House Blues

 I’ve got the house blues today. My house has been on the marketing since July of 2007.  I’ve had a lot of people looking but so far no offers. I have made several price reductions to date. It’s a great house in Irvington but thus far nothing.  To make the situation worse I still have to take care of the yard and house. I go over every few weeks and clean up the yard. I hate doing yard work but it has to look nice and clean for any perspective buyers.  The market continues to worsen with no end in sight.  People are having a hard time getting loans, especially over 400k.  The house is done, top to bottom.  Two years ago it would have sold at full asking price in a matter of weeks rather then months. There are a total of 15 houses on my street along in Irvington for sale. It’s got me a bit bummed out but what can you do. I’ve fired  my old agent and hired someone who is a bit more aggressive.  I should have done it 6 months ago. I think my house was priced too high for the market. 

Texas Jouranl

3/7/08 I killed em!  I think I did a very good job today.  I would have to say one of the best presentations. I guess my preparation paid off.  We had a nice dinner. It was an awards dinner for the field employees.  It was nice to see them get recognition.  Some people complained about the food, saying it was too rich.  I get frustrated when people complain about something they are not paying for. They should be thankful to have such a nice meal that does not cost them anything. In particular people it drives me nuts when they complain to the person who put the entire event together. That job is one of those that are thankless until the end of the event.   The evening took an odd turn when one of the executives said “drinks on me in the bar”.  I night got a bit interesting after that. The drinks were free flowing and so were people’s mouths. Things were coming out that were not so worked appropriate.  I love to watch the social interactions of drunken coworkers. 

Texas Journal

3/7/08 Today is the big day – my turn to be criticized in front of the group. I know my material so I’m not that worried. Even if I do marginally better then some of the presenters then I will be a rock star!

 

Texas Trip

3/6/08 What a long day! I have a suite to myself which is nice.  The hotel is big game hunters lodge – odd place for a conference in my opinion but the rates are decent.  I have a comp bottle of wine so I guess I have no complaints. I need a glass after some of the presentations that I sat through today.  I understand that not everyone is a great presenter. I myself am ok but there are better.  I think if your are going to present at a meeting you should at least have a pulse.  During one of the presentations I saw people nodding off.  Email equipped phones were the saving grace of this meeting as people were constantly checking their work email trying escaping the presentation.  I myself and escaped the presentation but jotting down notes for my blog posting! I think I’m going to have a glass of merlot and crash for the night.

Texas Trip Journal

3/5/08 I made it!  DFW is a dump. It’s cramped, dirty and slow going when trying to get out of the terminals. I can see why PDX is one of the top airports in the nation. It is fast, clean and friendly.  I arrived with three of my co-workers on the flight. I prayed that my seat was not next to his, as he smells like cheese. I’m not trying to be hurtful in saying this, it’s just a fact.  It’s either Munster or sharp cheddar. Eeew

Texas Trip

 3/5/08 I’m getting ready to travel to Texas tomorrow.  I’m traveling for work as I need to present to my counterparts.  I’m a bit nervous about the overall presentation.  The group can often be difficult and challenge in a negative manor.  I just keep my cool and do everything possible to answer their questions. Everyone seems to be experts on other people’s areas of the business except their own.  Am I the only person that shows up to the airport?  I’m early, 2.5 hours before my flight leaves. I like to get there early so I’m not rushed. I like to have some coffee, eat breakfast and make it through security without being rushed. Nothing drives me crazier then showing up late for feeling rushed.   When I got to PDX the security line was not that big. However, people insist on not following the rules about liquids, thus making a short line very long to pass through. I really wish people would just follow direction and move through the line like cattle rather then raging against the system; after all it is what it is.  Not to mention pissing of one of the security staff causes them to go into an ego trip which only makes the line worse. I don’t understand why people are so inept.

Bumper sticker

 I saw this on a  news site and found it pretty funny and interesting.  I think his popularity is growing more and more. I just hope that the McCain supports don’t come out after the general party election. Otherwise we are right back where we started 8 years ago!

House for Sale

Long story short, I have a house for sale. It’s been on the market since July of 07! It’s a great house in the Irvington area. I purchased and did a complete remodel. Just as I put it on the market the housing industry slowed, then crawled and is now at a snails pace.

I’m still paying the mortgage and it’s just sitting there empty and no offers yet. I’m trying to keep positive but it’s tough given the market conditions. I hope I can get an offer soon. I’d like to do some other investments with the proceeds – if any depending on the market.

My first blog!

I’m 27 years old and this is the first time blogging. I’m not adverse to technology, actually quite the opposite. I’ve never been one to put my life out on public display. I find the whole “Facebook.com” and “Myspace.com” interesting and somewhat odd too.

I guess for me I enjoy face to face interaction with my friends. I have seen some interesting methods for keeping in touch with friends from around the world or across the United States.

I’ve had a hard time figuring out what to blog about. I live in the Pearl; it’s a great place to hang out and had a lot to offer for things to do. One of the things I enjoy is coffee. Today I wandered over to Starbucks for my fix. The sun was out, it was dry and clear. There were a lot of people out walking and enjoying the outdoors.

I have a habit of being a people watcher. That’s part of why I like Portland, there is no shortage of oddities. The most recent trend that I’ve seen amount “Pearlites” is they obsessive desire to take Mr. Kitty for a walk.

I come from a small farming town, a village if you will. Animals, roam free with the exception of dogs or cats are in-door. Never in my life have I seen so many people taking the cats for a walk. There was a very nice elderly couple that was pushing a soft shelled stroller. At first glance I thought it was their grandchild. No, it was their cat. I for some reason find this odd. I guess all animals deserve the right to be outside in the fresh air but a cat is not like a dog. Hence the expression “herding cats”. You can’t really take a cat for a stroll or jog – more like a drag. Cats don’t like to be put on a leash, at least when I tried this as a child mine did not.

So this couple at least put the cat in a little stroller. A few months back I actually watch a girl try to walk her cat on a leash. It was one of the most amusing things I’ve ever seen. The cat was not really digging the leash thing. So, it crawled under a car. The girl was on her hands and knees trying to gently pull the cat out but it wasn’t having any of it. Needless to say, the girl managed to get the cat out. She looked slightly distraught and embarrassed. I wonder if she ever will take the cat out for a walk again. Perhaps next time it will be in a kitty stroller.

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