Sushi Son

Finally, after almost a %^$#@& year, we got our 2006 Federal income tax refund!!!

We even scored a wee bit of interest, probably not the amount the IRS would have levied had WE been the ones to pay late. It was my fault for the delay. I completed our joint return and Steven's 1040EZ whilst in a zzzzzzzzzzzz boring meeting last April, and absentmindedly put David's social on both ours and Steven's. Ooooops, the smart-ass IRS computer kicked them both outta the $$$$ queue and into a black hole.

I repeatedly visited the "where's my refund" link on the irs.gov site to check our status. It repeated its monotonous, "Your return has been received and is being processed." After 3 months of checking, i decided to saunter down to the 1st floor of our building and inquire.

After about 15 minutes, a staffer came out and said in a Jack Webb voice, "Did you prepare your tax return for 2006 yourself?"
"Yes, all my myself," I beamed.
"OK, did you prepare a return for anyone else for 2006?"
"Yes," I beamed again.
"Well, ma'am. The problem is this. We have two returns with the same SSN on them. The computer noticed this discrepancy and immediately placed the payments on hold. The returns were assigned to a fixer on July 31. If you don't receive a refund by September, come down again and let us know."

Well, both Vern and I went down several times to bug them, and all we could get was, "The returns are still in processing."

In October, the local office gave V the phone number for the Taxpayer Advocate Service out of Omaha. The lady who accepted our case was very nice, but it still took her until March to fix the two socials. I was about ready to file an amended return (thought about doing that long ago, but since i wasn't advised that this would correct the problem, i didn't bother) when we rec'd a letter from the Advocate telling us that we would break the bank in March. Now I gotta get this year's returns done, and in the process, teach Steven how to do his own, so that i won't screw up again.

We drove to Phoenix last Wednesday to take Steven his new ASU license plate and health insurance card. He works every day, and is taking 2 courses. We know his schedule is quite busy, therefore, we're reluctant to ask him to drive to Tucson.

We visited his current place of employment, Sake-Bomber, where he has been working as a sushi chef since last summer! He made us several creative rolls, and ensured that his Dad's had "cooked" fish and shrimp on them. Even made a non-sushi roll that the place offers for squeamish folks (it has cooked chicken in it).

I was sooo proud of him. He loves the work and if he's happy, I'm happy. They have him on a weekly salary now, no benefits, but it may be that if this is his calling, he'll develop the expertise to play with the big boys. The restaurant is not frou-frou, but definitely not a college joint or chain. Lovely decor, great lighting and great food. It's on the southwest corner of McClintock and Broadway in Tempe.

I have a busy next few weeks, with multiple meetings (day and night) and teaching a class to Forest Service staff in Douglas, AZ.

Hugs to all.
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