tax time + weekend

Once again I played the game the way I meant to, and it looks like I will get some money back from the IRS. I so much prefer letting them hold some of my money, interest-free, over the course of the year to having to pay them more in the spring. This will (I assume) be the last time I get to take a mortgage interest deduction for a while (who knows, maybe forever!), but even without that my withholding and my charitable contributions are high enough that I don't have to worry about paying out.

The weekend was... too short. I went up to Cold Wars on Saturday, bought some cool stuff (mostly books and little model tents--so my little model generals will have a place to sleep!), and played in a DBA tournament. I had the dubious distinction of losing all four of my matches and being the only one of the ten participants to have a negative score! I finished the last battle by the light from my penlight (thanks, redactrice's parents, who gave it to me for Xmas many years ago!) because the power in a broad area of Lancaster PA went out due to big storms rolling through the area. I left after that, as many participants did, though apparently the power eventually came back on and combats resumed later.

soccer_fox had an early morning interview today up in Baltimore, so we got up at around 5. At least it's given me time to finish doing the taxes!

Speaking of Baltimore, I saw the last ep (ever! :-( of The Wire last night. I know the city hasn't entirely loved being the center of it, but the last portion (and, in truth, all five seasons) have been such a loving tribute to the city that if anyone were ever going to love Charm City, that show would help them do it.

Check out The Slow Road if you haven't recently; Chris and Mel have a few more episodes of their Spanish travels up, with some lovely photos and tips from where to stay and eat (and where not to!)

OK, that's it for me for now. More news as it happens...

being as it is March and all...

Since I'm a greedy bastard As it was suggested to me it might be helpful, some ideas for birthday presents. ( cupidity decently concealed )

oooh, Peter, here we go!

Fun ways to spend time!

And the first lesson is free! Kind of like crack...

oh dear...

A footballing priest from Burkina Faso has been sent off in a church tournament for throwing his shirt at the referee in Italy.
...
Italian sports officials had expressed hopes that the tournament held at the Vatican City will help restore a positive image of football in Italy, which has been marred by recent violence.