Giving the Democrats a supermajority was like giving a lazy person a treadmill. Sure, they need it. Sure, they could improve things if they use it. But you and I both know the damn thing is going to sit in a corner, buried in piles of Christmas wrapping paper, until it gets carted off in a garage sale. And so it was with the 60-vote supermajority. I won't miss it.
20 most recent
Thu, Jan. 21st, 2010, 08:34 pm
What This Other Guy Said, Too
Snurched from YouAreDumb.net
Tue, Jan. 19th, 2010, 11:20 pm
What He Said
Snurched in whole from Daily Kos:
Yeah, it sucks that we lost our 60th vote, but really, what did 60 get us last year? It empowered Joe Lieberman, gave cover to Blanche Lincoln, provided excuses to Harry Reid, and gave a free pass to Max Baucus.
Now we don't have 60. And like the Republican Senate of the 2000s, if Democrats want to get anything done, they'll have to do it via reconciliation.
Given last year's track record in the Senate, it certainly can't make the Senate any less effective.
Tue, Jan. 5th, 2010, 11:26 pm
You're the Tops
Well, over at SciFiChick.com, Losing the Peace has been named as one of the favorite books of 2009, sharing honors with Dave "![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
infinitydog" Mack and the legendary Alan Dean Foster in the media tie-in category.
I believe this sensation is called "gobsmacked". I mean, it's one thing to get a generally positive review from someone who has just read the book (as SFChick did this past summer), but to still have the one book stand out six months later? And to be mentioned above so many other books that are no less worthy of such praise? Yeah, I think "gobsmacked" covers it.
infinitydog" Mack and the legendary Alan Dean Foster in the media tie-in category.I believe this sensation is called "gobsmacked". I mean, it's one thing to get a generally positive review from someone who has just read the book (as SFChick did this past summer), but to still have the one book stand out six months later? And to be mentioned above so many other books that are no less worthy of such praise? Yeah, I think "gobsmacked" covers it.
Fri, Jan. 1st, 2010, 12:00 pm
Looks at Books, 2009
Yes, it's time for BLOG's Fifth Annual Reading Roundup! Spending most of the year without full-time employment allowed for one of the biggest reading years on record, having consumed 45 books, including two short story anthologies and one short book of non-fiction essays.
2009 also saw a marked drop in the amount of Trek fiction I consumed, due mostly to the end of the original ebook line, and to the fact that I didn't need to power-read half the upcoming year's publication schedule in preparation for my own novel. In 2009, I read a grand total of only eight Trek novels, versus 21 in 2008. In addition, I read media tie-ins for Bones, CSI:NY, Doctor Who, and Supernatural (one each). And, 17 others were part of continuing lit-only series, three of which were new to me
My reading this year was also more varied in terms of authors. Years past, I would typically read three to five books from a single author over the course of twelve months. This year, looking at my most-read authors, I find a three-way tie for first place with three books each: Ed McBain (on top for the fourth year running), Sara Paretsky, and John Scalzi. Following these are six authors from whom I read two offerings: Steven Hockensmith, Keith DeCandido, Laura Lippmann, Audrey Niffenegger, Harry Turtledove, and David Mack.
2009 was also a big year for trying the work of authors I'd never read before. In addition to the aforementioned Steven Hockensmith, Laura Lippmann and Audrey Niffenegger, also in this category were John D. MacDonald, Joyce Carol Oates, and Tim Pratt.
If I had to chose a favorite book of the year (and I don't, but I will), it would be The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, which was not only technically impressive in keeping its non-linear story straight, but wonderfully written science fiction romance. (Though, unfortunately, this proved too difficult an act to follow by her second book, Her Fearful Symmetry.)
Runners-up:
The Yiddish Policemen's Union, by Michael Chabon: a combination of alternate history, pulp detective novel, chess, and enough Jewish lore and Yiddish to choke a goyim, and yet it works brilliantly.
The Deep Blue Good-by, by John D. MacDonald: Carl Hiaasen often cites the Travis McGee series as a personal favorite, and it's not hard to see why. I'll be seeking more of these out going forward.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Never Ending Sacrifice, by Una McCormack: a sweeping epic of an alien society, pulled together with an amazing eye for detail and sense of storytelling.
First book of 2010: my newly acquired copy of the anthology Space Grunts, by a bunch of wannabe hacks...
2009 also saw a marked drop in the amount of Trek fiction I consumed, due mostly to the end of the original ebook line, and to the fact that I didn't need to power-read half the upcoming year's publication schedule in preparation for my own novel. In 2009, I read a grand total of only eight Trek novels, versus 21 in 2008. In addition, I read media tie-ins for Bones, CSI:NY, Doctor Who, and Supernatural (one each). And, 17 others were part of continuing lit-only series, three of which were new to me
My reading this year was also more varied in terms of authors. Years past, I would typically read three to five books from a single author over the course of twelve months. This year, looking at my most-read authors, I find a three-way tie for first place with three books each: Ed McBain (on top for the fourth year running), Sara Paretsky, and John Scalzi. Following these are six authors from whom I read two offerings: Steven Hockensmith, Keith DeCandido, Laura Lippmann, Audrey Niffenegger, Harry Turtledove, and David Mack.
2009 was also a big year for trying the work of authors I'd never read before. In addition to the aforementioned Steven Hockensmith, Laura Lippmann and Audrey Niffenegger, also in this category were John D. MacDonald, Joyce Carol Oates, and Tim Pratt.
If I had to chose a favorite book of the year (and I don't, but I will), it would be The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger, which was not only technically impressive in keeping its non-linear story straight, but wonderfully written science fiction romance. (Though, unfortunately, this proved too difficult an act to follow by her second book, Her Fearful Symmetry.)
Runners-up:
The Yiddish Policemen's Union, by Michael Chabon: a combination of alternate history, pulp detective novel, chess, and enough Jewish lore and Yiddish to choke a goyim, and yet it works brilliantly.
The Deep Blue Good-by, by John D. MacDonald: Carl Hiaasen often cites the Travis McGee series as a personal favorite, and it's not hard to see why. I'll be seeking more of these out going forward.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Never Ending Sacrifice, by Una McCormack: a sweeping epic of an alien society, pulled together with an amazing eye for detail and sense of storytelling.
First book of 2010: my newly acquired copy of the anthology Space Grunts, by a bunch of wannabe hacks...
Fri, Jan. 1st, 2010, 09:59 am
Another Year Over, A New One Just Begun
I've tried a couple of times to write some kind of end-of-year blog post, but either have been distracted by shiny objects or else just sighed in frustration before flipping over to Facebook to post some silly one-liner.
2009 was, for me, a transition year. At the end of 2008, I had just ended a nearly-twenty-year career in the retail and retail support sector. At the start of 2010, I'm at the beginning of what may become a career in financial services. In 2008, I was still building my reputation as a Trek writer; in 2010, I find myself as a critically acclaimed Trek novelist (yeah, okay, the "critical acclaim" is from the internet, but it's not like the NY Times is going to touch Trek with a ten-foot pole), and looking forward to continuing with the new editorial regime at the publisher. 2009 was like that moment between gear shifts after the one is disengaged, but before the next one catches. Except that it was 365 days of listening to the engine rev impotently and thinking, "Oh, shit, please god, don't tell me the fucking transmission is shot."
Really, the best thing I can say about 2009 is that it ended in such a way that I can be somewhat optimistic about 2010. And that, years from now, the only thing I'll actually remember is that it was the year my first novel was published, and that my first nephew was born.
So... here's looking forward to selective amnesia!
2009 was, for me, a transition year. At the end of 2008, I had just ended a nearly-twenty-year career in the retail and retail support sector. At the start of 2010, I'm at the beginning of what may become a career in financial services. In 2008, I was still building my reputation as a Trek writer; in 2010, I find myself as a critically acclaimed Trek novelist (yeah, okay, the "critical acclaim" is from the internet, but it's not like the NY Times is going to touch Trek with a ten-foot pole), and looking forward to continuing with the new editorial regime at the publisher. 2009 was like that moment between gear shifts after the one is disengaged, but before the next one catches. Except that it was 365 days of listening to the engine rev impotently and thinking, "Oh, shit, please god, don't tell me the fucking transmission is shot."
Really, the best thing I can say about 2009 is that it ended in such a way that I can be somewhat optimistic about 2010. And that, years from now, the only thing I'll actually remember is that it was the year my first novel was published, and that my first nephew was born.
So... here's looking forward to selective amnesia!
Thu, Dec. 10th, 2009, 01:32 pm
Homepage is Where the Heart Is
During my period of un- and underemployment, AOL did away with their web hosting service, sending my fledgling home page and the small collection of html files I had there off into the aether. (Worry not; the ones worth having are still on my hard drive.) And while I conducted my search, I told myself that, once I had a source of disposable income, I would register a domain and put a new site up.
Now that I've reached this point, though, I'm wondering if it's really worth it. I mean, websites seem so Web 1.0 nowadays, what with all the kids being into their Twittering and Facebooking and interactive networking socially. I rarely visit the sites of my writer friends, and in more than a few cases, those friends update their sites with even less frequency. Add to that my very rudimentary html skillz, my general lack of information which requires a fixed and semi-permanent web home, and my relative lack of promotable product,... I have to ask if it doesn't make just as much sense to forget building williamleisner.com and just use other sites for informational dissemination.
Thoughts?
Now that I've reached this point, though, I'm wondering if it's really worth it. I mean, websites seem so Web 1.0 nowadays, what with all the kids being into their Twittering and Facebooking and interactive networking socially. I rarely visit the sites of my writer friends, and in more than a few cases, those friends update their sites with even less frequency. Add to that my very rudimentary html skillz, my general lack of information which requires a fixed and semi-permanent web home, and my relative lack of promotable product,... I have to ask if it doesn't make just as much sense to forget building williamleisner.com and just use other sites for informational dissemination.
Thoughts?
Thu, Dec. 10th, 2009, 12:06 am
Musings on Unemployment
Longtime fans of BLOG will recall that I was laid off from my former day job last October. As those of you who "follow" me on Twitter or Facebook have read, I will rejoin the ranks of the fully employed as of Monday, my first day as an "efficiency analyst" for a major financial institution with offices in Minneapolis.
Those same fans of BLOG have likely noticed that my LiveJournal blogging has been minimal during this period -- in large part because I decided to embrace "social networking", via Facebook and Twitter, as a potential means to, well, network. Socially. (For the record, my silly movie line and song lyric citations had little to nothing to do with getting this new job.)
But, now that I prepare to emerge from this fourteen-month-long tunnel and into the light, I thought I might use this long format blog to post a few reflections on this period.
( Read more... )
Those same fans of BLOG have likely noticed that my LiveJournal blogging has been minimal during this period -- in large part because I decided to embrace "social networking", via Facebook and Twitter, as a potential means to, well, network. Socially. (For the record, my silly movie line and song lyric citations had little to nothing to do with getting this new job.)
But, now that I prepare to emerge from this fourteen-month-long tunnel and into the light, I thought I might use this long format blog to post a few reflections on this period.
( Read more... )
Mon, Nov. 30th, 2009, 09:50 pm
Four!
While out and about this evening, I stopped into the local Borders for a quick look around. I hadn't been in for a couple of weeks, at which time there had been a marked absence of Trek trade paperbacks, in particular, my Myriad Universes volume. This evening, I was pleased not only to discover that they had restocked Infinity's Prism, but also to learn that the book is now in its fourth printing! It's been a while since I've been pleased by something I discovered at Borders, I'll tell you...
Sun, Nov. 1st, 2009, 10:24 pm
Counting blessings
Sometimes, even when the universe kicks you, it exercises some restraint.
On Saturday, in an effort to avoid the apartment complex rugrats thumping up and down the halls knocking on doors, I decided I would head up to Half Price Books and see if there had been any cool additions to their stock since last week. Driving along on the highway, I notice something in the road ahead, that from a distance initially looked like a shallow pothole. Once I got close enough -- i.e. too close -- I realize that it's actually a hefty chunk of concrete. "Oh, I probably don't want to drive directly over that," I said to myself, one second before I drove directly over it. The car bumps and jumps, and after a few seconds, I hear a telltale sound from the right rear tire. Sure enough, it's flat as the proverbial griddle-cooked batter-based breakfast dish.
Now, this sucks. I mean, there's no two ways around that, right? But...
... I was able to get to the shoulder safely, jack up the rear, and swap the flat for the spare without any problems. Which, y'know, for a guy who doesn't necessarily do a lot of "masculine" things, felt pretty good. Pretty damn good.
... it was chilly, but not finger numbing cold. And, being the last day of Daylight Saving Time, there was still plenty of late afternoon daylight at 5:15 pm.
... I was then able to get off the highway and find a place, just a couple miles down the road, which was still open at 5:30 Saturday evening, and where they were able to get me into the garage in a matter of minutes.
... I had known, for a few months, that all four of my tires needed replacing, but I had been putting it off until I was in a better financial situation. Even though they had been handling pretty poorly on wet roads of late, and surely would not been the best things to drive on through snow and ice. So, accepting that my hand was more or less being forced, I had the four new tires I needed put on, and I'm set for winter.
... as I noted elsewhere recently, I had just made my last payment on this car, so I can rationalize the tire purchase as just one more month where I had to pay for the car, rather than an extra expense. (Well, it's more like an extra month and a half, but whatever.)
So, thank you, universe, for putting that chunk of debris in the road when and where you did.
On Saturday, in an effort to avoid the apartment complex rugrats thumping up and down the halls knocking on doors, I decided I would head up to Half Price Books and see if there had been any cool additions to their stock since last week. Driving along on the highway, I notice something in the road ahead, that from a distance initially looked like a shallow pothole. Once I got close enough -- i.e. too close -- I realize that it's actually a hefty chunk of concrete. "Oh, I probably don't want to drive directly over that," I said to myself, one second before I drove directly over it. The car bumps and jumps, and after a few seconds, I hear a telltale sound from the right rear tire. Sure enough, it's flat as the proverbial griddle-cooked batter-based breakfast dish.
Now, this sucks. I mean, there's no two ways around that, right? But...
... I was able to get to the shoulder safely, jack up the rear, and swap the flat for the spare without any problems. Which, y'know, for a guy who doesn't necessarily do a lot of "masculine" things, felt pretty good. Pretty damn good.
... it was chilly, but not finger numbing cold. And, being the last day of Daylight Saving Time, there was still plenty of late afternoon daylight at 5:15 pm.
... I was then able to get off the highway and find a place, just a couple miles down the road, which was still open at 5:30 Saturday evening, and where they were able to get me into the garage in a matter of minutes.
... I had known, for a few months, that all four of my tires needed replacing, but I had been putting it off until I was in a better financial situation. Even though they had been handling pretty poorly on wet roads of late, and surely would not been the best things to drive on through snow and ice. So, accepting that my hand was more or less being forced, I had the four new tires I needed put on, and I'm set for winter.
... as I noted elsewhere recently, I had just made my last payment on this car, so I can rationalize the tire purchase as just one more month where I had to pay for the car, rather than an extra expense. (Well, it's more like an extra month and a half, but whatever.)
So, thank you, universe, for putting that chunk of debris in the road when and where you did.
Thu, Oct. 29th, 2009, 07:34 pm
Poetry Spam Slam
This showed up in my email this afternoon. I have no idea what it means, or what it's trying to sell, but I still thought it needed to be shared. Dig it:
Despotism was unknown,
and even the chieftain,
in the proper sense of the word,
had no existence.
Hello, i am Ursula Connelly
Try it for the well-being
You have not yet seen my husband.
Oh, you damned dandies.
Deep, man. Deep.
Despotism was unknown,
and even the chieftain,
in the proper sense of the word,
had no existence.
Hello, i am Ursula Connelly
Try it for the well-being
You have not yet seen my husband.
Oh, you damned dandies.
Deep, man. Deep.
Mon, Oct. 12th, 2009, 11:51 am
Say Uncle V
Welcome to the world, Kyle William, born this morning to my sister Teri and her husband Steve, their third child and first son.
Sat, Sep. 26th, 2009, 09:54 am
Did I Fall Asleep? Yep, I Sure Did...
I was one of those folks who, earlier this year, both looked forward to Joss Whedon's new SF series, and dreaded Fox's inevitable cancellation of the show before its time.
Then I watched the first few episodes of Dollhouse, and wasn't particularly taken by it. But, I knew that the Fox suits, in their infinite wisdom, had dictated changes to the pilot and early episodes, and read online that after episode six, things would shift. So, I decided to stick it out. And while there were some interesting bits and pieces in those later episodes, they were just bits and pieces, not enough to overcome the very large problems with the show, namely being, A) it's a show about a very high-tech, very expensive, very secret slavery/prostitution operation, and B) Eliza Dushku really does not have the acting chops to be a dramatic lead, particularly on a show where she doesn't have a consistent character to play. But, since I had already come this far, I decided to keep watching. Because Fox would be cancelling the show any time now.
And then Fox renewed it. Damn them.
So, I watched the second season premiere Friday, curious to see how all the changes wrought by last year's finale would affect things. The most unfortunate change, I think, is the absence of Miracle Laurie, who was really one of the bright spots of the show last year. And there's also the knowledge that Amy Acker's character is going to be disappearing in the next few weeks. And there are new twists with the addition of Agent Ballard to the Dollhouse, and with the Senator character being built as the new nemesis.
But the show still suffers a fatal flaw, in that it stars Eliza Dushku. And so, the majority of the hour is devoted to watching her "character" play the world's stupidest FBI agent, undercover as new bride to an international arms dealer. The audience is treated to a squicky wedding night scene, intercut with Agent Ballard waiting around his apartment while the woman he spent all last season trying to save gets frakked by Lee Adama. This is followed by an even squickier scene of Echo's gynecological exam after. And then, the whole plan falls apart because this custom-made investigative agent is too fucking stupid to make sure the bad guy has pulled out of the driveway before trying to pry open his locked office desk drawer with a letter opener.
And really, worst of all? There's still nothing in this show that says "Josh Whedon" to me. That thing, that unique element that made Buffy and Firefly and Doctor Horrible so entertaining is completely lacking in Dollhouse. And I've given up hoping that it's now going to show up. Time to put the dolls back in their boxes.
Then I watched the first few episodes of Dollhouse, and wasn't particularly taken by it. But, I knew that the Fox suits, in their infinite wisdom, had dictated changes to the pilot and early episodes, and read online that after episode six, things would shift. So, I decided to stick it out. And while there were some interesting bits and pieces in those later episodes, they were just bits and pieces, not enough to overcome the very large problems with the show, namely being, A) it's a show about a very high-tech, very expensive, very secret slavery/prostitution operation, and B) Eliza Dushku really does not have the acting chops to be a dramatic lead, particularly on a show where she doesn't have a consistent character to play. But, since I had already come this far, I decided to keep watching. Because Fox would be cancelling the show any time now.
And then Fox renewed it. Damn them.
So, I watched the second season premiere Friday, curious to see how all the changes wrought by last year's finale would affect things. The most unfortunate change, I think, is the absence of Miracle Laurie, who was really one of the bright spots of the show last year. And there's also the knowledge that Amy Acker's character is going to be disappearing in the next few weeks. And there are new twists with the addition of Agent Ballard to the Dollhouse, and with the Senator character being built as the new nemesis.
But the show still suffers a fatal flaw, in that it stars Eliza Dushku. And so, the majority of the hour is devoted to watching her "character" play the world's stupidest FBI agent, undercover as new bride to an international arms dealer. The audience is treated to a squicky wedding night scene, intercut with Agent Ballard waiting around his apartment while the woman he spent all last season trying to save gets frakked by Lee Adama. This is followed by an even squickier scene of Echo's gynecological exam after. And then, the whole plan falls apart because this custom-made investigative agent is too fucking stupid to make sure the bad guy has pulled out of the driveway before trying to pry open his locked office desk drawer with a letter opener.
And really, worst of all? There's still nothing in this show that says "Josh Whedon" to me. That thing, that unique element that made Buffy and Firefly and Doctor Horrible so entertaining is completely lacking in Dollhouse. And I've given up hoping that it's now going to show up. Time to put the dolls back in their boxes.
Mon, Sep. 21st, 2009, 09:12 pm
Ego-Boost
defcons_treklit has posted a new review of Losing the Peace at Unreality SF, and it's another good'un! Money quote:Overall, a strong novel and a good comeback for TNG-branded novels after the decidedly sub-par Greater Than the Sum. After A Less Perfect Union and Losing the Peace, I certainly look forward to more novels by William Leisner.
Woo and hoo!
Mon, Sep. 14th, 2009, 05:18 pm
Hey, Look What I Found!
*blows layer of dust off the old LiveJournal*
Hey, everyone, how ya doing?
So, I feel like I'm finally back into the writing groove again, after far too long. In addition to the Star Trek Magazine article I did last month, I've today completed and submitted a short story for an open anthology. And with that out of the way, I'm now looking again at the original novel that had been my WIP until I found enough excuses to put the work and the progress aside. Hopefully, the time away will help improve the enthusiasm I had for the project.
On the job front... I've taken a part-time job, which is very part time, though on the other hand, is also low paying. But it gets me out of the house, and it lets me be able to say, I do have a job. There was an interview for a full time job last week, and another coming up this week, so not all hope is yet lost.
And so it goes.
Hey, everyone, how ya doing?
So, I feel like I'm finally back into the writing groove again, after far too long. In addition to the Star Trek Magazine article I did last month, I've today completed and submitted a short story for an open anthology. And with that out of the way, I'm now looking again at the original novel that had been my WIP until I found enough excuses to put the work and the progress aside. Hopefully, the time away will help improve the enthusiasm I had for the project.
On the job front... I've taken a part-time job, which is very part time, though on the other hand, is also low paying. But it gets me out of the house, and it lets me be able to say, I do have a job. There was an interview for a full time job last week, and another coming up this week, so not all hope is yet lost.
And so it goes.
Thu, Aug. 27th, 2009, 04:26 pm
Open Letter to TrekLit Fanboys
Dear Internet Fuckwits:
If you start a post/blog/tweet by saying, "I don't know a lot about (blank), but,..." then not only is whatever follows on the subject of (blank) going to be ignorant shit pulled straight out of your ass, but you've just told the whole internet that what you're saying is ignorant shit pulled out of your ass. And honestly? We had pretty much already figured that out on our own. So why not save us all the time and energy and STFU, 'kay?
Love,
Bill
If you start a post/blog/tweet by saying, "I don't know a lot about (blank), but,..." then not only is whatever follows on the subject of (blank) going to be ignorant shit pulled straight out of your ass, but you've just told the whole internet that what you're saying is ignorant shit pulled out of your ass. And honestly? We had pretty much already figured that out on our own. So why not save us all the time and energy and STFU, 'kay?
Love,
Bill
Sun, Aug. 23rd, 2009, 08:41 pm
Still Alive
Clearly, I have nothing to say. How about any of you?
Fri, Aug. 14th, 2009, 06:18 pm
Quote of the Week
"I'll tell you what really doesn't speak well of our health care system: that in those sixteen months, the hole that they stitched up in Glenn Beck's ass hasn't healed enough for him to stop talking out of it."
Good God, but I love Jon Stewart
Good God, but I love Jon Stewart
Thu, Aug. 6th, 2009, 10:38 pm
RIP John Hughes
Mr. Mom
National Lampoon's Vacation
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Breakfast Club
Sixteen Candles
Weird Science
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
She's Having a Baby
Home Alone
Thank you, sir, for so much entertainment over the years.
National Lampoon's Vacation
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Breakfast Club
Sixteen Candles
Weird Science
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
She's Having a Baby
Home Alone
Thank you, sir, for so much entertainment over the years.
Fri, Jul. 31st, 2009, 09:07 pm
One For You, Nineteen for Me
I pick up my mail on my way out of the house this evening, and find a letter from Minnesota Revenue.
Okay, it may not be horrible news, I tell myself. It could just be some kind of form letter or notice.
"Bullshit," I answer, and open the envelope. And I read on the cover sheet:
"Bullshit," I say again. I flip through the pages. The audit was for my 2006 Property Tax. (Though I rent, Minnesota gives me credit for the percentage of my rent that goes toward the owners' property tax, and given my lower-middle-class income, I am entitled to a small refund from the state each year.) 2006 was a funky year, in part because I moved in November, so obviously, the state was only taking one or the other of those forms into account. Fine, I tell myself, when I get home, I'll pull out my 2006 return, run off a copy, and send it in with my appeal.
So, I get home, and go into my files for my 2006 tax records.
I have my 2008 records... my 2007 records... and my 2001 records.
Oh, fuck, I say. I go digging deeper in my files. I find more tax forms... from 1999... from 1996... I find W-2s from my college on-campus job... no 2006.
I look in other possible places I might have filed old papers. I find a box of old rejection letters from Asimov's and F&SF, but no tax forms.
Think, you dumb fuck, I tell myself, unnecessarily insulting. They have to be somewhere. And if you can't find it, you can't contest the extra due, and you'll just have to write a check... which is probably what the state was hoping all along, the bastards! Eventually, it comes to me: because I moved in 2006, I had my 2006 receipts set aside in a special box where I would know where they were the following April. Then when I actually did my return, the copies went in that same box, and the box went into the front closet!!
Huzzah! I say, as I open the envelope marked "2006", pull out the copy of my tax form, and compare to the new mailing. Okay, line 1 agrees, line 2, 3, 4, uh-huh... Then I find the discrepancy: I claimed a dependent when I wasn't supposed to.
I did?
I look at both forms. I look at the instructions for line 7. I see I wrote "01", and took a deduction I was not, in fact, entitled to. And because of that, the State of Minnesota refunded me $XXX.XX more than I was entitled to in 2007. Which they now want back. With interest.
Fuck
Okay, it may not be horrible news, I tell myself. It could just be some kind of form letter or notice.
"Bullshit," I answer, and open the envelope. And I read on the cover sheet:
This tax order change is the result of an audit of your Minnesota Individual Income Tax or Property Tax refund.[...]
Total Due - Pay This Amount $XXX.XX
"Bullshit," I say again. I flip through the pages. The audit was for my 2006 Property Tax. (Though I rent, Minnesota gives me credit for the percentage of my rent that goes toward the owners' property tax, and given my lower-middle-class income, I am entitled to a small refund from the state each year.) 2006 was a funky year, in part because I moved in November, so obviously, the state was only taking one or the other of those forms into account. Fine, I tell myself, when I get home, I'll pull out my 2006 return, run off a copy, and send it in with my appeal.
So, I get home, and go into my files for my 2006 tax records.
I have my 2008 records... my 2007 records... and my 2001 records.
Oh, fuck, I say. I go digging deeper in my files. I find more tax forms... from 1999... from 1996... I find W-2s from my college on-campus job... no 2006.
I look in other possible places I might have filed old papers. I find a box of old rejection letters from Asimov's and F&SF, but no tax forms.
Think, you dumb fuck, I tell myself, unnecessarily insulting. They have to be somewhere. And if you can't find it, you can't contest the extra due, and you'll just have to write a check... which is probably what the state was hoping all along, the bastards! Eventually, it comes to me: because I moved in 2006, I had my 2006 receipts set aside in a special box where I would know where they were the following April. Then when I actually did my return, the copies went in that same box, and the box went into the front closet!!
Huzzah! I say, as I open the envelope marked "2006", pull out the copy of my tax form, and compare to the new mailing. Okay, line 1 agrees, line 2, 3, 4, uh-huh... Then I find the discrepancy: I claimed a dependent when I wasn't supposed to.
I did?
I look at both forms. I look at the instructions for line 7. I see I wrote "01", and took a deduction I was not, in fact, entitled to. And because of that, the State of Minnesota refunded me $XXX.XX more than I was entitled to in 2007. Which they now want back. With interest.
Fuck
Sat, Jul. 18th, 2009, 08:28 pm
Looks at Books
This afternoon, I visited the nearby Barnes & Noble, to see what was new.
David "infinitydog" Mack's The Calling is out, and after I got to it, faced out on the shelf.
Sandra "affinity8" McDonald's The Stars Blue Yonder is not yet out, but I fully intend to give it the same treatment when I do spot it.
(Interestingly, though it would seem both writer friends chose somewhat similar screennames, the words "infinity" and "affinity" actually have different Latin root words (fini and affinitas, respectively). Well, *I* thought it was interesting...)
And I had the special little thrill of witnessing a teenage girl approach the SF section, snap up a copy of Losing the Peace, then show it (along with something else) to her mother, letting her know what she intended to buy. I said nothing, of course, though I may have had a goofy grin on my face from the way the girl looked at me. (Or maybe it was just the fact that a creepy old guy was staring at her.)
David "
infinitydog" Mack's The Calling is out, and after I got to it, faced out on the shelf.Sandra "
affinity8" McDonald's The Stars Blue Yonder is not yet out, but I fully intend to give it the same treatment when I do spot it.(Interestingly, though it would seem both writer friends chose somewhat similar screennames, the words "infinity" and "affinity" actually have different Latin root words (fini and affinitas, respectively). Well, *I* thought it was interesting...)
And I had the special little thrill of witnessing a teenage girl approach the SF section, snap up a copy of Losing the Peace, then show it (along with something else) to her mother, letting her know what she intended to buy. I said nothing, of course, though I may have had a goofy grin on my face from the way the girl looked at me. (Or maybe it was just the fact that a creepy old guy was staring at her.)