I've decided that as soon as we get our house crap together and I make sure all of the Christmas stuff is paid for, I'm going to start working on getting my realtor's license. Maybe even if our house doesn't sell under this particular contract with this realtor, I'll just go ahead and do it.
I have known a few realtors in real life, ones I never had the opportunity to use myself when buying or selling, and they were nice intelligent people. However, the realtors that I've worked with here are idiots. I've met others who aren't idiots, but somehow, we end up with idiots. Idiots that drive up to my house in gleaming BMWs.
The first realtor we had to deal with when we were buying our house was so idiotic that Tony practically had to duct tape my mouth shut from telling the woman off at closing. He said when she walked in, my hatred of her was palpable in the air. I hoped so, since that's the feeling I was trying to put off. She was an idiot, a jerk, and almost made us lose our contract on the house with her stupidity and lollygagging. The second realtor we had the house listed with wasn't an idiot per se, but I wouldn't call him a genius. At least he was friendly. There wasn't a lot of selling going on, though.
This one we have... my main problem is that I have a serious issue with someone not being detail oriented when details are incredibly important to the job. And I have a problem with someone being too absent-minded to do his job. I mean, I know I forget things at work, but when I forget something, it just means that a grade doesn't get posted quite as quickly as they'd like, or I hand out papers tomorrow rather than yesterday. This dude is dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like, we have pointed out to him NUMEROUS times that there were mistakes on our listing and on the flyers out in front of the house, which people are constantly driving by to take. We were almost out of them, so I decided to make some for myself, and in retyping, I see the same mistakes STILL THERE (like it says "partially finished basement" instead of fully finished -- a somewhat important detail). However, I ALSO see that it still says "evaporative window cooler". In other words: swamp cooler, no central air! Hello, jackass! That is a major selling or not selling point! I know I am not even looking at houses without AC, and I'm guessing that's the case for others too. So I corrected all the idiotic mistakes on the flyer, made one that isn't so tacky, and replaced the tacky flyers with mine.
Anyway, I looked into it, and it only costs like a thousand bucks or something like that to get your beginner realtor license. I'd have to get myself associated with an office around here, but if I could do that part time, if I sold or bought ONE house for us under my license, I'd more than make the money back obviously. Like, say I get my 3% for our house at the listing price... that's almost $5,000. In one sale. And I can guarantee you I can keep my crap together better than these idiots. Not to mention that as much as I hate to deal with the general public, I've had enough practice in my jobs that I can fake being super friendly if it means cash. And lots of it. The housing market will turn around eventually.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
good old jack handey
So as many of you already know, I am an avid fan of Jack Handey, particularly the Deep Thoughts he comes up with. For my birthday, Tony got me the book What I'd Say to the Martians, and other Veiled Threats. This book is so weird; it just proves that you put Jack Handey's name on ANYTHING, and people will buy it. Here are my two favorite quotes so far:
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not against having fun. But it has to be a controlled kind of fun, where those who are having too much fun are asked to leave, and those not having enough fun are beaten."
That quote is something that should be the motto for all the classes I've ever taught.
"I had never eaten a dog before, and I didn't intend to start now. 'Just give me some more of the copilot,' I said, extending my plate."
Okay, how awesome is that, all in two sentences. That is a perfect way to teach concise writing AND inferences all in two lines of text.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not against having fun. But it has to be a controlled kind of fun, where those who are having too much fun are asked to leave, and those not having enough fun are beaten."
That quote is something that should be the motto for all the classes I've ever taught.
"I had never eaten a dog before, and I didn't intend to start now. 'Just give me some more of the copilot,' I said, extending my plate."
Okay, how awesome is that, all in two sentences. That is a perfect way to teach concise writing AND inferences all in two lines of text.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
blahg
I am so ready for the holiday break. I am ready for Thanksgiving break, but I am also really ready for Christmas break. I know we're in the home stretch semester-wise, but this is the worst time for me to have to grade a zillion papers. Oh well. C'est la vie. I want to decorate my house for Christmas right now. It's everything I have not to give Tony the Christmas gifts I've already bought for him. I'm having to make myself wait to put out all the Christmas stuff just in case (by some weird freak occurence) the house sells. I figure if I wait until Thanksgiving, that we wouldn't be closing that fast anyway if it sells after that.
Some people came by to see the house today. The realtor's office called and said that they'd be here between 9 and 11. I left right around 9 to run some errands. I finished by 10:45 or so, so I just parked a little down the road and waited till 11. No one came, so I figured they'd already come. I pulled into the driveway and went inside. AS SOON as I put my purse and stuff on the table, they drive up. It was the realtor with several people -- there were four cars total. I thought we were ridiculous having my parents and grandma come looking with us, but that was only one car plus the realtor, not three cars! Anyway, I just left and rode around the block. They didn't stay very long, so I'm assuming they didn't like it much, unless they are really just doing quick walkthroughs. We did notice, though, that all the flyers were gone from our for sale sign slot this morning. Hopefully that means people are looking and not one person is a jackass who grabbed all of them. I refilled it.
Last topic: I haven't been sleeping so good the last few nights. Lots of restless leg crap, mostly. I feel dumb calling it that, but that's what it is. I've had it my entire life, but I just never knew what it was until those commercials came out. I never talked to a doctor or anything, because I just figured either everyone had that happen or maybe it was all in my mind, but I could literally break my own legs off sometimes with it, right at bedtime. Anyway, so last night I finally got to sleep, and I was so exhausted after numerous nights of wakefulness that I was sleeping HARD and dreaming in full force. In my dream, I was fighting with someone, not physically, but fighting. Anyway, in the dream, I kicked a table, and I woke up because I had actually kicked Tony in the bed. I mean, I kicked him hard, and I am pretty sure I said "stupid" in real life too. He said I kicked him twice, and the first time I jumped. Hilarious.
Some people came by to see the house today. The realtor's office called and said that they'd be here between 9 and 11. I left right around 9 to run some errands. I finished by 10:45 or so, so I just parked a little down the road and waited till 11. No one came, so I figured they'd already come. I pulled into the driveway and went inside. AS SOON as I put my purse and stuff on the table, they drive up. It was the realtor with several people -- there were four cars total. I thought we were ridiculous having my parents and grandma come looking with us, but that was only one car plus the realtor, not three cars! Anyway, I just left and rode around the block. They didn't stay very long, so I'm assuming they didn't like it much, unless they are really just doing quick walkthroughs. We did notice, though, that all the flyers were gone from our for sale sign slot this morning. Hopefully that means people are looking and not one person is a jackass who grabbed all of them. I refilled it.
Last topic: I haven't been sleeping so good the last few nights. Lots of restless leg crap, mostly. I feel dumb calling it that, but that's what it is. I've had it my entire life, but I just never knew what it was until those commercials came out. I never talked to a doctor or anything, because I just figured either everyone had that happen or maybe it was all in my mind, but I could literally break my own legs off sometimes with it, right at bedtime. Anyway, so last night I finally got to sleep, and I was so exhausted after numerous nights of wakefulness that I was sleeping HARD and dreaming in full force. In my dream, I was fighting with someone, not physically, but fighting. Anyway, in the dream, I kicked a table, and I woke up because I had actually kicked Tony in the bed. I mean, I kicked him hard, and I am pretty sure I said "stupid" in real life too. He said I kicked him twice, and the first time I jumped. Hilarious.
Monday, November 17, 2008
mon anniversaire
Not too exciting, but here's my birthday weekend report.
Saturday we had the Remax open house day, so we had to be out of our house from 11-2. I had a session booked at JCPenney for the boys to take pictures for Christmas and Liam's first birthday, so we hit the mall at around 10:45. They did so good... The pictures turned out pretty good, despite Liam's cracked out looking eyes. He took a massive nap that morning, but I guess he was still tired. We didn't do the whole fam pic this year, since I had to get Liam's one year pics and the two of them together. I didn't want to add whole fam pics too. I am thinking of attempting some PhotoShopping to make a funny Christmas card with our faces on it.
After that we hit McD's for lunch. Liam ate a massive happy meal. That kid is a pig. Hilarious. Then we went to the children's museum, but just briefly. Now that they have the new set up, it wasn't as fun for Aidan. Then we hit a playground for just a little while and came home. As far as we can tell, not one person showed to see our house. Oh well. That's the good thing about not HAVING to sell. We don't have to stress. The house will sell eventually I'm sure, and knowing that I won't live here forever makes me appreciate the things I normally neglect.
Yesterday was a regular morning. I had taken some medicine the night before (sinus crap) and was still tired, so when Liam napped, I napped too. Then at around 10:45, Tony dressed the kids and said he was going somewhere and that he'd stop by the store for me. He came by a while later with no kids. He had arranged for Carol to watch the boys for a few hours so we could go to lunch and relax. We went to Jorge's and then I came home and took a second, longer nap. Yeehaw. I went and got them at around five and learned that one of my radio stations has already switched to all holiday music, and the first song that was on was "Baby, It's Cold Outside." My favorite. And both boys went to bed fairly simply.
So I ended up getting a few cool gifts. Tony got me the book What I'd Say to the Aliens, and Other Veiled Threats by Jack Handey. I got some Freudian slippers from Kari and a cool outdoor gnome statue from Jenny. And I know I have at least a card coming that I haven't gotten yet.
And congrats to Kari and Michael for getting engaged!!!!
Saturday we had the Remax open house day, so we had to be out of our house from 11-2. I had a session booked at JCPenney for the boys to take pictures for Christmas and Liam's first birthday, so we hit the mall at around 10:45. They did so good... The pictures turned out pretty good, despite Liam's cracked out looking eyes. He took a massive nap that morning, but I guess he was still tired. We didn't do the whole fam pic this year, since I had to get Liam's one year pics and the two of them together. I didn't want to add whole fam pics too. I am thinking of attempting some PhotoShopping to make a funny Christmas card with our faces on it.
After that we hit McD's for lunch. Liam ate a massive happy meal. That kid is a pig. Hilarious. Then we went to the children's museum, but just briefly. Now that they have the new set up, it wasn't as fun for Aidan. Then we hit a playground for just a little while and came home. As far as we can tell, not one person showed to see our house. Oh well. That's the good thing about not HAVING to sell. We don't have to stress. The house will sell eventually I'm sure, and knowing that I won't live here forever makes me appreciate the things I normally neglect.
Yesterday was a regular morning. I had taken some medicine the night before (sinus crap) and was still tired, so when Liam napped, I napped too. Then at around 10:45, Tony dressed the kids and said he was going somewhere and that he'd stop by the store for me. He came by a while later with no kids. He had arranged for Carol to watch the boys for a few hours so we could go to lunch and relax. We went to Jorge's and then I came home and took a second, longer nap. Yeehaw. I went and got them at around five and learned that one of my radio stations has already switched to all holiday music, and the first song that was on was "Baby, It's Cold Outside." My favorite. And both boys went to bed fairly simply.
So I ended up getting a few cool gifts. Tony got me the book What I'd Say to the Aliens, and Other Veiled Threats by Jack Handey. I got some Freudian slippers from Kari and a cool outdoor gnome statue from Jenny. And I know I have at least a card coming that I haven't gotten yet.
And congrats to Kari and Michael for getting engaged!!!!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
i am eating a GIANT toffee chocolate biscotti
Just a few random comments:
So our house is officially open for viewings. The good thing about that is our HAVING to keep it clean all the time. We're having a sort of open house this weekend and then another one right after Thanksgiving, and once a month. I am still keeping my eyeball on the house market in P.West. The two houses we enjoyed earlier are sort of off the list. Our favorite, the house we loved, is off the market. It didn't get sold, but according to the realtor, the builder/owner decided to rent it, and they just signed a year lease with someone. The other favorite, I decided I didn't care for the layout of the house as much as I want to. So we're back to looking cold. There are so many houses, though, that it's basically wide open. There are also a few we already saw that I'd want to see again to decide if they're scratched or still on the possible list.
YAY Analeigh and Sam on ANTM!
Oh, and check this out... I have a bison roast in the slow cooker for dinner tonight... We'll see how it turns out.
So our house is officially open for viewings. The good thing about that is our HAVING to keep it clean all the time. We're having a sort of open house this weekend and then another one right after Thanksgiving, and once a month. I am still keeping my eyeball on the house market in P.West. The two houses we enjoyed earlier are sort of off the list. Our favorite, the house we loved, is off the market. It didn't get sold, but according to the realtor, the builder/owner decided to rent it, and they just signed a year lease with someone. The other favorite, I decided I didn't care for the layout of the house as much as I want to. So we're back to looking cold. There are so many houses, though, that it's basically wide open. There are also a few we already saw that I'd want to see again to decide if they're scratched or still on the possible list.
YAY Analeigh and Sam on ANTM!
Oh, and check this out... I have a bison roast in the slow cooker for dinner tonight... We'll see how it turns out.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Top ten childhood/early teen crushes
Gacked from Sherri, who gacked it from Leigh...
In no particular order:
1. Davey from the Monkees – especially when he was on Brady Bunch
2. Alex P. Keaton
3. Jack from Y&R (Peter Bergman)
4. Bo from Days of Our Lives (Peter Reckell)
5. Billie Jean (Helen Slater)
6. Joey McIntyre… Yes, the New Kid
7. Mike Seaver
8. Nicholas from Eight is Enough (Adam Rich – the one that became a crackhead)
9. Ralph Macchio (had a picture of him in my locker in the fifth grade)
10. Bo Duke, of Hazzard (Jon Schneider was the first movie star’s real name I remember knowing)
In no particular order:
1. Davey from the Monkees – especially when he was on Brady Bunch
2. Alex P. Keaton
3. Jack from Y&R (Peter Bergman)
4. Bo from Days of Our Lives (Peter Reckell)
5. Billie Jean (Helen Slater)
6. Joey McIntyre… Yes, the New Kid
7. Mike Seaver
8. Nicholas from Eight is Enough (Adam Rich – the one that became a crackhead)
9. Ralph Macchio (had a picture of him in my locker in the fifth grade)
10. Bo Duke, of Hazzard (Jon Schneider was the first movie star’s real name I remember knowing)
Friday, November 7, 2008
like movies?
If you're looking for movies that aren't the typical blockbuster, check out this website: www.filmmovement.com. I'm not a member or anything, but every movie i've found interesting on there has been available on netflix. They have indie films, international films, etc. I just watched one from them yesterday, and it was definitely not your typical American theater fare, but interesting... I just added a zillion of them to my netflix list. I'm sure Tony will be thrilled.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
the race issue
Okay, I am just wondering about something that I hope I can discuss without offending anyone.
One of the things that has really been irritating me about the last few years, brought back to the surface by the Obama campaign/win, is the issue of race.
Facts (?):
1) Vanessa Williams was the first African-American Miss America.
2) Halle Berry wast he first African-American to win the Best Actress Oscar.
3) Obama is the first African-American president.
So that's what you see on their bios, or will see, once the bios are completed.
But then here's my point.
More facts:
1) Vanessa Williams's parents (both of them) were half-white, half-black. (I couldn't find a picture, only text sources to confirm.)
2) Halle Berry's mother is as white as can be. (http://www.hallewood.com/ROBINNEWSIMAGES/wingovmom2.jpg)
3) Obama's mom is white. (http://www.barack-hussein-obama.info/obama-parents.php)
So I am just wondering two things: First, what happened to the movement to stop identifying people by one race when they are really two? Are we reverting back to the ancient Civil War days' one-drop rule. If my sister (who is white, obviously) and her husband (who is black, in case you didn't know) have a child, why can't s/he be considered of BOTH of our races. The kid would have both of our families in its veins. I mean, I know that in reality we're all mixed up mutts one way or another, so obviously I'm talking in generalities.
The second thing I'm wondering is, if you are not of obvious mixed race, if you clearly identify yourself as African-American and can trace that back at least a few generations and don't claim other ancestry, isn't it a little disheartening to hear them constantly saying things about "the first black" whatever when in reality, those people are of mixed race?
I hope I'm not being offensive. I just think that I would be ticked if, for example, someone said, "Jane Doe is the first teacher to win the presidency!" if Jane Doe got her teaching license but really only worked in politics. Or "Jane Doe is the first South Louisianian to win the Nobel Prize" when really she may have been born there but moved immediately to Maine and lived there her entire life.
Can't we just be who we are without all this crap?!?!
One of the things that has really been irritating me about the last few years, brought back to the surface by the Obama campaign/win, is the issue of race.
Facts (?):
1) Vanessa Williams was the first African-American Miss America.
2) Halle Berry wast he first African-American to win the Best Actress Oscar.
3) Obama is the first African-American president.
So that's what you see on their bios, or will see, once the bios are completed.
But then here's my point.
More facts:
1) Vanessa Williams's parents (both of them) were half-white, half-black. (I couldn't find a picture, only text sources to confirm.)
2) Halle Berry's mother is as white as can be. (http://www.hallewood.com/ROBINNEWSIMAGES/wingovmom2.jpg)
3) Obama's mom is white. (http://www.barack-hussein-obama.info/obama-parents.php)
So I am just wondering two things: First, what happened to the movement to stop identifying people by one race when they are really two? Are we reverting back to the ancient Civil War days' one-drop rule. If my sister (who is white, obviously) and her husband (who is black, in case you didn't know) have a child, why can't s/he be considered of BOTH of our races. The kid would have both of our families in its veins. I mean, I know that in reality we're all mixed up mutts one way or another, so obviously I'm talking in generalities.
The second thing I'm wondering is, if you are not of obvious mixed race, if you clearly identify yourself as African-American and can trace that back at least a few generations and don't claim other ancestry, isn't it a little disheartening to hear them constantly saying things about "the first black" whatever when in reality, those people are of mixed race?
I hope I'm not being offensive. I just think that I would be ticked if, for example, someone said, "Jane Doe is the first teacher to win the presidency!" if Jane Doe got her teaching license but really only worked in politics. Or "Jane Doe is the first South Louisianian to win the Nobel Prize" when really she may have been born there but moved immediately to Maine and lived there her entire life.
Can't we just be who we are without all this crap?!?!
Monday, November 3, 2008
happenings of late
My my my... it's been a while, and tons of stuff going on but none of it super interesting for anyone but me. Here's why I've been MIA in cyberspace...
My parents and my grandma rode into town last Tuesday while I was at work. On Wednesday, we cleaned half the house and then Tony came home early and we hit the roads with the realtor to check out a bunch of houses we had seen online. We definitely have our two faves for the moment, but it's all very preliminary.
Thursday morning, we finished cleaning the house, and I went to work Thursday evening. Friday I picked up my sista Candace at the airport for the weekend. My in-laws also rode into town that weekend. Candace and I picked the boys up and brought them home, got them dressed up in their costumes (pics to come), and then I quietly, or not so quietly, went insane as we waited for time to trick or treat.
Trick or treat ended up actually being fun. We went to maybe ten or fifteen houses before Aidan was ready to go home. We picked up Quizno's and went to bed early. Saturday morning we straightened the house and Tony and the dads went nuts making small repairs to the house since it's officially now listed on the market.
Liam's birthday party was Saturday afternoon, and it was pretty good. Liam devoured so much icing I'm pretty sure his stomach was destroyed the rest of the day. And for an added bonus, we were simply sitting on the ground letting him "open" his presents when I leaned forward to grab a lightweight present and pulled something apparently important in my back. I've been walking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame since then... I'm going to a chiropractor today to check it out. I want to be able to keep wearing my heely boots! Candace and I attempted to have cocktails with Tony's brother and sister and her friend but my back was seriously throwing a wrench into my fun.
Sunday morning my parents packed up and headed out for their 18-hour drive. Candace and Tony and I spent the morning hanging out. Annie and her friend came over and they plus Tony and the two boys went to a Filpi family function while Candace and I stayed home and got caught up on Celebrity Rehab and drank a few bloody marys.
So this morning we're back to normal. Candace left from COS around noon. I am heading to the doctor. We have to start doing our organizing so some pics can be added to our house listing and because viewings can start in like a week.
Oh, and one last thing: I just found out via online searches that I own a book that is a rare first edition Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I saw it listed from 750 to 1750 dollars. Yeehaw. I'll be selling that thing if I can find a buyer.
My parents and my grandma rode into town last Tuesday while I was at work. On Wednesday, we cleaned half the house and then Tony came home early and we hit the roads with the realtor to check out a bunch of houses we had seen online. We definitely have our two faves for the moment, but it's all very preliminary.
Thursday morning, we finished cleaning the house, and I went to work Thursday evening. Friday I picked up my sista Candace at the airport for the weekend. My in-laws also rode into town that weekend. Candace and I picked the boys up and brought them home, got them dressed up in their costumes (pics to come), and then I quietly, or not so quietly, went insane as we waited for time to trick or treat.
Trick or treat ended up actually being fun. We went to maybe ten or fifteen houses before Aidan was ready to go home. We picked up Quizno's and went to bed early. Saturday morning we straightened the house and Tony and the dads went nuts making small repairs to the house since it's officially now listed on the market.
Liam's birthday party was Saturday afternoon, and it was pretty good. Liam devoured so much icing I'm pretty sure his stomach was destroyed the rest of the day. And for an added bonus, we were simply sitting on the ground letting him "open" his presents when I leaned forward to grab a lightweight present and pulled something apparently important in my back. I've been walking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame since then... I'm going to a chiropractor today to check it out. I want to be able to keep wearing my heely boots! Candace and I attempted to have cocktails with Tony's brother and sister and her friend but my back was seriously throwing a wrench into my fun.
Sunday morning my parents packed up and headed out for their 18-hour drive. Candace and Tony and I spent the morning hanging out. Annie and her friend came over and they plus Tony and the two boys went to a Filpi family function while Candace and I stayed home and got caught up on Celebrity Rehab and drank a few bloody marys.
So this morning we're back to normal. Candace left from COS around noon. I am heading to the doctor. We have to start doing our organizing so some pics can be added to our house listing and because viewings can start in like a week.
Oh, and one last thing: I just found out via online searches that I own a book that is a rare first edition Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I saw it listed from 750 to 1750 dollars. Yeehaw. I'll be selling that thing if I can find a buyer.
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