Tag Archives: simply-answered

New York Man Turns Waiting In Line Into A Business, Earns $1K A Week

For Robert Samuel, 39, he made a simple idea into a flourishing business after being laid off from his job in 2012…He simply answered a Craiglist ad offering cash to wait in line for a iPhone… Today [you] can hire him to get the time-consuming job done – for a fee, of course. Samuel is now the proud founder of Same Ole Line Dudes, New York’s only professional waiting service company that waits in lines on behalf of clients for anything they want. According to Salon, who recently featured the entrepreneur, Samuel charges $25/hour and makes up to $1,000 a week. He now also has a team of 15 sitters. [ MadameNoire ] Jesse Williams Sounds Off On “Angry” Black Stereotype: “Black Americans Are Not Angry, They Are Hurting” Like many, the 34-year-old actor is tired of the “angry” stereotype that society has stamped the Black community with… Having experienced living in both predominately Black and White neighborhoods, Williams shares that if he had not had the chance to interact with Black people after living in the suburbs, he probably would get his information about Black culture from music, TV and movies and like many others do…“There is zero evidence, zero evidence that black people are more inclined to be angry in vacuum than anybody else,” Williams offered. “They are upset. Is being upset bad? Is anger just a negative quality?” Instead of the usual angry stereotype, Williams argued that Black Americans are hurting. [ MadameNoire ] Soul Food Sequel Gets Green Light From Fox 2000 TheWrap is reporting that a Soul Food sequel featuring original cast members has been approved by Fox 2000 Pictures following the runaway success of 2013’s The Best Man Holiday. The 1997 film, centered around a Black Chicago family, put issues such as money, adultery, death and unity on the forefront, and has gone on to become a cult classic since its release. The original film featured a star-studded cast of Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long and Mekhi Phifer, and all are expected to return for the Soul Food sequel. Director George Tillman Jr. (Barbershop 2 & 3) who got his big break in the original, will also return to direct, produce and write with Nathan Skulnik. Adding to the reunion is once power couple Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Tracey Edmonds, who are returning as co-producers. [ HipHopWired ] A Ohio Boy Was Suspended From School For Starring At A White Girl [ VibeVixen ] 50 Cent Takes a Vodka Shot At Diddy [ TMZ ] Here Is What We Know About John King, The Next Secretary Of Education [ HuffingtonPost ] Matthew McConaughey Is Bald And Overweight On Set Of New Movie ‘Gold’ [ StarPulse ]

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New York Man Turns Waiting In Line Into A Business, Earns $1K A Week

My name is Sarah! I’m 15 years old from Cobourg, Ontario…

My name is Sarah! I’m 15 years old from Cobourg, Ontario and on August 27th I got to hang out with Ryan Buler, Chaz Somers & Caleb Sebben! It started when my friend Victoria sent me a FB message asking if I wanted to meet Chaz Somers with her at his Le Ninja photo shoot in Stratford! I of course said yes and was totally excited! On the morning of, we jumped into her dad’s truck and drove 3 hours to get to Stratford! When we got there we headed to Pattie’s favourite restaurant “Madelyn’s Diner” for breakfast. We then headed downtown because we wanted to see the avon theatre! When we got there, we saw a young girl playing violin. We got excited because this was the girl who plays violin in Never Say Never! I asked if we could get a picture with her and she said of course! Then Victoria’s dad was talking to the girls dad so we talked to her! We found out her name is Jennifer Saunders and Justin gave her $8 the day he put money in her case. We then took pictures on the steps of the Avon Theatre! Jennifer then reviled to us that underneath a tile was Justin’s Star! (like the Hollywood Walk of Fame but in Stratford) It had been put in really recently, so underneath it was still drying! It was so cool! He was the only one who had a star for something other then acting!  We looked at the time and saw we had to get heading to the Meet & Greet with Chaz! We drove down to the Stratford Cinemas and saw another van filled with 5 girls. We were the only ones coming. One of the guys from Le Ninja clothing came outside and told us Chaz was just going to do a short photo shoot with the contest winner then we came come in to meet him. The guy went back inside. Then Victorias dad says, “Who’s this kid coming down the stairs” Victoria looked around the corner and simply said, “Hey Chaz” my heart started racing. He replied, “Hey girls” and smiled. Then his mom came and opened the door she asked him. “When are the guys coming?” Chaz said, “Ryan and Caleb should be here soon”. My eyes must of popped out of my head. We didn’t know that Ryan was coming! I had to hold is my excitement till Chaz went inside, and as soon as he did i couldn’t stop giggling. We then saw another car pull in and it was Ryan and Caleb. They stepped out of the car and walked right into the cinema. I almost died, I mean its RYAN BUTLER! After about 20 minutes we saw them go into the ticket booth and set the shirts up they were selling. Then Chaz’s older brother came and let us in. All 7 of us girls shyly walked in and stood there not going near the guys. Then I said well what the heck and I walked right up to them, “Hey guys” “HEEEYY!!” I smiled. I suddenly wasn’t nervous because they were normal. They started to sign pictures and stuff then Ryan who shyly was tucked in the corner looked at me and said, “Hey so what grade are you going into” Uhmmm did he just talk to me? *dead* I simply answered, “10” Then he looked at me, “Really?!” I didn’t know if he meant I looked older or younger so I just laughed and nodded and he laughed to. We then had to get out of the movie theatre because it was opening soon so we went onto the front yard and hung out there. I got some videos for my friends and we all took pictures and just talked! Then they had to get going so we all got hugs and when Caleb hugged me he picked me up. Ryan hugged me next tightly then Chaz. The other girls got in there car and left but we waited till the guys left so we talked for another 5 or 10 minutes and thats when Chaz tweeted about hanging out with us (except he got my username wrong) but it was still so cool! We sadly had to leave. We waved goodbye then got in the car and headed downtown again. We were walking past the Avon theatre when I glanced across the street and saw Ryan, Chaz and Caleb AGAIN! I just smiled then Ryan looked over and waved at me. I waved back then so did Chaz and Caleb.  I know I didn’t meet Justin but I got to hangout with his friends! They were all so sweet, funny and Justin’s lucky to have them! I know my day to meet Justin will come but meeting Chaz & Ryan was just as amazing! Never Say Never & Dream Big! – @ilysarahbieber Follow this link: My name is Sarah! I’m 15 years old from Cobourg, Ontario…

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My name is Sarah! I’m 15 years old from Cobourg, Ontario…

First I just wanted to say thanks, Vanessa! Reading these posts…

First I just wanted to say thanks, Vanessa! Reading these posts always makes me smile.But anyways my name is Kelly, and this is my  Bieber Experience .I first heard Justin’s ‘One Time’ with my friends in the fall of 2009. I was addicted to his music right away. And when I found out more about him as a person I was crazy about him too. It all started when Matty from Kiss 108’s morning show announced the line up for Jingle Ball 2009, MA. He announced that the new teen heart throb Justin Bieber would be attending. The day the tickets went on sale me and my friend rushed home from school and clicked refresh millions of times. We were able to get tickets! The day of the show came and when we got inside a man handed us a brouchure saying there would be meet and greets. So we ran around like crazy looking for the booth. We found it but it was completely mobbed. It got so bad that they had to shut down. We were so mad. So we waited around for them to re-open and when they did, to our disapointment, Justin was sold out. Instead we met Jordin Sparks which was cool, but she’s no Justin. Our seats for the show weren’t amazing; but it was exciting to see Justin in concert for the first time.My opportunity came when Justin announced the second leg of the My World tour. He would be coming to Boston! I also saw a VIP package that they were offering. It was expensive, but you got front floor section seats, passes into the sound-check and pre-party/dinner, a signed photo book, and lots of merchandise. I was totally excited but knew that they were way too expensive and my parents said there was no chance. But by some miracle, lots of luck, and thanks to the help of my aunt, we got tickets. ROW THREE SEATS. The Boston Garden, November 16, 2010. I couldn’t believe it. Now I just had to wait.Fast forward to November 16th. Time flew and I couldn’t believe that today was the day. When we got to the venue we joined the line to wait to get in. Once we checked in we got our VIP wristbands, and lanyards. We then waited for the sound check that was to start at 4. While waiting we met some really nice fans, and became friends with a few other groups. Then they finally shuffled us randomly into the first few rows of the arena. We were in the second row right in the middle. The whole crew was on stage. The dancers put on a little show for us and @thatrygood intorduced us to everybody. Then after a little bit of hanging out with them; Justin came out looking fine as always.  He was so nice and very chill. And as I always thought; he was completely down to earth. I couldn’t believe it, he was standing just a few feet infront of me, just talking to us. Being with him didn’t make me scream or cry, it just made me smile. After about a 1/2 an hour of hanging out with him, we were brought to the reception, so Justin could get ready for the sold out show. My friend Courtney (that I met there) and I ate a little, but mostly just talked about how cool everything was. We couldn’t resist going to talk to DAN KANTER! We walked over to him and asked for a picture, he said “Sure guys! Thanks for asking!”. Then we talked to him for a few minutes about how Justin always steals his hats on stage. He was hilarious. This was all before anyone else realized he was there (we left when he got mobbed). And finally we met Legaci, Justin’s backup singers. It was all so surreal and the concert hadn’t even started yet! When we got put into our seats we could not believe how close we were. All the opening acts came out and they were great. About twenty minutes before Justin was going to come on the first three rows were given wristbands that allowed us to go up to the railing. I went up to the middle early, and waited there. When the concert started I couldn’t believe that Justin Bieber was right above me. He would look right down at us with his  gorgeous  golden brown eyes, only a reach away. But during Eenie Meenie he sang to me for about half of the song. It was so long that my aunt, standing a few feet behind me, noticed and took a picture. Even one time I looked up to find  him  looking at  me.  It’s amazing all he did to make us smile, He would make eye contact with one of us and we would smile, before he walked away he would laugh and smile back. And lastly, I even got on the big screen! It was unbelievable. That night was probably the best night of my life. I never expected it to be so perfect. I hope to one day meet Justin, but I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. Thank you so much Justin, for a night to remember. And thank you to my Aunt (and family) for making it all possible, I’m very thankful.I was told that night couldn’t happen, but I dreamed big.Every Belieber deserves their night, so don’t give up. Oh and one more thing, NEVER SAY NEVER! -@kellyyb95 See the original post: First I just wanted to say thanks, Vanessa! Reading these posts…

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First I just wanted to say thanks, Vanessa! Reading these posts…

Has Harold Ford Ever Filed a New York Tax Return?

Harold Ford has defended himself against carpetbagging by saying “I pay taxes there, and once you pay taxes there, you feel like a New Yorker.” So why won’t he say whether he’s ever filed a New York tax return? Could it be because, despite his protestations to be a real New Yorker, he filed in Tennessee — which has no income tax — right up until he decided to run for Senate in New York? Ford, who is loudly and hamfistedly considering a Senate run despite the fact that he hasn’t even lived here for a full year, claimed as recently as one month ago on his web site that he resided in Tennessee. In early 2007, he took a job at Merrill Lynch, and announced that he would keep offices in New York and Nashville . And just last month, in an interview with the New York Times , he claimed that he “moved” to New York shortly after losing his Tennessee Senate bid in November 2006. But he then immediately backtracked: [M]oved is such a legal term. I was not a resident here yet until just last year, because I did not spend the requisite number of days here — being that the majority of time I still spent commuting between here and Nashville, and spending time in Tennessee. Who knows where anybody lives these days with all these new legalisms like “moved”? If Ford wasn’t a legal resident of New York until just last year — which means he wouldn’t have to file a state tax return until April 15 of this year — then what’s he talking about when he says he pays taxes “there”? There are two possible answers: 1. You only have to pay full income tax in New York if you lived there for 184 or more days out of the year. If you split your time between two states, and spent 183 or fewer days in New York, you only have to pay New York income tax on “income you received from New York sources” for “services performed in New York state” [pdf]. This is almost certainly what Ford was talking about when he told the Times that he didn’t spend “the requisite number of days” in New York to qualify as a resident until 2009 (which would mean, by the way, that the earliest Ford could have acquired legal residency would have been June 29, the 184th day of 2009—just eight months ago) . So if we assume that Ford didn’t hit the magic number in 2007 and 2008, that means he was only required to pay New York taxes on his Merrill Lynch income for the days he worked in New York. The days he worked out of his Nashville office would have been tax-free, but he would have still had to file a New York tax return for part of his income. Unless! He could have arranged to have been paid by Merrill Lynch’s Nashville office, and simply accounted for his New York days as business trips, thereby avoiding New York taxes altogether. Moreover, if he earned the majority of his compensation as a bonus, as is customary among banksters, it’s unclear whether any portion of the bonus would have to be accounted for as New York income, especially if it were being paid by Merrill Lynch out of Tennessee. 2. Ford could have begun paying taxes on a quarterly basis as soon as he established residency last year. While he’s been on salary at Merrill Lynch, Ford also earned a substantial freelance income as an MSNBC talking head. If MSNBC didn’t withhold, taxes on that non-salary income would have to be paid on a quarterly basis, so—if Ford was able to shield his earnings from New York tax collectors until he actually moved here—he would have started making quarterly payments as soon as he established residency. Which would mean he actually has paid taxes as a New Yorker. It wouldn’t, however, mean that he has filed a New York tax return—quarterly payments are like advances, and are paid before the actual annual return is filed in April. So he could have begun making quarterly estimated payments last year and still not have filed a return. Ford could have spared us all this speculation if he had simply answered our very simple question: Has he ever filed a New York state tax return? We posed it to his publicist on Tuesday morning, and — though our question was acknowledged, and we reiterated it on Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening — we still don’t have an answer. Given Tennessee’s generous tax laws, Ford would have been under substantial pressure to find a way to allocate as much of his income as possible to time spent there—in fact, his home state’s lack of an income tax could explain the whole long-distance arrangement with Merrill. That’s certainly how we’d try to do it. Then again, we’re not running for Senate in New York.

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Has Harold Ford Ever Filed a New York Tax Return?