nc211

Man, this is getting too complicated to fix sober. Beer wench, hit me sweet cheeks! Ok, you can have Obama, but I want a trade off. Pelosi and Reid have to go. That's the deal (and it won't get any better once I start drinkin'!)..

All good points, SW, seriously. I really can't argue against those statements with actual counter facts. All I can offer is what my gut is telling me, which is to de-regulate for a while and let the horses run again, but with a bit more caution than what was allowed in 05-07, which I think would be the case given the past 5 years in general. Nobody wants to make those mistakes again, or even be remotely connected to the blame for them again. The only leg I've really got to stand on throughout this decision process is the regulation environment. Personally, I'm not suffering from it. My employer just yesterday announced a massive acquisition in NJ that will dillute what I do for the outfit down to a point to take some of the heat off of it from the Fed. But, that still doesn't ease the multiple layers of this/that/the other in terms of red tape to function in the global movement of capital, that is just getting worse. It almost feels as if what I know to do, can't be trusted anymore because someone who was in this sector 5 years ago made a mistake. A mistake made on a process that really has no bearing or direct connection to what I do. I think there are many in the business community that feel the same way. I'd be dealing with this if I were still in Chicago too with my old outfit, a completely different operating platform for what I do for a living. It's like when S&P came to my former employer 3 years ago and said they were going to downgrade their credit rating. When asked why, S&P responded with "your portfolio includes a lot of resort properties and golf properties, they're the riskiest type". When my employer pointed out the analysis of that slice of portfolio and how incrediably strong it was, with no issues ever in the past and the very unlikely chance of it ever having any issue in the future, S&P said "so, doesn't mean you won't in the future, therefore we're going to make it more difficult and expensive for you to operate in general now." That type of approach has been occuring for the past 3 years now too from the Fed. Just because it "could", doesn't mean it will, but to react like it already has. Granted, assuming Obama wins a second term, I'm confident continued progress would be made to adjust to these new policies to create a "new normal", but it sure is tiring and expensive to operate in. All I can really say is - the debt is coming home to roost soon, and we've got to be in a better position than we're in now to deal with it, and not just on a fiscal basis, but a confidence basis as well, which plays a very important role in our economy. I see what is being projected in front of us from the Democrats, and can't argue against those statements with anything other than it feels as though we're still in 2008, even though we're not. Still feels like at any minute the lights are going to out, even though we know they won't. It still smells of complete fear and nervousness, which is a ligitimate feeling, and one that I personally am exhausted from, and think the majority of voters beyond our little sweet slice of the pie are feeling as well. I can't recall a moment in history where this country was more exhausted than it is today. Maybe in the late 60's / early 70's from the Vietnam war? I think much of the support that Romney is getting, is coming from folks who are just so sick and tired of hearing doom and gloom in their daily lives that they're willing to try something new in general. It's been a tough 4 years. I don't think those who have suffered the most really want to hear a President give a speech about how he understands their situation, when the other guy is saying "I want to fix your situation". Whether he can or not, doesn't matter. It's the seeds of hope being planted that are working, and that's pretty easy to achieve when you've had 4 years of unemployment struggles taking front page of the majority of local newspapers. But for me, I have to stick by my gut, which is saying to quiet down the government influence in the private sector of business, if for just a couple of years..

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EW5IdwltaAc?rel=0 Don't mean to scare anyone, and I don't see or hear anything in this link beyond the numbers, no political garbage beyond the economics presented (really don't see the purpose of the clip about NY). But that being said, this basically outlines my own personal opinion on what needs to take top priority of our focus over the next leadership cycle of the nation. The trajectory of the debt! Granted, I don't think debt is bad, but in a sustainable amount. It's one thing to carry debt when you offer production of value, like manufacturing and exporting with fair trade balance (and decent product offerings). But that's hard to do when you're pinned against an unfair trade tarrif with places China. It's hard to do when real unemployment numbers are double digits. In my opinion, the fact of the matter is simple - regulation has become too expensive for the private sector to offer consumer confidence levels to rise to a point that allows capitalism to flourish for the masses. I say deregulate, POUND on trade balances, get the revenues up, then raise taxes. Look, the guy in the video is right, we're in for a painful period of humility here. We've been "keeping up appearances" with the credit card for too long. We have a big boy decision to make now. It's not a decision based upon religion, or socioeconomics, or personal beliefs and visions of society. It's a decision that is based upon one basic question - do we take control and make the painful cuts, which will allow us to steer our own destiny? Or do we wait a little while longer for the ballooning interest payments on our debt to other nations take control and force those same painful cuts, while losing control of our own destiny. Yes, we are the "dollar", and not the Euro like in Greece/Italy/Spain/France. That is a real benefit to us. But we shouldn't sleep well at night because of this, not when an even stronger currency is melting down as well (the pound), even with some of the highest tax rates in the world to support it. That's not the path we're on, that's the decision point we're already at! Again, just my own opinion here folks, and it's no better or worse than anyone else's, but if we don't get the government out of these board rooms, and allow the private sector to operate more freely within the context of our unique model of economic success that has made this country (and to a smaller extent, the world) what it is, then we are essentially abandoning our own capacity for what we're capable of, what we've proven time and time again to become on the world stage - the best providers of all that is good and aspiring. Again, I am reminded of Regean's famous quote - "Government is not the solution to your problems. Government is the problem." I think that chart of national debt pretty much sums up that point. We have two outcomes facing us now: stay the course and wait for hyper inflation and devaluation of our currency to right the ship, a model that has no set end period and is nearly impossible to reverse. Or raise taxes. One of these IS going to happen. But one happens at the hands of the creator and owner. The other happens as a mechanism of the creditor. If you ask me, I say do whatever it takes to produce more output and raise taxes on the increased revenue stream, rather than keep the status quo and wait for milk to cost $15 a gallon...

I am probably capable to weigh in on this one a bit. With SW's help last year, I was able to finally escape ChiTcago, one of the worst economic disasters in the country right now for housing valuations. I point out ChiTcago, because it's the 3rd largest city in the country, behind NYC and LA. I'm now in the 4th largest, and love being here, finally! I've been to Detroit several times. My old gig has about $30 million stuck in the western burbs of Detroit that they'll probably not get back out. I've been to LA quite a few times, and Orange County several more times after that (think I feel sorry Newport Beach and Laguna? Think again..) The problems with Detroit and ChiTcago aren't necessarily tied to the economic flow of capital through the system. It's the unionization of the infrastructure. If I could point to one area that I disagree with on with this administration, is their very union friendly attitude. Being forced to hire three people to change one light bulb, is the problem with Chicago. It's also the key highlight why Wisconsin is going much better now, and why Ryan has my attention. They sort of pulled a Reagan to the air traffic controllers type situation with their unionized work force (accept the temporary cuts to survive, or get kicked to the curb, because we're all not going to starve for you). Chicago hasn't figured that out yet. No argument DC has the benefit of the federal government in its micro economical cycles. And no matter what any political figure says they're going to do to trim government, it ain't gonna happen. The whole Purpose is to govern the people, and when your people are expanding by the millions each and every year, business is good. Sure, they may reclassify budget allocations here and there from defense to social services and etc., but that flow of funds will still be in the system and will find its way to where it's needed, just not quite as visably as today. I think I said about a year ago somewhere on here that this country is going to get wacky the closer we get to the election. I think we're now there. At the end of the day, no way taxes can't come up. No way any sitting President can expect to survive if too many social services are trimmed too much or too quickly to shock the system. What gets said during an election year, and what can actually be delivered thereafter are always two separate things. We're massive ship, that can't make quick turns, and that's just fine by me. I absolutely agree with SW on an earlier point he made in the other thread. I think there should be a law that laws passed by a previous administration should not be reversed by any current administration without those laws having a chance to succeed. To be quite honest here, I don't want the progress made by Obama to be reversed, at all. I don't want the oversight committees assigned to the financial sector to be dismantled and free reign be given back to the private sector entirely to govern itself. I think many of these regulations are actually quite healthy and quite good for the core of the country. But, what I don't want more of, is more regulation and more oversight. I want what has been created over the past 4 years to have the chance to be absorbed into the private sector, and the private sector to have the chance to adjust to a stabilized level around these regations. My problem that is keeping me from going with Obama again, is that he appears to want to keep creating more regations, and he moves very fast in this regard. Just look at the confusion that surrounds Obamacare. Death panels?really? That's what happens when you try to drive the ship, like a speed boat. What I think would be a good balance for the next 4 years would be a republican president, with a democrat senate. I get nervous when the two are led by the same party, no matter which party it is. I think this would preserve the progress Obama has made, yet stall the further regulation long enough to allow everything to be absorbed. I think this would preserve the social issue progress made, and keep the conversations in that arena alive and moving forward, but would require some fiscal responsibility to move them forward, instead of calling on foriegn capital to fund them. Either way, no matter who wins or who loses, it's pretty much a sealed deal that more economic pain is on the way, and I hate to say it, but could very well be worse than 09'. That's why I picked DC to move to. The fed is a great place to snuggle up to when the economic landscape looks shaky. Big government or little government, it doesn't really matter. Although, I do think DC might be in tap to finally feel the pain. But SW is right, it is getting better out there, and we will survive. Not just because of our own internal infrastructure through capitalism, but because the world needs a healthy America in general. I would also point out the Psycological aspects of economics 101. Let us not forget that we all went on a spending spree from 06-08. New TVs, homes, cars, clothes, etc. those of us, the 90% employed, are starting to face the need to start replacing some of that in general. Cars get bought when needed. TVs get bought when needed. Homes get fixed and/or replaced when needed. Staycations are losing their appeal. This fact, will ultimately start putting dollars back into the system, no matter who sleeps in the west wing of 1600. Fact is, many of us have been perfectly content over the past several years with what we had purchased during the heyday. That's starting to change again.

Religion, has no place in politics, period. This country was founded by those who were fleeing religious persecution from Europe. To elect a leader and a symbol of a society based on religious beliefs, isn't a society, it's a cult. Religion, or lack there of, is a personal and private choice, based upon personal and private choices and opinions. Until Jesus walks across lake michigan and proves to society that he does indeed exist, then it's a belief and a question that this planet has not proof of, and won't. That being said - again, this election is squarely rooted in the economics of today, and the next 48 months. I say we keep our focus on that, and decide for the platform being offered up between the two. The social issues, in my own personal opinion, and sadly so because I know how important they are, need to hop in the passenger seat for a few laps around the track. That being said, and we all know my own take on this issue, I did spend the day being flown around the south today on a private jet owned by a client who has VERY high personal connections to the democratic party. When I say very high, I mean the highest, of both yesteryear and today. Let's just say this, one of the investors in this new deal i'm working on, invented the Internet. And I heard more stories about what life is like to travel "inside the bubble". Fascinating to say the least, and clearly not just one of the 1%, but more like the 0.0001%. Makes me a little uncomfortable, but I keep my focus on the job, and leave the politics out of it. If this connection keeps going, my second or third introduction to a political figure in DC, just might be either a former or current occupant of 1600 Penn... No joke. Gotta be better than my first, Marion "crack is whack" Berry!

I'll take that bet, 90'!

Near you? Try where SW and I live! We're now entering the campaign tv ad cycle, and man, are they bad! I agree with LS400 on this one - the sky isn't falling, we're not going to perish to the ashes of socialism and the commies. Capitalism will continue, and America will survive just fine, no matter who wins in a few months. For the record, I'm one of those wierd voters who wants one person who represents the best of both parties, but can't find it. I think Obama is pretty close, especially on the social issues that are prevalent in our lives today. My only thing that is preventing me from jumping on the O'train, is the heavy regulations on the private sector, specifically the banking and investment sector (wall street). I agree that the train got going too fast during 05-07' and came off the track in 08' due to the over-supply of residential housing units across the country. I don't want to see that happen again, which was fueled mostly by wall street securitization platforms that flooded that specific market with too much liquidity. BUT, before the private sector could even try to rectify the problem, we had DoddFrank kicking down the front door, and several other pieces of regulation. The private sector has simply not been given a chance to show that it can learn from the mistake. It has in the past, like when Commercial Real Estate caused the collapse in the early 90's, and the private sector was able to breath and therefore was able to create a plethera of security platforms within it's own sector that have proven over the past 4 years to have worked beautifully. Private sector fixed the dot-com burst in the early 2000's, even while we were suffereing the worst attack on American soil in our history. Private sector stepped up in the early 80's as well, although quite painful at first due to Reagan having the guts to stomp on the throat of deflation which cause interest rates to flirt with 20% for a couple of years. After that....well....Sunny & Tubbs sure looked good in that white Testarossa! The private sector is the platform that makes capitalism work, and makes a lot of money for a lot folks. Holding it back and fining the crap out of it, doesn't make those who don't profit from it better off, it makes them even more likely targets to be booted from it. If Obama and the democratic party would just take their foot off the neck of the private sector, even for just a couple of years....He'd have my vote in a heartbeat, because my own personal views of how the social makeup of this country should run are aligned with his vision. I just disagree with his economics, for the moment, and have to make a decision in a few weeks.

So, I hear that Biden today, in Danville, VA, during a campaign speech, said that Romney is "gonna put y'all back in chains". I hear a spokeswoman for Obama's campaign has "no problem" with that statement. In my opinion, all Romney has to do to win this thing, is let these dirtbags irritate the educated population who wants nothing to do with race-baiting tactics, to simply hand it over to him. It isn't what Romney is saying that is winning voter support, it's what Obama's campaign is saying that is driving voters over to Romney. Just like how Obama won in 2008 when Palin showed up on the scene. My own mother, who is a big democrat and think the world of Obama, said to me the other day that she doesn't have the same level of confidence in his leadership anymore to insure that tomorrow is going to be better than today, or even match today. My dad like to rattle her cage with all of those stupid "Obama's a muslim" email forwards that some of his old frat brothers still send around. He does it as a joke, as we all know it's just stupid chain-mail junk. Even with that smear tactic against Obama, she said "I held Obama to a higher level than this type of politics, and every day that he doesn't voice is displeasure with some of these ads from his side of the isle, my opinion of him drops." Like the cancer ad last week, and the garbage Biden says, and the fear tactics associated with the whole racial aspect. I think she said it best, and i had nothing to do with it, when she said "I want to vote for Obama again, but for some reason I have this gut feeling that I should vote for Romney for the sake of the economy and to protect the inheritance that we want to leave for our two grandkids. I can't say exactly why I feel this way, because I'm not sure why, but I do."

Obama will release his once his accountant / CFO / realtor to the democratic party in Chicago, Tony Reznik, gets parole! Hahaha! Paul Ryan. This ticket just hit the economic hot button. I probably know more about him than I wish I did, after my past couple of years in Chicago. I must say, he is very polarizing to the organized labor movement, which I really like. Obama and Biden are union friendly, and I can't think of any political figure in the country today who is as strong against the unions as Ryan. This is going to be great to watch! And, it's about to get very very very dirty too.

Hahaha! You're friggin' awesome amigo! I love that shirt, regardless of political party affiliation and ideas!

"I'm the only one standing between you and the pitchforks", as told by Obama early in his presidency to a group of banking executives, while he made them stand at attention drinking warm tap water in the oval office, will ultimately go down in history as one of the dumbest moves ever made by a president. That, and going on the Tonight Show and bashing the banking sector as the root of all evil and to basically blame your local banker for your misery. Said it before, and I'll say it again - try and take on Wall Street, and you'll lose, every single time. You have to massage Wall Street to get what you want from it, not attack it... http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-09/goldman-sachs-leads-split-with-obama-as-ge-jilts-him-too.html If what they say is true, that the candiate with the most money always wins....well....

No, I dont have any interest in knowing any of this of him, and he shouldn't have to disclose any of it, period. Just like you shouldn't have to disclose to us here your financial history over the past decade. Bain is private equity. I know how he did it, he bought failing businesses with two objectives for the purchase: either there was a market for an investment to turn them around, or there wasn't a market and you liquidate the parts. That's capitalism, and he was and is good at it. Guess what - for the past 3 years, private equity groups exactly like Bain have EXPLODED!!!! Far more than any time over the past 12 years. But during these past 3 years, they're a bit different than before - they're more heavily funded by the Chinese and Saudi's. Oh poor MITT Romney, that evil *BLEEP*. Oh praise the glorious Obama. You think Bain was bad 12 years ago....you just wait when the currency balance gets thrown out of whack by inflation. We're all going to see just how bad private equity funds are capable of behaving... No doubt about it. The next recession has already been underwritten, thanks to the economic policies of this administration, in foriegn currency. Where is Harry "scumbag" Reid's tax returns and full financial disclosure statements for the past 12 years? For that matter, where is Obama's, Bill Clinton's, any of the Bush's? All of the sudden it appears that 12 years of tax returns released to the public is common man practice. Really? I dont recall anyone submitting this to the public. A couple of recent years, yes. But 12?

I don't disagree completely with you Lenore at all. I do think there is a growing undertone of "what's owed to me" in today's environment. I think there is a little too much of "well, you took my job, so you pay the bills and call me when you've created a job for me that I like, otherwise, blame the other guy." It's a bit of a stretch, i know, but you get the point. However, I don't think going after this kind of stuff that is highlighted in the video is necessary anymore, or even needed, to highlight the stupidity coming out of Obama's campaign. Take for instance, two current situations: One - Harry Reid and his accusation that Romney hasn't paid taxes in 10 years. That he heard it from someone. When pushed to prove this statement, the clown question bro, becomes the clown. A total lie that highlights the unprofessional nature of those roaming the halls of the Capitol builidng. It also highlights why Congress has such a low rating, and that's dragging down 1600 Penn. Ave too. Guilty by association. Two - this new ad by the democrats where some guy blames Romney and Bain Capital for the death of his wife, because Bain Capital closed down a failing factory in KC in 2002. Said time and time again, that Romney wasn't even with Bain at that time. But, that's beyond the point of the argument. What the ad fails to share, is that this guy's wife wasn't sick when the plant closed, and they weren't in dire straights because of it. What the ad fails to disclose, is that his wife died FOUR YEARS later. Not making light of the tragic loss, but if this guy is going to use the memory of is dead wife as a piece on the political chess board, then he has opened himself to the scrutiny that is the american public political process. He did this, and I have no problems whatsoever with calling him out on it. 4 years folks...after the fact. Gee, I wonder how many folks have been laid off over the past 36 months who are facing the same set of circumstances? And the funny thing is, in that ad, the tone is that they were too broke to afford health insurance on their own. If Bain hadn't closed the plant, they would've had health insurance and she could've gone to the doctor earlier. Funny thing is, if Obamacare had been in place during that time, this guy and his wife would not only have been out of the job and company health care benefits....they'd of probably been fined for not buying health insurance on their own anyway...the whole core of the ad in the first place! So, this kind of stuff, Lenore, is what the voting public needs to focus on now. Dreams of my Father, is yesterday. It's Donald Trump, Sara Palin, Michelle Bachman junk.

I will also take my hat off to Lenore as well. He sure does know how to spark a conversation around this place, and he clearly isn't afraid to either. Kinda reminds me of myself a few years ago when we were debating gas prices. Probably don't want to read that one though, since I filled up my car tonight at $3.85 a gallon (93 octane)... :-)

You need better friends Lenore. I just watched most of this, and as a clearly idenified republican, this is just pure crap. Seriously, a conference to attack the lost bond between a son and his father? I gotta tell ya', as I've said before, for me, this election is pure business. You guys who are still farting around with the whole birth certificate issue, who is college roommate was, and the fact that the guy would rather keep some of his private life, private, are just mucking up the republican platform. This is amateaur hour garbage, from those who's only chance for any sort of stage time is to ride the coat tails of those who have the real ability to make a meaningful impact on this country. Oddly enough, those folks too, couldn't care less about anything that moron on the stage was talking about, but will show up to the event to keep these lunatics in check, and sucker your idiotic votes right out of your hands. Sorry to be so direct on this one, but these aren't topics for discussion anymore this close to November. It's policy time, regulation discussion time, matching Putin time, preparing for a completely new middle east time. It's big boy time. And for the record - how awesome is Obama to come those roots, to the most powerful man in the world! I mean seriously, minus the whole accomplishment of becoming the first black president of the united states, but to do it with direct lineage from, Africa? Serious hats off to Mr. Obama. Guy has my total respect, and I don't think I've ever stated otherwise. I just don't agree with his handling if the economy. Other than that, I think he's done an excellent job myself. But, again just my own opinion, this one is purely economical. Romney wins, we get things back on track where the private sector can breath a bit better, then I'll focus on the social issues (because we'll probably be able to afford them better).

Sounds and looks like Richard Nixon has come back from the grave with his paranoia in full bloom. And he's teamed up with Karl Rove, the guy who can even scare a newborn baby. Hahaha!!!

Hahaha!! Man, seriously, you really don't believe that as reality do you? Yeah, more armed bible thumpers is just what we need. I'd think the past ten years of the top stories in the world would sort of prove how dangerously stupid combining the two really are (religion and guns). Besides....the 15% number should be a tip-off... ;-)

Ha! Yeah, some of the neighborhood kids miss it too! We still need to have you and the Mrs. over for some grilling on the back deck. Plus, we still have a picture to take!! I say we wait a few more weeks for the temps to drop though, cause its damn HOT! If you haven't been out here lately, you be surprised at the activity. They'll be 100% complete by probably Thanksgiving, if not sooner. Pushing (and I hear are getting) prices on the back lots north of $60,000 above what we settled at. Those lots are a lot smaller, no views or breeze, same houses as our phase. Stunning, especially coming out of Illinois and the near 3 years I had to watch that market implode. That temp drops a bit, and I get over 1,000 miles on the GTI, I'll hand you the keys and we'll got take her out for a spin out here on these roads. If its anything like my old one, 70' degree cool damp air going into that turbo, turns it into an absolute friggin' riot to drive! Something that if you haven't experienced before, you really should. Just so happens, your buddy NC has one with your name on it! Hey Lenore - maybe you saw where Obama has an 85% approval rate in this town! Personally speaking, I'm shooting myself in the pud by not voting for him.

Nicely done, Josh! She's a sweet rig indeed, and worthy of it's owner! Welcome home, soldier!

This whole no posting pics from iphone ipad thing is a bit of a hassle. finally got time on the home pc to transfer some pics this morning. Here's a few of the new GTI, one comparing the old (black) to the new one at the dealership last week. I must say, the driving expereince of the new one is an improvement over the 07', but in terms of styling changes, I am impartial as I really loved the tight look of the 07' series. But the little tweaks and improvements they've made with this new series, makes up for all of that by a 100x's. Being as the 2013 is probably the last of this series, rumored that 2014 is giong to be entirely new from the ground up, I'd say they really perfected this series with this model (Autobahn). I.....do love these cars! I've also included a picture of why a sports car is so much fun here in Virginia in general... I think you'll see why

Car pool my butt! It's about time SW had that long-standing race! I think I remember which box has my commando speedo in it, you're in luck! On the topic of discussion - just watch the kids like hawks, and especially their friends and neighbors. Seriously, innocent as a pool is, with kids, they are one of those things where the margin for error is zero. Other than that, enjoy!!! Last pool we had was in the late 80's while living in B'ham. Folks put it in, concrete all around. They had to blast to get it in due to all the iron in the ground. I think it came out to around $25k, in 1988 dollars. Had a diving board, and a "swim out" cutout. It, was awesome!! The downside though, other than the maintenance costs on the electric bill, was the rainy season. Back then, you had to manually back flush a pool to keep it from overflowing. One year, I remember having to wake up every 3 hours and go out there in the pouring rain and turn the pump on. Otherwise the pool would've washed out the landscaping on one side of it, taken the yard, and the neighbors yard with it (on a hill). In Fl, which I think is where you're at? Pools are common place and probably won't hurt value, although SW is right on expectations of value return. To buy a home with a pool, really means a buyer who wants a pool with a house associated with it. We'd love to have a pool here, but decided the costs associated with one just didn't match our thinking. In fact, we're one of the only neighborhoods in our area that doesn't have one in general, and it shows in our monthly HOA dues of $55 vs $130+. Instead we have tennis courts, basketball courts, park, playground, etc. everyone just buys season passes to the neighboring pools. But that's here in the VA burbs of DC, not in Florida where pools rank up there with having a garage and air conditioning in general! Drinks...hmmm...depends what kind of pool party you're looking for? Cannon balls in my finest Swedish Bannana hugger = Any of the J J's (Jack, Jim, Johnny). Floating around making bubbles = Budweiser. Lenore - no candy bars this time, ok!

Rocks = concrete. Trees = studs. Grass = "lot premium"! Yep, the first phase is about to start, high end retail with 500+ luxury apartments over top. Two of the areas top players doing it. Nearly identical to one I did in 2007 on the VA side. I'll send you an email, let's catch up next week!

Very true indeed! It's guys like Steve and I who have ruined it too. I pay to have it developed, and he gets paid to sell it, and he's quite good at it. Read a report last week that where I live, from June 2011 to June 2012, average median price for a home jumped nearly 8%! But is not just in Loudoun either - where Steve lives is also booming. In fact, Steve, you're about to have a massive development start in about 90 days in your backyard too. I'm literally finishing up the committee package as we speak for Wednesday. The last (I hope) of the year, so I can get my head out of the bunker and get out more, starting with that lunch!

Thanks Lenore, they are indeed a blast to drive! I traded the black one though for the white one. My spare parts days have been replaced with warranty coverages ;-)

I'll get more this weekend, but for now, here are a couple from yesterday. The 07' is the black one (if you couldn't tell). My folks are here visiting, and 30 of the 80 miles on the car as of right now, were put there by a 72 year old man who was gigglin' all over Loudoun County, Virginia last night (he's the one checking it out in the driveway about 5 minutes after I got home last night).