Tax Time: Feels like Punitive Punishment to me.

January 28th, 2012 Thomasso

Yes sir, it is that time of year again, when my frustration from doing my annual income tax return comes out from the usually four hours of pen, paper and calculator, game I have to play. This year was not that bad compared to “tax pain sessions” in the past, but the feeling of just how much I got “raked over the coals,” from paying the MAN, really sinks in when you are grinding away at these tax forms.

There is one great feeling I have this year, and that is my income was lower this year compared to the last five, and this means that I paid less to the Man than I normally would have. The silver lining is that I contributed less to a government that I have ethical reservations with. Sadly, my thinking is flawed because governments in general, and this one in particular, can create deficits and debts, that they can pass on to our children long term. So the pain of a bad government can have future repercussions far into the future. However, this year, they had less of my money to play around with, so I see that as a good thing from my perspective.

I should strongly point out that I have no objections to paying taxes, as I understand full well the necessary function that this money goes towards. My objections go towards governments that squander this money on frivolous things and functions that do more harm than good. Corporate welfare is just one of my pet peeves when it comes to seeing how my tax money is spent. Then there is this whole equality thing that I see so wrongly laid out to the different income classes.

Anyway, I have done my rough work. Most of my calculations are done, and it all looks good in terms of completeness and accurateness. Tomorrow when I am not so frustrated, I will transfer my calculations of the final draft, and go over them one last time. Monday I will snail-mail my paperwork off to the boys over at the tax department. I am expecting a refund this year, so I will see how well my calculations stack up to the Revenue Agency’s final tally on me goes.

Posted in Diatribe, Events, General, Social economics, Social Justice | No Comments »

Fort Langley and Filming of Super Natural

January 20th, 2012 Thomasso

For the last couple of days, during the little freezing weather stint, the sleepy little town of Fort Langley has being the epicenter for the television science fiction/horror show, “Super Natural.” They have being filming here for most of all day and night over the last two days now, mostly taking up the down town area between Mavis Avenue and 96th Avenue along Glover Road.

I just found out that this was “Super Natural” being filming here from some of my Twitter friends a couple of hours ago. Thanks @DearHeartxoxo !

At first I thought they were nuts shooting in these frigged temperatures that we have been getting for the last week. But it appears that minus ten is nothing for these guys -  they can handle just about anything.

Today has ended the freeing period that I hated so much, marking the end of five solid days straight of minus degree weather. Now it is above freezing, but rain, or drizzle, is plaguing us, and all of this melting snow is just soaking everything. There is a storm warning, but I fear that that will hit us tomorrow as wind and rain will rule the day tomorrow. But it is warmer out, and that makes me mildly happy.

The filming normally does not bother me except for the odd traffic snarl; however, last night the flood lights that were lifted on top of two huge cranes, that bothered me as the light shown into my bedroom window. They were shut off around ten thirty last night, but I still had to force myself to sleep, with the curtains drawn, but it still looked light daylight outside. Tonight is more of the same. They have the same two cranes up, and again the light is shinning onto Glover Road, one block over form me. They are very bright, so the spill-off from them makes it look like the light is shining right at my windows.

You can see the tree on the left is lit up from the crane on 96th Avenue, and the light that you can see is over at Glover and Mavis Avenue – one block away. These are massive lights, and they are bright!

Fortunately, it is Friday, and staying up late tonight is an option.

Posted in Around Town, Bitching about weather, Diatribe, Events, General, Humour, Photographs, Socail Media, Twitter | 2 Comments »

Stupid Says, “I’m Stuck.”

January 15th, 2012 Thomasso

Here we are in mid January, living in South Western Canada, at a time of year when snow sometimes falls, and stays on the ground, and creates these winter like environments that are talked about during Climate Change conferences. Although, over the last few years, snow has become a foreign concept to most, snow does fall, and blankets the ground every once in while. We are living in one such moment in time when snow has invaded our land, and it appears that it will stay for at least the next few days to come.

Even though we do not get snow often, we are responsible for keeping ourselves prepared for it.

We cannot depend on our governments to keep the roads the clear, as they themselves are mired in debt, resources shortages, and in some cases, exercising austerity measures through limited snow clearing operations, or just to clearing the main roads only. So it is up to each and everyone of us to have proper snow/winter equipment, and to be able to deal with these types of weather on our own. Hey, we all voted for this, so now we must deal with it.

It never ceases to amaze me at just how forgetful some people can be when dealing with snow. Take for example, my neighbour who drives a Honda Accord. He drives with summer tires on his vehicle all year round. He is currently stuck, in his own driveway. He is angry, upset, blaming everyone and anything at his own stupidity. He will only be satisfied when the snow melts and he can drive once again with his Honda Accord bearing summer tires.

Posted in Around Town, Bitching about weather, Events, General, Humour, Social economics, Social Justice | 2 Comments »

Breaking News: Changed My Twitter Pic!

January 7th, 2012 Thomasso

Breaking: I just changed my Twitter image, the image that is used as your avatar when you use your Twitter account. After almost six weeks having the new camera, it dawned on me to shoot a better looking image for my Twitter Identity with it instead of the web-came one I had before. So keeping with the theme and tradition, I used the same pencil that I have always used.

I have kept the same general image because I find it is hard to follow when Tweeps (Twitter users) keep changing their images around, especially when they use obscure alphanumeric names as their handles which are almost impossible to keep track of. I am now at just over 800 followers, and I am following the same number on my Twitter Account. Keeping track of that many people with weird names, I need all the help I can get, so changing your photo throws the whole memory game out the window for me.

After having the new camera for almost six weeks, I finally just got around to taking a good quality image for my Twitter Account today. Below is the stock image that I cropped and edited my final image from.

Regrettably, using Twitter, you are limited to an image size of only 700k bits, so any edge on image quality is a boon once you start reducing your image size down to this small 76 x 76 px size area.

Posted in Art, Diatribe, Events, General, Humour, Photographs, Socail Media, Twitter | No Comments »

It was One Year Ago – The Loss of the IGA Store

January 5th, 2012 Thomasso

It was in the early morning hours of January 4th, 2011 when the IGA store burnt down in Fort Langley. Looking back on that day, I still get a little upset as the loss of that that store has made life a little more inconvenient for myself, and for most other residence who I have spoken to in this small community.

According to the “The Fort” Winter 2011/12 issue, the fire was caused by a “botched burglary.”

Construction of the new store on the same property started around November 2011, but the store itself will be built on the parking lot at the corner of Mavis and Church Street instead of Glover Road and Mavis. We are waiting with anticipation.

The image above (taken with a point-and-shoot Kodak M1063 camera) is the newly laid foundation of the IGA over top of the former parking lot (Mavis and Church Street).

I know for myself, seeing progress on the site is welcomed news, and I just hope that I am still living here when the store finally opens.

If you want to view some of the photos that I took of the IGA Fire back on January 4th, 2011, please click here for my photo gallery.

Posted in Around Town, Criminal Law, Events, General, Photographs | Comments Off

OK 2012 – 1st Day, So Far So Good

January 1st, 2012 Thomasso

It is almost nineteen hours into 2012 and so far the new year is going great for me. I spent a lot of time today cleaning, catching up with friends by email and working on some projects that I am getting into over the next few weeks. I want this year to be a productive one, but the productivity part I want to keep under control, as oppose to everything controlling me such as time management. I also know that this year may mark a possible move for myself as somewhere in the next fourteen months I have to move.  I expect that 2012 will be busy one towards the end in the last few months, but I am hoping that nothing freaky happens like unexpected unemployment or  something alone those lines does not happen.

Today, I went shopping down a Walmart in Langley City first thing. Yes, they were open, right a 7:00am. With most of the city sleeping in from last night’s festivities, the roads we perfect for driving this morning, and finding parking, well, I thought I was dreaming. Within forty minutes, I had completed the round trip and was back home unpacking all of my groceries.

I emailed about twenty friends also today. This was more or less a means of keeping in touch with everyone. Most of the contacts I made were friends from university, and some colleagues, and some were old work buddies from years ago. I doubt that I will get replies from some, as I am sure their email accounts hove long since went delinquent, so this will be test to purge them from my address book. There are also some family members that I seem to have lost contact with too–hopefully I was hear back from them?

I have an agenda for my volunteering efforts too this year. I am hoping to get that under way very soon. I want to do more time with some programs that are with Corrections Canada. Also, I want to do some time with my alumni friends. I really want to keep in touch with my old school, so helping out, I feel is the best way to do that.

I know this year is going to be one of endurance and harsh times as the world economies try and sort their messes out and hopefully do not take me down with them. I am very thankful that I do not have any debt towards anyone while all of this is going on. I have so many friends that are slowly being swallowed up by debt that I worry about them. It is a given (and so obvious)  that costs are going up, and that I will have to adapt to the changing economy – buying less with the income that I have with be the challenge for 2012. So, hopefully I will still keep my current job and not have to look for another one, (know on wood) as the Canadian job market is looking really bleak right now. Yes, I worry about that becuase I know how “on the edge” everyone is living these days.

So, here is to a good year, and one that I hope we will all get through without too many battle scares.

Cheers and Happy New Years!

Posted in Diatribe, Events, General, Holiday, Social economics | Comments Off

Happy New Year – Last Post of 2011!

December 31st, 2011 Thomasso

Well, this is it! The last post of 2011, and tomorrow will be next year.

Everyone please behave yourselves tonight. Drive safe, and please do not drink and drive, and try not to wake up the neighbourhood at 2:00am in the morning, as some of us do like to keep our regular sleeping times going through the holidays.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2012, here we come!

Posted in Art, Events, General | 2 Comments »

Looking Forward for Next Year: Higher Costs and Austerity

December 31st, 2011 Thomasso

The writing is as a plain as day on the wall, and it says that the new year is shaping up to be the “year of inflation” from my perspective, a lone soul living in a small village on the outskirts of Vancouver, BC. We all knew that government was going raise the income tax and implement other payroll punitive measures on us working class types eventually, and that most services too are mandating increases in costs as well. But, the triple whammy is fossil fuels, electricity and food. Adding it all up, I estimate that my cost of living is going to jump up by 11 percent for 2012!

I have been planning for this for the last year. I can pass most of these costs back to the consumers and other sources of income that I generate. I have no morals about increasing my costs as well, in the business sense, as long as I know that the government is dishing out the same punitive measure to the rest of the country equally. I am also in a great position where I have no ties to any financial institution bearing any encumbrances, all thanks to my “Cut Out the Middle Man and Parasite” initiatives back in 2004. Lastly, no dependants, or payouts in terms of creating my Sue-ability Scale to the lowest point possible.

I am ready for the 11.2 percent jump by ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) and the $20.00 per month increase in MSP (Medical Insurance Premiums) as stated by CBC News Dec 30th, 2011 in their story called, “2012 to be More Expensive for BC Residence.” I am also ready for the ever growing food and fuel costs as well as I have changed my buying patterns to reflect the souring economy. For my vehicle needs, driving that extra few kilometres to fill up with lower taxed gasoline is paying off in the long run. Also, buying from local farmers and markets has also started to pay off, although it is hard to avoid shopping at the big-box retailers for the savings.

The message for 2012 that I am giving is one of money restraint, and fiscal caution. Do not make that large money purchase of which you will have to finance from a money lender, if you saved the money then fly at it. Save what you can, be it pennies, twonies or fifty bucks here and there, but have that liquid pool of cash close at hand, and spend it when absolutely necessary, unless you have lots and see the sliver lining in the clouds. The “Cash is King” economy is flourishing at my work as I am starting to see a mild upswing in cash transactions. This is a sign that I see as people are starting to, either bypassing their debts with their financial institutions, or they are finally working in a cash economy, but cash seems to be back in style again. However, I still see credit card buying as the number one method of buying, which is more than likely fuelling personal debt like we have never seen before becuase I highly doubt that most Canadians are using these credit devices as they were meant to be used. Also in my message, I encourage people to shop on-line becuase the deals that are available from down South in the U.S. are incredible. “Shop and Save and only buy what you need,” is the message that I am sending out for 2012.

I consider myself a low income earner. I do not claim to be that all knowing economist and prognosticator of Doomsday Sayers. I only know where I stand, and based on this, I can say with certainty that many who are in my income bracket are feeling the same way too.

Moreover, there is one pressing issues that I hate above all else, and that are parasites, be it government, Banks or commerce. I really see the need to think in ways that means changing my lifestyle and critically thinking my way through long term money planning to avoid, or rid myself of those parasites. They make me itch and scratch too.

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Reminiscing Through My Old Digital Photos

December 26th, 2011 Thomasso

I was going through some old disks, the old fashioned 700MB CD type,  that I had tucked away. I found this disk that was not labelled, other than “Digital Camera” on to, so I threw it in the PC and fired it up to have a look. Reminiscing through these old digital photos of 2002 made me laugh, and some sadden me as there are people who have passed away since, but the photos were neat to look at again after all these years even though they were small JPEG 800 x 640 images. The quality is poor on these from that old Kodak Point and Shoot camera – which by the way cost a whopping $800.00 at the time!

This photo stood out for me. It is a photo of my return trip from Vancouver Island back in October of 2002 from where a mountain of detergent foam covered the road at the intersection of Highway 10 and 58 Avenue in South Surrey, BC. Because I was driving, I had to drive ahead, pull over, find my camera, then drive back to take this shot. The foam had already retreated back to side-walk by the time I took this shot.

I had to retouch the photo, and converted it to a PNG file. I also added the 2012 LOGO on it too becuase of the modification I did to it.

Apparently this happens numerous times a year when jokers put detergent in the fountain, and it bubbles up and spills onto the road. I remember hearing people laughing as they drove by; it was quite the sight!

CORRECTION: The actual address is Highway #10 and Scott Road in Surrey, BC. Highway #10 is also 58 Avenue (Dec 27, 2011).

Posted in Events, General, Humour, Photographs, Story Telling | Comments Off

No Grumpy People Here Please

December 26th, 2011 Thomasso

Oh yes, ’tis the season of anger and unpleasantries, and with all those who focus on the martial rather than the seasonal time off to spend with friends and family I say to you, “go get a life, and spoil someone else’s good time.”  I am referring to the unruly shoppers, and consumers who want to be first in the line-ups; those who demand that they be given first priority when seeking customer services; those who push and shove other people on the sidewalls as they walk through. I am shacking my head at just but a few who cast a shadow of darkness on festive environment. But my list goes on.

To add to the horror show of the Canadian Christmas Season, I witnessed in the Langley City in Walmart the pathetic stench of selfishness and snobbery – in Walmart of all places. I seen a lady, who was no Goddess of goodness her self, cursing at another patron regarding her two year old child who was crying becuase she was not happy standing in a line up. Yes, the young woman lost it, and would not you if a 150 kilogram woman told you to shut your two year old up because she was trying to talk on her cell phone while waiting in the line-up?

A man at the Esso gas station in Fort Langley freaking out becuase another person parked in the stall that he wanted. Rather than waiting, the man decided to run over to the lady in the small car and tell her that she was a “stupid @#!* blond Bimbo who can’t drive.” She won the spot fare and square. A real man would be more than happy to allow the lady to have her fill of gasoline, but not today (Dec. 23), it is “me first,” and “look after number one” rules of social conduct. Intimidation are the tactics of some consumers now days that I see. Thankfully not all are like this.

Perhaps it is my age, and I have reached a point in my life when I see beyond the child-like rose coloured glasses that I once wore, and I see the real images around me now. Maybe I am more sensitive to the chaos that erupts around the down town core this time of year when shoppers scramble into their buying frenzy this time of year?

In hindsight, I make it a point to stay away from the crowds and the chaos we call the Christmas Holiday Season. Even though I do not celebrate it myself, Christmas is the dominant religion in Canada, and our culture is based on this, so this locus of buying takes precedence and all follow it as our economic lives depend upon it. The best part about all of this is that by tomorrow everything will be back to normal. My commute to work will be the same, the down town core will be the same, and people in general will be the same. Was it all worth it?

Posted in Around Town, Diatribe, Events, General, Social economics, Social Justice, Story Telling | 1 Comment »