Three of the only four certainties in life...

[felis_ultharus]

School

I began my researches in earnest this morning, hunting down articles on Timothy Findley. First time I've done anything on a Canadian author and there's been an embarrassment of riches.

The big academic English critics have all noticed Findley. Of course, since the big critics are all idiots, the articles are all idiocy wrapped in thick jargon. One postmodernist seems to have missed the fact entirely that the novel I'm studying mocks postmodernism. It's not even subtle.

Taxes

I have a confession to make. I've never filed a tax return. I don't feel guilty for this for the same reason they never bothered to contact me until last month: they owe me money for every year. One of the few joys of living far below the poverty line. I can still claim most of it, too ^_^

So I'm filing ten years worth of tax returns in addition to researching my essay, writing like a demon, and beginning work on an election, to say nothing of Christmas shopping.

I had to call up the tax hotline with ten years worth of questions, too, which led to this exchange:

Me: I just have a complicated question about common-law marriage.

Long-suffering tax guy: Okay...

Me: It says here that same-sex partners are considered common-law as of 1998, if you've lived together with them for a year. I was with my partner from early January 1997 to late January 1998, and does that mean he was a common-law partner? And what year do I report him as ? 1997? Or 1998?

LSTG: ...

I had to repeat the explanation, but he finally understood and said that since the status was changing around that time, everyone in a same-sex common law relationship around that time has the right to choose their status, whichever's more convenient. Since I have no way of contacting Michael, I'm going to put "single" down on the sheet.

Still, I might be able to claim him as a disabled financial dependant. Is the inability to budget a disability? I certainly was supporting him for most of that year.

Sex

I don't think there's anything morally wrong with it, but I don't think I'll ever understand the attraction of BDSM, though it seems that every second guy I meet is into it.

I'll admit that the train of thought escapes me: "Gosh he's nice, sweet, cute, and fun to be with. I want to hurt him." There seems to be smething missing in this equation for me.

Still, our current houseguest was once heavily into BDSM, as a "slave." He told us last night that he knew a guy who asked someone to dress up in a rubber suit and do the dishes and other housework for him.

The thought of having good-looking men in tight outfits wandering my house and doing housework is attractive, I must admit. I wonder if I can fake being into BDSM long enough to get the living room and bathroom clean...?

And will we now have to refer to Ward and June Cleaver as a "dom" and a "sub"?

Comics

Funny how an unhappy carton that sums up your own rotten mood can actually make you happy. My friend Sean put this one online at just the right moment for me. Been trying to turn it into an LJ icon, but it never comes out looking right:

Comments

[em-fish.livejournal.com]

It really stews my onions when I hear about people being jumped on for being vanilla. Understanding is a two-way street.

I am sorry I lectured you - my head hurts like I have been hit in the head with a sledgehammer, and has since yesterday, and it's making me feel agressive and clouding my judgement. Sometimes I feel like to putting on my monocle and pretending to be smrt, but I don't always pick the best venue.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

You don't have to pretend to be smart, my dear. It's self-evident ^_^

And I'm sorry to hear how ill you are :(