![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
More on expat US taxes
Apr. 26th, 2025 04:18 pmHaving already complained about the IRS expecting expats to file taxes but often requiring them to have a US telephone number, I should note that I was lucky enough to set up my EFTPS account before allowing my US cellphone plan to lapse and I have remained able to use it since.
An interesting aspect of US taxes is how individuals have many options for how to file. Some of those choices affect and may even constrain future years. In my limited experience, this is in marked difference to the UK where, as an individual, if I must file at all then I just tell them what happened and they go away and figure it out for me and explain what they did.
As a US expat, a particular set of choices is how to handle my employment income. I can try excluding it using form 2555, I can try to get credit for the tax paid using form 1116, I can try deducting that tax on Schedule A, etc. (I itemize because I can deduct my mortgage interest.) Furthermore, I can combine these: e.g., excluding part of the income then applying another form to the pro-rated remainder. Then, I get to try out different form 1040 tax worksheets to see how it works out in each case. So far, I've not needed form 1116 but it's always worth checking. Annoyingly, a few years ago they changed the law such that I can't deduct UK council tax, though at least my reading of the US-UK tax treaty suggests that I can deduct my payroll-deducted pension contributions. (There's also a social security treaty that can be useful for self-employment tax.)
An interesting aspect of US taxes is how individuals have many options for how to file. Some of those choices affect and may even constrain future years. In my limited experience, this is in marked difference to the UK where, as an individual, if I must file at all then I just tell them what happened and they go away and figure it out for me and explain what they did.
As a US expat, a particular set of choices is how to handle my employment income. I can try excluding it using form 2555, I can try to get credit for the tax paid using form 1116, I can try deducting that tax on Schedule A, etc. (I itemize because I can deduct my mortgage interest.) Furthermore, I can combine these: e.g., excluding part of the income then applying another form to the pro-rated remainder. Then, I get to try out different form 1040 tax worksheets to see how it works out in each case. So far, I've not needed form 1116 but it's always worth checking. Annoyingly, a few years ago they changed the law such that I can't deduct UK council tax, though at least my reading of the US-UK tax treaty suggests that I can deduct my payroll-deducted pension contributions. (There's also a social security treaty that can be useful for self-employment tax.)
Short-term memory for to-do's
Feb. 15th, 2025 10:44 amWhen I used to exercise frequently, commonly I would think about things while I worked out. I would accumulate items to note for later and, toward the end of my half-hour-ish workout, I would have accumulated enough of these to challenge my short-term memory. These days, the same kind of thing can happen while I take a bath.
Yesterday was unusual. First, I woke up, thought of some things while in bed then got up to note them. Then, I took a bath and thought of more to note. Before work, I thought of more. These were all work-related to-do's. By the time my workday started, I had accumulated sixteen of them. Some of them were quick tasks, some took longer. By the end of the day, I had completed ten of them.
Yesterday was unusual. First, I woke up, thought of some things while in bed then got up to note them. Then, I took a bath and thought of more to note. Before work, I thought of more. These were all work-related to-do's. By the time my workday started, I had accumulated sixteen of them. Some of them were quick tasks, some took longer. By the end of the day, I had completed ten of them.
Dentistry for the faint-hearted
Jan. 18th, 2025 08:53 pmI have receding gums and my teeth are somewhat exposed toward the root. It is with considerable trepidation that I face cleanings from a dental hygienist. One cleaning I had back in Dundee had my teeth still aching for a couple of days afterward.
My present dentist is quite excellent. It was only through unusual luck that I was able to land them as an NHS rather than a private patient. Given my past experiences, what we do is: when a cleaning is due, they do half my mouth in a session: four injections to numb one side, then the cleaning is under local anæsthetic and, so far, after the anæsthetic wears off a few hours later, I remain pain- and ache-free. That, I could get used to.
I wish that I had been born a little later when we could just adjust our bodies to keep on producing teeth, or at least when we could grow clones of our teeth that can be popped in when the current are in poor shape. I remain impressed that our cells organize themselves into the structures of our various teeth.
My present dentist is quite excellent. It was only through unusual luck that I was able to land them as an NHS rather than a private patient. Given my past experiences, what we do is: when a cleaning is due, they do half my mouth in a session: four injections to numb one side, then the cleaning is under local anæsthetic and, so far, after the anæsthetic wears off a few hours later, I remain pain- and ache-free. That, I could get used to.
I wish that I had been born a little later when we could just adjust our bodies to keep on producing teeth, or at least when we could grow clones of our teeth that can be popped in when the current are in poor shape. I remain impressed that our cells organize themselves into the structures of our various teeth.
American election
Nov. 23rd, 2024 04:53 pmSome comment following the US election seems warranted. Since the results became clear, I felt some loss of hope. We have not been much following the news, and I am putting this entry mostly under cuts for those who would similarly like to skip politics for a while.
( I am unhappy with the US Republicans and UK Conservatives. )
( I am disappointed by many voters and I worry about the coming administration. )
( It is good that we settled in Scotland instead. )
( I am unhappy with the US Republicans and UK Conservatives. )
( I am disappointed by many voters and I worry about the coming administration. )
( It is good that we settled in Scotland instead. )
Busy with work and family
Dec. 3rd, 2023 05:29 pmI have not posted any entries here for well over a month. It's because I find myself short of time for doing personal things on the computer. I have not even addressed the various minor computer issues that I mentioned previously.
One reason for my being short of time is that I have been putting plenty of hours in with my day job. As well as learning my way around, I am now leading the delivery of an overdue project, mixing both people and project management with coding. This suits me well, it's what I am good at and what is needed, and I am paid decently for my efforts and experience, but it leaves me with little spare time on weekdays.
Another reason is that we now have a puppy, mostly a brindle Shih Tzu but clearly a bit of something else too, his snout is a little longer which may help his respiration. He is very much R.'s but we all help out and I love to be with R. so I will tend to come along on walks and suchlike when I can. He gets on reasonably with our two kittens, now they are used to each other. I was interested to find that, even on his short legs, he can outrun me. For running, rather than alternating paws for his steps, he switches to bounding with bilateral symmetry in how he moves. This weekend, he's learned to enjoy snow.
These changes raise some questions. With working, happily being with R., helping with pressing chores, winding down at the end of the evenings, I don't have much time left for lower-priority pursuits like personal computing, social media, playing music, etc. I should figure out what is important enough and how to fit it in, and deal with that the list cannot be as long as I might like.
One reason for my being short of time is that I have been putting plenty of hours in with my day job. As well as learning my way around, I am now leading the delivery of an overdue project, mixing both people and project management with coding. This suits me well, it's what I am good at and what is needed, and I am paid decently for my efforts and experience, but it leaves me with little spare time on weekdays.
Another reason is that we now have a puppy, mostly a brindle Shih Tzu but clearly a bit of something else too, his snout is a little longer which may help his respiration. He is very much R.'s but we all help out and I love to be with R. so I will tend to come along on walks and suchlike when I can. He gets on reasonably with our two kittens, now they are used to each other. I was interested to find that, even on his short legs, he can outrun me. For running, rather than alternating paws for his steps, he switches to bounding with bilateral symmetry in how he moves. This weekend, he's learned to enjoy snow.
These changes raise some questions. With working, happily being with R., helping with pressing chores, winding down at the end of the evenings, I don't have much time left for lower-priority pursuits like personal computing, social media, playing music, etc. I should figure out what is important enough and how to fit it in, and deal with that the list cannot be as long as I might like.
A drive around England
Sep. 28th, 2023 04:50 pm( I have some time off in between jobs so we went on a trip. )
( We drove around England and were lucky with weather and traffic. )
( An Army museum turned out to be worth visiting. )
( Stonehenge involves a bit of walking. )
( We also walked around central London. )
( I visited where I had lived as a child. )
( I don't know why I don't much like London. )
( We drove around England and were lucky with weather and traffic. )
( An Army museum turned out to be worth visiting. )
( Stonehenge involves a bit of walking. )
( We also walked around central London. )
( I visited where I had lived as a child. )
( I don't know why I don't much like London. )
Curious about fundamental physics
Aug. 24th, 2023 05:56 amWhen applying to universities for my first degree, I largely targeted four-year courses in theoretical physics. I achieved A grades in A-level pure maths, applied maths, physics, and was most curious about fundamental physics. I am not a genius but I am interested and capable, I could have hoped to understand plenty and figure out at least something more.
What actually happened is that I noticed that the University of Cambridge's tripos system at the time allowed me to apply for computer science, switch to natural sciences after the first year, and still do as much mathematics and physics as the physicists. I considered applying for maths there instead but did not want the hassle of caring about STEP papers on top of my examination load (I actually took four A-levels and another GCSE).
Once studying at Cambridge, I was bothered by that, in the final term of my freshman year, we were getting ongoing updates from physics lecturers about what may or may not be examinable. It turned out that they were in the midst of redesigning the physics course. Then, the mock examination was far easier than the real final. Reasoning that they were incompetently making up a new undergraduate course as they went along, I bailed and stuck with computer science, rather than remain among their year of guinea pigs.
The above is background for: I never lost my curiosity about physics, even though I know that, by the time I might plausibly get to study properly, I will be decades behind others and my faculties will be waning. I read things about, say, parity violation and the weak force: how we have only left-handed neutrinos that experience only that force, that it doesn't affect right-handed electrons, etc., and there is such a sense of
What actually happened is that I noticed that the University of Cambridge's tripos system at the time allowed me to apply for computer science, switch to natural sciences after the first year, and still do as much mathematics and physics as the physicists. I considered applying for maths there instead but did not want the hassle of caring about STEP papers on top of my examination load (I actually took four A-levels and another GCSE).
Once studying at Cambridge, I was bothered by that, in the final term of my freshman year, we were getting ongoing updates from physics lecturers about what may or may not be examinable. It turned out that they were in the midst of redesigning the physics course. Then, the mock examination was far easier than the real final. Reasoning that they were incompetently making up a new undergraduate course as they went along, I bailed and stuck with computer science, rather than remain among their year of guinea pigs.
The above is background for: I never lost my curiosity about physics, even though I know that, by the time I might plausibly get to study properly, I will be decades behind others and my faculties will be waning. I read things about, say, parity violation and the weak force: how we have only left-handed neutrinos that experience only that force, that it doesn't affect right-handed electrons, etc., and there is such a sense of
what is going on?that demands explanatory hypotheses investigated using maths and computing. I envy those who get to search for the answers even though, regarding the greenness of grass, I probably took the better-paid option.
More on taxes
Aug. 3rd, 2023 01:13 pmIn addition to the previous, now I have notification from the UK tax authorities* that they are adjusting my payroll deductions because they expect me to owe a bit of tax this year. We shall see how that goes.
For US readers: it's as if they automatically manage one's Form W-4 withholding. In general, the UK system puts rather less work on the taxpayer.
*HMRC, who have a large office within a short walk of my flat
For US readers: it's as if they automatically manage one's Form W-4 withholding. In general, the UK system puts rather less work on the taxpayer.
*HMRC, who have a large office within a short walk of my flat
Update on taxes
Aug. 3rd, 2023 09:40 amI was reviewing my papers and discovered a misfiled 1099-S from 2022, I had put it in the house file instead of the higher-priority tax file. The IRS haven't seemed to mind that I hadn't noticed it but it does mean that I am supposed to report it on Form 8949, which will be easy in this case: it's about the sale of my main home, in which I lived long enough to adjust the whole gain away, and I am already using Schedule D anyway.
In consequently reviewing last year's US tax return, I also realized that I may be able to claim a bit more than I had, by adjusting Form 2555 a little and combining it with a Form 1116, so the effort is probably worthwhile. I should probably have done this in 2012 also but never mind, it's far too late now. Last year's taxes were always going to be tricky but this year's should be far simpler.
One thing that I find odd about US tax law is how much is left to the filer to decide in non-trivial strategy, much a
So, this weekend, I plan to figure an amended 2022 return, including the missing but inconsequential Form 8949 and also using Form 1116 to improve my situation, and post that off to Austin, TX. I shall probably not have to face anything worse than a couple of worksheets, fortunately I don't have qualified dividends or the like.
In consequently reviewing last year's US tax return, I also realized that I may be able to claim a bit more than I had, by adjusting Form 2555 a little and combining it with a Form 1116, so the effort is probably worthwhile. I should probably have done this in 2012 also but never mind, it's far too late now. Last year's taxes were always going to be tricky but this year's should be far simpler.
One thing that I find odd about US tax law is how much is left to the filer to decide in non-trivial strategy, much a
here are the rules, now play the game and try to win the most, made worse by the fact that a decision in one tax year may constrain the available options in later years. Though I shan't attempt it, it even works backward: at first glance, my use of Form 1116 in 2022 looks to enable me to amend my 2021 return to claim more back, but that way madness lies.
So, this weekend, I plan to figure an amended 2022 return, including the missing but inconsequential Form 8949 and also using Form 1116 to improve my situation, and post that off to Austin, TX. I shall probably not have to face anything worse than a couple of worksheets, fortunately I don't have qualified dividends or the like.
Difficulty staying on course
Jul. 25th, 2023 11:41 amIn recent times, I have not enjoyed an abundance of energy and willpower. Of course, all the house-moving and setup and whatnot has been quite the stressor. Still, all that is now mostly past. Things still go wrong with the flat, the latest is that next I must chase an installer harder about some bad wiring they did, and money remains tight while we pay off the flat setup. On the other hand, I have R. here with me, they are a great help in various ways, so it's just not me dealing with things as it was back in Tennessee.
Aside from my regular full-time work, I try to do something each day, whether a chore or some more leisurely expedition. For example, on Sunday we explored Pollok Country Park then sat a while in the sunshine, reading, and yesterday we shopped for groceries, and for items for high school next month. So, things do get done. But, quite often, I do no more than one per day: after that, I feel tired, ready to just rest, watch television, whatever before bed.
My eating is not going as I might hope. I make plenty of good decisions, just some bad ones too, the overall effect being insufficient discipline to stay on track. This is partly a money thing: in checking discount expires-soon shelving, it is difficult to pass up anything both tasty and cheap. However, it's mostly me just feeling tired and hungry and thinking,
I do think that I shall get there in the end but right now it feels like it will be a slow journey. The money situation will ease (though I wish the mortgage were on US interest rates) and we'll crawl ahead on our to-do's, as we settle they should arise with less frequency, but all this takes time.
Aside from my regular full-time work, I try to do something each day, whether a chore or some more leisurely expedition. For example, on Sunday we explored Pollok Country Park then sat a while in the sunshine, reading, and yesterday we shopped for groceries, and for items for high school next month. So, things do get done. But, quite often, I do no more than one per day: after that, I feel tired, ready to just rest, watch television, whatever before bed.
My eating is not going as I might hope. I make plenty of good decisions, just some bad ones too, the overall effect being insufficient discipline to stay on track. This is partly a money thing: in checking discount expires-soon shelving, it is difficult to pass up anything both tasty and cheap. However, it's mostly me just feeling tired and hungry and thinking,
screw it, let's eat a nice thing.
I do think that I shall get there in the end but right now it feels like it will be a slow journey. The money situation will ease (though I wish the mortgage were on US interest rates) and we'll crawl ahead on our to-do's, as we settle they should arise with less frequency, but all this takes time.
Interrupted personal computing
Jul. 20th, 2023 03:03 pmI have had an eventful few days after spilling coffee on my laptop computer. As a rule, I try to keep drinks separately from, and preferably lower, than the computer, but I violated it thoughtlessly. After drying my computer out, opening, inspecting, cleaning, experimenting, it responds to input if the SSD hard drive is not inserted. With the drive in, it freezes at the BIOS welcome screen. The drive is unreadable in a USB enclosure so, although the drive is on the opposite side of the motherboard from the coffee impact, it appears to have been catastrophically destroyed by the incident.
Through further faults of mine, I am behind on both noting more recent passwords in some written form and on backing up my laptop. With all the moving house and catching up with other deferred chores, especially given now being in a small flat, my personal computing remains in disarray. So, I screwed up in a few ways at once. Fortunately, a path remained to make these mistakes far less consequential than they could have been. While moving house and setting up the new flat, at least I had made encrypted remote backups of some of the more critical items.
My data is linked by a varied and idiosyncratic arrangement of memorized descrambling algorithms, of keys, passwords and passphrases, and of variously encrypted archives of various things in various places. I got around to unpacking the hardware that allows me to read the old backup (and make new ones!) and finally worked out a half-remembered descrambling algorithm and, between them, they bootstrapped a chain of each step unlocking the next as I regained access to things, including those more up-to-date critical items.
I also used all this, another computer, and Docker, to create a virtual environment that lets me do the more important things for which I had used my original laptop; one puzzle there was in discovering
Through further faults of mine, I am behind on both noting more recent passwords in some written form and on backing up my laptop. With all the moving house and catching up with other deferred chores, especially given now being in a small flat, my personal computing remains in disarray. So, I screwed up in a few ways at once. Fortunately, a path remained to make these mistakes far less consequential than they could have been. While moving house and setting up the new flat, at least I had made encrypted remote backups of some of the more critical items.
My data is linked by a varied and idiosyncratic arrangement of memorized descrambling algorithms, of keys, passwords and passphrases, and of variously encrypted archives of various things in various places. I got around to unpacking the hardware that allows me to read the old backup (and make new ones!) and finally worked out a half-remembered descrambling algorithm and, between them, they bootstrapped a chain of each step unlocking the next as I regained access to things, including those more up-to-date critical items.
I also used all this, another computer, and Docker, to create a virtual environment that lets me do the more important things for which I had used my original laptop; one puzzle there was in discovering
X11UseLocalhost. In due course, I shall put a new hard drive into the real laptop computer and gladly get back to using that one instead.Annoyance with the IRS
Jul. 1st, 2023 07:48 pmI realized that I have yet to provide an update here on filing last year's US taxes. Of course, I started out 2022 working in the US, I moved to Scotland as last summer started. One good thing was very unusual for me: I could use the IRS' free fillable forms. In previous years I had a paper attachment to include, and in coming years I shan't have a US telephone number but, this year, I still have the tail end of my cellphone service from living in Eastern Tennessee. Another good thing was, because of how the US and UK handle income tax, a mid-year move from the US to the UK tends to bring a refund from each. Of course, the UK remains in stark contrast to the US: I didn't even have to file anything here: shortly after the tax year ended, I simply received a letter bearing a calculation and a check.
For the IRS, a disappointing surprise was the impact of R. being my non-resident alien spouse. I had naively imagined that we would get them an ITIN and file jointly. In reality, several years ago, ITIN rules tightened rather, though it probably remains possible if we use the services of a specific tax advisor out near Falkirk. Even then, filing jointly in our situation means that R. would have to continue filing (a pain for expats in the event of self-employment, etc.) unless then opting not to, after which we could never file jointly again. Between the extra filing hassle, and the long-term impact, I opted to instead forego the higher standard deduction. I could still change my mind and amend.
Were my income from here substantially higher, the limit on the foreign earned income exclusion may incentivize us to file jointly anyway. That would be a nice problem to have but I expect it to remain hypothetical, and instead opting to claim foreign tax credit could render it moot, I've never had to investigate those details.
For the IRS, a disappointing surprise was the impact of R. being my non-resident alien spouse. I had naively imagined that we would get them an ITIN and file jointly. In reality, several years ago, ITIN rules tightened rather, though it probably remains possible if we use the services of a specific tax advisor out near Falkirk. Even then, filing jointly in our situation means that R. would have to continue filing (a pain for expats in the event of self-employment, etc.) unless then opting not to, after which we could never file jointly again. Between the extra filing hassle, and the long-term impact, I opted to instead forego the higher standard deduction. I could still change my mind and amend.
Were my income from here substantially higher, the limit on the foreign earned income exclusion may incentivize us to file jointly anyway. That would be a nice problem to have but I expect it to remain hypothetical, and instead opting to claim foreign tax credit could render it moot, I've never had to investigate those details.
Settling somewhat into the flat
May. 20th, 2023 05:04 am( After moving to the new flat, still plenty to do but much now done. )
( I think it was a good move. )
( Since the move, money will be tight for some time yet. )
My eldest happened to be nearby around their birthday so I got to walk over a couple of times and say hello, which was great. I've not been able to see my kids as much in recent months, with all the property viewings, the move and setup, etc. Maybe next weekend, here's hoping.
( I think it was a good move. )
( Since the move, money will be tight for some time yet. )
My eldest happened to be nearby around their birthday so I got to walk over a couple of times and say hello, which was great. I've not been able to see my kids as much in recent months, with all the property viewings, the move and setup, etc. Maybe next weekend, here's hoping.
Within the Clockwork Orange
Apr. 15th, 2023 04:31 amAberdeen is a pleasant city. It's walkable, pretty, bordered by plenty of beach, within an easy drive of the UK's largest National Park, and there are various IT job opportunities. Still, secondary schooling has been an ongoing issue for us. We wish to live fairly centrally and, despite having arrived last year in its catchment zone, the only decent central high school can't guarantee to take our youngest even for the coming academic year.
I was born in Manchester, have lived in the metro area of three US state capitals, and R.'s mostly lived in Metro Manila and Singapore: we're both at home in large cities, and being in the heart of a city maximizes our opportunity to find agreeable activities, as it's easier to find like-minded poeple close at hand. In a few weeks' time, we expect to be moving to the heart of Glasgow, to a modest converted flat in between a subway station and the south bank of the Clyde. The local high school gets good reviews and has hardly any waiting list. The building's ground floor is largely a car park in which we would have a space.
I think it will be a good move. We can get our youngest back into regular education, we'll have the best of Scotland's largest city close at hand, and its capital, my employer's base of Edinburgh, within rather easier reach. I'll also be nearer family in the northwest of England. Coincidentally, my eldest is visiting Glasgow next month anyway, within a mile of to where we're moving.
The Glasgow property market's rather harder to buy into than Aberdeen's, property typically sells quickly and in excess of its valuation. We had to drive over there quite enough times for viewings, difficult around full-time work, so I am glad that the conveyancing is now making good progress through this next phase. Edinburgh's out of our comfortable price range but we could just about make it for Glasgow. I think we'll be happy to stay there for quite some years.
I was born in Manchester, have lived in the metro area of three US state capitals, and R.'s mostly lived in Metro Manila and Singapore: we're both at home in large cities, and being in the heart of a city maximizes our opportunity to find agreeable activities, as it's easier to find like-minded poeple close at hand. In a few weeks' time, we expect to be moving to the heart of Glasgow, to a modest converted flat in between a subway station and the south bank of the Clyde. The local high school gets good reviews and has hardly any waiting list. The building's ground floor is largely a car park in which we would have a space.
I think it will be a good move. We can get our youngest back into regular education, we'll have the best of Scotland's largest city close at hand, and its capital, my employer's base of Edinburgh, within rather easier reach. I'll also be nearer family in the northwest of England. Coincidentally, my eldest is visiting Glasgow next month anyway, within a mile of to where we're moving.
The Glasgow property market's rather harder to buy into than Aberdeen's, property typically sells quickly and in excess of its valuation. We had to drive over there quite enough times for viewings, difficult around full-time work, so I am glad that the conveyancing is now making good progress through this next phase. Edinburgh's out of our comfortable price range but we could just about make it for Glasgow. I think we'll be happy to stay there for quite some years.
A New Year
Jan. 1st, 2023 11:45 amI hope this new year's generally happy for all, nightly television news reports notwithstanding. On our side, domestically, there's a lot of settling to do yet, after our relocation: over the course of the year, I hope that we make our way into some stable longer-term situation (home, school, work, budget, etc.) that makes us happy. We'll certainly try. December was rather more a month of one-offs and feet-finding.
R. instigated a visit to the city centre for the Hogmanay concert and fireworks, I'm glad they did, it went well. It wasn't too cold, windy, or wet, just moderately so, it was nice to see the concert, from a distance given that we are not fans of crowds and noise, and the firework display. Walking back reminded me of my college days, when I'd also walk in a group in a British city to some event or other, even to the dark and the mist for getting back near home.
A guess occurred to me for why some of these events have multiple exits but only once entrance: perhaps to ease the ingress security for keeping the event clear of undesirable people and things.
R. instigated a visit to the city centre for the Hogmanay concert and fireworks, I'm glad they did, it went well. It wasn't too cold, windy, or wet, just moderately so, it was nice to see the concert, from a distance given that we are not fans of crowds and noise, and the firework display. Walking back reminded me of my college days, when I'd also walk in a group in a British city to some event or other, even to the dark and the mist for getting back near home.
A guess occurred to me for why some of these events have multiple exits but only once entrance: perhaps to ease the ingress security for keeping the event clear of undesirable people and things.
Finding books for me
Dec. 1st, 2022 08:40 pmIt occurred to me that mentioning some of the more favored books that I own might be a useful way for me to share about myself and, best of all, inspire recommendations of ones I'd like.
I'll skip some categories for various reasons, including that they may not serve such purposes well, or there were too many CueCat*-resistant exceptions. Those exceptions include, ( some reference books and other staples. )
( I own books about computer music, etc., )
( about how to approach life, )
( about Christianity, )
( history, )
( food, )
( the paranormal, UFOs, etc., )
( various fiction. )
It's worth noting that many of these are older books that have survived multiple culls, in some cases been replaced. This makes me suspect that I missed out on some worthwhile books in more recent years.
*A barcode scanner, perfect for ISBNs. The business model may have been justly derided but the device itself is an ongoing boon.
I'll skip some categories for various reasons, including that they may not serve such purposes well, or there were too many CueCat*-resistant exceptions. Those exceptions include, ( some reference books and other staples. )
( I own books about computer music, etc., )
( about how to approach life, )
( about Christianity, )
( history, )
( food, )
( the paranormal, UFOs, etc., )
( various fiction. )
It's worth noting that many of these are older books that have survived multiple culls, in some cases been replaced. This makes me suspect that I missed out on some worthwhile books in more recent years.
*A barcode scanner, perfect for ISBNs. The business model may have been justly derided but the device itself is an ongoing boon.
A quiet Thanksgiving before relocation
Nov. 24th, 2022 05:10 pmThis year, I am short of time off work, also busy with plenty of non-work things, both largely related to my relocation from the US and my wife's relocating from here in SE Asia. Between that, and my not presently being near anybody or anywhere that has historically celebrated Thanksgiving, I am barely marking it this year. A somewhat more normal service may be resumed next year in Scotland but, in the meantime, I certainly wish everybody else a great holiday.
It is strange to no longer expect to live in the US. It had been my long-term plan, and it was very nice to be back there for a while. School shootings may have been the last straw. Rural America might have worked for me alone but Scotland feels a rather better and safer place for my family. There is a lot to appreciate about life in Aberdeen. No one place has All the Things, at least no place I can afford, so every choice brings tradeoffs, lives not lived.
This year, I am thankful to have my wife right here in the room with me, and for our having plenty to look forward to. I easily grow attached to places. Perhaps next Thanksgiving we will all be happily settled in our new home and will take the opportunity to appreciate that.
It is strange to no longer expect to live in the US. It had been my long-term plan, and it was very nice to be back there for a while. School shootings may have been the last straw. Rural America might have worked for me alone but Scotland feels a rather better and safer place for my family. There is a lot to appreciate about life in Aberdeen. No one place has All the Things, at least no place I can afford, so every choice brings tradeoffs, lives not lived.
This year, I am thankful to have my wife right here in the room with me, and for our having plenty to look forward to. I easily grow attached to places. Perhaps next Thanksgiving we will all be happily settled in our new home and will take the opportunity to appreciate that.
Emotion in dreams; erratic sleep
Oct. 20th, 2022 10:32 amTypically, I am unusually emotionless in my dreams. At most, I will feel tension while infiltrating one of the facilities of the alien invaders. To take a couple of recent examples from dreams, when my passport was stolen shortly before a trip, I was simply irritated and made a mental note to call the consulate about emergency travel papers. And, when the curtains closed before I got there to close them, I merely wondered if I were unexpectedly telekinetic and had a go at consciously trying to remotely close the curtains in the next room as I approached those, which didn't work. However, last night, in a dream that involved my helping to keep some practical issues straight with our time machine, when we were a few decades back in the past, I was briefly overcome with emotion when asked if I might wish to contact anybody in that time period.
I may be remembering more dreams because my sleep has become irregular. I suspect that I am coping worse with external influences on my schedule. I fall asleep easily but don't sleep the whole night, instead taking a supplementary nap rather later on.
I may be remembering more dreams because my sleep has become irregular. I suspect that I am coping worse with external influences on my schedule. I fall asleep easily but don't sleep the whole night, instead taking a supplementary nap rather later on.
A timely delivery
Sep. 29th, 2022 09:03 pmThis morning, the movers came with the goods and effects that I had shipped from Eastern Tennessee so, as usual, the transatlantic shipment took a little over three months. At a glance, everything seems present and correct. It feels good to see my stuff once more, it comforts me to have it to hand, my possessions feel part of my desired identity. Perhaps hoarders have such feelings but rather more strongly than I, given that I now own far less than I once did.
Yesterday, my work laptop developed an issue that made pointing device input most troublesome. The trackpads, both built-in and external, became very insensitive, one to movements, the other to clicks. This coincided with a reboot, I wonder if some previous Linux update is the culprit. Anyhow, among my newly delivered stuff, I found keyboard and trackball that I much like, plugged them in, and became satisfactorily productive again. What a difference it makes to have one's interface to the computer become rather more ergonomically smooth.
Yesterday, my work laptop developed an issue that made pointing device input most troublesome. The trackpads, both built-in and external, became very insensitive, one to movements, the other to clicks. This coincided with a reboot, I wonder if some previous Linux update is the culprit. Anyhow, among my newly delivered stuff, I found keyboard and trackball that I much like, plugged them in, and became satisfactorily productive again. What a difference it makes to have one's interface to the computer become rather more ergonomically smooth.
