So my cousin the Little Mr. Sether is a cold stone stud. Makes good money, smart, funny, chicks dig him, etc.... At 32 years old he seemed to have found the future Mrs. Sether. This after many years of slaying the field like Big Floyd did Detroit in the 80's. I know only a few of you know the tales of Big Floyd and I will tell you about him another day. Bottom line, the Little Mr. Sether has been living the rock star life for a long time. Maybe some other day I will blog about his exploits in more detail.
In early December he turned in his players card and he convinced the future Mrs. Sether to move in. Ok, I don't know if he convinced her as she was probably waiting on the doorstep for the invite but you get my point. Oh ya, they already had a dog so move in, engagement, BACHELOR PARTY, and wedding were all lined up right!? They had been dating less than a year but he seemed very happy and thus she moved in early December. As you may have seen in a recent blog she got the boot in early January. This ended my hopes of a big bachelor party this year!
I spoke to the Little Mr. Sether on the way home last night. He was telling me about how he was starting to think about dating. In fact, a friend had been trying to set him with a very attractive gal who, coincidently, lives on the same street at the Little Mr. Sether. Let's call it Ron Street. Obviously, that can be good and bad to date someone close by. Like the time I dated my neighbor was great (while we were dating) as my cordless phone worked over there (my cell phone was installed in the car back then) but then after we were dating no longer it wasn't so great to be neighbors. Anyway, the Little Mr. Sether decides to tell his friend to hook it up with the gal on his street. Let's say this was last Tuesday or Wednesday.
This past Friday he gets a call from his friend and the friend tells him "you won't believe this but you know the gal I was going to hook you up with...." Turns out the hook up gal was out on Thursday night, the night before, at some bar in LA. Oh ya, the Little Mr. Sether lives in LA, surfs, etc.... So, the hook up was out at a bar in LA and she ran into a gal she went to high school with. NO, this is story is not going in THAT direction here. The hook up gal says to the high school gal pal how great it is to see her, where you living, blah, blah, blah.... The hook up gal says that she lives on Ron Street. The high school friend says... "that's crazy, I was just living on Ron Street but just broke up with my boyfriend and moved out...." Yes, the high school gal is the former Little Mrs. Sether. Small f'ing world! I guess that set up is now off.
Peace out.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
PAUNCH-arello
DAMN! What happend to you Ponch!? So, today I was helping one of my probate clients find all of her mom's assets. She believed her mom had bought a property at California Pines which, she told me, was purchased from an Erik Estrada infomercial; ya, I guess people really do buy stuff just because Poncherello tells them to! So, I did a goog search for "erik estrada" and "california pines" infomercial. I needed to find what county the place is in (Modoc, FYI). This picture of Eric with the large paunch, and fat face, brought back memories.
To those of us who watched a lot of TV in the late 70's and early 80's Ponch and Jon were the kings of TV; well, them and BJ McKay, Bo and Luke, etc.... Some of my readership knows that my then buddy Chris had a step-dad who was an entertainment lawyer. They lived about 5 houses up the street. He represented, among others, Jon (Larry Wilcox if I recall his real name) and also Lassie. I met Larry only in passing but did get to spend the afternoon at Lassie's house up north of Malibu in the mountains. There were at least 5 or 6 Lassies and a few Laddies too! Anyway, Chris' dad worked out of his house up the street so Jon
DAMN! What happend to you Ponch!? So, today I was helping one of my probate clients find all of her mom's assets. She believed her mom had bought a property at California Pines which, she told me, was purchased from an Erik Estrada infomercial; ya, I guess people really do buy stuff just because Poncherello tells them to! So, I did a goog search for "erik estrada" and "california pines" infomercial. I needed to find what county the place is in (Modoc, FYI). This picture of Eric with the large ponch brought back memories.
To those of us who watched a lot of TV in the late 70's and early 80's Ponch and Jon were the kings of TV; well, them and BJ McKay, Bo and Luke, etc.... Some of my readership knows that my then buddy Chris had a step-dad who was an entertainment lawyer. He represented, among others, Jon (Larry Wilcox if I recall his real name) and also Lassie. I met Larry only in passing but did get to spend the afternoon at Lassie's house up north of Malibu in the mountains where there were several Lassies and even a few Laddies (I know these references, especially Laddie, only my older readers will remember). Anyway, Chris' dad worked out of his house up the street so Jon (or Larry or whatever you want to call him) would come over to their house sometimes, or come over for a party or, if memory serves, poker one night. I remember one night they went to the Playboy Club in Century City and were refeused entry because Jon was wearing jeans. They were incensed that they got kicked out since the jeans were some very expensive variety. This was about 1980 when Sasoon, Jordache, etc... were the thing but Jon had on some fancier variety I remember being told. I wonder if Ponch would have gotten kicked out for wearing jeans? Anyway, though Ponch was the bigger name we were all Jon fans since we felt like we knew him. He was a real life redneck, just like on the TV show, driving a truck, wearing jeans, etc...; well, a cop redneck; or a Fontucky redneck!? You know what I mean... a California neck!? Well, you get it... he was not a big city, LA, kind of guy.
Back to the fat man. This picture of Ponch alarms me! How did he get so fat? Let me clearly state that I do NOT mean fat with a ph but rather just FAT with an "F" and "A" and a "T" with the emphasis on REALLY FAT!
His career went from the king of prime time TV, to Mexican soap operas to infomericals for worthless land in the mountains of far northern Cali; basically Oregon! I am not sure what is next for him?
Another time I will tell you about the day that Chris' dad took us to the Playboy Club for lunch. We were probably about 14. Damn right I remember that day in detail!
We will talk about BJ McKay (and his little buddy, Bear), Bo, Luke, et al another day. Just remember the best trivia is Boss Hogg was Jewish (well, at least the actor was); I guess there weren't too many Jews in Hazard county (KY or TN?)!?
Peace out.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Mall Fun
I went to Nordies this weekend with Kitty Kat. In theory I was going to go to the Omega watch dealer to try on that watch I like to see if I liked it on my wrist; hard to tell on Amazon.com how it looks on your wrist! However, we also were going to get some clothes for Kitty Kat for some meetings this week related to her museum project. The kids stayed at a couple of the neighbor's houses as they were having too much fun. It thus was just Kitty Kat and myself.
We started at Nordies. Normally I check some scores on my cellie, read a paper, or just veg out. On this day I sat down in the guy chairs outside the dressing room and was happy to see a few magazines piled up to read. However, I sifted through the stack and found multiple copies of Lucky and In Style. WTF!? These chairs are clearly designed for GUYS, MEN, HOMBRES, CHICOS, DUDES, STUDS, whatever... and not for chicks so why the F would you have Lucky and In Style? How about SI, ESPN the Magazine, Newsweek or even People for all I care. I am not a big Hollywood gossip type but reading about Britney and K-fed is better than Lucky and In Style. In fact, give me Cosmo if you must; at least they have some juicy articles sometimes! Give me a well used, day or two old SacTown Bee if you must but LUCKY and IN STYLE? Are you kidding me? I am mad as I remind myself about the insult today... two days later! Shoot, go old skool, like the old barber shops and have a stack of Playboys! Whatever you do Nordies don't waste time with Lucky and In Style at the guy chairs!
Oh ya, by the way, I never got to the f'ing watch store!
Peace out.
We started at Nordies. Normally I check some scores on my cellie, read a paper, or just veg out. On this day I sat down in the guy chairs outside the dressing room and was happy to see a few magazines piled up to read. However, I sifted through the stack and found multiple copies of Lucky and In Style. WTF!? These chairs are clearly designed for GUYS, MEN, HOMBRES, CHICOS, DUDES, STUDS, whatever... and not for chicks so why the F would you have Lucky and In Style? How about SI, ESPN the Magazine, Newsweek or even People for all I care. I am not a big Hollywood gossip type but reading about Britney and K-fed is better than Lucky and In Style. In fact, give me Cosmo if you must; at least they have some juicy articles sometimes! Give me a well used, day or two old SacTown Bee if you must but LUCKY and IN STYLE? Are you kidding me? I am mad as I remind myself about the insult today... two days later! Shoot, go old skool, like the old barber shops and have a stack of Playboys! Whatever you do Nordies don't waste time with Lucky and In Style at the guy chairs!
Oh ya, by the way, I never got to the f'ing watch store!
Peace out.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday Morning
I had it all planned to give an indepth report on my first foray back onto the basketball court this morning. I was thinking it would be called "Snap, Crackle and Pop" which is about how my body felt and sounded as I lumbered around the basketball court shooting brick after brick. However, I just got an email that the potential client from a couple weeks ago has completed his interviews and chosen me. I better put all personal activities and all other work aside so I can focus on his highness....
He did send the email saying he has chosen me which is nice. I guess I should have quoted a higher fee estimate!?
So, anyway, I haven't touched a ball since August I believe. It was about that time my pinched nerve issue re-surfaced and I thus haven't lifted a weight or touched a basketball since. I started with some 10-12 footers, banking some, trying to swish some, etc.... Mostly quick pops, barely jumping off the ground, almost from a set shot position. Just getting the feel for the ball and what not. I then moved back to my favored position on the three point line. "CLANK" off the very front of the rim... CLANK off the front... CLANK off the front... damn! After being very short about 5 or 6 in a row I was frustrated. I gave more push with each shot and they felt good but they were very short each time. In fact, each shot was about the same amount of shortness no matter how much energy I exerted behind the ball.
This getting old stuff is not good!
I then decided to shoot a few free throws as I have always been an excellent (90%++) free throw shooter, have hit 50+ in a row before, etc.... Good way to get the shot mechanics working. I straddled up to my spot on the free throw line. Oh ya, I went to the Raquet club today and am very familiar with their court. I lined up my right foot to the imperfection in the finish, just about in the center of the free throw line, which is always where I line up at that basket as it puts my strong side (right side) pretty much looking straight into the basket... and... CLANK. Better try that again, I made sure I had the right mark on the floor and I did, lined up, and shot... CLANK. Ok, I missed 3 out of my first 4 free throws. I was even did the Baby Jordan, ball around the back move, between shots one time to try and re-set myself! Maybe Lorenzo Mata-Real (Is he friend with Maurice Jones-Drew? what's with UCLA players adding a third name before their senior season?) can give me some free throw lessons? Ok, I made the next 6 to end up 7 out of 10. That's ok for a lot of people but not the SacTownGuy. I thus decided the best way to feel good about my shooting was to NOT shoot any more free throws.
Ok, why not run the court a little? I run a lot right? How hard could it be? You know how they say basketball conditioning is different than other conditioning? They are right! I do 60-90 minutes of cardio most days a week but after running (fast jog maybe) up and down the court about 6 or 7 times (and it's a short court) my legs were hurting, I felt something pop in one leg and I was huffing and puffing! All I could think is I wonder how a guy like BIG Drew would feel trying to navigate his 215+ lb's up and down the court if he makes it out to Cali in August!? Reminds me of Lew in Airplane, "you tell your dad to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court every night...."
As I sit here typing my legs HURT. I have visions of jogging amongst the palm trees of Maui in the next few weeks so I better get my legs rested quick! Not sure about this basketbal thing... oh ya, but it is just over 6 months to the SacTownGuy Roundball Classic so I have gotz to get in hoops shape by then! I might have to take some time off work for massages, physical therapy, etc... so my physical activity can continue!
Peace out.
He did send the email saying he has chosen me which is nice. I guess I should have quoted a higher fee estimate!?
So, anyway, I haven't touched a ball since August I believe. It was about that time my pinched nerve issue re-surfaced and I thus haven't lifted a weight or touched a basketball since. I started with some 10-12 footers, banking some, trying to swish some, etc.... Mostly quick pops, barely jumping off the ground, almost from a set shot position. Just getting the feel for the ball and what not. I then moved back to my favored position on the three point line. "CLANK" off the very front of the rim... CLANK off the front... CLANK off the front... damn! After being very short about 5 or 6 in a row I was frustrated. I gave more push with each shot and they felt good but they were very short each time. In fact, each shot was about the same amount of shortness no matter how much energy I exerted behind the ball.
This getting old stuff is not good!
I then decided to shoot a few free throws as I have always been an excellent (90%++) free throw shooter, have hit 50+ in a row before, etc.... Good way to get the shot mechanics working. I straddled up to my spot on the free throw line. Oh ya, I went to the Raquet club today and am very familiar with their court. I lined up my right foot to the imperfection in the finish, just about in the center of the free throw line, which is always where I line up at that basket as it puts my strong side (right side) pretty much looking straight into the basket... and... CLANK. Better try that again, I made sure I had the right mark on the floor and I did, lined up, and shot... CLANK. Ok, I missed 3 out of my first 4 free throws. I was even did the Baby Jordan, ball around the back move, between shots one time to try and re-set myself! Maybe Lorenzo Mata-Real (Is he friend with Maurice Jones-Drew? what's with UCLA players adding a third name before their senior season?) can give me some free throw lessons? Ok, I made the next 6 to end up 7 out of 10. That's ok for a lot of people but not the SacTownGuy. I thus decided the best way to feel good about my shooting was to NOT shoot any more free throws.
Ok, why not run the court a little? I run a lot right? How hard could it be? You know how they say basketball conditioning is different than other conditioning? They are right! I do 60-90 minutes of cardio most days a week but after running (fast jog maybe) up and down the court about 6 or 7 times (and it's a short court) my legs were hurting, I felt something pop in one leg and I was huffing and puffing! All I could think is I wonder how a guy like BIG Drew would feel trying to navigate his 215+ lb's up and down the court if he makes it out to Cali in August!? Reminds me of Lew in Airplane, "you tell your dad to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court every night...."
As I sit here typing my legs HURT. I have visions of jogging amongst the palm trees of Maui in the next few weeks so I better get my legs rested quick! Not sure about this basketbal thing... oh ya, but it is just over 6 months to the SacTownGuy Roundball Classic so I have gotz to get in hoops shape by then! I might have to take some time off work for massages, physical therapy, etc... so my physical activity can continue!
Peace out.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Modesto Cali
We rolled down to Modesto after work yesterday. It should be about 90 minutes but took a little longer as we hit some traffic through Lodi, Stockton, etc.... I saw the sign for Manteca and had to be reminded of BIG Drew's old neighbor who was constantly telling stories about Man-TEEK-a. She was about 110 years old so she is probably at the big Manteca in the sky now. We went to see cousin Matt play in his high school hoop's game against some school I never heard of from the San Joaquin valley. Matt goes to Central Catholic in Modesto which is a big player in high school sports (their football team was in the Cali state championship football game for their sized school. Matt is a junior there, the starting point guard, and really developing into a nice ball player.
Let me tell you the first I saw him with a basketball was summer of '02 so he was about 11. He could not even dribble or anything. Fast forward a little over 5 years and he has a great shot, drives the lane well, handles the ball well, plays great D and above all else does everything the coach wants him to. Really a great kid too. We saw him play in December and he played well but his shooting is even better than then. He is amongst the leaders, if not #1, in his conference for 3 point shooting. Some of the kids out there can barely hit the broad side of a barn on long range shots, miss lay-ups, etc... but not cousin Matt. He has skillz. Simply put: he looks like a basketball player where as some of the kids look like high school kids playing basketball.
It reminds me that I am glad I beat him last time we played one-on-one, some time last year. I have a hunch I won't be beating him again unless I get really lucky.
Matt has his eye on Stanford next year. I believe he is #1 or 2 in his class academically so I think he has a good chance. Great student, great hoopster and great person! Of course, he might want to play ball in college. I doubt he has division 1 skillz and I only say that since so few have those type of skillz. However, he definitely has DII skillz and could maybe even walk on to a DI program since he will be a coach's dream. I will be curious....
Ok, so we picked the Red Lion to crash for the night since the game was late. The Red Lion has an indoor pool and hot tub so it was an easy choice. Let me just say it reminded me a lot of the Holiday Inn in Farmington Hills; if you weren't there you missed out. Damn, I might have to tell that story because if you were there you will enjoy hearing it again and if you weren't there... you will enjoy it too. I'll get to that one another day but let me tease you with "his nose is gone." Oh ya, plus they only wanted $71 a night so it was a deal. Got to love that! NOT as nice as the old Red Lion in the Friendly City but it was fine. We occasionally stay at more upscale places so you can't help but notice the dirt on the ground, poor quality towels, bad food, etc... but it was really fine. Plus, the pool and hot tub were sweet. Sure, they looked they were put in around 1953 but they still served their purpose!
A few things I found funny....
The pool was not supposed to open until 10 AM but we were ready at 9 so we went out there. The rooms are all around the pool area so we tried to be careful about not making too much noise. Then about 9:15 a made came out to clean up the pool area. She was dragging tables and chairs all around and making a huge amount of noise. Not sure why they bother with the 10:00 Am pool sign.
We got locked out of our room twice as the key de-activated. This morning was one of those times... after going swimming. I thus had to walk into the lobby to get the key fixed. Funny the sign on the door to the lobby said "shoes and shirt required in lobby." Difficult under the circumstances so I kept walking. Luckily nobody sweated me on the shoes and shirt issue.
Oh ya, and the game. I forgot to tell you that Matt's team WON! I happened to pick up the Modesto Bee and, of course, they have the box score in the paper. Matt only had 7 points but it was efficient (3 for 5 I believe) and his 2 misses were in and out type shots. More importantly he never forced his shot, always looked to pass (had several assists) and was just the total team player. They won the game 58-35! I have to say the tall ref was good but the other ref... oy vey! That guy wishes he were a cop. Total control freak. He pulled kids aside at least ten times last night to tell them to calm down. I would say 1 or 2 of those talks were needed. I am just glad Central Catholic won as otherwise there might have been a lynching in Modesto last night!
My kids ate too much candy and were hyped up last night! The dude didn't crash until about 11 and it was really a crash. He was crying, trying to wake up the girl, moving from bed to bed, going potty numerous times, etc... damn I was happy when he finally crashed. Of course he woke up at the normal time this morning as if everything was gravy. I normally jump up with him but I begged for 5 more minutes today; didn't get it.
We will be back in Modesto to watch Matt play again. Might even stay at that dump again since they have the indoor pool. If anybody knows of a nicer place, down there, with an indoor pool let me know! Also, keep an eye on young Matt!
Peace out.
Let me tell you the first I saw him with a basketball was summer of '02 so he was about 11. He could not even dribble or anything. Fast forward a little over 5 years and he has a great shot, drives the lane well, handles the ball well, plays great D and above all else does everything the coach wants him to. Really a great kid too. We saw him play in December and he played well but his shooting is even better than then. He is amongst the leaders, if not #1, in his conference for 3 point shooting. Some of the kids out there can barely hit the broad side of a barn on long range shots, miss lay-ups, etc... but not cousin Matt. He has skillz. Simply put: he looks like a basketball player where as some of the kids look like high school kids playing basketball.
It reminds me that I am glad I beat him last time we played one-on-one, some time last year. I have a hunch I won't be beating him again unless I get really lucky.
Matt has his eye on Stanford next year. I believe he is #1 or 2 in his class academically so I think he has a good chance. Great student, great hoopster and great person! Of course, he might want to play ball in college. I doubt he has division 1 skillz and I only say that since so few have those type of skillz. However, he definitely has DII skillz and could maybe even walk on to a DI program since he will be a coach's dream. I will be curious....
Ok, so we picked the Red Lion to crash for the night since the game was late. The Red Lion has an indoor pool and hot tub so it was an easy choice. Let me just say it reminded me a lot of the Holiday Inn in Farmington Hills; if you weren't there you missed out. Damn, I might have to tell that story because if you were there you will enjoy hearing it again and if you weren't there... you will enjoy it too. I'll get to that one another day but let me tease you with "his nose is gone." Oh ya, plus they only wanted $71 a night so it was a deal. Got to love that! NOT as nice as the old Red Lion in the Friendly City but it was fine. We occasionally stay at more upscale places so you can't help but notice the dirt on the ground, poor quality towels, bad food, etc... but it was really fine. Plus, the pool and hot tub were sweet. Sure, they looked they were put in around 1953 but they still served their purpose!
A few things I found funny....
The pool was not supposed to open until 10 AM but we were ready at 9 so we went out there. The rooms are all around the pool area so we tried to be careful about not making too much noise. Then about 9:15 a made came out to clean up the pool area. She was dragging tables and chairs all around and making a huge amount of noise. Not sure why they bother with the 10:00 Am pool sign.
We got locked out of our room twice as the key de-activated. This morning was one of those times... after going swimming. I thus had to walk into the lobby to get the key fixed. Funny the sign on the door to the lobby said "shoes and shirt required in lobby." Difficult under the circumstances so I kept walking. Luckily nobody sweated me on the shoes and shirt issue.
Oh ya, and the game. I forgot to tell you that Matt's team WON! I happened to pick up the Modesto Bee and, of course, they have the box score in the paper. Matt only had 7 points but it was efficient (3 for 5 I believe) and his 2 misses were in and out type shots. More importantly he never forced his shot, always looked to pass (had several assists) and was just the total team player. They won the game 58-35! I have to say the tall ref was good but the other ref... oy vey! That guy wishes he were a cop. Total control freak. He pulled kids aside at least ten times last night to tell them to calm down. I would say 1 or 2 of those talks were needed. I am just glad Central Catholic won as otherwise there might have been a lynching in Modesto last night!
My kids ate too much candy and were hyped up last night! The dude didn't crash until about 11 and it was really a crash. He was crying, trying to wake up the girl, moving from bed to bed, going potty numerous times, etc... damn I was happy when he finally crashed. Of course he woke up at the normal time this morning as if everything was gravy. I normally jump up with him but I begged for 5 more minutes today; didn't get it.
We will be back in Modesto to watch Matt play again. Might even stay at that dump again since they have the indoor pool. If anybody knows of a nicer place, down there, with an indoor pool let me know! Also, keep an eye on young Matt!
Peace out.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Greed Can Be Bad....
I attended an MCLE seminar today (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education) downtown at the Con Center. I want to start by telling you about a new tax case... but before you skip this... even non-lawyers and non-CPA's will probably get a laugh out of this story. This is like an email joke to forward but it's real life! The case is called the Estate of Thompson v. Commissioner and can be found at 2d Cir 2007 (499 F3d 129). However, you don't need to go look the case up because I am going to tell you what happened. Let me start by saying, if you are a young lawyer or law student who stumbled upon this on Google, please don't use my analysis as legal precident. Go read the case for yourself rather than quoting me as I am not a legal reporting service!
Ok, dude died in 1998. His estate owned a 20% stake in a family run business. On his estate tax (or "death tax") return his estate (with Gordon Gecko as attorney?) valued his 20% interest to be worth $1,750,000 (or $3.59 a share). They used valuation "experts" from Alaska to value this New York city business I am told in the hopes of having Alaska based IRS auditors. That might be a red herring but is funny and was mentioned by the Court.
Anyway, the IRS comes back in an audit and says no, no, no you don't... we think it's worth $723.36 per share (or $35,273,000 - that's THIRTY FIVE MILLION for those that don't do numbers). Now let me start by saying one of my jobs, in high net worth cases, is to find ways to de-value assets. There are a number of different ways to do so but in general we subscribe to the "don't be a pig rule" which means take a 35% or 40% discount on the true value of a 20% stake in a family business. So if the true value is $35mil you knock off 40%, after having a discount appraisal analysis done by an expert, and then you pay tax as if it's a $21mil asset. Now, bear in mind, the estate tax was 55% back in '98 and thus each dollar they could de-value it saved the estate 55 cents so this is not chump change. A standard 40% discount, reducing the total value by $14mil would save the family over $7mil in taxes. Yes, really!
Ok, so the IRS came back and said they thought it was worth $35mil AND they basically said that the tax return was so severely discounted that it wasn't reasonable and thus assesed an additional $7mil penalty. Imagine getting that letter from the IRS; basically saying, not only do you owe $15mil more in tax you also owe $7mil as a penalty so please cut us a check for $22mil in the next 60 days! That might make for a bad day!
Ok, so the taxpayer (or in this case, his estate) fought this in tax Court and had what I would call a victory! The Tax Court agreed to a valuation of $13.5mil ($28/share) AND waived the $7mil penalty as it was a reasonable mistake since they had hired a valuation expert, blah, blah, blah.... Ok, for those that don't know, this is where you take the deal, pay the tax, and walk away....
Oh no, they didn't... yes, Gordon Gecko, decided to APPEAL that decision because they still didn't like the valuation at $13.5mil because remember they originally tried to argue it was worth only $1,750,000. The IRS decided if the taxpayer wanted to appeal so would they... YES, the IRS decided to fight the overturning of the $7mil penalty and guess what happened... the IRS won! Gordon Gecko's client had to pay the $7mil penalty and was not successful at changing the value from the $13.5. They thus probably had to write a check for around $14mil. OUCH!
Greed can be bad.
Peace out.
Ok, dude died in 1998. His estate owned a 20% stake in a family run business. On his estate tax (or "death tax") return his estate (with Gordon Gecko as attorney?) valued his 20% interest to be worth $1,750,000 (or $3.59 a share). They used valuation "experts" from Alaska to value this New York city business I am told in the hopes of having Alaska based IRS auditors. That might be a red herring but is funny and was mentioned by the Court.
Anyway, the IRS comes back in an audit and says no, no, no you don't... we think it's worth $723.36 per share (or $35,273,000 - that's THIRTY FIVE MILLION for those that don't do numbers). Now let me start by saying one of my jobs, in high net worth cases, is to find ways to de-value assets. There are a number of different ways to do so but in general we subscribe to the "don't be a pig rule" which means take a 35% or 40% discount on the true value of a 20% stake in a family business. So if the true value is $35mil you knock off 40%, after having a discount appraisal analysis done by an expert, and then you pay tax as if it's a $21mil asset. Now, bear in mind, the estate tax was 55% back in '98 and thus each dollar they could de-value it saved the estate 55 cents so this is not chump change. A standard 40% discount, reducing the total value by $14mil would save the family over $7mil in taxes. Yes, really!
Ok, so the IRS came back and said they thought it was worth $35mil AND they basically said that the tax return was so severely discounted that it wasn't reasonable and thus assesed an additional $7mil penalty. Imagine getting that letter from the IRS; basically saying, not only do you owe $15mil more in tax you also owe $7mil as a penalty so please cut us a check for $22mil in the next 60 days! That might make for a bad day!
Ok, so the taxpayer (or in this case, his estate) fought this in tax Court and had what I would call a victory! The Tax Court agreed to a valuation of $13.5mil ($28/share) AND waived the $7mil penalty as it was a reasonable mistake since they had hired a valuation expert, blah, blah, blah.... Ok, for those that don't know, this is where you take the deal, pay the tax, and walk away....
Oh no, they didn't... yes, Gordon Gecko, decided to APPEAL that decision because they still didn't like the valuation at $13.5mil because remember they originally tried to argue it was worth only $1,750,000. The IRS decided if the taxpayer wanted to appeal so would they... YES, the IRS decided to fight the overturning of the $7mil penalty and guess what happened... the IRS won! Gordon Gecko's client had to pay the $7mil penalty and was not successful at changing the value from the $13.5. They thus probably had to write a check for around $14mil. OUCH!
Greed can be bad.
Peace out.
Go see the doctor....
As Kool Moe D once sang... I had to "go see the doctor" this week. It was my 40th birthday physical which is coming up quickly in mid-February. I believe the picture, taken with my camera phone, speaks volumes! Seeing that stuff sitting there on the exam table reminded me of Chevy Chase, in Fletch, saying, "what you using doc... the whole fist?" I think Fletch also said, "hey doc, did you ever serve time?" Anyway, this getting old stuff sucks! After the doc finished the exam I said, "not to knock anybody's lifestyle choices but I really don't see the pleasure in that." He laughed... I did not.
Peace out.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Rollie Replacement?
Some of my readership are familiar with the story of my Rollie getting stolen back in '03... October of '03 to be exact. Went to the Del that morning to workout, came back to find my Subaru unlocked, and my Rollie, wallet, organizer, briefcase, cell phone, etc... GONE. Ever since then I have kept my calendar on my computer rather than in the paper organizer as I had people showing up for weeks without an appointment (or at least I didn't know they had an appointment!). Plus, I am sure I missed some lunch appointments or doctor's appointments or who knows what since I didn't have my organizer! Damn punk! For a while I checked out every kid in the mall to see if he had a Submariner on his wrist... but gave that up after a while.
My G'ma, GG, had gotten me the Rollie when I graduated from Mickey G's back in the nine-four. Luckily, for me, I had insured the thing; $60 bucks a year in insurance premiums... paid off when they cut me a check for $3g's after it was stolen. I do not typically go for small insurance like that as I would rather self-insure but I guess it was worth it! I decided to buy a new TV (a "big" 32 inch model) and some other stuff instead of a new watch with the insurance loot. I have been wearing this cheap ass Seiko ever since. Thing is so scratched you can barely read the time. Really a piece of CRAP!
Well GG recently told me she would like to buy me something nice for my 40th b'day. We agreed a nice watch would be perfect. She suggested I spend about $1,500. Plenty of nice watches in that range: could go for a used Rollie or go for a new Tag, Omega, Breitling, Raymond Weil, etc.... I think I have settled on the Omega Speedmaster Reduced model but got to go try it on this weekend. I have my eye on one on Amazon.com (I have to verify it's new) for $1,620. Picture up above. Pretty sweet, eh?
If you have a better idea tell me quick! Oh ya, do NOT tell me to put the money in the bank. I am asking only for suggestions of cool watches in the $1,500 range.
Peace out.
It's all relative
The weather sucks right now in SacTown. It's probably going to be in the 40's today, gray skies, and raining on and off. As I look at Yahoo weather it shows a high of 44 and a low of 42. To me, that just SUCKS all the way around; just too cold. In fact, I hate the weather in SacTown from about December 1 until March 1 almost every day. Sure there is a rare day that gets to the low 60's but that's rare. I need warm sun! Rarely is it as nice as I think it should be during those bad months. Rest of the year I have no problems but I just hate these days right now. Of course, it's all relative....
I spent this past weekend in Utah. Sure they have nice snow; "greatest snow on earth" they say. However, to have such great snow it is cold as heck all the time. Sure the sun shines sometimes but big deal... it's FREEZING COLD! I think the high temp over the weekend was about 35 degrees and the temp was down in the teens a lot. I was reminded this weekend that I could never live in such a cold place. You have to bundle up with multiple layers of clothes and do not forget the gloves! It's really too cold for humans in my opinion but it's all relative....
On the way home from work yesterday I called GG down in LA. For those that don't know GG is my g'ma. She is about to turn 92, lives on her own, drives the streets of LA every day, plays bridge, goes out to dinner and movies, and sees her 93 year old boyfriend just about every day. This past October they went to Mexico on a week long cruise. They had separate cabins but GG was quick to point out... "but connected" cabins. That's really just not good information to know about your g'ma. Anyway, GG was complaining about the weather, 50's and raining. I said, "hey, it's 40's and raining here so it's all relative...."
I hung up with GG to talk to my boy Footloose out in Iowa. What the hell do I know about cold? Footloose was almost crying on the phone it was so cold as he filled his car with gas. He had to hang up to finish the gas and then he called me back. I was laughing hearing him complaining about the cold. I asked him how cold it was; what, in the 20's? He said, "20's?... the high today was about 15!" Funny, as I type this I just checked Yahoo weather. It shows that Footloose will be experiencing a "high" of 8 degrees today with a low of minus one. Additionally, the current temperature, with wind chill factored in, "feels like -22." As Footloose and I talked we agreed it's all relative....
We talked a few more minutes as he tried to get his Beamer up the driveway. Describing as he drove... "I have to get good momentum to make it up the icy driveway... oh damn... didn't make it... got to go try again...." He then had to back up down the street, said something about going through a stop sign when no cars were coming, so that he could get enough momentum to get all the way up the driveway. As he told me that story the rain was really coming down as I rolled down I-80, carefully watching the road, and looking forward to putting the G-ride away in the garage. It is sure all relative... because Footloose could move to Manitoba one day and then would long for the "balmy" winter days down in Iowa!
Having said all that, relative or not, I am ready for my trip to Maui!
Peace out.
I spent this past weekend in Utah. Sure they have nice snow; "greatest snow on earth" they say. However, to have such great snow it is cold as heck all the time. Sure the sun shines sometimes but big deal... it's FREEZING COLD! I think the high temp over the weekend was about 35 degrees and the temp was down in the teens a lot. I was reminded this weekend that I could never live in such a cold place. You have to bundle up with multiple layers of clothes and do not forget the gloves! It's really too cold for humans in my opinion but it's all relative....
On the way home from work yesterday I called GG down in LA. For those that don't know GG is my g'ma. She is about to turn 92, lives on her own, drives the streets of LA every day, plays bridge, goes out to dinner and movies, and sees her 93 year old boyfriend just about every day. This past October they went to Mexico on a week long cruise. They had separate cabins but GG was quick to point out... "but connected" cabins. That's really just not good information to know about your g'ma. Anyway, GG was complaining about the weather, 50's and raining. I said, "hey, it's 40's and raining here so it's all relative...."
I hung up with GG to talk to my boy Footloose out in Iowa. What the hell do I know about cold? Footloose was almost crying on the phone it was so cold as he filled his car with gas. He had to hang up to finish the gas and then he called me back. I was laughing hearing him complaining about the cold. I asked him how cold it was; what, in the 20's? He said, "20's?... the high today was about 15!" Funny, as I type this I just checked Yahoo weather. It shows that Footloose will be experiencing a "high" of 8 degrees today with a low of minus one. Additionally, the current temperature, with wind chill factored in, "feels like -22." As Footloose and I talked we agreed it's all relative....
We talked a few more minutes as he tried to get his Beamer up the driveway. Describing as he drove... "I have to get good momentum to make it up the icy driveway... oh damn... didn't make it... got to go try again...." He then had to back up down the street, said something about going through a stop sign when no cars were coming, so that he could get enough momentum to get all the way up the driveway. As he told me that story the rain was really coming down as I rolled down I-80, carefully watching the road, and looking forward to putting the G-ride away in the garage. It is sure all relative... because Footloose could move to Manitoba one day and then would long for the "balmy" winter days down in Iowa!
Having said all that, relative or not, I am ready for my trip to Maui!
Peace out.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Slow People
The family is sick so I had to stop at the market on the way home yesterday to do some quick grocery shopping for the week. Just the basics so I can survive. It's 5:30 on a Tuesday afternoon and people are in there lollie-gagging like they don't have anything better to do. I, for one, do have something better to do. I suggest you slow people shop Sunday morning when people are more relaxed.
I start at the veggie side and work my way back to the deli/bakery side. Just how I do it. However, I parked on the deli/bakery side. I am too OCD to go backwards so I need to cross the store, with my empty cart, but I seem to encounter slow and indecisive people at each aisle. If they hesitate... I GO! I bump through the veggie section at warp speed... and head toward cereal... encounter a couple of more slow people but still doing ok. Oh ya, a couple of ladies yapping in the veggie section were blocking the carrots... but I just reached right around them to grab my five bags of 2 pounders! Another IDIOT has left her purse, OPEN, in her shopping cart, and I don't see anybody with any twenty feet. Glad I am not a thief because that is so inviting it must be a sting operation! It's like the lady wants her wallet stolen so she has an excuse to go buy another one!
I hit the yogurt aisle and encounter a couple of young muscle heads trying to decipher the differences between different yogurts. Ok, that's part of shopping so I don't have ill will for them. I grab a bag of 2% string cheese without even stopping and head toward the bakery/deli/sushi/etc... aisle....
DAMN! Looks like Costco on a Saturday afternoon! One older guy is standing around eating samples of something and BLOCKING a main point of travel. One lady is talking on her cell phone and steering the cart one-handed... and not very well I might add. One lady is in a wheelchair shopping cart thing but props to her because she stays to the side and does her biz without interfering with my progress.
I have to get Kitty Kat her Diet Coke. They have a fountain at the end of the bakery/deli aisle so I stop there. Unfortunately, you now have to pay ahead of time for a cup. EVERYTHING ELSE in the store you select first and then pay... except fountain drinks. Who the F made up that policy? That is just stupid. If I was a shoplifter and wanted to lift something you think I am going to take a mother f'ing Diet F'ing Coke? It's like a dollar and twenty two cents.
So, I wait in the quick check line which is completely separate from the rest of the checkout lanes. It's where you pay for sushi, Chinese, etc... AND Diet Coke cups! I am third in line in this "quick" check lane. Are you kidding me? The lady in front is taking 5 minutes to pay for her baguette. She isn't sure which phone number links to her frequent shopper account. Need to save a nickle and get credit for this trip to the story!? I am literally thinking of paying for the f'ing bread to get her on her way. She finally figures out the phone number, pays, and then gets her change. I think it took her 2 minutes to put her change back into her wallet. Props to her for not writing a check (I could write a whole blog about people who write checks at the grocery store) but give me a break... step aside, cram the money in your wallet, and get walking. Don't forget, it's RUSH HOUR BABY! Some of us have lives to get home too... not just Oprah on the f'ing DVR.
Ok, so the baguette lady pays and then the lady in front of me is paying for 3 things of sushi. It looks like a pound or two of cheap sushi. I have a hunch she will eat it all. Anyway, $14.58 for her cheap supermarket sushi. She punches in her phone number to get her frequent shopper credit... then, after the checker is done ringing up the sale... and this really gets me, she unzips her purse, pulls out her wallet, opens it up, pulls out a crumbled up bill (again props for not writing a check), unfolds it... and gives the lady her $20. I don't know about you but I have had my two ones in hand for 5 minutes waiting to pay because I don't want to waste OTHER people's time behind me. Be courteous by being ready to pay for your food (this applies at all stores people). Take your time on Sunday morning but not at 5:30 Tuesday afternoon! I give the lady my two bucks, grab the change, and head toward the main check out lines....
As I head toward the check out I see some people angling for lanes... and guess what... TWO, yes, I said TWO people jump in front of me; one at aisle 5 and one at aisle 6... I fall in line at #6 because I am in a hurry but don't want to be totally rude about it. My checker is quick, I enter my phone number to get my United bonus miles, 10 cent per gallon fuel discount and who knows what else... and then I swipe the credit card. I whip a sloppy "J" onto the touch pad and head toward the parking lot with my food!
Moral of this story... slow people need to shop some other time!
Peace out.
I start at the veggie side and work my way back to the deli/bakery side. Just how I do it. However, I parked on the deli/bakery side. I am too OCD to go backwards so I need to cross the store, with my empty cart, but I seem to encounter slow and indecisive people at each aisle. If they hesitate... I GO! I bump through the veggie section at warp speed... and head toward cereal... encounter a couple of more slow people but still doing ok. Oh ya, a couple of ladies yapping in the veggie section were blocking the carrots... but I just reached right around them to grab my five bags of 2 pounders! Another IDIOT has left her purse, OPEN, in her shopping cart, and I don't see anybody with any twenty feet. Glad I am not a thief because that is so inviting it must be a sting operation! It's like the lady wants her wallet stolen so she has an excuse to go buy another one!
I hit the yogurt aisle and encounter a couple of young muscle heads trying to decipher the differences between different yogurts. Ok, that's part of shopping so I don't have ill will for them. I grab a bag of 2% string cheese without even stopping and head toward the bakery/deli/sushi/etc... aisle....
DAMN! Looks like Costco on a Saturday afternoon! One older guy is standing around eating samples of something and BLOCKING a main point of travel. One lady is talking on her cell phone and steering the cart one-handed... and not very well I might add. One lady is in a wheelchair shopping cart thing but props to her because she stays to the side and does her biz without interfering with my progress.
I have to get Kitty Kat her Diet Coke. They have a fountain at the end of the bakery/deli aisle so I stop there. Unfortunately, you now have to pay ahead of time for a cup. EVERYTHING ELSE in the store you select first and then pay... except fountain drinks. Who the F made up that policy? That is just stupid. If I was a shoplifter and wanted to lift something you think I am going to take a mother f'ing Diet F'ing Coke? It's like a dollar and twenty two cents.
So, I wait in the quick check line which is completely separate from the rest of the checkout lanes. It's where you pay for sushi, Chinese, etc... AND Diet Coke cups! I am third in line in this "quick" check lane. Are you kidding me? The lady in front is taking 5 minutes to pay for her baguette. She isn't sure which phone number links to her frequent shopper account. Need to save a nickle and get credit for this trip to the story!? I am literally thinking of paying for the f'ing bread to get her on her way. She finally figures out the phone number, pays, and then gets her change. I think it took her 2 minutes to put her change back into her wallet. Props to her for not writing a check (I could write a whole blog about people who write checks at the grocery store) but give me a break... step aside, cram the money in your wallet, and get walking. Don't forget, it's RUSH HOUR BABY! Some of us have lives to get home too... not just Oprah on the f'ing DVR.
Ok, so the baguette lady pays and then the lady in front of me is paying for 3 things of sushi. It looks like a pound or two of cheap sushi. I have a hunch she will eat it all. Anyway, $14.58 for her cheap supermarket sushi. She punches in her phone number to get her frequent shopper credit... then, after the checker is done ringing up the sale... and this really gets me, she unzips her purse, pulls out her wallet, opens it up, pulls out a crumbled up bill (again props for not writing a check), unfolds it... and gives the lady her $20. I don't know about you but I have had my two ones in hand for 5 minutes waiting to pay because I don't want to waste OTHER people's time behind me. Be courteous by being ready to pay for your food (this applies at all stores people). Take your time on Sunday morning but not at 5:30 Tuesday afternoon! I give the lady my two bucks, grab the change, and head toward the main check out lines....
As I head toward the check out I see some people angling for lanes... and guess what... TWO, yes, I said TWO people jump in front of me; one at aisle 5 and one at aisle 6... I fall in line at #6 because I am in a hurry but don't want to be totally rude about it. My checker is quick, I enter my phone number to get my United bonus miles, 10 cent per gallon fuel discount and who knows what else... and then I swipe the credit card. I whip a sloppy "J" onto the touch pad and head toward the parking lot with my food!
Moral of this story... slow people need to shop some other time!
Peace out.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Planes, Trains and Automobiles....
SacTownGuy is tired today after traveling home from Utah yesterday. Should have been a normal travel day, but....
Woke up at 7:35, felt good, got the family up, got momz and her hubbie Deli up, and we were on the road at 8:10. It's about a 90 minute drive to the airport but it was snowing.... Flight was at 11:35 on Delta. Actually we were in the car at 8:08 and Deli took a phone call on his cell. We sat there for a few minutes, in the driveway, while he talked. I get nervous on travel days but especially when we have a long drive and it's snowing. So, at about 8:12 we actually pulled out of the driveway. We stopped for a bagel at Einstein's. I went for nova lox and red onion combo as I don't want them to stop carrying it in the Logan store since nobody else probably orders there! Actually momz did recently meet a Jewish family who recently moved there to teach at the University; so that doubled the population of potential nova lox eaters!
I see Kitty Kat behind me flashing her brights, I flash my breaks back to her, "hello to you too." Getting home I realize Kitty Kat is not behind me. "That's odd?" I call her on the cellie and find out she wasn't flashing her brights to say hello to me. The little girl had throw up ALL over the seat. They got home and I got to clean the car. Very fair after my not understanding the flashing of lights. The little girl got a large amount of the throw up right into the hole where the seat belt goes into the seat. Nice aim little girl! We paid extra for the car detail warranty when we bought the rig as the little girl has a propensity for throwing up in the car. We have already been warned by the detail warranty company that we have used the service too many times for cleaning throw up smell out of the car. We shall see what happens now... that could be another blog... when I sue the f'ers for selling me a car detail warranty that is good for ALL cleaning, including kid's throw up... except apparently not if you actually use it more than a couple of times.
With that, work is beckoning me.... peace out.
Woke up at 7:35, felt good, got the family up, got momz and her hubbie Deli up, and we were on the road at 8:10. It's about a 90 minute drive to the airport but it was snowing.... Flight was at 11:35 on Delta. Actually we were in the car at 8:08 and Deli took a phone call on his cell. We sat there for a few minutes, in the driveway, while he talked. I get nervous on travel days but especially when we have a long drive and it's snowing. So, at about 8:12 we actually pulled out of the driveway. We stopped for a bagel at Einstein's. I went for nova lox and red onion combo as I don't want them to stop carrying it in the Logan store since nobody else probably orders there! Actually momz did recently meet a Jewish family who recently moved there to teach at the University; so that doubled the population of potential nova lox eaters!
Ok, so we start the drive over the canyon toward the interstate. Deli is turning 75 this year and, frankly speaking, I don't think he should be driving on days like that. Sure he left the turn indicator on many times over the course of the weekend (luckily his new Sub alerts the driver after it's been left on for a minute or two so we stopped telling him). Everything is fine through most of the canyon until we are near the end. Snow is still coming down, plows had not been over it in a while so there was some accumulation and we were rolling at about 60 mph. As we plow down the road, gripping our seats, we notice we are VERY quickly approaching a small car ahead of us. VERY VERY VERY quickly approaching. At about the same instant the SacTownGuy, Kitty Kat and momz all said "SLOW DOWN." We went around the little car at the last minute, started breathing again, and at that moment I determined the Deli is about the same age as G'sid was when we started realizing that he shouldn't be driving so much. Luckily for G'sid he was just rolling around the streets of LA, cutting people off, and then getting made for at them for "honking for no reason...." Anyway, will have to chat with momz about cutting down on snow driving and other long drives.
Ok, so we survived the canyon and hit the interstate. It was quite snowy but Deli had slowed down and was cruising in the right lane. I assume this was due to almost running over the little car in the canyon. As we cruise down I-15 at 40 MPH I start to get nervous. I mean, I have an 11:35 flight and it's now 9:30 and we aren't even into Ogden yet. Have 45 minutes on a good day but it's snowing....
We somehow avoided potty stops and rolled into the SLC airport at 10:30. An hour to go, no line to check the bags at the curb with the white SkyCaps which always seems odd (only place on earth with white Sky Caps) and thus I am feeling fine... until the SkyCap tells me the flight is cancelled.
Damn!
Head inside where the line is LONG. I whip out the cell phone and get Kitty Kat on her cell phone. I call Delta and get her calling other airlines because I have work tomorrow (like my blog for instance). I talk to a Delta rep on the phone who tells me I have been reconfirmed on a flight Wednesday morning at 8:40. Today is Monday. Tells me everything is booked until then and since it's a cancellation due to weather that they won't pay for the hotel. I continue to wait and call other airlines. Oh ya, Sundance Film Festival got out today so it's EXTRA busy at the airport.
The best was the United rep. It's about 11:00 AM when I talk to her on the phone. I ask when the next flight to Sac is. She tells me it's at 7:30 AM. I say, "7:30 AM tomorrow?" She says, "no 7:30 AM today." I remind her that here in America it's 11:00 TODAY and thus 7:30 won't help me (no, I didn't really tell her the America thing, but I felt like it). I repeated, "when is the next flight to Sacramento TODAY?" A bunch of Mo's, standing around me who have never raised their voice in their life, look at me with fear. She says, "the only flight today is at 7:30 AM." I say, "WHEN IS THE NEXT FLIGHT ON YOUR AIRLINE TO SACRAMENTO?" She says, and I kid you not, "today or tomorrow?" The Mo's are getting really scared now as I am yelling at this lady. She is playing dumb in return... because no chance anybody on earth is as dumb as this lady was acting!? We finally determine they have a flight through Denver (the wrong way for those that don't know their geography) on Tuesday. Just so I know my options I ask how much. She then says, "is this one way or round trip?" I am in hysterics as I think I have made it clear I am trying to get home... but trying to act relatively calm. She slowly says, "the flight is United 567... on Tuesday January..." she rattles off every last f'ing detail... except the cost... and very slowly at that. She finally gets to the price... "one thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars... per person."
Ok, so I continue to wait in line. Call Delta back and get more unhelpful information. I call a few hotels and they are sold out. Damn, I am going to end up at the Comfort Inn by the airport until Wednesday, I think to myself, this SUCKS!
I get up the front of the line about 11:45. I heard all kinds of stupid stuff from other passengers but the best was the punk who was mad he couldn't take an EARLIER flight to get home earlier today that he is scheduled. I am thinking "dude, I might be staying at the F'ing Comfort Inn by the airport for a couple days and you are worried about getting hom a couple hours EARLIER!?"
Lucky for me I was given the Delta employee of the YEAR! Kavamahea H., by hame. She looked Hawaiian or Somanian. She saved my day as the idiots on the phone, at Delta, couldn't help me. I told her I would fly anywhere in NorCal but I wanted to get home today. She found a flight to OakTown at 2:50 which was only oversold by 2 and we would be first on the standby list; plus, she would confirm us on a flight to SFO on Tuesday at 1:40. Plus, she would give us meal vouchers for today and breakfast tomorrow. Plus, she told me to come back to her if we missed the OakTown flight and she would give us a hotel voucher and she would be there 'til 1o tonight! What a nice lady! I normally only write complaint letters but I will be writing a letter, to Delta, applauding her work. Oh ya, and she was smart enough to suggest, and arrange, to send our big suitcase through to Sac so we wouldn't have to schlep so much and, having only carry-ons we could easily switch flights. Smart lady!
I stood at her desk for 30-40 minutes to get everything worked out. The airport was a zoo, the ticket machine kept breaking but my lady kept smiling. Speaking of smiling Kitty Kat had taken the kids for some Gatorade and candy so they were smiling from ear to ear! Plus, some rich guy, in the first class line, had a little dog so the kids were happy. Actually, it was a Yorkie and the SacTownGuy has an affinity for the Yorkie due to my man BIG Drew and his Yorkie; RIP home boy Zac.
Well, we had our "free lunch" upstairs. Our awful waitress told us it would be a half hour wait for food but what did I care!? As long as she didn't take a half hour with my f'ing margarita and iced tea I didn't really care! Kid's were throwing jelly packets and what not all over the place and I could care less! Kitty Kat had gone off to buy some aspirin so SacTownGuy was in charge... fling 'um on the floor kids, I don't care! I tip big so I am ok with my kids making a little mess! Felt good to eat on Delta's dime but the money didn't work out right and I had $4 of Delta money about to go to waste. Wasn't thirsty but got another of $4 bottles of iced tea to go. Nothing like taking it to the man!
We get down to B-12 about 1:15. Ya, only an hour an half to go until the flight that we MIGHT get on... and that's to a city 2 hours from home. Yippeeee....
Well, after everybody got on they called for the "Pale-ey party of 3." Hmmmm, well maybe 3 of us were going home? He had mis-spoken, I guess, and we were the last 4 people onto the plane. Plane about as big as my car with 2 seats on one side and ONE seat on the other. Luckily, people were nice enough to move so we could sit two and two. I got the boy and Kitty Kat got the girl. The little dude has been really into boys v. girls lately and likes to spend time with dad. I can't blame him because guys are pretty cool! At one point the little dude turns around, looks through his seat, and tells the woman behind him to stop kicking his seat. I told him to stop but inside I thought, "that's my boy...." A few minutes later he told the woman in front of him to stop bouncing on her seat. I told him he had to chill a little. We had a fun flight. I got to answer all kinds of questions about the clouds, flying, snow, etc.... Apparently I hadn't heard but the little girl was screaming as the plane descended but Kitty Kat, with the aid of the stewardess, was able to hold it together. Good job by that Kitty Kat!
Got to OakTown, shuttle bus over to the rental car lot. I had reserved a couple different cars but Budget was cheaper so picked up a Hyundai to drive back to SacTown. Still, had to drive to SacTown airport, get our suit case, get Kitty Kat's car, drive to my office to get my G-ride, and then head home to the burbs to sleep so I could go to work today. Fun!
As we hit 880 North toward Oakland I commented that I hoped all the MLK events in OakTown were done because I could see traffic being bad in Oak-Town on MLK Day. Reminds me of the time in college I was driving the 5.0 in Oakland and ended up on Martin Luther King Blvd. I am down with the brother and down with MLK but a white guy, in a 5.0, on MLK can draw stares! Back to the story, we were ok on traffic through OakTown but traffic slammed to a halt in Emeryville, just before Bezerkely, of course. Talked about a hotel but kept driving. Stopped at In-n-Out for some burgers and kept on rolling. Got to the SacTown airport at 7:30 (just 7 hours after our scheduled arrival). Kitty Kat dropped me to get the luggage.
Kitty Kat kept the kids entertained in the car as they don't know how to travel for 2 hours without the DVD going. Plus, she didn't want them falling to sleep early and then not being able to fall asleep at home. More props to Kitty Kat!
At this point, let me say, the kids were great. It was a long f'ing day and they held it together. Sure they ate cookies and candy, bought toys, drank juice, etc... all day but they held it together!
After I got out of the car at SacTown airport, to go get the luggage, the little dude asked Kitty Kat where they were going and she told him to return the rental car. Apparently, he was confused and (thinking they were going to return it to the place we rented the car from... 2 hours away) said in total defeat, "we have to go all the way back there?"
That would normally be the end of the story but not today.... Went to get my car at my office which had NOT be broken into sitting on the streets of SacTown so that's good. We rolled east toward the 'burbs. I was in front the family behind. The little girl looked like death from a day of traveling. I knew the dude was happy as Kitty Kat had the DVD going. I believe the little dude will rival his uncle the Mr. Sether as top TV watcher of all time. However, Mr. Sether is doing well in life so it's ok!I see Kitty Kat behind me flashing her brights, I flash my breaks back to her, "hello to you too." Getting home I realize Kitty Kat is not behind me. "That's odd?" I call her on the cellie and find out she wasn't flashing her brights to say hello to me. The little girl had throw up ALL over the seat. They got home and I got to clean the car. Very fair after my not understanding the flashing of lights. The little girl got a large amount of the throw up right into the hole where the seat belt goes into the seat. Nice aim little girl! We paid extra for the car detail warranty when we bought the rig as the little girl has a propensity for throwing up in the car. We have already been warned by the detail warranty company that we have used the service too many times for cleaning throw up smell out of the car. We shall see what happens now... that could be another blog... when I sue the f'ers for selling me a car detail warranty that is good for ALL cleaning, including kid's throw up... except apparently not if you actually use it more than a couple of times.
With that, work is beckoning me.... peace out.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Yiddish Lesson
The other day I was perusing what I like to call the "baseball card geeks board" but since I peruse it I think it's ok to make the geek reference. The only difference is I am NOT a geek as far as I know. I like baseball cards just fine but at least, at this point, I have not dedicated a whole room in my house to them. Additionally, when I had a pool table I thought about getting a beer light but really as a joke. Anyway, this guy posted a picture of his new pool table (with baseball cards lining the walls in the background) and all I can say is OY VEY! Your Yiddish lesson is that Oy Vey means, "oh my g_d!" Or "that's f'ing crazy!" Or "why don't we just let the south secede because those damn rednecks make the rest of the country look crazy?"
Friday, January 18, 2008
Do-it-Yourselfers
I met with a guy yesterday who was a little too much of a do-it-yourselfer and a know-it-all for my liking. Dude, Home Depot is the place for do-it-yourselfers... not my law office! Dude is the "family CPA" for some in-laws. This might turn too technical for some but it has to be said because this guy, I met with today, is dangerous!
Let me start by saying the dude is smart (not as smart as thinks he is but smarter than average), knows his numbers and has an above average grasp of simple estate planning. However, it could be argued that some estate planning attorneys have a very good grasp on taxes. In fact, one of my partners is a CPA and the other has a tax masters; BOTH have been certified as specialists in taxation law by the State Bar. Do we do our own taxes? NO. We do legal work and we hire a CPA to do our taxes (sorry D-Smooth, they hired some chick before I became a partner).
Let me give some background.... Guy is an in-law to a family with some money. Insert joke here about marrying well! He acknowledged that 1/2 of his time is spent on the "family business" and the family only has $8m. I say "only" because I have a fair number of clients with $8mil and most do not have a 1/2 time CPA working for them. In this case he has created almost 20 different entities needing tax returns and is now working on the family estate plan as if it's the biggest estate in the world. Dude is on his SECOND round of interviewing attorneys. The first round produced an attorney who was "too close" geographically so "word might get out" about their wealth, a second attorney who was at too big a firm and (my favorite) a sole practitioner who is to small to deal with the complexity of issues that are involved.
Dude, let me enlighten you... your shit is EASY, plain f'ing vanilla, EVERYday stuff. Get over yourself.
So, he came in with his agenda for our meeting, a spreadsheet (f'ing CPA's and their spreadsheets) of assets and liabilities, and a plan for distribution... AFTER the first death. Ok, it gets technical here so bear with me.... Many trusts provide for a split into two pots (or even 3 or more) after the first death between husband and wife. This is very standard planning. The trusts are "funded" after one spouse dies. This brainiac comes in with his plan that "took months to put together" for AFTER one spouse dies and they haven't even died yet. Provides for which asset goes to the survivor's trust (A share) and which goes to the marital trust (B share). There is a lot of separate property so the plan is based on the one spouse dying first. The plan is extremely specific on which assets go to which trust after the first death.
Ok, I am thinking as I peruse his spread sheets... husband must be 85 or 90 and on his death bed, right? NO. Turns out the dude is in his 50's and his broad is in her 40's. In my world people in their 50's are really f'ing young so planning like this for after death is ludicrous. Reminds me of this trust I saw a few years ago (thank god nobody I knew wrote it) which said in short: son gets house in Carmel and daughter gets house in Carmichael. At the time the trust was written, 19 seventy-something, the houses were of similar value. Fast forward 20 years and the only similarity is that they both start with "Carm" but after that the similarities ended. One house is worth $3.5mil and one is worth $550k. That is called BAD estate planning; bordering on malpractice! When my clients want to get specific I give them about 5 different CYA letters and tell them orally about 10 more times what a bad idea there plan is. I exaggerate but only slightly.
Oh ya, and they want to gift a $3mil business interest to two kids who are under 25 years old. I asked who was taking care of the family partnership, discount valuation and gifting. He assured me they had that under control themselves. Oh great, home made family limited partnerships! That's smart since the IRS is only breaking those f'ers up every other day of the week for not being set up right! You sure about that Mr. Know it All?
Ok, so Mr. Know It All tells me all this and says "how much for the trust?" I say "which trust? The irrevocable trust to hold the FLP interests for the young kids? [insert blank client stare here] Or the ABC trust that becomes irrevocable to protect the assets for the kids ["What's the C for?"] Or have you thought about a QPRT to move the house out of the estate? Or what about a life insurance trust to hold some insurance?" [More blank stares here....] The bottom line they have a great estate to do some sophisticated estate planning and have the opportunity to set up millions of dollars into actual creditor protected trusts which is very hard to do. However, he knows more than me so his ears were closed as I explained all the benefits of my ideas.
I apparently hit on a nerve center for this guy... life insurance. He got pretty fired up about it. He told me, "I just don't like life insurance and can't understand why people have it." I explained the need to provide for the wife, young kids, liquidity to pay estate taxes AND that the shit is tax free if owned properly. He told me he couldn't understand why the family spends $10,000 a year on life insurance but if it makes them feel good he won't change it. Funny as I have clients that spend $10,000 a month on life insurance! He told me he does the simple equation of cost v. benefit and the cost is too high. That sounded like a simplistic formula by Louis Farakhan or someone else who doesn't think through their thoughts. I remember one time I stumbled across Farakhan yapping away on the TV. His theory was a) a lot of slaves came from Brazil, b) there were Jews in Brazil SO c) the Jews are responsible for slavery. That's about the kind of well developed theorem Mr. Know-it-All proposed. Lucky I don't sell life insurance as I probably would have hit the guy over the head with a 2 x 4 he was so frustrating. People in the insurance industry complain about attorneys, and more so CPA's, for poo-pooing their big sales; this guy was a major poo-pooer.
In the end I gave him a very fair fee estimate for the work he wants done but clearly advised him that is not adequate planning giving how young the clients are, how young the kids are, how their estate is likely to continue to grow as the client obviously is a good business man, and how we have no clue on earth what the estate tax rates will be.
I am modestly curious if he calls back....
Peace
Let me start by saying the dude is smart (not as smart as thinks he is but smarter than average), knows his numbers and has an above average grasp of simple estate planning. However, it could be argued that some estate planning attorneys have a very good grasp on taxes. In fact, one of my partners is a CPA and the other has a tax masters; BOTH have been certified as specialists in taxation law by the State Bar. Do we do our own taxes? NO. We do legal work and we hire a CPA to do our taxes (sorry D-Smooth, they hired some chick before I became a partner).
Let me give some background.... Guy is an in-law to a family with some money. Insert joke here about marrying well! He acknowledged that 1/2 of his time is spent on the "family business" and the family only has $8m. I say "only" because I have a fair number of clients with $8mil and most do not have a 1/2 time CPA working for them. In this case he has created almost 20 different entities needing tax returns and is now working on the family estate plan as if it's the biggest estate in the world. Dude is on his SECOND round of interviewing attorneys. The first round produced an attorney who was "too close" geographically so "word might get out" about their wealth, a second attorney who was at too big a firm and (my favorite) a sole practitioner who is to small to deal with the complexity of issues that are involved.
Dude, let me enlighten you... your shit is EASY, plain f'ing vanilla, EVERYday stuff. Get over yourself.
So, he came in with his agenda for our meeting, a spreadsheet (f'ing CPA's and their spreadsheets) of assets and liabilities, and a plan for distribution... AFTER the first death. Ok, it gets technical here so bear with me.... Many trusts provide for a split into two pots (or even 3 or more) after the first death between husband and wife. This is very standard planning. The trusts are "funded" after one spouse dies. This brainiac comes in with his plan that "took months to put together" for AFTER one spouse dies and they haven't even died yet. Provides for which asset goes to the survivor's trust (A share) and which goes to the marital trust (B share). There is a lot of separate property so the plan is based on the one spouse dying first. The plan is extremely specific on which assets go to which trust after the first death.
Ok, I am thinking as I peruse his spread sheets... husband must be 85 or 90 and on his death bed, right? NO. Turns out the dude is in his 50's and his broad is in her 40's. In my world people in their 50's are really f'ing young so planning like this for after death is ludicrous. Reminds me of this trust I saw a few years ago (thank god nobody I knew wrote it) which said in short: son gets house in Carmel and daughter gets house in Carmichael. At the time the trust was written, 19 seventy-something, the houses were of similar value. Fast forward 20 years and the only similarity is that they both start with "Carm" but after that the similarities ended. One house is worth $3.5mil and one is worth $550k. That is called BAD estate planning; bordering on malpractice! When my clients want to get specific I give them about 5 different CYA letters and tell them orally about 10 more times what a bad idea there plan is. I exaggerate but only slightly.
Oh ya, and they want to gift a $3mil business interest to two kids who are under 25 years old. I asked who was taking care of the family partnership, discount valuation and gifting. He assured me they had that under control themselves. Oh great, home made family limited partnerships! That's smart since the IRS is only breaking those f'ers up every other day of the week for not being set up right! You sure about that Mr. Know it All?
Ok, so Mr. Know It All tells me all this and says "how much for the trust?" I say "which trust? The irrevocable trust to hold the FLP interests for the young kids? [insert blank client stare here] Or the ABC trust that becomes irrevocable to protect the assets for the kids ["What's the C for?"] Or have you thought about a QPRT to move the house out of the estate? Or what about a life insurance trust to hold some insurance?" [More blank stares here....] The bottom line they have a great estate to do some sophisticated estate planning and have the opportunity to set up millions of dollars into actual creditor protected trusts which is very hard to do. However, he knows more than me so his ears were closed as I explained all the benefits of my ideas.
I apparently hit on a nerve center for this guy... life insurance. He got pretty fired up about it. He told me, "I just don't like life insurance and can't understand why people have it." I explained the need to provide for the wife, young kids, liquidity to pay estate taxes AND that the shit is tax free if owned properly. He told me he couldn't understand why the family spends $10,000 a year on life insurance but if it makes them feel good he won't change it. Funny as I have clients that spend $10,000 a month on life insurance! He told me he does the simple equation of cost v. benefit and the cost is too high. That sounded like a simplistic formula by Louis Farakhan or someone else who doesn't think through their thoughts. I remember one time I stumbled across Farakhan yapping away on the TV. His theory was a) a lot of slaves came from Brazil, b) there were Jews in Brazil SO c) the Jews are responsible for slavery. That's about the kind of well developed theorem Mr. Know-it-All proposed. Lucky I don't sell life insurance as I probably would have hit the guy over the head with a 2 x 4 he was so frustrating. People in the insurance industry complain about attorneys, and more so CPA's, for poo-pooing their big sales; this guy was a major poo-pooer.
In the end I gave him a very fair fee estimate for the work he wants done but clearly advised him that is not adequate planning giving how young the clients are, how young the kids are, how their estate is likely to continue to grow as the client obviously is a good business man, and how we have no clue on earth what the estate tax rates will be.
I am modestly curious if he calls back....
Peace
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Rookies
As I was dressing this morning at the gym I encountered a couple of rookies. It was about 6:45 as I cut my workout a few minutes shorter than I like as I have a busy day today.
I was getting dressed and this rookie came in, hemming and hawing about how early it is, plops his bag down, on and on and on with this major production. "Oh it's so early, it's so hard to get up... and some people get here even earlier than this!" I thought to myself, "yes, junior some of us were inside at 4:55 (because the new door guy is still letting us in early) working out while you were sawing z's in bed. I found him annoying! This kid is not long for the morning workout routine as he said something like, "I am not sure how much longer I can do this...." It was the second day I had seen him there. Ok, well that rookie is about done!
Then another rookie came in complaining about the lockers. Ok, the lockers do suck, always have (since they installed them about 3-4 years ago), and always will but... young man, this is like your first day ever working out here in the morning! I thought to myself, "you have to earn the right to complain... as I have." He then noticed the numbering oddity, in between locker 169 and locker 173 is locker 129. He made a joke about it. Look kid, that was funny 3 years ago! Why don't you go home, go back to sleep, and we will just pretend like you were never here!?
With that, I gotz work to go.
Peace
I was getting dressed and this rookie came in, hemming and hawing about how early it is, plops his bag down, on and on and on with this major production. "Oh it's so early, it's so hard to get up... and some people get here even earlier than this!" I thought to myself, "yes, junior some of us were inside at 4:55 (because the new door guy is still letting us in early) working out while you were sawing z's in bed. I found him annoying! This kid is not long for the morning workout routine as he said something like, "I am not sure how much longer I can do this...." It was the second day I had seen him there. Ok, well that rookie is about done!
Then another rookie came in complaining about the lockers. Ok, the lockers do suck, always have (since they installed them about 3-4 years ago), and always will but... young man, this is like your first day ever working out here in the morning! I thought to myself, "you have to earn the right to complain... as I have." He then noticed the numbering oddity, in between locker 169 and locker 173 is locker 129. He made a joke about it. Look kid, that was funny 3 years ago! Why don't you go home, go back to sleep, and we will just pretend like you were never here!?
With that, I gotz work to go.
Peace
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Playing in the hood
This past Sunday was a great day to live in my little hood. It brought back memories of youth when Howard, Ricky, myself and others would play ball in the yard, run down the street to the tennis club to snag a few balls that flew over the fence, and then back up the street to one of our other friend's houses... just going all day, non-stop, with little parent interaction. In fact, my kids are even younger as I met Ricky and Howard when I was about 5 or 6. I reconnected with Ricky a few years ago and we talk once or twice a year. Howard, aka: Footloose, I talk to all the time. I hope my kids can develop similar life long friends.
Anyway, this past Sunday we woke up at our normal time. We went out to the Original Pimp House for breakfast for some yummy pancakes. Kitty Kat thinks the owner has a crush on the SacTownGuy. The lady is 60ish and really NOT a babe but it's a fun joke. She said, "hello SacTownGuy... so nice to see you and your crew...." She said stuff like that a couple of times about the SacTownGuy and his crew so finally I said, "I just follow Kitty Kat here... she drives us here... I just pay the check...." Anyway, suffice to say Kitty Kat loved mocking the situation when we sat down. Ok, fast forward....
We got home and the little girl decided to put her snow suit on over her PJ's. We have it out for an upcoming trip to G'ma's house in Utah. Oh ya, she wore her PJ's to breakfast. We are liberal so whatever the kids want is fine... except tattoos, smoking, motorcycles or marrying a non-college educated person. Anyway, so the little girl put on her snow suit and light up snow boots from last year. The boots are about two sizes two small so she had to take her socks off to squeeze into them. Hey, they are pink and they light up so she wasn't taking those bad boys off no matter what... until Kitty Kat found new ones this week at Target. The little dude put on his Star War's shirt and shorts (no sweatshirt or jacket as that would cover his cool shirt - yes, really). Ready for the world, they went out to play. The little dude went to his little buddies house across the street. The little girl went to "camp" with some of the other girls on the street being led by the oldest girl who is about 11. Let's say that was 10:00 AM Sunday.
With the exception of a couple of stop in's for toys, a sandwich, etc... they were gone until about 4:30. Our little court of 5 houses has 12 kids. The two houses just outside the court add 3 more kids. Several other neighborhood kids hang out in our court because of all the kids that live there. Out of all of these kids one of them is in high school (and he's a cool dude) and all the rest are between 3 and 12 with a large number between 3 and 7.
They would go to one house, on to the next, back to the other, stop in at ours, play in the front yard, play in the back yard, ride around the street on their bikes, go over to the park, ride their bikes around the court, then switch to motorized vehicles, then get their scooters... ALL DAY.
I really don't know all they did as they didn't play in my house much so I got to relax, watch some football, clean up a little bit around the house, go to the market, go for a run, wash the cars, etc....
Oh ya, a few of the adults came over to our house for a while as we were looking at places on the net for our annual Tahoe trip in the summer. Four of the five houses on the court go up there together each summer. The place we have been going raised their prices about 40-50% so we are looking for something else. Found a couple of sweet looking shacks up in Old Greenwood that looks pretty nice so we might cram in there this summer off the lake. The other adults are real nice on our court. All between 35 and 45, professional, like minded (except I think they are all Republicans) and we all get along real well.
I shouldn't make it sound like there was no supervision. No, no. It wasn't as if the kids were breaking stuff, lighting bags of dog poop on fire, blowing up stuff with quarter sticks of dynamite from Tijuana... there will be plenty of years ahead for stuff like that! There is plenty of supervision. At one point the little dude wanted to go play at a house outside of the court that is not one of his normal stops. His mom made sure that our little dude came to check with us first so we knew where he was. When they rode their bikes around the block one of the mom's went with them. Additionally, we all check outside from time to time to keep an eye on things. Is it as safe as West LA circa 1975? I don't know. Probably not that much different overall.
With all due respect to my peeps in East Sac, Natomas, Folsom, West Sac, Carmichael, West Roseville, G'bay, etc... the bottom line is that I really don't know why on earth people in the greater SacTown metropolitan area live anywhere ELSE besides my little hood. It's that simple.
Peace out.
Anyway, this past Sunday we woke up at our normal time. We went out to the Original Pimp House for breakfast for some yummy pancakes. Kitty Kat thinks the owner has a crush on the SacTownGuy. The lady is 60ish and really NOT a babe but it's a fun joke. She said, "hello SacTownGuy... so nice to see you and your crew...." She said stuff like that a couple of times about the SacTownGuy and his crew so finally I said, "I just follow Kitty Kat here... she drives us here... I just pay the check...." Anyway, suffice to say Kitty Kat loved mocking the situation when we sat down. Ok, fast forward....
We got home and the little girl decided to put her snow suit on over her PJ's. We have it out for an upcoming trip to G'ma's house in Utah. Oh ya, she wore her PJ's to breakfast. We are liberal so whatever the kids want is fine... except tattoos, smoking, motorcycles or marrying a non-college educated person. Anyway, so the little girl put on her snow suit and light up snow boots from last year. The boots are about two sizes two small so she had to take her socks off to squeeze into them. Hey, they are pink and they light up so she wasn't taking those bad boys off no matter what... until Kitty Kat found new ones this week at Target. The little dude put on his Star War's shirt and shorts (no sweatshirt or jacket as that would cover his cool shirt - yes, really). Ready for the world, they went out to play. The little dude went to his little buddies house across the street. The little girl went to "camp" with some of the other girls on the street being led by the oldest girl who is about 11. Let's say that was 10:00 AM Sunday.
With the exception of a couple of stop in's for toys, a sandwich, etc... they were gone until about 4:30. Our little court of 5 houses has 12 kids. The two houses just outside the court add 3 more kids. Several other neighborhood kids hang out in our court because of all the kids that live there. Out of all of these kids one of them is in high school (and he's a cool dude) and all the rest are between 3 and 12 with a large number between 3 and 7.
They would go to one house, on to the next, back to the other, stop in at ours, play in the front yard, play in the back yard, ride around the street on their bikes, go over to the park, ride their bikes around the court, then switch to motorized vehicles, then get their scooters... ALL DAY.
I really don't know all they did as they didn't play in my house much so I got to relax, watch some football, clean up a little bit around the house, go to the market, go for a run, wash the cars, etc....
Oh ya, a few of the adults came over to our house for a while as we were looking at places on the net for our annual Tahoe trip in the summer. Four of the five houses on the court go up there together each summer. The place we have been going raised their prices about 40-50% so we are looking for something else. Found a couple of sweet looking shacks up in Old Greenwood that looks pretty nice so we might cram in there this summer off the lake. The other adults are real nice on our court. All between 35 and 45, professional, like minded (except I think they are all Republicans) and we all get along real well.
I shouldn't make it sound like there was no supervision. No, no. It wasn't as if the kids were breaking stuff, lighting bags of dog poop on fire, blowing up stuff with quarter sticks of dynamite from Tijuana... there will be plenty of years ahead for stuff like that! There is plenty of supervision. At one point the little dude wanted to go play at a house outside of the court that is not one of his normal stops. His mom made sure that our little dude came to check with us first so we knew where he was. When they rode their bikes around the block one of the mom's went with them. Additionally, we all check outside from time to time to keep an eye on things. Is it as safe as West LA circa 1975? I don't know. Probably not that much different overall.
With all due respect to my peeps in East Sac, Natomas, Folsom, West Sac, Carmichael, West Roseville, G'bay, etc... the bottom line is that I really don't know why on earth people in the greater SacTown metropolitan area live anywhere ELSE besides my little hood. It's that simple.
Peace out.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Planning a Guy's Trip
Well, looks like the little Mr. Sether's BP is off... the gal just moved in like a month ago... and it turns out she got her walking papers a few days ago. The little Mr. Sether hadn't called to tell me as he knew I was ready for his BP. I am now going back to my original plan: introduce him to a hot daughter (I don't know any of them) of one of those really rich Greek families in SacTown and somehow force him to move to SacTown! Greek Orthodox has "Orthodox" in the name but people like at you funny if you talk about something being parve!? Well, with that event on hold for a while it is time to start talking about Canton, Ohio in 2013! I am not really sure when they have the NFL Hall of Fame Induction but I am going. I think I am going to go to every single induction when a former Sonoma State football player is inducted. In fact, I am going BIG every time!
One of my beat reporters, Mr. Petaluma, pointed out an article to me a few days ago on the subject. I had been denial about it hoping Mr. Allen would play another season or two; play until a ripe old age like other great linemen, like Ram Jackie Slater. However, he is old enough and probably hasn't spent all his money yet so why not retire!? What the heck will he do in retirement? I am just guessing he won't become a commentator on TV, assume he does not have the writing skills to write a tell all book about the wild days in Dallas, and he looks to fat to play golf. What the heck is he going to do? Seriously, what?
I will worry about that another day. Today I just want to point out how amazing it is that a guy can play football at a low level division II school, SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, at a time when they had no athletic scholarships (and let's just assume he didn't get an academic scholarship) and go all the way to the NFL! That's pretty amazing, eh!? The story I have heard is that he was back down in Compton, after going to Butte JC, just bumping around not doing anything. He had attended several high schools including one school in Napa. The SSU coach remembered him, tracked him down in Compton, signed him to come back up to NorCal and the rest is history. I believe he allowed one or two sacks in his two years playing for the Fighting Cossacks.
Well we used to call them the Fighting Cossacks, before calling them just the Cossacks, before changing the name altogether to the Seawolves. One of the big reasons for changing the Cossack name was to be more PC as the Cossacks were known for their killing of the Jew's. In fact some Rabbi, or someone at the JCC, in Marin county agreed to the Seawolves name. Not too many Jew's in Marin county so I think this guy missed something... as the little Mr. Sether pointed out that the Russian U-boats were called... "Seawolves." Hmmmmm... guess that name change wasn't as smart as you thought Sonoma State administration!
Well, anyway, the trip to Canton will be 5 years from now as I assume Mr. Allen will be a first ballot HOF'er. Not really sure of the details but will probably include a baseball game in Cleveland or other midwest city (Chi-town?). This past year the induction was on the first Saturday in August so don't make any other plans for early August 2013! Yes, we will be printing shirts for the event! The website will be updated with details at www.ssucossacks.com
One of my beat reporters, Mr. Petaluma, pointed out an article to me a few days ago on the subject. I had been denial about it hoping Mr. Allen would play another season or two; play until a ripe old age like other great linemen, like Ram Jackie Slater. However, he is old enough and probably hasn't spent all his money yet so why not retire!? What the heck will he do in retirement? I am just guessing he won't become a commentator on TV, assume he does not have the writing skills to write a tell all book about the wild days in Dallas, and he looks to fat to play golf. What the heck is he going to do? Seriously, what?
I will worry about that another day. Today I just want to point out how amazing it is that a guy can play football at a low level division II school, SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, at a time when they had no athletic scholarships (and let's just assume he didn't get an academic scholarship) and go all the way to the NFL! That's pretty amazing, eh!? The story I have heard is that he was back down in Compton, after going to Butte JC, just bumping around not doing anything. He had attended several high schools including one school in Napa. The SSU coach remembered him, tracked him down in Compton, signed him to come back up to NorCal and the rest is history. I believe he allowed one or two sacks in his two years playing for the Fighting Cossacks.
Well we used to call them the Fighting Cossacks, before calling them just the Cossacks, before changing the name altogether to the Seawolves. One of the big reasons for changing the Cossack name was to be more PC as the Cossacks were known for their killing of the Jew's. In fact some Rabbi, or someone at the JCC, in Marin county agreed to the Seawolves name. Not too many Jew's in Marin county so I think this guy missed something... as the little Mr. Sether pointed out that the Russian U-boats were called... "Seawolves." Hmmmmm... guess that name change wasn't as smart as you thought Sonoma State administration!
Well, anyway, the trip to Canton will be 5 years from now as I assume Mr. Allen will be a first ballot HOF'er. Not really sure of the details but will probably include a baseball game in Cleveland or other midwest city (Chi-town?). This past year the induction was on the first Saturday in August so don't make any other plans for early August 2013! Yes, we will be printing shirts for the event! The website will be updated with details at www.ssucossacks.com
Larry Allen Retiring, Next Stop Hall of Fame
Posted Jan 11th 2008 8:15AM by Michael David Smith
San Francisco 49ers guard Larry Allen is expected to retire, Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting.
There is little doubt that Allen, who spent most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, the first year he's eligible. Allen has been named to 11 Pro Bowl teams, and there was a stretch of about five years in which he was the best guard in the league. In 2002 Jay Glazer called him the best player in the NFL at any position.
One of the strongest players in football (he's said to bench press 700 pounds), Allen was the Cowboys' second-round pick out of tiny Sonoma State in 1994, and he entered the starting lineup during his rookie year and never left.
Other players who could make the 2013 Hall of Fame class include Buccaneers and Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp and Allen's 49ers teammate Bryant Young.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday Morning
I had a few different topics brewing in my head this morning at the gym. I was thinking about the little Mr. Sether's bachelor party. That will be a blowout but where? He axed Cuba since he went there last year. I am pushing for Iceland. No, he isn't engaged yet but I can still plan can't I....
Then I was thinking about how busy the gym is. One of the regulars; who usually wears the same shirt every day (hopefully he has duplicate copies of the same one) mentioned the traffic was a little lighter than last Monday. Yes, the new year's resolution worker-outers was lighter this morning but a few diligent people were still keeping their resolution... a week later! Nice work people. See you come February? Doubt it.
A few of my regular peeps weren't there though. Mr. Gonzaga- was your new years resolution to STOP going to the gym? What about your brother? Did they revoke his gym membership yet? I am thinking pretty soon the door monitor is going to stop him, if he ever shows up, and say, "we will feel bad taking your money every month so why don't you go home and go back to sleep and we will stop charging you?" Just kidding Mr. G'town Esq. Seriously though, the new baby excuse only works so long!
Ok, with that, I really got to get to work. I thought I would just drop this picture on the readership. This is the back of a 1970 Topps Pedro Borbon baseball card. No, I am not going to talk about baseball cards today. Maybe another day though. The 1970 set is best known for having the Thurman Munson rookie card. I also remember the criminal Denny McClain card for some reason. However, I was recently shown this beauty... on the back of the Pedro Borbon the following....
Times have changed. We will talk about that another day!
Peace and happy Monday.
Then I was thinking about how busy the gym is. One of the regulars; who usually wears the same shirt every day (hopefully he has duplicate copies of the same one) mentioned the traffic was a little lighter than last Monday. Yes, the new year's resolution worker-outers was lighter this morning but a few diligent people were still keeping their resolution... a week later! Nice work people. See you come February? Doubt it.
A few of my regular peeps weren't there though. Mr. Gonzaga- was your new years resolution to STOP going to the gym? What about your brother? Did they revoke his gym membership yet? I am thinking pretty soon the door monitor is going to stop him, if he ever shows up, and say, "we will feel bad taking your money every month so why don't you go home and go back to sleep and we will stop charging you?" Just kidding Mr. G'town Esq. Seriously though, the new baby excuse only works so long!
Ok, with that, I really got to get to work. I thought I would just drop this picture on the readership. This is the back of a 1970 Topps Pedro Borbon baseball card. No, I am not going to talk about baseball cards today. Maybe another day though. The 1970 set is best known for having the Thurman Munson rookie card. I also remember the criminal Denny McClain card for some reason. However, I was recently shown this beauty... on the back of the Pedro Borbon the following....
Times have changed. We will talk about that another day!
Peace and happy Monday.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Travis Who?
My homeboy D-smooth kicked me down with his King's seats last night. Big thanks D-smooth! Of course, now that he is rockin' the brand new, twin-turbo, BMW, 335, he may be selling all his tickets for now on!? Seriously though, if any of the readership needs a good CPA let me know and I will hook you up with D-smooth. That's actually not the name he goes by at work so his receptionist may be confused if you ask for D-smooth....
Anyway, D has had the same King's tickets for 10+ years. I am pretty sure he won the rights to the tickets in a strip poker game with his friend Stollie, the only Jewish contractor since you know who. Maybe you didn't notice but there are not a lot of Jewish painters, roofers, etc.... Stollie is an exception. He's a cool cat and last I heard he was rockin' a convertible 911.
The seats are real nice, about row P, behind the basket at the end of the Court where the visitor's bench is. Nice vantage point of the whole Court and, of course, an up close view of the close basket.
Ok, I had barely dropped ten bones to park my ride, twenty-five more for dinner (because we shared a sandwich), sat down and then some white kid named Travis Diener started dropping shots from all over the court like he was a real NBA player. Oh wait, he is!? Who is this kid? I looked him up. He was like a 2nd or 3rd year player out of Marquette. I heard of this guy named Wade who went to Marquette but not this Travis dude. It became sort of obvious that I was watching a different game than the King's as they didn't D him up as he hit 6 out of his first 7 outside shots. Look, I am no basketball coach but if a guy hits 6 out of his first 7 outside shots maybe somebody should GET IN HIS F'ING FACE!?
Besides Travis making it a long night I had a chatterbox behind me who does not like Francisco Garcia. Anytime 'Cisco touched the ball I heard Mr. Chatterbox... "no, Frank, don't shoot...." Mrs. Chatterbox got in on it too... "no Garcia, don't shoot." The guy also talked about his big pay check last week and how he is going to bump up his 401k contribution. No really. I resisted saying, "hey want compare W-2's for a beer?"
Here is some unsolicited free advice for all of you: MAX OUT YOUR 401K CONTRIBUTIONS... especially if your employer matches. You won't miss it because it comes out before you put your paycheck into the bottomless pit that is the checking account! I did not share this free advice with Mr. Chatterbox. I don't remember any of his other choice lines but I could do without Mr. Chatterbox. Oh wait, Kitty Kat just reminded me that Mr. C also liked to show how he knew everybody, Frank, Brad, Kevin, Mikky, and the other players... as well as Joey (as in Crawford the ref). Good point by Kitty Kat as it doesn't make you look that cool to call everybody by their first name... and stop yelling "move without the ball" Mr. C.
Some positives from the King's... Kevin Martin came back from injury and hit about his first 7 shots in a row. Of course, he was guardian all-star guard Travis Diener so he had a tough assignment... oh wait.... Well, K-mart is a good scorer. I like to think he patterns his game after me; all shot no D. That's ok. Good for him. Frank Garcia had a decent game but he did shoot a bit much. Douby had a few minutes. Love that guy Dhantay Jones. Though I probably mispelled his name it's some whacky spelling like that. Oh ya, and my man Beno played pretty well at the point though had a couple of turnovers. I still like him better than Bibby. Brad Miller played but was invisible. All in all it was not a great team performance but fun to watch.
Even with the King's losing, my pocket broke (had to buy a second beer to dull the sound of Mr. C), a white guy single handily beating my team and Mr. C chatting I had a great time. I took the Kitty Kat and it's always nice to get out of the house for a date night. Just nice chopping it up with the Kitty Kat. Sure we talked about what school the kids will go to as is required everyday but also talked about other things as well. Just nice to talk without the constant interruptions of kids talking, fighting, hungry, etc....
Speaking of hungry... I am. I am yet to post on OPH, the Original Pimp House, oh wait, I mean Original Pancake House. Maybe another day for that. Not to say we are regulars but within 1 minute of sitting down our favorite waitress, Andrea, will bring us a Diet Coke and an Iced Tea. What kind of 'cake to get today? I might go for the Dutch Baby today. More on that later.
Peace out.
Anyway, D has had the same King's tickets for 10+ years. I am pretty sure he won the rights to the tickets in a strip poker game with his friend Stollie, the only Jewish contractor since you know who. Maybe you didn't notice but there are not a lot of Jewish painters, roofers, etc.... Stollie is an exception. He's a cool cat and last I heard he was rockin' a convertible 911.
The seats are real nice, about row P, behind the basket at the end of the Court where the visitor's bench is. Nice vantage point of the whole Court and, of course, an up close view of the close basket.
Ok, I had barely dropped ten bones to park my ride, twenty-five more for dinner (because we shared a sandwich), sat down and then some white kid named Travis Diener started dropping shots from all over the court like he was a real NBA player. Oh wait, he is!? Who is this kid? I looked him up. He was like a 2nd or 3rd year player out of Marquette. I heard of this guy named Wade who went to Marquette but not this Travis dude. It became sort of obvious that I was watching a different game than the King's as they didn't D him up as he hit 6 out of his first 7 outside shots. Look, I am no basketball coach but if a guy hits 6 out of his first 7 outside shots maybe somebody should GET IN HIS F'ING FACE!?
Besides Travis making it a long night I had a chatterbox behind me who does not like Francisco Garcia. Anytime 'Cisco touched the ball I heard Mr. Chatterbox... "no, Frank, don't shoot...." Mrs. Chatterbox got in on it too... "no Garcia, don't shoot." The guy also talked about his big pay check last week and how he is going to bump up his 401k contribution. No really. I resisted saying, "hey want compare W-2's for a beer?"
Here is some unsolicited free advice for all of you: MAX OUT YOUR 401K CONTRIBUTIONS... especially if your employer matches. You won't miss it because it comes out before you put your paycheck into the bottomless pit that is the checking account! I did not share this free advice with Mr. Chatterbox. I don't remember any of his other choice lines but I could do without Mr. Chatterbox. Oh wait, Kitty Kat just reminded me that Mr. C also liked to show how he knew everybody, Frank, Brad, Kevin, Mikky, and the other players... as well as Joey (as in Crawford the ref). Good point by Kitty Kat as it doesn't make you look that cool to call everybody by their first name... and stop yelling "move without the ball" Mr. C.
Some positives from the King's... Kevin Martin came back from injury and hit about his first 7 shots in a row. Of course, he was guardian all-star guard Travis Diener so he had a tough assignment... oh wait.... Well, K-mart is a good scorer. I like to think he patterns his game after me; all shot no D. That's ok. Good for him. Frank Garcia had a decent game but he did shoot a bit much. Douby had a few minutes. Love that guy Dhantay Jones. Though I probably mispelled his name it's some whacky spelling like that. Oh ya, and my man Beno played pretty well at the point though had a couple of turnovers. I still like him better than Bibby. Brad Miller played but was invisible. All in all it was not a great team performance but fun to watch.
Even with the King's losing, my pocket broke (had to buy a second beer to dull the sound of Mr. C), a white guy single handily beating my team and Mr. C chatting I had a great time. I took the Kitty Kat and it's always nice to get out of the house for a date night. Just nice chopping it up with the Kitty Kat. Sure we talked about what school the kids will go to as is required everyday but also talked about other things as well. Just nice to talk without the constant interruptions of kids talking, fighting, hungry, etc....
Speaking of hungry... I am. I am yet to post on OPH, the Original Pimp House, oh wait, I mean Original Pancake House. Maybe another day for that. Not to say we are regulars but within 1 minute of sitting down our favorite waitress, Andrea, will bring us a Diet Coke and an Iced Tea. What kind of 'cake to get today? I might go for the Dutch Baby today. More on that later.
Peace out.
Friday, January 11, 2008
P.S.
I have to add a little to the used car discussion since it mostly focused on cars of the 80's. I will let this picture, of about a 1984 car, speak a thousand words.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Greased Lightening
I hate to make a reference to an awfully dorky chick flick like Grease but getting on the freeway today I felt like John Travolta in Grease... playing a good game of chicken in my hot rod....
So today I went for my monthly allergy shot down at the free clinic (or so it feels - frankly I don't read the magazines, touch as few things as possible, and wash my hands at least once while there) on Folsom Blvd near Alhambra. So, I head west on Folsom, turn right on on Alhambra (or is it 30th?) and head north along side the freeway. When I get to J, the on ramp is across J, two lanes, short on-ramp, merging to one lane pretty quick, up-hill, and I often use this as a test track for my little car.
As I cross J, there is a new model Maxima in the lane next to me on the left. He's a few car lengths ahead but not too far.
I often pass whatever chump is there just as if this was Santa Rosa Avenue back in '88, when I was rolling the 5.0, with the fake cell phone and the big woofers. Ahhhh, the good ol' days of driving fast at EVERY stop light the second they turned green....
Anyway, getting on the freeway today I decide to overtake this new model Maxima.
As I pass, I glance left and notice he isn't going away... but I am in third gear so don't have all my mojo... nonetheless, I punch it and leave his ass. Yes, it's the "same" enginge but I am rocking 298 horsies with the 6 speed and he's NOT with his automatic. I hope that keeps that guy from ever again trying to say he has the same engine as a G35. I can just hear him talking... "my car is just like the G35 but much more refined... same engine, 4 doors, but I didn't pay extra for the name badge on the back...." It seems to me he clearly SAW the name badge on my butt as I passed his butt!
So, back to the game of chicken... I could tell he was pushing it as it took me a second and I had to think about slowing down for a moment. Let him go or complete the move no matter what... roads are slick.... Glad I didn't chicken out!
So today I went for my monthly allergy shot down at the free clinic (or so it feels - frankly I don't read the magazines, touch as few things as possible, and wash my hands at least once while there) on Folsom Blvd near Alhambra. So, I head west on Folsom, turn right on on Alhambra (or is it 30th?) and head north along side the freeway. When I get to J, the on ramp is across J, two lanes, short on-ramp, merging to one lane pretty quick, up-hill, and I often use this as a test track for my little car.
As I cross J, there is a new model Maxima in the lane next to me on the left. He's a few car lengths ahead but not too far.
I often pass whatever chump is there just as if this was Santa Rosa Avenue back in '88, when I was rolling the 5.0, with the fake cell phone and the big woofers. Ahhhh, the good ol' days of driving fast at EVERY stop light the second they turned green....
Anyway, getting on the freeway today I decide to overtake this new model Maxima.
As I pass, I glance left and notice he isn't going away... but I am in third gear so don't have all my mojo... nonetheless, I punch it and leave his ass. Yes, it's the "same" enginge but I am rocking 298 horsies with the 6 speed and he's NOT with his automatic. I hope that keeps that guy from ever again trying to say he has the same engine as a G35. I can just hear him talking... "my car is just like the G35 but much more refined... same engine, 4 doors, but I didn't pay extra for the name badge on the back...." It seems to me he clearly SAW the name badge on my butt as I passed his butt!
So, back to the game of chicken... I could tell he was pushing it as it took me a second and I had to think about slowing down for a moment. Let him go or complete the move no matter what... roads are slick.... Glad I didn't chicken out!
Used Cars
No, this blog is not about that 1980's, R rated, T and A, movie that is probably still running on cable every week or two... rather this is about a sweet used car I just saw on the bay (that means Ebay if you are too old to know what the bay is). Trading emails with D-latz up in P'town who gave me the link to this beauty. Dude is a BMW nut. We traded some emails about some sweet old rides as BIG Drew, out in Jersey, is looking to get a cool old car. BIG Drew has always been ahead of the curve with cars. I gotz to give props where props are due. I used to think he accidently was ahead of the curve but I will say it's raw street smartz and good genes.
Let's see first BIG Drew had the VW bus. He was 16, took the rear seats out, and put in an air mattress. Very smart! I wonder if picked that one up from the hippy brother on Eight is Enough!? Anyway, he followed that up, in about 1989 with buying about a 1970 cutty convertible. Long before every pro athlete and rap star had one, BIG Drew was rollin' around Riversidddddddddddddde in the cutty. Then he went for the big Chevy truck; again before everybody under the sun was driving a truck or SUV. When he bought his truck pretty much only contractors and outdoorsey types had full size trucks so, again, props to BIG Drew for being ahead of the curve.
Then, his best move ever... about '97 he bought a mid seventies El Camino for five hundo out of one of my probate estates. Thing was not in gem mint condition (ok, it was rust color with some gray primer mixed in)... but it ran. Actually I think he paid $500 for the car and about $700 to ship it to NYC as he was living right down by the twin towers at the time. So he was rockin' the El Cam around NYC, met his wife to be (amazing she didn't live him for driving such a piece) and as usual was ahead of the curve on cars. In fact, he sold it to a cop, who was down at the twin towers, after 9/11, for $2,500 as by then they had become more popular. That sale was made more amazing because it wasn't too much before that he was driving down the turnpike (or whatever they call a FREEWAY out there) and he had fire coming out of the wheels (chrome Crager wheels of course). I said, "oh you had some smoke...?" He replied, "no... FIRE... BIG ACTUAL FLAMES." Good stuff selling that for a profit!
Ok, so now what is BIG Drew talking 'bout as we fast forward to '08? We had a 40 minute phone call today about it. We went through countless cars... with BIG Drew even pointing out an Audi 5000G. Here is where the focus is right now:
'87-'93 - Ford Mustang GT (maybe get one of those rare T-top editions!?);
'82-'85 - Mazda RX7 (the little one);
'82-'87 - Datsun/Nissan 280ZX (I would go Datsun as that is much more old skool);
any year Vette - of course you probably want to get one about '77 to be like Corvette Summer!
Anyway, we had a good time looking at these old rides on the net today. Don't worry, I found a client to double-bill, while we did that work so I didn't fall behind on my billables (just kidding of course). I probably wasted another hour looking at more websites but it was fun. Also traded emails with D-latz since he has much car knowledge.
Though I like the list BIG Drew is focusing on, I think there are other used cars to consider, like this one that belongs to D-latz, one of his many BMW's in the stable right now.
Others to consider:
ANY year BMW M3;
Many years 3 series - like D-latz' ride up above;
V-dub Scirocco or GTI ('bout an '84 before the body style change!?);
Certain Alfa's from early 70's;
Delorian - or any gull wing door car for that matter!
Or this beauty... 2002 BMW M5. That is a sweet used car. $45k on the Bay. SWEET!
With that, I better get cracking on some real work.... Peace and Audi 5000G!
Let's see first BIG Drew had the VW bus. He was 16, took the rear seats out, and put in an air mattress. Very smart! I wonder if picked that one up from the hippy brother on Eight is Enough!? Anyway, he followed that up, in about 1989 with buying about a 1970 cutty convertible. Long before every pro athlete and rap star had one, BIG Drew was rollin' around Riversidddddddddddddde in the cutty. Then he went for the big Chevy truck; again before everybody under the sun was driving a truck or SUV. When he bought his truck pretty much only contractors and outdoorsey types had full size trucks so, again, props to BIG Drew for being ahead of the curve.
Then, his best move ever... about '97 he bought a mid seventies El Camino for five hundo out of one of my probate estates. Thing was not in gem mint condition (ok, it was rust color with some gray primer mixed in)... but it ran. Actually I think he paid $500 for the car and about $700 to ship it to NYC as he was living right down by the twin towers at the time. So he was rockin' the El Cam around NYC, met his wife to be (amazing she didn't live him for driving such a piece) and as usual was ahead of the curve on cars. In fact, he sold it to a cop, who was down at the twin towers, after 9/11, for $2,500 as by then they had become more popular. That sale was made more amazing because it wasn't too much before that he was driving down the turnpike (or whatever they call a FREEWAY out there) and he had fire coming out of the wheels (chrome Crager wheels of course). I said, "oh you had some smoke...?" He replied, "no... FIRE... BIG ACTUAL FLAMES." Good stuff selling that for a profit!
Ok, so now what is BIG Drew talking 'bout as we fast forward to '08? We had a 40 minute phone call today about it. We went through countless cars... with BIG Drew even pointing out an Audi 5000G. Here is where the focus is right now:
'87-'93 - Ford Mustang GT (maybe get one of those rare T-top editions!?);
'82-'85 - Mazda RX7 (the little one);
'82-'87 - Datsun/Nissan 280ZX (I would go Datsun as that is much more old skool);
any year Vette - of course you probably want to get one about '77 to be like Corvette Summer!
Anyway, we had a good time looking at these old rides on the net today. Don't worry, I found a client to double-bill, while we did that work so I didn't fall behind on my billables (just kidding of course). I probably wasted another hour looking at more websites but it was fun. Also traded emails with D-latz since he has much car knowledge.
Though I like the list BIG Drew is focusing on, I think there are other used cars to consider, like this one that belongs to D-latz, one of his many BMW's in the stable right now.
Others to consider:
ANY year BMW M3;
Many years 3 series - like D-latz' ride up above;
V-dub Scirocco or GTI ('bout an '84 before the body style change!?);
Certain Alfa's from early 70's;
Delorian - or any gull wing door car for that matter!
Or this beauty... 2002 BMW M5. That is a sweet used car. $45k on the Bay. SWEET!
With that, I better get cracking on some real work.... Peace and Audi 5000G!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Late Night
Damn, I can't sleep tonight. In bed at 9 and on schedule to wake up at 4:20 and to the Del... but now it's 11:30, I am sitting in the home office and typing on my f'ing blog. Might as well fire up the laptop and log in to my office computer... oh no, can't do it because my NEW f'ing office computer was on the fritz today bombing every hour on the fifteen minutes. Must have bombed again tonight so I can't log in. Plus, can't log in to the Microsoft Exchange Server we have now because the computer guy hasn't finished installing stuff on my new laptop. Microsoft is making me upgrade to a higher level of Vista, for $160, so I can properly log into my work computer. I have new computers everywhere and all I can do is check sports scores and write on my blog. Internet porn is so last century so don't even mention it! Sucks to be the SacTownGuy tonight. Am not going to watch SportsCenter again... ok, maybe one more time. No gym in the morning... unless I wake up by accident too early. This means a bad day at the office... and I almost fired my secretary today on a good day... I hope she doesn't screw up tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Home Decorating
I should start by saying the kitty kat and myself have few clues on home decorating. We don't know colors, don't know what goes with what, and really don't know what our house "should" look like. Certain things are mandatory... like the Pac Man machine! Beyond that, everything is up in the air. Recently we decided to decorate our living room in similar style to a couple of our friends... concert posters! My first thought, as we discussed concert posters for our living room walls was, "if concert posters are ok why not move my framed Joe Ferguson (the Dodger, not the Bill) jersey to the living room. That thing is sweet, right!? However, knowing that was a losing battle I went with the framed concert posters theme.
Ok, which ones? I am thinking "classics" like Run DMC, Beastie Boys and maybe even something like AC/DC as a shout out to my frat bros. Kitty Kat was thinking Tim McGraw, the Police and others. We compromised!
I thought this House of Pain poster was pretty cool... but Kitty Kat reminded me she is not a big boxing fan so she voted no. That's ok though because we have a pretty decent group that we have purchased and may get one or two more. Here is the current crop we have bought and if you can think of any others let us know! We would like colorful concert posters of bands or venues with some meaning. The meaning can be "gosh we were dorks in the 80's" like Rick Springfield or it can be "man I was cool in the 90's" like E-40 live in Oakland. Ok, here's what we got so far:
Kiss/Aerosmith at Sleeptrain Amphitheater a few years ago. Of course, Sleeptrain is here in the Sac area so that's a plus. Also, the poster is real cool looking with a picture of a limo. I like it.
Dave Matthews Band/ Big Head Toad (or someone like that). This was for a Nor Cal concert (I do not recall where now) back in the late 90's. Poster is real colorful with some cool graphics. It's horizontal rather than the traditional vertical layout for concert posters. This may be good or bad depending on how the lay out looks.
Go-Go's. Classic 80's band in a classic Fillmore style poster. If you don't know what Fillmore style is that means psychedelic 60's looking. It's pretty nice looking and since Belinda Carlisle dated Mike Marshall back in the 80's it is almost a sports poster!
Hall and Oats. Fillmore style poster that looks great. Plus, though a lot of people make fun of Hall and Oats for songs like Maneater... I like Hall and Oats for their funky soul beginning and the CD they did live at the Apollo. Check that CD out sometime!
Parliment/George Clinton. Another Fillmore style. Big AFRO on G'Clinton. The kitty Kat wasn't real clear on who these people were and I explained they are like the foundation of funk music and, more importantly, the background to tons of great rap music. This is a cool one! Plus I saw them live back about '98, down in SF, and it was a great dance party!
Lastly, and the best as far as I am concerned, Sir Mix-a-Lot, at some little club in SF a couple years ago. Kitty Kat and I were actually at the club a few weeks earlier for a Wonderbread 5 show. The place was really just a small bar with a stage. When I saw that Mix was coming a couple weeks later I told her we were going back to SF... but unfortunately we had plans to be out of town that weekend so I missed the Mix show. Luckily for me I now have the concert poster! It's a different size and style than the others but it is funky fresh!
Ok, I will admit I bought Kitty Kat the Police poster yesterday. She doesn't know yet so don't let it slip. I don't love the poster but the Police were cool for a few weeks back about '81 and the poster has some good color to it.
With that I better get back to Ebay... I mean back to work.
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Faces at the Gym
GO HOME! WE DON'T WANT YOU AT OUR GYM!
Damn it was busy at the Del this morning. Of course, not at 5:00 as there were just the regular foolz when the Del opened. However, by 6:30 the place looked like JC's mom's house during fleet week (sorry, that goes back to college, and now his mom really has died so makes it even more tasteless, and not just the ultimate response to a mom joke - sorry JC). It was busy like I envision one of those cheap gyms (24 Hour) at about 6:00 PM. Anyway, it was busy. All kinds of new faces in there, looking confused, and hogging machines. Luckily they don't work out long and they won't be there by the time I turn 40 in mid-February. I had a few words with some of the regulars and though disgruntled we know these people won't last long. I could give the magic recipe for keeping up the morning workout beyond February... but not sure I want the secret getting out.
The SacTownGuy has been doing the morning workout routine since about 1998. About the time BIG Drew moved to NYC, and thus halting our afternoon basketball games at the Y, I started hitting the gym in the morning. Back then I had the SacClub. Ohhhhhhh, that was a sweet deal. It was about $75 a month and included a FULL breakfast each morning after my workout; omelet, smoothie, french toast, fresh fruit, etc... EVERY morning. I think that may have defeated the value of the workout!? Anyway, the SacClub is long out of business (big shock with that business model) but I have continued with the morning workouts. Primarily alternating between the Racquet Club, the Del and the Ranch. It has become a way of life. It has become a mandatory start for me each work day and many weekend days as well. I hit the wall about 3:30 in the afternoon if I don't workout in the morning. That doesn't answer the big question though. How does one happily drag himself out of bed at 4:20 to go to the gym?
Is it because you know it is good for you? No.
Is it because you know you get to eat more food by working out? No.
Is it the camaraderie of the others at 5:00 AM? No.
Is it the joy of cranking the car heater each morning? No.
Is it the enjoyment of listening to XM radio on the way to the gym and the Ipod at the gym? No.
What is the magic secret recipe that keeps me going back?
It's actually quite simple... just go to bed early and the rest will follow.
I hope all your new year's resolutions are met! Peace
Damn it was busy at the Del this morning. Of course, not at 5:00 as there were just the regular foolz when the Del opened. However, by 6:30 the place looked like JC's mom's house during fleet week (sorry, that goes back to college, and now his mom really has died so makes it even more tasteless, and not just the ultimate response to a mom joke - sorry JC). It was busy like I envision one of those cheap gyms (24 Hour) at about 6:00 PM. Anyway, it was busy. All kinds of new faces in there, looking confused, and hogging machines. Luckily they don't work out long and they won't be there by the time I turn 40 in mid-February. I had a few words with some of the regulars and though disgruntled we know these people won't last long. I could give the magic recipe for keeping up the morning workout beyond February... but not sure I want the secret getting out.
The SacTownGuy has been doing the morning workout routine since about 1998. About the time BIG Drew moved to NYC, and thus halting our afternoon basketball games at the Y, I started hitting the gym in the morning. Back then I had the SacClub. Ohhhhhhh, that was a sweet deal. It was about $75 a month and included a FULL breakfast each morning after my workout; omelet, smoothie, french toast, fresh fruit, etc... EVERY morning. I think that may have defeated the value of the workout!? Anyway, the SacClub is long out of business (big shock with that business model) but I have continued with the morning workouts. Primarily alternating between the Racquet Club, the Del and the Ranch. It has become a way of life. It has become a mandatory start for me each work day and many weekend days as well. I hit the wall about 3:30 in the afternoon if I don't workout in the morning. That doesn't answer the big question though. How does one happily drag himself out of bed at 4:20 to go to the gym?
Is it because you know it is good for you? No.
Is it because you know you get to eat more food by working out? No.
Is it the camaraderie of the others at 5:00 AM? No.
Is it the joy of cranking the car heater each morning? No.
Is it the enjoyment of listening to XM radio on the way to the gym and the Ipod at the gym? No.
What is the magic secret recipe that keeps me going back?
It's actually quite simple... just go to bed early and the rest will follow.
I hope all your new year's resolutions are met! Peace
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