Sunday, September 30, 2012

Crazy. Just plain crazy.


We all have those friends...sometimes we are those friends....that always have the crazy outlandish ideas. Like Christmas with the Penguins or buying a beach house. You always say "OMG! Yes that would be awesome!" because it does sound awesome and you want to be supportive of their run away daydreams but with full expectation that you will never actually have to pay up because said ideas are legitimately crazy. 

Well that "friend" is actually my boss. That crazy idea is working in India for 6 weeks. and today is payday. 

So here I am. In the business class lounge of Dubai waiting for my flight to India...when did that happen?

I'm looking around and suddenly realize...I had forgotten to wear my Armani powersuit for my 15 hour plane flight!...oh wait, I don't have one of those...business people are silly...

I feel like a kid playing dress up...similar to this 

I feel excited about a new adventure. 

I feel spoiled for being in business class. 

I feel F.O.M.O. (fear of missing out) for life back in SoCal. 

I feel honored to be trusted to go on this rotation. 

and

I feel terrified. 

Terrified of being inadequate
Terrified of failing
Terrified of not living up to expectations

When I cannot see the process, I doubt the outcome with greater fervor than Thomas

I don't know where my hotel is.
I don't know how far from the office I am staying. 
I don't know anyone working out there. 
I don't know Indian culture 

New York was the same way. I was scared to get on that plane...I just hid it from most people. But I was fine once I got there. 

But right now...

So much unknown. 

And yet this is just one example of how I am called to sit in the unknown and listen and trust and be. 

Be. 

So here is to trusting the minimally illuminated process because God is good and is one great storyteller.

I'm going to go find some free beverages to toast with....

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Top 10 Myths about Tax Accountants

1. We are boring.
See below:

2. We are good with numbers
Contrary to popular belief accountants are not good with numbers. In fact we are severely crippled by the "=sum" function in excel. In fact the other day I had to confirm that 8 - 3 = 5 to know the PST start time for a Monday Night Football game. So please, please, please, please, do not give us the check to split up. I will either rig credit card roulette or order the most expensive meal and say "split it evenly".

3. We are only busy in April.
That's a funny joke. No really, keep going.

PSA from all tax accountants out there: 
A. ONE filing deadline is April 15th (supposedly... *cough* weekends/ D.C.'s emancipation day*cough*) However, work has to be done before we file...
B. There is a thing called an extension. No I am not talking about that bight orange cord you use to get your Christmas lights plugged in...that puts us at another 5-6 months out, so September 15th or October 15th
C. What's this? A May 26th year end? Looks like I'm getting Thanksgiving on the Company...

So yes. We are in "busy season" 6-7 months of the year...please plan meal deliveries accordingly because this inevitably happens...

 http://howshouldweaccountforme.tumblr.com/post/29836564299/when-you-optimistically-dive-into-busy-season





4. We are nerds
Half true...ok, mostly true...exhibit A:







5. There is a friends and family tax preparation discount.
Well my bill rate is a little high. But I would settle for a cookie....from my favorite bakery...in New York...fresh, please...that should call it even...













6. We never leave our cubes.
I went to New York last year for work. What did you do?

7. We can say "no" to work
You go tell your boss that you don't want to work certain hours because they are cramping your social calendar and let me know how that goes...











8. We are swimming in cash
Unless you are talking about a kiddie pool, I don't understand the statement













9. We NEED coffee to survive
We can quit anytime. Promise.






10. We are anti-social and friendless.
I could not do busy season without my friends. Both in and outside of work. End of story.