Things I cant explain
Friday night was an ‘interesting’ journey home in more than a few ways, in truth. I didnt think it was going to be anything out of the ordinary when the bus finally pulled into the bay at Bradford, a few seconds before it was due to leave, with a long queue of people to get on. Lets just say he gave me a pleasant surprise, all loaded quickly, and actually arrived in Huddersfield on time, so fine!
What did make it interesting though, was a couple of events en route, back to Huddersfield. Having made it back almost into Brighouse, we stopped at a bus stop to pick up 2 adults, and 1 child, all seemingly with no health issues, given the full show they gave me. Yes, there is a point in saying that. Clearly there was a discussion going on between the woman, and the driver, as to where they were travelling to, but anyway…
Lets just say, no sooner had they sat down on the bus, and he pulled off, they rang the bell to stop the bus. Yes, thats right, 1 bus stop, and about 500 yards later, they got off the bus again, and walked away! As I say, all could work easily, they were carrying no heavy bags, or anything, and they caught a bus 500 yards! How long they’d waited for that bus, to do that, who knows, but it would only have taken them 3 minutes top, to walk it!
Me, with my damaged back, I walk about 15 minutes, to, and back from Bradford Interchange for work! And they wonder why people are unfit, seriously?
OK, the other amusing event from Friday is something I’m ashamed to have assumed. On same bus journey, on the outskirts of Huddersfield, we stopped to pick up 3 people of around my age, 1 man, and 2 women. I must admit, even when the 2 women sat together on one double seat, and the man sat behind them, that he was the partner of one of the women, and the other was a neighbor, or friend, or… Even when the 2 women were talking happily to each other, and occasionally turning round to talk to him, I still assumed the same, but…
We all got off at Huddersfield Bus Station, the end of the line. Yes, you’ve probably already guessed it, the 2 women walked off arm in arm, the man following behind them! As I say, as an LGBT person myself, it shouldnt throw me, but it did. Just shows, never assume anything!
Lastly, when I got home, there was a letter waiting for me, government envelope, not shocking to see for a Civil Servant. I assumed it was my pension position letter (which actually arrived Saturday), but no, it was from the Tax people, I’d paid too much income tax on the year. Given I was in the same job for the whole year, and pay tax as I earn, I have no idea how it happened. But yes, a nice surprise of £78.20 for me. I fought (quite literally) the government website to be able to reclaim it, but having used it at work of course, that was no great surprise. Eventually, at the second attempt, I wrangled it into submission, and the money will soon be on its way to me.
Sensible says, I put it all aside for savings. Practical says, I put some aside, and treat myself with the rest. Stupid says, spend the lot, its money you didnt know you had, so…
So yes, on Friday, 3 things I couldnt explain! Which leads to tonights video…
Got to pay your taxes!
Well, for forty years or so (just under, will hit that mark in October), I’ve been paying my taxes as a worker in the UK, both as man, and woman, not many get to say that bit, do they? But in the last 6 months or so, there has been a first, paying taxes to the US Government, albeit not very much so far. Why, royalties on book sales of course! One nice thing about the US taxes, all paid as a woman lol! 😛
Over here, every year, you get a form (P60, I believe?) that details all your tax details for the year, so you can see how much you have ‘generously donated’ to our Government, to help pay the bills. Or to help bail out the incompetent bank firms, but enough politics…
This morning, I had post from the US, my tax certificate for last year, showing how much I paid in US taxes. No, its not a great deal, I didnt start publishing until July, and therefore payments only started in September, but its a few dollars, all the same. No form to fill in, offering me citizenship in gratitude though, guess it wasnt enough lol? No, wouldnt have mattered how much it was, but anyway…
And yes, its my own fault I had to pay it, if I had sorted out a TIN number (Tax Identification Number?) when I was in the US, I could have had those few dollars as well, but I was having such a good time, I forgot! And equally, being honest, the cost of calling them from over here, to get it sorted out, would probably be more than my tax bill for the year! So no, not going to worry, just be a good ‘US citizen’ and continue to pay my taxes, as a good girl should. Just wasnt expecting the certificate really, but it makes for a nice souvenir, I guess?
So, if you want me to be an even better US citizen, and give them even more of my money in taxes, buy a few books, by Merry Brooks, please!:) I still get more than they do, lol!
The video, a tribute to those who get to pay far more in US taxes than I do, just hard to believe this song is 30 years old, thats all
stevielounicks 
Recent Comments