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[bk]

I don't know where the HELL the day went, but last I looked it was about ten-thirty in the a.m.

[bk]

Listening to Laurie Johnson's fun music for The Avengers.

[TCB]

Well, if you can't make it NYC to see the still new-ish Broadway version, well, I guess you could CLICK HERE.

That was horrible

[JoseSPiano]

That was horrible

Well... It wasn't horrible to everyone.  They were apparently National Champions!  *Although, the link for the 1996 performance/edition has better costumes.  

[JoseSPiano]

Oh... Brett Favre is still hot when he cries.  

[Jeanne]

Hello, everyone.

I spent the day organizing tax documents and searching for receipts I missed on the first pass. Normally I don't mind doing this, but this year I'll be very glad to have it behind me.

I also had a showing on the house.

[Jeanne]

Major vibes for BK's potential project.

[Jeanne]

A question for DR FJL:
When you are doing tax returns what is the most helpful thing(s) a client can do to ensure a complete and accurate return at the lowest cost?

[JoseSPiano]

OUCH!!!!!


-Oh, I'm watching "American Idol".  

[George]

I just read that today is Stephen Schwartz's 60th Birthday!!  Happy Birthday to Stephen Schwartz!!

It's also the birthday of:

Elizabeth Barrett Browning 03/06/1806
Lou Costello 03/06/1906
Ella Logan 03/06/1913
Ed McMahon 03/06/1923
Rob Reiner 03/06/1947
Shuler Hensley 03/06/1967

[bk]

Schwartz is OLD.

[bk]

Just listened to my fave - Bill Evans' Conversations With Myself, and am now listening to his Trio 65.

[FJL]

Jeanne - Unless a return is really simple, I don't think it's possible to ensure a complete and accurate return at the lowest cost  - but the most important thing to do, I think, is go through the prior year return and make sure every single item of income or deduction on there is somehow accounted for on a list, either with the current year's number or with a notation of NONE for this year.  That should cut down on the need for the preparer to have to contact the client over and over.  Even if they've been guaranteed a set fee for the return, I can almost assure the client that if  a preparer feels like they're unexpectedly spending too much time on the return relative to the fee, they will start to cut corners time-wise, and/or charge you an amount next year that is more commensurate with the work they did this year.

[George]

Schwartz is OLD.

But only a tiny bit older than some.

[Jane]

Schwartz is OLD.

You should know

[JoseSPiano]

OY!

I need a flow-chart!




-I'm watching "Lost".  

[George]

Off to rehearsal.  I MUST watch last week's and tonight's "Lost"s afterwards, because I don't want to be that far behind.  I'll start watching as soon as I get home and won't log in here until I see both episodes.  I'm recording both tonight, so I get the pop-ups for last week's episode.

Until later!  

[Jane]

I had a nice long chat with Danise.  She mentioned taking photos of the beautiful sunrises she has been having.  She promised to post them.  When that will happen I'm not sure as she has a busy weekend of fun ahead of her.

[Jane]

'night.

[Jeanne]

Jeanne - Unless a return is really simple, I don't think it's possible to ensure a complete and accurate return at the lowest cost  - but the most important thing to do, I think, is go through the prior year return and make sure every single item of income or deduction on there is somehow accounted for on a list, either with the current year's number or with a notation of NONE for this year.  That should cut down on the need for the preparer to have to contact the client over and over.  Even if they've been guaranteed a set fee for the return, I can almost assure the client that if  a preparer feels like they're unexpectedly spending too much time on the return relative to the fee, they will start to cut corners time-wise, and/or charge you an amount next year that is more commensurate with the work they did this year.

Thanks, Fred. I'm not sure I phrased my question well--I certainly wasn't trying to be snarky. What you said makes sense and is close to what I do. I can't keep things in my head like I used to--"What year did I sell such-and-such property?" etc., so I may make a notation that said property was sold in 2005, even if it's not relevant to 2006 or 2007, just so I know I haven't forgotten something. These notes are for myself, even though they are on the spreadsheets I give my accountant. And I set up my spreadsheets each year based on the previous year.

The first tax accountant I used was aggressive about saving me money. That was great! I think the guy I'm using now is trying to reduce the Federal deficit. I'll use him this year just because he's familiar with my situation, but I plan to change next year.

[JoseSPiano]

Yep!  I've got a "Lost" headache.

[Cillaliz]

New ending to an old tale:

How To Give A Cat A Pill

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.  

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Tak e new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.  


5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.  

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.  

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.  

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.  

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.  

10 . Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door on to neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.  

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw Tee shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.  

12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.  

13. Tie the little bastard's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tigh tly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.  

14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.  

15 . Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

How To Give A Dog A Pill

1. Wrap it in bacon.
2. Toss it in the air.

der Brucer

At my house we do step one and we are done.  

[FJL]

Jeanne - Still, being aggressive about saving a client money is the surest way not to have a complete and accurate return - LOL!  

But seriously, do you think the guy you're using now isn't watching out for your best interests? If so, I wonder if you should cut it off now, even if it means going on extension this year.

[Edisaurus]

Cilla and TCB, love your new avatars!

[Cillaliz]

The story alone is rather bizarre.  I’m even more shocked that as his lawyer you couldn’t just give him the shorts when you saw him.

You are so very good to your clients.

Thank you, but the story didn't end there.  I dropped off the boxers this morning at the jail. this afternoon I get a call from my client. They transferred him to another jail and didn't give him the blasted underwear.  So I talked to that jail, they told me that they don't accept underwear from people outside the jail it has to be purchased from commissary.  FINALLY they told me if he's indigent (he is) they would give him a pair of white boxers from the jail.  I'll find out tomorrow if he has his underwear.  It's outrageous if you ask me.  

[Edisaurus]

Just got back from dinner. We decided to walk to Wolfgang Puck's, a 4 mile walk round trip. It was a nice way to end the day.

[Edisaurus]

RE pill giving: I sit on the floor with the cat in my lap, and pop it in---no problem. They all cooperate.

[Cillaliz]

I've never played Yahtzee.

DR GEORGE!!!! You've never played Yahtzee....oh my gosh, we've got to get this boy some dice!

[Edisaurus]

I shared the Floyd clip with lots of folks---very well done and brilliant editing!

I also liked the raccoon clip. It reminded me of the many nights when a family of raccoons used to sneak in our cat door. Once they dragged a whole bag of Science Diet through the door but couldn't quite get it through, so they ate out of it like a feed bag!

[Edisaurus]

DR Jose, welcome South! I wish you were a little bit closer so we could take you out for some BBQ!