Flat Tax, PLEASE!

I'm always in a bad mood in April because I do my own taxes.  It sickens me the amount of money I send to the government, but I don't mind paying taxes, I mind doing taxes.  I pay the government a lot, so why is it that they make me read obscure tax code and spend a lot of time figuring out how much more I owe them then they have already taken from me? 

I have a dream that if we televised every member of the senate & congress doing their own taxes, they would quickly pass a flat tax law.  Stop legislating social issues in the tax code, just pick a few flat tax % levels and assess.  I would imagine 90%+ of the IRS could go away, saving taxpayers millions.  The industries surrounding tax preparation would find another service to provide.   It is the right thing to do.   But just when I thought my tax anger was passing, I picked up the new Real Simple magazine and read these stats:

$163 Billion - The total cost of preparing and filing ... tax returns in US, based on hours of labor lost.  OK the basis of this estimate is somewhat executive math, but even if the amount of cash spent in software programs, H&R Block establishments and accountants was only 10% of this number, it's still ridiculous. 


3.8 Million - The number of words in the US tax code.  Taxes have been made far too complicated for no real purpose.  A simpler tax code, with no real deductions, would yield the same net amount without all the hubbub.

My Book, the saga...

So I am now in the process of editing my book after the first external read.  My friend went through my story with a fine tooth comb, as they say, and I'm incorporating a lot of her excellent feedback.  The book is 340 pages right now, and essentially, my friend liked it.  My plan is to complete the edit by May 11th and then turn it over to a friend for a second read.  From there, who knows? 

It has been a fast timeline -- ideation mid November, serious writing start Jan 3rd, story completion Feb 14th, first draft completion April 4th.  I hope to get to a point to potentially publish by end of June.

Aimee's Bistro @ Redondo Beach, CA

Finally went to this restaurant last night.  I've seen it for years, but just haven't made it in.  It was very good.  A family atmosphere, we were seated in booth, which was lucky as there are some less than desirable tables in the middle.  I had a butter lettuce & gorgonzola salad which was perfect, then scallops and pasta which was not overly sauced (although the scallops could have been washed better), and my husband had the gnocchi which was very good.  For dessert, the apple tart, made to order, is by far one of the best desserts I have had in a long time.  Filo dough on the bottom, marzipan and thinly sliced apples.  The photo doesn't show it off well as the ice cream is melting but it is delicious. 

All in all, I will go back as many times as I can get my husband to make the drive down there.

Gorgonzola salad

Scallops & linguine

Gnocchi with artichoke hearts & red peppers

Apple tart

Irving Street Kitchen @ Pearl District in Portland, OR

Went here Saturday night and it was good.  Oregon is the land of Pinots and I don't care for them, so I am usually limited to my Cab choices.  The bartender selected one for me and poured me a taste from a 'spigot'.  This place buys wine direct from wineries and gets them in kegs vs. bottles.  It is primarily a green play, but they also get cheaper wine = less bottles, less weight, less transport/labor charges, etc. 

Well the first wine had somewhat turned and I created quite the stir in the bar group as they never did figure out what happened.  Second wine was good and I had the Artichoke Pasta which was very good although the deep fried artichoke chips could have been left off. 

All in all, I'll go back.

Park Kitchen @ Pearl District in Portland, OR

Went here this weekend.  I've heard many good things, but this place is just far enough off beaten path that I haven't tried it yet.  It was good, not great.  I had the recommended Salt Cod Fritters (mushy balls of starch that just weren't good.  they should have been a third of the size and then maybe), Parsnip & Almond soup w/ Lamb (good but not great.  To me, this was more of a heavy and plentiful sauce around ground lamb not really a soup), and Flank Steak & Blue Cheese Salad (the best by far.  almost too much steak but perfectly balanced with strong blue cheese).

I didn't have dessert but maybe if I try this place again.  All in all, I may go back but only if others want to.

Salt Cod Fritters w/ vinegar

Parsnip & Almond Soup surrounding Lamb and vegies

Flank Steak and Blue Cheese Salad