The recent movie inspired me to read Fleming’s original Bond classic. Unfortunately, I was a bit tainted as I had already watched the movie. The book was reasonable, but I didn’t particularly care for the French that was used often to describe the places and for fancy quips between characters.

The movie stay relatively true to the book but there were some subtle yet significant twists. It was also slightly modernized to reflect the current world political situation as one would expect. The wikipedia list of differences is here.

I read the 2000 edition from the library, but there is a 2007 edition available. The book provides an overview of ISOs, NQOs, ESPP, and ATM (along with a few other topics.) There is enough here to cause any interested individual to feel a strong need to call a competent tax accountant.

I will be giving my dad’s accountant, Jeffery Bowles, a call very soon.

A quick rant about AMT - what a mess. From here, “Because the AMT was not indexed for inflation, its reach has expanded annually, delivering a significant tax increase this spring to an estimated 4 million households. The AMT would have spread even more rapidly after President Bush’s tax cuts reduced taxpayers’ normal bills, but Congress enacted yearly “patches” to restrain its growth. The most recent patch expired in December, and unless Congress acts, the tax is projected to strike more than 23 million households next spring, many of them earning as little as $50,000 a year.”

Like a dolt, I left my camera on the plane while passing through Atlanta. On the other hand, I managed to successfully carry the bag of Cheerios all the way to Seattle!

This has turned into a fiasco - I’ve contacted Delta lost and found and they claim that something which roughly matches the description of my camera is in the lost and found in Atlanta. They also have sent the lost and found a note with my phone number as well as providing me with the number for lost and found. I’ve not heard from the lost and found department nor been unable to contact them, despite trying all week. I’ve looked for back doors, alternate numbers, anything so that I can speak to the individual who can tell me whether they have my camera - and how to get it back!

I’ve wanted to write about Jerry, some successes at work, my trip to Moscow, my ideas for turning the MG into an electric car, and our recent trip to Norfolk… but I haven’t had any time!

Instead of content, here’s a cool slideshow:

This is the 3rd book in the Ender Shadow series, which centers around Bean. I still struggle to bond with Bean, the genetically manipulated child genius - and I was not at all moved by the romance that occurred between him and Petra.

I have one book left in this series to finish. Card’s books are light and easily readable but I haven’t enjoyed them enough to want to read them again.

Jerry Youkoh Kirsch, born May 2nd, 2006 at 14:50, is officially 1 year old.

Happy Birthday, Jerry!