Way to promote education

February 5th, 2008

Turbo Tax is a godsend, but even with my online automator, tax filing has suddenly become a real pain this year.

I usually get back at least $1,300 in school credits, but since Brandon and I are married now, we either have to file married filing jointly or married filing separately. If we do separate tax forms, I cannot claim school credits at all. If we file jointly, we cannot claim school credits if our adjusted gross incomes exceed $80k. This number does not adjust for regional rates of inflation, either. So, someone in California who makes $200k annually is on the same par as that of someone of a proportionate income-level living in the Midwest - where housing rates and cost of living is much lower - who makes $80k a year.

And this is despite the fact that Brandon and I married in June - we were married for just half the year, but we have to file as married for the entire year.

I’ve stopped trying to make sense of it all. All I know is that I now miss out on education credits that I have earned and deserve. Way to promote higher learning there, federal government.

New photos added

February 4th, 2008

I’ve been incredibly lax in updating our new online photo album, but while procrastinating over homework last night, I did get the chance to add highlights from our recent trip to New York.

And for Charlynn, I uploaded photos of our Teddy cat - since we seem to have this very weird cosmic connection.

Role reversal

February 3rd, 2008

So, most who know me are aware that I did not change my name (or identity) when Brandon slid that size-5 silver ring on my finger. And those who really know me, know why I oppose the practice.

Despite numerous letters of complaint, Brandon and I continue to receive mailings from the Cincinnati Museum Center addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Brandon X. So, the fact that I would receive the below member newsletter from the Cincinnati Zoo kind of thrills me.