Wednesday OT
August 17, 2011 7:39 AM - dibs
Have at it.....

260 comments
August 17, 2011 8:07 AM - dibs
A giant South American rodent weighing at least 100 pounds has been spotted at a California waste-water treatment facility, but has since disappeared in the brush, a wildlife official said on Tuesday.


Edited at August 17, 2011 8:07 AM
#1
August 17, 2011 8:16 AM - rf
Hmm, how much do you think his inflatable cousin (used outside nonunion work sites in NYC) weighs?
Edited at August 17, 2011 8:16 AM
#2
August 17, 2011 8:18 AM - dibs
Verizon says it'll suspend all health care benefits to striking workers as of Aug 31. Pension contributions stopped the day they went on strike. Both suspensions are actually part of the previous contract.

Good for them. Time to play hardball with these unions.
#3
August 17, 2011 8:19 AM - dibs
rf...you introduced the union discussion just ahead of me. See, we're not so different afterall!!!!!!!!!!!!
#4
August 17, 2011 8:27 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Good morning, DIBS. I forgot to wish you a "Happy Korea Day" yesterday. The pickings were prime for cute Korean boys at the Central Park music shell yesterday evening.
#5
August 17, 2011 8:33 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
For Dave...
Edited at August 17, 2011 8:33 AM
#6
August 17, 2011 8:34 AM - dibs
Koreans are sooooo HOT, BHI. They tend to be taller and well built (except the fem ones) and they have a certain machismo that other Asians lack.
#7
August 17, 2011 8:35 AM - rf
Oh yeah, Dave, we're practically twins!
#8
August 17, 2011 8:37 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
I agree with you, DIBS. I once dated a Franco-Korean guy...French father and Korean mother. Yummmmmm
#9
August 17, 2011 8:40 AM - BoerumHillScott
Last night we heard screeching tires and a crash on the street below our apartment. When we looked out, there was a motorcyclist lying on the pavement not moving. We immediately called 911, and while on the phone with them a private ambulance that happened to be going down the street stopped to help as well.

From the actions the FDNY paramedics took when they arrived, I'm pretty sure they guy was dead. The police had Atlantic eastbound shut down for another 2 hours taking measurements and pictures.

The whole thing was quite disturbing to me.
Edited at August 17, 2011 8:52 AM
#10
August 17, 2011 8:42 AM - petebklyn
franco-american famous for their canned spaghetti. what is franco-korean famous for? canned guksu?
Edited at August 17, 2011 8:42 AM
#11
August 17, 2011 8:44 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
He couldn't cook, but man could he kiss.
#12
August 17, 2011 8:48 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Speaking of French things I like to eat...Ladurée is opening a New York branch next week on Madison Avenue.
#13
August 17, 2011 8:50 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Scott: That is terrible. Witnessing a death takes a toll.
#14
August 17, 2011 8:50 AM - Not_Logged_In
Anonymous: very colorful hamburgers, I've never seen the like
#15
August 17, 2011 8:57 AM - dibs
The French are also good at surrendering.
Edited at August 17, 2011 8:57 AM
#16
August 17, 2011 8:57 AM - rf
I just found out that a friend with 2 girls adopted from China just died suddenly. Her family was in Bangkok where her husband works for an oil company.
#17
August 17, 2011 8:57 AM - Donatella
Hi Plusas. I wanted to say hello.....I have been twirling a lot of plates and have this new very hard job
called getting a job, much harder than my old one and so can't multitask and post like I used to....

Hey Dave, that is a Caprybara. I was writing about them a while back. They are giant vegetarian rodents
from Argentina; they get really big. They also have this great skin/fur that make great handbags. I have
one, I love it. Oh also Dave.....that huge rainfall of course had to cause an issue for me. Nick from Leakmasters
is doing a fix for me but next year have to get the works -- new roof. I'll have him do it.

Have a good day PLUSAs. I'll see you next week at the party.
#18
August 17, 2011 9:00 AM - dibs
Sorry to hear about the leak, dona. Nick will do right by you.
#19
August 17, 2011 9:01 AM - cobblehiller
GM
#20
August 17, 2011 9:05 AM - Donatella
Yes, Dave, he seems very knowledgeable and nice.
#21
August 17, 2011 9:10 AM - dibs
Far left extemists in Berlin are upping their burning of Mercedes Benz cars.
#22
August 17, 2011 9:14 AM - denton
From a facebook friend

If you purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG, you would have $33.00 today. If you purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers, you would have $0.00 today. But, if you purchased $1,000 worth of beer, drank all the beer, turned in the aluminum cans for recycling, you would have $214.00. Therefore, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg Plan.


#23
August 17, 2011 9:17 AM - denton
But not BMW's?

Edited at August 17, 2011 9:17 AM
#24
August 17, 2011 9:17 AM - dibs
Anyone else use Yahoo for email????? Do you hate the "new Yahoo" as much as I do???? What kind of douchebags design these changes??????
#25
August 17, 2011 9:22 AM - wendybear1
DIBS, that is why I primarily use gmail now. I like it much better. Easy to search, too!
Edited at August 17, 2011 9:22 AM
#26
August 17, 2011 9:25 AM - denton
Get a real email client like Thunderbird or Eudora instead of using a crappy web browser. It can pull down all your email from multiple sources and you don't have to worry about some dumb new web interface.
#27
August 17, 2011 9:30 AM - Arkady
I use Yahoo for random things & I've never liked it. I use gmail for my cell & verizon for my 'real' email. Both gmail & verizon are user-friendy.
#28
August 17, 2011 9:32 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
But, if you purchased $1,000 worth of beer, drank all the beer, turned in the aluminum cans for recycling, you would have $214.00. Therefore, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg Plan.

i can get with that plan. and how on earth do you get 214 dollars back from 1000 dollars worth of beer? do they pay that much!?! ugh! all this time ive been just putting stuff in the recycling bin!? move over little chinese ladies, there's a new can scrub in town!

*rob*

#29
August 17, 2011 9:33 AM - dibs
Too late to change emails now.
#30
August 17, 2011 9:35 AM - denton
So, S&P downgraded GOOG this morning (as an investment, not a credit risk). I wonder which stock will be higher in ten years, GOOG or MHP???
#31
August 17, 2011 9:36 AM - denton
I assume this is some white trash beer like the store brand.
#32
August 17, 2011 9:37 AM - Arkady
I don't know where that guy lives but he must get a lot more than a nickle a can redemption.
#33
August 17, 2011 9:37 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
my turkey meatloaf came out AMAZING last night!!!!!!!!!!!!! im so proud of myself!


*rob*

#34
August 17, 2011 9:38 AM - denton
dibs, you don't have to change email, just the tool that you use to read it with.

Check this out:

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/
#35
August 17, 2011 9:38 AM - dibs
Denton, S&P has no power at all in the equity ratings business. Currently there are 40 analysts who cover it and all have a BUY or OUTPERFORM except for 2 HOLDS and 2 NEUTRALS. S&P isn't considered a broker so not listed among them. Only brokers have the "axe" in stocks.
Edited at August 17, 2011 9:38 AM
#36
August 17, 2011 9:41 AM - denton
Summer is not my favorite season but last night I remember some of the best things about it.

Picked all the basil and made pesto genovese using all good ingredients of course. Sliced up a couple of just slightly overripe Jersey tomatoes to go with it. Celtic sea salt and telicherry pepper. A bottle of Riesling while sitting in the back yard. Can't beat simple pleasures like that.

Edited at August 17, 2011 9:41 AM
#37
August 17, 2011 9:47 AM - cobblehiller
Last night was one of the best of the summer, denton.
I made tortellini with basil pesto, zebra tomatoes and zucchini last night. I drank the usual cheap swill with it. And it was wonderful! Then BH and I sat out on the deck and chatted with a neighbor out on theirs. So pleasant and relaxing.

Btw, does anyone think the crickets are over and beyond previous years this summer? What would foster an increase in crickets?
Edited at August 17, 2011 9:51 AM
#38
August 17, 2011 9:51 AM - Arkady
I haven't noticed more crickets but I have a lot more robins than usual.
Denton, was that garden gizmo helpful?
#39
August 17, 2011 9:54 AM - dibs
I don't think I have any crickets. Also, the mockingbird seems to be gone as well.
#40
August 17, 2011 9:58 AM - Arkady
Mockingbird will probably come back, dibs. Mine makes sporadic appearances.
#41
August 17, 2011 9:59 AM - cobblehiller
The backyards over here are a cacaphony of crickets! It seems louder than usual. AND the darn things keep popping into the apt, and we're high up!
#42
August 17, 2011 10:06 AM - Arkady
Mockingbirds eat bugs - you need to take home some of CHiller's crickets, dibs.
#43
August 17, 2011 10:09 AM - dibs
She's probably got more cooties than crickets. Do they eat those too????
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:09 AM
#44
August 17, 2011 10:10 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
I haven't noticed any crickets in BH.
#45
August 17, 2011 10:11 AM - Arkady
Yes, & skeeters as well.
#46
August 17, 2011 10:12 AM - cobblehiller
Well, you losers clearly need to spend more time in Cobble Hill!

DIBS. Cooties? Really? What are we in 4th grade? Oh right, I forgot. Say, you forgot to pull my hair at Montero's, Nyah nyah! : P
#47
August 17, 2011 10:13 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
I am officially in love. Gosh, I forgot what it felt like to share good news.
#48
August 17, 2011 10:14 AM - dibs
Then there won't be any hot Indian guys either, BHI.
#49
August 17, 2011 10:14 AM - cobblehiller
Who are you in love with, BHI? The guy you met the other night? Mr. Perfection?
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:14 AM
#50
August 17, 2011 10:15 AM - Arkady
BHI - W/ the guy you described? Are you taking him to the gathering next week?
#51
August 17, 2011 10:16 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Yes, I am in love with the guy I met the other night. I will be in Zurich for work next week, but I will bring him along to the next Montero's night.
#52
August 17, 2011 10:22 AM - cobblehiller
It's such a wonderful feeling, BHI! I have glimpses of that feeling still with BH, 7 years later. I still "crush" on him at times!
#53
August 17, 2011 10:26 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Awww....He is meeting my parents on Friday. Apart from my time at work, we have been inseparable. I guess we are taking the lesbian approach to taking the plunge. I think we both realized how we felt when we cycled across the Brooklyn Bridge this morning at 6 am and kept looking at each other and smiling.
#54
August 17, 2011 10:27 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
I moved into my new office this morning. This is my view. I can see Brooklyn from my office!
#55
August 17, 2011 10:28 AM - InsertSnappyNameHere
the lesbian approach? heeeeeey!
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:28 AM
#56
August 17, 2011 10:28 AM - dibs
BHI, do you still remember his name??? That's the problem I usually have when I fall in love.

:)
#57
August 17, 2011 10:29 AM - Not_Logged_In
Anonymous: Now it's a Homo Rodeo!!!!
Boy O Boy, My My My.
The whole Retard Blog Sphere have gone down the drain..
Brownstoner -->Dead
Here---->ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
No improvement the layout and everything else suck balls
Hey wasn't Bxgrl and Collblehiller "Web Designers" or something? I thought Bxgrl was a "Graphic Assfuck"..
3 weeks and nothing!
Well I'm outta here, suck it well assholes!

The What

I love the smell of napalm on the moring..
#58
August 17, 2011 10:29 AM - dibs
The "lesbian approach?" So you're using a dildo on him????
#59
August 17, 2011 10:30 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Oh, yes. I remember his name, his nickname and I even know his two middle names.
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:30 AM
#60
August 17, 2011 10:30 AM - dibs
Well I'm outta here, suck it well assholes!

The What

Only to return about 10 more times today!!!!!!!

Still invested in treasuries, What????????
#61
August 17, 2011 10:31 AM - cobblehiller
Wow, meeting the parents! Heavens! That's a BIG step!

Between BH and I we have just one parent living. His mother. I didn't meet her for almost 3 years! But she's on the West Coast and they aren't very close. They seem to think speaking on the phone 5 times a year is plenty of communication. She's not very "mommy", she's more vaguely interested "aunt".
#62
August 17, 2011 10:31 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Oh, Dave. Not at all...I hate outsourcing pleasure to inanimate objects.
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:31 AM
#63
August 17, 2011 10:31 AM - denton
Huge amount of noisy cicadas in my hood. I assume due to the rain, somehow.

Arkady, yes, big improvement in the garden this year.
#64
August 17, 2011 10:32 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
As it happens, Cobble, his father is old friends with my maternal grandparents. This is the first time my parents have actually expressed interest in meeting my boyfriend.
#65
August 17, 2011 10:32 AM - cobblehiller
Wow, that's some shiny hiney! LOL!
#66
August 17, 2011 10:36 AM - cobblehiller
Interesting, BHI. I'm glad they want to meet him. Did they resist in the past due to some denial about your being gay?
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:36 AM
#67
August 17, 2011 10:36 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
I think we both realized how we felt when we cycled across the Brooklyn Bridge this morning at 6 am and kept looking at each other and smiling.

*rob*
#68
August 17, 2011 10:37 AM - cobblehiller
Oh, and btw, What, I'm not a graphic designer or a web developer.
#69
August 17, 2011 10:37 AM - Arkady
Denton - Did you have to move the gadget around a lot to get readings in different places?
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:37 AM
#70
August 17, 2011 10:38 AM - cobblehiller
Rob, Jealous much? Don't be such a creep.
#71
August 17, 2011 10:39 AM - dibs
That pumpkin pic is a riot!!!!!! And so approprite for that remark!!!!! LOL
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:39 AM
#72
August 17, 2011 10:40 AM - dibs
BHI, what do you think about Lady gaga doing the Christmas windows at Barney's??????????????
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:42 AM
#73
August 17, 2011 10:43 AM - dibs
I gave up on Barney's a decade or so ago as it became just an H&M for people with more money
#74
August 17, 2011 10:47 AM - cobblehiller
My ex used to shop at Barney's a lot. I just couldn't bring myself to pay those prices. He was very into designer stuff back when. He convinced me to buy a beautiful Armani suit once. I wore it for quite awhile, really nice, fit beautifully.
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:47 AM
#75
August 17, 2011 10:47 AM - Deleted
yes, fashion is geared towards 50 year old hedge fund managers
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:47 AM
#76
August 17, 2011 10:48 AM - Deleted
oh barney's nevermind - probably should be
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:48 AM
#77
August 17, 2011 10:49 AM - brooklynheightsivyIII
Rob: Try peppermint tea.
Dave: I hate Barney's. Ditto Lady Gaga.
Cobble: My parents have gotten better. When I joined the military my mother actually thought I would somehow become straight. I think their biggest issue is that I am the end of the line(branch) for our family tree and I am not going to marry someone who is biologically capable of bearing my children.
#78
August 17, 2011 10:49 AM - dibs
dh, what the hell do you know about fashion??? Huh??

[Sitting here smugly in my Allen Edmonds, french cuffs, pleated pants and gold cufflinks]


#79
August 17, 2011 10:50 AM - Deleted
i know fashion by osmosis
#80
August 17, 2011 10:53 AM - dibs
Is that like me being Mexican by injection????
Edited at August 17, 2011 10:57 AM
#81
August 17, 2011 10:58 AM - Deleted
haha pretty much
#82
August 17, 2011 10:59 AM - cobblehiller
"Is that like me being Mexican by injection????"

Snort!

Gotta run, later losers! : P
#83
August 17, 2011 11:11 AM - minard lafever
"homo rodeo"
LOL!

#84
August 17, 2011 11:20 AM - Deleted
haha - check out this website for the williamsburg hotel : DIBS' worst nightmare


http://www.hwbrooklyn.com/


#85
August 17, 2011 11:22 AM - dibs
As far as I'm concerned, ALL of Williamsburg is a nightmare.
#86
August 17, 2011 11:24 AM - Deleted
dibs' experience of WB is similar to rob's of paris
#87
August 17, 2011 11:28 AM - Not_Logged_In
Randolph: I read DHs last post "dibs' experience of WB is similar to rob's of PENIS"

HahahhahaBARFhahahahha
#88
August 17, 2011 11:29 AM - dibs
It would be similar, randolph. rob hasn't had any penis in years and i've only been to Williamsburg once!!!!!
#89
August 17, 2011 11:31 AM - Arkady
Barney's was a discount store when I was a kid.
Edited at August 17, 2011 11:31 AM
#90
August 17, 2011 11:33 AM - gay smurf hoodlum
you know there's a huge different between not being ABLE to get any and not WANTING any. you know how the old saying gays, more penis more problems!


*rob*

#91
August 17, 2011 11:36 AM - Deleted
rob already has a penis, why would he want anymore?
#92
August 17, 2011 11:39 AM - Arkady
Gnash, snarl. Idiot driver behind an alt-side double-parked car beeping his bippy off because the car isn't moving!
Edited at August 17, 2011 11:39 AM
#93
August 17, 2011 11:42 AM - dibs
Arkady, some people are just plain stupid.
#94
August 17, 2011 12:01 PM - More4Less
TKOTD to DIBS
#95
August 17, 2011 12:01 PM - lamb
hey all... haven't been around here for a few days, but I see BHI finally joined the loser's lounge.

dh, liked your restaurant review!
#96
August 17, 2011 12:17 PM - minard lafever
did anyone else have a problem getting out of Brooklyn this morning? The 2,3,4,5 were not running in either direction.
Unfortunately, the rest of the day has not been much better.

#97
August 17, 2011 12:20 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
yeah i saw on the news this morning something went down on the 4 /5 stop? (or is it the 2/3 stop?) on flatbush
*rob*

#98
August 17, 2011 12:22 PM - BoerumHillScott
Been buried in work today.
Edited at August 17, 2011 12:22 PM
#99
August 17, 2011 12:25 PM - More4Less
drive into work was lovely. did hear there were various signal problems but thought I heard it was the A/C trains though
August 17, 2011 12:33 PM - minard lafever
The platform this morning at Boro Hall was easily 110 degrees. An inbound train was stuck in the station and it is like a giant radiator. Finally the message came that no trains were running at all in either direction.

August 17, 2011 12:48 PM - Arkady
Rotten, Minard. How'd you move on?
August 17, 2011 12:53 PM - dibs
A/C were fine at 7:00
Edited at August 17, 2011 12:53 PM
August 17, 2011 12:53 PM - More4Less
Arkady, am sure Minard didn't pull a CGar (ie walked across BK Bridge) but rather cabbed it.
August 17, 2011 12:59 PM - minard lafever
No, fortunately it's Brooklyn Heights so I walked (calmly) over to the R, which was packed but moving. My last alternative would have been the High Street A/C. There was a very nicely dressed young man at the platform in spiffy suit and French cuffs trying not to wilt, I wondered if it could be BHI, but now we know that he and the bf biked over the bridge earlier in the morning locked in each others love glance.
-Where's that pumpkin barfing image?

August 17, 2011 1:00 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
No, fortunately it's Brooklyn Heights so I walked (calmly) over to the R, which was packed but moving.

? it never seems to be packed at all in that area on the R. what time are you taking the train? i get on at 840.

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:02 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
at 1036 is the pumpkin barfing

*rob*

Edited at August 17, 2011 1:02 PM
August 17, 2011 1:03 PM - minard lafever
Rob, it was packed at 9:15 due to the fact the 2,3,4,5 were all out. I think someone was hit by a train in the Atln Av station.

August 17, 2011 1:09 PM - dibs
9:15???? Who goes to work at 9:15 except hairdressers, sample boys and shopgirls?????
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:09 PM
August 17, 2011 1:15 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
9:15???? Who goes to work at 9:15 except hairdressers, sample boys and shopgirls?????

in nyc ive noticed that most people get to work between 10 and 11. i always get in before 930 because i cannot be asked to stay passed 530. people that come in at 10 and 11 stay longer. i curse my alarm and shake my fists at god every morning when it goes off in the morning, but once im up im up, im kind of a morning person.

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:17 PM - minard lafever
sample boys? Is that a quaint term from your youth?
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:17 PM
August 17, 2011 1:18 PM - minard lafever
I have a short commute. the reason it was 9:15 was because, see if you can follow this, the trains were not running.

August 17, 2011 1:18 PM - Not_Logged_In
Randolph: Yeah Dave especially in advertising or entertainment/media people work 10-7 or 11-8. Not everyone has their glass of warm milk and bedtime story by 9pm. ???
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:18 PM
August 17, 2011 1:19 PM - dibs
Morning sex is good too rob. Ever had that?????
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:19 PM
August 17, 2011 1:20 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
lol

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:21 PM - dibs
randolph could probably use a bit more sex himself
August 17, 2011 1:21 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
Morning sex is good too rob. Ever had that?????

morning sex is gross

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:22 PM - dibs
How would you know, rob????
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:22 PM
August 17, 2011 1:24 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
obviously ive had it before, before i became a butterfly. plus morning sex probably means sober sex and for some reason that kinda repulses me.

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:24 PM - minard lafever
isn't there a booth for this sort of thing?

August 17, 2011 1:24 PM - Not_Logged_In
Randolph: You tell me Dave, you stallion!
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:24 PM
August 17, 2011 1:26 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
wouldn't someone have to be a top to be considered a "stallion"?

*rob*

Edited at August 17, 2011 1:26 PM
August 17, 2011 1:28 PM - dibs
rob, unlike you, I'm versatile.
August 17, 2011 1:29 PM - BoerumHillScott
I love sex throughout the day, but morning is probably my least favorite.

Minard, this discussion is pretty tame by traditional OT standards.

The Booth is for the really bad stuff (assuming anyone ever joins)
August 17, 2011 1:29 PM - More4Less
wow, mortgage rates are low low low. I think I won the rate prediction - ie I was the only one to predict it would go down vs. the supposed experts here were saying it would go up. On that basis, anyone want me to manage their trust fd????
August 17, 2011 1:31 PM - dibs
I've already posted some naughty pics in the Booth.
August 17, 2011 1:32 PM - Not_Logged_In
Randolph: M4l what's the best rate i could get to refi a 415k loan on a condo?
August 17, 2011 1:33 PM - More4Less
DIBS, chk your email
August 17, 2011 1:34 PM - More4Less
randi, lots of banks offerring now 4.25% 30 yr fixed
August 17, 2011 1:37 PM - More4Less
Randi, thought you were going to sell it then buy a BK Heights Townhouse?
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:37 PM
August 17, 2011 1:37 PM - minard lafever
Scott, I went in last week and saw Dibs' rent-a-rear. I didn't have to join anything.

August 17, 2011 1:41 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
i dont believe you can afford a half a million dollar condo, randi.

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:41 PM - dibs
Were you bummed out after you saw it Minard or did it make you all cheeky????
August 17, 2011 1:42 PM - dibs
This outta be good between rob & randi!!!!!
August 17, 2011 1:44 PM - minard lafever
did it make me feel cheeky?
-Don't be so cocky.



Edited at August 17, 2011 1:44 PM
August 17, 2011 1:45 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
seriously, his mouth is all luxury condo talk but you just know his ass is all section 8

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:46 PM - dibs
Any idea what sort of securites are up the most since the end of July and actually completely rebounded from the August selloff and ABOVE July levels???????????

Muni bonds!!!!!!!!!

Thank you sooooo much Meredith Whitney!!!!!!
August 17, 2011 1:46 PM - BoerumHillScott
In theory, the topic that dave put that picture in is not really "The Booth," but just the announcement for the Booth.

In reality, the Booth right now only 2 lame threads that I started, and only one of those has pictures.
I may find some offensive jokes to post in it now.
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:46 PM
August 17, 2011 1:47 PM - dibs
I'm beginning to see cracks in your humor, Minard.
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:47 PM
August 17, 2011 1:48 PM - dibs
rob, I'm not really interested in randolph's ass, not when I've got more than enough to deal with already!!!!
August 17, 2011 1:51 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
im having a stoop sale sometime the end of august. any ideas where i can find stuff to sell at it?

*rob*

August 17, 2011 1:54 PM - dibs
rob, I could donate clothes that I don't wear anymore...suits, ties, pants, shirts.
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:54 PM
August 17, 2011 1:54 PM - Legion
Who was asking about leaks this week?

My tenant called me about a leak at the brownstone yesterday. Water was coming down through the edge of the skylight.
I spent part of this morning crawling through the shaftway and onto the roof.

Here's my question, I haven't been up there in a couple of years and as far as I can see neither have any of the neighbors, so how the F%$K does a bunch of trash like a lawn chair, pieces of plywood, branches, etc, accumulate up there?
Good thing I checked though, the weather seal around the base of the chimney was totally rotted out. Always bring a couple of tubes of roofing cement to patch and seal.
That's my tip of the day.
Oh, and silicone sealant works well around the edges of the skylight (fast-setting, clear). Don't use the opaque on the skylight, it looks crappy from below.
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:54 PM
August 17, 2011 1:56 PM - dibs
You were in the cockloft, Legion?????
August 17, 2011 1:57 PM - Legion
im having a stoop sale sometime the end of august. any ideas where i can find stuff to sell at it?

*rob*

...folks around my way, have great success raiding those Good Will boxes located in the parking lots of the larger super markets. People are sometimes too lazy to put the stuff inside the metal containers so they just pile all this perfectly good stuff outside. Things like toys, appliances and clothes. I think that's where those people who used to sell stuff on the sidewalks of the East Village got their stuff.
The stuff they sing about in that song : "Detachable Penis"
August 17, 2011 1:57 PM - ij
I leave for work at 9:15.
Edited at August 17, 2011 1:57 PM
August 17, 2011 1:59 PM - Legion
"You were in the cockloft, Legion?????"

...I was adjacent to the cockloft and had to push my way up and out.

.
August 17, 2011 1:59 PM - More4Less
come on legion, you shouldn't be doing all the crawling around in your doctor white's
August 17, 2011 2:02 PM - Not_Logged_In
Randolph: I really do own a condo, but if it is in doubt I am glad rob lumps me in the section 8 part of his worldview rather than the trust fund baby part.
August 17, 2011 2:03 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
oh yeah i used to raid goowill boxes and salvation army drops in parking lots in jersey with a friend in the middle of the nigth!!! got so much great clothes!!! the new housing works across the street from me when they put out their weekend trash they throw out TONS of brand new things. there's a few scavengers that go there and pick thru the bags the second they are put out. one of the scavengers is a dickhead and claims that are is "his" :-/ whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean and he gets pissy and mean if you "touch his bags". they aint his bags dont listen to him.

*rob*

Edited at August 17, 2011 2:03 PM
August 17, 2011 2:07 PM - Legion
I'm very hands on M4L,
mainly because my experience with contractors is that you have to call 2 or 3 to get one to show up.
Then you have to wait for them to show up cause they give you a window of 8 hours.
With something like a leak it's just easier for me to zip-up a Coverall and patch the thing in a half-hour by myself.
I think I'll get the roof rubberized next year though, that way I won't worry about it for a decade or two.
August 17, 2011 2:08 PM - dibs
"oh yeah i used to raid goowill boxes and salvation army drops in parking lots in jersey with a friend in the middle of the nigth!!! "

Glory days!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMUxvDBFQYs
Edited at August 17, 2011 2:08 PM
August 17, 2011 2:18 PM - CGar
"I'm very hands on M4L"

Legion's hands are on m4l?! H? Nh?
Edited at August 17, 2011 2:18 PM
August 17, 2011 2:20 PM - DeadCatBounce
I have a 30yr fixed at 5.25%. Is it worth refinancing?
August 17, 2011 2:20 PM - minard lafever
I think that Mayor Bloomberg is resembling Mr. Burns more and more each day.
"Raise the tolls and release the hounds!!!"
August 17, 2011 2:22 PM - Legion
CGar!
...don't ask me for help when your tent springs a leak on cobble's deck.
August 17, 2011 2:25 PM - More4Less
CGar, he's a doctor. It's OK and NH
August 17, 2011 2:26 PM - Arkady
Legion - If you really haven't been up in over a year the debris might have been from the tornado - we're coming up on the year anniv. of that.
August 17, 2011 2:26 PM - More4Less
DCB, 1 pt drop, of course it's worth refinancing.
August 17, 2011 2:27 PM - More4Less
DCB, that was conforming. not jumbo though
August 17, 2011 2:28 PM - CGar
"...don't ask me for help when your tent springs a leak"

Euphemism, Legion???
August 17, 2011 2:29 PM - dibs
Is Legion a urologist???
August 17, 2011 2:29 PM - More4Less
CGar, did your avatar's ice cream scoops changed colors?
August 17, 2011 2:29 PM - Arkady
More like a tentative come-on, CG.
August 17, 2011 2:32 PM - Legion
The tornado makes sense arkady.
Can't think of any other explanation aside from someone throwing stuff from the street. That's doubtful with a lawn chair.
August 17, 2011 2:34 PM - Legion
Euphemism?
What? ...no!

Don't make me release a pack of attack squirrels on you guys.
August 17, 2011 2:44 PM - DeadCatBounce
M4L - That is a jumbo. Still worth refinancing? Bank Fees are high.
August 17, 2011 2:46 PM - Legion
This one is for the cat people on the OT:

Edited at August 17, 2011 2:46 PM
August 17, 2011 2:50 PM - BoerumHillScott
DCB, how long do you expect to live there?
August 17, 2011 2:56 PM - Not_Logged_In
Randolph: Brownstoner is dead again today.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


August 17, 2011 3:00 PM - Legion
wasn't there a lot of action on a bike thread there this week?

August 17, 2011 3:02 PM - rf
Rick Perry said he doesn't believe in global warming.
August 17, 2011 3:06 PM - dibs
Legion, there's more action in rob's bedroom than there is on brownstoner!!!!!
August 17, 2011 3:09 PM - dibs
rf, a lot of intelligent people do not believe in global warming.
August 17, 2011 3:09 PM - Biff Champion
There's plenty of action in Rob's bedroom. Or did you mean action involving more than one person?
August 17, 2011 3:12 PM - BoerumHillScott
I know a guy who is very left wing and has a science background who is convinced global warming is a scam.

I don't have the skills to make a judgement, but enough to the scientific community believes in global warming for me to accept it.
August 17, 2011 3:23 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
ooooooh double burn lol.. more like palm burn really


*rob*

August 17, 2011 3:26 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
im on the fence about global warming. i mean obviously there is a ton of validity to it, but it's often used for political reasons and lots of time it's used to make people feel bad about themselves. as citizens of earth, we have the right to do whatever the hell we want. and those of us who dont breed are the "greenest" people with the smallest carbon footprint there is... so we're allowed to indulge in things that arent good for the environment if we choose to. it's yo babies that are killing earth!

*rob*

August 17, 2011 3:31 PM - dibs
If my penis was comparable in size to my carbon footprint I could wrap it around my neck.
Edited at August 17, 2011 3:34 PM
August 17, 2011 3:33 PM - Legion
...so it's true what they say about a man's carbon footprint size.
August 17, 2011 3:34 PM - Biff Champion
I would be happy if I could wrap my penis around my pinkie.

:-(
Edited at August 17, 2011 3:34 PM
August 17, 2011 3:35 PM - dibs
Biff, maybe you should re-read that Noam Chomsky book. Your jokes are getting rather flaccid
August 17, 2011 3:36 PM - Arkady
I'm not sure what you're getting at, dibs. You ride roughshod on the environment or you want a feather boa?
August 17, 2011 3:38 PM - dibs
I used to ride bareback but those days are long over!!!!
August 17, 2011 3:38 PM - ij
FedEx left a door tag at my apartment; a missed delivery. Thing is, I didn't order anything.

I look up the door tag number and the package originated from Dubai! What the f***!?
Edited at August 17, 2011 3:38 PM
August 17, 2011 3:39 PM - More4Less
DCB, it's worth asking your bank, mortgage broker on what's the rate.
Edited at August 17, 2011 3:39 PM
August 17, 2011 3:42 PM - Arkady
I started a re-fi when the rate had gone from 18 to 12. Since I'm self-employed it was a year-long battle at the end of which the rate had gone down to 8. I also reduced the loan from a 30 to a 15 year & didn't change the principle. Ended up w/ a jolly good deal.
August 17, 2011 3:49 PM - More4Less
Arkady, your reference of 18% rate is betraying your youthful image.
Edited at August 17, 2011 3:49 PM
August 17, 2011 3:52 PM - Arkady
M4L - I'm hiding behind my 3 years of Medicare mentioned yesterday.
Edited at August 17, 2011 3:52 PM
August 17, 2011 3:58 PM - Legion
"I look up the door tag number and the package originated from Dubai! What the f***!?"

hahaha,
The old, Fake-Fed-Ex-Package-From-Dubai trick.
That's a classic. ;o)

.
August 17, 2011 4:03 PM - More4Less
Legion, is the followup a fedex box with warm doo doo in there???
August 17, 2011 4:03 PM - Deleted
ugh - so nice outside. i wanna glass of roe-zay
August 17, 2011 4:05 PM - dibs
Ryo Ishikawa has just formally joined the PGA.....
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:05 PM
August 17, 2011 4:06 PM - dibs
I'd like to carry his bag for him or even just hold his wood.
August 17, 2011 4:07 PM - Arkady
He really suits you to a tee, dibs.
August 17, 2011 4:08 PM - Deleted
never been a fan of gorf
August 17, 2011 4:09 PM - dibs
More or less on par with other Japanese I've been in the rough with.
August 17, 2011 4:09 PM - Arkady
Hey, M4L! I just got an invitation to my high school 50th reunion dinner.
August 17, 2011 4:09 PM - More4Less
DIBS, you lefted out you would like to clean his balls too
August 17, 2011 4:10 PM - Arkady
So get off your duffer, dibs.
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:10 PM
August 17, 2011 4:11 PM - Biff Champion
DIBS, have you ever received a package from Dubai?
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:11 PM
August 17, 2011 4:12 PM - WonTon
Hi gang. I'm writing this while swiping an unknown neighbor's wifi. Yesterday evening my Verizon DSL died. It's the line, not the modem, and the problem is at the office. I spent nearly 4 hours in phone hell with these guys. Upshot is they cannot send a tech to fix it until...hold your breath...September 15th.

Fuck Verizon. My suspicion is that they are deliberately trying to lose customers so they can close down the phone/wire/DSL division and lay off those striking workers.

I've got a modem from Clear 4G coming by FedEx tomorrow. I hope it works. The only other alternative in my area is Time Warner Cable, and I do NOT want to go there.
August 17, 2011 4:14 PM - dibs
Wonton...all the striking workers are part of the land line business
August 17, 2011 4:14 PM - WonTon
Donatella--did you know there is a store in Buenos Aires that specializes in Capybera? Everything in the store--bags, belts, jackets, gloves--is made form capybera leather. I got a terrific, smooth pair of gloves there.
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:14 PM
August 17, 2011 4:15 PM - More4Less
Arkady, with that piece of info, no hiding now. the 18% could've been explained away as the good looking banker suckered you with that crazy ass loan. the medicare would've been some special no-income disability angle. no explanation possible with this 50th anniversary
August 17, 2011 4:15 PM - dibs
No, Biff. I don't think so. But I do know a hustler here in NYC from Yemen.

I actually got a call from him last week. Seems his mom won a couple million in the lottery and bought him an apt on 62nd St and he has invited me over for a few freebies as payback for when I was paying him!!!!!!!
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:15 PM
August 17, 2011 4:16 PM - rf
Wonton, I have a cable internet connection that I "share" with my upstairs neighbor. For a while we had 3 apartments sharing the same cable. It definitely cushions the cost after 6 months when they jack up the price. And when I bought a new router a few months ago, it had a "guest" setting for 3 different "guests," each of whom got their own connection and password. Not bad for $40, and I didn't even have to save the box so I could return it when I ran out of money. (We have Cablevision and trust me, Time Warner is a model corporate citizen in comparison.)
August 17, 2011 4:17 PM - More4Less
Wonton, did you know you could've tested and picked up a CLEAR modem thingie a few blocks from you on 5th ave?? and could've picked up a chocolate muffin from chocolate rm along the way?
August 17, 2011 4:18 PM - rf
m4l, could you post a link about this service? Thanks.
August 17, 2011 4:18 PM - Deleted
thank god for fios
August 17, 2011 4:18 PM - WonTon
Dave, Verizon DSL is part of the land line division, because it's run over the phone lines. Their techs are the ones on strike. That's why there is no tech service until 9/15. I've been on the phone for more than 4 hours with these jerks, and that's what they are telling me over and over.
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:18 PM
August 17, 2011 4:19 PM - BoerumHillScott
I've been having problems with my Verizon DSL and land line off and on since the strike began almost 2 weeks ago.

August 17, 2011 4:19 PM - More4Less
rf, which service?
August 17, 2011 4:20 PM - More4Less
rf, you referring to DIBS ball cleaning svc?
August 17, 2011 4:20 PM - rf
for your internet connection that you've been writing about. (streaming porn.)
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:20 PM
August 17, 2011 4:21 PM - rf
not that I'm interested in porn, to tell the truth.
August 17, 2011 4:22 PM - More4Less
DH, someone was telling me verizon recently been really pimping the fios service - ie 33/month no contract no activation. that's a killer offer
August 17, 2011 4:23 PM - dibs
Yes, DSL is over the land line. I misunderstood what you were talking about.

I don't have a land line at all.
August 17, 2011 4:24 PM - WonTon
Unfortunately, there's no FIOS in my end of Park Slope. Not that I feel like throwing more money at Verizon.

Even if I could get FIOS here, there's apparently a 6 week wait for their installation service, too.

New York is so fucking third world in so many ways. And I don't think people here realize that it doesn't have to be this way...and it ISN't in other parts of the world. Certainly not in Hong Kong, where I pay about 25 bucks a month for FASTER connection PLUS unlimited WiFi roaming.
August 17, 2011 4:26 PM - Legion
"Legion, is the followup a fedex box with warm doo doo in there???"

ha ha M4L,
The expert trickster would use Camel dung. ;o)

.
August 17, 2011 4:26 PM - rf
http://www.nationaljournal.com/economy/backpack-wearing-ambassador-causes-a-stir-in-china-20110817
August 17, 2011 4:26 PM - dibs
Serafina in Philly just got an indredibly bad review. It starts out like this:


After spending a fruitless 10 minutes trying in vain to get the bartender’s attention, the hostess moped miserably up to me and my two companions and asked if all four of us were there yet. No, I told her, the fourth was parking. At which point, and without saying another word, she turned around and walked away.?

Did this mean we should follow her to our table? Or report back when our fourth had finally arrived? Maybe we should leave with our heads hung low in shame? We were given no indication.?

This interaction was the first omen of what was to come at this pulsating embodiment of every stereotype ever (inaccurately) applied to the Big Apple and its restaurant scene. Some of the incompetence, the brazenly insouciant attitude, the grotesque sense of self-importance and utter fabulousness that permeates this deafeningly loud, perennially packed space might have been forgiven had the food or drink been remotely in line with the prices—or, for that matter, with the standards of a mediocre home cook. But as far as I can tell, the primary raison d’être of this Dantean mess in Rittenhouse Square is to see and be seen, to ogle and be ogled.?



http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/food/Serafina-Center-City-Is-Horrible.html#ixzz1VJtiYAWz
August 17, 2011 4:28 PM - dibs
And yes, ANYWHERE in Asia has better, cheaper, faster Internet than the US
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:31 PM
August 17, 2011 4:28 PM - dibs
WonTon...get the Verizon Air Card. You'll need 4G if you're streaming any video. I have 3G which is fine for normal surfing and my Bloomberg
August 17, 2011 4:28 PM - More4Less
rf, I have the Clear 4G wireless mobile hotspot. $45/month. faster & more reliable than my old time warner svc. have had no issues with 3 devices streaming videos at the same time. the mobile piece is very valuable too - so the kid can watch his youtube videos when he acts up at the restaurants
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:28 PM
August 17, 2011 4:30 PM - More4Less
HK has 100M fastE connections
August 17, 2011 4:31 PM - WonTon
I just signed up today for that $45 Clear 4G service. I will see how it works in Chez WonTon before committing. There's a 30 day free trial.
August 17, 2011 4:33 PM - Legion
ouch dibs,
That's what you call a scathing review.
BHS gave White Castle 3.5,
sounds like the critic would have been better off there.
August 17, 2011 4:34 PM - More4Less
Wonton, don't think Clear will have any issues when you tell them you need to stop the svc when you're about to go back to HK and then ask for it to be turned on when you come back again
August 17, 2011 4:34 PM - Deleted
m4l - will the clear mobile hotspot link up okay with appletv, googletv etc?
August 17, 2011 4:34 PM - WonTon
DIBS, speaking of bad reviews, did you see the withering, weird review by Alan Richman in GQ of M.Wells? I must say I think he's right about the deterioration of service in American restaurants. I really hate the casual "Hi, my name is Joey and I'm going to be taking care of you tonight...is everything okay?" Much prefer the old-fashioned Spanish style of serious, formal, professional service...so classy.
August 17, 2011 4:35 PM - BoerumHillScott
I've seen demos of the Clear4G that looked real good.
If I ever drop my land line, that will probably be my first choice for internet.
August 17, 2011 4:36 PM - WonTon
I'll give you all a full report when I get set up (hopefully) tomorrow.

Gonna say bye now...this borrowed wifi I'm using is just too damn slow.
August 17, 2011 4:38 PM - More4Less
DH, appletv, googletv, etc should be agnostic to whatever technology or provider of internet connection. It just needs to be able to connect to the internet. Give Clear the free trial tire kicking that Wonton is doing. if no good, give it back. there's likely to be a Clear store near you that you can stroll in to pick up a device
August 17, 2011 4:40 PM - Deleted
i've heard only great things about the food and service at m.wells (unfortunately never made it there)


Edited at August 17, 2011 4:40 PM
August 17, 2011 4:40 PM - More4Less
tech-wise, the AT&T and Verizon LTE 4G is faster than the Clear 4G but then it's pricier plans and it's not unlimited bandwidth (and currently, smaller network coverage but that should change quick as LTE buildout has been very fast)
August 17, 2011 4:43 PM - Deleted
m4l - what is 4G in MBps?
August 17, 2011 4:46 PM - More4Less
WHAT made a compelling pitch that it might be 25 : 5. when I look at that wireless connection gui on my computer, it consistently says 40-55mbps connection.
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:46 PM
August 17, 2011 4:52 PM - More4Less
anyone here has any experience with Hulu plus and/or Amazon Prime for the stream video service (ie as alternative to Netflix)?
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:52 PM
August 17, 2011 4:53 PM - CGar
Wow, 80 posts over there today > > > Guess all the lurkers and people who are intimidated by us finally started posting.
August 17, 2011 4:54 PM - BoerumHillScott
We have Amazon Prime.

It's a nice little toy, but can't compare to Netflix in terms of software, library, or devices supported.
Long term, I think that it will give Netflix a good run for its money, but there is really no comparison now.
Edited at August 17, 2011 4:54 PM
August 17, 2011 4:55 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
quote:
the incompetence, the brazenly insouciant attitude, the grotesque sense of self-importance and utter fabulousness that permeates this deafeningly loud, perennially packed space might have been forgiven had the food or drink been remotely in line with the prices—or, for that matter, with the standards of a mediocre home cook.

that basically describes every single moonface restaurant and bar in brooklyn.

*rob*

Edited at August 17, 2011 4:55 PM
August 17, 2011 4:58 PM - More4Less
CGar, maybe he has a massive jump in page views in the gazillions
August 17, 2011 5:00 PM - Deleted
big bummer that googletv doesn't support hulu+
August 17, 2011 5:50 PM - Arkady
My Verizon land line & dsl are still fine. I'm about 3 blocks away from WonTon. Can't wait to hear how she likes Clear. No Fios here, either. Would Clear @ $45 get me video reception too?
August 17, 2011 5:55 PM - BoerumHillScott
Clear is internet only, no voice or TV/Cable
August 17, 2011 5:56 PM - cobblehiller
"Wow, 80 posts over there today > > > Guess all the lurkers and people who are intimidated by us finally started posting."

Dya think Mr. B misses us yet? : P
August 17, 2011 5:57 PM - cobblehiller
Has anyone else gotten this visual voicemail thing? It's kind of cool. You don't have to call in to VM, you just pop open a screen and press play to listen. Me likey. (We're on T-Mobile)
August 17, 2011 6:00 PM - BoerumHillScott
I use Google voice for my main phone number.
I does web based voice mail and voice mail to text/e-mail.

Edited at August 17, 2011 6:00 PM
August 17, 2011 6:04 PM - cobblehiller
When I first saw it, I was kind of hoping it was VM to text. Ah well, but still very pleased with not having to dial VM, and being able to select/prioritize listening to messages.
Edited at August 17, 2011 6:04 PM
August 17, 2011 6:18 PM - bxgrl
I seem to have missed 3 days worth of OT party, huh? Been very busy- and have some out of town visitors. I see the What just can't take a hint.
August 17, 2011 6:20 PM - cobblehiller
bxgrl, Me, too, missing a lot, been busy. Did you get my email about that freelance job this morning?
August 17, 2011 6:37 PM - minard lafever
I try to talk to as few people as possible on the phone.
I have the most underused Droid phone in the Boro.

Edited at August 17, 2011 6:37 PM
August 17, 2011 6:40 PM - Arkady
Minard - I'd bet CG has you beat. I'm not sure he still has operative vocal chords.
August 17, 2011 6:42 PM - minard lafever
I like the spiffy new technology, I lust hate answering phones.
August 17, 2011 6:43 PM - minard lafever
I just checked, my "most frequently dialed" number is the garage where I keep the maxi-cooper.

August 17, 2011 6:57 PM - rf
m4l, is the price for clear 4g what it is, or is there sales tax, etc.? Looks good especially with a free trial!
August 17, 2011 7:35 PM - BoerumHillScott
The 2/3/4/5 lines were screwed up this morning because a woman got hit by a train at the Atlantic Station at around 9:00 am

http://fort-greene.thelocal.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/woman-survives-being-hit-by-train-at-atlantic-avenue/
August 17, 2011 7:56 PM - minard lafever
Scott, that's what I figured. It must have been bad for them to close both tracks in both directions.

Edited at August 17, 2011 7:56 PM
August 17, 2011 9:15 PM - gay smurf hoodlum
im glad you both have been busy. that's a good thing.

*rob*