Open Thread
August 11, 2011 7:18 AM - BoerumHillScott

266 comments
August 11, 2011 7:56 AM - BoerumHillScott
I seem to having a hard time waking up this morning. I did not sleep well last night, but hopefully a pot or two of tea can make up for that.

Wendy is flying back from Alabama today, and it will be quite nice having the apartment back to normal for a few days.
#1
August 11, 2011 8:10 AM - cobblehiller
GM. : ) Gorgeous day!
#2
August 11, 2011 8:15 AM - CGar
Oh, fine, since dave is on vacation, I'll put up the coffee and open the OT today.
#3
August 11, 2011 8:15 AM - CGar
OK, that's really strange that there were no comments until AFTER I posted.
#4
August 11, 2011 8:19 AM - rf
I saw Scott's before yours, CGar.
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:19 AM
#5
August 11, 2011 8:19 AM - cobblehiller
GM, CGar. : )
#6
August 11, 2011 8:20 AM - CGar
cobble.
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:20 AM
#7
August 11, 2011 8:21 AM - BoerumHillScott
Thanks, Cgar. I need to figure out how to get enough caffeine in me to survive my first call with India in 12 minutes.

Did you click on "add new comment" from the home page?
That will take you to a page with the main article but no other comments displayed.
#8
August 11, 2011 8:22 AM - cobblehiller
I'm excited about the new law column. I asked for assistance. As a landlord, with a deck tent tenant, I need to keep up with the rules. : P
#9
August 11, 2011 8:23 AM - cobblehiller
Glad Wendy is coming back, BHS. I know that when BH was a away a few times earlier this year I was a little unsettled.
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:23 AM
#10
August 11, 2011 8:23 AM - More4Less
Scott, working from home? Me too. but woke up late hence coffee is brewing but not yet ready
#11
August 11, 2011 8:28 AM - rf
I have discovered that the best way to promote peaceful living with a 15-year-old girl is to send her out of town. She was gone for 2 weeks, back for 3 days which were blissful, gone for a week starting yesterday, back for one day, then gone for 2 weeks. I wonder if we can make it through September without severe angst.
#12
August 11, 2011 8:30 AM - dibs
Had a wonderful dinner last night...cold creamy cucumber soup (Julia Child recipe), tornedos of beef tenderloin and potatoes with sour cream...countless bottles of wine.

The couple we stay with and the ones we had dinner are both made up of one staunch republican and one Democrat so you can imagine the conversations became loud and heated at times.

GM, all
#13
August 11, 2011 8:31 AM - BoerumHillScott
Since I'm doing the single dad thing this week, I'm working from home.

I like being able sleeping late, but I end up being more tired and less ready to face the day once morning meeting start up.
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:38 AM
#14
August 11, 2011 8:32 AM - cobblehiller
GM, DIBS. Sounds like a great time! How's the weather up there?
#15
August 11, 2011 8:32 AM - dibs
Here's the cucumber soup recipe. he substituted rice for the farina.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2125055/julia_childs_cream_of_cucumber_soup.html
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:32 AM
#16
August 11, 2011 8:39 AM - dibs
Weather is fantastic!!!
One of the other guys where we had dinner at his house is named Coffin, the family that dates back to the early 1700s and was the original settling family of Nantucket. There's a Gilbert Stuart painting of Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin.

The house we are staying in was part of the original Webster farm (Noah webster I think.)

Lots of history up here. The Coffin guy's house has some original Rufus Porter wall paintings
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:39 AM
#17
August 11, 2011 8:42 AM - cobblehiller
Good stories, DIBS! (I used to know a Coffin descendent, in Bklyn Heights.)
#18
August 11, 2011 8:44 AM - cobblehiller
That soup sounds delish, I might have to try that!
#19
August 11, 2011 8:45 AM - rf
William Sloane Coffin, minister, Yalie, and old-time leftie? That family?
#20
August 11, 2011 8:46 AM - dibs
Yes, I'll be making that soup. Besides, I love cukes with just a little salt on them. The gardener guy here is growing some enormous cukes. I'm gonna get the name of them and grow them next year
#21
August 11, 2011 8:47 AM - dibs
Yup, that family and this guy is a Yalie (and Oxford) too
#22
August 11, 2011 8:52 AM - cobblehiller
Sounds like you're having a wonderful time!

Ok, cobble out. Will check in late/r. Everyone, try to get outside for even if it's just for a little bit today! : )
#23
August 11, 2011 8:54 AM - dibs
Jobless claims lower than expected but market still looks to open about 100 points lower. I bet we'll close higher on the day.

LOTS of insider buying since Friday. More yesterday.
#24
August 11, 2011 8:58 AM - More4Less
DIBS, if EU sovereign debt is poo poo'd on and if that steers money into T-Bills, does that lead to further drop in mortgage rates?
Edited at August 11, 2011 8:57 AM
#25
August 11, 2011 9:02 AM - dibs
Yes, as rates drop, so too do mortgage rates.
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:02 AM
#26
August 11, 2011 9:04 AM - DeLepp
Gorgeous morning here, but NH sounds much more peacefull and delicious as we got striking verizon workers holding up traffic in midtown and obama arriving today looking for funds.
#27
August 11, 2011 9:13 AM - dibs
Yes, the Nazis will be out in full force with Obama there; not allowing anyone to cross a street or even turn a corner on 53rd!!!!
#28
August 11, 2011 9:14 AM - More4Less
DIBS, am starting to see cracks in the real estate prices. seeing more price cuts, stuff lingering, new stuff coming out lowered than expected. only the real nice high end stuff is treking along relatively unscathed. Rents surprisingly remain strong and some seem to still be creeping up. you should consider renting out your house
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:14 AM
#29
August 11, 2011 9:15 AM - BoerumHillScott
My land line was screwed up from Sunday until yesterday. Yesterday I read that Verizon workers were caught sabotaging equipment in several locations.
I wonder if that's what happened to me.
#30
August 11, 2011 9:16 AM - dibs
m4l, go to yesterday's HOTD, nothing impressive, cheap ($625k, I think) and supposedly multiple offers


#31
August 11, 2011 9:17 AM - DeLepp
Midtown only havve to deal with CWA today as the nazis will be downtown for a change at the ritz carlton and then a party in the west village. I guess he'll receive some wooden nickels for his efforts.
#32
August 11, 2011 9:22 AM - dibs
They are striking against paying more into healthcare like the non-union employees. If you watched any TV footage, most were overweight and smoking!!!!!

I hope VZ holds out. The union entitlement mentality needs to be broken.
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:22 AM
#33
August 11, 2011 9:25 AM - dibs
Futures now indicate opening up.
#34
August 11, 2011 9:25 AM - denton
dibs, my TIPS up 2.26% yesterday!
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:25 AM
#35
August 11, 2011 9:28 AM - DeLepp
It was comical watching the cwa workers run down 49th with their wistles, cigs and belly fat.
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:28 AM
#36
August 11, 2011 9:35 AM - boerumresident
Good day everyone.

I think anything that shows well is moving fairly quickly. The lags you might be seeing is probably subpar properties that came into the market in the last year or so -- I don't think there's a lot of demand for speculation on properties to rehab and flip, so there's going to be a lot of properties hanging on out there.

What Nazis? I loathe NY nazis (even more than illinois Nazis).
#37
August 11, 2011 9:37 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
arent they on a group health insurance plan? if so then smoking is sorta irrelevant as it's not like they ask if youre a smoker or not. ive never been asked. i do find it absurd they are fighting not paying more for their healthcare since the cost of everyones premiums have skyrocketed. we find out here how much more we will be paying out of our paychecks for healthcare very soon.

*rob*


*rob*

#38
August 11, 2011 9:38 AM - boerumresident
If they are overweight and smoking, then they certainly need the better health plan, right?

Anyway, I don't think Verizon is looking to bust the union here, so it will really be interesting to see what the union gets from this.
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:38 AM
#39
August 11, 2011 9:38 AM - dibs
NYPD nazis and their traffic and pedestrian control when Obama is here. it's absolutely ridiculous not to allow pedestrians to turn the corner on a block.
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:38 AM
#40
August 11, 2011 9:43 AM - boerumresident
Oh those. It is frustrating -- I work downtown so it's usually less of an issue than the hell week in Spetember in midtown when you have all the crazy mortorcades with assault rifle wielding secret srevice types hanging off the side. You do have the weirdo convoys downtown heading toward the Federal Reserve building sometime, but usually those don't have security openly carrying weapons. Just a lot of tinted window SUVs.
#41
August 11, 2011 9:44 AM - More4Less
Boerum, I see a ton of listings in BK Heights, Park Slope, Ft Greene, Clinton Hill linger and/or doing price cuts. Only the really nice big aptmts and the nice town houses are moving. studio, 1, 2 bdrm units are lingering and/or cutting prices.
#42
August 11, 2011 9:48 AM - More4Less
DIBS, that HOTD is more the exception than the norm. it's priced decent and nicely renovated and it's in it that hot clinton hill / bed stuy border blocks that continue to amaze me
#43
August 11, 2011 9:56 AM - rf
That hotd was pretty far from Clinton Hill, although there is a cluster of young families in Stuy Heights that may make it attractive. But Putnam between Stuyvesant and Reid at is not really Stuy Heights either.
Edited at August 11, 2011 9:56 AM
#44
August 11, 2011 9:57 AM - Arkady
Funny article on gridlock in today's Times
http://tinyurl.com/3twev3t
#45
August 11, 2011 10:01 AM - dibs
Nope, it's between Stuyvesant & Malcolm X.
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:01 AM
#46
August 11, 2011 10:05 AM - More4Less
DIBS, your philly teams really know how to stick it to the NY teams - ie Phillies swoops & scoops Cliff Lee from Yanks, Eagles swoops & scoops Nnamdi from Jets, and now Eagles swoops & scoops Smith from Giants. It's time for NY teams to put up or bow to the supremacy of the Philly teams which I respect a ton.
#47
August 11, 2011 10:07 AM - More4Less
wow, than I'm really impressed by that sale than. the street scape is weak. if pivoting from that, you'll have shot at your ask. your house, renov, location, size, layout, etc. far far superior
#48
August 11, 2011 10:08 AM - minard lafever
I thought yesterday's HOTD was overpriced for what it was. Basically a little modest 2-story cottage in a part of town that is fairly remote from Clinton Hill and Stuy Heights. It is a mistake to think location does not matter so much any more.


#49
August 11, 2011 10:10 AM - bfar
GM all... I've found my house this morning in the 'times - http://tinyurl.com/438t66l
#50
August 11, 2011 10:15 AM - minard lafever
the dow is up 109 as of right now. Big Woop.
#51
August 11, 2011 10:18 AM - More4Less
Minard, beggars can't be choosers. very positive move is appreciated. you be more happy or prefer we down another 400 pts today???
#52
August 11, 2011 10:19 AM - bfar
thank goodness i took all my money out of the market. Too bad I dropped it on the street and it rolled under a car, though.
#53
August 11, 2011 10:20 AM - dibs
Minard, I too think it was overpriced...very small. it bodes well for me to ask $875k
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:20 AM
#54
August 11, 2011 10:20 AM - bxgrl
Looks like facebook is down. A hacker group was threatening to take it down last week. Wonder if its them.

So NYPD are nazis for protecting the President? Funny no one complained when Bush was protected by them.
#55
August 11, 2011 10:21 AM - boerumresident
m4L -- you might be right. I don't ever pay attention to that size in the market.
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:21 AM
#56
August 11, 2011 10:22 AM - minard lafever
The NYPD know what they're doing unlike the London police.

#57
August 11, 2011 10:22 AM - CGar
dave, what's on your agenda today? More drinking I'd imagine?
#58
August 11, 2011 10:25 AM - More4Less
Boerum, the higher end mkt is via folks who are true deep pockets where their buying decision is more of "do I like it" vs the mid to lower end of mkt is more of "can I afford it and/or comfortable pulling trigger in this mkt"
#59
August 11, 2011 10:27 AM - minard lafever
Dibs, from what you have said, you own a substantial house on a regular sized lot. No comparison to yesterday shack of the day. However, most people are worried about their money, what little they have left.

#60
August 11, 2011 10:27 AM - boerumresident
Minard -- location obviously does matter. The real question is if this house were on Bainbridge or even McDonough (and thus really in the middle of Stuyvesant Heights) what would it be worth, and then what's the appropriate discount for the distance from the subways. I think when you do that, you still determine that it's overpriced, but not dramatically so. I think it will sell for somewhere in the $575,000 range (unless the owners are not interested in selling quickly).
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:27 AM
#61
August 11, 2011 10:28 AM - bxgrl
bfar- Oh, was that yours? I found it and spent it all. Sorry I spent it all but the soda was good :)
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:29 AM
#62
August 11, 2011 10:30 AM - More4Less
Minard, is the +200 now good enough for you to crack a smile
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:30 AM
#63
August 11, 2011 10:30 AM - boerumresident
No doubt. It does continue to amaze me the number of people who are "true deep pockets."

The financial instability in Europe will continue to drive foreign buyers to properties in NYC (as investments, pied a terres, etc), which will keep everything else churning up at current levels.
#64
August 11, 2011 10:32 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
bxgirl, facebook is working for me. yeah someone told me yesterday that that Anonymous group was planning to take it down by november or something. lame.

*rob*

#65
August 11, 2011 10:34 AM - More4Less
bxgrl, MM is not going to like that you spent it on soda instead of applying to the ton of back rent you owe her. you're going to hit her with "Well, take me to court then" when she nags you about it?
#66
August 11, 2011 10:35 AM - MontroseMorris
Bfar, that was hilarious. I think we have the same bank.

Wm Sloane Coffin was still at Yale when I was there. I went to a couple of his church services. His was a mighty and righteous thunder from the pulpit, in the tradition of Henry Ward Beecher. Same denomination, too. He wouldn't have recognized what people call "the Left", nowadays. His last big hurrah was the New Haven Black Panther trials, which took place in 1970, a few years before I got there. He was still a great man with a ferocious sense of right and wrong. There are very few of them left, and none with such a public bully pulpit.
#67
August 11, 2011 10:35 AM - minard lafever
Minard, is the +200 now good enough for you to crack a smile
-maybe a half grin.
funny how it never goes up with the same speed that it goes down.
#68
August 11, 2011 10:37 AM - bxgrl
rob- Neither MM nor I can get on to facebook. Weird. I couldn't get on from firefox last night, and now today from either IE or firefox. What browser are you using?
#69
August 11, 2011 10:38 AM - bxgrl
M4L- she won't come after me- I shared the soda with her :)
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:38 AM
#70
August 11, 2011 10:38 AM - More4Less
Minard, the other half of a grin will have be powered by gin and/or other alcohol
#71
August 11, 2011 10:39 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
The financial instability in Europe will continue to drive foreign buyers to properties in NYC (as investments, pied a terres, etc), which will keep everything else churning up at current levels.

this is NOT a good thing. al all. pierdder erterres ruin neighborhoods btw.


*rob*

#72
August 11, 2011 10:41 AM - MontroseMorris
"NYPD nazis and their traffic and pedestrian control when Obama is here."

They might not need that kind of security if certain groups and individuals hadn't ratcheted up the rhetoric making Obama out to be a combination of Osama Bin Laden, Stalin and the Antichrist. It only takes one or two truly crazy people to translate that into an assassination attempt. I think the added security is a good thing, especially since the secret service didn't have a problem with armed people at events where the president was supposed to appear, in the past.
#73
August 11, 2011 10:41 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
rob- Neither MM nor I can get on to facebook. Weird. I couldn't get on from firefox last night, and now today from either IE or firefox. What browser are you using?

internet explorer. let me try facebook again. yep it's work, i just posted on my wall.

*rob*

#74
August 11, 2011 10:44 AM - BoerumHillScott
Way too much work to do today.

I guess spending all my time here after a week of vacation is finally catching up with me.
#75
August 11, 2011 10:44 AM - ij
Last night I agreed to take care of my ex's cat for a few days.

Also, my broker called yesterday and wants to meet. I'm definitely the world's stupidest investor.
#76
August 11, 2011 10:44 AM - bxgrl
Even stranger, rob. None of the browsers I use can log on but I have no problems with any of my other pages. You're in Manhattan now, right?
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:44 AM
#77
August 11, 2011 10:44 AM - minard lafever
right now, it seems that the only countries that the financial wizards are happy with are the ones that speak German. It infuriates me.
The French are under suspicion, the Italians, the Spanish. Any country near the Mediterranean Sea has to be suspect. What is going on?
Who are these neo-Aryans who want everyone to conform to the Germanic way of doing things? It is beyond nuts.
Why don't they just kill the damn German Euro and get it over with?

#78
August 11, 2011 10:45 AM - BoerumHillScott
Facebook has been buggy for me since yesterday evening.

#79
August 11, 2011 10:46 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
yeah in manhattan. it was working fine in brooklyn as of last night.

*rob*

#80
August 11, 2011 10:48 AM - bxgrl
Maybe it's Brooklyn? I started having problems last night. Couldn't access from firefox, but could from IE. Now I can't from any browser. MM can't either.
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:48 AM
#81
August 11, 2011 10:48 AM - bxgrl
rob- you on mac or pc?
#82
August 11, 2011 10:50 AM - MontroseMorris
Nein, mein Freund, wird Deutschland wieder einmal die Welt regieren.
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:50 AM
#83
August 11, 2011 10:51 AM - More4Less
Minard, I resent that. It's the era of the CHINAMAN. Not the GERMAN era
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:51 AM
#84
August 11, 2011 10:53 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
PC. no one else i just asked is having problems. (other than the usual stupid facebook problems i guess). you cant even get to the page to log in?

*rob*

#85
August 11, 2011 10:55 AM - rf
No problem with Facebook in Bed-Stuy using Chrome on a PC.
#86
August 11, 2011 10:55 AM - Arkady
I can get on FB w/ IE but not Chrome
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:55 AM
#87
August 11, 2011 10:57 AM - bxgrl
On IE I get a can't connect error page. On firefox and safari I get the log in page but it won't log in.
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:57 AM
#88
August 11, 2011 11:01 AM - bxgrl
I just cleared my cache in IE and now I seem to be able to log in after it checked to be sure it was me. Seems that something with the caches is screwy.
#89
August 11, 2011 11:02 AM - Arkady
Oh. And I'm on PC.
Edited at August 11, 2011 11:02 AM
#90
August 11, 2011 11:02 AM - rf
Bfar, love that hobbit house!
Edited at August 11, 2011 11:02 AM
#91
August 11, 2011 11:03 AM - minard lafever
M4L, it is potentially the era for the Chinese, unless they blow it, which is likely.
The Chinese are investing heavily in NY, but I think that means Upper East Side and Midtown. They would no more look at Brooklyn than at Newark.

Edited at August 11, 2011 11:03 AM
#92
August 11, 2011 11:06 AM - minard lafever
I apologize to all for my crankiness today.
I should have taken the week off, except there is so much damn work.


Edited at August 11, 2011 11:06 AM
#93
August 11, 2011 11:08 AM - rf
Minard, Chinese have invested in Atlantic Yards. And plenty of Chinese money in Flushing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/nyregion/chinese-investment-grows-in-new-york-city.html
#94
August 11, 2011 11:08 AM - Arkady
Advice needed. A friend of mine is having humongous environmental allergy problems - has to sleep on leather couch, not sheets, etc. She lives in Canada (Montreal) & the first appt she can get is w/ a doc in Ottawa a year from now! Does anyone know of docs in the US who specialize in auto-immune environmental allergies? Thx.
#95
August 11, 2011 11:15 AM - bxgrl
Well, I can get on to FB now in IE, but can't update anything. Hate FB.
#96
August 11, 2011 11:21 AM - More4Less
bxgrl, maybe that's google conspiracy to get you to pivot to their +1 thingie version of fb
Edited at August 11, 2011 11:21 AM
#97
August 11, 2011 11:23 AM - minard lafever
Flushing is Korean and Chinese immigrants. Not Chinese investors.
And the AY? who knows who's involved there?

#98
August 11, 2011 11:24 AM - denton
Arkady, I go to this guy who's in the Heights. Dr. Norman Horace Greeley. I think cobbles knows him too. But I don't know if he's a specialist in what you describe.
Edited at August 11, 2011 11:24 AM
#99
August 11, 2011 11:25 AM - rf
Minard, read the article in the Times. Plenty of mainland money in Flushing and in Chinatown.
August 11, 2011 11:26 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
Advice needed. A friend of mine is having humongous environmental allergy problems - has to sleep on leather couch, not sheets


i sleep on a leather couch with no sheets too!!! there's no better feeling in the world than getting up in the morning and not having to make a bed!


*rob*

August 11, 2011 11:28 AM - More4Less
Minard, the mixed used 3-4 story houses on main strips in flushing crush the prices you would expect in most hoods in NYC. a 4 story on main st cost $8M or so. the pricing are like those we see on the biggest sale threads for graves end
August 11, 2011 11:32 AM - Arkady
I thought of you when she told me, rob.
August 11, 2011 11:50 AM - bxgrl
Denton- his wife is my dermatologist. She's great.
August 11, 2011 12:20 PM - More4Less
anyone heard of or used "appliance connections" in the bronx E 233rd st? was told that's a great place to get appliances
August 11, 2011 12:24 PM - Arkady
I use General Building Appliances - ask for Frank - 718 470 1620 - tell him Stanley & Kathleen recommended him.
Edited at August 11, 2011 12:24 PM
August 11, 2011 12:27 PM - minard lafever
"a 4 story on main st cost $8M or so. the pricing are like those we see on the biggest sale threads for graves end"

Any closed community be they Syrian or Chinese can resort to the same real estate tricks of laundering money and inside deals. I don't believe those figures are legitimate any more than I believe the 14 million houses in Gravesend are legitimate. I'm kinda skeptical that way. The very last thing immigrants would do is actually pay that kind of money for real estate in marginal markets. Immigrants like to buy cheap but they will use real estate as a way to launder foreign money. At some point the IRS will address it but I guess its small potatoes and pols don't want to alienate closely-knit communities of voters.

August 11, 2011 12:39 PM - boerumresident
Minard -- you need to be clearer. I think you are saying that these communities are using inflated purchase prices to launder money (I guess by somehow turning "bad assets" from overseas into "good assets" in a large-ish house in Gravesend). In the case of Chinese investors, I could see that such expenditures for assets would easily place a premium on money that is outside of the PRC-CP's purview.

I am not sure why that makes the values any less legitimate, unless you mean that there are side deals that effectively discount the purchase price (e.g., in exchange for getting silent partner status in some venture, the buyer pays 25-50% above what the market price should be and thus this overall structure has some type of tax benefit). These seem unlikely, and prone to collapsing quickly.

Can you be clearer?
August 11, 2011 12:46 PM - More4Less
Minard, if you strolled up one of those bldgs for sale and offered $8M, they'll take your money and sell it to you.
August 11, 2011 12:50 PM - minard lafever
bhr: it makes the sale illegitimate because it is not an open market, arm's length transaction. The property changes hands for a pittance, but the sale price is recorded at 8 million thereby allowing the seller to "legitimize" the 8 million dollars that suddenly appear in his bank account. That money actually comes from un-taxed overseas accounts. The "buyer" then has a very expensive commercial property that he can depreciate for tax purposes without actually having to pay the sale price. it's all good. But it takes a very tightly knit group who would never spill the beans to anyone ever.
August 11, 2011 12:52 PM - minard lafever
that's true m4L but I'm not likely to am I?
That would really make their day.
"This idiot American actually paid us 8M for that piece of shit ion Main street!!!Can you believe it? hahahaha!

Edited at August 11, 2011 12:52 PM
August 11, 2011 12:56 PM - More4Less
Minard, might be case in graves end. not the case in Flushing. in graves end, even if you had the 3-4M, they aint selling to you and you don't even see the for sale listing. in flushing, if you got the 8M, they will sell to you if you like the place. Not saying folks aint potentially using it to launder money but it aint a situation where they purposely exclude outsiders. The seller wants the money and could care less where/how you the buyer got it and/or why you buying it etc.
August 11, 2011 12:56 PM - lamb
oh my god... burrito coma.
August 11, 2011 12:59 PM - More4Less
Minard, the prices are going out of control in flushing cause a ton of money is coming in and they just want to spend. same deal in Hong Kong where a ton of main land money if flooding across the border. expensive in NYC looks like basement bargain prices compared the crazy prices in HK now. the transactions more often are indeed arms length. the crazy prices is because of the huge influx of money coming into an area as those rich mainlanders to shoving as much as they can out of China
August 11, 2011 1:01 PM - More4Less
lamb, better eat up big now while one is in better mood to eat. as who knows what the heck the stupid mkt will present to us tomorrow - hard to enjoy eating a lot as mkt spanks us hard
August 11, 2011 1:03 PM - lamb
well, this is the first day this week that my account is down... bad mood now.
August 11, 2011 1:05 PM - lamb
treasuries just spiked down... should add to equity gains, but we shaved 50 pts off the dow at the same time. bizarre action.
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:05 PM
August 11, 2011 1:07 PM - More4Less
hehe; so you were mainly short
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:07 PM
August 11, 2011 1:10 PM - bxgrl
The latest Congressional money waster courtesy of Peter King. Now he wants the Obama Administration investigated because a filmmaker (the one who did The Hurt Locker) is doing a film on the killing of Bin Laden and he thinks the FBI is giving them confidential information that will hurt our soldiers abroad. the filmmaker is working with the FBI and other agencies- as do other filmmakers- because the FBI assists them with accuracy.They don't give filmakers access to confidential material. Really- this is stretching into fantasyland. King looks like the nutty kook he is.
August 11, 2011 1:11 PM - minard lafever
M4L forget Flushing, the DOW is up over 300! Have you ever seen anything like this market? It is insane.

Edited at August 11, 2011 1:11 PM
August 11, 2011 1:11 PM - lamb
nah, not insane enough to short when we're this oversold. I've had basically zero equity exposure this week... I sold my only equity position--a gold miner--monday. I owned sso yesterday for all of 9 minutes when it looked like an intraday rally had legs. thankfully took only a 20 cent loss as mkt began to shit the bed again. since the lollipop action is gone today, I'm left only with a burrito.
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:11 PM
August 11, 2011 1:17 PM - More4Less
Minard, mkt looks like it wants to get back everything from yesterday so be prepared to bust out a full grind
August 11, 2011 1:17 PM - bxgrl
are you people speaking English? I didn't understand a word you just wrote, lamb :)
August 11, 2011 1:19 PM - More4Less
Minard, this kind of volatility is for the pro's. retail investors like us are best to sit it out
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:19 PM
August 11, 2011 1:20 PM - More4Less
bxgrl, the better question is "hey, you have another burrito that you can share with me?"
August 11, 2011 1:21 PM - minard lafever
The American economy is OK. but Europe is a basket case. I worry that the European banks may bring down our economy too.
August 11, 2011 1:23 PM - minard lafever
M4L, I completely agree.
I'm just watching helplessly as Napoleon sets fire to moscow -I like to dramatize my life events ala masterpiece theater.


Edited at August 11, 2011 1:23 PM
August 11, 2011 1:27 PM - bxgrl
Who shares their burritos? Hmmnphf- the idea! ;-)

Going out to enjoy the day-my life the past two days has been a version of the Titanic.
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:27 PM
August 11, 2011 1:29 PM - More4Less
Minard, I can see more & more folks carrying that small flask of hard liquor in their jacket pockets
August 11, 2011 1:35 PM - lamb
sorry, bx--that was a mix of financial jargon & m4l-ese (lollipop means gold on a good day). the burrito talk was literal.... almost no one could be expected to understand all that ; )

unfortunately for everyone I ate the whole burrito. oofta.


August 11, 2011 1:35 PM - denton
if today is up, most likely Friday down. Who wants to hold equities over a weekend in this environment?
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:35 PM
August 11, 2011 1:36 PM - denton
hey whatever happened to the What? Did he disappear cuz he couldn't post pix?
August 11, 2011 1:41 PM - minard lafever
denton, the what was banned for counter-revolutionary rhetoric.
you have to try and keep up.

August 11, 2011 1:44 PM - More4Less
denton, he chose to ban himself a little as he knew he got out of hand a little. Once the mkt goes down, he'll be back with his mushroom cloud pics and corresponding rants.
August 11, 2011 1:46 PM - More4Less
am I the only sports nut who is looking forward to NFL pre-season games this weekend - ie as a nice distraction from all this mkt turmoil crap???
August 11, 2011 1:54 PM - BoerumHillScott
Fuckity Fuck Fuck FUCK!
How many fucking times do these fucking idiots want me to do the exact same fucking work but in a different format?
Now the fuckers are talking about me having to work over the fucking weekend to do yet another fucking strategy document that no fuckers will ever read.

Sorry, I think I was channeling Jackel there, but this work shit is getting old.
August 11, 2011 1:58 PM - lamb
that sucks, scott... sorry. that said, I welcome the return of some jackal-speak.
Edited at August 11, 2011 1:58 PM
August 11, 2011 2:00 PM - Not_Logged_In
Anonymous: "hey whatever happened to the What? Did he disappear cuz he couldn't post pix?"
Naw I just went Full Retard! Look Denton look at this, this site (Phew), Brownstoner with the New Covert Race/Class Shit and the Collapse of the Mutant Asset Bubble. I'm just chillin watching everything from the bunker.

"denton, he chose to ban himself a little as he knew he got out of hand a little"

I'm not gonna fight that. Every time I post something here comes the PC Police! I return fire and I'm the wrong guy.

BTW There's a nasty rumor going on that BAC will get taken to the woodshed like Bear Sterns! (Sunday Night Bankruptcy Take Out Special)

Latter Assholes, Suck it well!

The What

I love the smell of napalm in the morning...
August 11, 2011 2:01 PM - More4Less
Scott, I work for the same kind of idiots and I regret not brown nosing to occupy their spots back then and now I realize the trust cost of that decision - taking orders from clueless idiots. learned too late that sometimes one has to climb the corporate ladder not necessarily for the bigger gig but rather to avoid having to work for an idiot who would then occupy that spot and tell you to do stupid shit
August 11, 2011 2:01 PM - Arkady
Jackal made a momentary appearance saying (in a very genteel manner) that he's been very busy.
Mr. B, meanwhile, the hypocrite, is pandering to the lowest common (& I do mean common) denominator w/ a posting on tits (or, more properly, teats). Trying to get the kind of rise out of people that he castigated us for. What a load...
August 11, 2011 2:02 PM - Arkady
And I realize I've just done a thread killer as everyone charges over there>>>> to see (except denton who has already opined.)
August 11, 2011 2:06 PM - More4Less
Arkady, guess he bait worked in a round about way.
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:06 PM
August 11, 2011 2:12 PM - BoerumHillScott
I've clawed my way up the corporate ladder to the point where I don't have a lot of real work I do, but it has been replaced by a large load of bullshit work.
August 11, 2011 2:13 PM - Slopefarm
OK, although I frequent brwonstoner a lot less, now, I'm not boycotting or angry. But this is funny and emblematic from the pooper scooper redux thread:

eastnewyork: You're really trying to milk this for all it's worth, aren't you?

brownstoner: yes



Edited at August 11, 2011 2:13 PM
August 11, 2011 2:14 PM - BoerumHillScott
Mr. B seems to be putting a lot more energy into Brownstoner in the last 2 weeks.
August 11, 2011 2:14 PM - bxgrl
M4L- not if he keeps calling MM and snappy "ho's" he ain't. He didn't ban himself, BHS banned him (his second banning- first time was me) and he didn't get out of hand "a little". He got out of hand a LOT.
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:14 PM
August 11, 2011 2:18 PM - Not_Logged_In
Anonymous: It's OK Everyone. I'm not upset anymore it's over, you just don't see it and I'm fine with that.
Say what you wanna say, It's OK..

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..
August 11, 2011 2:23 PM - bfar
BHS- uuugh. Sorry, that's totally lame. There's a website with all these horror stories from graphic designers about their clients (you know which one I'm trying to think of, bxgrl?) being similarly ridiculous, wish I could remember the url...
August 11, 2011 2:26 PM - More4Less
cause & effect. it aint about right vs wrong. dont engage if you dont want the expected blow back.
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:26 PM
August 11, 2011 2:27 PM - CGar
What on earth are you all plathering on about?? And where's jackal?? I emailed him a couple of times, but haven't heard back, so I've been concerned that he's been held hostage in Argentina.
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:27 PM
August 11, 2011 2:29 PM - More4Less
CGar, you meant Jackal held hostage by an Argentinian?? she must be hot to keep him there
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:29 PM
August 11, 2011 2:33 PM - BoerumHillScott
I don't consider myself to be "PC," but I do think certain standards are needed in the primary public areas of the site.

Longer term, I'd hope that there can be different sections of the site to meet the needs/desires of different people.

Speaking of which, I have set up "The Booth," but right now Dave and I are the only members.
August 11, 2011 2:36 PM - bxgrl
bfar- I don't but tell me when you remember it because I have a client now who is making me nuts. And another who never paid me (and she was a "friend). She owed me over $1000 for work I did). Of course both of these clients keep changing their minds every waking moment.
August 11, 2011 2:37 PM - More4Less
hey, I want in on the booth
August 11, 2011 2:38 PM - More4Less
bxgrl, that's pretty shitty by that former friend. I can see big money ruining friendship. but $1k??? screw her.
August 11, 2011 2:40 PM - BoerumHillScott
M4L, you are now in The Booth.

It is a forum, so click on the forum link on the left or check out the "Active Forum Topics" section on the left to use it.
August 11, 2011 2:42 PM - CGar
"I have a client now who is making me nuts. And another who never paid me. Of course both of these clients keep changing their minds every waking moment."

Flaunting your "clients" in my face like that. "Jane, you ignorant slut."
August 11, 2011 2:42 PM - bxgrl
Yeah- it was, M4l- especially after I'd done a lot of volunteer work for her in the past.
August 11, 2011 2:44 PM - dibs
I added something to the breast feeding thread.

Bought a beautiful painting of three cats in a barn looking at a newly hatched chick. I'll post a pic of it next week.
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:44 PM
August 11, 2011 2:44 PM - BoerumHillScott
I have a friend who is a freelance graphics designer, and loves http://clientsfromhell.net/
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:44 PM
August 11, 2011 2:45 PM - WonTon
Hi guys--ran into a RE broker neighbor of mine who told me something interesting--that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are changing the cap on the amount of money they will allow a given person to take out in a mortgage as of end September. Apparently there was an exception made for the New York market, and it's set to expire in a month. Does anyone know anything about this?
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:45 PM
August 11, 2011 2:45 PM - lamb
anyone else listening to soundcheck right now?? these guys are nuts...
August 11, 2011 2:47 PM - Slopefarm
What could you possibly add to a breastfeeding thread? (Guess I'll have to trudge over there and see.)
August 11, 2011 2:47 PM - BoerumHillScott
Wendy's plane just landed at JFK. My days of being a single dad are almost at an end.
August 11, 2011 2:50 PM - More4Less
Wonton, yeah, that cap is going from 700k's to 600k's. the 700k was a temporary thing that put in place for us as the jumbo mkt dried up after the crash
August 11, 2011 2:54 PM - dibs
Wonton, the numbers were posted on here a few days ago and are diffeent for 1, 2 & 3 family homes. As I recall, for 2 families it will still be >$800k and yes, the change is Oct 1
Edited at August 11, 2011 2:54 PM
August 11, 2011 2:55 PM - dibs
was posted on brownstoner, not here
August 11, 2011 2:56 PM - Slopefarm
"What could you possibly add to a breastfeeding thread? (Guess I'll have to trudge over there and see.)"

Well, in answer to my own question, it appears he added the obvious. Any of us could have ghostwritten it for him.

Edited at August 11, 2011 2:56 PM
August 11, 2011 3:09 PM - WonTon
Thanks guys. The change in the cap seems like it really has no relevance to someone selling a mid-to-low priced apartment (ie, me), then.
Edited at August 11, 2011 3:09 PM
August 11, 2011 3:10 PM - Slopefarm
Wait, am I reading right? Is Scott encouraging us to go into a private booth with dibs? Are we zoned for that sort of thing?


Edited at August 11, 2011 3:10 PM
August 11, 2011 3:11 PM - BoerumHillScott
I made sure the first potentially offensive content in The Booth would not be anything Dave would be interested in.
Edited at August 11, 2011 3:11 PM
August 11, 2011 3:13 PM - More4Less
slopefarm, you have enough GOTD trophies and the infamous "Naked" jackal posts to allow you to hang comfortably in the "booth"
August 11, 2011 3:15 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
ugh i know beggers cant be choosers, but this week i havent been able to buy iced coffee so im drinking the office coffee. GUH-ROSS!

*rob*

August 11, 2011 3:16 PM - CGar
Slopey, not going to say a word in response to your last post. Not a word. Not even an acronym.
August 11, 2011 3:17 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
i would add something to do the breastfeeding thread but im just SURE cobble will swoop in on her broomstick and scream WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BOOBS ROB!?!

*rob*

Edited at August 11, 2011 3:17 PM
August 11, 2011 3:23 PM - Slopefarm
My comment was strictly a legal one. I am concerned about this site's compliance with local zoning ordinances.
August 11, 2011 3:23 PM - CGar
Why do you suppose Mr. B is posting threads designed to generate the same kinds of posts for which we were effectively kicked off his site???
August 11, 2011 3:25 PM - BoerumHillScott
I think we need a daily dog poop thread here.
Edited at August 11, 2011 3:25 PM
August 11, 2011 3:26 PM - More4Less
CGar, am munching on your brownies again - of that tray I put into freezer last time. it's still YUMMMMMMMMMMM
August 11, 2011 3:26 PM - Slopefarm
Perhaps to lure us back, CGar. Maybe he does want us to come back and do a little hijacking to make things interesting, just with not so much potty mouth or invective.
August 11, 2011 3:27 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
you got to take a tray of brownies home!? i didnt even GET one. grrr i did have more than one piece of that chocolate cake tho

*rob*

August 11, 2011 3:30 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
Why do you suppose Mr. B is posting threads designed to generate the same kinds of posts for which we were effectively kicked off his site???

i wondered the same thing. then a second later i was like oh who cares. his writing style is AWFUL. faux "aints" and using the god awful word "darn" in every other post.
half the threads are pure blog bait and nothing more!

*rob*

August 11, 2011 3:30 PM - More4Less
rob, I offered it to you, JB, etc but you guys passed on it.
August 11, 2011 3:31 PM - More4Less
Rob, exactly. who cares man. wish him the best of luck but aint going back. if he publicly apologizes, maybe.
Edited at August 11, 2011 3:31 PM
August 11, 2011 3:32 PM - CGar
"Perhaps to lure us back, CGar. Maybe he does want us to come back and do a little hijacking to make things interesting, just with not so much potty mouth or invective."

Could be, Slopey. But most people have no interest in going back. As they say, you can't always get what you want.
Edited at August 11, 2011 3:32 PM
August 11, 2011 3:33 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
oh. :( that must have been after i had already stuffed my face with too much cake.

*rob*

Edited at August 11, 2011 3:33 PM
August 11, 2011 3:34 PM - BoerumHillScott
I ate way more than my fair share of cake last week.

The chocolate was great, but I have a real weakness for cheap Costco cakes.
August 11, 2011 3:38 PM - BoerumHillScott
Nice jump in the stock market today.

I think I am now up for the week, although down a whole lot for the last 3 weeks.
August 11, 2011 3:40 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
im much calmer here than i was over there anyway. i think it's too many of the posts annoyed me. this site feels like lounging on an iceberg, over there it felt flamey and hellish if that makes any sense. i have to say i lol'd at someone dropping a bag of shit in his trash can. is that like uncouth or something? i do it sometimes. (tied up in a plastic bag) i never throw it in anyones recycling, but i have reached over gates before and put it in regular trash cans. i dont see what the big deal is.

*rob*

August 11, 2011 3:47 PM - More4Less
scott, today might be 600+ day
August 11, 2011 4:16 PM - dibs
ALERT, ALERT, ALERT


We just went to get gas and the state liquor store and there was some REALLY CHOICE latino talent hanging out front. I was amazed to see such fine specimens so far north here in New hampshire.
August 11, 2011 4:18 PM - BoerumHillScott
Must be global warming
August 11, 2011 4:18 PM - More4Less
DIBS, so you ready to retire now and retire to there???
August 11, 2011 4:27 PM - Arkady
Ahem! That choco cake was supposedly in my honor & I got crumbs!! I was also never offered any brownies & it turns out they were in the limo that took me home! With a multitude of edges & corners, no less!!! Ahem...
August 11, 2011 4:28 PM - boerumresident
WonTon, there's also a decent chance the high caps will be extended again. http://www.housingwire.com/2011/08/04/senators-submit-bill-to-extend-conforming-loan-limits/print/
August 11, 2011 4:29 PM - minard lafever
dibs,
is there a hardiness zone for Latinos? Kind of like peaches?

August 11, 2011 4:33 PM - cobblehiller
Hello in here! ::peeks in to see what's up::
August 11, 2011 4:34 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
you went home in a limo!?!

*rob*

August 11, 2011 4:36 PM - dibs
Minard, I always thought they were hardy only as far as zone 7. Asians as well.

30 minutes to cocktail time
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:36 PM
August 11, 2011 4:37 PM - BoerumHillScott
Wendy just came home, and right in time for raunch hour.
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:37 PM
August 11, 2011 4:37 PM - dibs
Romney's wife was in the store next to where we bought the wine & cheese. I should have gone in to meet her.
August 11, 2011 4:38 PM - minard lafever
The Park Service is closing the Statue of Liberty again. This time supposedly for just one year. They want to make further safety improvements.
They are such morons. It is a giant hollow female made by the French a long time ago, it is never going to be "safe". If they had their way they would never re-open it and I think they may not.

August 11, 2011 4:39 PM - cobblehiller
" I was also never offered any brownies"

If it's any consolation, Arkady, I never got offered any brownies either. : ( But I did eat a piece of your birthday cake, and it was YUM!
August 11, 2011 4:39 PM - dibs
I just saw that on the news too, Minard
August 11, 2011 4:39 PM - cobblehiller
And what would you have said to her, DIBS?
August 11, 2011 4:41 PM - dibs
NO, m4l, not going to relocate here. Have you ever been in NH in the Winter?????
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:41 PM
August 11, 2011 4:43 PM - BoerumHillScott
When I was at the Statue of Liberty last week, they had signs up and other notices that it would be shut down starting in October.
From what I read, almost all of the changes will be in the pedestal, including a complete renovation of the 25 year old museum.

While we were going through the museum section, NPS employees were giving a briefing to various contractors discussing who was responsible for various aspects of the exhibits.
August 11, 2011 4:43 PM - minard lafever
I used to be hardy to zone 6, but lately I feel I should be replanted in zone 9 or 8.
August 11, 2011 4:44 PM - dibs
Story coming up on the local news about the woman who's face was eaten by the chimpanzee getting a face transplant in Boston.
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:44 PM
August 11, 2011 4:45 PM - minard lafever
The NPS is incapable of finishing a project in one year. Their projects are measured in presidential administrations.

August 11, 2011 4:47 PM - More4Less
hey now, don't make it sound like CGar purposely withheld it or that I intentionally didn't want to share it. as CGar explained, the costco cake messed up his plans as far as the brownies.

if any consolation, think I've packed on at least 5lbs powering down the brownies so far.
August 11, 2011 4:48 PM - BoerumHillScott
From my experiences, the NPS is one of the more effective agencies when it comes to capital projects.
It may take them forever to get funding, but once they start something it seems to go well.

I do agree that if certain paranoid members of the government had their way, all of Liberty Island would be shut down for good.
The security there is insane.
My 10 year old son had to go though a bomb sniffing machine before he could get in.
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:49 PM
August 11, 2011 4:49 PM - More4Less
DIBS, all that snow will just make it easier for you to chase down the hot latino talent
August 11, 2011 4:50 PM - Biff Champion
Why does Madonna's daughter have a unibrow? Can't she afford electrolysis?
August 11, 2011 4:51 PM - InsertSnappyNameHere
ATTENTION PLEASE...ATTENTION PLEASE!
If you have not yet voted on the party date poll, please do so by tomorrow evening. If you know someone who hasn't yet voted, please tell them to do so by tomorrow evening. Thank you.

Carry on...
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:51 PM
August 11, 2011 4:52 PM - More4Less
Biff, you failed to mention the stashe too
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:52 PM
August 11, 2011 4:53 PM - cobblehiller
Sorry, M4L. I think I'll go make some brownies for my hosts this weekend.
August 11, 2011 4:53 PM - cobblehiller
Cripes, Biff, I'm surprised her Mom doesn't encourage a little plucking there.
Edited at August 11, 2011 4:53 PM
August 11, 2011 4:54 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
madonnas daughter finall shaved that shit off her face. she's an attractive young woman these days. what is she like 16 or something now? 17?

and i have a vague memory of standing outside the statue of liberty having a major hissy fit as a child. i dont know if it was a school trip tho, must have been

*rob*

August 11, 2011 4:55 PM - More4Less
that's fine Cobble, I'm actually very fulfilled brownie-wise. not that I wouldn't eat some more if you put it in front of me but I'm cool if I don't get any more FOR NOW. will likely be back to my whoring ways by next week
August 11, 2011 4:56 PM - cobblehiller
I voted, Snaps!
August 11, 2011 4:57 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
OMFG how dumb could one be!??!!?!?! who spends 225K on an anthropology major!?!?
read this...
*****
Guys,

I'm in a real pickle here lol. This past May I graduated from NYU with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology. NYU is realllly expensive, and I got screwed out of financial aid because the government thought my family had more money than we actually did. So basically, I had to pay EVERYTHING with student loans through Sallie Mae, and they're all private loans. I don't know the interest rate, I think it varies? But I do know I took out somewhere in the neighborhood of $225,000.

Anyway, I am basically screwed. Currently I am a part time maintenance worker at a convent near my house, they pay me $9.25/hr. I cannot find anything in my field, I have sent in many resumes and have tried my hardest, but I just can't find anything yet. Anyway, I talked to Sallie Mae today, and basically hung up on them in a rage of shouting/tears... they say I will have to pay at LEAST $1200/month, and can't lower it anymore. Basically, i'm not paying that haha.

So I'm fleeing the country. Screw Sallie Mae, screw the government, ********** country. Screw my stupid decision too; but life is short, and I really lived it up at NYU. So which country should I flee to? I am looking forward to starting my new life elsewhere.



Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/personal-finance/1353102-fleeing-country-due-student-loans.html#ixzz1UkwAakHZ
August 11, 2011 5:00 PM - DeLepp
He deserves Yemen.
August 11, 2011 5:01 PM - BoerumHillScott
I went to a mid-range liberal arts college, and I know several people who maxed out their student loans on English, sociology, theater, history, or music majors.

I only know of one who has a job in his field, and he took on another 5 years of loans to get his PhD and become a professor.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:01 PM
August 11, 2011 5:02 PM - cobblehiller
I think that's just crazy.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:02 PM
August 11, 2011 5:02 PM - bxgrl
Sorry e-hubby. Not those kinds of clients- the pay me money for design work clients. The kind that pay for the new refrigerator and expensive sofa I need for the Gingerbread House. :)
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:02 PM
August 11, 2011 5:07 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
i stupidly stupidly maxed out as much loan money as i could too :-/ totally dumb. but at least it's no where near that amount. a lot of people only go to school these days to get the government student loan refund checks every semester. sad, but true. even back when i was in school i knew soooo many people who would talk about what they were gonna buy their refund checks. NONE of it was even remotely school-related.


*rob*

August 11, 2011 5:07 PM - dibs
Ignorant, entitled attitude. Probably gets it from his parents. I can't pay my bills so I'm gonna run away. If hhis parents cosigned, they're screwed!!!

Pretty stupid too to think he can just go and live in another country.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:07 PM
August 11, 2011 5:09 PM - Arkady
I bought 'bricks' for several kids when Lee Iacocca was in charge of the Bedloe's Island refurb. & was very disappointed the first time I took one of those kids to see the Statue & you had to scroll through on a reader to see your name. The implication in the pitch letter had been that your brick would have your name on it.
Ditto at the Globe in London but they didn't pretend otherwise.
August 11, 2011 5:12 PM - bxgrl
Please- anyone have a knife so I can stab myself in the eye. These clients are driving me insane. I think I'll go visit that site, Clients from Hell. They're probably over there looking up resources on how to make a designer crazy.
August 11, 2011 5:16 PM - More4Less
DIBS, a bunch of my co-workers in the mgt training pgm were bragging how they blew 160k of their parent's money on college. at that point, I knew they came from a different world than my immigrant upbringing - ie who/why the F would one brag about that
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:16 PM
August 11, 2011 5:17 PM - More4Less
bxgrl, make sure these clients pay in advance. if they become royal pains, you at least have their money already.
August 11, 2011 5:18 PM - cobblehiller
"bragging how they blew 160k of their parent's money on college"

My parents spent about $20-25k on my college education and I never had any loans. And I went to a private school, not a state school.
August 11, 2011 5:19 PM - BoerumHillScott
I did some consulting work on the side a number of years ago.

My first two clients were somewhat annoying but overall good.

My 3rd kept coming up with impossible demands, then never paid me.
I have not done any side job since then.
August 11, 2011 5:19 PM - cobblehiller
And I paid for part of my college tuition, I should add.
August 11, 2011 5:22 PM - bxgrl
They paid me for my work, which was already accept by the National Arts Commission in D.C. The problem with them is that they keep changing their minds- not that I didn't give them what they wanted, but they simply keep changing their minds and need re-dos. I just put my foot down. We'll see what happens.
August 11, 2011 5:22 PM - BoerumHillScott
Financial aid and overall cost of college was a huge part of my decision.

I went to a private school, but it was paid for with a combination of scholarships, parental money, loans, and me working (more or less in that order).
I felt I had a responsibility to a choose a major and career path that would let me pay off the loans and ensure I did not need any more money from my parents.
August 11, 2011 5:23 PM - DeLepp
Toiling at the Grand Union paid for undergrad, toiling at S&P paid for grad.
August 11, 2011 5:25 PM - dibs
I paid for most of my college tuition through working...at an NAPA store mostly.

Took out loans for grad school. Back then, interest on student loans was deductible
August 11, 2011 5:26 PM - More4Less
Cobble, they bragged it like some badge of honor. they came from mid to upper middle class families so that wasn't chump change. I couldn't relate to that as I worked 2 jobs along with some scholarship to pay for college on my own. needlesstosay, I purposesly didn't choose to be buddy buddy with them - value gap between us were just way way too different.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:26 PM
August 11, 2011 5:27 PM - bxgrl
Went to college on scholarships. loans an working. My parents sent me a little pocket money each week but that was about it.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:27 PM
August 11, 2011 5:27 PM - DeLepp
Are NAPA stores still around?
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:27 PM
August 11, 2011 5:28 PM - Arkady
Scholarship through prep school & college w/ support from mother. Started free lance writing in college & working at Village restaurant too.
August 11, 2011 5:30 PM - dibs
Yes, DeLepp.
August 11, 2011 5:31 PM - bxgrl
Dave- is the painting one of those beautiful Victorian ones? Signed?
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:31 PM
August 11, 2011 5:31 PM - cobblehiller
I understand, M4L, it's hard to relate to people talking like that. I prolly would have left the room, if I could.

Since I was a crap ass student at my first college, my dad made me pay for my first semester at a second school. With the agreement that if I got good grades he'd start helping me. I got straight A's, and so he started helping me.
August 11, 2011 5:31 PM - More4Less
DIBS, if one taps home equity loan for grad sch, that's the new 21st century way of getting that interest deductible
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:31 PM
August 11, 2011 5:33 PM - DeLepp
That's good to hear. They always had everything you needed when it was time for routine maintenance.


August 11, 2011 5:33 PM - bxgrl
omg- that clients from hell web site is awesome!

"Recently a potential client came to us to develop a brand and Web site layout for a new project dedicated to serving pornography that contained “wholesome eroticism” and displayed proper Christian values relative to sexuality.

The client actually asked us if we could somehow “take the Christian Fish and add a va-jay-jay” to it. We graciously passed on this one, citing creativity limitations within our design team."
August 11, 2011 5:34 PM - dibs
Not Victorian, primitive and older. I'll post a pic of it next week
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:34 PM
August 11, 2011 5:36 PM - More4Less
bxgrl, that's ridiculous request. LOL. am sure after a while, they would ask to put a penis on it
August 11, 2011 5:39 PM - BoerumHillScott
bxgrl, based on some of your rants, I thought you would appreciate that site.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:39 PM
August 11, 2011 5:44 PM - bxgrl
It's a hoot! I am laughing out loud!
August 11, 2011 5:51 PM - Arkady
There's a NAPA on 4th Av in the late 20s or early 30s - east side of the av.
Edited at August 11, 2011 5:51 PM
August 11, 2011 6:37 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
My parents spent about $20-25k on my college education and I never had any loans. And I went to a private school, not a state school.

I didnt even know women were allowed to go to college back then!!

*rob*

August 11, 2011 6:41 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
Back then, interest on student loans was deductible

uh, it still IS. is THIS why you aint getting me the kinds of refunds i expect!? you are FIRED as my tax preparer! H&R Block next year for me!
i cant believe you didnt know that student loan interest is still tax deductable. i only found out about this myself AFTER i got my last refund, which would have been MORE i guess if you spent more than 2 minutes on my taxes.

*rob*

Edited at August 11, 2011 6:41 PM
August 11, 2011 6:50 PM - minard lafever
I went to college mostly on scholarship. I think my parents spent maybe 4 or 5 thousand on me tops. In grad school my mother would sometimes help me with the apartment rent, for which I am eternally grateful.

August 11, 2011 7:29 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
i had 1/3 grants & scholarships, 1/3rd hardship financial aid (which i think was totally different than the grants), 1/3 loans i guess. but i did work study program every semester and also made money at the note taking companies off campus (basically you get paid to take notes and they sold it to people who didnt want to go to lecture). i did that for almost all of my lecture classes after freshman year. it was great money and a great way of getting paid to study. and other random part time jobs. i didnt need as much in loans as i took out. those refund checks tho every semester were like free $$$. why didnt anyone slap me on the side of the head when i was signing those promisary notes!? granted, i was 18 and adult so i cant blame anyone but myself. but it's really easy to be ignorant of the financial implications down the road at that age, especially when the myth of making 6 figures after graduation are rammed into your head by all aspects of society.

i feel most bad for lower middle class and flat out poor kids and even the middle class (i was lower middle class) who busted their asses, many of whom (like myself) who were the first ones in their family to even go to college, only to get saddled with so much debt with essentially worthless degrees. (i dont feel like im in that situation, im using my degree) and my state college was legit.. unlike the gazillion for profit schools that have popped up in the last 10-15 years that are ripping people off.

basic math, basic science, basic history, etc are ALL mandatory in every high school in america, yet basic financing/economics/life skills is NOT. why is that? a lot of people think that parents should be the one teaching their kids those things... well you know, that's like saying let's ban all sex ed classes cuz parents should be teaching that too, right? guess what the reality is? many parents dont teach sex to their kids for a number of reasons, just like many parents dont teach their kids about basic financing and economics. 1.) wtf are they gonna say? times are totally different now. and 2.) lots of parents feel their way was the right way how things are done with sex and finances so they might be actually teaching bad habits in both sex and finance to their kids.

kids in true poverty get screwed out of knowing the FACTS about sex AND finances.
if someone told me senior year of high school that taking out excessive student loans was stupid, i would have listened (maybe). but it's like telling kids the importance of using a condom. some will listen, some wont. i laugh sometimes thinking how can people be SO stupid not to know they might get pregnant if they dont use a condom!?! but then again there are people tell me directly, wow how stupid were you to think you could take out all those loans and not realize the consequences?!? those consequences never crossed my mind at that age.


*rob*

August 11, 2011 8:28 PM - rf
Madonna's daughter goes to La Guardia High School, a public school that I believe the Dentons' daughter attended.
August 11, 2011 8:38 PM - BoerumHillScott
When I was in high school in Louisiana, a semester of "Free Enterprise" was required to graduate. I think the class was supposed to equal parts personal finance and anti-communist propaganda, but my school did not take the class seriously.
It was taught by an old teacher who was starting to go senile/crazy. He would spend a few minutes muttering about high his credit card bills were, then we would discuss what we watched on TV the night before.

August 11, 2011 8:53 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
LOL scott! hahahah. yeah unfortunately that's probably how most classes would be taught. there are always "those" teachers. hahahaha
they have a place in the system tho, you always remember them, regardless if they taught you anything even remotely related to what that class was supposed to be about.

there's gourmet doggie ice cream in my freezer LMFAO. im tempted to try some of it.

*rob*

August 11, 2011 9:02 PM - BoerumHillScott
I remember that teacher quite well - Mr. Tucker. Another frequently part of Free Enterprise class would be him holding up his money clip and saying "This is America," then holding up his credit card and say "This is also America"

I also had him for a semester of World Geography, and no matter what country we were discussing, the topic would always end up with Black Power, Rastafarians, and Haile Selassie.

August 11, 2011 9:04 PM - InsertSnappyNameHere
scott, your 8:38 made me truly lol. thanks, i needed that :-)

nite folks
August 11, 2011 9:19 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
yeah teachers are a weird lot, hit or miss, personalities ALL over the place. i think that is what used to make the first day of class so much fun. youd be like omg who IS this freak that's gonna be teaching me for the next year?!?!! in college they werent as all over the map personality wise as they were in high school. and grammer school ugh. you stuck with that teacher for a WHOLE YEAR! my 7th grade teacher happened to be a total b*tch and worked in the pathmark down the street from where we lived at nights and on weekends or something and told my grandparents (how they happened to be IN her line and KNOW it was her (maybe cuz of parents night or something) i dont know) but she told them that i was a weirdo. she literally said, yeah "he's a weirdo" :-/ that was the worst possible thing a teacher could have ever said about me cuz every other teacher before that told them i was a saint! and a pleasure to be around lol. and my grandparents thought i was a weirdo at that age so the whole shit hit the fan and eh. worse year of school EVER. first time i ever failed a test too. i couldnt get into english lit at the time it was awful. also was living in the shitty projects in nb at the time and then moved to the nicer projects the summer before 8th grade and wah-lah! my grades shot right back up to straight A's and my teachers were all nice, except for her who i still had english lit for that year cuz we switched classes. grrrr. hated her.


*rob*

August 11, 2011 9:59 PM - cobblehiller
"I didnt even know women were allowed to go to college back then!!"

Very funny, rob. Just by the by, even two of my GREAT grandmothers were college educated. So there. : P
Edited at August 11, 2011 10:01 PM
August 11, 2011 10:38 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
i had to jab you back to get back at you for all this weeks jabs. anyway, im dealing with a frau (shit you not) wilding going on on my facebook page right now :-/

*rob*

Edited at August 11, 2011 10:38 PM