"NOTICES OF DEFAULT JUMP TO SURPRISINGLY HIGH LEVEL" Bulletin, 2/3/10.
I'm thinking maybe the word "surprise...." ought to be retired when referring to the local economy.
Wasn't the Bulletin 'surprised' when NOD's fell in November? Which turned out to be a seasonal fluke?
We have just started down the 'adjustable rate' path, which is more dangerous than a jungle path in LOST.
**********
I usually comment on HBM's column, Wandering Eye, at the Source. But Bob Woodward has a column questioning why, on a recent visit, the new restaurant at the Oxford Hotel was 'surprisingly' busy.
Was it because of the Haves versus the Have-Nots?
Was it because it was a new joint?
Was it because people are still spending beyond their means?
?????
The answer is:
Yes.
**********
Got my 65" at Costco, when I found out that one of the clerks had a little side business delivering.
I would've been happy with a DLP, but Linda wanted a LCD, so that's what we got. Going to have Blue-ray and surround sound before we're through.
Right away, I noticed something.
When I was a kid staying home 'sick' from school, I'd be forced -- forced, I tell you! Only 3 channels! -- to watch soap operas. And they had a very different, cheaper feel. It was because back in the day, most evening programs were still on film, while daytime was video tape.
Watching House with HD was a real eye-opener, because it had the soap-opera feel to it, and I realized most shows nowadays are being done digitally on video, or something, and the big screen really makes that noticable.
One of my customers said, "Yeah, like a Telemundo program. Cheap."
That's it exactly.
**********
CACB keeps flirting with the bottom.
But the more interesting bank to me is Umpqua Bank. Locally, at least, it seems to me that they've made nothing but bad loans -- are at least doubtful ones.
Regionally, apparently, they are a stronger bank. They even want to pay back the Tarp. (Which means there must be some money laying around for bonuses....)
**********
With last week's dip in the stock market, I took the money we had in cash and invested in three different mutual funds -- on the advise of our financial guy. They were all offered in the last few months at 10.00 each, (they were all in the high 9's when I bought), so I it's an easy benchmark to keep track of.
I know, I know, you can't time the market. But if you need to invest, you can pick your moment to start....
**********
"BORDER'S BANKRUPTCY 'VERY LOW PROBABILITY.'
Merger with B&N Possible."
ICV2, 2/3/10.
Well, since both of these predictions come from the largest shareholder, I would call this more 'stock-pumping' than news.
Meanwhile, I sort of blurted out to someone asking yesterday about e-books. "I think they are going to co-exist, at least for a long while." Because I can see myself carrying around an e-book in my backpack, and then going home and reading a paper book on the couch....
I'm thinking maybe the word "surprise...." ought to be retired when referring to the local economy.
Wasn't the Bulletin 'surprised' when NOD's fell in November? Which turned out to be a seasonal fluke?
We have just started down the 'adjustable rate' path, which is more dangerous than a jungle path in LOST.
**********
I usually comment on HBM's column, Wandering Eye, at the Source. But Bob Woodward has a column questioning why, on a recent visit, the new restaurant at the Oxford Hotel was 'surprisingly' busy.
Was it because of the Haves versus the Have-Nots?
Was it because it was a new joint?
Was it because people are still spending beyond their means?
?????
The answer is:
Yes.
**********
Got my 65" at Costco, when I found out that one of the clerks had a little side business delivering.
I would've been happy with a DLP, but Linda wanted a LCD, so that's what we got. Going to have Blue-ray and surround sound before we're through.
Right away, I noticed something.
When I was a kid staying home 'sick' from school, I'd be forced -- forced, I tell you! Only 3 channels! -- to watch soap operas. And they had a very different, cheaper feel. It was because back in the day, most evening programs were still on film, while daytime was video tape.
Watching House with HD was a real eye-opener, because it had the soap-opera feel to it, and I realized most shows nowadays are being done digitally on video, or something, and the big screen really makes that noticable.
One of my customers said, "Yeah, like a Telemundo program. Cheap."
That's it exactly.
**********
CACB keeps flirting with the bottom.
But the more interesting bank to me is Umpqua Bank. Locally, at least, it seems to me that they've made nothing but bad loans -- are at least doubtful ones.
Regionally, apparently, they are a stronger bank. They even want to pay back the Tarp. (Which means there must be some money laying around for bonuses....)
**********
With last week's dip in the stock market, I took the money we had in cash and invested in three different mutual funds -- on the advise of our financial guy. They were all offered in the last few months at 10.00 each, (they were all in the high 9's when I bought), so I it's an easy benchmark to keep track of.
I know, I know, you can't time the market. But if you need to invest, you can pick your moment to start....
**********
"BORDER'S BANKRUPTCY 'VERY LOW PROBABILITY.'
Merger with B&N Possible."
ICV2, 2/3/10.
Well, since both of these predictions come from the largest shareholder, I would call this more 'stock-pumping' than news.
Meanwhile, I sort of blurted out to someone asking yesterday about e-books. "I think they are going to co-exist, at least for a long while." Because I can see myself carrying around an e-book in my backpack, and then going home and reading a paper book on the couch....