OT - Over My Dead Body

So, your boss says you have to stay late or come in on the weekend. But you have plans. Oh no. If you don't, it reflect badly at review time. Geez. I have to give up my personal time to help my employer, and if I don't, I'm screwed. Well, you're screwed either way, so don't do it.

Here's why: I had a job with a CPA firm, a big one, by the way, which will remain nameless baecause they don't like you talking to the press. I almost got in big trouble because I did once; it was about increased workloads with less staff. Even though it was all facts, and they couldn't discount it, they knew I was right. Which is why I only got written up for talking to the press without permission. (I'll talk to whoever I want godammit.) Oh wait, I don't work for them anymore. IT WAS KPMG, formerly Peat Marwick. Ha.

Anyway, OT was required in March/April and October, major tax seasons, as a condition of employment. Well, by the end of the year, I ended up in a larger tax bracket. Of course, the amount taken out semi-monthly, was for a lower bracket. I ended up owing.

If you only do a few here and there, it won't make much of a difference. But a lot, you may see money now, but you'll pay later. So basically, you're even.

Who benefits from all this overtime? Uncle Sam and your boss. Not you. So next time,
JUST SAY NO.

Oh, by the way, have an excuse ready, just in case. A really bad boss will let you go for insubordination, which you could fight, and cost a lot of money up front, before you get paid. And half of that will go to Uncle Sam.

Geez, I'm confused just writing this. What a vicious Circle. Use the excuse.

Chinese New Year

Gung Hay Fat Choy.

The time is almost here (Feb 11), when we will again have the opportunity to witness a San Francisco tradition dating back decades. Unfortunately, there is a black cloud over this one.

I'm referring to Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, in and of itself, is just another internal martial art, similar to Tai Chi, Bagua and Hsing I. These are slow-moving exercises and breathing techniques designed to balance the body, mind and spirit. Cool.

But over in China, where it began, the followers grew in numbers. The government watched.
The were worried by the sheer numbers. And rightfully so. Someone high up in the Falun Gong organization decided to use the "strength in numbers" for political gain. And the followers followed. And now, they're connected to newspapers and radio stations everywhere.

So, today, we have a problem. We have a martial art that is good for health and well being, being used in a political capacity. That's what the Chinese goverment was afraid of. So insightful, the Chinese. Hey, it's why I study the martial arts. Just remember, when I tell you something, and you don't believe me, you better think twice. I've been studying the arts and philosophies on and off for 20 years! The LoongTao doesn't take names, it only kicks ass. Plus, I've had the good fortune of being a parade participant on behalf of my kung fu school at the time, Tat Mau Wong's Kung Fu Academy.

Anyway, Falun Gong was rejected for this years parade. They're mad and are crying fowl. But last year, they passed out political leaflets, which was not allowed, and more people showed up than was planned, which stalled the parade. This is the largest parade in the country, folks. We can't have it being stalled on the streets of San Francisco.

So here is the LoongTao take: Falun Gong is fine if you're practicing the art itself in your home, park, or wherever, fine. But as an organization, you've destroyed the complete meaning and purpose of what was once, a beautiful art.

The LoongTao says, let's take it out back, so I can crush your necks with my right pinkie. Btw, I'm left-handed.