How to file income tax online - For salaried individuals !!

Income tax efiling steps

1. Keep a copy of Form 16 handy for reference. All the details to be filed are available in the Form 16.
   
2. Download ITR-1 Form from https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/individual_huf.do
   
3. Fill in the blocks in green color - You might face doubts in following section
   
• Income Tax Ward/ Circle - Find it from https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/common.do?screen=jurisdiction Sample: ITO SAL WD IV(4) CN/CHE/W/274/4
  
• Return filed under section - 139(1)
• Income from salary = Gross Total Income (mentioned in Form 16)
4. Click Next and fill all three sheets
5. Click 'Validate' from excel sheet
6. From first sheet click 'Calculate' - This will calculate the tax. Verify if intact with Form 16
7. Click 'Generare' - XML file will be generated
   
8. Upload the XML file from - https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in  > Select Assessment Year
   
9. Download the pdf
   
10. Print, sign and send to "Income Tax Department - CPC,Post Bag No - 1,Electronic City Post Office,Bangalore - 560100, Karnataka" in NORMAL POST.
    
    

RTI - Right To Information Act

Right To Information FAQ!

What is RTI?

RTI stands for "Right to Information". Right to Information is a fundamental right that every citizen has! Basically, the RTI gives you all the information that you want about the Govt. and what they are doing with your tax money!
You have the right to ask the Govt. why the roads outside your house are not fixed, why have you not received your rashan card as yet, why is there so much garbage in your area that is not picked up etc.

If RTI is a fundamental right, then why do we need an Act?
Simply because if you go into a Govt. office and demand that they tell you why your work has not been done, they will not entertain you or might even throw you out. If it's a law, then it becomes harder to do this. If they do not give you the information you want, they will have broken a law and can be punished for it!

Who will give me information I am looking for?
One or more officers in every Government Department have been made "Public Information Officers" (PIO). If you want some information, you need to file an application with the PIO. The PIO's are responsible for collecting information wanted by you and providing that information to you.

Also, several officers have been appointed as Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs). Their job is only to accept applications from the public and forward it to the right PIO.

Can the PIO refuse to give me information?
A PIO can refuse information on certain subjects. These include information received in confidence from foreign governments, information prejudicial to security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the country, breach of privilege of legislatures, etc.
But, do not worry about this!

For an average citizen like you and me, the information we are looking for does not come under these categories. So the PIO can not refuse to give us information.
Where do I submit the application for information?
You can do that with the PIO or with APIO of the Govt. department you are questioning.
In the case of all Central Government Departments, certain "post offices" have been designated as APIOs. This means that you can go to any of these post offices and submit your fee and application at the RTI counter in these post offices.
They will issue you a receipt and acknowledgement and it is then the responsibility of that post office to deliver it to the right PIO. The list of these post offices is given here.
 
Is there any fee? How do I deposit that?
Yes, there is an application fee. For Central Government Departments, it is Rs.10. However, different states have different fees.

For getting information, you have to pay Rs.2 per page of information provided for Central Government Departments. It is different for different states. Similarly, there is a fee for inspection of documents. There is no fee for first hour of inspection, but after that, you have to pay Rs.5 for every hour or inspection. This is according to Central Rules. For each state, you need to see respective state rules.

You can deposit fee in cash or through a DD or bankers cheque or postal order. You can then deposit your application either by post or by hand.
 
What should I do if the PIO does not accept my application?
You can send it by post. Once you send it along with the fee, your job is done.
You should also make a formal complaint to the respective Information Commission. The Information Commissioner has the power to impose a penalty of Rs.25,000 on the concerned PIO officer who refused to accept your application.

But it is most likely that the PIO will accept your application.
 
Is there an "application form" to be filled?
For Central Government Departments, there is no form. You should apply on a plain sheet of paper like an ordinary application. However, many states and some ministries and departments have prescribed formats. You should apply in these formats. Please read rules of your respective state.
 
How can I apply for information?
Draft your application on a normal sheet of paper and submit it by post or in person to the Public Information Officer (PIO). [Remember to keep a copy of the application for your personal reference.]

How can I send my application fee?
Every state has a different mode of payment for application fee. Generally, you can deposit your application fee via:
    In person by paying cash [remember to take your receipt]
    Demand Draft
    Indian Postal Order
    Money orders (only in some states)
    Affixing Court fee Stamp (only in some states)
    Banker's cheque
Some state governments have some "head of account". You are required to deposit fee in that account. For that, you can either go to any branch of SBI and deposit cash in that account and attach deposit receipt with your RTI application. Or you can also send a postal order or a DD drawn in favor of that account along with your RTI application. Please see respective state rules.

What if the PIO is not available?
In case the PIO is not available you can submit your application with the Assistant PIO or any other officer designated to accept the RTI applications.

Where can I find the concerned PIO?
A list of PIOs/APIOs for all Central and State departments/Ministries is available online at www.rti.gov.in

What if I can not locate my PIO or APIO?
In case you have problems locating your PIO/APIO you can address your RTI application to the PIO C/o Head of Department and send it to the concerned department with the requisite application fee. The Head of Department will have to forward your application to the concerned PIO.
Is there a time limit to receiving information?
Yes. If you file your application with the PIO, you must receive information within 30 days.
In case you have filed your application with Assistant PIO then information has to be made available within 35 days.

Do I have to give reasons why I want a particular information?
Absolutely not! You are not required to give any reasons or additional information other than your contact details (i.e., Name, Address, and Phone No.)

Can the PIO refuse to accept my RTI application?
No. The PIO can not refuse to accept your application for information under "any circumstances". Even if the information does not pertain to his/her department/jurisdiction, she/he has to accept it. If the application does not pertain to that PIO, he would have to transfer it to the right PIO within 5 days.

How does this law help me in getting my work done?
Let us take the case of Ram. He was not being given his ration card. But when he applied under RTI, he was given a card within a week. What did Ram ask? He asked the following questions:
    I filed an application for a duplicate ration card on 27th January 2004. Please tell me the daily progress made on my application so far. i.e. when did my application reach which officer, for how long did it stay with that officer and what did he/she do during that period?
    According to the rules, my card should have been made in 10 days. However, it is more than three months now. Please give the names and designations of the officials who were supposed to take action on my application and who have not done so?
    What action would be taken against these officials for not doing their work and for causing harassment to the public? By when would that action be taken?
    By when would I get my card now?
In normal circumstances, such an application would be thrown in a dustbin. But this law says that the PIO has to reply in 30 days. If they don't do that, their salary could be deducted. The problem is that it is not easy to answer these questions.
The first question is: Please provide the daily progress made on my application
There is no progress made. But the government officials cannot write in that they have not acted for so many months. Else that would be admission of guilt on paper. Which in a legal term for saying that they are going to be booted
The next question is: Please provide the names and designations of the officers who were supposed to take action on my application and who had not done.
If the government provides names and designations of the officials, their responsibility gets fixed. Any officer is most scared of fixing of responsibility against him in this manner.
So, the moment one files such an application, his/her pending work is done.

What should I do after getting information?
It depends on why you asked for that information and what type of information is it. Often a lot of things start falling in place just by asking for information. For instance, you would get your passport or a ration card just by asking for the status of your application. In many cases, roads got repaired as soon as the "money spent" on repairs was asked. So, seeking information and questioning the government is an important step, which in itself is complete in many cases.
But suppose you expose some corruption or wrongdoing using RTI. Then, you can complain to vigilance agencies, CBI or even file an FIR.
But one thing is certain. Seeking information like this and exposing the corruption does improve the future. The officials get a clear message that the people of that area have become alert and any wrongdoings in future would not remain hidden as they were in the past. So, their risks of getting caught increase.

Next - Don't pay bribes to get your work done! >>


Table Of Contents
1.    How to save INDIA from corruption? - Intro
2.    Right To Information (RTI) FAQ!
3.    Don't pay bribes to get your Govt. related work done!
4.    How to get your area cleaned up?
5.    How to fight against corruption?
6.    How to get your Govt. related problems solved?
7.    Know what the Govt. is doing with your tax money?
8.    Save RTI! Act Now!

Rajnikanth Unleashed yet again

 

Rajinikanth Unleashed yet Again     When Rajnikant was studying in 3rd std....some1 stole his rough note....&   Now they call it as .............Wikipedia   Crazy people!!!! ;)   ========================================   When Rajnikant was a Student¦!!!   Teachers use to Bunk the classes!!!   ========================================   Rajnikant started college. All students were confused while taking admission because name of college is   "Rajnikant's Medical College of Engineering for Commerce".   ========================================   THE MOST NEGLECTED FACT OF THE ENTIRE DECADE!!!!   Sachin Tendulkar's mothers name is RAJNI Tendulkar   And his coach's name is ramaKANT   Is there a need to say anything beyond this???   ========================================   Rajinikant got 150 questions in exam paper asking - "Solve any 100 questions"   He solved all 150 and wrote, " Rascalla!, CHECK ANY 100!"   ========================================   One day Rajani thought to play cricket in monsoon and rain stopped due to play.   ========================================   Rajnikanth's next project is the Titanic in Tamil. However, Rajni has twisted the climax. Both the lead actors survive. Rajni swims   across the Atlantic Ocean with the heroine in one hand and... The Titanic in the other   ========================================   "Who says the world will be destroyed in Dec 2012..Rajnikant just bought a Laptop with three years warranty"   ========================================   Rajni can walk faster than light. "Rajni cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another".   ========================================   Law of Conservation of Rajni   All scientists failed to answer this but rajnikanth did... Ques: Which liquid turns solid on heating? Ans: Dosa... mind it!!!   ========================================   Once a photo of Rajnikant was given for Xerox. Don't even try to guess what happened.   We got two copies of the Xerox machine.   ========================================   One more:   Once upon a time   Rajnikant used Tooth Powder to get strong teeth   today that powder is known as   "AMBUJA CEMENT"

Interesting facts about our muscles

• You have all the muscle fiber you will ever have at birth.  Once damaged they can't be replaced.  
• Muscles account for approximately 40% of your body weight.
• Your hand contains 20 different muscles.
• If all your muscles could pull in one direction you could create a force of 25 tons!
• You take approximately 5 million steps per year using your leg muscles!
• No matter how much you exercise you can not increase the number of muscle cells you have. By getting bigger, via strength training, you are simply increasing the size of each muscle cell. 
• The largest muscle is the Gluteus Maximus, the muscles of the buttocks.
• The tongue is the only muscle attached at only one end and very strong for its size.
• The smallest muscle is the Stapedius.  Located in your ear, it is thinner than a cotton thread.
• We need 72 muscles to speak.
• A pound of muscle burns 75-100 calories each day simply by "being".
• The most frequently used facial expression is a smile and it takes about 5 to 53 muscles.
•  The muscle that lets your eye blink is the fastest muscle in your body. It allows you to blink 5 times a second.

How to renew passport in Chennai, India

They call it "Re-Issue of Passport" and not "Renewal of Passport"

Quick Points:

·         Fill the online application form and get a appointment (date). After filling, the form can be saved as pdf file for future reference or printing

http://passport.gov.in/pms/OnlineRegistration.jsp

·         Go to passport office, submit the application along with the proofs

·         Pay passport fee

 

That's it!!!!! You are done!!!

The above points look to be very simple. But, you will panic when you go to the passport office on the day of appointment. Why? No clear instructions in passport office! Proofs not enough! Which queue should I stand in? How long will it take ?

Ok! Hold on, I will tell you how to handle this stuff!!!

Detailed Instructions:

1.       Go to http://passport.gov.in/pms/OnlineRegistration.jsp and fill in the form as per the details in the passport. For instance the Given names, parents name should exactly be the same without any changes (Even spelling).

 

Total 6 pages: 1-4 will have application form, 5 & 6 are same forms (for police verification)

 

2.       Original passport with 2 copies of first four and last four pages. 2 copies of valid visa if applicable in passport

 

3.       Address Proof (If applicable)

 [From Passport Website] Proof of address (attach one of the following):  Applicant's ration card, certificate from Employer of reputed companies on letter head, water /telephone /electricity bill/statement of running bank account/Income Tax Assessment Order /Election Commission ID card, Gas connection Bill, Spouse's passport copy, parent's passport copy in case of minors. (NOTE: If any applicant submits only ration card as proof of address, it should be accompanied by one more proof of address out of the above categories).

[My Suggestion]

The passport officer will expect at least for 2 proofs for address change. They prefer bank proof than others. Carry original and 2 copies (no extra copies required, don't annoy them with too much of papers). Self attest (put your signature at the bottom) the copies. I will tell you how to arrange them in the next section.

Employer letter, carry the following

·         Employer letter stating that your preset address is this and permanent address it this with office seal and signature in office letter head (No signature or seal required for online/e-proof)

·         Employer ID card

·         Employee Offer letter

Bank statement, carry the following

·         Original bank statement for past one year, should be recent statement with some transactions

·         Account holder proof certificate with photo (Request from bank and get it well in hand, Bank will take 1 week to get this for you)

Income tax proof (simple), carry the following

·         Original Saral receipt from income tax department with seal Or e-filed receipt

·         PAN card

Gas Connection proof, carry the following

·         Account holder proof certificate with photo

·         One year gas cylinder receipts. At least the first and recent receipt.

 

4.       Spouse name inclusion (If applicable)

Carry original and 2 copies (no extra copies required, don't annoy them with too much of papers). Self attest (put your signature at the bottom) the copies. I will tell you how to arrange them in the next section.

 

How to arrange the passport application form before submission:

1.       1^st page of application form

2.       2^nd page of application form

3.       3^rd page of application form

4.       Copies of first four pages of passport

5.       Valid VISA copy (if applicable)

6.       Copies of last four pages of passport

7.       Address proof 1

8.       Address proof 2

9.       Marriage certificate

10.   4^th page of application form

11.   5^th page of application form

12.   6^th page of application form

13.   Copies of first four pages of passport

14.   Valid VISA copy (if applicable)

15.   Copies of last four pages of passport

16.   Address proof 1

17.   Address proof 2

18.   Marriage certificate

 

 

New Power cut timings at CHENNAI

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has announced the new schedule of load shedding in the city and suburbs, which comes into effect force on Monday.

The load shedding in the city will be for one and a half hour daily. In suburban areas, it will be for three hours with two hours of power shutdown between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and one hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

The list of areas that would have load shedding for one and a half hour daily is as follows:

6 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.: Adyar, Anna Salai, B&C Mills, Bells Road, ICF, India Piston, Alwarthirunagar, Egmore, Ambattur Industrial Estate and Anna Nagar.

7.30 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Valluvar Kottam, Cooks Road, DMS, EDC, Kodungaiyur, Guindy, Ramasamy Salai, Arumbakkam, Nanganallur and Porur.

9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.: Besant Nagar, Flower Bazaar, Foreshore Estate, Government Estate, MHU Compound, OHP, Papermills Road, IIT, K.K.Nagar, Ashok Nagar, J.J.Nagar, New Avadi Road and Kilpauk Garden Road.

10.30 a.m. to noon: Madras High Court, Parrys, West Mambalam, Luz, T.Nagar, Periyar Nagar, Royapuram, Mylapore, Kodambakkam, Choolaimedu, Vadapalani, parts of Ashok Nagar, Kottivakkam, Madipakkam, Padi and Raj Bhavan.

Noon to 1.30 p.m.: MRC Nagar, Mambalam, Gopalapuram, Nandanam, Periamet, Sembium, Madhavaram, Villivakkam, Chetpet, Sterling Road and Padi Industrial Estate.

1.30 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Nungambakkam, Anna Salai, Whites Road, Kamarajar Salai, Pulianthope, Royapettah, Stanley Hospital area, Koyambedu Market, Tondiarpet High Road, Chinmaya Nagar, Ekkaduthangal, Guindy and Spastic Society.

3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.: R.R.Colony, Sardarjung, Seven Wells, Spencer Plaza, Ethiraj Salai, Mannady, Spurtank Road, Tollgate, Thiruvanmiyur, SAF Games Village and Anna Nagar Shanthi Colony.

4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Saidapet, CIT Nagar, North Usman Road, Chintadripet, Pudupet, Mint, Kondithope, part of Esplanade, Kilpauk, Purasawalkam, Tondiarpet, Vysarpadi Industrial Estate, Velachery, Vijaya Nagar, Virugambakkam, Dasarathapuram, Thirumangalam and Anna Nagar West.

The list of suburban areas that would have load shedding for three hours is as follows:

6 a.m. to 8 a.m.: Maduvankarai, Adambakkam, Alandur, Selaiyur, Tambaram, Chromepet, Pallavaram, Kadaperi, MEPZ Area, Kovoor Kundrathur, Mangadu, Girugambakkam, Avadi.

8 a.m. to 10 a.m.: GST Road, Kadaperi, Pallavaram, Pammal, Perungalathur, Vangaram, Maduravoyal, Nolambur, Pandeswaram, Thiruninravur and Tiruvallur High Road.

10 a.m. to noon: Ennore, Manali, Bharati Salai, Ramavaram and Poonamallee High Road.

Noon to 2 p.m.: Tiruvottiyur, Mathur, St. Thomas Mount, Taramani, Thoraipakkam, Sothuperumbedu, Thirumullaivoyal, part of Ambattur and TI Cycles.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Sholinganallur, Perungudi, Poonamallee, Karaiyanchavadi, Noombal, Kaduvetti, Siruseri, Puzhal and Kamaraj Nagar.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Kaladipet, Rajakadai, Thirumudivakkam, Chromepet, Pallavaram, parts of Ambattur Industrial Estate, Pattravakkam, Ayyapakkam and Red Hills.

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Alandur, Tambaram, Pallavaram, Kadaperi, Kundrathur, Madambakkam, Avadi, Ramavaram, Pammal, Maduravoyal and Nolambur.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Kadaperi, parts of Pallavaram, Perungalathur, Ambattur Sidco, Ennore and Pattabiram.

8 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Tiruvottiyur, Mathur, Adambakkam, St.Thomas Mount, Taramani, Thoraipakkam, Sothuperumbedu, parts of Ambattur, Manali and Thirumullaivoyal.

9 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Sholinganallur, Perungudi, Poonamallee, Siruseri, Puzhal, Kamaraj Nagar, Madrapakkam, Ponneri, Kaladipet, Thirumudivakkam, Radha Nagar, parts of Ambattur Industrial Estate, Menambedu, Ayyapakkam and Red Hills.

Its all Karma !!

I dialed a number and got the following recording: "I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."


**************************************************
A small Boy wrote to Santa Claus, "send me a brother."
Santa wrote back, "SEND ME YOUR MOTHER."

**************************************************
What is the definition of Mistress?
Someone between the Mister and Mattress.

**************************************************
What's the difference between stress, tension and panic?
Stress is when wife is pregnant,
Tension is when girlfriend is pregnant,
and Panic is when both are pregnant.

**************************************************
A woman asks man who is traveling with six children, "Are all these kids yours?"*
The man replies, "No, I work in a condom factory and these are customer complaints".

**************************************************
A young boy asks his Dad, "What is the difference between confident and confidential?"*
Dad says, "You are my son, I'm confident about that. Your friend over there, is also my son, that's confidential."

************************************************** 
Nominated as the best short joke this year...
A three-year-old boy was examining his testicles while taking a bath.
"Mom" he asked, "are these my brains?"
"Not yet," she replied



Its all Karma
Reality of Life in our Country (India)

* Most 'First Class' students get technical seats, some become Doctors and some Engineers
* The 'Second Class' passed, pass MBA, become Administrators and control the 'First Class'
* The 'Third Class' passed, enter politics and become Ministers and control both
* Last, but not the least, The 'Failures' join the underworld and control all the above
How is that ???

It is all Karma!

Being a court reporter is not easy !!!

BEING A COURT REPORTER IS NOT EASY.
IT CAN BE HARD KEEPING A STRAIGHT FACE AS A COURT REPORTER

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS:     He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY:  And why did that upset you?
WITNESS:     My name is Susan!
____________________________________________


ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS:     Yes.
ATTORNEY:  And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS:     I forget..
ATTORNEY:  You forget?  Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________


ATTORNEY:  Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep , he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS:  Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________

ATTORNEY:  The youngest son , the 20-year-old , how old is he?
WITNESS:      He's 20 , much like your IQ.
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS:     Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________
(My Favorite)
ATTORNEY:  So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS:     Yes.
ATTORNEY:  And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS:     Getting laid
____________________________________________
(Another favorite)
ATTORNEY:  She had three children , right?
WITNESS:     Yes.
ATTORNEY:  How many were boys?
WITNESS:    None.
ATTORNEY:   Were there any girls?
WITNESS:      Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS:     By death..
ATTORNEY:  And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS:     Take a guess.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS:     He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY:  Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS:     Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS:  No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS:     All of them.. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  ALL your responses MUST be oral , OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS:     Oral..
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS:     The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY:  And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS:     If not , he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________


And last:

ATTORNEY:  Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS:     No.
ATTORNEY:  Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS:     No.
ATTORNEY:  Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS:     No..
ATTORNEY:  So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS:     No.
ATTORNEY:  How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS:     Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY:  I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS:     Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

Facebook addiction

If you are on Facebook, I am sure you will find this hilarious  The 76-year-old woman walked down the hallway of Clearview Addictions Clinic, searching for the right department. She passed signs for the "Heroin Addiction Department (HAD)," the "Smoking Addiction Department (SAD)" and the "Bingo Addiction Department (BAD)." Then she spotted the department she was looking for: "Facebook Addiction Department (FAD)." It was the busiest department in the clinic, with about three dozen people filling the waiting room, most of them staring blankly into their Blackberries and iPhones. A middle-aged man with unkempt hair was pacing the room, muttering,"I need to milk my cows. I need to milk my cows." A twenty-something man was prone on the floor, his face buried in his hands, while a curly-haired woman comforted him. "Don't worry. It'll be all right." "I just don't understand it. I thought my update was LOL-worthy, but none of my friends even clicked the 'like' button." "How long has it been?" "Almost five minutes. That's like five months in the real world." The 76-year-old woman waited until her name was called, then followed the receptionist into the office of Alfred Zulu, Facebook Addiction Counselor. "Please have a seat, Edna," he said with a warm smile. "And tell me how it all started." "Well, it's all my grandson's fault. He sent me an invitation to join Facebook. I had never heard of Facebook before, but I thought it was something for me, because I usually have my face in a book." "How soon were you hooked?" "Faster than you can say 'create a profile.' I found myself on Facebook at least eight times each day -- and more times at night. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night to check it, just in case there was an update from one of my new friends in India . My husband didn't like that. He said that friendship is a precious thing and should never be outsourced." "What do you like most about Facebook?" "It makes me feel like I have a life. In the real world, I have only five or six friends, but on Facebook, I have 674. I'm even friends with Juan Carlos Montoya." "Who's he?" "I don't know, but he's got 4,000 friends, so he must be famous." "Facebook has helped you make some connections, I see." "Oh yes. I've even connected with some of the gals from high school -- I still call them 'gals.' I hadn't heard from some of them in ages, so it was exciting to look at their profiles and figure out who's retired, who's still working, and who's had some work done. I love browsing their photos and reading their updates. I know where they've been on vacation, which movies they've watched, and whether they hang their toilet paper over or under. I've also been playing a game with some of them." "Let me guess. Farmville?" "No, Mafia Wars. I'm a Hitman. No one messes with Edna." "Wouldn't you rather meet some of your friends in person?" "No, not really. It's so much easier on Facebook. We don't need to gussy ourselves up. We don't need to take baths or wear perfume or use mouthwash. That's the best thing about Facebook -- you can't smell anyone. Everyone is attractive, because everyone has picked a good profile pic. One of the gals is using a profile pic that was taken, I'm pretty certain, during the Eisenhower Administration. " "What pic are you using?" "Well, I spent five hours searching for a profile pic, but couldn't find one I really liked. So I decided to visit the local beauty salon." "To make yourself look prettier?" "No, to take a pic of one of the young ladies there. That's what I'm using." "Didn't your friends notice that you look different?" "Some of them did, but I just told them I've been doing lots of yoga." "When did you realize that your Facebooking might be a problem?" "I realized it last Sunday night, when I was on Facebook and saw a message on my wall from my husband: 'I moved out of the house five days ago. Just thought you should know.'" "What did you do?" "What else? I unfriended him of course!"