We got the place! I got the call this evening and it was totally awesome. Now Monday we just have to go pay the deposit and whatnot!
Pictures forthcoming as soon as we get the keys!
Regulation D
29 10 09 - 08:12. Category:
Have you ever heard of Federal Regulation D? Neither had I...
It's a federal regulation that limits the amount of electronic transfers from a savings account to six within any given month. I had no idea until my checking account didn't auto-draw from my savings like it should with my new credit union. Instead of my free automatic transfer between accounts I got dinged with a $29 overdraft fee for my $4.75 Trimet ticket with no easy way to transfer money...
Turns out, Regulation D has been around for a while and my credit union actually follows the rule. The reason I've never encountered this problem before is that banks just ignore it. Because banks don't comply with Regulation D they pay fines to the federal government, in turn they charge their clients fines and fees to cover the fines they're paying.
Thankfully the credit union was understanding and gave me my $29 back and I was able to go across the street and use an ATM since that's not considered an electronic transfer. Couldn't do it over the phone though cause that's electronic.
Lesson learned.
Housing Update, Continued
28 10 09 - 10:18. Category:
After applying to the place we both really liked and wanted to move into, we found out that we were the second application on the list. This was last Friday. Suck.
Monday, I call to ask about the status of the rental and our application. I was told that they had just deposited the security deposit from the first applicant, we lost the place. BUT the first applicant is trying to sell a home, so we got a "maybe the place will come back up for rent if they can't sell." Suck.
Tuesday, David and I started looking for other rentals but nothing was coming up as overly impressive or where we wanted.
Today, I got another call from the management company. The first applicant pulled out and the place is again available. They asked if they want us to run our application. I told him hells yes. The guy knew we wanted the place, and he sounded almost as excited as I did to run the application.
Now, we wait. It's a 3-5 day process to find out of our application is approved. Despite evidence otherwise, I'm still worried that we'll get denied due to bad credit or not enough income.
Still, this is good news. I'm in a much better mood than I have been lately.
Housing Update
22 10 09 - 10:22. Category:
We got the application for the location we want turned in on Monday, which after viewing the house on Friday wasn't soon enough as we hoped. We're the second application in line. It's terrible, but right now I'm kinda hoping the people ahead of us either have bad credit and get denied or decide not to take the place. Our first choice could be their second choice.
There's a house about two blocks from it that starts showing in about a week, so we'll be checking that one out too. We have a townhome as a second choice we might end up applying to and a few others we could still look at. It'd be nice to get our first choice though.
Here's hoping.
"Ass-Chewing"
20 10 09 - 15:54. Category:
I was chewed out at work today, and rightfully so to a degree.
I was handed a return on 10/14 to be done by 10/15. October 15th is the the last day that you can file a 1040, after filing your extension, and have it not be late and face penalties. We have several clients who need the full ten and a half months to get us their information. Needless-to-say I rushed the return. I thought some information was missing, so I left an open item note on the return stating what information we needed.
The return was reviewed by a senior, and then looked over by the partner. The partner then requested the information from the client. As it turns out, some of the information I thought we needed for 2008 was actually part of 2007. The partner got to look a bit like a fool. Part of our firms business model is the quality of work we put out dependent upon the multiple sets of eyes that see a project before it leaves the office. On top of that, there was a diagnostic error on the return that I didn't clear. The mistakes came back to me to answer for.
Yesterday, I was called "young man" by the partner with all the derogetory, disregard, and child-like reprimand that could be put into it. I wasn't happy. You don't demean people when they do something wrong. You don't disregard their skills or effort while placing all the blame on them. Call me an idealist if you will, but it makes them afraid to take action in the future for fear of future failure. It makes me not want to ever work on a project with him because coupled with his work style there's an increased risk of mistake that ultimately comes to me to answer for. I won't go into detail on my disagreements with his work style.
Today, I was called out for cutting corners on the job, something I by all means should not have done. I wanted it off my desk more than I wanted to make sure everything was done correctly. Today, I was also called retarded. I was told the level of work was not what I usually do, not what was expected of me, and "what I would expect from you maybe if you were retarded." But if that were the case "you wouldn't be working here."
My personal philosophy is that words are 100% about context. English is multi-faceted and human interaction is entirely contextual. I'm not easily offended, unless the context is right. It happened once in high school when I heard the term "queer" used in the vilest sense of the word, it came close to that level with "young man" yesterday. It hit that same level when my work was refered to the word of a retard today.
UPDATE: In the middle of writing this I was called into said partner's office on another project that I've born the brunt of the falacies on (on which I'd received minimal guidance and oversight from the partner). He apologized for calling me retarded. I gave him a half-smile back.
Home Hunting
18 10 09 - 20:07. Category:
David and I have spent about the last week looking for a new rental. We've been using Pad Mapper to find locations in the area we're looking for. It's a very handy utility.
We looked at two places on Friday, three today, and we have another scheduled for Tuesday. Thus far our favorite leading into the viewings was the most disappointing on the inside. The one that looked like it might not be very fantastic is the one we're applying for on Monday. I'm looking forward to a fireplace and hardwood floors. It's also very open and right next to a park.
We'll be upgrading from an apartment complex to a house in a tri-plex sort of thing with a small courtyard. It's about 15 minutes from public transportation and driving to/from work.
We're shooting to move in November at some point... just not sure when. I'm getting excited.
Star Wars: In Concert - I Can Die Happy Now
15 10 09 - 07:37. Category:
Last night David and I went to Star Wars: In Concert. All I knew about it was that it was a live performance of the Star Wars scores along with movie clips. That alone was worth the ticket price. The violinist in me would die to do a Star Wars concert. Seeing it performed live was amazing.
Turns out, it was so much more. First of all, it's not just an orchestra concert. It's an orchestra concert, with good lighting effects with a bit of a laser show, HD movie clips, and it's told in a narrative style between pieces by Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) live. They opened it with the THX tone and the Twentieth Century Fox theme, exactly like Star Wars starts in every fan's head does. I had no idea. I was squeeling like a kid.
On top of that, they had a lot of the original costuming on display beforehand and afterwards including Vader, Chewie, and Yoda. They also had some of the original scores on display too. I didn't even think to bring my camera. We didn't get a super close look because of the crowds, but it was still amazing.
The other great part was the cadre of people there, best emphasized by six seats in our row. Amongst our six we had a mother who fell in love with the original series with her then nine-year-old son in the 70s, now a grandma still loving it. She gave David and I tootsie rolls. There was a guy, maybe in his early thirties, and his four year old son (in costume). I can only imagine his son loves I-III and dad was a fan of IV-VI. And then you have me and David. We had all the generations covered. Three decades of fandom.
Sadly we didn't get any souvenirs. The cheapest was a light-up lightsaber keychain for $10, they wanted $30 for the program and $40+ for shirts. Looking to move means we're cutting back on expenses. I'm determined to get a replica lightsaber (one of the light-up ones) now. Vader's... for Christmas... I wants it.
If you are a Star Wars fan it is a definite must, and if you are an orchestra/movie score fan it's still something worth going to.
12 of 12, October
12 10 09 - 22:25. Category:
12 of 12, the project started by Chad Darnell has made it's way back to this blog!
06:20 - My regular morning arch nemesis. Switching to shaving every-other day has helped.
06:55 - The morning commute (don't worry, I was the passenger). It's dark when I leave now...
09:07 - The tools of an accountant... when doing a return by hand. Otherwise the pencil stays in the drawer.
10:46 - Searching for a new place to live. This place is super-cute and right where we want it.
11:36 - Walking to lunch through part of China Town.
11:44 - I found a Doenner restaurant! No idea how excited I was. I got a standard doenner kebab which was pretty tasty, but the sauce was a little potent. I will have to try my standard durum doenner another time. I have missed these things so bad.
12:56 - Time to study...
13:39 - Actually... I think I need some caffeine if I' going to study.
16:29 - Some enjoyable reading on the MAX ride home.
17:44 - Oh goody, more studying! At least this time it's on my couch and in my Star Wars pajama pants.
18:17 - Time for WoW... studying didn't last very long tonight...
21:55 - Time to sit down in my quilt and post 12 of 12!
National Coming Out Day
10 10 09 - 16:56. Category:
Brought to my attention from Joe.My.God., here's one of a ton of different National Coming Out Day videos. This one is pretty cute.
Coming out is a perpetual process. Some family knows, some family doesn't, and family will forever be getting used to it. Just within the last few months I've replaced "roommate" with "David" when talking with my coworkers and letting them figure it out from there. After a year with my company he'll finally be coming to some formal company events as well as some informal staff get-togethers. It's a constant process, but it definitely gets easier.
When I came out to my dad I was terrified. In return he told me I'm his son, he loves me no matter what, and "anyone who has a problem with you, has a problem with me." He also cautioned me to use protection...
Recently, my father told me that he wasn't comfortable of the idea of David and I having a wedding, because marriage is between one man and one woman. I was rocked to my core, I don't think I've ever been hurt worse.
Now I'm working to meet him in the middle. He still loves me and he was desperately afraid telling me that would cause a rift between us. He doesn't think we shouldn't have marriage rights, he's just hung up on terminology and feeling uncomfortable. It's not that he disapproves or he believes we are fundementally wrong, it's just not something he's use to. It's a matter of tradition, not a matter of morality or legality. And so I meet him in the middle.
The end result is that the "wedding" plans are canceled. It wouldn't be fun. I was already being stressed out in the earliest planning stages, so I am saving myself untold stress as well. Instead, we are going to simply sign the domestic partnership documents with closest friends and family at the county clerk, and then go to dinner.
We're still dressing up nice, I demand it. I will get David in a suit! We still might get a professional photographer to document today. We're still going to wear the rings.
I can't wait.
Perpetual Kid
09 10 09 - 12:59. Category:
I recently ordered some items from Perpetual Kid. I was a first time buyer and they have a pretty fantastic website.
This little guy (not part of my order) was waiting for me when I opened the box, nomming on a packing peanut:
They just got a new return customer.
Yes, No, Maybe, or None of the Above?
08 10 09 - 10:03. Category:
I got a CPA study question today. The question effectively said "how would this number change?"
My answer choices were a) no effect, b) decrease, c) increase, or d) none of the answer choices are correct.
I wonder what else you can do to numbers besides decrease, increase, or leave them alone?
Broken Record of Enjoyment
07 10 09 - 07:52. Category:
Fall is the accounting firms recruiting season. Now until November is when our company finds the internships for the upcoming tax season, summer, and new hires to bring on in fall 2010.
It all starts out with "Meet the Firms" events. Being one of two male staff accountants in the firm, I get to go to quite a few of these things.
I love doing it. Yes, it's standing around for 2-3 hours saying the same thing over and over to potential recruits collecting a stack of resumes and trying to remember names, but it's still fun. It's meeting new people. It's also scary to think that I'm the first impression and representing the firm.
It's hard to remember everyone, and some resumes I look at and just go "who...?" I've taken this to mean that the ones I can remember are the ones that stood out, the ones worth remembering. Last night I ran out of business cards (embarassing) and started using a coworkers with my name written on it.
Some of my favorite "Really, you just said that to me?" moments include:
- When I ask "why accounting?" and I get "because it's my major" or "because it's easy." I've even heard a few "I like business finance more, but the jobs are better in accounting." Even worse I had one guy tell me not only does he like finance more, but he thinks accounting is boring and easy.
- Similarly people have said they want to be CFOs or work in finance, so why are they talking to us?
- I've heard long soliloquys on why someone's GPA is so slow.
I truly enjoyed it. The interesting part next will be to see how much the partner in charge desides to listen and go with our recomendations. He wasn't at last night's event, so it will all be our input. We haven't met to go over last week's event yet. I'm slightly worried, because so many have been interviewed up to this point, (~20) some I've met the last two weeks might not even get the chance. It makes it hard for me, because if I like someone I can't help but become their advocate on some level.
So Close... to Giving Up
05 10 09 - 14:19. Category:
I've said it before, but I'm saying it again. I'm fed up with studying for the CPA exam.
I've been studying for these tests since mid-April. That's five and a half months of studying and taking tests. I'm fed up with having some minor nuance in the questions resulting in me getting it wrong.
I'm not retaining as much as I should because I don't care enough to remember it. To me it's become something wholey convoluted and annoying. It feels like the same problem will have different methodology and solutions in different questions. I'm sure there's just a piece I'm missing.
My score on my studying material has not managed to pass 60%, and has dropped as low as 25% on some. I just don't care. Once the frustration sets in, the studying stops, and the cycle starts over.
And it's stupid. I'm one test away from never having to do this again, ever. I have 25 days left, but I am as close to quitting and giving up for a while as I am to getting my license. If I fail this test, I won't have to deal with the CPA exam again until after tax season. I'd have some reprieve.
So where does one find their motivation?
Wedding Dream
04 10 09 - 11:10. Category:
I dreamed about having the wedding for the first time the other night.
I don't recall much, there were some coworkers there for some reason. Yes they are my friends, but were not on the planned guest list.
I also remember there being 101 Dalmatians figurines. I found some under the table and was fairly desperate to find the rest. The grooms were two dogs, and there was a Cruela DeVille one too for some reason. I don't know why.
Mostly though, I just dreamed I was ridiculously happy. I dream a lot in feelings, and then an event gets constructed around them (the terrified being chased by "them" dreams are always fun). It was a great, totally gushy, silly, feeling.
Rare Parrot
02 10 09 - 19:21. Category:
Pretty much the funnies thing I've seen online in a while:
If the video isn't showing up in your reader, it's worth the extra tab to watch. Full article here.
Please Press 2
01 10 09 - 08:32. Category:
I have a new goal in life... never to get in a car accident in Portland.
Last week I saw an accident, this week David did. I tried to report mine and received an unanswered ring from the City of Portland transportation office and a machine at the non-emergency Portland Police number. I gave up.
When I called in David's I actually talked to someone at the transportation office, and they just gave me the non-emergency police number. I decided to wade through the prompts this time...
On the first machine I hit the appropriate button, this sent me to a second machine. On the second machine I hit the appropriate button, this sent me to a third machine. The third machine was an answering machine. Thanks Portland.
It just seems a tad wrong to have machines answering for the police, even if it is not 911.
So my goal is to never have a non-emergency car accident or incident in Portland, ever. Because getting the police to assist in any way necessary for traffic or other reasons is apparently not possible.
