The Life and Times of Jim
Hi, there. I'm Jim. Welcome to my phlog!
This site was written for Las Vegas, then LouisVille. Now, it seems to be about anywhere. In these phlogs, you'll see a lot of my personal notes and pictures. I like to post my observations here to remember life and celebrate it. I'm not religious. I don't pray for good fortune. I'm ecstatically grateful for the gift of life and I think our time should be remembered and not taken for granted. I'm not a writer. I think pictures tell stories so much better than words. I love just about everything in this life, and, I guess that would have to include you. So, if you've seen me, don't be surprised if your picture is in here somewhere. Of all the critters, people are absolutely the most interesting. 
<< 12/2006 < 11/2007 Calendar 01/2008 > 12/2008 >>Sign InView Other Logs
Fri 
12/28/2007 05:27:06
 jim  Life is good - Bedroom scenes! LOL
Scenes from our Bedroom (nope, they aren't naughty).
Fri 
12/28/2007 04:11:14
 jim  About Per Diem
Please note: Anyone can reply to this.
Just click this heading "About per diem", then click Reply. Be sure to click Enter when your done.
I'm not really sure yet why all employers don't offer per diem to travelling salaried employees.
So I'm researching it. My example uses a fictional employer "Acme" and an employee "Wiley Coyotee".
I also use easy numbers, $20 per hour (or $160 a day) and a per diem rate of $80 per day.
The per diem rates are much higher. See IRS Publication 1542
Please Note: The per diem is not on top of the $160 a day, it comes out of it.
The way I understand it:
- If Acme pays $160 per day, and offers per diem using the non-accountable plan
Both Acme and Wiley pay Fica taxes on only $80 a day.
- If Acme decides not offer per diem, they still pay $160 a day.
Plus, Acme pays 7% extra in Fica for the non-taxable per diem they decided not to offer.
In this case, both Acme and Wiley would pay almost $6 a day (or $1,500 a year) extra in taxes.
Wiley he has to pay a tax guy to go through his reciepts to categorize them as allowable or not.
- I'd think using per diem, everybody would save on taxes. But I'm not a tax guy.
Set up might be a small pain, but I don't know.
It should be something an employer can set up in Quick Books.
Quote: To create a non-taxed per diem payroll item, follow the steps in this Knowledge Base Article.  However, you should be aware that not all per diem paid to employees is tax free.  The deciding factor is whether you are using an accountable plan (where the employee submits receipts for expenses paid) or a non-accountable plan (where a flat rate is paid to the employee and no accounting of the money spent is required). See  quickbooksgroup.com.
I've only seen the non-accountable plan implemented, which is a no-brainer.
The down side of it is, the employee appears to make $10 an hour.
Unemployment benefits, disability, and the income figures decrease.
Fri 
12/28/2007 04:11:12
 jim  ..About Per Diem
I'd just assumed most companies pay their travelling employees per diem.
Never assume anything! I'll learn one of these days.
My little article mentions a savings of $1,500 a year...
Wiley Coyotee could get himself a really nice rocket launcher for that pesky Road Runner with that.
Gosh, one of these days I'll fix the reply entries to this blog...yuck...its all out of order!
Thu 
12/27/2007 21:04:30
 jim  Seattle Rain, Bus Stops and Mirrors
Thu 
12/27/2007 05:34:11
 jim  Copy and Paste Woes
Recently, I wrote a note about the Olympian Casino in Washington. Now I can't find where I got that information from. OOPs. I usually post in the wee hours of the morning.
Wed 
12/26/2007 22:34:33
 jim  Seattle - Candy Cane Lane
Wed 
12/26/2007 22:26:41
 jim  Seattle Centers - Winterfest Display
Wed 
12/26/2007 22:20:03
 jim  Seattle / Space Needle
Tue 
12/25/2007 21:21:09
 jim  Christmas at Victorias
Christmas at Victoria's
Very nice, and much needed. We got to Jonathan's Gmas late, so we exchanged presents at Victoria's.
We played Skipbo 
I didn't know the game, but I won, haha. I think the strategy is to lay your up cards down in ascending or matching order, and hold on to the Skipbo cards until they work for getting rid of your pile...
** wink wink **
V may apply at the Tulalip casino,
Which is opening soon. I wonder how they'd react to a guy who's knows Casino, Slot, Hotel  and Marketing systems, and has dealt both Blackjack and Craps in Las Vegas.
Tue 
12/25/2007 14:19:28
 jim  Seattle AuroraBlvd-20071225
Tue 
12/25/2007 14:17:46
 jim  Christmas Snow in Seattle
Seattle has seen Christmas snow just three times, in 60 years !
Mon 
12/24/2007 21:41:46
 jim  Christmas Eve at the Jacksons

An Interesting Christmas Eve!
The Jacksons have a thing... 
If you say "Christmas Eve Gift" to someone first, they have to give you a Christmas gift. I didn't have any gifts.
I don't even have an ATM card.
So I brought 100 little candles.
I gave everybody one.
I figured I beat everyone to the draw.
It was a lot of fun!
Sat 
12/22/2007 23:49:30
 jim  Merry Christmas to you all !!!
<= Our Christmas Tree, aye.
This year, it will just have to do.
Thanks so much! I really miss you guys.
Being in an unfamiliar place during the holidays is always tough.
You know that Christmas works backwards
Its the most depressing holiday of the year.
But I've got more memories stored up from this last year than most people get in a life time.
Thanks for being part of them and Merry Christmas to you all: 
Becky, Sonny, Rod, Reese, Jesse, Peter, Susan, Preacher Scott, Gma, Jennifer, Dustin, Paul, Robert, Emily, Renee, Jonathan, McKinzee, Jess,  Ricco, Jeffree, Mikey, Andy, Ashley, Tim, Jari, Loff, Lewis, Jerry, Jennette, Chuck, Charles and Renee, Ida, Allen, Cheryl, Kelly, Tass, Emilio, Cyrus, Paula, Mark, Frank, Ruth, Warren, Lisa, David, Leann, Kevin, all the people at Fourth Street Live, all the people at Kentucky Towers, all the people we hung with at the Pub and TGIF Fridays, Don, Curtis, Erich, MS. ===> Thankyou ===>
To those who are in heaven now: 
My Dad, Squirt, Rob, Mom, Dave, Grandfather, Skip, Uncle James, Jim, Chris and Chris, I'll never forget you.
You all touched my heart.
And at sometime, you gave me joy this year. You guys are GREAT!!!
Sat 
12/22/2007 10:01:29
 Jim  Check out my BIG PUPPY!
glitter graphics
The intent of this site is to please.
It's readers are my friends, family and loved ones, but guests can make entries too.
If you find anything offensive...
Send us an email by clicking
here => Editor or Co-Editor. 
Please, let us know the problem.
Give us a chance to correct the problem!
And if you don't:
"May the cherub of happiness fly right up your nose."
Fri 
12/21/2007 03:38:02
 jim  I don’t know what I like, but I know what I don’t
I'm not happy in Seattle.
I hate the cost of this apartment.I hate the cost of cigarettes and food.
I hate the bus. I hate having to pay to park everywhere. I hate driving in this city.
I hate that cops police the streets, and not the sidewalks.
I don't like the people here, they're unfriendly. I hate that bums can get away with anything.
I think their entertainment sucks.
I didn't like rushing into this contract. I didn't like taking a pay cut after I started.
I didn't like having to take out an insurance policy for $300 to work here.
I don't like the people at work. They have no manners, are nosey, and they are introverts.
I don't like the nature of my job. You only get noticed when things don't work, and nothing every works.
I don't like having the training I've had for this system. I am not using any of my skills.
I don't like the vagueness of this job. I have no clear job description.
AND THAT...is a lot of things to dislike.
I like the scenery at times. I like that Renee is right up the road. I like the view from our apartment.
So, thats it...I'm looking to get out of here.
-2m
Wed 
12/19/2007 07:19:05
 jim  I’ve been feeling blue.
4 moves in three weeks have made me palid.
I've had to push myself to the limit, I haven't been feeling well, I'm tired and confused.
52 hours of driving, rushing through moving, and finding an apartment have all made me feel very cranky. My atm/credit card being hi-jacked didn't help either. I'll feel much better when I have some cash.
But none of these are an excuse for my bad attitude.
I've been distant, obtuse, in a very bad mood, and now I'm paranoid for good reasons.
I love you all. I'm just exhausted.
Mon 
12/17/2007 06:53:17
 jim  .Have I told you I love you today?
And here we are in 4/12/2010, getting ready to move again. Nothing has felt normal for a long time, which is both good and bad.
We've made friends here in Pittsburgh easier than any other place we have gone.
Mon 
12/17/2007 06:53:17
 jim   (Reply)Have I told you I love you today?
This should cover it. HA HA!
I just wanted to let you know just how important you are to me, Becky.

Its been rough, moving 4 times in 3 weeks, driving 3,200 miles, credit card being stolen, finding an apartment, and your hair turning green. But there's nothing we can't do when we are together. I love ya!!! We've almost made it through the hard times. I'm hoping everything will feel normal by New Years (which is coming up in 2 weeks).

Chicago, Nashville, Kentuckiana, Vegas, and the trip out here...
doesn't it all seem like a dream? The only remnants we have now are the friends we made, the pictures we took, and some fading memories.
Did you know Christmas is just next week!
Now that is just so scary!
We are just so unprepared. We just got through unpacking our stuff.
Kiss me me and tell me this is all really happening.
--- These are the good old days ---
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. :^)
Sun 
12/16/2007 06:01:18
 jim  .How did you like Flys?
Frys was really nice. I wanted to load the basket there (I always do).
We passed a huge Boeing building. It really wasn't that far from Frys.
I don't know if it was really bigger than the one in Vegas, but its parking lot certainly was.
I wonder if Vegas every finished its other Frys stores.
Sat 
12/15/2007 06:05:37
 jim  The apartment deck, at night!
Sat 
12/15/2007 03:15:10
 jim  Seattle Apartment Views
Thu 
12/13/2007 23:54:44
 jim  Seattles places to go
Pioneer Square
On the corner of Yesler Way and 1st, its where the bands and pubs are.
And yes, they have a BB Kings Hideout.
See the Google Map. Or visit them at: pioneersquare.org/
Speidels Underground Tour of Seattle
I've heard this is a must see attraction. The old store fronts are still there. Its on 601 1st Ave. See the Google Map or visit them at undergroundtour
Tue 
12/11/2007 22:22:32
 jim  Jonathan, Renee and McKensie 12/2007
Sun 
12/09/2007 17:06:04
 jim  Green hair, jacuzzi’s, and shopping
What a life! Too much too quick.
I can't begin to describe the feeling in my back.
But that's the bad things.
The good things that have happened so far.
We got moved in Friday, but everything was such a mess. We needed junk furniture.
But Seattle doesn't have any Walmarts. There's a KMart 6 miles away, which in Seattle Speak equals 1 hour.
The traffic is a killer here. I'm ready to learn the bus system at any time.
Why not be chauffeured around while I read the paper?
I hopped into the roof Jacuzzi yesterday morning at 6:30am,
and found a really cool cell phone. I called "Dad".
He told me daughter lives in my building and gave me her address. I tried, it was early, but eventually she called me.
I came up, and she answered the door in her T-Shirt and underwear (who does that?). I about fell over. Her eyes were a red as eyes can get, but she had a pretty smile, and said thank you.
Later, we went shopping at a Target.
It was 6 stories tall, with a parking level on each floor! When you want to go to the next floor with you card, you take the escullator. It has a cart escullator in the middle...very different.
Everybody we met was friendly, and more than willing to tell us everything they knew about Seattle.
That about says it, everybody in Seattle is very friendly.
Today, Becky went to the jacuzzi with me.
Her hair turned GREEN!!! Its a pretty color of green though.
We were supposed to get internet, phone and cable today, but nobody was here to let the cable guy into the electric room.
We'll have it by Wednesday.
Sat 
12/08/2007 22:33:26
 jim  Views from our apartment!
Thu 
12/06/2007 22:22:25
 jim  Pooped
Another tough day!
Five hours of sleep. Had to get renters insurance, they wanted to rewrite my auto insurance and my house insurance for Seattle, which would take me days of effort to spring back from. sheesh.
We got our apartment.
So we had to move all our stuff downstairs, again, and pack up the truck. Its cold and wet out there.
I am so tired.
We will have moved the equivilent of 5 moves, and driven 52 hours, in 12 days.
We've been apartment hunting every day and every night.
And to top it all off, my credit card info was stolen from one of the places we used it at, enroute.
What a week I'm having!!!
Thu 
12/06/2007 21:58:37
 jim  Floods in Seattle?
This happened in Seattle, on  Monday, 12/03/2007. I've heard this isn't normal for Seattle. I rarely snows here too. Doesn't it seem like the weather in the last three years has gone awry? Between New Orlean's Katrina, Louisvilles drought's/record highs and Seattle's snow/flooding, we've been around the national news everywhere we've gone.
ImageImageImage
Wed 
12/05/2007 17:18:11
 jim  Our New Apartment - The Summit
Summit at Lake Union
Pros : 18 minutes to work by bus(I save $250 parking), w/d, dishwasher, 680 sq ft, two balconies with great views, underground parking, patio on the roof that is awesome, jacuzzi, spa, sauna, pool, pool table, cyberroom.
Cons : $1,250 a month total, 8 month lease, and uh, and that's about it.
I like driving to work, but taking the bus is more logical.
Deciding Factor : The veiws of Seattle and Lake Union are spectacular!
This is why I work. Seeing beauty like this is what I live for. I won't have to look for it, I'll be surrounded by it!
I guess this is what I'd want heaven to be like (except its cold, and I don't have friends here...yet).
Preview
Preview
Wed 
12/05/2007 10:18:08
 jim  Seattle Buildings are magnificent!
Mon 
12/03/2007 17:48:55
 jim  While parked on a steep hill
A girl in front of me decided she wanted to parallel park...
Right next to where I was. We were on a steep hill. I couldn't back up, but she persisted.
She waited for 4 lights to cycle, and nothing changed. She caused a backup for at least 5 miles.
Finally, a guy behind me gets out, yells at her
"HEY, we can't back up. None of us can back up! You just can't park here mam".
He was kind of smiling as he walked by. I said thank you. There was a parking garage on the next block.
The drivers here aren't really bad, but they just seem kind of stupid.
Mon 
12/03/2007 16:10:22
 jim  Seattle Buildings
Sun 
12/02/2007 15:02:43
 jim  Just got back from Safeway.
I've got my patches and some food.
Life was good, until we got back to the truck.
We couldn't get in it. The people on both sides parked 2 inches away. It was mindless.
There were plenty of spots open in the parking lot.
I've noticed that a lot of people walk mindlessly straight at you on the sidewalks. 
There's always plenty of room. It keeps happening everywhere. A lot of these people are sleep walking.
I didn't think driving to the store was tough at all.
Matter of fact, I like driving in Seattle, even downtown. You have to watch for pedestrians, bicycles, other cars, and one way streets. SO, you take your time, and slowly make your turns.
Sat 
12/01/2007 19:00:26
 jim  Seattle Ferry, Snow, and Beauty!!!
It rarely snows in Seattle.
This was a rare treat. Beauty keeps coming our way. The last day in Louisville was beautiful. The trip was beautiful. The first day in Seattle was great! We don't deserve this beauty. What did we do to deserve this? ...Read On

I think it is what goes around, comes around.
I told Becky of how I put three people up for Employee of the Month at Caesars. They never knew, or asked how it happened. What happened was, I liked their work, and I took 5 minutes out of my life to pass around a Nomination for Employee of the Month. Each got $1,000, and it cost me nothing. They had no idea that I sponsored it.
I think nature rewards good deeds.
I don't know how it works. But beauty often hides in the details. It rarely surrounds you. It lives a quiet world, that is there if you discover it.
Sat 
12/01/2007 14:31:32
 jim  More Snow on the Ferry
Sat 
12/01/2007 09:15:16
 jim  Downtown Seattle
My work site - 925 Fourth Ave

Quest Field
1700 Madison $980/mo
Fri 
11/30/2007 17:40:29
 jim  We finally got to Seattle
Aren't these buildings really something!
I feel like a Huckleberry Fin whose just seen an automobile for the first time.
This must be a pretty exciting city to live in. If I can just figure out how to navigate these streets, I'll be fine.
Fri 
11/30/2007 15:19:58
 jim  Seeing Renee
Renee was right there when we pulled up. We didn't call. She was just looking for us for some reason. That was REALLY SPECIAL! We are going to have a good time here.
Fri 
11/30/2007 10:33:16
 jim  Trip-Washington
Fri 
11/30/2007 09:03:28
 jim  Trip-Idaho
Thu 
11/29/2007 17:22:12
 jim  Trip-Utah
Thu 
11/29/2007 14:04:24
 jim  Trip-Leaving Vegas
Leaving Vegas didn't at all seem sad. We'll be back. This trip and everything we've done for the last 5 months, is just an experiment in my life.
Wed 
11/28/2007 20:03:18
 jim  Another going away party at GMAs
This time, there were no sad good byes. GMa and Paul should be in Seattle around March. We've got to come back to take care of our taxes. Also, if I work in Seattle, for a year, I should have enough saved for taking two years off. Life is good! However, if I get a reputation at my new job, I could end up managing a system somewhere. And that could be very sweet!!!
Wed 
11/28/2007 07:38:39
 jim  To whom may concern...I apologize
Two moves in one week is a lot of action.
I've had to push myself to the limit, I haven't been feeling well, I'm tired and confused.
But none of these are an excuse for a bad attitude.
So, if I've been distant, or obtuse, please accept my sincere apology.
I meant to accomplish so much when we got here.
But, Monday, I had to get that insurance, talk to my CPA and get prescriptions written.
Tuesday, I picked up prescriptions, did some shopping, and tried to relax.
I didn't visit like I'd planned too.
After driving 32 hours straight, driving around town is the last thing I want to do.
Driving around town with everything I own in the back of the truck is scary too.
I love you all. I'm just exhausted.
Tue 
11/27/2007 05:05:16
 jim  Tears in the night - I miss Squirt
I am looking at his doggie bed. I knew if he got out, he'd run up to Mtn Vista and get killed. I said that more than a couple of times. That's what he did. I miss him. He is alive in my mind. and he is jumping all around me right now.
If I throw a ball Squirt, would you come back to fetch it just one last time?
Squirt was enjoyed by many people
Mike adopted the name of SAE (Squirts Alter Ego). Mike gave Squirt a voice.
Squirt was a cool dog and a good friend.

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