Computers are stoopid (How the National Bank of Canada done fukt up)

Dear 19,

So here's my story. Last year, I found out that I was paying twice the municipal and school taxes I was supposed to because I was paying the city directly but I was also unknowingly putting the same amount in a (hidden) bank account meant as a provision for municipal and school taxes when making my mortgage payments. No one had told me about this and I had only noticed this discrepancy once I realized just how much I was paying through the nose. No one at the bank noticed, the account just grew and grew. I had to really bang down their door to explain the whole thing. I finally managed to get a chunk of that money back. This happened last year right before quitting my job...which was perfect. I got 1800$ back.

So earlier this year, I noticed that my municipal tax payments basically doubled. I thought it was maybe normal as property value was going up but I eventually found out that I've been once again paying way too much. I've been barely surviving these past few months and am now renting out my condo because I could just not afford the extra 200$ a month I was paying. Long story short, tonight, I looked at the whole thing carefully and realized that the bank is basing it's estimates on what was withdrawn from the account last year (presumably to pay taxes). Of course, last year, I withdrew 1800$ which was in excess to begin with and which was also, oh yes, MY FUCKING MONEY!

I don't know what kind of unorthodox maneuver they had to follow to withdraw that money for me in the first place but it's clear that whoever designed that system didn't think too far ahead. But what's worse is that humans were also involved. They had to initiate the payment adjustments and they knew way more than I did to begin with.

It's just fucked up that I had to claim money from a bank only to have it steal it back from me a year later. I can't even imagine how I'm going to be able to explain this one...especially since they recently transferred my mortgage account to another branch.

Fuck you National Bank.

SHABBY DIRTDAY!

I'm sorry dear blog, I've been too lazy this last year.

I'll try better next year.

darn. Its not a good start.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Hard to believe it's the blog's 5th birthday today. In honor of this occasion, I will read/watch all the postings since I gave up on this poor sucker.

We Made A Big Mistake!

We should have gotten this for his birthday.

Wicked Film

I saw this film at the Musée des Beaux Arts last year. Music by Melissa Auf Der Mauer. There's a screening here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175934319144968¬if_t=event_invite



I don't know how to describe it... but it's definitely worth checking out. There's a lot of blood.

Sweet Stop Motion

Speaking of Uniforms

Have you guys seen this Louis CK bit?



Although it arguably loses its relevance when you read stories like the one about the Catholic Church child protection chief caught with 4,000 child porn pictures.

I love a man in uniform.

Keep an eye out for the handsome cop at 2:38. He's so dreamy. I would do him.