Identity Theft/Income Tax Fraud

It's time again to remind ourselves to be vigilant on safeguarding our personal and private information.

I saw it on a "60 Minutes" program awhile ago that identity theft is a common occurrence in the States.

The particular program I watched told stories of criminals applied income tax refunds with other people's social security numbers that they bought on the street.  Now these days, with computers and debit cards, filing a tax return is just a click away.  It is extremely easy for the unscrupulous individuals to use our  identity once they got hold of our social security number.

But I would never think it could happen so close to home.  Someone had used one of our family members' social security number to file tax return.  An unusual phone message prompted the victim to contact IRS office.  It was confirmed that someone had used her social security number to file tax return.  A this time, this fraudulent return is under the IRS's radar.  I do not know if these two incidents are related.  Before this unsavory incident was being discovered, the victim did return a notice from IRS to confirm her residency.  -  Ayee

"America's Got Talent," an NBC television production

This season audiences of the show will again have a hard time to choose their next million-dollar act.  The acts in this year's lineup, if it's not more exciting, are like the others in the previous nine years:  entertaining, mind-boggling and dangerous.

A couple of nights ago, we saw a daring ladder climber fell from his perch.  Luckily, the slip-up did not prevent this risk taker from competing in the final competition next week.

There is also a brave performer who swallowed and wiggled sharp objects to and from his belly.

Then there is this four-legged sidekick to a magic show.  He is as cute as a button.  Sometime he was so alive and acted just like any of his peers would do.  But sometime he seemed to be ready for a long nap.

Now let's wish.  May the best act win the coveted prizes next week.

-  Ayee

Water Shortage and Recycling

This summer, due to the lack of rainfall, many cities put out a water restriction bylaw.  This prompted many of us to ensure that we would not waste any of this not-renewable resource.   And the responses from the citizens of the bylaw are overwhelming.  Now like our good neighbors in our housing complex, many of us within good hygiene practice are taking shorter showers, flushing the toilets less, and even stopping washing cars.  The lush green lawn used to be a pride and joy of the homeowners.    Now it only attracts stiff fines.  And surprisingly to note, without any rain drops  in sight, it was reported on the news that  the bylaw did help the water level in many reservoirs stay at an acceptable level.  

And I would think garbage and water from our faucet got nothing in common.  But here at where we are, we are required to rinse-clean the recyclable containers before they are destined for the recycling bins.  Based on my personal observation, this rinsing and cleaning business consumes a lot of water.

I suppose for the sake of saving water,  maybe from now on, we should no longer  rinse and clean the garbage that are recyclable.  -  Ayee