaving you no choice but to check your carry-on luggage which may contain fragile items.
This of course always leads to a confrontation with the obnoxious, overzealous baggage-bin clod. You know, that guy who gets on late and thinks he's the alpha-traveler. He's gonna open the bin over his row, remove your bag and put his briefcase and blazer in then, take your bag and move it two rows down and cram it into an already-full bin. I loathe that guy. I wait until after we take off and I unpack his bin under the pretense that I was looking for my stuff and then I realize its not in there anymore. Oops. I'll just fold your blazer into an origami swan and jam it in-between this Samsonite and the bulkhead...
Ok, I don't really do that. If his luggage comes open when he removes it from the bin, that wasn't me either. ;-)
The policy of forcing larger people to purchase two seats due to their size is not a new one. Southwest has incorporated a "customer of size policy" for 25 years under the guise that it is a safety issue despite the fact that most airlines will give you a seat belt extender if you ask for one.
As someone who flies in the US roughly 46 weeks a year I can tell you that I barely fit in coach seating and I'm of average height and build. Airplane cabins appear to be getting smaller and smaller.
Now, some airlines are placing boxes under seats for wi-fi, safety equipment, and power recepticles. Along with increasing fees for checking luggage, this has caused a baggage nightmare on most flights. Even if you are the first person on the plane you only have a 50-50 chance of being able to fit your carry-on under the seat in front of you. If you are one of the last people to board then you face that dilemma combined with the lack of overhead space leaving you no choice but to check your carry-on luggage which may contain fragile items.
This of course always leads to a confrontation with the obnoxious, overzealous baggage-bin clod. You know, that guy who gets on late and thinks he's the alpha-traveler. He's gonna open the bin over his row, remove your bag and put his briefcase and blazer in then, take your bag and move it two rows down and cram it into an already-full bin. I loathe that guy. I wait until after we take off and I unpack his bin under the pretense that I was looking for my stuff and then I realize its not in there anymore. Oops. I'll just fold your blazer into an origami swan and jam it in-between this Samsonite and the bulkhead...
Ok, I don't really do that. If his luggage comes open when he removes it from the bin, that wasn't me either. ;-)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A good healthy dose of cynicism never hurt anybody. Right?
I acknowledge that I am cynical and sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's mildly annoying (this is a self-assessment). I'm trying hard not to be this way particularly in my blogs because I want to be clear and concise and not muddle the text with unnecessary emotional nuances but as I'm fond of saying, "I like to complain.".
Recently, Conan O'Brien talked about cynicism in his final monologue and I actually felt like he was talking directly to me. It was one of those "get out of my head" moments. Here's what he said:
"All I ask of you, especially young people...is one thing. Please don't be cynical," O'Brien said. "I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen."
For a split-second I felt bad but then I came to my senses. It may be that Conan never mastered the Art of Cynicism. Or, maybe I should just stop watching TV.
My periodic lack of faith in humanity has produced some gems like...
On a more serious note, I find it tragicomical that there was an earthquake in Haiti and we pledged (and spent) millions to save the Haitians which is fine except the American military has laid waste to one of our own territories (Vieques) and we haven't done anything to help the US citizens who live there. The number of people with cancer on this small island off the coast of Puerto Rico is staggering and the "mainland" and mainstream has all but turned a blind eye. Anyone who cared left when the US Navy did. Read the story on CNN here.
I know, I know. So much injustice in the world. I definitely need to stop watching TV.
Recently, Conan O'Brien talked about cynicism in his final monologue and I actually felt like he was talking directly to me. It was one of those "get out of my head" moments. Here's what he said:
"All I ask of you, especially young people...is one thing. Please don't be cynical," O'Brien said. "I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen."
For a split-second I felt bad but then I came to my senses. It may be that Conan never mastered the Art of Cynicism. Or, maybe I should just stop watching TV.
My periodic lack of faith in humanity has produced some gems like...
On a more serious note, I find it tragicomical that there was an earthquake in Haiti and we pledged (and spent) millions to save the Haitians which is fine except the American military has laid waste to one of our own territories (Vieques) and we haven't done anything to help the US citizens who live there. The number of people with cancer on this small island off the coast of Puerto Rico is staggering and the "mainland" and mainstream has all but turned a blind eye. Anyone who cared left when the US Navy did. Read the story on CNN here.
I know, I know. So much injustice in the world. I definitely need to stop watching TV.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Showerheads
As a business traveler I spend a lot of time in hotels, particularly ones that share the name of a rather flighty celebrity. I've found that I can sleep in most, if not all, beds but it's the showerheads that have become a source of ire.
Let there be no ambiguity: there is no such thing as a massaging shower head, only broken ones.
I've listed the 3 most common types:
1. Pins and Needles - This is the nozzle setting that feels like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is clawing your back mercilessly. Of course, the showerhead is broken and only this setting is available.
2. The Dribbling Sunflower - This is when water is shooting out the back of the showerhead and what comes out the front is a weak stream of lukewarm water forcing you to huddle under its light trickle.
3. ...and my personal favorite: Shoot-You-In-The-Eye-Shoot-You-In-The-Nuts - This sadistic showerhead setting keeps you on your feet by shooting a rapid, alternating stream of water in your left eye and then your crotch and then your left eye. Who thought this was theraputic?
I like to complain.
Let there be no ambiguity: there is no such thing as a massaging shower head, only broken ones.
I've listed the 3 most common types:
1. Pins and Needles - This is the nozzle setting that feels like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is clawing your back mercilessly. Of course, the showerhead is broken and only this setting is available.
2. The Dribbling Sunflower - This is when water is shooting out the back of the showerhead and what comes out the front is a weak stream of lukewarm water forcing you to huddle under its light trickle.
3. ...and my personal favorite: Shoot-You-In-The-Eye-Shoot-You-In-The-Nuts - This sadistic showerhead setting keeps you on your feet by shooting a rapid, alternating stream of water in your left eye and then your crotch and then your left eye. Who thought this was theraputic?
I like to complain.
Neglect
How could something so important fall by the wayside? How I could I neglect something that has been so wonderful to me? Are there so few hours in the day, so few days in a week that I can't dedicate just a small amount of time to it?
Of course, I'm talking about blogging.
I was relatively late to blogging but I find it so much fun. And I like to think that I actually have things to blog about. For example, due to business travel all over the US, I have accrued a handful of funny stories (along with a ton of photos) and met a bunch of really cool people. In truth, it's been both a blessing and a curse. It giveth and it taketh away. I haven't cycled or worked out in months (or blogged for that matter). I've been sharing a condo in Florida for the last couple of months as well and I haven't been able to make the space I occupy mine. It's of course, my own fault. I went off the grid and went "temporal" in my haste to chase my hopes and dreams.
Of course, I didn't know what those hopes and dreams were but I think I have a better idea now. I like the Great Unknown. Not necessarily adventure but forward progress from self-reliance. Complacency scares the hell out of me but I have to find a balance and set down some roots without becoming furniture.
The first step is to get back to the things I love. Get back to things that are rewarding. Like blogging.
Of course, I'm talking about blogging.
I was relatively late to blogging but I find it so much fun. And I like to think that I actually have things to blog about. For example, due to business travel all over the US, I have accrued a handful of funny stories (along with a ton of photos) and met a bunch of really cool people. In truth, it's been both a blessing and a curse. It giveth and it taketh away. I haven't cycled or worked out in months (or blogged for that matter). I've been sharing a condo in Florida for the last couple of months as well and I haven't been able to make the space I occupy mine. It's of course, my own fault. I went off the grid and went "temporal" in my haste to chase my hopes and dreams.
Of course, I didn't know what those hopes and dreams were but I think I have a better idea now. I like the Great Unknown. Not necessarily adventure but forward progress from self-reliance. Complacency scares the hell out of me but I have to find a balance and set down some roots without becoming furniture.
The first step is to get back to the things I love. Get back to things that are rewarding. Like blogging.
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