... today for the Sports Council. This is the organization that was started from scratch back in 1996 when the Olympics were held in Georgia. Women's Fastpitch Softball was proposed as a new addition to the competition, and games were held here, with teams from all over the world coming to compete for Olympic Gold.
My job assignment was probably the most worst boring volunteer position ever. Sitting by a door and telling people they cannot open this door. Few actually wanted to go in, and the ones who heard 'sorry, you cannot go in', were remarkably agreeable, taking the long way around instead of that handy short cut. The organizers had actually blocked off a breezeway (fortunately not an exit or the fire marshal would have been standing on his head), to use that small space for people who set up drug testing. I guess that has started to be an issue in any competition, with required proof to keep everyone on the up and up. Sad that this has become necessary to prevent cheating in collegiate sports and performance enhancing drugs at bay.
I was there from 2:30 until 8:00. I am very thankful I had a book in my car. One I had started months ago,but left in my car and never went back to finish. The venue for the swim meet was the city aquatics center, close to the main branch of the public library: a building filled with things to read!
It was the NAIA Championships. I have no idea what that means, but there were college age swimmers from all over the US there competing. Bringing dollars into town when they came for the event, staying in motel rooms and eating Georgia food.
I will go back in the morning at 7:30 until noon. I plan to take my computer so I can keep boredom at bay, even if it requires watching hours of lame, cheezy YouTube videos. Or blogging, pondering the universe...
Thursday, February 28, 2019
found: my personal banker...
... at the branch near the mall, where I was greeted, assisted, and made to feel like a valued customer. I had such a crummy experience when I stopped in the branch that would be most convenient I had to wonder if it would be best to change to a different financial institution. But went to the bank a bit less accessible for my needs, and closer in to town, and met with someone who was amazingly helpful and seemed truly interested in problem solving with me. So, yay, I have found myself a banker who I can work with, someone who knows people that can help me get the info. I need.
I recall when we first entered the world of social security payments, and discovered that it is 'income' even though you are just getting back the funds you were taxed and paid into the system all those working years. So unless you set aside a portion for Uncle Sam's needs you will be in the hole at income tax time. Pretty annoying to feel like you are being taxed within an inch of your life/sanity. I decided when I signed on early, that the best idea would be to open a savings account linked to checking in order to have funds transferred monthly as a cushion, a form of insurance, when the time came to pony up for taxes. If I don't need it, I am building up a nest egg, but if I do end up having to fork over extra when taxes are filed, I will be prepared and it will be less painful when I can borrow from myself!
Now that my payments have increased considerably, I thought it would be wise to do the same thing with the extra funds. Especially after getting so annoyed when my tax refund from the state last year was rolled over and paid toward federal taxes due. Remember the story of when I never even got to get my greedy little hands on the hundreds of dollars I would have gotten back from GA tax refund?
I need to go back and revisit the W2 form again, and figure out what would be a reasonable, safe amount to have withheld to make it all come out more-or-less even. Get to the place where I do not owe GA or Uncle Sam, even if I do not get any back, I just do not like the idea of paying taxes out of every paycheck, and then forking over more on April 15.
I recall when we first entered the world of social security payments, and discovered that it is 'income' even though you are just getting back the funds you were taxed and paid into the system all those working years. So unless you set aside a portion for Uncle Sam's needs you will be in the hole at income tax time. Pretty annoying to feel like you are being taxed within an inch of your life/sanity. I decided when I signed on early, that the best idea would be to open a savings account linked to checking in order to have funds transferred monthly as a cushion, a form of insurance, when the time came to pony up for taxes. If I don't need it, I am building up a nest egg, but if I do end up having to fork over extra when taxes are filed, I will be prepared and it will be less painful when I can borrow from myself!
Now that my payments have increased considerably, I thought it would be wise to do the same thing with the extra funds. Especially after getting so annoyed when my tax refund from the state last year was rolled over and paid toward federal taxes due. Remember the story of when I never even got to get my greedy little hands on the hundreds of dollars I would have gotten back from GA tax refund?
I need to go back and revisit the W2 form again, and figure out what would be a reasonable, safe amount to have withheld to make it all come out more-or-less even. Get to the place where I do not owe GA or Uncle Sam, even if I do not get any back, I just do not like the idea of paying taxes out of every paycheck, and then forking over more on April 15.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
a lot of business...
... to be done at a local bank branch, but they were not so friendly, welcoming. I finally attracted someone's attention (while being consistently well behaved), who nodded at me, and said he would be with me shortly. Apparently his definition of 'shortly' and mine are not related, as I eventually left with all that business un-done. Not 'undone' in the sense that it fell apart, but undone as it never got started, so nothing occurred to help with resolution of my concerns.
I still need to go get questions answered and problems resolved, but will take my business to another branch and hope for more positive, interactive staff at the next close-est branch when I go to establish a relationship with my personal banking representative.They just did not seem to be concerned with customer service, or interested in making an effort to be accomodating. I know I do not have big piles of cash, like Scrooge McDuck in the cartoons/comic books, when he is taking a bath in cash, swimming in his vault full of lucre. But they did not know that, or anything else about me.
I went in after work, and was in work clothing: black pants, ugly green knit shirt I have to wear on the job, and sneakers. Decent dressed: not in pajamas like I often seen shopping, pushing a grocery cart at work. I felt I looked ok, but not paint-spattered, or raggedy like you can see in the bank lobby, cashing pay checks. Cannot say if they were short-handed, under-staffed, or that sense of distracted employees is standard. They seemed to not be in a hurry to greet, or assist, so I won't be in a hurry to go back into that particular branch bank in the future.
I still need to go get questions answered and problems resolved, but will take my business to another branch and hope for more positive, interactive staff at the next close-est branch when I go to establish a relationship with my personal banking representative.They just did not seem to be concerned with customer service, or interested in making an effort to be accomodating. I know I do not have big piles of cash, like Scrooge McDuck in the cartoons/comic books, when he is taking a bath in cash, swimming in his vault full of lucre. But they did not know that, or anything else about me.
I went in after work, and was in work clothing: black pants, ugly green knit shirt I have to wear on the job, and sneakers. Decent dressed: not in pajamas like I often seen shopping, pushing a grocery cart at work. I felt I looked ok, but not paint-spattered, or raggedy like you can see in the bank lobby, cashing pay checks. Cannot say if they were short-handed, under-staffed, or that sense of distracted employees is standard. They seemed to not be in a hurry to greet, or assist, so I won't be in a hurry to go back into that particular branch bank in the future.
book review: "in Pieces"...
... a memoir by Sally Field, published in 2018. I heard a review on public radio, some time ago, that must have been the author talking about it soon after it came out, in the way that writers feel they are forced to 'do the circuit' when their books are published. Meet-and-greets, readings, signings at Barnes and Noble to push the product when their editors line up lots of opportunities for readers to have an 'in person' experience with authors.
She had an interesting life in film and television. Starting with 'Gidget' on the beaches of SoCal, and the nun who has the ability to take to the air. Then there was another made-for-TV series when she was a young woman who has ESP, scripts written to give inside info. similar to what she might have known, as per scripted stories from her experience in the convent with a direct line to heaven.
Her home life was fraught: mom divorced, raising Sally and an older brother. She then married a man who started out in acting as a stunt man. He became well known, and eventually cast in a Western series. Chaotic family life, with drinking, fighting, shouting at night, plus the man was a molester. Much to hide from, things overlooked, or ignored for many years. Plenty of opportunity for dysfunction, with ongoing therapy over most of her lifetime.
She was won an award for "Sybil," as a young woman with mental illness in a movie made with Joanne Woodward. Then made a number of light, silly movies with people like Burt Reynolds, who was dysfunction personified if we believe the version in this book. She has been acclaimed for her body of work, most recently as Mary Todd Lincoln in the movie starring Daniel Day Lewis. A stalwart in the film industry, and highly respected for her accomplishments, though put through the mill as a female actor as were many from the era.
I enjoyed the book, even though it took me several weeks to finish, having to re-check from the library a couple of times. Well written as she kept voluminous journals over the years of her acting career, and was able to provide interesting details from years ago. Some pretty damning evidence at the end as she had conversations with her mother about the step-father and experiences of her youth, but probably not nearly as uncommon as you would like to believe.
She had an interesting life in film and television. Starting with 'Gidget' on the beaches of SoCal, and the nun who has the ability to take to the air. Then there was another made-for-TV series when she was a young woman who has ESP, scripts written to give inside info. similar to what she might have known, as per scripted stories from her experience in the convent with a direct line to heaven.
Her home life was fraught: mom divorced, raising Sally and an older brother. She then married a man who started out in acting as a stunt man. He became well known, and eventually cast in a Western series. Chaotic family life, with drinking, fighting, shouting at night, plus the man was a molester. Much to hide from, things overlooked, or ignored for many years. Plenty of opportunity for dysfunction, with ongoing therapy over most of her lifetime.
She was won an award for "Sybil," as a young woman with mental illness in a movie made with Joanne Woodward. Then made a number of light, silly movies with people like Burt Reynolds, who was dysfunction personified if we believe the version in this book. She has been acclaimed for her body of work, most recently as Mary Todd Lincoln in the movie starring Daniel Day Lewis. A stalwart in the film industry, and highly respected for her accomplishments, though put through the mill as a female actor as were many from the era.
I enjoyed the book, even though it took me several weeks to finish, having to re-check from the library a couple of times. Well written as she kept voluminous journals over the years of her acting career, and was able to provide interesting details from years ago. Some pretty damning evidence at the end as she had conversations with her mother about the step-father and experiences of her youth, but probably not nearly as uncommon as you would like to believe.
Monday, February 25, 2019
book review: "Girl in Disguise"...
... written by Greer Macallister, who is reportedly a USA Today Best Selling Author, according to the wording on the boxed set of Cds. Published in 2017 by Sourcebooks, Inc. Really good reading, and well researched to boot.
Kate Warne is the lead character. A single woman living in Chicago, in the middle 1800's, a few years before the heated arguments preceding the declaration of war in the US. She was married, had a child that was still born, and husband no longer on the scene. Alone, no skills, nothing that might help her to become self-supporting. She applies for a job with Allan Pinkerton as he is in the early stages of recruiting to form the Pinkerton Detective Agency. As you might suspect, there has never been a female operative, both Pinkerton and his agents are suspicious, doubtful, reluctant to even think of a woman as qualified to suss out criminals, suspicious characters, alleged evil-doers.
She is desperate for employment, eventually persuaded the disinclined Pinkerton to take her on. He begins to train her, and help her to learn the ropes of subterfuge, investigations, cloaking her identity with disguises, using guile to gain needed information.The author has obviously done her homework, as a tremendous amount of research is evident with each turn of the page. Kate is assigned a number of investigations, and sent out to inquire about details related to several cases: bank robbery, mysterious homicides. She has great powers of observation, and readily uncovers details of the various crimes no one else can claim. Historical facts woven into the tale include two separate meetings with Abraham Lincoln, once in a small Illinois town, and again as the president elect.
She is sent as a spy to the south, from their home base in Chicago, before the beginning of conflict in the Civil War. She develops a back story, invents her history and charms many in society as she travels to New Orleans, Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, other points where the rebels are fomenting insurrection, collecting information. Her cover story is she is a married woman, in the company of her fellow-spy/fictitious husband Tim Bellamy. They spend so much time together, they eventually do become a couple. But when Pinkerton discovers their engagement and plans to wed after the war, she is separated from Tim, and he is sent away. His identify is discovered, he is hanged as a Union spy. You keep hoping, expecting with each turn of the page, that Tim will return, it was only a case of mistaken identity...
I really enjoyed this story, even though it took me weeks to finish the nine discs. Plenty of action, well written with details of towns and military to make it seem most realistic, the people came to life and I found myself pulled into their stories as the book was read while I was driving. Well written, believable characters, so detailed it is difficult to realize it is fiction and not an accurate telling of footnotes from that time in history.
Kate Warne is the lead character. A single woman living in Chicago, in the middle 1800's, a few years before the heated arguments preceding the declaration of war in the US. She was married, had a child that was still born, and husband no longer on the scene. Alone, no skills, nothing that might help her to become self-supporting. She applies for a job with Allan Pinkerton as he is in the early stages of recruiting to form the Pinkerton Detective Agency. As you might suspect, there has never been a female operative, both Pinkerton and his agents are suspicious, doubtful, reluctant to even think of a woman as qualified to suss out criminals, suspicious characters, alleged evil-doers.
She is desperate for employment, eventually persuaded the disinclined Pinkerton to take her on. He begins to train her, and help her to learn the ropes of subterfuge, investigations, cloaking her identity with disguises, using guile to gain needed information.The author has obviously done her homework, as a tremendous amount of research is evident with each turn of the page. Kate is assigned a number of investigations, and sent out to inquire about details related to several cases: bank robbery, mysterious homicides. She has great powers of observation, and readily uncovers details of the various crimes no one else can claim. Historical facts woven into the tale include two separate meetings with Abraham Lincoln, once in a small Illinois town, and again as the president elect.
She is sent as a spy to the south, from their home base in Chicago, before the beginning of conflict in the Civil War. She develops a back story, invents her history and charms many in society as she travels to New Orleans, Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, other points where the rebels are fomenting insurrection, collecting information. Her cover story is she is a married woman, in the company of her fellow-spy/fictitious husband Tim Bellamy. They spend so much time together, they eventually do become a couple. But when Pinkerton discovers their engagement and plans to wed after the war, she is separated from Tim, and he is sent away. His identify is discovered, he is hanged as a Union spy. You keep hoping, expecting with each turn of the page, that Tim will return, it was only a case of mistaken identity...
I really enjoyed this story, even though it took me weeks to finish the nine discs. Plenty of action, well written with details of towns and military to make it seem most realistic, the people came to life and I found myself pulled into their stories as the book was read while I was driving. Well written, believable characters, so detailed it is difficult to realize it is fiction and not an accurate telling of footnotes from that time in history.
Friday, February 22, 2019
in order to...
... avoid having to confess how long it has been since that kitchen floor was really cleaned I got up early this morning and swept and mopped. Thereby allowing me to feel self-righteous and enjoy my sparkly spotless floor for at least a week. Partially due to the fact there is no one around who will spill stuff on it to create sticky spots from failure to take food to eat at the table like a civilized person. You would absolutely not believe how many dead ants I swept up, though I am thankful they all appear to be corpses, it is possible I am still providing the perfect environment for an ant colony.
The last time it got cleaned, it was what my mom would likely refer to as 'a lick and a promise', though I am not absolutely clear on what that means? I've always thought 'sort of half-arsed', doing the job in such a poor way that it would soon require a do-over. Swiffer is a poor excuse for cleaning, but will do in a pinch if you are desperate and short on time. I am not much fond of that short-cut method as those little wet mopping pads are so aggravating when they keep slipping off and you have to stop forty times to put it back on again. But a quick solution when time is of the essence.
It was a productive day. Floor swept and mopped.
Papers sorted to take to CPA for getting taxes done, though my expectation was I would still be organizing, shuffling papers into next week. I called to ask if I could drop by and leave it for him to look at, decide if I need to gather up other/different documentation. Hopeful I had everything necessary, and will not hear until it is time to sign. Not looking forward to having him say: 'Ready'.
I expect it will be a traumatic event when he calls: getting mentally prepared to pay a pile to satisfy both the state and Uncle Sam. When we filed last year, I should have gotten hundreds back in a refund from the state, but was told it would be applied to the amount we owed for federal. I was so thoroughly annoyed with the idea of letting my state refund roll over for satisfying Uncle Sam, I changed my withholding. Hoping to avoid that scenario again: if I did not have as much withheld, there would not be extra to dump into paying into federal coffers. Sadly, now it appears I might have shot myself in the foot with that ploy...since I will be the one paying the full amount.
Sounding like a good plan, but now I fear I will be paying both state and federal requirements, the price we pay for enjoying the benefits of being US citizens. Also supporting all those incarcerated behind bars for long sentences we will be required to feed, clothe, shelter, provide with free health care. It's the American Way!
The last time it got cleaned, it was what my mom would likely refer to as 'a lick and a promise', though I am not absolutely clear on what that means? I've always thought 'sort of half-arsed', doing the job in such a poor way that it would soon require a do-over. Swiffer is a poor excuse for cleaning, but will do in a pinch if you are desperate and short on time. I am not much fond of that short-cut method as those little wet mopping pads are so aggravating when they keep slipping off and you have to stop forty times to put it back on again. But a quick solution when time is of the essence.
It was a productive day. Floor swept and mopped.
Papers sorted to take to CPA for getting taxes done, though my expectation was I would still be organizing, shuffling papers into next week. I called to ask if I could drop by and leave it for him to look at, decide if I need to gather up other/different documentation. Hopeful I had everything necessary, and will not hear until it is time to sign. Not looking forward to having him say: 'Ready'.
I expect it will be a traumatic event when he calls: getting mentally prepared to pay a pile to satisfy both the state and Uncle Sam. When we filed last year, I should have gotten hundreds back in a refund from the state, but was told it would be applied to the amount we owed for federal. I was so thoroughly annoyed with the idea of letting my state refund roll over for satisfying Uncle Sam, I changed my withholding. Hoping to avoid that scenario again: if I did not have as much withheld, there would not be extra to dump into paying into federal coffers. Sadly, now it appears I might have shot myself in the foot with that ploy...since I will be the one paying the full amount.
Sounding like a good plan, but now I fear I will be paying both state and federal requirements, the price we pay for enjoying the benefits of being US citizens. Also supporting all those incarcerated behind bars for long sentences we will be required to feed, clothe, shelter, provide with free health care. It's the American Way!
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
finding internet, part 3...
... when rolling along the city streets, and seeing a little campaign-sized sign for "Internet -39.99" with a number to call. I quickly grabbed my pen and wrote it down before the light changed, and made the call when I got home. Who answered? 'Edward'. I assumed a company who was trying to lure me into a package, that would give me what I wanted, then attempt to boost the price with add-on frou-frou. But it was only 'Edward'. Who is working for WOW on commission. He reported he had put the signs out to drum up business, which is, I suppose, a great way to increase your income or get votes.
I could not even recall what company this was, before seeing panel/work trucks all over town with WOW decals plastered on the sides. They used to be Knology, remember? We talked, he said they really could provide residential, high-speed internet for about forty bucks a month (plus rental on modem). I said sign me up. Then he wanted my address. I told him and he said he knew the company supplied service to a public golf course nearby. Oh, yay! That made me even more confident I had solved the over-priced wi-fi problem, and could now get what I wanted at a price I wanted.
He called me back to report that he cannot help. No service on my side of the street. Really? I had even shared the amusing story of taking my lap-top to the repair shop for service, amazed and delighted when bumped to the head of the line. I told the receptionist the only thing I knew was that the 'blog will not publish', and when she heard that, she assumed I was running a business! Great amusement for me, but no argument when she promised fast attention. The call to pick it up came within hours, and I thought the problem had been resolved. So sorry,all you blog readers out there, as well as so very aggravating that is not yet healthy. But the experience of going to the repair shop was also somewhat useful, when I could report to 'Edward' the tale of my conflated enterprise, who then attempted to get me hooked up with service as a 'business'.
Causing me to ponder what a huge can of worms that would be if I attempted to get a business license, involving questions about zoning, major tax ramifications, as well as a huge pain in the sitter. I laid in bed early one morning and considering the idea of a license which took off down a number of ill-advised rabbit trails, causing me to stuff that plan into the bottom of the trash can, hopefully permanently hiding it from discovery.
No luck with WOW, either residential or business. I am now pondering the likelihood of inviting myself to hook up with the neighbors who do have WOW. Necessary to run their cash registers and computers, and if they would share the password, I would not be greedy. That would make me really happy, to have access when they do not need it at night, and the price would be excellent as well!
I could not even recall what company this was, before seeing panel/work trucks all over town with WOW decals plastered on the sides. They used to be Knology, remember? We talked, he said they really could provide residential, high-speed internet for about forty bucks a month (plus rental on modem). I said sign me up. Then he wanted my address. I told him and he said he knew the company supplied service to a public golf course nearby. Oh, yay! That made me even more confident I had solved the over-priced wi-fi problem, and could now get what I wanted at a price I wanted.
He called me back to report that he cannot help. No service on my side of the street. Really? I had even shared the amusing story of taking my lap-top to the repair shop for service, amazed and delighted when bumped to the head of the line. I told the receptionist the only thing I knew was that the 'blog will not publish', and when she heard that, she assumed I was running a business! Great amusement for me, but no argument when she promised fast attention. The call to pick it up came within hours, and I thought the problem had been resolved. So sorry,all you blog readers out there, as well as so very aggravating that is not yet healthy. But the experience of going to the repair shop was also somewhat useful, when I could report to 'Edward' the tale of my conflated enterprise, who then attempted to get me hooked up with service as a 'business'.
Causing me to ponder what a huge can of worms that would be if I attempted to get a business license, involving questions about zoning, major tax ramifications, as well as a huge pain in the sitter. I laid in bed early one morning and considering the idea of a license which took off down a number of ill-advised rabbit trails, causing me to stuff that plan into the bottom of the trash can, hopefully permanently hiding it from discovery.
No luck with WOW, either residential or business. I am now pondering the likelihood of inviting myself to hook up with the neighbors who do have WOW. Necessary to run their cash registers and computers, and if they would share the password, I would not be greedy. That would make me really happy, to have access when they do not need it at night, and the price would be excellent as well!
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