Tax Joy and on to Hollywood
Having finally finished doing my tax return, I've headed west for the ASIFA Annie Awards (to sit in the crowd and watch nice animation).
(A sample of tax fun: I haven't got a paper form. That's because you filed online last year. But I can't do it this year because your online system only processes half the forms I need to fill in, so can I have a blank form? Do you have 2 forms of ID including photo ID? For a blank form? But it won't be blank, we're going to write your name, address and tax reference on it. Can't I do that? No, that's not for you to fill in. So I can do all the bits on the inside but am too stupid to write my name and address on the outside? I didn't say that, can I see your ID please?.... Hi, here's my completed form with all my confidential financial data, name, address and tax reference filled in. Oh just drop it on that trolley there with the other 300. Urr, can I have a receipt? No. Umm, I don't think that's very secure, I could look at other people's information. Well if you wanted a receipt or are worried about security, you should have filed online. But I CAN'T file online because your system can't deal with half the forms I need.....
Arrived in San Francisco yesterday, staying at the Green Tortoise, a nice hostel, doing a good line in crumbling splendour. (the caff is in the old Deco ballroom). I was surprised to discover how much America looks like America. Found some houses on Telegraph Hill that look like they've been designed by Gilbert Shelton.
Caught up with L and flatmate D, walked their dog, ate proper diner food, then I saw S&J (M was asleep). Good city, so far pretty relaxed and friendly.
(A sample of tax fun: I haven't got a paper form. That's because you filed online last year. But I can't do it this year because your online system only processes half the forms I need to fill in, so can I have a blank form? Do you have 2 forms of ID including photo ID? For a blank form? But it won't be blank, we're going to write your name, address and tax reference on it. Can't I do that? No, that's not for you to fill in. So I can do all the bits on the inside but am too stupid to write my name and address on the outside? I didn't say that, can I see your ID please?.... Hi, here's my completed form with all my confidential financial data, name, address and tax reference filled in. Oh just drop it on that trolley there with the other 300. Urr, can I have a receipt? No. Umm, I don't think that's very secure, I could look at other people's information. Well if you wanted a receipt or are worried about security, you should have filed online. But I CAN'T file online because your system can't deal with half the forms I need.....
Arrived in San Francisco yesterday, staying at the Green Tortoise, a nice hostel, doing a good line in crumbling splendour. (the caff is in the old Deco ballroom). I was surprised to discover how much America looks like America. Found some houses on Telegraph Hill that look like they've been designed by Gilbert Shelton.
Caught up with L and flatmate D, walked their dog, ate proper diner food, then I saw S&J (M was asleep). Good city, so far pretty relaxed and friendly.