Finally finished my taxes. Had to file for the IRS, Indiana, and Arkansas. Such a pain in the ass. Funny how I am such a technophile, but still do my taxes by hand. Guess with the schedule d’s, 1’s, and any other extra special schedules I get to file it seems trying to do it all online wouldn’t be possible. Of course, I didn’t really check, but I make myself feel better if I insist it had to be done by hand. Ended up owing Federal, Indiana, and Arkansas governments a grand total of around $650. Not bad really. Certainly better than last year. America doesn’t have universal health care or really much in the way of social services like Japan or Europe does, but on the other hand taxes do seem to be lower than what I imagine they are in those crazy socialist countries. Is is worth it though? Can you afford health care with the fewer taxes you pay? Are you responsible enough with your money to save for retirement? Do you make enough for all the expenses life throws at you? Should the government be more responsible to help you out? All questions I can’t answer.
May 18th. We think we’re leaving for Japan on May 18th. Sweet Lord Holy Jesus make it get here as fast as you can. I’m just about sick of waiting tables. ‘Cause you know what is most unfun in a most unpleasant sort of way? Putting a smile on your face and being friendly to customers when you would rather dump that ice cold pitcher of water all over their whiny, rich ass face when they ask for water without ice AFTER you’ve already poured an entire glass full of nice, refreshing, ice water. Because that would just be too much trouble wouldn’t it? Nope, you can’t sit at the table for 2 people, even though you have only 2 people in your party. You’re so special you need to sit at the big booth made for 4, with your water no ice, which dishes are vegetarian again, and can we have some napkins even though they are already on the buffet table but we’re too lazy to get up and get them ourselves, and also could we get some lemon now too, punk ass? Yes, let me smile and get you everything you ask for. I would quite love to do that, ma’am. Ignore the nervous twitch in my pitcher hand. No, really, its nothing. I would be HAPPY to get you everything you need, RIGHT AWAY.
So, yeah, I’m ready for vacation.
Oh, and it was a fantastically beautiful day outside.
I worked 9 hours today. 4 at lunch. 5 at dinner. Came away with $120 in cash. Little over $13/hour. Not bad for a student job, I spose. Lost the flow of things at dinner, though. There are a number of factors that contribute to how smoothly you can take care of your tables, and if several of them get out of wack (the kitchen is a little slow with food for one table, then the next table takes too long to order, yet another needs extra yogurt sauce, etc), then you find yourself running around trying to catch up even though you only have 3 tables.
I’ve started riding my scooter again with the warmer weather. I forgot how much I love driving that little blue 49cc engine with a seat. 100mpg can’t be beat, and it gets me to the restaurant faster than driving since I can take a direct route through campus that I can’t with my car. And with the campus on spring break there was nobody around me while I drove home. Only had to stop once. I love not stopping at stop signs. Wonder when I’ll finally get pulled over for that. You don’t have to register a 49cc vehicle, but I imagine they still have to follow traffic laws.
I can’t wait ’till vacation. 2 months until I leave for Japan. No working, a REAL bathtub (not this shitty excuse for a bathtub I’ve got, that I can’t even fit my whole body in. You know, at my in-laws house, I have to duck just to get from room to room but I can fit my whole damn body in the tub. The Japanese don’t mess around when it comes to taking baths), and yummy food. Mmmm.. vacation….
I started my audio engineering lessons tonight. Andrew came over and we started with the very basics. I don’t think I learned anything really that amazing, but it was a great start and overview of what I hope I will be learning in the weeks to come. I’ve always been so interested in this stuff, but never had anyone to show me how to make sense of any of it. Hopefully Andrew can remedy this situation.
Man, this keyboard is crap for typing. So stiff.
Beautiful weather today. Hung the laundry outside for the first time this year. I love the smell of air dried laundry. Even got the futons out to air out on the balcony. They really needed an airing out after being stuck inside all winter. Try doing that with your king sized bed.
The biggest theme of the day inside Ben’s Brain though, was the overwhelming desire to have my own place. Not a McHouse in a McSubdivision. But a custom built house on a large piece of land secluded from stupid noisy neighbors and traffic. Oh, how I hate the sound of traffic. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the birds are singing and all you can concentrate on is the constant roar of combustion engines and tires on the road. Yuck. I want to go outside, sit in a hammock, read a book, and hear nothing but nature. Big city life really isn’t for me.