Having an open mind is a beautiful thing. At our weekly staff meetings, Bourke Accounting employees are encouraged to share ideas. Whether it’s a proposal for a new business-related practice or a philosophical concept, all thoughts are welcomed (this extends to clients, too). Lively debates give us the opportunity to peek into each other’s minds while making things a lot more interesting.
It was during one of these meetings that someone mentioned the Flat Earth Society. I’ve heard of people who are convinced that our Earth is flat, but I never really gave it much thought. Without any study, I – perhaps evidencing a narrow mind – considered the idea on par with Lizard Men from Outer Space and 5G mind control.
Back around 500 BCE, the ancient Greeks deduced that our Earth is round. Since then, we have come to accept that we live on a spinning ball. However, in 1881, Samuel Rowbotham published Earth Not a Globe, a book arguing for the flat earth premise (Wikipedia.org). Rowbotham came to his conclusion using the “Zetetic method.” This belief system suggests that “sensory observations” are the only observations that can be trusted (Livescience.com). Therefore, if you perceive that the Earth is flat, the only possible “deduction is that it must actually be flat” (Livescience.com).
Stunningly (and incomprehensibly), the concept of a flat earth is gaining wider acceptance; YouGov reported that about one third of Americans (aged 18-24) believe our world is flat (Phys.org). Social media influencers, musicians and athletes are among the newly indoctrinated (Phys.org) and they are loud.
When confronted by any conspiracy theory, I always ask who gains from having the masses believe the party line and why do “they” want us to believe it. According to the Flat Earth Society’s website, the who in this case is every single government. The round Earth lie started during the Cold War, when all countries faked space travel to keep up with each other’s “accomplishments” (TFES.org). When the Cold War ended, the Flat Earthers contend, “space travel” programs continued to provide “them” with vast sums of money to embezzle (TFES.org). That’s right, every “astronaut,” pilot and official are all in on it.
Also, oceans don’t drip off into space because what we call “Antarctica” is actually the name of the huge sheets of ice that encircle our floating plate. No one has been there and pictures purported to be taken there are photoshopped. Not to mention, NASA guards the edges. With weaponry (Sciencesensei.com).
But, Sue, we can see other planets and they look round, so why would Earth be different? That’s easy: “Earth is not a planet…as it sits at the center of our solar system above which the planets and the Sun revolve” (TFES.org). Since Earth is so unique, it is folly to compare it with anything else we can observe in the night sky. Question answered.
Believing that the Earth is flat is pretty harmless. Although, in February 2020, “Mad” Mike Hughes – using a homemade rocket in an attempt to snap pictures of a flat Earth – did accidentally kill himself (Globalnews.ca), but this is not the norm. Flat Earthers are a calm bunch and, while I don’t share their belief, I’m happy these people are around just to make things interesting.
Feel free to discuss your unconventional views with your Bourke Accounting expert (if you can change Bill’s mind concerning anything, I will personally give you a dollar). Bourke Accounting specialists are a perfect mix of traditional bean counters and innovative iconoclasts; Bourke Accounting reps are able to think outside of the box while keeping a healthy respect for the box.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Considering the current societal climate, it was natural for me to start thinking about villains. In America, we really love our fictional bad guys. For example, at Bourke Accounting, Boss Bill’s favorite is Krystle Carrington from Dynasty. I think he may be messing with me, as she’s described as a “tender, loving woman” (Wikipedia.org), but with Bill, one can never be sure. Bookkeeper Christina, self-proclaimed rapscallion admirer, immediately chose The Joker as portrayed in Suicide Squad. My favorite is Amy Elliot-Dunne from Gillian Flynn’s novel, Gone Girl. While she doesn’t share The Joker’s wholesale murderous mania, her ability to chip away the humanity of every person in her life is diabolical.
So why do we like the naughty fellas? First, and obviously, is because we need a bad guy in order to have a hero. Without the Joker (and the murdered parents), Batman would just be Bill Gates. The villain’s only function is to give the hero purpose. Also, villains add drama to what would otherwise be a boring storyline; as The Violent Femmes questioned, “Don’t you know it’s boring when it’s quiet and serene” (“Life is a Scream”)?
Purpose. Humans like purpose. Also, humans like over-the-top psychos. Look at Darth Vader. The man vaporized Princess Leia’s entire home planet of Alderaan simply to show off a new toy. Maybe it’s some part of our reptilian brain at work, but we enjoy living vicariously through antagonists. We watch someone do what they want, when they want, and perhaps feel a tinge of jealousy. Chances are, you will never get the opportunity to destroy a planet. I’m sorry.
Additionally, the idea of a villain is the idea of freedom. Villains don’t have morals, so they never experience that sleepless, “dark night of the soul.” Villains never apologize; villains never cringe after hurting a loved one’s feelings. Villains also know exactly who they are – they are the most self-aware individuals in any story. The bad guy is fully cognizant of the difference between good and evil and consistently chooses evil. We know that we can depend on the bad character to be reliably bad.
Finally, the villains always look the coolest. Think of Maleficent. Besides being way more interesting than the boring little princess and prince, Maleficent can turn into a dragon. Best wardrobe change ever.
While watching supremely intelligent, cool-looking baddies on film is great, the concept doesn’t lend itself to reality. Most real-life bad guys have the pettiest and silliest motivations behind their misdeeds. For example, there’s a guy who teargassed civilians because his fragile “masculinity” was damaged when he was forced to hide in a basement. Also, think of every man who killed his wife because he wanted to start a life with a another woman. These are clearly not super-genius villains.
Another problem with real bad guys is that they very rarely are aware that they are, in fact, the bad guy. Take racists, for instance. Whether it’s a matter of poor upbringing or sheer mad dog stupidity, most racists can’t understand that what they stand for is grotesque. They don’t comprehend that there’s a difference between being proud of one’s heritage and actively stomping on the lives and rights of those they deem “inferior.”
While we may enjoy criminals on screen, criminals in real life are frightening. Therefore, it’s up to us to actively try to be the good guys. And remember, the main job of heroes is to constantly foil the plans of the demented malcontent bent on the destruction of unity and justice.
We might not be saving the world, but make no mistake, Bourke Accounting specialists are the good guys. At Bourke Accounting, the main goals are protecting the financial stability and futures of our clients. After sitting down with your Bourke Accounting expert, you will know that a hero is supporting you all the way.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Most people, including myself, keep repeating the same mistakes – William Shatner
Bourke Accounting associates are fairly civic-minded. We tend to drive the speed limit, recycle our metal and clean up after our pets. We hold doors for people, sneeze into the crook of our arms and wear masks when venturing out into the world. Of all the things that Bourke workers do, I am constantly surprised that our mask habit has proven to be the most provocative.
At this point, you can’t help but notice that masks have become politicized. Honestly, I’m a little confused; when I walk into the corner store to buy my coffee, I rarely get angry that the sign on the window warns: No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service. I simply put my shirt back on, get my large drip, 2 sugars, and go about my day. For some Americans, the mask controversy, and isolated acts of violence, is difficult to understand. And, by the way, it’s also a complete and total re-run.
Welcome back to 1919, everybody! Many comparisons have been made between the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and our own current situation: how transmission occurs, infection rates in heavily populated areas and, yes, even the mask controversy. While the Spanish flu was raging, the city of San Francisco “enforced the wearing of masks” (Businessinsider.com) and, while most people complied, it was by no means unanimous. Starting in January of 1919, an “Anti-Mask League” (calling themselves the “Sanitary Spartacans”) formed to protest masks (Businessinsider.com). The Spartacans argued that the masks were “unsanitary, useless and a threat to their constitutional rights” (Businessinsider.com).
Interestingly enough, when the Spanish flu first made the scene, the populace didn’t really have a problem wearing masks. Since World War I was still being fought, officials and health organizations reminded Americans that wearing masks was “patriotic” in nature and helped to protect the health of soldiers who might have to return to the frontlines (History.com). The Red Cross even released a public service message labeling those who failed to wear masks as “dangerous slackers” (History.com). Since red-blooded Americans didn’t want to be responsible for a lost war (or thought of as a slacker, dangerous or otherwise), the masks were an easy sell.
However, when the war ended in November of ’18, local administrations lost their primary bargaining chip. Without the fear of infecting soldiers, citizens bristled at the continued mask requirement (History.com). Much like today, individuals gathered to protest the perceived heavy-handed command. Also, much like today, some Americans did not like being forced to protect themselves and others; they argued that a “free” country should be just that – completely and unequivocally.
Obviously, mask wearing is a personal choice. I won’t shame anyone for not wearing one, just as I hope no one will shame me for sporting my stuffy face covering. While it is a choice, it must be noted that, after mask-wearing became enforced during the Spanish flu, San Francisco’s death rate was reduced by 25% (Businessinsider.com). So, you know, just saying.
As with everything else, Bourke Accounting is even making the mask-debate easy for you – we’re open for drop-offs and mail-ins exclusively. Since Bourke Accounting professionals want to see you again next year for a proper visit, we can only hope that you’re taking care of yourselves and your loved ones. And remember: as sad and as frustrating as this re-run is, it won’t last forever!
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
The cool thing about humans is that we are good at improvising. For example, sitting at my desk at Bourke Accounting, I looked down and noticed that I had a small hole in my pants. This did not pose a problem. I colored my knee with a black Sharpie (it’s helpful that I wear a lot of black) and the hole was no longer noticeable. This is not the first time I’ve done this. It occurs to me that I should really check my clothes before I leave the house.
This little bit of improv is low on the spontaneity ladder, but it worked. Because of this instance, I started thinking of 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and movies in general. So, here are a few times that ad-libbing paid off in the moving picture shows:
1) Raiders of the Lost Ark. I’m sure you remember the scene where Indy is running through the streets of Cairo and, all of a sudden, a guy dressed in black starts whipping a big sword around. Then, Indy, cool as all get-out, pulls out a gun and simply shoots the guy. That’s not how it was supposed to happen. Harrison Ford was suffering from dysentery (I had always heard it was a hangover, but whatever) and using the bathroom a lot. He decided it would be a lot easier if he didn’t engage in a drawn-out fight pitting sword against whip and came up with the pistol angle. Steven Spielberg probably realized Ford didn’t have much in him and, to avoid an icky trip to the laundromat, allowed the ad-lib to stay (Businessinsider.com).
2) Midnight Cowboy. So, there’s that scene where “Ratso” Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) is walking down the street and a cab almost hits him. Hoffman bangs on the hood of the taxi and yells out: I’m walkin’ here, I’m walkin’ here! A very iconic scene and a total accident. Since director John Schlesinger was making the movie on a teeny tiny budget, he didn’t get a permit to block a busy New York City street. They were shooting “guerilla-style with a hidden camera in a van” (Bestmoviesbyfarr.com) and, even while almost being hit, Hoffman stayed in character. Honestly, I don’t know how much “in character” it was – if you spend any time in NYC, trust me, you will hit the hood of a cab at least once.
3) Goodfellas. Right, you know the scene with Joe Pesci’s rant, “I’m funny how? I mean funny, like I’m a clown? I amuse you?” During the scene, everyone at the table looks visibly uncomfortable. That’s some good acting. No, that was everyone’s legitimate response because they had no idea what was going on. Earlier, Pesci had told director Martin Scorsese how, while working at a restaurant, he had inadvertently offended a “connected” man by telling him he was funny. That entire tantrum was what the man had screamed at Pesci. Scorsese loved it and told Pesci to run with it, only informing Ray Liotta (Mentalfloss.com). Scorsese wanted genuine reactions and it worked.
The human animal is good at adapting and improvising. This is useful in day-to-day living, but absolutely wonderful in art. There are, I’m guessing, thousands of examples just like the ones above that are responsible for turning a good movie into a classic. As Bob Ross said, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
Your Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are champs when it comes to improvisation. You know that when you sit down with a Bourke Accounting pro, they already know about new laws and changes to old ones. However, there is nothing you can possibly do that will throw your Bourke Accounting expert. Bourke Accounting specialists know how to amend a return and know how to make sure damages are kept to the minimum. They are that good – rehearsed or not.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
As I’ve said numerous times, Bourke Accounting denizens try to keep healthy. Whether it’s taking a morning multi-vitamin or drinking plenty of water, we want to feel and look good. We’re not attempting to cheat Death, we only want to roll out of bed – without body parts screaming in protest.
Bourke Accounting workers don’t really subscribe to esoteric practices; we generally land on the boring side of the wellness spectrum. However, some of you out there are using home remedies that are anything but boring:
1) Kratom. Note: I’m a liar. I use kratom. Kratom is an herbal extract that “comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree” (MayoClinic.org) and is available in pill or powdered form. It’s used for pain relief, anxiety and as a mild mood elevator. I have difficult lady times and have found that a teaspoon of kratom in a cup of Green Apple Gatorade affords me hours of relief. There are a few drawbacks to using this, of course. First, the powdered form is hard to completely dissolve, so you end up drinking something akin to wet sand. Second, if you use too much, it will make you jittery. The Mayo Clinic also points out that, since kratom isn’t regulated, there is a chance that it could be “contaminated with salmonella bacteria.” Finally, because some people are incapable of reading instructions, poison control centers have documented 1,800 reports centered around the use of kratom between 2011 and 2017 (Mayoclinic.com).
2) Essential Oils. A lot of people use oil diffusors around their homes for aromatherapy purposes. Hey, lavender smells nice! However, some people are applying these oils directly to the skin and even swallowing them. If it is diluted enough, small studies have shown that dabbing oils like peppermint to the forehead can relieve headaches (Healthline.com). However, if not properly handled, these oils can burn the skin and ingestion of oils is almost never recommended. In a scary trend, some parents are foregoing antibiotics in favor of oils to treat their children’s illnesses (Parents.com). While using aromatherapy may lead to reduced levels of stress, a parent shouldn’t expect basil oil to cure their kid’s cancer. I have personally read horror stories on Reddit.com of parents replacing their epileptic offspring’s seizure medication with Eucalyptus oil and wondering why authorities would like to have a word.
3) Urine Therapy. Uh, yeah. This. Since ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, “drinking or the local application of human…urine for medicinal purposes has been practiced all over the world” (NCBI.nlm.nih.gov). People who believe in pee claim that it cures acne, whitens teeth, protects against infections and even fights cancer (Health.com). Kayleigh Oakley, a British Youtuber, says that, since she’s started practicing Urine Therapy, she’s no longer in pain, her skin has cleared up and she has a lot more energy (Health.com). Doctors are less than excited. As it turns out, urine isn’t really sterile and “modern research has found virtually no benefit” (Health.com) in chugging pee pee. And, urine left outside of the body develops bacteria, so rubbing it on yourself invites a slew of infections (Health.com).
I have no problem with people trying new remedies for age-old illnesses. However, I think we must keep certain things in perspective and do proper research before trying radical new regiments (and by “research,” I don’t mean following the advice of CaptainSparklePants223 on Facebook).
Bourke Accounting professionals are very openminded. Your Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers want you to live the best life you can, even if it involves urine. However, if you do espouse some of the more exotic medical practices, please make use of our strategically placed bowls of mints. There’s no judgement at Bourke Accounting, but fresh breath is a gift to everyone!
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
In the wake of recent, devastating events and the social fallout, the Coronavirus doesn’t seem to be taking up as much space in the collective unconscious. Perhaps this is because, after fighting an unseen enemy for months, Americans now have a tangible personification of evil in Derek Chauvin. Like the rest of the world, Bourke Accounting employees are talking about little else.
It was during one of these conversations that Bill asked me if I had heard about the protests that have been taking place worldwide. I allowed that I saw a headline or two, but hadn’t really looked into it. When I did look into it, I was surprised.
Since the Revolutionary War, America has sort of been like the tough, cocky, reckless (sometimes mad dog dumb) younger sibling to the rest of the world; as far as countries go, we’re the baby. And as far as our attitude goes, “My Way” might as well be acknowledged as our theme song.
It’s wonderful that people, thousands of miles away, are empathetic and strong enough to lend their voices to protest despicable and lethal racist practices. While our current troubles are clearly a dark mark on America’s reputation, it is astounding that the gravity of our plight has reached so far. For example, a few days ago in Berlin, Germany, protesters demonstrated outside of the U.S. Embassy (NPR.com). Also, in London, England, in Trafalgar Square, demonstrators took a knee for nine minutes (NPR.com). Even Iran hosted protesters for a candlelight vigil, complete with “Black Lives Matter posters and illustrations of Floyd posted” (NPR.com).
So far, the international protests have been extremely peaceful. Maybe it’s because protesting another country’s problems is one thing and destroying your own city is quite another. Maybe they’re just better behaved than us. From what I’ve read, the only incident that even hinted at potential violence was in Australia; apparently a demonstration was cancelled because people on social media “threatened to create havoc and protest against the event” (TheGuardian.com). Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison also warned protestors against “importing things happening in other countries” (TheGuardian.com) to their own. After watching some US protests, it’s hard to blame him.
Besides showing solidarity against prejudice in general, many international activists point out that there are race relation difficulties within their own countries. For example, Australian protesters mention that, since 1991, there have been “more than 400 Indigenous deaths in [police] custody” (TheGuardian.com). These deaths have yet to be explained. Additionally, in England, riots erupted after police shot and killed Mark Duggan, a man “under suspicion of planning an attack” (BBC.com). During the riots, it was discovered that the police were “four times more likely to use force against black people than white people” (BBC.com).
Sadly, bigotry is not just an American pastime. With the world watching, we can prove that the US does not condone discrimination. We can also demonstrate that change can happen without violence and destruction. We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into a bloody civil war because some guy, squatting in the White House, has nothing better to do than antagonize a wounded nation. Let’s show the world that, while we may be cocky, we’re not as dumb as we look.
Bourke Accounting understands the importance of solidarity – not just regarding their clients, but concerning the world, as well. Your Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers know that teamwork makes the dream work (laugh at me all you want, but you know I’m right). With Bourke Accounting, as with life in general, cooperation makes us better than we are alone. When we stand up for each other, we stand up for a greater, more peaceful world.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
If income taxes were suddenly abolished, I would be out of a job. Since I like working for Bourke Accounting, and hate job interviews, that would be hard for me. Also, we’d all notice quite a change in our society if taxes were no longer a thing: sure, we’d have more money in our pockets, but no one to call if a stranger, emerging from a dark alley, decided to relieve us of that money.
We understand that taxes are a necessary evil that we simply have to live with. Well, most of us understand that. There are, however, people who refuse to accept the inevitability of our American taxation system. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Tax Protester.
First off, a tax protester should not be confused with a tax resister. A tax resister is someone who refuses to pay taxes because s/he disagrees with something the American government is doing. For example, before women won the right to vote, many Suffrage organizations suggested that, as a form of passive resistance, taxes not be paid. These thoughts were later reflected during the Vietnam war when many protestors, as “conscientious objectors,” decided that they did not want to fund a war that they felt was immoral (En.Wikipedia.org).
Tax protesters are a little different. Tax protesters refuse to pay taxes, “claiming that the tax laws are unconstitutional or otherwise invalid” (En.Wikipedia.org). Naturally, there are some tax protesters who believe that the government “covers up the ‘truth’ about the income tax in order to continue oppressing the people and taking their money” (ADL.org), but we’re just going to slide right past that one.
One argument that tax protesters use is that “money you receive for working isn’t technically income [but] an equal exchange of your labor for fair market wages” (USAToday.com). Because this is a “trade,” there is no “’gain’ to be taxed” (USAToday.com). They concede that taxes should be paid if one sold a lot of stocks or won the lottery, but W2 earnings should be left out of every taxation equation.
Another tax protester rationalization compares paying taxes to slavery. The belief suggests that, since slavery is illegal, so are taxes. Kentucky’s own Rand Paul pontificated that “if we tax you at 50%, you are half-slave, half-free” (USAToday.com). The Internal Revenue Service has never felt this to be a compelling debate issue.
Then there are the folks who have decided that a tax bill doesn’t pertain to an individual, since “IRS correspondence is written in all capital letters” (TheDailyBeast.com). Because of this, protesters feel that a tax bill is really addressed “to a legal entity which shares your name but is not you” (TheDailyBeast.com). Again, the tax courts don’t agree with this defense in the slightest.
Having the tax court disagree with a claim is one thing; however, if the IRS deems you are filing a frivolous argument, you can be fined from $5,000 to $25,000 (USAToday.com). In addition, there’s the chance that the IRS will prosecute for tax evasion – complete with prison and penalties (USAToday.com).
Perhaps I have become complacent, but it seems to me that defiantly refusing to pay taxes is rather like screaming at a cloudy sky because you wanted to go to the beach. It might make you feel better in the moment, but what is it really going to accomplish?
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers don’t want you to go to prison. Your Bourke Accounting pro will listen to you vent about the tax system, but as soon as you suggest some hairbrained scheme, your expert will shut you right down. Your Bourke Accounting specialist wants to keep your good name intact, as well as making sure that you never have to learn how to make a shank.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Bourke Accounting clients are pretty nice. They’re polite, they’re friendly and they don’t make ridiculous demands that are impossible to meet. Most importantly, our clients don’t talk down to any of us. I like them.
I realized how very lucky I am yesterday while at a Walgreens. Prominently displayed was a sign in the window advising that face coverings must be worn. All right, no problem, let me just fish this out of my purse and, yay – I was compliant. The masked gentleman guarding the doors acknowledged me with a nod and I returned my own masked head nod. Within five minutes, there was a commotion.
The source of the trouble was an unmasked woman who had just walked in, accompanied by a little girl (who was similarly devoid of facial covering). The employee informed her that she would have to leave if she did not have a mask. The woman mentioned that she lived in America and had no idea what country he was from. She then, inexplicably, enlightened him that her handbag cost more than he made in a month. Finally, she proudly stated that some kid, from somewhere, wasn’t going to tell her what to do. The employee sighed, pulled out his phone and said that his only choice was to get the authorities involved. The poor child looked mortified as her mother stalked out of the store, four-letter words and disparagement of the gentleman’s parentage raining down.
I looked over at the employee and said something along the lines of, “Jeez, relax, Karen,” he chuckled and I went about my business. It has recently come to my attention, however, that some people find the term “Karen” to be sexist, ageist, classist and on par with a racial slur. Eh, say again? Okay, what is a “Karen”? A “Karen” is typified by the example above: an entitled, culturally insensitive, snobbish nightmare. Generally, “Karens” aggressively treat those they deem “beneath” them as sub-human.
The Guardian argues that the term is used to silence women in general and confident women specifically. In addition, because “Karens” are generally on the older side of 25, it’s a way to tell mature women that they are irrelevant. Finally, because a “Karen” is thought to be well-off, the title engages in “wealth shaming” (seriously, this is a thing now).
I rather think these opponents of the “Karen” moniker are missing the point; it is a term that attacks who a person is, rather than what a person is and is not meant to characterize all women; “Karen” even has a male counterpart, which I’ve seen as “Kyle” or “Bill.” When we see a customer berate a store clerk and scream for a manager because an expired coupon cannot be honored, we are judging the behavior of the shrieking individual, not the quality of her/his shoes.
While it’s true that our country still faces discrimination issues, I don’t believe that we should go looking for fire where there isn’t even any smoke. There are enough legitimate examples of prejudice to fight against. And, really, people who misbehave and treat others terribly should not be surprised when the recipients of their abuse get a little snarky.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers, being utter professionals, can handle a “Karen” or a “Kyle.” However, it doesn’t come up much as, like I stated, Bourke Accounting clients are wonderful. Perhaps it’s the fact that Bourke Accounting experts are personable and impressively knowledgeable or perhaps it’s just that Bourke Accounting got lucky. Either way, here’s a big “thank you” to all of Bourke’s great clients!
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
None of my Bourke Accounting co-workers were homeschooled. Maybe our parents weren’t very innovative, but we all gained our educations using the regular channels of school and college. In fact, throughout my entire life, I’ve only known one homeschooled person.
Some parents cite that, in what appears to be an increasingly violent society, they can keep their children better protected by homeschooling. There are also parents who believe that secular teaching contradicts their religious faiths. Some extol the virtues of devoting undivided time and attention to the education of their children on a one-on-one basis.
My homeschooled friend is one of the smartest people I know. There was a curriculum provided by the school district and frequent testing was required. Scholastically, this woman outshines me in every subject. However, she is also painfully socially awkward and dangerously naïve. Academically, the homeschooling worked very well. Socially? Eh, maybe not so much.
While I have a few doubts about homeschooling, there’s another type of education that I really question: Unschooling. Unschooling is the practice of “letting the learner choose what, when, how and where they learn” (Theglobeandmail.com). Not clear enough? Okay, what about this: unschooling is the “idea that children can direct their own learning…without the rigid structures of formal education” (Healthline.com). Basically, unschooling is letting little Johnny decide what, if anything, he feels like doing today. The premise is, that through the process of living life, these kids learn (Psychologytoday.com).
Unschooling falls under the umbrella of homeschooling and is legal in all states (Unschoolingmom2mom.com). However, the rules are different for every state; some states require testing, some don’t. If parents don’t test, how can they be sure that their kids are learning anything? According to Naturalchild.org, simply by using “direct observation,” the parents can tell. Naturalchild.org suggests that it’s okay if a child can’t read by age 12 – “there is no need to speed up or measure this process.” If the kids never learn to read, that’s all right, too, since they learned the subjects that inspired passion within them!
There haven’t been many long-term studies done on the effectiveness of “unschooling,” but there has been some limited research. One study showed that “unschooled children scored lower for academic ability” (Universityaffairs.ca) than homeschooled kids utilizing a more traditional curriculum. I think it’s great that kids can study what interests them, but there has to be room for the boring subjects, too. Also, I wonder about the wisdom of allowing a child to dictate what s/he will learn. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a panther – I don’t think I was in any position to tell my mom that I just wasn’t going to learn multiplication because it wasn’t exciting.
I also wonder how these kids will be able to assimilate into the working world; they have never experienced deadlines, schedules or completing dull tasks. Unschooler parents could argue that school is nothing but a training ground for a future in the workforce and, to an extent, that’s fair. But. Unless the kid has a really big trust fund, that training is going to come in really handy (if the kid ever wants to move out, that is).
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers weren’t unschooled. But our Bourke Accounting experts appreciate that there are many ways to learn and they are always eager to hip the uninitiated to the world of accounting. While our Bourke Accounting pros may have mastered their craft in the old-fashioned way, they never stop learning. I guess it just worked out that numbers happened to be their passion.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
I wouldn’t say that we’re over-the-top, dedicated health enthusiasts at Bourke Accounting, but we try to stay active and eat sensibly. In the break room, bottled water and granola bars share space with cookies and chips; we follow the old “everything in moderation” credo. During our staff lunch meetings, no one gorges themselves and no one talks around mouthfuls of food. We are civilized.
It is perhaps because of this that I’ve been sheltered from some of the scarier aspects of society. I am not naïve and I know that there are some questionable trends available on the internet, but I just found out about something that leaves me perplexed (well, perplexed and a little ill):
Mukbang is a social media genre that originated in South Korea. The word itself is a combination of two Korean words: “mukja,” meaning “let’s eat” and “bang song,” meaning “broadcast” (Menshealth.com). People film themselves eating food. That’s it. Sometimes they interact with the audience, sometimes, they just eat quietly. It is believed that this movement has become so popular because, in Korea, it’s not common for people to go to restaurants by themselves, as “dining is a social activity” (Menshealth.com). When forced to eat at home alone, people were lonely. With mukbang, the audience can kind of pretend that they’re sharing a meal with another person.
Like with most things, Americans have put their own spin on this practice. While Korean mukbangers eat large quantities of food, the Americans bring it to an entirely new level. Take, for example, Youtuber Erik Lamkin. A few years ago, Mr. Lamkin engaged in “The 100,000 Calorie Challenge.” In a span of 100 hours, Lamkin consumed, as the title suggests, 100,000 calories (Insider.com). Keep in mind that an average 24-year old should be eating about 2,800 calories per day. And, of course, American mukbangers seem to seek out the unhealthiest, greasiest food imaginable.
I took one for the team recently and watched a few American mukbangers in action. These are not well-mannered and dignified eaters. Food flies out of mouths, there’s slurping, there’s the licking of fingers…there is also non-stop commentaries on just how good the food is. Oddly, what makes the above my nightmare, is one of the biggest reasons people love these videos. Many audience members report that they find the loud smacking, chewing, crunching (arrgh! You get it) very relaxing (Mashed.com).
And does being a mukbanger pay? You betcha – popular mukbangers “can earn nearly $100,000 a year” (Insider.com). 100K to slather the pinnacle of artery clogging food across your face on a daily basis? Right. Everything’s totally clear now. That money will come in handy: side effects of mukbanging include “weight gain, heart disease and diabetes” (Mashed.com).
In a hungry world, it’s distasteful that people force-feed themselves huge quantities for the amusement of the masses. Also, a moment of fame isn’t worth destroying the body or promoting seriously bad eating habits to impressionable audiences. What happened to good old-fashioned movie stars?
If you walk in with a big bag of mukbanger money, your Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers can assist you. Bourke Accounting experts, while maybe not witnessing your craft, still know how to keep you on the good side of the IRS. In addition, and if you should ever want to try a different line of work, your Bourke Accounting pro can offer advice concerning your future endeavors.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.