Off to Tucson

Checked weather.com on forecast for the next three days in Tucson: high 90s. Not exactly looking forward to a place where I'd be sweating more, where I'd be forced to wear sunscreen when I head outdoors and where I feel like I've "gained" an hour once I arrive only to realize I'd "lose" an hour when I cross back my own timezone. But a trip that is fully paid for isn't easy to pass-up, regardless of the tons of work I'd be leaving behind. Plus, the conference is supposed to help us -- soon to be ID attendings -- gear up for practice.

I haven't even packed. I am trying to make a list in my head of the things I'd skipped to pack the last time I was out of town. Yes, the list is in my head. I did not want to make an actual list, as I declined to concede that my memory is showing signs of err -- dare I say it? -- hmmm, mental lapses .

Maybe I'd be in the mood to shoot some pictures. Perhaps I'd even catch the sunset (and no one can go wrong in capturing a sunset).

But I must remember not to forget my Nikon's memory card.

-----
Photos from Westin La Paloma Website

Tax Filing Frenzy

© 2006 Universal Press Syndicate

Each year I remind myself to complete my tax filing the moment I get my W2. And each year it boils down to me trying to cram everything just before the deadline. How typical!

Last year, I literally filed my tax on the deadline day. I procrastinated because I knew it was the first year I will need to write a check out to IRS. Last year was the first time I actually used H&R Block to prepare my taxes. Or I should say -- label my filing with their logo (see, I am neither an American citizen nor a Permanent US Resident and my tax classification with my work visa is different; the accountant who I tried to explain the way my tax filing is prepared looked at me as if I just elaborated the complex virology and mutations of the AIDS virus to a 2 year-old -- i.e., she absolutely has zero knowledge on the rules that apply to my status). Then again, when the IRS itself makes an oversight about my status, why should I expect that these accountants would know better? The only reason I finally decided on getting H&R block was to obviate the IRS on sending me back letters that I lack more paperwork -- only for me to impress on them that it's their ignorance that led to their misconception in the first place. It happened more than once. Case in point: two years ago, they sent me back my filing saying I had made a mistake on my calculations, highlighting the value from the IL-1040 form. But it was their mistake -- they were referring the form that everyone else uses, and not the one that I was supposed to use (1040NR). I still chuckle with what I did -- I sent back a form they should have been looking at in the first place, and highlighted the area where I got it (downloaded from irs.gov) and then feigning unfamiliarity asked: Was I suppose to use a different form? The IRS promptly sent me the refund after.

Now I have a little over three days to rummage through my files to find my receipts that I could declare tax-deductable and do the math on whether I'd owe the government more money. Likelihood is that I will.

Bummer.

Cusack Sighting

I was at work for a couple of hours today with the rest of our division staff, to present a case, answer queries about my program and lead a campus tour for the seven candidates who were interviewing for a fellowship slot. No, I didn’t get to see John Cusack in campus but I did when I finally got home and turned on the TV, trying to catch what’s remaining of the Cubs game (they are playing at home and I’m still incensed about my luck of being unable to get opening day seats).

Opening Day was yesterday, which we won against arch nemesis Saint Louis Cardinals. I caught the top of the 7th inning and the redbirds were leading 2-0, Bob Howry (who we acquired from Cleveland during the off-season) successfully retiring batters. Cusack then sang the traditional “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the mid-7th break (Who was the kid with you John?) and stayed to chat with the Cubs sportscasters Bob Brenly and Len Casper. Inevitably, he was asked about the bad press he received for wanting to be at the White Sox World series game (he labeled the worst review he ever got). So I finally heard it from Cusack himself: he is rooting for both ballclubs, but was seeing more of the northsiders growing up. I like the way he began his reply to the question on whether he did go to the Sox game: “I hate to admit it....”

Bottom of the 7th: Michael Barrett came in to pinch-hit and hit a 2-run home-run (Matt Murton on base after a single) to tie the game (and you hear Cusack cheering). Derek Lee hit a homer in the 8th and made a diving catch on the top of the 9th, eventually paving the way for Ryan Dempster for the save.

Cubs win! We go for the series sweep tomorrow. And perhaps I should lurk around Wrigleyville and see if I’d have any luck catching a glimpse of Cusack.