CNN/Money posted a great article today on the state of the housing market. Though it looks at the market on a nationwide basis, Orange County gets a special mention: Last week, real-estate tracker DataQuick said home sales in Orange County, Calif., the No. 2 U.S. market, slumped 17 percent from a year ago. The No. 3 market, Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.,… Read more →
High Jumping the Olympic Shark
In honor of this weekend’s closing ceremonies (and sponsored in part by Rich’s Top Five List-o-Rama), I give you the Top Ten Signs the Olympics Have Jumped the Shark: 10. The Parthenon was built faster than the Olympic stadium 9. Synchronized swimming? 8. Not a single riot during Olympic soccer 7. Forty percent of tickets unsold 6. U.S. women’s basketball… Read more →
La Paz Recap
I’ve been back from Mexico for a bit, but haven’t had the time to really post anything about the trip until now. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, you can get the gist of things by checking out the photos. The trip started with an easy non-stop flight from LAX to La Paz. Normally I wouldn’t take note… Read more →
The Crazy Jackson
When I refer to the “crazy Jackson”, you’d think I’m talking about Michael. And up until now, you’d be right. But from out of nowhere comes sister Janet to claim that title by suggesting that her “wardrobe malfunction” at the Superbowl is actually President Bush’s fault. According to Janet, the President engineered the whole fracas in order to divert attention… Read more →
Diving in La Paz
Well, I’ve got the scuba gear packed, the regulator overhauled, the books picked out, and the passport in my pocket. I’m outta here — on my way to La Paz, Mexico. This should be a fun trip. Traditionally the group I dive with alternates between Cozumel and San Carlos since we have good connections in both places, but this year… Read more →
Reality TV?
I think NBC has run one too many reality TV shows. Or maybe they’re just completely out of ideas for filling airtime. Whatever the reason, this stunt borders on the criminal. If I had tried this, I can assure you I would end up in a terrorist watchlist database. This comes from Bob McDaniel, airport manager at St. Louis Downtown… Read more →
The Other Shoe
So the country lost it’s second state governor in as many months today, this time a Democrat from New Jersey. Dropping a political bombshell, New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey announced his resignation Thursday after revealing that he is gay and that he had an adulterous affair with a man. McGreevey’s surprise announcement came as a former aide readied a sexual… Read more →
Death by Solitare
I like playing a computer game as much as the next guy. But this is a bit extreme: “It was a small fight, something silly,” said Chrisostomides’ cousin and downstairs neighbor, Paul Michaelides. “It started about who would play solitaire on the computer.” The fight escalated, and Ioannou eventually hurled herself from the balcony, they said. She fell onto a… Read more →
Smart Move, Senator
I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’m not John Kerry’s biggest supporter. I disagree very strongly with his positions on defense, social spending, taxes, and even on the very basics like role of government, interpretation of the Constitution, and so on. Despite all that I want to support him. I respect Sen. Kerry because he’s a pilot… Read more →
Goodbye 94M
Well, she’s gone. My airplane is sold. The hangar is empty. The final logbook entry has been made. And there’s a bit of a hole in my heart. It’s not sadness per se. More like an empty spot reserved for an old friend who’s gone away. A thankfulness for all the good times, all the flights over water, desert, and… Read more →