Reinventing Government...

While our friends in Washington gamble with our future...


Photo Copyright 2007 by Tony Klimas

I had a shocking experience the other day. I've been really busy lately, and I forgot to file my Florida sales and use tax return for my photography business. I collect very little sales tax, doing most of my business over the web, so it just slipped my mind. I was reminded by an automated voice mail that I received asking me to call an 800 number. I thought to myself, "oops!" "I can't believe I forgot to file my return. I think there is a $50 penalty. Oh well, I better call them and face the music."

And so even though the recording asked me to have my state tax ID number handy (and I was 1000 miles away from my state tax ID), I gave them a call. And get this.... A friendly woman answered on the first ring. She explained to me that it was okay that I didn't have my tax ID, she could use my social security number. She looked up my account. She explained to me I missed the deadline, but that if I had no tax collected I could file a zero return over the phone with no paperwork. I asked her about the fine. She told me they will forgive two late payments a year so don't worry about it. She asked if there was anything else she could help me with and then thanked me for calling. I could not believe my ears. No waiting. No rudeness. No baloney. I was floored! I don't know what they are drinking over there in Tallahassee....but I wish they would ship some of it up to DC.

Pssst....I'll let you in on a little secret...

Yeah...it's me...the guy in the photo...


Photo Copyright 2007 by Tony Klimas

This is my corporate head shot. I needed one of these because I've been speaking at all sorts of conferences as of late. Things have been going well in the corporate world of which I inhabit. I'm having lots of fun with lots of interesting people and going to all sorts of neat places and well, at some point, when you start to do okay, you have to get one of these head shots done. I'm not really sure why, but I suppose it's so all the other wonderful people who inhabit the corporate world can see what you look like. You know, in case they want to check you out.

I always like a good photographic challenge, so instead of traipsing off to my local professional photographer to spend the shareholder's money getting a head shot done, I decided, "Hey - I'm a photographer (or at least I try to be when I'm not speaking at conferences), I'm going to do this myself." And so I did...I set up my camera and a bunch of lights designed to cast the proper gradient on that background (which is sitting in my garage), had my trusty assistant push the button and voila...a corporate head shot! Oh...and my little secret... I know, it's not so shocking...but I'm wearing my favorite pair of beat up khaki shorts and no shoes along with that suit and tie....