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Sweaty, crowded, and fighting to be in the front: it’s not a concert, it's a career fair.
Career fair is the most impactful and stressful concert of your life. Everyone is sweaty, you need a confirmation email to get in, and there’s a battle to get to the front. Your daydream of being selected to come on stage by your idol is veiled with a recruiter in a polo staring blankly at you while you panic, struggling to appear as the qualified person in the room.
You’re not alone; stage fright is not exclusive to being brought on stage by, say, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, or whoever your favorite artist is.
AttendingPlanning with your friends to go to a concert is similar to planning your time at a career fair. Going to a concert is a lot of work and preparation; coordinating attendees deliberating whether to Uber or carpool, if and when we’re eating, planning your outfit, and the endless insignificant yet crucial details that go into preparing to sing your heart out. Your outfit, how you’re getting there, who you’re seeing, and on and on. If you don’t like to be lost and frustrated at concerts, let me help you plan for career fairs so you make the most of your time.
Career fair starts before the day of the event.
The way you know an artist and the lyrics to their songs is the same way you should know a company and its products or servicesThat good song you heard live would’ve hit different if you knew the lyrics. Well, that elevator pitch with the recruiter would've been more effective if you knew who you were talking to.
Now, I’m not saying to go “Stan” mode and know every company’s background because that’s just extra, but it is in your best interest to know what industries recruit in the greater Houston area or other cities in Texas.
Houston is the Olympic village of manufacturing companies, so let’s start there. Your first big kid job may be in a large company, a body of government, or a small to medium agency. Houston has it all. By understanding who is going to be there, you have an upper hand over students who don’t have the slightest idea about industries like oil, steel, public policy, or anything of that sort. Of course, everyone’s fate is different, and that may not play out for you, but Houston is home to manufacturing headquarters as a port city with business-friendly taxes, and a diverse population.
Now that we’ve established the organizations you could face at these career fairs, it is crucial to apply to any open positions you’re interested in and show why you’re the most qualified candidate. By presenting yourself to the recruiter as a well-informed candidate, you make their job easier and make yourself a more desirable candidate.
I know you’re thinking, “but..Isn’t that their job?”
You would be surprised.
Put yourself in a performing artist's shoes: thousands of people in an arena with bright lights over your head and semi-uncomfortable clothes doesn’t make it easy to spot someone in the crowd and say, “Hey, wanna come on stage?!” Recruiters are people just like you. We’ve all heard of stories like Chappel Roan wanting to be treated like a person instead of a god. In the professional world, it’s the same thing. Recruiting is also a 9-5 and they want to go home to their families after a good day of work. By approaching them and talking to them as people instead of the architect of your destiny, you’ve already met them at their level and created an easier channel of conversation with them. It’s basic psychology. That being said, how do you talk to a recruiter?
2. Your elevator pitch is like the unknown yet captivating opening act that you look up on Spotify later. Or in this case, Linkedin.
It’s the day of the concert. You chose to Uber with your friends, have your tickets ready, know where your seat is, but do you know the set list? Are you expecting songs you thought would be performed in full, only to be used as a transition song in between tracks?
An elevator pitch is how you want to impress yourself onto your favorite artist. Please do not go up to the recruiter and bore them with “Hi my name is X, I’m majoring in X, graduating in X 20XX.” You’re better than that.
Try going up to them by starting a fluid conversation that is personable and memorable. Find common ground with the recruiter and their company. Maybe you like their most recent product, their mission statement and impact in their industry, or share something personal with the recruiter, like having the same shirt, or bond over their interest for the industry. Charisma will surprisingly get you further than anything else, especially in communications. That’s, like, the whole thing.
Once you break the ice about something other than the fact that you’re both obligated to be there, use the Valenti template and practice implementing it organically in your conversations with other people.
Use the Student Center South building or the RAD at lunch time to rehearse how you want to stand out in loud crowded spaces. Test out your handshake and eye contact abilities, and how to smile even when you’re not speaking (but don't look terrified, recruiters feel awkward. Imagine a child comes up to you asking how to solve fractions and looks like they’re about to snap at any second. Chill out!).
3. Establish a cadence of talking to recruiters so you don’t get worn out, despite the heat and overwhelming feeling.
Jumping, dancing, and singing wear you out at a concert. It’s the same thing at career fairs: walking around in dress shoes or heels, standing in line in said shoes, talking about yourself over and over, not being able to distinguish nervous sweats or plain old sweat from the stuffy temperature in the room.
To prevent looking aloof by the end of the career fair, outline a plan for yourself. For example, talk to 2-3 recruiters, step out for a bit, drink some water or have a snack, and come back refreshed.
For some reason, no one ever talks about how exhausting career fairs can be. It’s a literal sport to be talking, walking and standing for that long!
To put your best self forward, look back at the list of employers you looked up. Which organizations do you want to speak to first? Is it a big name that will draw a crowd? Try to get there early or be prepared to stand in queue for a while. You don’t want to meet them five elevator pitches deep and come off as apathetic when you’re really just tired.
4. The show is over. What now?
There’s a chance you were given a ton of business cards and are somehow stuck with more resumes than you expected Big deal!? Do what we roast our grandparents for recommending: send the recruiters an email.
Recall the conversations you had with the recruiters, especially the ones where the conversation went well. Write them a memorable but professional email and don’t sound generic, please. For example, use an outline like the one below.
Hi ____,
It was great meeting you at the University of Houston’s Career Fair on [month, day, year]. I truly enjoyed our conversation about [recall conversation topics and details here]. When available, I would love to grab some coffee and continue our conversation. Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you soon!
Best,
[Your Name]
[Linkedin link]
[insert Resume PDF as attachment]
5. Pat yourself on the back because you’re stronger than you think.
Jokes aside, a career fair can be very daunting and make you realize that you’re not the only one interested in that internship or job. It’s honestly a reality check when comparingeveryone else’s interactions,and juxtaposing how a recruiter treats you versus how they treat someone else.
Don’t worry too much about it, you’re only human.
The fact that you showed up is more than other students can say they’ve done. You’re kicking ass and taking names, and in case you have any doubts, go with your friends and support each other. College is hard enough, let’s make going to the most stressful concert of our lives exciting.
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Telesat sells remote communications services business - Information Global Internet - #GLOBAL https://www.merchant-business.com/telesat-sells-remote-communications-services-business/?feed_id=188557&_unique_id=66d82e7d9e460 TAMPA, Fla. — Canadian geostationary operator Telesat has sold off Infosat Communications, a remote satellite services specialist, to bolster finances as investments in its low Earth orbit (LEO) Lightspeed constellation ramp up. Calgary, Canada-based connectivity integrator Network Innovations said Sept. 3 it acquired the company from Telesat for an undisclosed sum, expanding its team by about 20 people to more than 300 employees.The announcement came weeks after Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said the operator was considering raising proceeds in the region of 10 million Canadian dollars ($7.4 million) by selling a non-core business.Goldberg also said Aug. 14 the operator expects to invest up to 1.4 billion Canadian dollars in Lightspeed this year, after investing nearly a quarter of that in the first half as MDA prepares to start building 198 broadband satellites for the constellation.Telesat plans to cover around 46% of Lightspeed’s $3.5 billion cost via company equity and debt from an unnamed vendor. The rest is due to come from Canada’s federal government and the government of Quebec in deals Goldberg said Telesat is on the verge of completing.Meanwhile, declines in Telesat’s geostationary business led to a 17% year-on-year drop in revenues to 305 million Canadian dollars for the first half of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) fell 23% to 214 million Canadian dollars.More tools for connectivity distributorCalgary-based Infosat Communications was created more than 25 years ago with a focus on distributing satellite connectivity to oil and gas, utility and maritime customers in North America, particularly in Canada.Derek Dawson, co-CEO of Network Innovations, said the acquisition will greatly expand the company’s customer base in Canada, where only 6% of its business came from previously.Network Innovations specializes in providing connectivity integration services in challenging environments and for customers requiring extra resiliency, such as emergency services.The company provides connectivity from terrestrial networks and from satellites via partnerships with operators, including Starlink and OneWeb, which are set to compete with Lightspeed once Telesat’s network is slated to come online in 2027.More than half of Network Innovations’ customers are in the United States, followed by Europe and Asia. In 2017, Network Innovations also acquired Able Communications, a Houston-based satellite communications provider primarily serving oil and gas customers, from Telesat.“With all the disruption that’s happening in the industry from new business models and technologies, customers have way too many choices and have a difficult time navigating … how we might as an industry help them achieve what they want,” Dawson said.“For smaller companies, they don’t necessarily have the resources or the access to the technology that can best benefit their customers over the long term — and so that’s where guys like us come in.”Infosat is also strategically important for Network Innovations because, along with customer relationships, it comes with “a number of people that are hard to find in the industry,” he added.“And that just helps to bolster our total set of capabilities that we can bring to the market, whether that’s their customers or our customers.”Although most of Infosat’s assets were transferred to Network Innovations Sept. 1 following an initial round of regulatory approvals for the transaction, Dawson said the companies are still waiting for the green light to transfer certain communications licenses. http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-27087100.jpeg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL
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Telesat sells remote communications services business - Information Global Internet https://www.merchant-business.com/telesat-sells-remote-communications-services-business/?feed_id=188552&_unique_id=66d82d58ee705 #GLOBAL - BLOGGER BLOGGER TAMPA, Fla. — Canadian geostationary operator Telesat has sold off Infosat Communications, a remote satellite services specialist, to bolster finances as investments in its low Earth orbit (LEO) Lightspeed constellation ramp up. Calgary, Canada-based connectivity integrator Network Innovations said Sept. 3 it acquired the company from Telesat for an undisclosed sum, expanding its team by about 20 people to more than 300 employees.The announcement came weeks after Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg said the operator was considering raising proceeds in the region of 10 million Canadian dollars ($7.4 million) by selling a non-core business.Goldberg also said Aug. 14 the operator expects to invest up to 1.4 billion Canadian dollars in Lightspeed this year, after investing nearly a quarter of that in the first half as MDA prepares to start building 198 broadband satellites for the constellation.Telesat plans to cover around 46% of Lightspeed’s $3.5 billion cost via company equity and debt from an unnamed vendor. The rest is due to come from Canada’s federal government and the government of Quebec in deals Goldberg said Telesat is on the verge of completing.Meanwhile, declines in Telesat’s geostationary business led to a 17% year-on-year drop in revenues to 305 million Canadian dollars for the first half of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) fell 23% to 214 million Canadian dollars.More tools for connectivity distributorCalgary-based Infosat Communications was created more than 25 years ago with a focus on distributing satellite connectivity to oil and gas, utility and maritime customers in North America, particularly in Canada.Derek Dawson, co-CEO of Network Innovations, said the acquisition will greatly expand the company’s customer base in Canada, where only 6% of its business came from previously.Network Innovations specializes in providing connectivity integration services in challenging environments and for customers requiring extra resiliency, such as emergency services.The company provides connectivity from terrestrial networks and from satellites via partnerships with operators, including Starlink and OneWeb, which are set to compete with Lightspeed once Telesat’s network is slated to come online in 2027.More than half of Network Innovations’ customers are in the United States, followed by Europe and Asia. In 2017, Network Innovations also acquired Able Communications, a Houston-based satellite communications provider primarily serving oil and gas customers, from Telesat.“With all the disruption that’s happening in the industry from new business models and technologies, customers have way too many choices and have a difficult time navigating … how we might as an industry help them achieve what they want,” Dawson said.“For smaller companies, they don’t necessarily have the resources or the access to the technology that can best benefit their customers over the long term — and so that’s where guys like us come in.”Infosat is also strategically important for Network Innovations because, along with customer relationships, it comes with “a number of people that are hard to find in the industry,” he added.“And that just helps to bolster our total set of capabilities that we can bring to the market, whether that’s their customers or our customers.”Although most of Infosat’s assets were transferred to Network Innovations Sept. 1 following an initial round of regulatory approvals for the transaction, Dawson said the companies are still waiting for the green light to transfer certain communications licenses. http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-photo-27087100.jpeg TAMPA, Fla. — Canadian geostationary operator Telesat
has sold off Infosat Communications, a remote satellite services specialist, to bolster finances as investments in its low Earth orbit (LEO) Lightspeed constellation ramp up. Calgary, Canada-based connectivity integrator Network Innovations said Sept. 3 it acquired the company from Telesat for an undisclosed sum, expanding its team by about … Read More
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Best Tax Preparation & Bookkeeping Company in Houston USA
Zanda Tax is Houston's premier destination for precise and streamlined tax preparation and bookkeeping solutions. Our dedicated team ensures accuracy and efficiency in all our services, delivered at a competitive price. Discover why we're hailed as the best tax preparation company in Houston, providing unparalleled expertise and reliability to our valued clients.
Location - 3963 S Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77063
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Role of a Tax Preparer In Houston, TX
Every American citizen is duty-bound to pay the required taxes, thus ensuring that one is giving back to the nation as needed. Most citizens are not tax savvy and can make mistakes that prove detrimental to their finances and careers. It helps to plan. IRS regulations change every few years, and being abreast of the rules is important. A citizen who does not crunch numbers or work in the financial industry may feel out of depth when trying to save money without avoiding paying taxes. Hiring the services of a financial firm or a professional tax preparer in Houston, TX, can be highly beneficial in such circumstances. Preparing to file tax returns yearly before a specified date should not be too demanding. The complexities make many citizens put off this exercise or turn to tax software to find relief. Electronic filing is simple when the taxation is simple, too notable for an individual who is happily employed and has a single source of income. Company owners and individuals with multiple incomes have to follow a more complex method with various forms that need to be submitted on time. The assistance of a tax preparer can be the best way to fulfill such obligations without compromising other responsibilities. Sure, a fee needs to be paid to the tax professional, with several extras being imminent according to the situation's complexity. Some of the questions that are sure to weigh heavily on the mind of the taxpayer almost always include the following:- What is the purpose of tax preparation? It includes multiple finance-related services that ensure the due completion of taxation firms as needed. The accurate forms are readied for submission to the IRS and other State services as and when required. Unlike filing tax returns singlehandedly by using software, a tax preparer will provide this service after checking and producing the current forms and ensuring their completion. One can contact a firm for this service or an experienced individual/team for tax preparation well in advance of the due tax filing date. Who needs the services of a tax preparer? While all citizens of America are expected to calculate their tax burden and file their tax returns accordingly, not all can manage t do it themselves. People who are eager to hire the services of a tax preparer or obtain guidance about the procedure may do it for the following reasons. l To save time l To avoid mistakes l To deal with the complex tax situation l To learn the procedure by using a software How much do tax reparation services cost? There is no one-word answer to this query. The rates vary across providers. The tax complications and the extent of calculation will decide the final cost. The tax preparation may be done within $100, whereas the seasoned professionals will charge more. Many firms charge a flat rate, while others charge for the forms that need to be submitted. It is best to contact a firm adept at dealing with taxation issues. The top tax preparer in Houston, TX, will provide personalized services at affordable rates.
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Are you looking for tax return attorney in Houston?
If you are looking for an IRS attorney serving Houston, Texas to aid in your issue, look no further than the Mitchell Tax Law. Our tax return attorney in Houston helps individuals and business entities resolve tax issues with the IRS. Our tax attorneys develop the knowledge and experience to deliver solutions for unfiled returns and a wide range of tax penalties. Get reliable tax help, IRS tax relief, and back taxes help audit representation and tax problem resolution by a licensed attorney. Our tax attorneys are able to do all things in their ability to get the maximum return. We are around to aid your own and corporate tax return preparation needs. We have a team of tax lawyers who are prepared to help individuals, businesses, and exempt companies achieve their financial goals. When you require the best tax attorney in Houston with extensive experience in tax law and IRS problems, contact us with an appointment at (713) 909-4906.
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Why employing a reliable Event Management Company may be a smart choice for you!
Come Autumn, wedding season and various celebrations start knocking at our doors making winter hip and happening! Planning an event like Wedding, Reception, Get together, House warming, Baby shower, Thread ceremony and other auspicious ceremonies involve a lot of options to ponder and variables to think about, before taking the final plunge. Nevertheless, even a small blunder on your part can turn the entire occasion into a nightmare! You can be a creative thinker, an excellent organizer, hard worker; basically a jack of all trades, but getting a Hire a Reliable Event Management Company help for managing these memorable occasions End2End can make your life a lot easier keeping in mind of today’s hectic and demanding schedule.
What are the risks of a DIY event?
It stresses you out
It’s taxing – not only the preparation but also the end part. Once the party is over, the things which follow next are no less daunting either.
Being the main organizer, invitees hardly get to see you and vice versa
Your chosen vendors might screw up at the zero hour!
It’s your day and you are still undecided or confused about what to wear. Oh no!
Finally, you end up irritated if things don’t fall into place the way you wanted to!
Economical: Sounds too good to be true? Well, let me assure you that an event management company of good repute actually tries their best to organize the entire event within your budget. Not convinced? These professionals have tie-ups with various vendors. They utilize their thorough market knowledge and going rates to fetch you the best negotiated deal, which often ends up with discounts. Amazed? It’s true!
Expect unique & memorable event each time
These skilled personnel provide you with out-of-the-box ideas. Their exclusive creative resources are tailor-made for every ceremony that it’ll ultimately wow your guests Big time! Each time you hire these professionals you can easily surprise your attendees with a fresh concept, a better looking venue and a memorable outcome.
Eliminates risks & saves time
In view of today’s context, men and women are equally busy juggling between work and personal commitments. Therefore, handing over the responsibility of organizing an event into the safe hands of a professional event planner gets things on the right track from the start through better resource management!
Minimizes risks
An event planner’s in-depth knowledge of the market, extensive network along with detailed information on what’s trending on various aspects of the event makes the chances to go wrong quite slim. Also, they are well-equipped to mitigate such risks from happening altogether.
You sit back and enjoy
Starting right from the venue selection, marketing, budgeting, coordinating and arranging for accommodations, design & decor to floor management and other features are being carefully handled by these trained professionals. So, what you are left with? Heading up to the venue and sitting and chilling with your guests. Doesn’t that make you a guest at your own event? Truly incredible!
For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at: Marketing agency Houston, Digital marketing Houston, Event marketing, Promotional events Houston & Event agency Houston.Please feel free to visit us at: https://xs.agency/
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UNDERSTANDING AND UTILIZING THE HOME OFFICE DEDUCTION FOR MAXIMUM TAX SAVINGS.
Working from home can be a blessing for many, but can also create a few tax headaches here and there. Fortunately, the IRS has a specific deduction for those who work from home known as the home office deduction. This deduction allows you to deduct a portion of your household expenses like utilities, repairs, and other necessary expenses related to running a home office.
Here are five ways to ensure you are taking full advantage of the home office deduction:
1. Record Expenses: Record all of the necessary business expenses related to working from home. This includes things like utilities, repairs, telephone and internet service, office supplies, and any other direct expenses associated with using part of your home as an office space. Carefully documenting these expenses will help you fully benefit from the home office deduction when the time comes.
2. Understand Eligibility Requirements: It’s important to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the deduction. You must primarily use the home office space for business, which means it must be specifically dedicated to conducting business. The office must also be “regularly and exclusively used” for the business. This means the office needs to be used mainly for business, not for recreational purposes.
IF YOU NEED HELP WITH FILING BACK TAX RETURNS, OFFER IN COMPROMISE TAX HELP, TAX PREPARATION, AUDIT REPRESENTATION OR SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF?
Call (713)300-3965
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3. Use the Simplified Method: One of the easiest methods to use when claiming the home office deduction is the Simplified Method. This method allows you to claim a flat rate deduction of $5 per square foot of office space, up to 300 square feet. The flat rate deduction takes away the requirement of having to track and document every expense related to your home office.
4. Calculate Using Form 8829: For more complicated home office deductions, you’ll need to use IRS form 8829, which allows you to itemize deductions for your home office. This form allows you to deduce portions of your home expenses that are directly related to your home office. This includes portions of rent, insurance, mortgage interest, and utilities.
5. Double-check Deduction Amounts: Before you file for the home office deduction, it’s important to double-check that you are getting the right amount of deductions. This is especially important if you’re using the Form 8829, as some of the calculations can be incredibly complex. Making sure that your deductions are accurate will ensure you don’t face any difficulties with the IRS.
By following these five steps, you can ensure that you are taking full advantage of the home office deduction. The home office deduction can help lessen the financial burden of running a business out of your home and can be used to your benefit. With careful documentation and understanding of IRS guidelines, you can deduct the maximum amount of money for your home office.
Contact Advance Tax Relief to Help Deal with your Back Taxes.
Seeking professional help when handling back taxes can help you avoid the discussed errors. At Advance Tax Relief, we offer specialized tax resolution services to help you deal with IRS tax debt.
Our Tax Attorneys and Tax Consultants can rectify erroneous tax bills and guide you in picking a suitable tax relief program. Contact us today (713)300-3965 for back tax filing and tax relief services.
Advance Tax Relief is rated one of the best tax relief companies nationwide.
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Crow Estate Planning and Probate, PLC
Crow Estate Planning and Probate, PLC are famous Nashville estate planning firms with strong Nashville roots. "At Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC, we strive to give our clients an experience that they will remember for a lifetime," states Managing Partner John Crow. Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC have branches in 29 states across the United States and Canada. Its goal is to become the nation's number one estate planning and probate firm. The firm prides itself on providing personalized legal services to individuals, families, and businesses. "The more we can do to help our clients, the better off we're going to be," Crow states.
Crow Estate Planning and Probate, PLC takes pride in taking care of their clients in every way. "We are fully dedicated to ensuring that each of our customers' estates is handled responsibly and professionally," states Crow. The firm strives to maintain a high standard of personal service while ensuring that clients receive the highest level of legal representation. In addition to taking care of estate planning, Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC help individuals settle their estates. The firm will even assist clients with probate.
Crow Estate Planning and Probate, PLC Probate Attorney help individuals deal with the complexities that come with estate planning and probate," says Mary Rauh, a probate and estate attorney in Houston, Texas. "The firm's attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced, and they provide personal service to clients." Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC was established in 1992 by Crow Family Trust, Inc., and is one of the many companies under the Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC umbrella. The company offers state-of-the-art computerized estate planning and probate preparation services.
Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC believe in working with clients "from the initial consultation to the final proceedings." The company wants to make sure that its clients receive "the best legal advice" regarding the estate, and it wants its clients to "feel completely comfortable with every aspect of the process." Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC strive to avoid the lengthy process often associated with estate planning, such as "once-off" meetings and instead prefer a client-friendly, short-term engagement with an individualist approach. Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC also offer a variety of web-based tools and forms for its clients. These include online retirement planning applications, tax planning software, and financial management solutions.
Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC are not involved in each step of the client's plan. The client will have a complete hand in every step of their estate planning; this includes everything from choosing their attorney to managing their financial affairs. This approach is designed to provide each client with the comfort and independence they need while maintaining direct involvement throughout the process.
For more information regarding Crown Estate Planning and Probate PLC, or to schedule an appointment for a free consultation, please get in touch with them. They are located in Houston, Texas. Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC are not a solicitation agency; however, it is an information provider. It welcomes your questions and provides complete assistance throughout every step of estate planning. If you're ready to take control of your future, contact Crow Estate Planning and Probate PLC today!
Contact us:
Crow Estate Planning and Probate, PLC Address: 1503 16th Ave S, Nashville, Tennessee 37212 Phone: (615) 558-8002 Email: [email protected]
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Best Tax Preparation & Bookkeeping Company in Houston USA
Zanda tax offers the accurate, efficient, Tax Preparation & bookkeeping service at a competitive price to their clients.
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I don't usually post personal or even opinionated things. I primarily use social media for the memes and my preferred form of communication while here is gifs. But, to put things simply (because there aren't words to fully express my feelings), I am pissed.
Our state is in crisis and instead of handling the situation, Texas citizens have been failed in so many ways. No one here was ready for this storm. Hurricanes, we can handle. They happen yearly. But a statewide winter storm? We've never had one here. The cold, the ice, the windy chill... we don't know how to function in it. Other areas who are used to this weather can poke fun, but maybe consider hunkering down in your home because there's too many people to evacuate the city, being stuck while your power goes out and there are 130mph winds outside, watching helplessly while water rises above your roofs and ruins everything you've worked so hard for all of your life, and wondering just how you're going to keep your family safe long enough to catch a boat out. Because we do that shit. And it gets worse every year, but we keep working together to keep each other safe and help each other out. We smile and are friendly with each other, but we don't make fun of people in helpless situations.
Texas citizens aren't equipped for winter storms. We don't have snow tires, snow plows, or salt trucks. Our clothes aren't very warm, they're not snow or wind resistant, we don't typically use gloves, scarves, or whatever other accessories are used in snow. And we wear the same shoes in winter that we wear for any other season. Our homes aren't insulated for cold. Our pipes aren't insulated for ice. Our winters don't generally fall below 60°F and we're not prepared for it to.
So, when climate change (yes, it's real) took it's toll and brought a real winter to our state, it became a crisis... a statewide disaster, even. And the leaders that we rely on, the ones that were voted into office and are paid for by our taxes, not only failed their state, but showed calloused disregard for their citizens.
On 8am Monday morning, my husband and I lost power. And, with our water being sourced from a well, we had no access to water, either. At the time, we still had cell service and were in contact with friends that had lost power at 2am. It was approximately 25°F outside. At the time, it was 68°F inside of our house.
Hearing that the Super Stop on the corner of North Main and Cedar Bayou Lynchburg was open, my husband and a neighbor walked down together. The roads were iced and it was too risky to drive. They arrived to find that the owner was charging cash only and not using his computer (no paper trail) so that he could charge double for everything. $7 for a 24 pack of bottled water. $14 for a 4lb bag of charcoal. It is baffling how someone can take advantage of a terrible situation. It sickens me. But we needed water. And our neighbor needed charcoal. So price gouging continues in a vicious cycle.
We don't have children, but we keep many different exotic animals that need certain climate conditions in order to survive. It took two hours for the inside of our house to drop 18 degrees, down to 50°F, reaching deadly levels for most of our pets.
Our bearded dragon (Merlin), no longer having his heat sources, slipped into brumation. He is 3 years old and has never had to brumate before. Our pixie frog (Prince Charming, also 3yrs), burrowed down and began to hibernate for the first time. It was too dark for us to check on the red-eyed crocodile skinks (Big and Red) or the Vietnamese centipede (Burton), but they had seemed to burrow, as well. We couldn't see the axlotls (Silly and Willy) but we believed they were okay. Our green bottle blue tarantula (Pennywise), curled up and died. We blocked the windows to try and keep the cold from coming in and covered up habitats to try and keep in warmth. The green cheek conure (Jigsaw) and parrotlet (Navi) seemed to be well, just stressed and confused. We gave them extra seeds to keep them warm. The rats (Hannibal, Dorian, and Bilbo) huddled to keep each other warm. We had already blocked off the outdoor aviary containing a pair of finches and a pair of parakeets for the colder weather and they were all nesting to keep warm. The day before, my husband had brought in a half-frozen, near-dead lizard (Draco) and he was alive but not well in his temporary rescue home. The dogs (Kuzco and Lulu) and I all bundled together as we waited (and prayed) for our power to come back on soon.
The power did not come back on. And the temperature continued to drop. Still cuddled together, we could only hope that the inside of our poorly insulated home would at least stay above freezing point. But it did not. After a horrible night of silent, shivering attempts to sleep, we found that our house was at 32°F exactly.
The birds are my husband's babies. They've bonded and he loves them dearly. And as I was tending to my dogs, I had to watch him come out of his office cradling Navi in his hands. He had tears in his eyes when he murmured "Navi didn't make it." And it took everything that I had to hold myself together for him.
I waited until he went back into his office, still holding Navi, to be with Jigsaw before I checked on Merlin. To my horror, my bearded dragon was no longer just brumating. He wasn't just limp and unresponsive. He was frozen stiff. He wasn't moving at all. He was gone.
In a desperate effort to save their lives I called for my husband to go to the car with me. We bundled them in blankets and rushed to the only place where we could find warmth. With the car's heater on full blast we both held our beloved pets and prayed for a miracle. In our rush of panic, we both made attempts at compressions. We petted our babies to get their blood flowing. We did everything that we could think of to save them.
I remember holding my breath when I thought I saw Merlin take his. I watched closely to make sure that I wasn't seeing things. And when I saw his spikes moving and his stomach shakily inhale and then slowly exhale, I shouted excitedly "he's breathing!" My husband, also excited, leaned over to see. And we smiled at each other when the breathing continued. I watched my dragon revive. And I will never be able to describe the extreme sense of relief that I felt when he finally opened his eyes and looked at me.
Our little Navi and my sweet husband were not as lucky. And my heart is still breaking for them.
With a new sense of fear and loss, we brought our creatures into our bedroom and shut all of the doors. We stuffed clothes under the gaps in the doors. We blocked the windows as best as we could. We cuddled and bundled and just hoped that we wouldn't lose anyone else. There in the dark, freezing silence, we also discovered that cell service was shoddy, at best. We had no communication and no connection with the outside world, which seemed to have frozen over in an apocalyptic nightmare, we waited and hoped that power would come back soon. It had been more that 24hours, after all. Surely the electric companies would have figured out how to actually roll the blackouts by then, right? They had promised rolling blackouts. They had said it would be 30-45 minutes. That would have been well enough for everyone. We could have survived that. My babies could have survived that. My home wouldn't have become a freezing death trap if the blackouts were rolling. But they didn't roll. I had friends that never lost power. I had friends that went without it longer than we did. And all we could do was hold our beloved pets and wait.
By some luck, my husband and his brother were able to text each other, even though our cell phones were basically useless, and he invited us to his home. They had a generator. They had running water. They had warmth. Hope was on the horizon. But roads were still icy and chances of making it safely were slim. With our pets so at risk, and some barely alive, we felt we had no other choice. We loaded up the car with Merlin, Prince Charming, Jigsaw, the dogs, and whatever food we could fit. We didn't even pack clothes for ourselves. We just wanted to fit as many of our animals as we could and some food since they said they were low.
My husband fed Silly and Willy, making sure they ate. We read they could survive freezing temperatures and hoped they would be okay until we returned, whenever that would be. I filled up every bowl of food in my rats' cage and every water bottle, guessing it would last 2-3 days and hoping they could keep each other warm. It was still too dark to see my burrowed skinks and centipede. We tried to place everyone, including Draco, in the warmest areas (although with the house below freezing, there was no place that could be considered warm). We gave the outdoor birds as much food and water as we could. Every window was covered and every door was shut. We did everything that we could think of to protect our pets.
Stressed, weary, and down-trodden, we began the drive across Houston. Many roads were closed. GPS was down. Texts and calls weren't guaranteed to make it through. And there were so many people that still sped along the roads as if there weren't ice caked over it. We watched vehicles slide. We watched people, not knowing how to react, slam on their brakes when they lost traction. We kept our distance from other drivers and drove slowly, carefully, to our destination. We just wanted to keep our family safe and alive. And, fortunately, we only hit ice twice and both times we made it safely back to traction. A trip that usually takes about an hour with traffic took us over two with no traffic. But we made it.
Our sister-in-law was waiting for us in their standalone office where she had prepared a heater and space for our creatures. They set it up because it was warmer than anywhere in the house. And they diverted energy from their generator just for our pets. Uncomfortable and in tiny, traveling enclosures, our babies were lined up on their desk. They were far from home and didn't have their UV lights, basking lights, giant habitats, or familiar surroundings. But they were alive. And they were warm.
Relieved that at least some of our babies were well, we focused on getting the dogs settled and unpacking the food. We had brought nearly everything from our fridge and freezer, which we had saved by simply opening the doors and letting the chill of our house keep it cool when the power went out. Now we were packing it in snow to keep it cold. I went inside to comfort my dogs. Kuzco, my 10mo shepsky, is very skittish and I was worried about how he was doing. He and Lulu, my 8wk aussierottie (whom I had only gotten a few days before), had been quarantined in the dining room with the table being used as a wall. Kuzco couldn't see anything but the occasional child coming up to say hello. He was happy for the company but scared of the dark. As I was trying to comfort him, my husband came inside and said "you need to come and hold your dragon again." And the sound of his voice and the look on his face had me nearly breaking my leg to get out of that barricade and to my Merlin.
Between the rush of packing in the dark and the stress of everything we'd been through, I'd forgotten a few important things: Kuzco's calming treats, thermometers, hygrometers, and my contacts (my glasses are several years old and I can't really see well with them). We had been so relieved at having a warm space for our babies and having finally arrived there safely, that we hadn't realized the office was not yet warm enough for them. At least, it wasn't warm enough for Merlin.
He had been licking at the air, so I knew that he was dry. In my concern, I mixed water in with his fresh soil so that he could have some humidity. Again, I had forgotten the necessary tools to measure his heat and humidity, so I was just guessing. And in these mistakes, the damp soil got cold faster than the office could get warm and he began to freeze again.
I found my dragon brumating once again. This time, he was only partially stiff, so I knew that he hadn't left me yet. I held him close to my chest and sat in front of the heater, once again trying to revive him. We also placed the soil in front of the heater to warm it up and dry it out a bit. Eventually, Merlin became alert again. But I was sick at having gone through so much, come so far, reaching what I thought was safety, and almost losing him again.
After making sure that he and his soil were okay, I again had to leave him to tend to my dogs. My husband was busy with Jigsaw and the unpacking. Prince Charming, fortunately, was doing just fine. I made sure both puppies ate, drank, and pottied outside. And, after a long, damn near impossible day, my husband and I were able to sleep. Or rather, we were able to attempt to sleep.
I will never be able to thank my in-laws enough for everything that they did for us. They have 4 children and 2 dogs of their own. And they had their mom and her cat staying in their living room. It was already stressful for them to not have power when they had their own family to care for. But they took ours in, as well. And I will always be beyond grateful for that.
That night, in my nieces' bedroom, I held my dogs and wondered if I would have to endure the loss of anymore of my babies. And as I tried to find sleep, my Kuzco began to hyperventilate. He had just lost his brother, my Xander, a week before. And now he was in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people where he had to be isolated because the cat was not a fan of strange dogs (she literally went out of her way to attack him, even when he was barricaded). And my dumbass had forgotten his calming treats. All I could do was hold him tight and tell him it was okay. It took a while, but I finally got him to sleep. My husband set alarms and got up every two hours to check our other babies in the office and make sure that the generator was full and running properly. I don't think either of us really slept that night.
The next day, we checked with our neighbor and landlord to find that we still did not have power at our house. And my in-laws' house had lost water pressure the night before. Everyone in Houston had. So now, there were masses without power, without water, without cell service, and without the necessary means to survive the freezing temperatures that were now not only outside, but inside most homes.
On top of the obvious stress, my typical anxiety was kicking in. On a good day, I struggle to be social. And these were not good days. I was a guest in someone's home and I couldn't express how thankful I was because I felt so exhausted from all of the stress, grief, and constant fear. I felt terrible for feeling terrible. But I couldn't force myself to smile or be happy when I wasn't even sure who would survive or for how long. With the roads constantly melting and refreezing and more sleet/rain on the way, I wasn't even sure when we could get home or if we would have power when we needed to go home. I had left pets that I loved and the ones that I had brought with me were still not guaranteed to make it.
My in-laws were still so accommodating. But they wouldn't really let us help to clean or cook and that made us feel worse. In my anxiety, I kept thinking that I was in the way or that I was upsetting everyone. I still do. I don't like depending on anyone. It's an awful feeling. But in this case, it was necessary. I had no other choice, because I couldn't bear to lose another of my precious babies. I couldn't bear to see my husband's face or hear his voice crack as he told me we lost another one. Not if I could help it. I would do whatever I could to take care of them.
I took a moment of reprieve to watch Kuzco play in the snow. I hate the cold. But shivering out there, the feeling of needles pricking over my body and the cold burn of the wind as it cut through my 4 layers of pajamas and sweats, was worth it to watch my shepsky in his own winter wonderland. He ran around in their ice and snow covered backyard as if it were a mystical land and every icy slide and snowy mound were a magical discovery. And when he saw the snow flurries began to fall from the sky his furry face lit up with pure joy. I watched my happy not-so-little puppy excitedly jump up and try to catch the snowflakes in his mouth. His blue eyes were so bright and brilliant. And we both came alive in that moment. I wish we could have stayed there. But the snow turned to downpours of sleet and, unfortunately, we had to go back inside.
I had planned to keep my dogs in the office with me that day, but they were kind enough to put the pets on rotation, so my dogs were no longer confined. They were able to stretch their legs in the house and play with my nieces and nephews. They played fetch and they wrestled and they even played with balloons. The girls taught Kuzco how to keep the balloons from hitting the ground. It was fun to watch him jump up and boop the balloons with his nose whenever they called his name. Meanwhile, my pets in the office all seemed to be well. They were alert and lively. I still had no way of knowing their temperature or humidity level. But it looked like they would all pull through. Kuzco still had his moments where he would panic. It was a busy house with lots of people coming in and out (and even the generator scared him), but we gave him some extra love and calmed him down each time.
That night, the power flickered on for about an hour before going out again. Our landlord said that ours, too, had been on for a bit before going right back out. The rest of the week was still showing freezing temps, but maybe the powers that be were finally starting to figure out how to actually handle this crisis. Later, the water pressure increased. And, late that night, as we lied in bed and tried to sleep, the power came on. And it stayed on.
I didn't sleep. With wifi, I was able to pull up the security system to our house and see that we, too, had power. And I watched it through the night. There was movement in my rats' cage. I couldn't see how much food or water they had left, but they were still alive. I checked the temperature and watched it rise as the heater stayed on. Excited, I waited for my husband to wake up so I could tell him. I wanted to go home. I wanted all of us to go home. I had babies to check on and they all needed to get back into their controlled climates with a healthy supply of food and water. We all craved a feeling of normalcy.
My phone began to show notifications again... all of these emails and gaming things that reminded me the world was still out there, spinning like it should be, while my world had stopped and frozen still. For a while I was angry. How could things outside of my winter apocalypse still be happening normally? How could the rest of the world just keep on moving while I had just been struggling to keep my family alive? And then I saw memes and jokes on social media. And I got angrier. My family had been devastated. And I know I'm not the only one. I can't be the only one to have lost loved ones. I can't be the only one to have watched loved ones suffer. I can't be the only one to have stressed and worried about what's going to happen and what I'm going to do if/when it does. And yet there are people out there laughing at our situation. While families struggle to stay warm, to find food and water, to make it without the GPS, data, and communication that we're all accustomed to, to care for their elderly and disabled, to keep their children from crying and their pets from dying... there are actually people making jokes about it. Yet when our corner of the world gets record breaking winds and floods we step up and help each other. Companies do what they can to help the people. Employers cut their employees slack. And the rest of the world watches in awe. This is a record breaking storm for us, one that we were in no way equipped to deal with. And instead of empathy and aid, we're getting ridiculed? The only ones I see giving a shit are the people. The citizens that have been affected by this unprecedented crisis are all offering to do what they can while the government, power companies, and water companies make excuses. It's bullshit.
Our power was out from 8am on Monday morning to 10p on Wednesday night. For approximately 62 hours my home had no climate control. I have no way of knowing how cold it actually got inside. But below freezing is unacceptable. And to find out that there were some who went without even longer while some never lost it at all... who fucked up? Because someone surely did. And don't let them blame their failure to roll a blackout on a bad grid. They were just too lazy to figure out another solution.
We arrived home to piece back together what we could and try to reestablish our sense of selves. What had only been a few days felt like weeks of walking around in a living nightmare. The outside birds were still chirping. Draco actually survived and, due to our TLC, is better now than when we found him. Burton is hibernating (there's some sluggish movement, so I know he's alive) and I hope he wakes up soon. Silly and Willy are just fine. Hannibal, Dorian, and Bilbo are all okay, they just need some cuddles and de-stressing time. Big and Red froze to death. I found their stiff bodies near each other and in their ivy plant.
Due to fluctuating temperatures, we lost all of the food that we did not eat at our in-laws'. And most of the roach and cricket colonies that we use as feeders for our pets have been wiped out.
We have Merlin, Jigsaw, and Prince Charming back in their habitats. Charming and Merlin are grumpy, but they've eaten and they're well. Jigsaw is back to normal. Kuzco has finally calmed down and is happy to be home. And Lulu is completely clueless about the entire situation.
But this situation cannot die. It cannot go without resolution. Something needs to be done. For years, Texas has been told to fix the power grid. Texas insists on having its own so that they can avoid federal regulation. This is at the cost of being able to rely on the rest of the country and use its energy when we need it. All because Texas wants to be like the middle-aged husband holding out hope that he'll one day divorce his wife. Here's the thing Texas: your ugly ass wife is the only one who will tolerate you and you're too fucking helpless to take care of yourself. So stop buying those pretty, young things in the bar those drinks and then crying because they won't go home with you. Stop wasting your money on those hot rods. And own up to the fact that you need to work on yourself to be happy. Fix your fucking power grid and stop playing the blame game! Also, do something about the water situation. Take care of your damn kids. They shouldn't be struggling to survive, dammit.
Gas stations and grocery stores are empty wastelands of ruined food where people scour to find whatever they can to make due. Everyone's resources were destroyed from loss of power. And trucks haven't been able to get through the icy roads to resupply.
One winter storm should not send a civilized society into the stone age. It doesn't matter where you're at, your government should be prepared. Your elected officials are supposed to be taking care of this shit, not running their mouths. Meanwhile, there's an audacious mayor who grew such a big mouth he was forced to resign. The vote got Tim Boyd into office, folks. And here's what he has to say:
"The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING! I’m sick and tired of people looking for a damn hand out! If you don’t have electricity you step up and come up with a game plan to keep your family warm and safe. If you have no water you deal with out and think outside of the box to survive and supply water to your family. If you were sitting at home in the cold because you have no power and are sitting there waiting for someone to come rescue you because your lazy is direct result of your raising! Only the strong will survive and the week will perish."
Yeah, he must have forgotten that those people he's bitching about are the ones that elected him into office and that they pay the taxes for his salary. And, in case anyone was doubting it, it is, IN FACT, the city and county's job to take care of its citizens. A government's basic functions are providing leadership, maintaining order, providing public services, providing national security, providing economic security, and providing economic assistance. And, as far as power providers and other services, I have contracts and I make payments. So YES, they owe me exactly what I pay for: the electricity, water, and cell service that they agreed to give me in the contracts that we both signed. So, Tim Boyd, as much as you try to backtrack and say you didn't mean it and you wish you could rephrase everything, we all know the truth is that you're just an idiot who doesn't give a fuck. I wonder how long you went without electricity. I wonder if you worried how long your family would survive. I wonder if you cried and had to bury any loved ones. This "week" will surely perish. It will be behind us, along with all of the other bad weeks that we've seen come and go. And so will you. Good riddance. You can spend your free time working on your grammar and spelling.
As far as Ted "Fled" Cruz goes, I hope he gets impeached. He sat by and watched while his state fell to shit, while his citizens suffered, and then he flew to fucking Cancun. Sure, he can say he was just dropping off his family, but we all know he only came back because he was getting flak for it. Do you know how many parents had to comfort their children in the freezing cold darkness of their quiet homes? Do you know how many scared families had no way out and no where to go? These are your citizens! And this is all after he actually made fun of California for their grid, knowing that ours needed to be fixed, knowing that we would suffer when disaster hit. He was elected to be our leader and he failed us so spectacularly. Where was the guidance for the power companies? Where was the communication? Where is the aid? People were unable to work and unable to provide for their families. And no one is offering to help them. Our resources have been diminished. What is the game plan?
And not only were there people taking advantage and price gouging during this dreadful time, but it continues to go blatantly unchecked. Plumbers are charging $800+ just to look at a problem with no guarantee of solving it. Gas station owners are marking everything up when they know people can't afford to not buy. And even the power companies are talking about charging more for the electricity that was used this past week, because it was in "high demand."
I will say that Xfinity gave us a credit on the days that our power was out, knowing that we were unable to use it. And my brother-in-law, who owns his own renovation company, is giving free consultations. He doesn't even give estimates until he's sure about the issue. And my aunts, who have always been such a blessing to us, were sweet enough to send us a door dash gift card so that we wouldn't have to worry about shopping right away.
And I cannot say enough how thankful I am to my brother and sister-in-law for providing us with a sanctuary for our babies. They were going through enough on their own and still, they invited us over and gave us warmth and safety. It was nice seeing them, my nieces, nephews, and near-mom-in-law, even under the circumstances. I'm sorry I couldn't be better company.
In the meantime, to all of you who went through it during this awful crisis, my heart is with you. What happened to the people of Texas during this weather is beyond unfair. It is intolerably savage. We deserve better. We deserve elected officials who care about us enough to step up and take care of us during a disaster, and not just when the media is on them. We deserve to get what we pay for and have our contracts honored. We deserve to have a power grid that can sustain us when we need it most. We deserve to have blackouts rolled instead of just having half the grid shutdown to fend for itself. We deserve to have a water supply that we can rely on. We deserve to have the cell service that we pay for. We should never be kept in the dark and in the cold.
This should have been a fun time for us. We see snow once every few years, if we're lucky. We should have been out there with our sweatshirts and sweatpants, sledding down the streets on whatever we could find, from trash can lids to screen doors. We should have been building icy snowmen and making snow angels. But instead, most of us were just trying to survive. We were running out of laundry and using every blanket that we had to keep our families warm. We were wondering if the food would make it and rigging ways to prepare it. We were scrambling to find water. We were worrying and trying to get in touch with friends and family with phones that were, at best, battery-draining flashlights. If we had generators, we were still struggling and conserving gas because there was none left at any of the stations. And if there was, the stations didn't have power to access it. And there are many more experiences that I'm sure I'm not covering because I was fortunate enough not to have to live through it all. But my heart aches. It aches for everyone that had to endure this tragedy that none of us should have had to endure.
My husband and I are still recovering. And this is far from over. But if anyone needs it, we'll help if we can. Just reach out. If anything, we can all be here for one another. Fuck Texas. It's not the state or the city that takes care of us, obviously. It's each other. We have always been able to awe and inspire with how we step up and take care of our fellow citizens. And that's just what we'll do.
For anyone interested in my sources or further reading, here you go:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Reliability_Council_of_Texas
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/18/texas-power-outages-ercot/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/17/texas-power-grid-why-state-has-its-own-operated-ercot/6782380002/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/18/state-energy-winter-protections-lacking-reports-have-suggested/4490501001/
https://ktxs.com/news/local/colorado-city-mayor-resigns-after-controversial-facebook-post
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/politics/ted-cruz-cancun-texas-disaster-electricity-power-water/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/politics/ted-cruz-cancun-texas/index.html
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ted-Cruz-Twitter-California-blackouts-energy-power-15953893.php
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/17/how-the-texas-power-grid-failed-and-what-could-stop-it-from-happening-again.html
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas-ercot-power-outage-energy-demand-price-change/269-53ab63e2-8dcf-4485-8b9b-be6ad75316b4
https://www.curbed.com/2021/02/texas-blackouts-energy-grid-failure.html
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/17/texas-power-grid-failures/
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ted-Cruz-Twitter-California-blackouts-energy-power-15953893.php
#texas#winter#winterstorm#statewidedisaster#statewidecrisis#tedcruz#fledcruz#timboyd#poweroutage#blackout#epicfail
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Best Tax Preparation & Bookkeeping Company in Houston USA
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Waves [Drabble-ish]
A/N: I apologize if (that) this is trash, but it’s necessary, and you’ll all see why soon enough....
Also, if you don’t read The Root, I’m gonna need you to get it together
I also tagged a few of you for....reasons
TAGS: @purple-apricots @honeyybey @letsshamelessqueen-m @amethyst-dreams-and-candy-canes @sisterwifeudaku @brittyevans @idilly
Bow Down, Bitches: All Y(our) Faves Hit The Club Last Night, and Black Twitter Exploded
By: Amber Smith
2/28/19 10:14am
Filed to: BLACK GIRL EXCELLENCE
When Beyonce snatched our edges and entire income tax check, it was done so with all of the love and grace of our lord and savior, Queen Bey. We had zero complaints (unlike the credit card company’s who wouldn’t take “it was Bey” as a reason for a missed payment, but I digress). It was for the cause. For the culture. For us.
Well, last week, a similar moment occurred at the annual white men controlled Academy Awards.
Best Actor, Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Best Supporting Actor, Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Best Supporting Actress, Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Best Actress, Summer Hemsworth, A Star Is Born
Not only in Wippo Oscars history was this the first time that the winners for the top four categories were snatched by POC, but our favorite weather witch’s win marked another accomplishment.
She is now the first, youngest, and only African American to win three Academy Awards.
Hemsworth earned her first award for Best Actress in 2012 for her powerful portrayal as African queen Bashira in the absolutely heartbreaking biopic, 4AM (the unofficial black people’s Titanic). She became the first and youngest black woman to take home the coveted award since Halle Berry in 2002. Fast forward seven years later, last week Hemsworth took home the honor for her role as Ally, opposite Bradley Cooper, in the hopefully last reboot of A Star Is Born (if you haven’t seen it, please do, you will cry. A lot).
Black Twitter had a complete meltdown over Summer’s emotionally gripping acceptance speech where she acknowledged legendary black actresses who have yet to win an Oscar. Even before that though, the MCU actress walked on the stage in her House of M original dress that cost more than I make in a year.
And not to present.
Along with singer-songwriter/bff, Siyanda, Summer accepted the award for Best Original Song, Shallow. In an interview with eonline, Siyanda shared that she and bestie Summer wrote the song in under an hour after Yanda’ found out her friend wrote poetry in high school.
“She [Summer] was really against the idea of singing at all. I think Brad and her discussed someone else doing all of that [singing], and then she came to visit me at the studio. I told her I was doing some songs for the soundtrack when she told me that she did poetry, and I told her “if you can write in iambic pentameter for school, you can do it for this movie.” So, we sat down, and like an hour later, we wrote the whole song. She recorded it in one take. It was fucking amazing. She’s a goddess.”
So not only is Summer now the first and only black woman to win two Oscars for Best Actress, she now has a third under her belt along with Siyanda, who is the first black woman to win in the Best Original Song category where she was also nominated for her Black Panther theme, All The Stars alongside Kendrick Lamar.
Celebrations were and still are in order which brings us to our recap of the perfection that was last night.
Siyanda, Summer, Megan Thee Stallion, Onika, and Queen hit the oh-so-popular LA Club, Lush, for some much needed black girl only celebration.
Oh, and Lizzo was there too.
Yes, you read that correctly. All of our favorites were in one building, like, interacting with each other. Two of the best female rappers in the game right now, the reincarnation of Whitney Houston, this generation’s Toni Morrison, and a future EGOT legend (fingers crossed) were all in the same place…..at the same time.
The only thing missing was Mrs. Knowles Carter (the Hive still ain’t forgot what you did, Shawn).
There was twerking, there was drinking, there was laughing, and almost all of it shared via several of the star’s social media accounts.
Queen Ororo shared a now my iphone wallpaper candid on her Instagram of all five of the women with the unofficial Wakanda Forever emoji followed by the crown emoji. Her story included videos from throughout the night which included a hilarious video of Megan teaching the ladies how to “drive the boat.”
Siyanda’s stories showed the quad singing their majestic melanin hearts out to Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts.” The duo also posted on their IG’s the night of the Oscars, photos of them hugging and crying, along with detailed and heartfelt compliments expressing their love and appreciation for each other.
According to Summer, the two first met when Siyanda was brought on as a dance consultant to help Summer prepare for the role as Queen Bashira, who was a classically trained dancer.
“I can’t dance to save my life, but this was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I deeply wanted the role so I pushed myself. I’d been following Yanda since her Soundcloud and YouTube cover days so I was a big fan. Turns out, she’d seen almost all of my indie films and was a fan of me too. Honestly, we hit it off on the first day. She asked me to dance for her, I did so, she clowned me, I flipped her off. And that was really all she wrote. She’s like the sister I’ve always wanted. I love her to death.”
The friendship has lasted throughout the years with Summer appearing in several of Siyanda’s music videos including: 7 Rings, Party, God is a Woman, and let’s not forget, Partition. I’d never seen the hype in Mr. Hemsworth until I was blessed with that visual.
Summer is the real MVP, ya’ll. Homegril is winning on and off stage and in the bedroom.
In a day and age where division runs rampant among the black community, it is truly heartwarming to see such displays of black excellence. #BlackGirlsRock
Peep the slideshow below to see all of the footage (so far) from the melanated lituation.
RELATED:
PERIODT: Mrs. Hemsworth snaps on the “colorist” and “self-hating” trolls who keep infiltrating her IG comments with their “disgusting” and “pathetic” #LightIsRight “bullsh-.”
Bish Betta Have My Money: Summer Hemsworth shares how she “almost quit” following a pay discrepancy between herself and Olsen #3
Say It Loud, Say It Proud: The Queen of Wakanda shuts down reporter who refers to her as “a pseudo black”
Don’t Mess With My Man: Summer Hemsworth is not here for you hoes with this “divorce bullsh-” and shares a steamy photo of her and White Thunder from Down Under to prove it
#chris hemsworth x reader#chris hemsworth x oc#chris hemsworth fanfiction#fic: waves#chris hemsworth
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Know Your Finances, When Preparing for Your Texas Divorce
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Spring TX Divorce Lawyer: We have observed that is common for there to be a division of labor in relationships in the Texas divorce cases we have handled. This means that there often a spouse in the marriage who has a more complete financial picture of the marriage than the other spouse. Unfortunately, this often means that only one spouse knows what all theassets anddebts of the marriage are.
In this blog article, we will discuss how one of the most important steps you can take when preparing for a Texas divorce is start gathering financial information.
What Financial Information Should You Obtain Prior to a Divorce? It is not uncommon for me to be asked during a divorce consult what can be done to prepare for a divorce. I am also happy to explain things that can be done to prepare. One of the things I encourage consults to do is start gathering as much financial information ask they can when they can. The list includes but is not limited to:
> Bank statements > Checking account information > Savings account information > Retirement account statements > 401(k) statements > Pension information > Loan information > Mortgages > Credit card statements > Deeds > Property taxes > Tax Returns > Paystubs for both parties > And any other financial information that may be relevant
What if I do not have access to any financial information?
If your spouse is the only one with access to the necessary information, that is ok. This is not uncommon your Houston divorce lawyer will be able to help obtain the information later. We encourage you to get the information if possible because this normally cost effective and quicker.
However, the information can be obtained through a variety of methods including:
> Deeds can be obtained from the county clerk’s office > Tax returns from the IRS > Credit Card information, Bank Information and Mortgage Information can all be obtained directly from financial institution > Running a credit report can also be a good source of information > From your spouse through their cooperation or through legal discovery
Create a Budget
Divorce Lawyer in Spring TX: It is a good idea to start working on a budget. Once you are divorced generally financial income will be more limited so it is a good idea to start preparing to live only on your individual income.
Some things to consider in your budget include:
> Will you be receiving child support? > Paying child support > Can you afford the house? > Can you afford your car? > Are there other items or expenses you may need to get rid of?
Start saving for your divorce
It also a good idea to start saving for your divorce as much as possible. When the divorce starts, there are generally not any orders in place saying what you can and cannot do. This can be problematic if you and your spouse are not cooperating and you do not have any access to money.
If you can have at least 3 months of expense money or more set aside this can help you get through the early part of the divorce until there can be hearing in front of a judge for Temporary Orders if needed.
Somethings you can do to help prepare for divorce in regards to saving include:
> Opening a separate bank account that only you have access > Take half or more of the money out of any joint bank accounts (you may want to be careful on timing this one you probably will only get to this once) > Open credit cards in just your name. This can help establish your credit if you do not have any as well as provide you with emergency money should you need it. > Take half or more of any Tax refunds from any jointly filed tax returns
Consider Closing or Removing Spouse from any Joint Credit Cards
If your spouse is a signatory to any of your credit cards is often a good idea to remove them. On more than one of my cases a spouse has maxed out credit cards. If your spouse is only the signatory and not jointly responsible for the debt this can leave you holding the bag to the credit card company.
This can often be even out during the divorce but can be problematic while the divorce is ongoing. If you are concerned that your spouse may use your financial information to obtain money using your name it would be a good idea to join a credit monitory company.
Get a Post Office BOX
Many of my clients have opened post office boxes to receive mail. This is very helpful you are still living in the same house as your spouse. You would not be the first spouse I have represented whose ex has diverted or intercepted their mail.
Having another location to receive mail can help protect your confidentiality, privacy, and avoid inconvenience of not receiving your mail.
Remember before the Divorce is Filed there are No Court Orders
Spring Divorce Lawyers: During the planning stages of a Texas divorce there are no court orders from keeping you or your spouse on how you handle financial matters or what changes you can make regarding:
> Your will > Beneficiaries on any financial accounts or life insurance policies > Financial accounts etc.
It is a good to think through things carefully and plan accordingly ... Continue Reading
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tax services in Houston- We are the tax preparation services who finds the right tax break. If you are looking for income tax in Houston who can assure you all the tax deductions, you just found it. As a rule, we only hire Enrolled agents tax professionals who can perform the best tax help in Houston. As a result, our services will be comprehensive and you are sure we are registered with the IRS. It should be noted, we guarantee our work for accuracy. Differing from tax preparation companies in Houston, we guarantee our work for accuracy. We file your taxes correctly the first time and if we make the mistake, we fix It free of charge to you. With this in mind, why wait? Reach your next Houston tax services by calling 713-384-9432 today.
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