Loose Ends

This trip to Las Vegas was primarily a fun trip with a little bit of business thrown in there. April's birthday was the entire reason for this trip and so everything was very April-centric.

This time around we didn't do very much in the way of shows and the like. While I would like to have more baudy stories of debauchery to share, this was more about walking, playing, and enjoying the nice weather. We went to many of our favorite haunts, ate some of our favorite foods, and saw some of our favorite people.

I did make some new entertainment contacts, which is the key to actually being an entertainer in Vegas - good contacts. I always do some preliminary sending out of e-mails and press kits to various agencies in Vegas prior to a trip and try to make some appointments with them if they're open to such things.

This time around I met with a performer who first contacted me via e-mail, Scott Thrasher. He's somewhat retired, by his own accounting of his work. However he does still work at the Rio and a few other good gigs. Much of his time is spent raising his young daughter these days.

He originally contacted me wanting info on spinning plates. Not wanting to completely give away my future I traded secrets for good & useful info about the biz in Las Vegas and some other good contacts to follow up on. Our meeting was beneficial for both of us and I look forward to maybe performing alongside Scott some day soon. He and his family were joys to meet and I'm sure they are all excellent performers too!

As for the good mojo I was asking for prior to my departure, I can't say for certain if it all worked out or not. The good news is 98% going to happen. However since it did not come in full-swing I'm hesitant to mention it, being a bit superstitious about such things. I'm sure you can guess what it is about, so I'll "risk it" and talk about the possibility of good news.

As some of you know I've been caught up in an IRS audit, my second in as many years. After the thrashing I took last year I was more than certain that I would be involved in yet another beating this year. However I was infinitely more prepared this time and it would seem as though my preparations along with the luck of the draw with regard to auditors may have actually worked in my favor.

My accountant told me that aside from a few minor changes for future returns, there would be NO CHANGE and all this would come to a quick and torment-free conclusion. The auditor was extremely understanding about the specific needs of my line of work and was more than impressed with the way I presented and logged all of my receipts and contracts. After her review she told my accountant that the minor changes would be negligible and pending approval from her superior, I am awaiting a decision. With hope, that decision will be a big NO CHANGE!

Naturally I cannot do the happy dance just yet. The auditor's boss was not in the office last Tuesday so the whole thing has not reached an end. One of these days (within a few weeks) I'll get a letter from the IRS with their decision inside. I will not breathe a single sigh of relief until it is all over. I did smile once or twice after hearing the news though. Is that wrong?