I was up in Michigan this past weekend helping with the Pendgragon Movie. I’d like to say more, and I may update this post later, but I wanted to refer you to Peter Serven’s post on the trip, replete with photos. I’ve been given permission to release some of the photographs I have taken on the two shoots I’ve been on, and hope to start doing that in the next few days. Til then, Peter’s site will need to do.
Monthly Archives: January 2007
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Hand Art Gorgeous hand art at that.
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Foreign Policy: Seven Questions: The International Breast Milk Project
“Many newborns throughout the developing world are undernourished because they are not breastfed during their first few months of life. Often their mothers have passed away or are HIV-positive. But last year, a first-time mother from America’s Midwest decided to send her excess breast milk to Africa. FP spoke with the 29-year-old about her unlikely quest, which has since turned into an international project.”
Financial Smarts and Taxes
Update: Ok, so it turns out that Federal Taxes are pay-as-you go, which means they are due when you earn the income. Most employers do this for you. If you’re self employed, you can pay estimated taxes quarterly. But You can’t not pay until the end of the year. Bummer. This IRS article says a bit more on the subject.
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Ok, like most people I have my employer withhold taxes each year, and I usually get a small return. And I was thinking, because Jeremy is having to do his own withholding because he is currently freelancing, how much money am I loosing by giving my cash to the government early instead of late?
Lets run some numbers. Say you have a decent job and make 50K a year. Now, if you make 50K a year, then you are probably going to owe about 18% of that in state and federal taxes, barring unusual situations where you have a huge amount of deductions.
If you took the money you would normally withhold each month on a 50K salary paying about 18% in taxes, you would owe $9000.00 in taxes. If you took the $750 and put it into a savings account like ING Direct which earns 4.5% interest compounded monthly, you would, after 12 months, have $12,120 saved, which means you would earn $3119 in interest you would get to keep.
3K is a nice bit of change. So, what are your thoughts? It takes discipline to not touch that money throughout the year and end up in a bad situation later, but still, there’s that 3K to look forward to.
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Stefan G. Bucher’s DAILY MONSTER “A growing collection of curious creatures and the stories behind them.”
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It was on the way home yesterday, and he was wearing a very funny hat. It was made of straw and was decorated with wild bits of fuzz and pieces of string the color of cotton candy. Apart from the hat, the gentleman was distinguishly dressed, as though on his way out the door a sudden fit of pique seized him and he felt the need for a bit of mardi gras.
Winter Is Indeed a Harsh Mistress
Well, I’m well and truly tired of driving now. I covered about 2000+ miles between Sat and Mon. The trip down to Dallas with Jon was pretty crazy, occasionally harrowing and for the most part very very long. ;)
But I’m home now, and I’m in need of a roommate. Applicants can contact me via email. ;)
Jon is unpacked and ready to start the spring semester at the University of Dallas. I have the whole apartment to myself. I think I shall throw a party, so expect invitations in the mail sometime soon.
Addendum: Because it sounds confusing on a second reading, I’m not throwing the party cause Jon is gone and I’m happy about it, but because the apartment feels so empty with him not there that I feel compelled to come up with ways to fill it up.
The Holy Blitz Rolls On
The holy blitz rolls on | Salon Books
The Christian right is a "deeply anti-democratic movement" that gains force by exploiting Americans’ fears, argues Chris Hedges. Salon talks with the former New York Times reporter about his fearless new book, "American Fascists." By Michelle Goldberg
I found the interview surprisingly insightful, (even if the interviewee’s personal theology occasionally gives rise to slight problems). I’m curious about my readers thoughts, because I tend to be more forgiving than some.
If you miss it let me point out so you don’t the fact that the interview is speaking of a specific group of evangelicals involved in a political movement, not churches or Christians in general.