[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Cause, on 24 January 2021 - 12:30 AM, said:

Playing with TurboTax looks like I'll get a fairly decent tax refund soon. That said the American tax system is a mess!

Be careful using Turbotax---it (incorrectly) prompted me to pay PA state tax on US federal savings bonds, and getting that refunded took about a year.

It also doesn't work for Philadelphia taxes. One thing I didn't realize until last year is that long term capital gains do not count towards the school income tax. Philadelphia only offers a refund (for accidental overpayment) for 3 years prior. Mailed the application during last March and still haven't heard back from them.

[Cause]

Azath Vitr (D, on 24 January 2021 - 05:46 PM, said:

Cause, on 24 January 2021 - 12:30 AM, said:

Playing with TurboTax looks like I'll get a fairly decent tax refund soon. That said the American tax system is a mess!

Be careful using Turbotax---it (incorrectly) prompted me to pay PA state tax on US federal savings bonds, and getting that refunded took about a year.

It also doesn't work for Philadelphia taxes. One thing I didn't realize until last year is that long term capital gains do not count towards the school income tax. Philadelphia only offers a refund (for accidental overpayment) for 3 years prior. Mailed the application during last March and still haven't heard back from them.

Not sure I’ll use it, I’m in a complicated position with foreign accounts but it def shows that I overpaid my federal tax by a lot.

Where in phill I are you? I’m by grant hospital area

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Cause, on 24 January 2021 - 06:24 PM, said:

Azath Vitr (D, on 24 January 2021 - 05:46 PM, said:

Cause, on 24 January 2021 - 12:30 AM, said:

Playing with TurboTax looks like I'll get a fairly decent tax refund soon. That said the American tax system is a mess!

Be careful using Turbotax---it (incorrectly) prompted me to pay PA state tax on US federal savings bonds, and getting that refunded took about a year.

It also doesn't work for Philadelphia taxes. One thing I didn't realize until last year is that long term capital gains do not count towards the school income tax. Philadelphia only offers a refund (for accidental overpayment) for 3 years prior. Mailed the application during last March and still haven't heard back from them.

Not sure I'll use it, I'm in a complicated position with foreign accounts but it def shows that I overpaid my federal tax by a lot.

Where in phill I are you? I'm by grant hospital area

A bit north of the University of Pennsylvania and west of Drexel. Though if my elderly cat dies soon I might be moving in about a year.

[Morgoth]

The american tax system is absurd to such a degree the only way to fix it is to burn the whole thing to the ground, dig up the foundations, salt the earth, and start afresh somewhere else far far away.

I'm a tax attorney, I am familiar with common law, even did a year at Northwestern, and It took me forever to figure it out when a friend of mine needed help filing her US-taxes (she's an american recently moved to Norway). The whole system is a travesty. Here, and in most countries in Europe, you don't need professional help to do your taxes even if you run a small to medium sized business.

[Vengeance]

Morgoth, on 27 January 2021 - 08:39 AM, said:

The american tax system is absurd to such a degree the only way to fix it is to burn the whole thing to the ground, dig up the foundations, salt the earth, and start afresh somewhere else far far away.

I'm a tax attorney, I am familiar with common law, even did a year at Northwestern, and It took me forever to figure it out when a friend of mine needed help filing her US-taxes (she's an american recently moved to Norway). The whole system is a travesty. Here, and in most countries in Europe, you don't need professional help to do your taxes even if you run a small to medium sized business.

I mean yes but if you completely fix the tax code then how will the billion dollar corps find loop holes to keep from paying taxes. You have to think of the billion dollar corporations. They are "Legal" people as well.

[Obdigore]

Vengeance, on 27 January 2021 - 03:19 PM, said:

Morgoth, on 27 January 2021 - 08:39 AM, said:

The american tax system is absurd to such a degree the only way to fix it is to burn the whole thing to the ground, dig up the foundations, salt the earth, and start afresh somewhere else far far away.

I'm a tax attorney, I am familiar with common law, even did a year at Northwestern, and It took me forever to figure it out when a friend of mine needed help filing her US-taxes (she's an american recently moved to Norway). The whole system is a travesty. Here, and in most countries in Europe, you don't need professional help to do your taxes even if you run a small to medium sized business.

I mean yes but if you completely fix the tax code then how will the billion dollar corps find loop holes to keep from paying taxes. You have to think of the billion dollar corporations. They are "Legal" people as well.

Ahh but how will places like H&R block, TurboTax, and private accountants rake in millions/billions of dollars preparing people's overcomplicated taxes?

Why wont someone think of the children?

[Vengeance]

Obdigore, on 27 January 2021 - 03:26 PM, said:

Vengeance, on 27 January 2021 - 03:19 PM, said:

Morgoth, on 27 January 2021 - 08:39 AM, said:

The american tax system is absurd to such a degree the only way to fix it is to burn the whole thing to the ground, dig up the foundations, salt the earth, and start afresh somewhere else far far away.

I'm a tax attorney, I am familiar with common law, even did a year at Northwestern, and It took me forever to figure it out when a friend of mine needed help filing her US-taxes (she's an american recently moved to Norway). The whole system is a travesty. Here, and in most countries in Europe, you don't need professional help to do your taxes even if you run a small to medium sized business.

I mean yes but if you completely fix the tax code then how will the billion dollar corps find loop holes to keep from paying taxes. You have to think of the billion dollar corporations. They are "Legal" people as well.

Ahh but how will places like H&R block, TurboTax, and private accountants rake in millions/billions of dollars preparing people's overcomplicated taxes?

Why wont someone think of the children?

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!

[Malankazooie]

The guy or gal dressed as Uncle Sam or the Statue of Liberty flipping a sandwich board on the street corner starting about late February (while cars aim to hit that melting snow bank just right so it splashes them). Won't anyone think about them?

[Macros]

I agree with the tax system being fucked up in the states.

The only reason I have an accountant now is because I do work through the UK and the Irish tax system, so just want to make sure everything is right.
I did my own accounts for years (as a self employed tradesman). If you are PAYE (on the books be it full or part time) your tax is automatically done for you by the revenue, just check the first year to see if there was any over payment, they will refund it, after that it happens all by itself.

Same goes for frustrating shopping and dining in America, you're going to charge me the tax, so put it on the fucking price on the shelf/menu please!

[Cause]

American football?

Is it really a test of concentration? Play hasn’t started before it stops again.

Although quick question, rugby world finals are often not that exciting as teams play very safe because so much is in the line. Are super bowls the best of football or suffer a similiar situation.

This post has been edited by Cause: 07 February 2021 - 11:56 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Cause, on 07 February 2021 - 11:55 PM, said:

American football?

Is it really a test of concentration? Play hasn't started before it stops again.

Although quick question, rugby world finals are often not that exciting as teams play very safe because so much is in the line. Are super bowls the best of football or suffer a similiar situation.

The boredom gives people ample time to gorge while images of obese linebackers soothe their anxieties about gaining weight. 'I'm not obese, I'm like a linebacker!'

'Obesity Could Be the True Killer for Football Players

One study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at body mass index in NFL players. They concluded that 97 percent of current NFL players were overweight, and 56 percent of them qualified as obese. [2013]'

https://www.smithson...d%20as%20obese.

The Super Bowl in particular is a feast day.



'America's best restaurant' made 60 feet of sandwiches for the Super Bowl, because Philly

[...]

Kalaya, the Italian Market spot that sings with the flavors of Southern Thailand, shined in the national spotlight last year. Food & Wine named the tiny BYOB one of the country's best new restaurants, and Esquire gave it top honors, calling it No. 1 in the entire U.S.

What does a place lauded for its cuisine from across the globe do for Super Bowl Sunday? Because this is Philadelphia, it gets real with sandwiches. Big sandwiches.

Thanks to a sous chef working under chef-owner Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon, Kalaya offered customers a special SB52 menu featuring 3-foot banh mi loaded with slow-braised pork belly. Staff determined there was only space to build 20 of the giant hoagies in the 9th and Christian dining room, and they sold out fast.

[...] After some testing, they settled on a recipe. Atop the yard-long Amoroso roll would go 4 lbs. of the restaurant's moo hong pork. Inspired by the Thai street food stew but sourced from Esposito's down the block, the fatty belly meat is coated in a sweet-spicy sauce made with star anise, cinnamon and white pepper.

To cut through the sticky moo hong glaze and add acidity, Jeff layered on shredded carrots, pickled jalapenos, lightly-pickled cucumbers, julienned white onions, tons of fresh cilantro (as it traditional for the Vietnamese- and some long hots.

[...]

Along with the mammoth hoagies, the pop-up menu also sold out of that Super Bowl favorite, wings — in this case tossed in rice flour for extra crunchy exteriors and then coated with coconut curry sauce.'





Of course, banh mi are Vietnamese, not Thai (many cultural layers in that sandwich...).

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 08 February 2021 - 01:24 AM

[amphibian]

Cause, on 07 February 2021 - 11:55 PM, said:

American football?

Is it really a test of concentration? Play hasn’t started before it stops again.

Although quick question, rugby world finals are often not that exciting as teams play very safe because so much is in the line. Are super bowls the best of football or suffer a similiar situation.

In terms of the actual game, I think only half the time in the last 20 years was the game fun to watch because it was competitive.

I think Patriots Panthers was an all time great game in terms of the viewing experience. I can't really think of other overall games that were great, just ones with great parts.

[Malankazooie]

Does anyone know what Tyrann Mathieu (aka honey badger) said to Tom Brady? Brady was heated. On the sideline you could see Brady definitely mouth the words - "fuck that guy" - after the altercation on the field.

[Gwynn ap Nudd]

Azath Vitr (D, on 08 February 2021 - 01:22 AM, said:

Cause, on 07 February 2021 - 11:55 PM, said:

American football?

Is it really a test of concentration? Play hasn't started before it stops again.

Although quick question, rugby world finals are often not that exciting as teams play very safe because so much is in the line. Are super bowls the best of football or suffer a similiar situation.

The boredom gives people ample time to drink while images of obese linebackers soothe their anxieties about gaining weight. 'I'm not obese, I'm like a linebacker!'

Fixed that for you. The Monday after the Super Bowl has one of the highest rates of work absenteeism, due to the copious amounts of alcohol consumed during and after the game. Would be better placed on a Saturday, but that might run afoul of those weird rules regarding Saturday being for college/high school games.

[Cause]

amphibian, on 08 February 2021 - 03:49 AM, said:

Cause, on 07 February 2021 - 11:55 PM, said:

American football?

Is it really a test of concentration? Play hasn’t started before it stops again.

Although quick question, rugby world finals are often not that exciting as teams play very safe because so much is in the line. Are super bowls the best of football or suffer a similiar situation.

In terms of the actual game, I think only half the time in the last 20 years was the game fun to watch because it was competitive.

I think Patriots Panthers was an all time great game in terms of the viewing experience. I can't really think of other overall games that were great, just ones with great parts.

Interesting why wouldn’t it be competitive? I mean these should be the two best teams right?

But yeah was a blowout by the looks of things. I’m really no expert and at times had no idea what was happening, I might have been in my phone, but the chiefs seemed to half arse it at the end.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Gwynn ap Nudd, on 08 February 2021 - 03:59 AM, said:

Azath Vitr (D, on 08 February 2021 - 01:22 AM, said:

Cause, on 07 February 2021 - 11:55 PM, said:

American football?

Is it really a test of concentration? Play hasn't started before it stops again.

Although quick question, rugby world finals are often not that exciting as teams play very safe because so much is in the line. Are super bowls the best of football or suffer a similiar situation.

The boredom gives people ample time to drink while images of obese linebackers soothe their anxieties about gaining weight. 'I'm not obese, I'm like a linebacker!'

Fixed that for you. The Monday after the Super Bowl has one of the highest rates of work absenteeism, due to the copious amounts of alcohol consumed during and after the game. Would be better placed on a Saturday, but that might run afoul of those weird rules regarding Saturday being for college/high school games.

Gorging on alcohol too, though mostly beer, which is a bit limiting. (Granted, the 'city wide special' is popular in Philadelphia---a beer and a shot of hard liquor.) Just as 'obesity is masculine might', 'getting brain damage is heroic and glorious! I'm going to chug until I feel like I'm concussed!'

'When a player's head is hit from any angle, the brain ripples like the surface of a pond after a rock is thrown, explains study author Adnan Hirad, a medical student at U of R. Although the forces can affect many regions of the brain, the midbrain's central location makes it likely to sustain damage.

The results were striking. Although only two of the 38 players received a concussion, more than two-thirds of them showed changes to the integrity of the white matter of their midbrains. Rotational hits—when a player's helmet is struck by a glancing blow—were particularly bad for the midbrain's white matter'

https://www.sciencem...se-brain-damage

'Concussions are incredibly commonplace in professional football

The human brain — the most complicated and powerful organ on planet Earth — is squishy. And when a person hits their head hard, the brain can bounce around and twist in the skull. It's this rapid motion of the brain inside the skull that creates the traumatic brain injury known as a concussion.

[...]

CTE is not about single concussions. It's the result of repeated concussions — and even head impacts that are not quite as severe — which can result in lasting structural changes in the brain.

[...]

Those who had played football longer were more likely to have worse brain damage. Among the former NFL players in the sample, 99 percent had CTE.

[...]

National trends reflect the unease. The number of high school students playing football dropped by 30,829 between the 2017-2018 and the 2018-2019 school years, continuing a downward trend. In 2008, 1.11 million high school students played football. Now, it's 1.006 million — the lowest number since the 1999-2000 school year, the National Federation of High Schools reports. That said, football is still the most popular sport for high school males.'

https://www.vox.com/...in-damage-youth

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 08 February 2021 - 04:54 AM

[amphibian]

Injuries have a big part in this - those teams who can heal up more in key spots or those teams who have less serious injuries overall are just better positioned to win.

For example, the Chiefs lost both their starting tackles (the offensive linemen on either end) and the Bucs got Vea back as a defensive lineman.

It's a team game and coaching matters, but things like having the first choice, most physically talented players consistently available add up over a game's plays.

[Morgoth]

Everyone likes what they like, and I should be the last to judge considering I enjoy watching cross country skiing, but American Football seems so boring to me. I've watched a few matches, and it's all just waiting around. And the commercials, jesus, it's like you're watching commercials for two hours interspersed with a few minutes of sports here and there. Sure, a run can be really exciting, but there's hardly a lot of those, and I'm dubious that they're worth all the shitty videos of cars driving around, or Great Offers for insurance.

This post has been edited by Morgoth: 08 February 2021 - 09:34 AM

[amphibian]

Of the major sports in the US, I only watch basketball extensively of my own volition. My wife is a Ravens fan, so she and sometimes I watch their games. Then the super bowl happens at my best friend's house, who we are in a bubble with, so it's one of the limited opportunities to socialize. Her husband absolutely loves handegg football, so he watches it often.

One of my brothers watches hockey. The other watches zero sports beyond the soccer world cup.

Handegg football can be exciting, but most coaches just can't stop being super conservative in play calling and tempo.

[Malankazooie]

Do you think important traits and life lessons can be applied to one's own life from Tom Brady's excellence? I mean its pretty unparalleled in the world of professional sports, yeah? I think I'm gonna buy that $600 TB12 method cookbook.