So much for keeping up with my writing goals!
An update for those who are reading this blog:
1. In mid-February, my 2001 Hyundai Sonata died an unexpected death! It seems that the timing belt, which should have been replaced during the previous owner's waranty period, never was. This caused the gears to grind against each other, causing the termination of the engine after putting in over 60,000 miles! I had a choice between spending over $2000 for a new engine, not counting labor and the fact that I was still making monthly payments on it, or trading the car in for a 2006 Hyundai with the dealership finishing the payments on the "old" car and me making a $200/month increase on payments for this new model along with a $2000 downpayment. I chose the second option, which caused a considerable crimp on my budget that I started to feel in July. More on that later.
2. I had my most successful year at H&R Block in terms of seasonal income. I didn't beat my record of 242 clients, but I did exceed my $7,500 gross average by nearly $1000! My $2,300 bonus was devoured by $900 for taxes, of course, but at least I was able to pay back most of the money that my mother loaned me for the unexpected car payment that I made in February as well as get caught up with the rent.
3. The ownership of Burlington Coat Factory has been officially transferred from the Milstein Family to Bain Capital, a factor (bank for businesses) that also owns companies (like Staples). The "new owners" haven't introduced themselves to BCF staff below management, but it has made its presence felt by making a few policy changes. The checks that we issue to the vendors and factors that we deal with are pre-printed with signatures, except for checks valued at over $300,000, and there will be no more authorized overtime! The latest development has come down to management this week: certain departments will be downsized, but there will be no lay-offs! There will be job offers posted that current employees will have options to take when they're available. They're also opening 20 new stores next month after closing nearly 10 a few months ago! Something tells me that some of these new stores won't only have employees transferred from other stores manning them.
4. I've completed 2 H&R Block tax school courses, Financial Life of a Taxpayer Parts I & II, and I'll be completing two more before the end of next week, SoleProprietorships & Tax-Exempt Organizations. The first two will be mandatory courses for second-year preparers because of H&RB's policy of being "Your Tax Preparation and Financial Partner," no doubt prompting the potential growth of H&R Block's Mortgage and Financial Services as well as the acquisition of a new bank that will start next year! As I've posted earlier, banks and other financial institutions are the wave of the future in terms of the US economy and I shudder to think about what's going to happen when manual labor in the form of "Made in the USA" will become a thing of the past! "Sole Proprietorships" cover the Schedule C form and all connecting forms filed by people who either contract their services, sell packaged goods out of their homes, license themselves as day-care providers, work as freelance artists and other self-employed practices. "Tax Exempt Organizations" involve working on tax returns for 501(c) 3 organizations like charities and non-profit organizations. I was going to attend two courses that would prove beneficial when our district reinstates the "Clicks & Mortars" online program next season: "Foreign Income for US Citizens" and "US Income for Foreign Citizens" since the program has been available online for people from different countries who work for American corporations as well as soldiers serving abroad and foreign-based American business-people. Since the District Manager said that he needs more instructors for the Basic Tax Course being offered in the fall, I don't know whether it will interfere with my attending these classes. I'll have to wait and see.
5. My moviegoing time has been limited due to a tighter budget and higher gasoline prices, making any non-essential trip a luxury. The few movies that I did see, "Superman Returns," "Lady in the Water," "X3" and "Clerks II," were little more than curiousity-satisfyers after seeing the steady hype each film pumped out on the "small screen" these past few months. They weren't bad films so much as formularized re-treads of better films IMHO. The Superman film was basically Superman II without the Kryptonian Villains, "Lady..." was like "Splash" but without the warmth and gentle humour that saved that picture (ironically, the daughter of Splash's director played a mermaid in this film), "X3" had Kelsey Grammer playing the long-awaited Dr. Henry "Beast" McCoy but there was very little else to recommend a repeat viewing, and Kevin Smith attempted to fulfill a promise to his old friend Jason "Stoner Jay" Mewes, as well as please his long-standing View Askew-niverse fans, with "Clerks II" but grossed out everybody else in the process (including ABC-TV film critic Joel Siegel, who alledgedly walked out after the first 40 minutes)! Garrison Keillor's "Prarie Home Companion Movie" had its moments, but it was more due to the contributions of the prominent "guest stars" than the material that they had to work with. I occasionally listen to the radio show, so I'm familiar with the basic structure, but I don't know if I would have gotten as much out of it if I was new to the concept. Of course, I could say the same thing about 3 out of the four films that I cited earlier. It's a sad commentary that all the movie industry can currently offer are sequels and TV adaptations! That's why I won't waste my time and money watching "Pirates.....II" and The "Miami Vice" Movie! When "Ghost Rider" comes out, I might consider seeing that. Nicholas Cage will probably make a better Johnny Blaze than a Clark Kent/Superman fill-in (as was originally proposed a few years ago).
I have some homework to do, so I'll just have to cut this short until...the next time that I post. I'm trying to cut down on making promises that I can't keep, but it's a constant struggle. Let it begin here.
Yumyum is downstairs picking up breezes from under the front door, so watch your step when you leave. Things have cooled down lately since the arrival of that cold front from Canada.
Take care.
