No Mercy for DUI

The NFL should ban Dante Stallworth from the NFL for killing another person while he was driving drunk. If they don't, they send the message that this is just a minor offense that deserves only a slap on the hand. Many hard working Americans would lose their jobs and have a real hard time finding new ones with just a regular DUI, much less killing someone in the process. I understand that he has no criminal history, is real sorry for what he did, and vows to go on the offensive by advocating against drunk driving. The truth is it is too late. One family no longer has their loved one because Stallworth was out having a good time and decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. They have to live with that for the rest of their lives, and him? He will go on playing a game and making millions. That is wrong and the NFL needs to send a message, just like most other employers today.

Flight School

So today was the first day of flight school. It was surreal. To be there, in class, learning (or reviewing) the basic fundamentals of aerodynamics. All my life I've wanted to be a pilot. It's been about three and a half years since I signed on the line, became government property, and was promised this day. 

The instructor asked the class how many students wanted to fly ever since they were little. It was surprising to see almost all the hands go up. All these people share the same passion and enthusiasm as me and we're all here for the same reason.

Then he told us how much of an institution naval air training was and how it has been in the same building for a looong time. He brought up old Mercury and Apollo astronauts who were Naval and Marine aviators. Jim Lovell (Apollo 13 Commander), John Glenn (first American to orbit), Blue Angel pilots and pilots who have flown in the war on terror - all have sat in the same exact classroom as the one I was in. 

Even down to the videos he showed. I've seen many many aviation videos and shared them with friends who said, "oh that's cool." But I could tell others could appreciate and had the same enthusiasm for those type of things as I did.

Thinking about it, its like the major leagues. A really good baseball player sticks out in his hometown or his school. But when he gets to the pros, hes just as equal as everyone else (unless he's A-Rod). I might have been the most enthusiastic about flying and loved planes more than my friends or anyone back home, but here in Pensacola, the cradle of naval aviation, EVERYONE shares the same passion. And that is motivating, satisfying and scary all at the same time. I love it.

And I love my job. (and my fiance too, of course!!)

Tax Time!

It's that time of year again to gather your W-2's and 1099's and see how much extra money Uncle Sam took out of your paycheck.  I have been certified to prepare and e-file taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program the IRS has...and I do it for free.  So with the knowledge I've gained, I feel compelled to give some tips to you that might help you get some extra money.

1. Recovery Rebate Credit - This is a credit given for 2008 only. It is given to those few people who should have received an economic stimulus check last year but didn't, or who did not receive the full amount.  You will be asked how much you got in the stimulus package last year.  To be sure, you should check here with the IRS.  If you did receive the full amount, you may see your refund drop and you feel like you are getting less money. Let me assure you, this is not the case.  The default for most programs is to give it to you automatically.  Your refund is not any lower than what it would have been, had there been no stimulus payments.

2.  Get All Your Credits and Deductions - If you don't have enough expenses to itemize, there are still expenses you can claim, for either deductions or credits.

• Educator expenses
• Moving expenses for job related moves
• credit for contributions to retirement fund
• Payments on student loans
• Tuition and fees (if you are not someone else's dependant)
• Payments for child or dependant care

3.  Itemized Deductions - If you have more than $5,450 (single) or $10,900 (married) in qualified expenses, you have enough to itemize your deductions, and that is better for you.  Be sure and deduct all you can within the bounds of the law.  Here is a list of most of the qualified expenses:

1. Medical and dental expenses (have to be more than 7.5%of your income)
2. Either state and local income tax or sales tax (especially on car and home improvement purchases)***
3. Real estate tax and personal property tax
4. Mortgage interest paid as well as points
5. Mortgage insurance premiums
6. Gifts to charity (includes miles driven in your vehicle for a charity)
7. Unreimbursed job travel, union dues, professional association dues
8. Uniforms only if your job requires them AND prohibits you to wear them off duty
9. Tax prep fees from previous year

***If you live in a state with no income tax, you can deduct state sales tax.  Since you probably do not have your receipts from all year, go to the following IRS Sales Tax Calculator.  Input your information and the IRS lets you deduct this amount of sales tax, no questions asked. 

I hope this information helps with most tax returns.  Please keep in mind that this information is here strictly to help you.  It is not intended to be professional tax advice or instructions.  You may contact me with tax questions.  You may also refer to the IRS Website for all your tax questions.

How to grill steaks indoors and cure burns.

THE STEAK

So last night we tried a method of cooking steaks that has gotten rave reviews.  The process is simple, easy and pretty fool-proof.  Here is what you do:

• Preheat oven and cast iron grill to 500 degrees F.
• Lightly coat the steaks with canola or olive oil. Salt/pepper (or other seasoning) to taste
• When the oven is hot, place cast iron grill on HOT stove.
• Sear each side of the steak for 30 seconds.
• Put cast iron grill directly in oven.  2 minutes each side for mem rare, 3 minutes each side for medium

The steaks come out juicy and tender: just the way we all like our meat!  Note that this recipe is great for making steaks in the medium rare to (maybe) medium well.  A steak well done may burn easily due to the high heat.  Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown

THE BURN

If you happen to burn you burn yourself in the process, like I may or may not have, here is a simple and effective way of treating it: Put some mustard on it like a hot dog and let it sit there for 30 min to an hour. When you wash it off, you shouldn't have much pain or blistering, although your skin may still be scarred. I thought it was pretty cool and it worked for me...I mean, IF I actually burned myself.

It's like pulling teeth.

I had all four wisdom teeth taken out today with just a local anesthetic.  Surprisingly it didn't hurt and I still have had slight discomfort at the most.  But I'm popping pills regularly and hoping that the lack of pain continues.  Leave it to the military to do it in the most economical, cheap and fastest way possible.

By the way today is square root day.  This occasion only occurs nine times every century so lets party like crazy!!

World, meet Chiketah

Chiketah: (pronounced CHI-kee-taw) A phrase commonly used in high school, by my friends and me, for no particular reason or at any particular time. Chiketah, originated by the great Ofe-Dog, became a way of life.  Used here, as with most other uses, it really has no special meaning or significance.  It is purely meant to be a phrase that when heard, will remain stuck in your head like an annoying song.  

This is my first blog!  The theme of this blog will change greatly depending on what is going on in the world, or in our personal lives.  I would be glad to answer any questions ranging from why are there bumps on all canned food cans to what the heck is an apple of the eye!  I will take suggestions and hopefully answer all your burning questions about life.  

Happy Bloggings!