day 136

let's talk tax rates

HA!  i just got done writing this post about talking about something other than the weather
but yet i still feel compelled to caveat this post
if my numbers are not exact, don't yell at me
i'm going by straight memory here
and i've also not reviewed anyone's tax return so i'm just stating "what ifs"
i'm also not actually supporting one candidate or the other in this post
just giving my opinion on a topic that irritates me

*********************************
14% - that's what they like to tell you romney paid in taxes
and what an atrocity it is because he makes so much money in the first place
guess what - if you're in the 25% tax bracket, you don't pay 25% either
based on how they're calculating the 14%
they also don't tell you what tax laws he's taking advantage of to get to 14%
the same tax laws everyone in the country can use to their advantage, too
like maybe he's generous and gives a ton of money away
or maybe he makes some good investments
everyone can do both of these things
and they also don't tell you how many deductions he loses because of phase outs
and the media is banking on that most people can't read a tax return and understand these things
so they just repeat the 14% over and over

why is it that people that make more should pay a higher percentage anyway?
debate...

let's talk, i mean really talk

it's one week before the election now
and all you hear is how much people are tired of hearing people talk about it
and that they're checking out until after the election is over
i say instead of checking out
check into the conversation!
why is it we're all so superficial these days?
don't want to go beyond the surface with people?
the only "safe" thing to talk about any more is the weather
well, i'm tired of the weather
and besides who likes to live life safe anyway?
why can't we talk about politics, religion or money?
who cares if i don't agree 100% with you?
isn't that how we grow as people?
hearing what other people have to say?
so i say - broaden your horizons
step out of your comfort zone
talk to someone today about something other than the weather
speak the unspeakable!

so what do you want to talk about?

hi, how are you?

but i don't really care
but i feel compelled to ask you anyway
cuz someone, somewhere, decided every time you meet someone you should say this
what really irritates me is when someone asks you
and then doesn't even wait to hear your answer before they move on to something else
why did you ask me if you didn't want to know?
why couldn't you just say "hi" and stop with that?
and why is it everyone answers the same
"fine" or "good"
is everyone always fine or good?
i know i'm not
and why if you ask me do i feel compelled to ask you back
when if you're a random person on the street i probably don't really care
that sounds kinda harsh but why would i ask you when you aren't going to tell me the truth anyway?
when did we all become so superficial?
so if we don't greet someone in this way how can we greet people?
"hi, glad to see you"
"hi, what a great shirt"
"hi, did you do something different with your hair?"
now that i've typed them there is a theme to it
why not find something nice or personal about the person and comment or ask about that instead?

here's my challenge to you...
1. next time someone asks how you are give them the truth "feeling a little rushed today", "feeling happy and healthy today", whatever it is
2. choose a different greeting when you greet people

let me know how it goes and how the people react

my life lately

Monday:

• wake up at 5:30 am and pack
• make my way to the airport
• catch a cat nap on the plane
• see what fancy rental car I get this time
• head to the office
• have sushi Monday in the cafeteria
• work way too late
• check into hotel
• order room service
• watch a little TV and go for a swim

Tuesday & Wednesday:

• work way too many hours
• order more room service
• take another swim

Thursday:

• pack up
• work until lunch
• head back to airport
• catch another cat nap
• watch my DVR'd shows

Friday:

• work way more hours yet again
• catch up with Sean & Duke's happenings for the week

Saturday & Sunday:

• try to shove in as much time with Sean, Duke, all my friends, gardening, crafting, etc that I can

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

Now do you understand why there's been a lack of blogging?!?!
There has been some fun happening during those Saturday and Sunday's so stay tuned....I promise, I'll be back.....

ramblings

the days are getting shorter
and the temps are getting colder
which can only mean one thing...

we're about to head back to texas!

we have one last group of visitors this weekend/week
for marathon-ing (not me but i plan to be a good cheerer-oner with a nice hot cocoa in my hands)
and leaf peeping

it will be sad to leave maine, but overdue
i miss my texas friends and can't wait to see them again
and get back to things i just haven't found in maine
like a good eyebrow lady and massage envy
and cheap pedicures
which is sad that they aren't in maine since i'm more likely to get them done in the summer
except for all that tubing which destroyed any chance of a pedicure lasting

speaking of lasting...
i wish the morning fog over the lake lasted longer into the day
i just can't get up that early
at least my honey can and takes some pics for me
isn't this an awesome picture?!?!

we turned off our tv in maine earlier this summer cuz we never watch it
but i've been in tampa again for work again
did you know ann curry took over on the today show?
and there are crazy coupon people that buy thousand bucks of groceries for 10 bucks?
and there's been enough episodes of storage wars to warrant a marathon?
and intervention has been on long enough to do follow-ups years later?
they still relapse - maybe proof you can't force someone to clean up their act - they need to decide for themselves?

speaking of cleaning up your act...
why can't people get jobs, earn their own money and buy things the decent way?
why do they need to steal other people's credit cards to buy stuff?

and speaking of buying stuff...
the question was asked how i broke two pairs of shoes in one trip
actually they were both broke before i arrived in tampa last week i just didn't realize it
one pair was cute multi-colored, short heels that i would always get so many compliments on
well the thick strap that held your foot in had come loose from the sole on a previous trip
and yet i took them back home
not this time, they're in a landfill in tampa by now
the other pair had lost the tip of the heel at some point where i had to keep walking on it
so there was no replacing the heel since the screw was worn all the way down

if you travel a lot the club lounges are awesome
especially with a 3 hour layover
free booze and snacks - how can you go wrong?!?!
maybe as for the ramblings...

so with that i will bid you all a good night!