Ho-Hum 2023

Personal troubles continue to mount because … well, “things fall apart.” The showers in the gym are still cordoned off with little to no signs of any repair progress. At this point in time, the safe assumption is that the hired contractor has no idea where the leak is. So the dual gym workouts continue.

Nearly a month has elapsed with no mail arriving in the mailbox at the “old folks home” in Waikiki. There has not been any forwarded mail from the former Post Office mailbox either. So, a request was made on-line with USPS to investigate the problem.

With that in mind, none of the necessary tax documents have arrived yet. Fortunately, all but one was available for download on-line. The most important tax document is for Aunty Lyn’s annuity payout, and the latter is not available on-line. Thus, a phone call will be necessary.

There is, however, enough information to at least roughly estimate empire and local tax liabilities. This year, even retirement benefits must be fully included for income calculations. For empire, the total tax liability is $2,888 (with $5,171 already withheld). For Hawai’i, the tax liability is $2,268 (no withholding). So, the total payout for taxes will be a whopping $5,156!

Visible has now made a nice offer to legacy subscribers. Switching to the new standard Visible plan will maintain the $25 per month rate as a “valued customer discount” incentive. Obviously, the deprecation of the legacy plan is on the horizon. The big question … will the conversion cause lots of problems like the pSIM to eSIM fiasco?

Finally, the Mexican buddy, Roberto, has decided to move to Texas next month. He has seen Hawai’i degenerate to the hellhole that it is today. Fortunately, has has family there. And, he also owns a home there which was previously being rented. He will be missed.

Miscellany: A surprising weight gain of four pounds in two months caused some concern initially. However, overall weight is still on the low side. Of course, there was no increase in muscle mass. So, the abdominal area was probably the beneficiary.

Addendum: One of the free fast antigen test kits has been donated to the community table in small lobby in the “old folks home.” The remaining test kits will be donated next weekend.