Useless Conversation

[Rasix]

Other than his encounter with Anne Coulter, I haven't ever been a fan of his.  Still.. more pop music.   

[WayAbvPar]

That is pretty much my point. Even if you aren't a Carolla fan, do we really need MORE pop music stations?

[Yegolev]

The only thing worse than stupid morning talk radio is pop music in the morning.

[Der Helm]

Back. 

Now I'll watch Shoot em Up and pass out.

[Oban]

The only thing worse than stupid morning talk radio is pop music in the morning.

...

I've had a little bit too much
All of the people start to rush.
Start to rush by
A dizzy twister dance
Can't find my drink or man.
Where are my keys, I lost my phone.
What's go-ing on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore.
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright.

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.

Wish I could shut my playboy mouth.
How'd I turn my shirt inside out? Inside out right.
Control your poison babe
Roses have thorns they say.
And we're all gettin' hosed tonight.
What's go-ing on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore.
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright.

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/BKCo ]
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.

When I come through on the dance floor checkin out that catalogue.
Can't believe my eyes so many women without a flaw.
And I ain't gonn' give it up, steady tryna pick it up like a call
I'ma hit it, I'ma hit it and flex until the til done until tomorr' yeah.
Shawty I can see that you got so much energy
The way you twirling up them hips round and round
There's no reason, I know why you can't leave here with me
In the meantime stand, let me watch you break it down.

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.


Half pychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint it's symphonic
Half psychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint electronic
Half pychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint it's symphonic
Half psychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint electronic

Go. Use your muscle ca-rve it out work it hustle
I got it, just stay close enough to get it
Go slow. Drive it, clean it lysol bleed it
Spend the last dough, in your pocko!

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.

[Selby]

I hate that fucking song.  Every time in the other half's car, since she listens to top40 on XM radio, that damn song is on within 5-10 minutes.  Seriously, is there not more variety out there than electronically processed vocals over a drum\dance beat?

[Oban]

In response I give you...

I've had a little bit too much
All of the people start to rush.
Start to rush by
A dizzy twister dance
Can't find my drink or man.
Where are my keys, I lost my phone.
What's go-ing on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore.
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright.

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.

Wish I could shut my playboy mouth.
How'd I turn my shirt inside out? Inside out right.
Control your poison babe
Roses have thorns they say.
And we're all gettin' hosed tonight.
What's go-ing on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore.
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright.

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/BKCo ]
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.

When I come through on the dance floor checkin out that catalogue.
Can't believe my eyes so many women without a flaw.
And I ain't gonn' give it up, steady tryna pick it up like a call
I'ma hit it, I'ma hit it and flex until the til done until tomorr' yeah.
Shawty I can see that you got so much energy
The way you twirling up them hips round and round
There's no reason, I know why you can't leave here with me
In the meantime stand, let me watch you break it down.

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.


Half pychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint it's symphonic
Half psychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint electronic
Half pychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint it's symphonic
Half psychotic, sick hypnotic
Got my blueprint electronic

Go. Use your muscle ca-rve it out work it hustle
I got it, just stay close enough to get it
Go slow. Drive it, clean it lysol bleed it
Spend the last dough, in your pocko!

Just dance. gonna be okay.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Spin that record babe.
Da-da-doo-doot-n
Just dance. Gonna be okay.
Duh-duh-duh
Dance. Dance. Dance. just j-j-just dance.

[Selby]

At least I know order and balance in the world still exists.

[Cheddar]

Security clearance shit will drive you ape - if you you are that curious about it post something in politics.  Plenty of us have top of the line clearance.

Its the stupidest fucking process in the world and avoiding basic caveats will save you a year + wait.  Remember - its the Government, so a single hitch can last a year plus.  Also be 100% completely honest - its more about integrity then doing stupid stuff (pot etc).

A Felony will not preclude you from getting a TS clearance.  Also - get a print copy of ALL your clearance documentation.   They lose it.  A lot.

[Yegolev]

I have no idea what song that is.

[stray]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Q3FlhJHFQ

[Furiously]

Security clearance shit will drive you ape - if you you are that curious about it post something in politics.  Plenty of us have top of the line clearance.

Its the stupidest fucking process in the world and avoiding basic caveats will save you a year + wait.  Remember - its the Government, so a single hitch can last a year plus.  Also be 100% completely honest - its more about integrity then doing stupid stuff (pot etc).

A Felony will not preclude you from getting a TS clearance.  Also - get a print copy of ALL your clearance documentation.   They lose it.  A lot.

They will also change the computer system on you then next time you have to fill out the forms, so all your old answers will be gone. And you will think to yourself... "Boy, I wish I had printed this." And expect the clearance to take about 6 months to 2 years.  And yea, remember all your foreign travel... Because they will also look at the TSA records I'm sure. I had a cube-mate who's documentation was lost 2 times. He also didn't have a copy of his old stuff or what he turned in the first time. Of course, I was lucky and never had to fill out my 10 year renewal, because all I did was foreign travel the last 4 years at where I worked.

[Yegolev]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Q3FlhJHFQ

I have heard worse.

[Oban]

I have heard worse.

I turned on my radio for a few minutes yesterday, may I present you with:

Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah

I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas Plays
Fold em' let em' hit me raise it baby stay with me (I love it)
Luck and intuition play the cards with Spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart

Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be
A little gambling is fun when you're with me (I love it)
Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun, fun
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

I won't tell you that I love you
Kiss or hug you
Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lying I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand cause I'm marvelous

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She's got to love nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)

[Signe]

Useless Conversation needs to go to the Den now, doesn't it? 

[Rasix]

Enough with the fucking song lyrics.

[Sky]

O-BAN 

[Oban]

lol

[Raging Turtle]

Congrats on the application acceptance!  I'm vaguely considering applying there in another year or two, after I'm completely burnt out from teaching.  More likely the FBI, if I can convince myself that I want to live in the U.S. for most of the rest of my life.  Almost applied this year; they're currently having one of the biggest hiring surges in a long time.       

And yeah, the security clearance shit is a paaaain.  Good luck on the next part!

[Murgos]

FBI has liaison offices around the world and do lots of stuff with other groups so it not impossible to get stationed in another country for a few years.

Also, I completely second the keeping a copy of every security document you fill out.  One of the best ways to avoid snags is to make sure you always give the same answers.  Memories are faulty and it's good to have reminders.

[Sky]

I gave serious consideration to working for DHS last year, would've gotten my ass in VT finally. Probably won't be able to convince the fiancee to move until her mother passes away, though, even though she really wants to move to VT. Momma's girl.

Working for DHS would make me 

[Strazos]

Yeah, I apparently need to start filling out preliminary docs next week. 

[JWIV]

Because our male cat gets crystals, he has been on Royal Canin S/O for quite some time.  While it's been great for his crystals, it's been fucking awful in terms of weight gain and the solution of cutting him down to a 1/4 cup per serving (1/2 cup per day) has done nothing more than continue to have him gain weight and become increasingly aggressive about demanding food and being such a complete shit that even my wife has gotten fed up with him. 

I looked at various pet sites and while it's been a great reminder that there are some fucking nutty pet owners, that a lot of people have had very good success in going with a pure wet food non-grain diet.   I've started the transition to try this out, but figured I'd ask to see if anyone here has done anything similar to this.

[Nebu]

I looked at various pet sites and while it's been a great reminder that there are some fucking nutty pet owners, that a lot of people have had very good success in going with a pure wet food non-grain diet.   I've started the transition to try this out, but figured I'd ask to see if anyone here has done anything similar to this.

I'm a nutty pet owner.  I have a 10 year old manx that doesn't tolerate dry food well (she throws it up about 20 mins after eating).  I've started giving her wet food daily and it has helped a lot.  As for the crystalurea, I can only imagine that it's due to your pet not getting enough water and/or a kidney condition that is overconcentrating.  Urea is a byproduct of amine metabolism and will create havoc when you have a combination of a high protein diet with low water intake.  It may also be possible that your kitty has improper levels of glutamate. 

Anyway, a daily wet diet is fine for cats.  If you also leave out a littel dry food, it will allow them to balance their needs.  If you prefer, you can also add some greens to the wet food with a little milk/cream.  I do this and my manx loves it.  I also grow a pot of grass in the house (yes, I'm nuts) so that they have access to fresh greens when they want to chew on something to help clear hairballs. 

[JWIV]

I looked at various pet sites and while it's been a great reminder that there are some fucking nutty pet owners, that a lot of people have had very good success in going with a pure wet food non-grain diet.   I've started the transition to try this out, but figured I'd ask to see if anyone here has done anything similar to this.

I'm a nutty pet owner.  I have a 10 year old manx that doesn't tolerate dry food well (she throws it up about 20 mins after eating).  I've started giving her wet food daily and it has helped a lot.  As for the crystalurea, I can only imagine that it's due to your pet not getting enough water and/or a kidney condition that is overconcentrating.  Urea is a byproduct of amine metabolism and will create havoc when you have a combination of a high protein diet with low water intake.  It may also be possible that your kitty has improper levels of glutamate. 

Anyway, a daily wet diet is fine for cats.  If you also leave out a littel dry food, it will allow them to balance their needs.  If you prefer, you can also add some greens to the wet food with a little milk/cream.  I do this and my manx loves it.  I also grow a pot of grass in the house (yes, I'm nuts) so that they have access to fresh greens when they want to chew on something to help clear hairballs. 

Naw, you're not being too nutty.  Nutty would be like the owners trying to make their carnivorous kitty a vegan.   The crystals (struvite for the truly curious) are uncommon - it's just really really bad for male cats due to the high risk of blockage.  Thankfully, it's not a kidney condition as far as we can tell, but more from water/improper diet.  We did switch to a recirculating fountain a few years ago to try and help, but while it did increase his water intake, it didn't seem to do enough.    Since switching to a wet food diet would certainly increase his water intake (and more akin to their preferred method of getting water), I'm feeling confident that this should do the trick. 

[Nebu]

I had a cat for years that was an insulin diabetic.  My friends thought I was nuts for giving her twice daily insulin injections. 

Funny thing is that she died while I was on a trip.  I left her with my vet for the week and he forgot to give her shots one weekend.  Nice. 

[JWIV]

A good friend of mine had to do that for her cat and even then after a few years of it, the cats health still deteroieted to the point where they had to put him down.  =(  Its one of the reasons why the wife and I are so concerned about our male cats weight.   

[Signe]

I give my kitties a rotation of raw meat (usually lamb, beef or rabbit), Evanger's canned mackeral, and Merrick's Before Grain Salmon dry food.  Lister is a wee bit chunky.  Magenta is perfect and she eats most of the dry.  Lister is one of those big, lazy ginger toms.  Even his nails are big and thick and a pain to cut.  Yes, I cut their nails every week.  Magenta has allergies so she gets facial massages every day.  I brush their teeth, especially Lister who eat mostly wet food.  I play with them a few hours every day.  Righ, too, but maybe not quite as much.  As a result, they have nice clear eyes, white teeth, minimal hairballs and shiny, beautiful coats.  I love my kitties. 

[Johny Cee]

TaxCut

Not sure I want my first year using software to be one with so much crap involved. I'll go that route next year maybe, but for now I want a solid professional. Not some jackhob that hangs a shingle out or poorly paid worker drone. Which is why I'm afraid of the cost of competent professional tax preparation.

Nobody uses a preparer (excepting JWIV, I don't know any or I wouldn't need to ask!)?

Getting a real tax professional will not be cheap.  Even H&R Block now has a minimum of over a hundred for just a simple return...  My firm charges $300 minimum, but that's mostly because we don't want to waste our time with simple income tax returns since we bill time, and we make alot more off of complex returns.


You can always check the phone book and try calling a couple small CPA firms, lone CPAs, or established tax preparation places and getting an up front quote.  It's nice to do it at least one year,  if you go in with a note book and grill the preparer for potential tax credits and writeoffs this year,  and in future years.

The preliminary guidance for the tax portion of the stimulus bill is out now, and my firm has already spent an hour or two going over changes and tax credits.


The software is fine,  but does tend to miss alot of stuff.  It only picks up tax deductions based on the questions it gives,  and the way you understand the questions, so there's a fair amount of room for error.


In your case:

- You may or may not be able to itemize (schedule A) based on how long you had your home in 2008.  Itemization depends on getting over the Standard Deduction amount,  and with a partial year you might not have enough mortgage interest and real estate taxes to get over that.

- Itemized deductions: 

Real estate taxes (if you have an escrow account, will be on your Form 1098, otherwise from your tax bills).  Though it depends on your purchase how much of the real estate taxes are yours for the present year, and how much the previous owner reimbursed you for in the sale.

State income taxes paid during the year.  Basically, amounts in state withholding from your W-2, any estimates paid in, and any income tax paid in with your 2007 tax return during 2008.

Sales tax paid.  Really only matters if you had a big purchase like a car.

Mortgage interest on home or investment property.  Should be on your Form 1098 form the bank.

Charitable deductions.  Both cash and donations of property.

Miscellaneous deductions.  Need to get over a 2% AGI floor, so unless you have alot of them they might be limited.  Union dues (you a NYS employee, yah?  should be a line for your union dues there), investments, safe deposit box, tax preparation fees.

- Even if you don't have enough to itemize,  there is a credit for real estate taxes paid on the 1040 if you take the standard deduction.

- In your case,  I think there's still a credit for "Energy Efficient Home Improvements" in 2008.  I'm a little foggy on what it covers during 2008,  though it covered things like new doors and windows and insulation in 2007.

- Congress has changed around how their handling (and what they're calling....) the First-time Homebuyer credit thing.  I think you're still eligible for the "$7,500 interest free loan to be paid back over 15 years" but they've since changed it to a refundable tax credit that you don't have to pay back if you purchased after an arbitrary date.

Other common credits and deductions are things like student loan interest,  and the Lifelong Learning Credit/HOPE credit (which just had it's name changed in the recent tax bill...) if you took any higher ed courses last year.


Take that with a grain of salt....  I mostly do corporate tax, small and medium sized contractors, US/Canada corporate stuff, and nonprofits.  I don't really work on many individual returns until after March 15th every year.
______________________________

In 2009,  you'll actually be able to deduct sales tax paid on a new car purchase on your 1040.  I'm hones

[Yegolev]

Internet Explorer 8 is garbage.

[rattran]

My cats get a combination of Blue Buffalo 'wilderness' meaty dry food, Natural Balance dry & wet food. Only one in the house is overweight (roommate's cat who can't seem to control her intake) and no bladder problems among them. Cat grass on occasion, and a few stalks of wild wheat for them to play with/chew on throughout the summer and fall.

Only problem is it's costly, especially with how much Oscar eats. 25lbs of lean cat takes a lot of food. We go through 1 bag of Blue Buffalo, 2 of Natural Balance, and a case of NB wet every month, so about $100.

[Yegolev]

I find it to be more economical to kick the fuckers outside for some exercise.

[Tale]

b o r e d f o r m a t t i n g 1 t b h a r d d r i v e

[Lantyssa]

quickformatforthewindontchaknow

[Murgos]

25lbs of lean cat...

What?  You have a pet Bobcat?