World Book Day - 2020

Can't pass up the opportunity to promote reading - on World Book Day!

Given that everyone is housebound during this Covid-19 crisis, what better time is there to catch up on your reading? 

Here's my latest read:

Two Very Different Weekend Runs

The first run, on Saturday, took me by one of my favorite spots - Duck Pond.  The weather was raw, gray - and the wind chill brought the low 40's temperature down into the low 30's.  As an added incentive, got to wear my running tights one more time this month.  The high point of this run was catching random bits of one of my favorite smells - wood burning fireplaces :D

The second run, yesterday, again took me by Duck Pond.  This time the weather was easily 20 degrees warmer (and the sun had fought its way out).  Gone were the tights and hat, replaced by shorts and a cap.  Gone too was the jacket, replaced by a vest.  No wood burning fireplaces this time, but some hardly souls must have had enough cabin fever to fire up the charcoal barbeques on their decks - the random aroma in my neighborhood :D

My New Article: D.C.Circuit Upholds IRS Authority to Impose PTIN User Fees

Seems strange to have my (mostly) running blog include posts about Tax... 

But, since the Houston Business and Tax Law Journal has just published my new article, "D.C. Circuit Affirms IRS Authority to Require Practitioner Tax Id Numbers & Impose a User Fee: Montrois v. United States," why not share it?

If you are interested in the topic, here is the link to the article via my SSRN Author Page.

A pair of weekend runs --

I managed to get in an eight+ miler yesterday and another 4 miler this afternoon.  The eight miler was especially fun, and probably my longest run since New Year's day.  I've basically been running 4 days a week, with those runs ranging from 4-6 miles each.  Not a lot of mileage! 

But, with the weather getting warmer, and a bit more sunshine as an added incentive, I plan to add an extra day (5) and by the end of the month, hopefully, yet another (6).  A rather slow crawl to rebuilding my mileage base -- but having fun in the process :D

Life During Distance Learning

Or should it be captioned, "during social distancing?"  Either way, apologies to the Talking Heads - because this might be life imitating art :O

It almost seems quaint that this week was when we planned to return to in-person teaching after a 3-week hiatus from the classroom.  Instead, the rest of the Spring semester will be conducted via distance learning.  Very strange to only interact with my students via Blackboard/Zoom instead of actual classrooms. 

From a practical perspective, the only real change is in testing.  Otherwise it is the same syllabus, material and assignments.  The coursework will get done, but the give and take of the classroom will be missed. 

Hopefully, some semblance of teaching normalcy will return by Summer session?!

Until then, running is the only distance that I can embrace (apologies for the lame pun) :D

NYC Half Marathon Virtual 5K

This morning I ran an easy 5k around the neighborhood to complete my NYC Half virtual 5K.  Not only did they cancel the actual NYC Half Marathon today, but the Taconic RR's also cancelled their St. Patrick's Day races.  In non-race news, my neighbor also cancelled her annual St. Patrick's day party last night.

As for me, while I missed seeing my neighbors at the annual party, I had planned to drive up to FDR Park for the St. Patrick's Day races.  Not to run one, but to volunteer - and socialize with my running friends.  I don't miss running actual races - but I do miss the races themselves, and seeing my friends at them :(

Welcome to My SSRN Author Page :D

Finally - and I say that with a smile because this week I finally set up my author page at SSRN. 

If you're interest in checking out my publications and current research topics, please don't hesitate to visit the page.  The articles, or abstracts, can be viewed with registration.  I've added my most recent publications - and hope to, periodically, upload more of my older articles.

Happy reading :D