BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.

Subject: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 06:33 AM

This is only personal bullshit, so please do not read further if you are uninterested in personal tittle tattle from alanabit... Santa came early this year - and brought me the sack. I have been doing relief teaching in a German school and had been expecting to see the year out with the five very enjoyable classes, which I currently teach. It was not to be. The job earns just enough to pay the rent, but the new head of school has decided to get by without me. Some of the kids offered to start up a petition on my behalf and my colleagues were all shocked. I still have to go.
With the taxman already after me for money, which I do not have, life was interesting enough! Had I understood tax law - or even German officialese better, I may have been able to challenge the assessment. However, the amount I "owe" is not huge, and I am not going to gamble money, which I do not have, on getting a tax advisor, who would probably cost as much as the difference between what I might have to pay or might not have to pay. It has left me having to drive on icy roads and go out busking (between school and family commitments) to try to scrape together enough money to stave off the taxman and keep petrol in my car (so I can work). So life sucks? Not quite!
On Tuesday the phone rang. The head of my old school was asking if I could start work at his school again in February. Apparently, when they needed cover, mine was the first name that all the English teachers came up with. The man is an absolute gentleman and I look forward to going back.
Oddly enough, the really big news this week had come a day earlier. It took a while for the significance of it all to sink in though. The band is being signed! We are getting a deal with a publisher in Köln, who will be pushing us to every radio and TV station in the country. I also get to keep the copyrights to all my songs. Of course, there is no guarantee that anything will happen, but we all know how much chance we have of getting airplay when we send out stuff under our own name. It is in the interests of the company to push it, because their money (if any is made) will come from royalties for the actual recordings. We also retain the right to print (and sell) records.
I am feeling a bit more optimistic now and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 06:42 AM

My best wishes to you! Life can be a bugger at times - slings and arrows, as you say - but you seem to be coming through this dip OK. You've obviously been taking arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, ending them... :-) Oh - and have a good Christmas and New Year!

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 06:49 AM

Thanks Will. I hope we get to meet up for a pint and a chat one day. I love your music and your good humoured, interesting posts here.

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: Silas
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 07:00 AM

Well done. I also know what its like when the Tax Man has his claws into you!

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: gnu
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 07:03 AM

Here's hoping all goes well!

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 07:17 AM

you have had an interesting week!

wishing you a merry Christmas & a happy New Year


sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 11:02 AM

We havent ever met , but I have enjoyed your input here ! All the best of Outrageous Good Fortune Sir , and Merry Christmas !

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 11:36 AM

I think we have met Terry, but it was over thirty-four years ago at Dave Paskett's gig at the Downs and Outs Folk Club. It took place at The Waterloo, Cholsey - a few miles outside Reading on Friday, June 13th, 1976. You played a guest set, didn't you and described yourself as "A Song Stealer"?

Thanks for your kind words and I wish you well too sir.

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: michaelr
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 01:08 PM

Alan, best of luck to you and I hope it works out, both the job and the publishing deal.

BTW, I got a few emails that said you were asking me to join some social network. I ignore and refuse those on principle, so don't take it personally.

Best holiday wishes to you and your family from Patti and I.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Dec 10 - 06:31 PM

Best of Luck - and if your income will increase in the future, probably best to get a Tax Adviser, or the Tax Man may sting you harder, once he thinks that you are now 'rich'....

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 06:21 AM

All the best now and in the future.

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: Micca
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 07:08 AM

Best wishes to you Alanabit especially with the taxman and all the best in the New Year, Viel Gluck, Micca

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: Zen
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 07:17 AM

Hi Alan,

Yes he does seem to giveth with one hand and taketh with the other and this seems to be a spreading phenomenon.

Hope still to meet up some time soon and, in the meantime, all best wishes for Christmas.

Richard

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 09:36 AM

I guess alanabit getting rich is about as likely as a blizzard in the Sahara! I am entering the New Year with some optimism though. Thanks for your kind words everyone. I really wish we could all meet up soon!

Subject: RE: BS: Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
From: maeve
Date: 20 Dec 10 - 09:38 AM

I'm delighted your challenges seem to be balanced with some very good developments. Best wishes to you for a fruitful New Year.

Maeve