WHAT’S ON MY MIND
Taxes. I haven’t received all of my 1099 forms yet, but I discovered I made more investment income than I thought in 2023. My mutual funds surprised me with how much taxable income they generated through dividends and trades.
In my mind, this justifies my decision to walk away from an employer that was killing me slowly. Alternately, that header image is me thinking about how much I'll pay in taxes this year despite being retired. I guess this will be the new normal going forward.
WHAT I BOUGHT
This spiralizer and slicer attachment was delivered to my front porch on Monday morning. I wanted to satisfy a certain food craving, so the Kitchen-Aid stand mixer will no longer catch dust in the corner of my kitchen counter.
WHAT I ATE, PART I
Zoodles, also known as spiralized zucchini noodles. I made a sauceless pasta dish a couple of times this week. The first time I made zoodles they were a soggy mess due to not drying them properly and overcooking them. The second time they weren’t quite cooked to al dente but were otherwise good.
I’m making them again tonight with andouille sausage for a somewhat sinful dinner, and hopefully I’ll cook them just right this time.
I used a spatula to spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on top of the salmon before pressing a crust mixture onto it. It was scrumptious, and I will now eat salmon this way going forward.
WHAT I LISTENED TO
No podcasts this week. I had to concentrate during my writing time.
WHAT I READ
I read my own novel in addition to this week's new manga. I’ll explain why later. Moving on…
WHAT I’M WATCHING
NASCAR’s Xfiniti Series. For the first time since President Obama’s second term (I think), I watched an entire NASCAR race on Monday night and enjoyed it. Shane Van Gisbergen, aka SVG, finished 12th at Daytona, and I look forward to watching him race at Atlanta this afternoon.
WHAT MADE ME LAUGH
Eric Hosmer’s “self awareness”. The recently retired baseball player stated during his first podcast this past week that he couldn’t play baseball anymore once he realized he couldn’t give 110 percent.
Uhhh… San Diegans realized that about Hosmer not long after he signed with the Padres as a free agent back in 2018.
WHAT MADE ME CRINGE
Even though Hosmer is now retired, the Padres still have to pay him $13 million both this year and in 2025. At least the tale of Bobby Bonilla Day is hilarious due to Bernie Madoff’s involvement. This just feels like paying full price for Zack Snyder's Suicide Squad on Blu-Ray.
WHO’S IN SLAP COURT THIS WEEK
The defendants: Major League Baseball
The crime: The new uniforms are made with a special fabric that will let fans get more up close and personal with their favorite players this season. Especially the ones that don’t wear undershirts and/or shorts beneath them.
The verdict: Guilty as sin. For Commissioner Rob Manfred’s punishment I’ll “make it hail” sideways so it hurts.
FYI, Bryce Harper usually wears a baggy uniform so don’t get your hopes up too much the next time the Phillies have a rain delay.
WHO DESERVES A FIST BUMP
Aussie racer Thomas Randle. His wet weather driving during the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race convinced me he can contend for this year’s Repco Supercars championship as long as the Ford Mustang that races down under doesn’t run like dog shit like it did most of last season.
WHAT’S UP WITH MY HEALTH
I tested my blood the morning after eating the crusted salmon and my glucose reading was well within normal limits for a non-diabetic. I also lost 1.4 pounds despite fighting a lingering head cold most of this week and abstaining from exercise until I feel better.
WHAT’S UP WITH MY WRIT —ERR, I MEAN READING
This week I read the second draft of my novel, and I had an Open Office text document window open to take notes. I took no prisoners while reading my manuscript, and I believe the writing is still rough in some scenes. There were a few scenes that require nothing more than little polish, so that made me feel better about my writing. I’m glad I took this unflinching look at my novel. I have a better understanding of what needs to be fixed, and it also steeled my nerves for the day when an editor or a beta reader scrutinizes my writing.
The fact is, I need to get better if I want someone to publish this novel. Even if that publisher is me.
I hope your head cold is gone soon. Love that you treated yourself to the spiralizer. I just don't know if I'd use it enough so let me know if you keep with it. Zucchini noodles are so good and your plate is making me hungry!! Salmon and Dijon are a match made in heaven. That is so impressive that you're sticking with the writing and editing getting the book together the way you want. So many people give up too quickly. I hope you have a great weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, and have a good weekend as well. Reading my second draft wasn't as demoralizing as I thought it would be. There are times when I'll read a new book and wonder why it was published. Then I'll read something else that makes me wonder if I'm doing it right.
DeleteHoney, I'd like to see Bryce Harper up close and personal!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I think there's a line that's longer than the one for Disney's Matterhorn!
DeleteGood updates, these. I would love to get me a add-on for the mix master to make noodles.
ReplyDeleteYou have one? You must get a few of them. They definitely make it so you use it regularly for things other than mixing cake batter.
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