The Silence is Broken

So, 2008 is already shaping up to be a year of surprises. I returned from Louisiana last Thursday evening, the 3rd. Already, the next day, I was making calls pertaining to my new business and sending out a proposal. By the next day, I had two lunch meetings scheduled for the next week!

And this week has been even busier. Part of me, the part that doesn't want to be disappointed later, thinks -- is this luck? An initial flurry of activity that will subside to be replaced by more difficult days ahead of painstakingly searching for clients?

Either way, this is a great beginning. I'm already working on the PR strategy for a project that I love. This project in particular was kicked off Tuesday with a meeting that was nothing but fun.

I finally reached my accountant today. I was in a panic already because I have an invoice I am to send out ASAP. And for tax purposes and such, I was at a loss as to what to do. Much was clarified by the accountant this morning. I was more than a little surprised to find out all that I can deduct on my taxes since I am working from my home. My new blackberry? Yep. And even a percentage of the cost for getting the car washed and waxed. Lovely. The down side -- our tax bracket is significantly higher than I expected. It could be around 48 percent when all is said and done. Excluding the tax deductions.

In Norway, I paid around 45 percent (roughly, I believe) in income taxes each year. But I didn't have to pay health insurance or a plethora of other services that we do here in the states. So it puzzles me about the overriding attitude concerning socialism here in the states. People somehow still think they will find a way to "beat the system" I suppose. While dreaming the illusive dream of attaining a caviar lifestyle. I'll stop ranting now.

More to come tomorrow. And a picture will follow shortly. We've been lazy with the photos. Meanwhile, I felt a sharp angle of the bean last night ABOVE my belly button. It felt like an elbow. Very odd indeed. And my skin itches. Boooooo.