What made you feel good today

[jinky]

Finally made a start on my self assessment tax return for 2011/12. I think shoving every receipt loose in a big box and banking on email receipts long buried in my in-box might not be the way to go in future! 

Hoping to post a healthy loss in my first year and get a tax rebate and refund of my NI contributions. Given the level I take up work between travelling and domestic crises requiring me to be up i Newcastle I am confident I will indeed never pay any tax on my photographic earnings. The hard part is getting values for my equipment taken into the business as capital allowances - especially high ones! Thank god for the HMRC courses I attended.

Sorry I`ve not been around for chat / comps. My mother remains in hospital and has been extremely ill over the last 4 weeks and I have spent at least 2.5 weeks up there out of touch. Finally seems to be improving and has been moved on to a rehabilitation ward after getting over a nasty infection that nearly did for her.

[Sarasocke]

That type of tax return sounds familiar, Paul 

Sorry to hear about your mother, Paul. I hope things get better soon.

[Reinardina]

Glad your mother is getting over her infection Paul.

[Hinfrance]

Pleased to hear that you mum is on the mend Paul.

The tax thing is nostalgic for me: I always made a point of spending more on instruments, sundry sound reinforcement kit and transport than I earned from playing in the band. I suppose it helped that the lead guitar player was an accountant not to mention the best musician I have ever played with, but I digress. The revenue put up with the losses for a few years then told me that the pub band was a 'hobby' (which it was, but I got paid) and I shouldn't add the accounts to my tax return any more - they don't like it when they have to give something back 

[jinky]

He! He! H - that`s what I am aiming for I suppose given the level of work I want is just to fund gear and a few trips.

[nickt]

Was up in Birmingham yesterday to see my son graduate. Very proud of him. Had a bit too much wine last night and my head is feeling it!

[Oldboy]

Was up in Birmingham yesterday to see my son graduate. Very proud of him. Had a bit too much wine last night and my head is feeling it!

Did you have your passport with you, as we don't accept just anyone in Brum! 

Well, it could have been the Town Hall, ICC or the NIA, unless it was Birmingham University when it would be the great hall. Bet you had a lump in your throat? Well done. 

[nickt]

You're correct Oldboy, it was at Birmingham Uni in the great hall. My daughter's at Nottingham with anothe two years to go.

[Oldboy]

You're correct Oldboy, it was at Birmingham Uni in the great hall. My daughter's at Nottingham with anothe two years to go.

The other places are used by Aston University, University of Central England and the Open University. 

[jinky]

Just got and loaded  new Adobe CS6. Seems like quite a leap from the CS2 I was using!!!!
I say "my" but of course my wife is just allowing me to use hers as she was able to buy an education package through her supply teacher status - so kind of her to let me use it ! I hope she will be giving me training on how to use it and content aware feature especially.

[Hinfrance]

I'm sure it's just the job

Of course I'm jealous as heck - CS Photoshop is one thing I'll never be able to afford unless Adobe see the error of their ways (as they did with Lightroom) or the lottery fairy smiles upon me

[jinky]

Oh - dear! Nothing like a birthday and a few worries / concerns to start a spending spree. Just ordered a Black Rapid Double R strap so that whilst my coming wedding pictures might be crap i`ll at least look the part of a two camera gun slinging pro . Been getting real neck ache lately with my Nikon strap and as I`ll need to switch quickly thought this strap would be good as it goes down to 1 to make me less like an idiot when I don`t need two on. Mrs Jinky said use some of your birthday money and approved bless her - I think I`ve spend more than twice the birthday money income already  . Cheered me up though!

[Matthew]

A day late but.......Had an old fella come up to me the other day in the Train Station as I was servicing the photobooths."Hello", he said.......So I said "Hello, can I help you with something?"....."No" he said "I noticed you working on the machines and thought I'd come over and say what a great job you're doing, I wish my engineers showed the same attention to detail as you do".....My mood lightened and we had a blether.....he used to work on the old ticket machines in Train Stations back in the day......that's the first time anyone has shown appreciation in what I do....was in a good mood the rest of the day.....

[Oldboy]

A day late but.......Had an old fella come up to me the other day in the Train Station as I was servicing the photobooths."Hello", he said.......So I said "Hello, can I help you with something?"....."No" he said "I noticed you working on the machines and thought I'd come over and say what a great job you're doing, I wish my engineers showed the same attention to detail as you do".....My mood lightened and we had a blether.....he used to work on the old ticket machines in Train Stations back in the day......that's the first time anyone has shown appreciation in what I do....was in a good mood the rest of the day.....

Sounds like magic when someone notices what a good job you do. 

[Oldboy]

Oh - dear! Nothing like a birthday and a few worries / concerns to start a spending spree. Just ordered a Black Rapid Double R strap so that whilst my coming wedding pictures might be crap i`ll at least look the part of a two camera gun slinging pro . Been getting real neck ache lately with my Nikon strap and as I`ll need to switch quickly thought this strap would be good as it goes down to 1 to make me less like an idiot when I don`t need two on. Mrs Jinky said use some of your birthday money and approved bless her - I think I`ve spend more than twice the birthday money income already  . Cheered me up though!

The photographer at my nephews wedding didn't do a good job, according to my brother and she charged £750 and only had a D300s. 

Don't have a problem myself with the D3 plus Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 hung around my neck all day. The Nikon D3 needs to go in for a service along with the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR. It appears the very wet summer has affected them!