Putting the "blah blah blah" in blog

From People 2/13/06: Bai Ling's Sundance Swag

Ever wonder just how much free merchandise stars haul home from events like the Sundance Film Fesitval? Actress Bai Ling gave Scoop her Sundance Swag Diary: "They flew me in a private jet and put me in a condo....I got a BlackBerry 8700c, I got these puffy boots from Ugg...bags from Kooba, [together they] cost like $1,500 or $2,000...and also a blue purse by Solas Fashion...a winter coat from Le Tigre...sunglasses from Oakley...jewelry from Lia Sophia...and some things at the Motorola Suite....I got a massage and a facial at [L.A. based skin care to the stars] Kate Somerville....I had probably seven bags full of stuff. I was very lucky."

I was in a condo, too!

I'm finished with taxes! I just E-filed. My birthday will not be ruined, though I have no plans. And I'm getting a modest refund from both federal and NYS. I've gotten really large refunds the last few years, but cut back my estimated payments this time. As a freelancer, it's impossible to know what my income will be.

I didn't agonize over every penny, so I hope I did it right. There was a moment of panic when E-file found 2 errors, but it just wanted me to put my city and state in some part of the form. And I won't go into how TaxCut wouldn't let me update when I first installed due to a McAfee conflict which I eventually got around.

My income in 2005 was about half that in 2004, when I worked full-time almost the entire year (we had "Super Millionaire" filling the time normally spent in hiatus). That's OK.

For those who didn't get the mailing:

The crossword movie "Wordplay" will have its New York premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival next month. I'm one of 5 solvers featured. Several celebrities appear, including the former leader of the free world and a hilarious Jon Stewart.

I'm totally biased, but I think the movie works even for people with no interest in puzzles. The playoffs at the end are exciting as a sports event.

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CONTEST: I bought 6 tickets (and have an additional free ticket) to the 5/3 5:30 showing (which includes Q&A afterward), and will raffle all 7 tickets off at random.

If you want to be in the raffle, send me an E-mail and let me know how many tickets you want. Deadline is midnight 4/17, same as taxes. I'll notify winners 4/18.

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Tickets are on sale now for those with American Express cards, and starting next week for everyone. See http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/purchase-tickets.html for info.

The movie opens in theaters 6/16 in NYC, 6/30 nationwide.

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tixSYS/2006/filmguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=3523&FullNote=1

"Wordplay" showings:

Wed, May 3 / 5:30 pm (Q&A with cast members afterward)
AMC Loews Lincoln Sq 1

Thu, May 4 / 1:30 pm
AMC Loews Lincoln Sq 6

Sat, May 6 / 4:30 pm
AMC Loews Village VII 2

Sun, May 7 / 1:30 pm
AMC Loews Village VII 2