Random Ponderings, AKA a break from Talking Tax Reform
It's a chilly Friday morning in the Southern California area. At least that's how it feels to those of us whose blood has thinned out living in the balmy climate here. I know my friends in other regions are dealing with true cold. I was exposed to some truly intense winter conditions during my time in the Air Force and know logically that what I'm dealing with this morning is nothing compared to those days. Doesn't change the fact that I feel a chill in the air today.
* * *
When I first started working at the H&R Block location where I now work, we had an extremely experienced staff of tax professionals. There were eight other people working there who had more than 10 years of experience. Four of those people were no longer with the company when we started last tax season. Over the summer we were told that another long-time tax pro wasn't returning this year. Then on Christmas Day, another of the long-term tax pros announced he wouldn't be coming back for this season. He said he may return next year but that doesn't help now.
We've added one outstanding tax pro since then and he's now the second highest "producer" in the office. The other two long-time tax pros are excellent, but both work part-time only. It will be an interesting year as we attempt to keep all of the clients of our two most recent departures coming back to us.
* * *
From the Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt files - Roy Moore continues to refuse to concede that he lost the special election for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat to Doug Jones. The election results were certified as official on Thursday.
I saw a great tweet earlier and now can't find it. But it pointed out that Roy Moore lost in two courts, federal and food.
* * *
With both Powerball and MegaMillions jackpots being more than $300 million, there will be news vans parked near Bluebird Liquor in Hawthorne, CA. They have had a lot of winners there.
Five cents out of every dollar spent on a lottery ticket goes to the retailer.
* * *
There is talk that Sony Television is trying to put together a reboot of the Mad About You sitcom that starred Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. When that show was in production from 1992 through 1999 was a time that I had an "in" to get reserved seats for television tapings. I still had to stand in line, but there was no risk of not getting a seat. I spent many a Friday evening watching shows like Mad About You, The Nanny, Love and War and others being taped.
What I recall most about the tapings of Mad About You is that they were always the longest to sit through. One of those taping took nearly five hours. I got a seat at a taping of an episode of Roseanne as a reward for sitting through some "less desirable" tapings and we were in and out in less than 90 minutes. That night at the Mad About You taping, I was so ready to just get up and walk out, but it would have put future taping access in jeopardy.
I hope they bring the show back, but I won't be trying to get into any tapings of it (or any other sitcom).
* * *
"Swatting" is a horrible prank for people to play. It costs lots of money in wasted police time and effort and it puts people in danger.
In one instance, a Wichita, Kansas man was shot and killed by cops. The shooting took place under questionable circumstances and we will have to wait for the investigation to see if the cop who shot and killed this man faces charges.
Turns out that, according to Engadget, the pusillanimous puke who made the fake call to the police did so over a wager of $1.50 in an online game. Disgusting!! I hope he's charged with manslaughter at a minimum.
* * *
Finally, this article from CNBC makes one wonder who the hell edits stuff online. Or did I miss the announcement that Marco Rubio is now Rick Rubio?
* * *
When I first started working at the H&R Block location where I now work, we had an extremely experienced staff of tax professionals. There were eight other people working there who had more than 10 years of experience. Four of those people were no longer with the company when we started last tax season. Over the summer we were told that another long-time tax pro wasn't returning this year. Then on Christmas Day, another of the long-term tax pros announced he wouldn't be coming back for this season. He said he may return next year but that doesn't help now.
We've added one outstanding tax pro since then and he's now the second highest "producer" in the office. The other two long-time tax pros are excellent, but both work part-time only. It will be an interesting year as we attempt to keep all of the clients of our two most recent departures coming back to us.
* * *
From the Denial Ain't Just a River in Egypt files - Roy Moore continues to refuse to concede that he lost the special election for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat to Doug Jones. The election results were certified as official on Thursday.
I saw a great tweet earlier and now can't find it. But it pointed out that Roy Moore lost in two courts, federal and food.
* * *
With both Powerball and MegaMillions jackpots being more than $300 million, there will be news vans parked near Bluebird Liquor in Hawthorne, CA. They have had a lot of winners there.
Five cents out of every dollar spent on a lottery ticket goes to the retailer.
* * *
There is talk that Sony Television is trying to put together a reboot of the Mad About You sitcom that starred Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. When that show was in production from 1992 through 1999 was a time that I had an "in" to get reserved seats for television tapings. I still had to stand in line, but there was no risk of not getting a seat. I spent many a Friday evening watching shows like Mad About You, The Nanny, Love and War and others being taped.
What I recall most about the tapings of Mad About You is that they were always the longest to sit through. One of those taping took nearly five hours. I got a seat at a taping of an episode of Roseanne as a reward for sitting through some "less desirable" tapings and we were in and out in less than 90 minutes. That night at the Mad About You taping, I was so ready to just get up and walk out, but it would have put future taping access in jeopardy.
I hope they bring the show back, but I won't be trying to get into any tapings of it (or any other sitcom).
* * *
"Swatting" is a horrible prank for people to play. It costs lots of money in wasted police time and effort and it puts people in danger.
In one instance, a Wichita, Kansas man was shot and killed by cops. The shooting took place under questionable circumstances and we will have to wait for the investigation to see if the cop who shot and killed this man faces charges.
Turns out that, according to Engadget, the pusillanimous puke who made the fake call to the police did so over a wager of $1.50 in an online game. Disgusting!! I hope he's charged with manslaughter at a minimum.
* * *
Finally, this article from CNBC makes one wonder who the hell edits stuff online. Or did I miss the announcement that Marco Rubio is now Rick Rubio?
Marco Rubio now says tax plan may have gone too far towar...
CNBC's Ylan Mui on companies trying to figure out where they stand under the GOP's new tax plan. And is Sen. Rick Rubio having a change of heart?
posted by me at 9:07 PM
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