Running Bear's January 2026 Coffee Shop

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

I reference to my previous post on deliveries...............

...My rant is over now.

Nice rant!

 

[Kusojiji]

Damn........its all Chinese to me.

Yeah, I have to use the browser to translate most of the time.

 

[Kusojiji]

Here are the highlight of an audit of the St. Louis USPS DC from August of last year. Apparently, nothing has changed since then.

https://bost.house.gov/2025/8/bost-responds-to-results-of-st-louis-postal-processing-center-audit#:~:text=Louis Processing and Distribution Center,that caused widespread delivery delays.

They forgot to mention lack of adequate training and lack of give a sh!t (which goes with accountability).

 

[bnsf971]

Well, I think I filed my taxes. I had to use another company's program because the one I normally use decided I had to file a Medicare additional tax form, even though I don't meet the conditions to file that form. They wanted $49 to file the free form.
So, the second choice program seems to have filed for me, though I didn't get a confirmation.

 

[Kusojiji]

I started gathering my data for my tax forms. Big difference this year is no W-2. Was strange. My bank's interest report is due 1FEB. I think that's what is left. I really hope I over-withheld this year.

 

[Kusojiji]

Over here, the mailman will kill himself to deliver your mail. I saw this on my camera as the delivery guy was delivering my Orient Express train and the mailman just drove between him and my driveway. He only slowed down to stop in front of my neighbors house vice slowing and ensuring there wasn't someone else behind the car. They tend to drive like this all the time and really, I don't care what they do as long as they deliver my mail, but, I don't want to be the guy to run Evel Knievel over.

And this guy drives a battery operated bicycle, so no noise for any possible pedestrians to hear.

 

[chadbag]

I started gathering my data for my tax forms. Big difference this year is no W-2. Was strange. My bank's interest report is due 1FEB. I think that's what is left. I really hope I over-withheld this year.

You have to file Japanese taxes too, right? So you get credit on one for what you pay on the other? At least up to a limit.

 

[Kusojiji]

Yeah, I file goose eggs since all my income is from the US. I am bimbo (poor).

 

[troyphoto]

Went to bed at 9:30. I'm a side sleeper, and due to the Piriformis Syndrome, I've got a pillow between my knees down to my ankle. AND then I have to hop out of bed at 11:30 with the affected leg right on the edge of a charlie cramp.

And I had to pee

I already take magnesium, but with all of the Ibuprofen I'm taking, they may be counteracting.

So, I've been stretching and pacing the basement to walk it out.

But, before bed, I stayed on my Styx kick, and found the albums for Crystal Ball and Cornerstone. I do like the photo covers the best out of their classic line up.

Cornerstone is probably my favorite album out of those covers, but the Equinox cover is my favorite graphic (See Profile pic)

 

[chadbag]

Yeah, I file goose eggs since all my income is from the US. I am bimbo (poor).

I’m not an expert or know anything but when I looked at living in Japan a while (doing remote work from U.S.) it seemed to me Japanese didn’t care where you earned it but that you lived in Japan while earning it.

You may want to have some tax professionals (Japan and U.S. who are familiar with expat scenarios and tax treaties) look into things.

 

[chadbag]

Went to bed at 9:30. I'm a side sleeper, and due to the Piriformis Syndrome, I've got a pillow between my knees down to my ankle. AND then I have to hop out of bed at 11:30 with the affected leg right on the edge of a charlie cramp.

And I had to pee

I already take magnesium, but with all of the Ibuprofen I'm taking, they may be counteracting.

So, I've been stretching and pacing the basement to walk it out.

But, before bed, I stayed on my Styx kick, and found the albums for Crystal Ball and Cornerstone. I do like the photo covers the best out of their classic line up.

Cornerstone is probably my favorite album out of those covers, but the Equinox cover is my favorite graphic (See Profile pic)
View attachment 256229View attachment 256230

I’m partial to the Grand Illusion album.

They’re all interesting however. I have a few different ones but it’s been a while since I’ve dug them out.

Yes is my favorite band but I find “Come Sail Away” by Styx to be one of my favorite and uplifting songs.

 

[Kusojiji]

I’m not an expert or know anything but when I looked at living in Japan a while (doing remote work from U.S.) it seemed to me Japanese didn’t care where you earned it but that you lived in Japan while earning it.

You may want to have some tax professionals (Japan and U.S. who are familiar with expat scenarios and tax treaties) look into things.

That info was from the city tax office. Straight from the horse when I got registered in the city.

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Good morning! It's Thursday, 1°F, COLD and mostly clear.

Have a great day!

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's clear and 30.

 

[NorthBrit]

Good morning all. As mentioned previously we are spending a few days here in Civitavecchia.
I did 'escape' to the railway station.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good morning gang!

4° under clear skies looking for a high today of only 19°. Current feels like temp is -3°.

BBL

 

[strobelight]

Well, I think I filed my taxes. I had to use another company's program because the one I normally use decided I had to file a Medicare additional tax form, even though I don't meet the conditions to file that form. They wanted $49 to file the free form.
So, the second choice program seems to have filed for me, though I didn't get a confirmation.

I need to do that too. I currently use TaxAct but it's been getting more and more expensive each year. I saw a link for medicare recipients for free filing but didn't file it away. But here in Georgia (USA) state tax filing always seems to be an extra fee.

 

[Patrick]

Morning all,

24° and clear, high later of 29°.

Speaking of taxes, I'm still waiting on a 1099-int to be ready to file.

strobelight: Free file here cost extra for the state tax forms. Because I'm moving money from traditional IRA to a Roth, I've had to use a tax consultant the past couple of years. Fortunately, I have had enough withholding that I still have a tax refund. I think in my case it is just easier to let the state and federal have it during the year than try to take it out of either the money I move or try to come up with the thousands to pay in April.

 

[kbkchooch]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday. Wife ordered me hot wire foam tool , a Woodland Scenics static grass applicator and power source, should be here any day! WooHoo!! Gotta love that gal!!

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet peeps and those with pains and aches,

It's Troy again.

Managed to get a couple hours of sleep after the great charlie horse emergency of last night. But I woke up twice more after each hour with that same feeling. Even drank some more apple cider vinegar after the second occurance.

likely culprits seem to be too much pain relievers for too long.

I decided it was time to start working on strengthening the butt muscles to pick up some of the slack the piriformis is doing.

So, I started through the long list of Physical Therapist videos for such. Tried out some that seemed to be lowest impact, and working through those several times today.

Also put the teeter table back into rotation. I tried it early on and that was a mistake since the Piriformis was enraged and didn't want to be stretched. Today is was much better. My goal is to sit in the recliner instead of on the couch. I may need to sit on a pillow in the Lay-z-Boy, but I want to get back to the old routines as soon as possible.

Cat got his heating pad with a fluffy cover yesterday. We'll see if he likes it when he goes to the front windows to soak up his Vitamin D in the sunshine spot.