Monday I quit smoking at 3:00pm. Original Cindy called me at work, and let me know that she had quit and was having a rough time of it. Being the great guy I am, I told her that I was quitting with her. . and so it began.

Its been 43 hours now. Its hard but I know that the first three days are the worst. That’s the time it takes for your body to physically get over its nicotine addiction. After that, its all psychological.

I like filing my taxes. Its fun, since I do it all electronically, and I use this great little program called TaxAct which makes it fun and easy.

Yes, I’m a geek.

But this year, I filed my taxes electronically (of course) and my tax return got REJECTED! This had never happened before. It turns out that someone else had claimed our foster daughter Alaxis. Since Alaxis lived with us for the entire year last year, I knew that nobody else had a legal right to claim her on their taxes.

Perplexed, I called the IRS to figure out how to fix this:

(After a 25 minute wait and three transfers)
IRS Agent: Can I help you?

TJ: Yes. I e-filed my tax return and it was rejected – someone else claimed one of my dependents. What can. . .

IRS: You need to file a paper return.

TJ: That. . that will fix it, will it?

IRS: You can’t e-file. File a paper return and we’ll sort it out.

TJ: Should I attach any supporting documents, or. . .?

IRS: (getting frustrated) Just file a paper return like you normally would (Translated: “This solution is so obvious, you must be retarded to not see it.”)

TJ: (thinking: “Like I normally would? I wouldn’t normally file a paper return.”) Uh. . . and you’re sure that will fix it?

IRS: File a paper return and we’ll review it. Is there something else you need? (translated: “get off the phone!”)

TJ: No, I guess that’s . . .

IRS: Thank you for calling the IRS help line *click*

So, I have now printed up a physical copy of my tax return and will mail it to the IRS today. This is so 20th Century, its like I’m in a time machine. Now I need to go buy some of those little sticky squares you put on envelopes so the Post Office will deliver them.

What kid wouldn’t want this?

Okay, this action figure is sold from Dragon in Dreams, and it DOES NOT come with the ninja swords and light saber. But with a few accessories from other action figures, you can make your own dream Obama action figure just like the ones pictured here.

Did you see that seen in Monsters, Inc where the big beasty gets shaved down and has to wear that cone over his head after being touched by a child’s sock?

Thats what my doggy looks like – shaved down with a cone over her head.

The surgery went well. They removed the fatty tumor on her leg and she is doing well. They took a biopsy so they can analyze it and see if it is malignant. For now, though, Purdy is uncomfortable but healthy and active.

Before surgery

After surgery

Purdy, in her younger days

Today, our dog, Purdy, goes in for surgery. She has a fatty growth on her leg that has gotten quite huge, and the vet finally decided that it needed to come off. She went in this morning at 9:00, and will be spending the night.

She’s an old dog, about 14 years old, so there is some concern about the surgery. But I am confident that everything will come out well.

Because graphs are funny. Right?

. . what do you mean “no, not really.”?