My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 24, 2007

It was eventually going to happen if recent yearly trends continued, and according to a short post in LeftLaneNews, Toyota Motor Company has officially passed General Motors as the world’s top automaker. In the first 3 months of 2007, Toyota has sold more cars worldwide than GM. (2.348 million vs. 2.26 million) The article goes on to suggest that this shows a “trend that isn’t likely to change any time soon. Toyota has been gainng ground for some time, and analysts have expected 2007 or 2008 would be the year the year it finally overtakes GM … so I suppose it’s really not a surprise?

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Posted By RichC on April 23, 2007

For someone who grew up fascinated with the Navy and aviation, there was no bigger thrill than to watch the precision flying skills demonstrated by the Navys’ Blue Angels. I’m not sure I can count the number of times I’ve seen them perform, or taken their photos over the years, but I’m always mesmerized by of their meticulously maintained aircraft and extraordinary pilot skill. This weekend marks an accident for the demonstration team … one in which Lt. Kevin J. Davis lost his life. (Kevin introduces himself in this video clip link) Lt. Davis, know as Kojak, was a highly skilled jet-jockey as are all the elite pilots flying as Blue Angels and knew the risk of flying sophisticated planes with little tolerance for error. The reports from Beaufort, South Carolina have been sketchy, but some suggest they notice a flame-out prior to Kevin’s #6 F/A-18A Hornet going down — something that without altitude would make survival almost impossible. Smoke and flame erupted as the plane went into some trees and small homes. To add to the tragic situation, it has been reported that Kevin’s parents were in the stands to watch. My condolences go out to his family and the entire Blue Angels extended family.

Former crewchief A.J. Fratto had this to say about Lt. Davis: “Kojak was the most tremendous pilot I ever met in my entire life,” he said. “He was the most humble and respectable guy to ever don the blue suit.”
Davis joined the Blue Angels in September 2005 and served as narrator during the 66 air shows before becoming a ‘demonstration pilot’ this season. He was quoted at Oshkosh saying, “Hold onto your dreams, yesterday I was only 6 and now I’m doing this. Drive and determination go a long way.”

Davis grew up Pittsfield, Mass. His parents, who were at the air show in Beaufort on Saturday, still live in Massachusetts.

In 1992, Davis graduated from Reading Memorial High School, located in Reading, a nearby Boston suburb with 23,000 residents. He played football and was active in the Civil Air Patrol.

He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1996, earning a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical science with honors.

Later that same year, Davis entered Officer Candidate School at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
He received his F-14 training at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., where he was “Top Stick” in his class.
In 2004, he graduated from the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) as an adversary pilot. He served in that role at several stations, providing air-to-air training for fleet squadrons.

He supported Operation Enduring Freedom during tours of the North Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf.

Davis was not married and did not have children.

See NAVY PDF

For a glimpse of “Kojak” (Lt. Davis) in action, check out his poise as he gives actor James Franco the ride of his life over in a video at AirShowBuzz.com.

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Posted By RichC on April 22, 2007

Happy Earth Day … I guess that’s what you’re suppose to say? (click for larger macro photo of Tullip)
It has been a beautiful couple of days in Cincinnati and I’ve been lax in posting and instead I’m getting the swimming pool opened, tuning up lawn equipment (fixing actually) and finishing a first compete grass cutting of the season — sort of cut it once early in the month? We also spread some new composed garden top-soiled and readied it for seed. Its been a tiring weekend, but enjoyable one just the same. At least today we were able to at least enjoy another rugby game … unfortunately another lopsided loss but all had a good time with a well coached team.

Biodiesel made a small headline today too as California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was on with MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” showing off a classic Chevy Impala with a hot rod biodiesel power plant. The show aired on Earthday … April 22 … 37 years after it started in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin. (I’ll post a link to the MTV episode when it appears on the Internet — LINK … for now here’s a news clip.)

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Posted By RichC on April 20, 2007

Who would have ‘thunk’ that a world circumnavigating sailor with over 30,000 sailing miles under her keel would face the storm of her life only days from home? (I’ll include a summary from Brian Oatley helping her into Bermuda below) If you’ve been following my posts on Donna Lange, or checking in over at the DonnaLange.com site being updated regularly by Neil VanGundy, you’ll understand what an ordeal this storm has been for ‘any’ boat sailing off the east coast of the United States these last few days. Thankfully, Donna is safe and sleeping … I can only imagine how the constant battering of the wind and waves, along with cold, fatigue and gear breakage would put fear of God into even the most hardened sailor.

According to friends, Donna plans on resting a bit in Bermuda before ‘flying’ back to Rhode Island … she has some friends to meet and eventual repairs to make on Inspired Insanity before sailing back to Rhode Island. For those who have followed her recent trials from my posts, thank you for your prayers and emails of concern. She is an amazing woman and has touch many with her adventurous spirit and compassionate heart.

Friday, April 20 – 09:30 EST from BRIAN OATLEY, BERMUDA
Just to let you know you may not hear from Donna until Friday because she is sleeping like a baby at my mother’s house. This should fill you in on the recover events:

When I left this morning to escort Donna into the harbor, I was taking my Boston Whaler out to meet her. But when I was preparing to leave, I got a call from Bermuda Radio saying she had not been able to start her engine. I had to pirate a fishing vessel belonging to my friend and neighbor, Stan Harris. Stan picked up his friend Chris Lamb to help and the three of us set out to tow Donna into the harbor. As we departed, Bermuda Harbor Radio called to ask if we had left yet. They had just spoken to Donna on VHF and she sounded frantic. I replied that we were just leaving the marina. Next came a phone call from Donna which I could barely understand. She gave her position and talked about how tired she was. I told her that we would be there in about ten to fifteen minutes.

We spotted Donna less than half a mile from the sea buoy (Spit Buoy) sailing along quite nicely with her jib up, in 20kts of breeze. We pulled up along side of her and there she stood in the cockpit with the biggest grin on her face. Although she was worn and tired, she seemed to have a look of relief and satisfaction. She made it ! !

As we towed Donna toward the harbor entrance, it seemed as though the air temperature rose from the cool damp breeze of the morning. Donna sat on the bow of aptly named “Inspired Insanity” looking quite relaxed enjoying the scenery as we entered the harbor. As we cruised through the visiting yachts anchored in the harbor; the crews jumped up from the cockpits or down below to greet her as she went by.

She had to be taken to the ‘customs & immigration’ dock so we brought her alongside the fishing boat and made a perfect docking. My father, Bernie, was on the dock to catch the lines while my mother and two tourists snapped pictures. Three crew from a catamaran anchored in the harbor were there to greet her. One of the crew was wearing a “Red Dress Cap” and I new what that meant. He is a friend of one of her friends that has come to meet her on her behalf. I gave Donna a big hug and then helped her onto the dock. She was near tears as she hugged everyone. She then became very bubbly and she glowed as she related some of the difficulty she encountered. A short story of the ups and downs, highs and lows. She said that she felt more tired than she had ever felt before.

At this point Chris, the friend of Stan (the owner of the fishing boat) produced a few cold beers. At that point it just seemed like the perfect thing to do. All of us just sat on the dock, toasted Donna, and drank the beers (my parents don’t drink). Donna related her experience and even fielded some questions from curious cruise ship passengers that wandered onto the customs dock. Donna then went into the customs office to clear in. Her new friends from the catamaran walked over to the supermarket (Somers Supermart) where they have a food bar and brought Donna back a very good meal. We all sat there on the dock chatting while Donna polished off the first real cooked meal. Finally we pushed off the dock and towed “Inspired Insanity” to the St. George’s Dinghy & Sports Club.

There was no press there to meet her, but I think that may have been better for Donna. Her arrival at the dock was, at first, a little emotional for her. The small group of people on hand made her feel much more relaxed and comfortable.

Oh, one more thing of interest. Earlier in the morning, before Donna arrived, an Open 50 footer, racing around the world single-handed, was towed in the harbor. Apparently he had come through the same storm that Donna came through. His boat is a mess, his sails are so tattered and tangled around the rigging that he had to hire someone to go up the mast and cut the sales away. Strangly enough, Donna’s little Southern Cross came out looking quite good, with everything intact but the self stearing. Tomorrow the Open 50 will join Donna’s boat at the dinghy Club.

I must go now because my lack of sleep last night has caught up with me.

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Posted By RichC on April 18, 2007

I filled up my Volkswagen Jetta TDI on my way to Cleveland and paid $2.90/gal for B20 Biodiesel today, April 18, 2007. Fuel prices continue to stay high, although reports I have read suggest that they may roll back a few cents this summer. (we’ll see) The exit 151 Mt. Gilead Interstate I-71 Sunoco station I frequent looked to be about average for petroleum based fuels along Interstate 71, and is the only convenient renewable fuel station I’m aware of along the highway. Currently the ULSD price at this station was $2.84, whereas the biodiesel blends were: B2 – $2.86, B5 – $2.88 and B20 – $2.90/gallon.

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Posted By RichC on April 18, 2007

Those of you paying attention several of my past posts will recognize that I’ve enjoyed SlingMedia’s “Slingbox’ and the ability to send a home video signal out over a broadband connection. The home video feed (TV, Tivo, DVR, etc) is then received by a Slingplayer equipped device. Pretty cool technology that works amazingly well.

A couple weeks ago I tested the beta release of the Slingplayer on my Palm Treo 700p and was impressed at how well the Sprint EV-DO network worked while driving in Ohio. Instead of using the mobile phone for a player this week, I decided to tether it to my Windows Vista OS Gateway notebook and see how well it ran. Amazing results — I managed to keep the connection going all the way from Cincinnati to Columbus Ohio with only 2 glitches in between. They were pauses … more than likely handoffs between cell towers … and as much as we all gripe about our cellphone service and dropped calls, my hat off to Sprint. Oddly though, while driving through Columbus, the connection would not hold?

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Posted By RichC on April 17, 2007

Sorry readers, but my heart is telling me to share the ongoing ordeal that solo sailing Donna Lange continues to face. Her log posts shares and amazing story of seawomanship, strength and courage. (with a few miles of experience to help her through) I’ll preface her recent log entry with heavy weather sailing practices that many small sailing vessel use to survive vicious winds and waves.

First, it is near impossible for a single handed sailor to stay on deck and manages seaway by sailing; fatigue is too great. Self-steering gear is usually overwhelmed by the waves and can’t maintain course on it own … that’s if it is not damage by powerful movement of wind and water. The wheel steering (or tiller in Donna’s case) and connected rudder also face unbelievable forces stressing even the best construction and require a ‘wise’ hand at the helm to preserve both the boat and the gear. For this reason small vessels resort to dragging ‘warps,’ drogue or a sea anchor to slow forward progress and keep from taking waves on the side of the boat. (diagram above shows one of many type of sea anchors)

With that introduction, I’ll quote Donna and let her finish the story … might want to check yesterday’s post (or the Google Earth Community plots) so the follow makes more sense?

0151UTC 2151local EST 1451NZ
Apr16th update: so much for the sea Anchor!!!
long story…

I had just finished all the updates and log, made
team calls just so everyone could hear that I was
alright, after the incredible storm last night…I
was looking forward to the day of resting and reflecting
abit, while not concentrating on the GPs or steering.
I took a hard hit to the beam, and i knew immediately
that something was wrong on deck. Since the anchor
was set, I hadn’t had any hits as hard as that…i
must be in a different orientation to the wind
and seas…Sure enough, as soon as my head popped
out the companionway, I looked to the sea anchor
and saw no tension on the line attached to the
boat….It was gone and I was just freely wallowing
as all the sails were down…Trouble. I was a sitting
duck for another wave to topple me..In moments
I had to assess how to make the transition to sitting
on the anchor to sailing while there was still
a horrendous storm screaming, gusts to 60+, dangerous
seas. I was so relieved toknow I wasn’t going
to try to deal with it but now I was forced to
sail underconditions I already decided were too
dangerous. I wasn’t dressed..the boat wallowing,
i made a quick duck for more clothes, hauled the
jib and set us off on a broad reach.. The day
was beyond any concept I had of a storm I would
ever sail. Truly it had escalated since thenight
before and the squall lines were massive and dark…
on after another, the boat continuosly a submarine,
I was drenched shortly and needed to go back in
to really donne all my gear.. I was already getting
cold. somehow i stablized the boa enough to get
downstairs. I was having trouble with the steering
vane. It seemed to be working but still was always
falling into the wind and I woould have to rescue
us from certain demise. I was going to have
to be on deck…I needed clothes. I got back on
deck. Very shortly it was obvious that there was
something wrong with the vane. It would be holding
course and then the rudder would go lax…something
not connecting right inside or something…it would
do fine at times but was completely unreliable…Inwardly
I am starting to panic. memories of the crossing
to Ireland flood my nervous system with terror
and hurt. Why was it so hard? How could this
be happening? the storm was just massive….The
squalls went from horrors to nightmare as I struggled
hour by hour to keep courses and stable in pummeling
rain storms, winds shrieking near hurricane force.
my face pricked like with pins by the small rain,
but I had to shelter my face from the torrents.
It was too painful..hail..one narly cloud after
another with no breaks.. Yes there was beauty too
as the sun poked through with warmth everyonce
in a while… as sunset approached, the sky deepend
with black clouds and walls of rain….It occured
to me that this storm was taking the form of the
big storms elsewhere in my trip. 6hours build
up, and a huge storm, then the winds clock and
the real storm begins, but usually along dusk,
the next shift occurs and the storm begins to abate….
It brought hope that maybe these would be the final
gusts..nearly 0visibility, horizontal rain. I
was not just wet but drenched to the point of puddles
in my clothes as the rain had found it’s way into
my collar and puddled in my clothes.. I was wetter
than the night before after the swim. Fear was
truly getting the best of me… I was cold and
I know what hypoothermia can do. I just couldn’t
afford to get that cold,but how was I going to
get away from the till? … I decided to try hoving
to one mnore time, chancing putting the main up
as it was just too much sail in these conditions.
I managed to get it set up and flying but still
found that no matter how I adjusted the main,
I was still falling to beam and just too vulnerable
to a roll. But as I did a fast dash to get the
main down once I turned the boat around, I suddenly
recalled an old trick. In the cross to Ireland,
I would simply put the boat on a closehaul, perfectly
balance with right amount of sail and it wouldnt’
need any tiller at all, it would jst balance perfect
as long as there wasn’t any huge gusts…it was
then I realized that the seas ‘had’ taken a new
shape and that the storm may truly be winding down..
Once the main was down and tucked away, I simply
trimmed the jib closehauled and let go of the tiller.
Sure enough, she balanced perfect and was still
on a course close enough to the wind that the seas
did not break on her side… I had to hve just
the right amount of sail and she was sailin on
her own. I have never been so ready for a cup
of tea in my iife. a reprieve…I would tnink
about some of the other tactics I used to use when
the vane was gone and see if I couldn’t get us
on a better courese tomorrow. Close hauled I was
going SW. I didn’t care as long as the boat was
safe and I wasn’t in the cockpit, cold and saoked
to the bone. I truly had been through all the
emotions considering having to steer all night…
and 2 more days…I was beside myself distaught
and then I would talk myself to a calm. During
the 60-70kn rains and gust, i sang ‘peace still
the raging storm’.. (ouch, just took a big hit.,
the change to a lose beam is really too close to
beam and the seas are breaking on us. luckily,
the storm and seas are waning.) I feel safe from
a roll or capsize at this point…The steering
vane may work with less challengin conditions.
It is somewhere slipping past a spot so that no
longer does the movement of the vane above, move
the little linkage that makes the servo rudder
move. The lines inside are fine. I climbed in
to look. It is in the vane itself…The hardest
point of sail to balance is downwind and that is
our course to Bermuda. Did I say, that once Ihad
to go back to sailing the boat, I decided to head
to Bermuda and get off the sea as quick as possible.
there is a storm heading for BErmuda and only unfavorable
winds ahead. “I GIVE UP.” I can’t make it north
in these conditions and then there is the gulf
stream to deal with. George from Commander weather
has been helpful with information and helping me
decide…My fear is that once in Bermuda, it will
be quite a long time til I will get favorable winds
to sail east… they are rare and certainly, now
a days, non existent…but I really have no other
choices but to go back to the carib…BErmuda is
expensive …. lovely…shoot. If I will be delayed
there long, Will has said the gang would get me
home and then I would return when the conditions
are right. I don’t know anything about how it
will all work out. I really can’t concern with
that now… truly, the sea is in a tizzy… and
I need to get off safely.. I really have had
a rough time, but I must say it has been incredible…
the sights, the intensity, the creative solutions…
it is a culmination of all I have been doing these
last years. And I am safe… It isn’t very far
to Bermuda, as even on the sea anchor I was drifting
that way. I am going in circles but getting a
bit closer. Only 2 1/2 degrees east and a few
south. HOwever, even with laying off a bit, I
am only sailing south. so in lieu of having to
get back out there tonight, I will accept a few
extra miles south and then tomorrow I will till
on course then hopefully rig a better point for
the night…But I should be in Bermuda by the 18th,
I am exhausted and will get some rest.. The wind
is really calming and the skies relatively clear
accept for a gusty cloud here and there.. I may
get a bit of sleep and if I get motivated, get
out there tongith to keep a better course. But
if it is raining and to rough., I will wait til
morn…all safe….phew. The seas really became
breaking mountains today.. I have been on the edge
of my seat and the tilling took alot of leverage…I
should sleep well, well for all of an hour or so
at a time that i get…. Here comes another big
gust.. Just a bit ago, the jib did tack itself
so too big a gust is a problem still… Here is
a big gust….shoot. goin on deck is surely a wet
experience….got to go . BAck. God, it is cold
and wet out there. Iam shaking cold after just
2 min. but hopefully the jib is better… The cabin
is pretty warm. Really, it wasn’t too cold today
or I couldn’t have been that wet that long… but
it is cold now. No matter what, one way of anoher,
the boat is goin to have to tend itself… Sleep.
my eyes are jsut too heavy. I haven’t eaten much
today, but it will wait til I get some rest…Iknow
of a 24 hour kitchen local… thank you so deeply
for your prayers. the worst of this situation
should be over now…. muchlove and biggest hugs….
xoxoxox d.

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Posted By RichC on April 16, 2007

Donna Lange, the solo circumnavigating sailor, has faced some challenging weather in her voyage around the world, and although she is closing in on home, the ocean is not finished with her yet. Today’s log entry is about as hair raising as it can get as she detailed last nights wicked wind and waves. I’ll include her entry as it was posted.

1010UTC 0610est
Apr 16, 2007 Monday madness hugs!!!
update: AS I said, Alls well that ends well…I
am safe and sound…yet I have had a historically
rough night. The storm escalated to tropical storm
height..I was just in awe as the storm did not
go through but just intensified and intensified.
It was a brilliant ride and I was truly soaking
up the whole magnificence. I had been on deck
from the very beginning of the stronger winds around
2000UTC, but it went too far…It was after the
Commander weather router’s suggested 0400UTC, when
the storm should pass and turn west, that it began
to deepen…Finally to where I was barepoled and
working with the steering vane, struggling to steer
a course with each stronger gust that came. the
godsend was that it was warm. I was soaked for
hours..We had taken many ‘hits’, the norm for growing
seas, engulfed stern, I had a bucket to help to
bail the cockpit, often literally filled above
the seats. The down below floor was being flooded
with water with each of these full hits as the
outer lockers still manage to lift with that much
water and it pours in. It was around 0600 that
we took more than a hit. A huge wave broke completely
over the port stern quarter, turned us fully on
our side, I was literally holding my breathe fully
underwater, holding onto the dodger frame with
all my life. It was only a few seconds and II
righted herself. Another wave crashed into the
stern.. It was time to stop… and get secured.
With so much wind and having been unsuccessful
with hoving to, I didn’t want to chance trying
to raise the main and do the hove to dance. So
I turned to the sea anchor and got her rigged to
go. but unfortunately, i wasn’t thorough in my
set up and once the parachute inflated, the force
on the line was tremendous,the line managed to
get snarled as it payed out despite my attempts.
I should have wrapped it around the winch so I
had control of the force of the water in the chute…I
dare say, the line out was only a small amount
of the 150′ line. Ihad secured the bitter end.
but once the chute was out, there was no way to
add a line. I did use a cinch knot on the line
and was able to free up the tension on the cleat
but still found the knot too tight and the cinch
let go..I had rigged a bridle but was not able
to use the extension rope as I say. Realizing
that the shorter rhode seemed to be working, I
let it go. the lines were strewn. The dodger flapping
in the wind as the whole bottom edge had come apart
and could no longer be secured. I am concerned
that with all the forces on the steering vane with
my attempts to ‘help her’, I may have damaged the
mechanism that transfers the energy from the vane
to the inner quadrant. that will be a big question
when I get going this morn. Once I had the anchor
set, I headed below. Exhausted from 10 hours on
deck, dealing with the conditions… the boat
was a shambles. I had not really thought about
what the essential knock down, or capsize had done
below. All the big stuff was secure but every
little bit that was in any other thing, was all
over. It was quite funny to see where things landed.
There was so much force, it flung powdered milk
across the whole boat and onto the ceiling handrail.
There is milk powder every where. But no harm
done. An hour later, all the bits and pieces were
in some home. and I was getting out of my soaked
clothes. Drinkin a hot tea. and stil just quiet
inwardly. I had been through the whole night.
I just kept moving and doing what needed to be
done.. I have resisted questioning my judgment,
and beatiing myself up for being so persistent
towards wanting to go home…The storm intensity
was not expected by the routers either, at least
not for the length of time…they suggested gusts
to 70kn but not sustained winds that high. And
Iam sure they were that high. they are still screaming
at nearly 50 and the seas 25 feet, but not really
breaking. but the other factor is the cold. With
the shift to west wind, the temp dropped drastically
to nearer the 55*mark and is nearly 50* this morning.
It will be a different day out there today. Iam
procrastinating only long enough to do the log,
yet as I speak a huge gust just came up that is
still in the 50+ maybe 60kn range. It is wild…I
may not be able to get underway. I need to get
the anchor retrieved if I can. I will need to
sail or drive up onto it as the line I normally
used for a trip line managed to not be with it..It
is formidable out there. Once moving it may be
better, but I am not sure I can even fly sail…
As this gust comes up I am questioning.. I may
just have to lay here a bit longer. We have been
safe though the movement is harsh rolly. There
are blue patches of sky. Maybe once the sun is
up, it will settle down and warm up. I got 2 sets
of clothes wet yesterday…But the hardest is that
my bed got soaked. When we rolled on the side,
water does make its way through the wood slats
and top companionway hatch…Overall, all is fine
if the wind steering hasn’t been damaged. It will
take a bit to get the deck cleaned up. i did lose
2 jugs of water, bt I have plenty.

I listened to Herb give a forecast for the coast
yesterday afternoon and there are 4 back to back
fronts still coming off the coast this next 10
days. there will be little easing to the conditions.
It is winter…sooo…Yes I have cried. I just
want to go home…Now I am a sentimental woman…I
have had enough, but have only hard sailing ahead.
But I will get home…One moment at a time.

I tried to update the Bermuda Rescue but their
phone did not work…I will email them with this
log…Again, all is safe. the boat is secure and
hanging nicely on the sea anchor. it is not too
rough. My mom is putting more minutes on my phone.
At this point I will be looking for input. I
will do a grib file… look for some direction
to go. Or just wait here until the conditions
moderate. If I do, I will have to find a way to
reinforce the anchor..I doubt the seastate will
become any more dangerous though it is not subsiding..so..I
don’t have a phone number for the commander weather
fellow, george. If he calls I will get his input
on what is going on…

as I said earlier, they are going to have to name
all the D tropical storms after me after this one….April…

I will update again this afternoon. Again, the
working of the steering vane is paramount to my
existence out here. without it, Iwill be at the
till until I get home…we’ll hope.

Thank you all so so for your prayers. I trust
all for all that has happened. I am certainly
not the person who left RI 1 1/2years ago. but
some things don’t change, like that old stubborn
streak. I am happy and still thrilled ot be experiencing
all that seems to be my path. One of these days
life will not seem to push so hard. I will find
out my options at this point. No worries and maybe
no hurries this morn…it is really wild..

biggest hugs to all. oxoxoxo d

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Posted By RichC on April 16, 2007

Thankfully for some of us procrastinators, the April 15th tax day has been extended two extra days this year … whew! In the right sidebar I’ve posted an audio interview from the San Jose Mercury News with personal finance reporter Mark Schwanhausser talking with Bert DuMars, the director of Electronic Tax Administration for the Internal Revenue Service. They address several tips from the confusing date to file taxes –April 17th — to the Long Distance tax refund check box deduction for most of us. Its simple deduction that most are eligible for if LD excise tax was paid in the last 3 years … about 98 percent of American households.

As you might imagine, Mr. DuMars stresses electronic filing of taxes which makes sense and really streamlines work for the IRS and accuracy for the filer. E-filed returns have lower error rates (1% or less) and since the Internal Revenue Service has work closely with all the software companies many of the common glitches are prevented. Paper returns have significantly higher error rates (about 20% of the returns), partially because of filer mistakes and partially because their paper returns at the ‘tingle table,’ some because the paper returns have to be entered into electronic form by IRS employees and often even in the final editing.

The best advice for self filers is to consider using computer software and electronically file of your return. (also remember … if you just can’t get your paperwork in that you can file an extension without penalty so as long you are owed a refund, otherwise you better send in part of what is due — worth calling them.)

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Posted By RichC on April 15, 2007

Closing out the week with a family photo and post after a safe flight home; it was a great week of ‘just’ family. I’ve been heavy on the personal memories this week, but I did want to archive a family photo the good time we had. For three us it was just the sunshine, relaxation, beach and ocean … but for my son it was ‘surf’ (he prefers the waves and surfboard — we had few) or ‘skimboarding.’ He had fun giving lessons to young and old (60+ grandpa types) on skidding along where the waves meet the sand (see video clip below). I did notice a couple teenage girls inching there way down to talk with him … oh to be young again.
🙂

One of the more interesting moments was watching a school of small fish get pushed to shore by a 3-4 foot ‘jack’ and the scraps being snatch by a small shark a few feet from shore. Amazingly fast and obvious why they could easily take a quick bite out of a swimmer and dash off.

Palm Treo 700p smartphone Skimboarding clip

Category: Personal, Photos, Video | No Comments »
Tags: beach, delray, florida, skimboard, surfing