Category: photo

The Tax Man Cometh!

I frelling hate taxes!

Taxes from HELL!

Leave it to bureaucracy to make something that should be simple, incredibly difficult. I’ll never understand why they don’t just take what you owe out of your check the first time. Then, you would only need to file when and if you had credits, deductions, changes in income, etc. If you make the same amount every year w/o fail, there is no reason to have to ‘guesstimate’ every year. It’s not like the IRS doesn’t know what I make already.

Death to Tax Man!

I filed my taxes w/just 30 minutes to spare last night. I had a busy day of training at work so it only served to aggrevate my mood. I normally claim just enough every year so I end up owing a little or getting a little back. However, the last two years the owe amount has been getting higher. Since nothing on my end has changed, I can only assume it is because of changes in the tax laws. *Thank you once again for fucking me Dubya – At least you could use a little lube*

I do have some good news. I didn’t know I could deduct my work for charities as the IRS only offers “noncash” deductions in the form of real property. Well, it never dawned on me until recently that the work I am providing for the BCC is a “real property”. It is digital but still a physical object. If the freaking recording industry devils can sue people for copyright infringements for music then I sure as hell can claim my work as a deduction. So, for the first time in 3 years, I am getting roughly $500.00 back.

The bad news is I owe California roughly $450.00. I’m still ahead $50.0o bucks so I shouldn’t complain. I spent $30.00 of that e-filing my state return. I used to have to pay for both but this year a lot of the online sites offer free federal turns to everyone. I stuck w/H&R Block’s services as I’ve used them in the past. It was a good thing too as part of my state deductions were based on how much I paid last year. I couldn’t remember but H&R had it on file and imported the data for me seamlessly. This one single item was the saving grace of my mood last night.

I had an opportunity to go out w/Mostovic last night but I was in such a mood I didn’t think I’d be much fun. He went out w/the gang from the BCC. I really wanted to go but I know how I can get sometimes.

My mood is better today but still a bit fowl. I went to bed early but proceeded to wake up at 2:30am and spend 2 1/2 hours watching tivo’d shows. I finally crawled back in the sack around 5:00am.

Inspected by #11

Don’t you hate those annoying little tags they insert into new undies? “Inspected by #11” or “#7 approved”. *just a rambling thought that settled into the spinwheel that is my brain.*

J & Moby

Yesterday was the first day w/the new trainee. I snagged this lovely shot of us on channel (radio). She is in her final rotation. That means at the end of the next 4 weeks she either gets released into solo capacity as a dispatcher or terminated.

My first impression: she has a good foundation but hasn’t really had the hardcore training she needs. Not trying to toot my own horn, I am a fantastic trainer. And I say this only because it takes a separate talent to teach someone a new skill. There are plenty of dispatchers who are excellent at what they do. However, very few have the real skills to teach what they know to others effectively. I have this skill in spades it seems. (Go figure, I almost became a teacher)

J and I have something in common in that we ‘play for the same team’. If you don’t know what that means, you should read my profile again. 😉 That doesn’t really make a difference in her training to me. I mention it only because she is the first “team member” I’ve trained.

Tivo

I broke down and bought a Tivo system online. It arrived today. I couldn’t help myself. It was on sale on their website. I just couldn’t resist. After rebate, I’ll only have spent $100.00 on the system so thats not a bad deal for the midgrade model.

Tivo

So far the setup has been pretty simple. The only downside is once you get it programmed you have to wait 6 hours for it to ‘process’ all the download data. Not a problem, as I’m off to work in a bit anyway.

Monday – Blech

I hate Monday’s. Especially after having such a great weekend. However, Monday has arrived and with it comes responsibility. blech!

I did manage to drag my lazy carcass into the gym only to remember halfway thru it I had a Union meeting today and was late. So mid work out (triceps) I had to break and head to work. The meeting went well w/the exception of one Supervisor who only focuses on his needs. Naturally, he is applying to fill the empty managers position. *but I’m not bitter*

Work was uneventful today. Boring if such a thing were possible.

The feeling of enjoyment from the weekend is still w/me. Which is odd as work usually zaps it right out of me. I just had such a relaxing weekend goofing and blogging w/mostovic that I’m in glow mode. *giggle* Norm snapped this shot of us blogging together in the Castro.

Mostovic & Moby Blogging

Great Pic, thanks N!

Cheap Self Plug

Ok, because I know you just love photos, I’m posting these for all of you. It has nothing w/me wanting to show off. Really, I swear. lolol

TH and I had a sleepover and this is our morning after photo.

The Morning After

The photographers for the BCC have gone hog wild taking pics of TH and myself at the prelims. So, of course, I just have to post them.

This one is my favorite. We both came out looking good.

Aren't we cute?

This is my second favorite. This was after the contest was over.

Awww How ADORABLE!

Sick to your stomach yet? lol I have more but I’ll spare you.

I did manage to snag a shot of some friends we ran into at Squat & Gobble. I haven’t seen Tim & Dennis since the breakup so it was good to catch up and chat.

Tim & Dennis

TGIF and Random Bits

Last night was the final preliminary for the BCC. I got there late as I had to work but TH picked me up and we got there just in time to catch contestant #3 of the 5 total. (I usually have their site updated by Sunday)

I snapped off a shot of Thom & Joey, two of the finalists.

Thom & Joey

Now don’t you wish you had gone? *g*

I also managed to snap a lap shot of Th and I. Neither of us liked this shot as it distorts our faces. Oh well, you can’t always have good lighting right?. Instead of looking high, I look like I have a fat head in this one. Speaking of the hottie, we are fast becoming close friends. Now whether that will develop into something more is unknown at this point. We just like spending time w/each other. I have to admit, it is nice to snuggle up next to him when we are out. My ex abhorred any sort of personal affection in public. TH on the otherhand seems to enjoy it as much as I. wahoo!

Mark & Moby

Oh TGIF btw. It has been a decent week w/o the drama queen here. Other than my one rough call things have been nice. The big issue now is our local union chapter is ramping up for a big fight against the city for our raise. The city tripled our duties 2 years ago w/o any sort of raise and we have reached our limit w/that. Things are about to get radical if we don’t see some results soon.

Speaking of the ex, we are scheduled to get together on Sunday and swap out some furniture. We still have some loose ends together. From all the little tattletales who feel the incessant need to give me updates on his life, he seems to be doing fine. I don’t know why they feel the need to run back to me. The ex and I talk often enough I know he is doing ok, I don’t need anyone’s input over it. *hint hint*

Not much else for now. Maybe later I can blather on about something.

Dude! Wheres My Scooter!

I somehow managed to misplace my scooter over the weekend. Don’t ask me why but for some odd reason I left it at work and didn’t remember it.

I’m headed downstairs to hop on it and I discover it is not there. I originally thought I might have left in the Castro. TH called right when I was scrambling to find it. He happened to be in the Castro and did a quick scan to see if I had left it here. Nope. So, I called work thinking it might have been towed. Nope. Now, I’m starting to think it was stolen.

Who would want to steal this?

Le Scooter

Thinking I met have left it AT work I walked over and sure enough there it was. I’m insured so I wasn’t overly worried. TH and I got a tickle out of maybe my scooter was w/his lost camera and they’d turn up together.

Joyful Noise

Yesterdays rant was a bit draining on me but I’m glad I posted it. It was the last tragedy of my childhood and it gives you a great insight into why I am the way I am now.

I enjoyed this past weekend! I spent a huge chunk of it doing the thing I love most…relaxing and hanging out w/friends. TH and I spent the day Saturday over at San Benita’s Light House on the mainland. The day was sunny and windy and as it turns out the wind got to high and we couldn’t actually cross the small bridge over to the lighthouse. However, we did take some good pics and enjoyed the scenic views. We spent the later part of the afternoon down on black sands beach having a light lunch and good conversation. I so wish we hadn’t lost the great pics we’d taken. Oh well, we’ll just have to get together again and take more.

TH and I had a talk about our budding relationship and where we both stood. Not surprisingly, we were both in agreement that we liked spending time w/each other but, anything serious wouldn’t be wise at this point. It only served to make the day better. Spending time w/TH has made me feel things I wasn’t sure I could feel again. For that I am sincerely grateful to him.

The bad news is we were so wrapped up in good conversation, we somehow managed to lose TH’s new camera. I had forgotten to bring mine as usual. So all the good pics we took were lost along w/his very nice camera. I felt horrible about that and proceeded to do my very best to keep him “preoccupied”. I think I did a pretty good job. *g*

Skipping around a bit, I ran into Tim this past Friday on the subway. He is always whining that I don’t pay him enough attention here so I snapped off a shot of him for all of you. Here he is in all his glory fresh off the subway.

Tim Fresh Off Muni

Tim is from big ole Kentucky and we met “per chance” at the gym when I was still at Gold’s. Being from the South, he is a total character just like me. He is currently going to school to be an attorney. (I know, but we won’t hold that against him)

Sunday, I spent most of the day lounging about. (Thats code for being lazy) Sunday, evening I had dinner w/a couple of guys from work. Rich & Dave. Both are cops and have been together for I believe 12 years now.

Freeze Dirtbag!

They make for really good friends and I am lucky to have them in my life. They got to meet TH and thought very highly of him. I haven’t seen them as of late w/my schedule being so wack. It was good to catch up.

All in all, it was a good weekend. The weather was nice up until last night and the company was even better. Now, if I can just survive another week at work.

Pictures Worth A Thousand Words

I’m just home from the BCC contest. We had a whopping 6 contestants tonight. That is the most yet. Four of which made it to the finals. I got there late tonight as my schedule has gone back to normal since getting my fire training out of the way.

TH went w/me, which was very nice. I find I enjoy spending time w/him as we always seem to laugh a lot. I miss that. I took the camera w/me and snapped this pic of him and Thom who is a finalist for the contest.

Thom & The Hottie

Hopefully, I won’t fuck it up and scare him off. *crossed fingers* We did have a good laugh before hand. I wasn’t going to post this originally but you guys already know I’m screwy in the head so here goes. The other night I was feeling a bit lonely. TH had left an under shirt from his sleepover (yes, he slept over one night) and I put it over my pillow so I could sleep w/it. How pathetic is that I ask you? He seemed flattered so I guess all is not lost. I can say I didn’t wake up once that night. *g*

Anyway, back to the present. We had a nice time. All the photographers were snapping pics of us tonight so I’ll have several more pics to post later. I also ran into another friend Mark and his new crush. I snapped off a shot of them as well.

Ivan & Mark

They make a cute couple. Mark (on the right) is a great guy and he deserves someone special in his life. His last LTR ended a bit rough so I was tickled to see he has a new flame as well.

And with that, I’m off to bed.