Housing chill cools previously hot markets

From the NY Times:

As Inventory Rises, More Towns Make the ‘Cold’ List

REMEMBER when brokers used to say the sales pace in a particular town, neighborhood or ZIP code had turned white-hot or was sizzling?

Back in the day (say, two years ago or more), a list of the hottest communities was published each month in the Otteau Valuation Group’s report to subscribing real estate professionals. Sometimes, more than two dozen towns would be on that list, each with just four months’ worth of inventory or less to burn; six months’ inventory is considered the threshold for health.

In late 2009, after inventory swelled precipitously in New Jersey, the “hot” lists stopped coming.

Today, few towns would qualify for the now-extinct list: Chatham, for instance, had just three months’ worth of listed homes to sell, according to the December report from Otteau Valuation, which is based in New Brunswick. But analysts tend to compile statistics based on developing trends — and hotness is no longer, well, hot.

In fact, today’s trend should perhaps be called “coldness.” Using the statistics reported by Otteau, it is striking how starkly the coldest communities stand out.

But even within the northern half, narrowing focus to half a dozen counties within the metropolitan area — Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Union — plenty of spots are in the grip of a fierce chill.

Beyond a doubt, the coldest is in the Essex County city of Irvington, which has an estimated 52.5 months’ worth of unsold inventory. In other words, it would take more than four years to sell all the houses currently listed.

Interestingly, the municipality in northern New Jersey with the second-largest inventory is a small and affluent one, the borough of Ho-Ho-Kus in Bergen County.

Like its county neighbor Alpine — the nation’s wealthiest ZIP code, according to Forbes Magazine — as well as nearby Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus has a high median household income ($164,000, according to census projections from citydata.com) and house values ($1.2 million).

But as in those two small and exclusive communities, relatively few houses are put up for sale at any time — and those few are taking longer to sell. With 33 homes on the market in October and November, two contracts were signed in November and none in October. That put the inventory rate at 33 months’ worth. In Alpine, it was 28 months, and in Franklin Lakes, 21.4.

In Essex, home of Newark, the state’s largest city, communities that ranked just below Irvington were: Essex Fells, with 38 months’ worth; North Caldwell, with 25.5 months; East Orange, with 23.6 months; and Belleville, with 23. Newark itself had 19.8 months’ worth.

In Hudson County, which includes the string of Hudson riverfront towns facing Manhattan, West New York had the highest inventory: 23.3 months’ worth. This mostly middle-class community is home to part of the high-end Port Imperial riverfront residential complex, which saw slacker condominium sales — especially resales — despite its two light rail stops and ferry station.

The second- and third-biggest inventories were in the Journal Square section of Jersey City and in Weehawken.

In Passaic County, the places with the biggest backlogs were Pompton Lakes, with 29.3 months; Haledon, with 24.7; and Bloomingdale, with 17.7. Wanaque’s inventory was almost the same as Bloomingdale’s, 17.5 months.

In Union County, which over all had the lowest inventory of any county, at 9.6 months, those communities with the highest were Roselle, at 19.6 months; Plainfield, at 18.7; and Linden, at 14.1.

This entry was posted in Housing Bubble, New Jersey Real Estate. Bookmark the permalink.

314 Responses to Housing chill cools previously hot markets

  1. safe as houses says:

    Looks like it’s going to take a while to move my mcmansion in Irvington.

  2. NJToast says:

    Barb on the snowblower, NEVER stick your hand in the chute or auger to clean out clogged snow. Always use the mini shovel that comes w the blower or a broomstick. If you must put your hand in there, disconnect the spark plug first – overkill no doubt but the machine is capable of rendering your hand or arm forever useless in a fraction of a second. Also spray the chute, impeller and auger at the beginning of the season w a good silcone to prevent snow from sticking.

    Lib – have you written to Simplicity about your problem? I would be surprised if they did not make things right for you.

  3. chi (135, yesterday)-

    Shoot me an e-mail when you have a chance. I haven’t opened any accounts in your part of the world yet, but I can direct you to where my wines can be had.

    Thanks!

  4. grim says:

    From MSNBC:

    Foreclosures spread into previously safe areas

    The foreclosure crisis is getting worse as high unemployment and lackluster job prospects force homeowners in an increasing number of U.S. metropolitan areas into dire financial straits.

    In Seattle, Houston and Chicago, cities that were relatively insulated from foreclosures early on in the housing bust, a growing number of homeowners are falling behind on mortgage payments and finding themselves on the receiving end of foreclosure warnings. Others have already seen their homes repossessed by lenders.

    All told, foreclosure activity jumped in 149 of the country’s 206 largest metropolitan areas last year, foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday.

    The firm tracks notices for defaults, scheduled home auctions and home repossessions — warnings that can lead up to a home eventually being lost to foreclosure.

    Job loss, rather than time-bomb mortgages resetting to higher payments, has become the main driver behind rising foreclosures.

    “We’ve actually had a sea change in what’s causing foreclosures, from the overheated home prices and bad loans to a second wave of foreclosures actually caused by unemployment and economic displacement,” says Rick Sharga, a senior vice president at RealtyTrac.

  5. chi (4)-

    Better yet, chi- I’ve sent you an e-mail.

  6. grim says:

    clot – please pass it on.

  7. grim (7)-

    Done. And, thanks for your interest.

    Back to tending the gardens of oblivion now. Especially strong stench of death in the air today.

  8. NJToast says:

    Debt – are the wines available in Essex co.?

  9. 30 year realtor says:

    These inventory levels exist with almost zero new sheriff sales in the last month and a half! What happens when the sheriff’s of our 21 counties begin auctioning an average of 20 properties a week? As ugly as things have been, there is room to get uglier!

  10. grim says:

    30y,

    They all get warehoused anyhow, mean time to MLS for a short sale seems like somewhere around 6 months to a year.

  11. toast (9)-

    Not yet. However, any good wine store in your area should be willing to pick some up for you. Just give them my info, and tell them you’re interested in Albertina and Sweet Valley wines.

    At the risk of getting a zillion crank calls, here’s my contacts:

    Chip Hughes
    Classico Wine Group
    (908) 334-2329

  12. 30 year (10)-

    The Titanic has gone vertical and is beginning to sink.

    The devastation will be total and final. RE is dead for at least 20-40 years.

  13. Smoke ’em if you got ’em, boys.

  14. Latest from Mike Krieger:

    “My generation is coming into its own and we don’t buy the bull shit of our parents’ generation. We don’t believe in Democrat or Republican. We don’t believe in the system itself. We will be the ones making the decisions going forward. We will default on the astronomic promises our parents made to themselves. We will create an entirely new monetary and financial system. Real free-market capitalism will flourish, not this socialism for the rich garbage Obama loves so much. We will focus on doing good while doing well. Not because the government forces us to, rather because we are witness to and victims of this sick, twisted creation of our parents generation that celebrates total greed without the slightest concern of the consequences to others.”

    http://www.zerohedge.com/article/global-revolution-accelerating-mike-krieger-explains

  15. 30 year realtor says:

    Grim #11 – Usually takes my clients about 6 weeks from the date of sheriff sale to assign new REOs.

  16. NJToast says:

    Thanks, I will try to get them to bring in a couple of bottles.

  17. grim says:

    16 – can you send me a list of your current properties?

  18. 30 year realtor says:

    #18 – Only one house currently on market. Inventory is down to less than a dozen properties. Soon I will be out of business. Starting to call expireds and take conventional listings. Putting together a resume to find a position as a field inspector for a large REO servicer. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink!

  19. 30 year (19)-

    I hear you. I was going gangbusters on short sales until about a year ago, when everyone suddenly realized they could either go the HAMP route or just strategically FK and get 2-3 payment-free years in their house.

  20. The really smart cookies go HAMP and use it as a stall tactic. They get approved for a mod, then never make a payment.

  21. Moral hazard is a real bitch, yo.

  22. tbiggs says:

    #15 –
    “My generation is coming into its own and we don’t buy the bull shit of our parents’ generation. …”

    I’ve heard that before… when… oh yeah, back in the 1960s.

    Those 60s kids either bought into their parents’ bullshit eventually, or created their own bullshit. Let me know how that works out for your generation, Mr. Krieger.

  23. JJ says:

    Their parents BS was go to college, get a great job, have a stay at home wife, have a few kids, buy in a good neighborhood, save for retirement and send your own kids to good schools.

    Be someone your parents can be proud of, Doctor, Lawyer, Wall Street. Stay in shape, have a beautiful educated wife who hosts family parties and have perfectly well behaved kids.

    Sadly today’s kids under 35, are a sad sack lot of folks who did not follow their parents advice.

  24. Painhrtz says:

    Tbiggs go f*ck yourself, I guess as a representative of GenX the greatest day of my life is going to be when the last feel good me generation baby boomer dies. Millenials are just as bad, no work ethic entitled dimwits.

  25. Neanderthal Economist says:

    Just think of the number of possible strat defaulters. Out there waiting for an ac or roof to need repair, which would push them over the edge and turn them into freedy.

  26. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [15] debt

    And I thought I was the only crackpot making predictions like that in the 90’s.

  27. ditto says:

    Having grown up in Europe I still can’t beleive how cheap good french wines are in this country. There are some great California wines, but I barely bother when the “freedom wines” are so reasonable. Italian reds are also so well priced. This is the land of opportunity when it comes to quaffing great stuff on the cheap.

  28. Yikes says:

    #
    #
    grim says:
    January 27, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Man up, guys. It’s Winter! What did you expect?

    Not a busted snowblower this morning, that is for sure. Thinking the electric starter option is more of a bargain than it seemed.

    Was it an Ariens? I used mine 3 times last year; 5 so far this season. Paid $800, so I hope this beast lasts me 10 years

  29. JJ says:

    Managing Millenials is a lot of work they need constant positive feed back due to their everyone gets a trophy upbringing plus the sense of entitlement is overwelming.

    For instance everytime a flake hits the ground I get someone with only one kid and a nanny asking to work from home, with only three people watching one kid the extra hour to commute would overwelm them. When I replied you do know that the least amount of kids anyone has two levels above you and up is three and up and they are all over 40 and yet somehow they make it hear on time why can’t you. I got when I am at that level making that money too I would come in on time and not call in sick. Honey if you can’t do it as an AVP, no one is even making you VP let alone SVP or C level. At that level they should be shaving my nuts if asked not making demands.

  30. JJ says:

    Barefoot is by far the best cheap US wine. French, Italian German wine. Why don’t you just go bomb a temple while you are at.

    ditto says:
    January 28, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Having grown up in Europe I still can’t beleive how cheap good french wines are in this country. There are some great California wines, but I barely bother when the “freedom wines” are so reasonable. Italian reds are also so well priced. This is the land of opportunity when it comes to quaffing great stuff on the cheap.

  31. ditto says:

    Listen, you were the one who brought up German wines.

  32. Painhrtz says:

    JJ for once i agree with you.

    the greatest generation were the last decent generation of true americans produced by this country.

    boomers are narcissitic idiots

    Gen X’rs me included are nihilistic mainly because we are a whole generation who had the sundhine BS from the above boomers shoved down are throats and wanted to be the exact opposite

    Millenials – god help us all, everyone gets a trophy, I can’t believe you had to start at the bottom mommy needing pansies. They are absolutely worthless and aren’t going to know a hards days work until the economic collapse finalizes.

    Personally I am content to wait on the sidelines and watch it all burn, nothing gives me hope I really want to take the blue pill and go back to sleep. Having your eyes open really s*cks

  33. JJ says:

    At least they know how to build things, the French and Italian surrender if they hear a balloon popping.

    ditto says:
    January 28, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Listen, you were the one who brought up German wines.

  34. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Debt, Nom

    We could some nice generational warfare.

    Historically gen X would be the generation to say “enough!” to the shenanigans and stop it, while the millennials would be the ones to actually clean the mess up. Will the millennials really be up for the task? The millenials are more likely to balk at not getting the same cheese as their parents. Most of them have been fully co-opted into the idea of a collective.

  35. JJ says:

    Personally, firing the Millenials is the best choice. The kids entering the work force now who grew up through 9/11 and the ecomonic meltdown are much better workers. The kids who grew up in go-go 90s and enterered work force in 2004-2008 are the worst.

    However, let them get fired a few times and they will grow up one day. Hopefully, before they are 50

    Millenials –

  36. JJ says:

    Don’t move my cheese.

  37. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    pain 35

    You know, I know this steak doesn’t exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?
    Ignorance is bliss.

  38. Painhrtz says:

    Shore 35, our tax dollars at work, at least it will be easier to distribute a biological weapon. Actually saw them fishing bodies out of the Pearl River over breakfast in the White Swan Hotel in Guanzhou. I f*cking hate that country. People are nice though

  39. Painhrtz says:

    Cat Believe me that thought enters my head every day. If I’m decidingly angrier today then normal, just found out this week wife is in all likelyhood pregnant, and I never wanted kids. So I’m grapling with the impending responsibility of having to usher a child through a world that is quickly unraveling. Life kicks you in the a$$ when you least expect. The scary part is the best role model I can draw on for coming fatherhood is the father from Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. The world is already ruined, what scraps are left will be fought for.

  40. grim says:

    Scotch, stat.

  41. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Pain
    email me I lost yours

  42. Essex says:

    15. What a bunch of hogwash.

  43. Essex says:

    37. generations have no right to spit in the face of all that made their lives possible.

  44. make money says:

    [20],

    JJ, Albani,

    He was worried about long-term weakness of the dollar and other major currencies, so he devised a way to embed a bet on gold into each of his funds—for those investors who opted for that approach. Mr. Paulson has placed the bulk of his own wealth in these gold-denominated funds and a separate gold-focused fund. Because gold rose sharply in value last year, the gold-denominated versions of his funds rose as much as 45%.

    Its all about Shiny my friends. man up, buy the dips and light up a cigar while you sippin 13. It’s hard work.

  45. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Pain

    not all hope is lost. At a family gtg with my 123 yr old nephew and his younger sister, the sister asked why the beer bottles weren’t plastic like her juice. bottle. My nephew instantly responded that beer bottles Are glass so that you can use them as a weapon in a fight.

  46. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    Good footage and accounts getting out of Egypt.

    Debt Supernova must be having an org-asm watching this.

  47. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    13 yr old nephew….

  48. make money says:

    My man Pat at the bayview liquour store in Elizabeth has a sick colection of great stuff on the cheap. I was stunned to find great stuff that’s supposedly hard to get priced sooo cheap.

  49. Essex says:

    grooming a typical family for domestic violence. admirable.

  50. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    Curfew announced in major Egyptian cities. Good times. Go Shiny.

  51. Painhrtz says:

    Grim Scotch!? I’m thinking everclear and a .45

  52. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [51] make

    was that bayway world of liquors??? not seeing bayview on the net

  53. make money says:

    Com, or anyone,

    What is the impact of closure of the Sueaz Canal for say 30 days on oil? 10%?

  54. Painhrtz says:

    Cat smart kid, you got mail

  55. make money says:

    Com,

    yes, it.s on bayway avenue. He’s got tignanellos, Amarones, Joseph Phelps, french wines etc..guarantee cheapeast in NJ. I’m not much of a wine guy but I know cheap when I see it. Also, he’s liquor is at least 15% cheaper then enwhere elese. I bought a whole bunch of Blue for Xmass gifts for $175 a pop. Everywhere else they were at least $200.

  56. Painhrtz says:

    Make it will make the 70’s gas crisis look like a disco party. 10 buck gas in two weeks and a state of emergency declared shortly after that.

    Heck if Il Duce plays his cards right he could even suspend habeous corpus in the wake of the eventual food riots and cement his throne. No good crisis should go unwasted afterall.

  57. Anon E. Moose says:

    JJ [31];

    Managing Millenials is a lot of work they need constant positive feed back due to their everyone gets a trophy upbringing plus the sense of entitlement is overwelming.

    JJ, in all of history, mankind has developed but one way to show appreciation. What’s overwhelming is that the culture you mention had conditioned them to accept praise in lieu of payment.

  58. Anon E. Moose says:

    Cat [37];

    I call the country’s current economic circumstances “The Baby Boomer Depression”, but they’re so self-absorbed they think I’m talking about their mental health.

  59. Anon E. Moose says:

    Make [51];

    Was passing through there recently and took the opportunity to stop in. I couldn’t resist up-sizing to the 1.75L of scotch given the minimal price difference between it and the 705 mL or 1L.

  60. NJSerf says:

    (31) JJ – The main thrust of the millenial’s mindset is the grim reality that you old farts aren’t going anywhere. It has nothing to do with trophies and positive reinforcement. You can only tell someone they’re doing great so many times without tangible rewards(raises/promotion).

    Everything is stuck, the boomers wrecked the economic landscape and now instead of normal steady upward mobility, everyone and everything is stuck in a state of flux. So instead of focusing on that promotion that may or may not be there in 10+ years, they would rather focus on their families and personal life. The rat race only doesn’t work without the cheese.

    “When I replied you do know that the least amount of kids anyone has two levels above you and up is three and up and they are all over 40 and yet somehow they make it hear on time why can’t you. I got when I am at that level making that money too I would come in on time and not call in sick. Honey if you can’t do it as an AVP, no one is even making you VP let alone SVP or C level. At that level they should be shaving my nuts if asked not making demands.”

  61. Alap says:

    Check out Wine Chateau in Piscataway. They have everything you can think of at crazy cheap prices. And they have a separate wine room with over $1m in high end wines and other stuff.

  62. Mike says:

    Comrade Number 55 It’s a block away from exit 13 on NJT, not that I have to worry about you but it’s a block away from the lovely projects

  63. NJToast says:

    Pain,

    One of the many things that made the greatest generation the greatest was military service and the discipline and respect that goes with it. Have often thought 18 – 24 mos of military service should be required by all after HS graduation. If you don’t finish HS, the service requirement doubles.

    Military guy once told me a story about life on the base where there was a family with a kid who kept getting into trouble. CO pulled the kids father into a meeting and told him if his kid got out of line one more time then dad would get court marshaled. Interestingly enough, even without psychobabble therapy, the kids behavior changed overnight.

  64. Double Down says:

    “just found out this week wife is in all likelyhood pregnant, and I never wanted kids”

    Congratulations. You will find, hopefully, that having a child is the best thing ever to happen in your life.

  65. still_looking says:

    43, grim

    Scotch, stat.

    Double Scotch and really stat!

    sl

  66. still_looking says:

    At the risk of pissing off my husband as we are still sorting through boxes and trying to get the place decorated…

    Any interest in a wine tasting GTG here at chez still_looking on Fri the 4th of Feb?

    If there is enough interest, I will be happy to host it. Kids welcome, food provided and I will have a hand held alcometer (breathalyzer) for those who must drive home – though I am sure I need legal disclaimers to go along with that….

    sl

  67. JJ says:

    Congrats, a life without kids is a meaningless life. However, until you have kids you don’t realize it. Welcome to the real world. BTW if you did not want kids how did your wife get pregant?

    Painhrtz says:
    January 28, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Cat Believe me that thought enters my head every day. If I’m decidingly angrier today then normal, just found out this week wife is in all likelyhood pregnant, and I never wanted kids. So I’m grapling with the impending responsibility of having to usher a child through a world that is quickly unraveling. Life kicks you in the a$$ when you least expect. The scary part is the best role model I can draw on for coming fatherhood is the father from Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. The world is already ruined, what scraps are left will be fought for.

  68. Painhrtz says:

    DD thank you for the congrats but I doubt that is likely. i really do not like children for that matter neither does my wife. Bad combination of booze, antibiotics and poor judgement on our part put us in this predicament. On the other hand being responsible adults for the most part, we will provide a loving home with all the opportunities to be as successful as the world and their talents will allow. I’m sure my attitudes will soften, but the baby is the most wonderful thing in the world BS comes from people who love children.

    I’m still crossing my fingers it is not true but the biologist in me recognizes the reality so I’m back to smoking and looking for the bottle of 25 year McCallum I hid in the moving boxes.

  69. leftwing says:

    “grooming a typical family for domestic violence. admirable”

    No, just preparing them on how to respond when the insatiable leeches of their generation attack their well-being (all for the greater good, of course).

  70. NJToast says:

    “(31) JJ – The main thrust of the millenial’s mindset is the grim reality that you old farts aren’t going anywhere. It has nothing to do with trophies and positive reinforcement. You can only tell someone they’re doing great so many times without tangible rewards(raises/promotion).”

    In the worst economy where jobs are scarce, I think a paycheck every two weeks isn’t such a bad thing. Tangible reward? how about $$ in your pocket to buy food and shelter. And hey, if that isn’t enough, there are 500 people ready to take your job tomorrow morning at 6 am.

  71. Anon E. Moose says:

    Toast [72];

    When a boss walks across his shop floor, I think he’d like to know that if one of his disgruntled workers raises a gun to his back, another of them would try to stop the attack. The Dickensian mindset you describe is a recipe for the rest of the shop to dutifully, if gleefully, identify the perpetrator to the police over the body of their dead boss. Sleep well.

  72. ditto (29)-

    That’s because- unlike Europe- we don’t inflate the price of wine with alcohol taxes that are used to fund universal, single-payer healthcare.

  73. pain (35)-

    Send me a whole bottle of bluepills if you find any.

  74. Painhrtz says:

    Macallan, man my scottish friends would kill me for misspelling that

  75. cat (37)-

    My guess is that the Millenials and Gen X’ers will either engineer the ultimate US national default in the future…or bring the pressure to bear on us elders to do it now.

    BTW, I think a full-out repudiation of all debt is an excellent idea. Call it all odious, stiff everybody, then dare them to come try to get it.

  76. leftwing says:

    Serf, have to congratulate you on the post of the day, if not year so far. Where to start….

    So, Millennials’ mindset has nothing to do with trophies or entitlement? Uhm, how do you define entitlement?

    “…now instead of normal steady upward mobility, everyone and everything is stuck in a state of flux…”

    “…that promotion that may or may not be there in 10+ years…”

    Normal, steady, upward? Lack of uncertainty?

    How ’bout that trophy?

    My first job as a 22 year old straight out of college was displacing a 42 yo VP that had outgrown his usefulness to the company despite a meaningful surname. I arrived with my boxes and thanks to an HR foul-up he was still cleaning out his (my new) desk. Uncomfortable to say the least but nothing ‘normal, steady, upward’ about it. Bottom line was that at that exact point in time the employer was convinced that the sum total of what I had to offer was of greater value to them than the other guy.

    If I proved them correct, I advance based on my continued contributions, if not, I don’t. Been on both sides of the coin. Neither side of that coin (unless we’re playing with government funny money) had any 10 year anniversary promotions built in.

    You’re only a ‘serf’ if you surrender your future and well being to the charity of others.

    Man up, my nine year old has a bigger set of b*lls.

  77. Painhrtz says:

    Clot if turns out to be trua and a girl I’m going to need your daughter’s lacrosse coach’s number

  78. Juice Box says:

    Congrats Pain -Life is funny like that and in a year from now you will hopefully feel like most parents do which is how in the heck did I live without this child.

    Also re: “usher a child through a world that is quickly unraveling.” The world is not unraveling, you are living the life that was only a dream to your grandparents and their grandparents. Few of us here have to grift to get by and do backbreaking manual labor or die early from a pox or plague. Life today really is easy breesey compared to what our ancestors went through.

    What you need to do now is flush that anxiety out of your system, and don’t be angry at your wife or yourself. Best way to do that is let your wife get sleep every night and go out and binge drink with the boys for the next few months. It will do wonders for your perspective as an expectant father, and again congrats.

  79. ditto says:

    I’m all for universal single payer healthcare, but by the look of my taxes for 2010 I was the single payer.

    Painhrtz, paternal feelings often don’t come until after the baby is born. In my case it was about a year after birth. I too didn’t want kids, didn’t like em and didn’t need em.

  80. sx (46)-

    Yeah. A 14.2 trillion dollar debt, a financial system run amok, a gubmint so pr0stituted that it’s allowed itself to become property of the run-amok financial system and a giant, bloated military/industrial complex.

    What a fcuking legacy. How the hell can I possibly top that gift when it comes time to bequeath something to the next generation????

    “…generations have no right to spit in the face of all that made their lives possible.”

  81. plume (49)-

    Burn mf’er, burn!!!

    This could only be topped if the mob could get hold of Mubarak and hang him from a lamppost.

  82. NJSerf says:

    (78)Did you get to work with a pair of shoes on your feet or did you have newspapers wrapped around your feet?

    Congratulations, sounds like you replaced someone that couldn’t figure out how to use Windows 95. Sounds like you had a lot going for you.

    The Millenials like any other generation want to eat their elders lunch. The only difference is the Boomers have barricaded the cafeteria, sold off the industrial ovens and are busy gobbling up the remaining supplies like a swarm of locusts.

    Your son must find it tough to walk around with those 10 pound weights. He’s going to need them, when its time for him to find a job. Chippendale’s has an appreciation for that kind of talent.

    You’re only a ‘serf’ if you surrender your future and well being to the charity of others.

    Man up, my nine year old has a bigger set of b*lls.

  83. leftwing says:

    Pain, girls hockey. Get her skating by age 4.

    Congrats. It’s overwhelming at first. You don’t change though, it’s just the stage and setting that moves.

  84. Shore Guy says:

    The people in the Maghreb are starting to realize that they hate their leaders and half their countrymen as much as they hate the US and Israel. For awhile, folks here will enjoy sitting back and watching. The fireworks but, then folks will relize that these are not democrats whoare rioting and the governments spawned will less resemble Romania, etc. Than they do Iran.

  85. Painhrtz says:

    Juice not at all angry just kind of mentally checked out. Everyone thanks for the well wishes, I never handled curveballs well when I still played baseball and life just threw me the biggest one in quite some time. Like I said kid will have a happy loving home my childhood and my wife’s pretty much ensure we won’t let that happen, doesn’t meen i have to like it.

  86. pain (79)-

    Think about that for a minute. My daughter’s lacrosse coaches have rendered her a cold-blooded, single-minded, tunnel-visioned implement of destruction. She is on a conditioning program right now that makes me want to vomit just reading the workout plans.

    Lacrosse is a great game for girls, but if your daughter goes h@rdcore with it, her personality will take a big hit.

    Then again, I sorta sense that might be the result you’re looking for.

    “Clot if turns out to be true and a girl I’m going to need your daughter’s lacrosse coach’s number”

  87. box (80)-

    I have no doubt that in a few years, we will get to this point.

    “Few of us here have to grift to get by and do backbreaking manual labor or die early from a pox or plague. Life today really is easy breesey compared to what our ancestors went through.”

  88. leftwing says:

    This is too easy…

    Thus once again proving their whining, self entitled nature…

    “The Millenials like any other generation want to eat their elders lunch. The only difference is the Boomers have barricaded the cafeteria, sold off the industrial ovens and are busy gobbling up the remaining supplies like a swarm of locusts.”

    Oh my goodness! You may actually have to bust your hump to get something that’s not guaranteed? the horror!

    You’re right. Prior generations didn’t have kick the doors in to get to someone else’s lunch. Those with all goodies just waved us in and said “c’mon, take what we have”. My bad.

    Wake up, life is hard and uncertain. There’s a reason your generation is mocked with ‘everyone gets a trophy’.

    And, my first job was prior to the commercialization of the internet.

  89. I like my kids and still hate everyone else’s.

  90. Machine gun fire, looting, tear gas, car burning.

    Just another Friday.

  91. leftwing says:

    92. thought the Nets were out of town

  92. DuckVader says:

    Pain,

    Take it from a formerly reluctant dad — expenses, sick nights, tantrums, botched restaurant meals, constrained social life, airport horrors, school anxieties, rejection, anger. You will go through all of that. But then he or she will give you that one unconditional hug, that one connection that is impossible with anyone else other than with your child, and it more than makes up for everything. Everything.

  93. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Essex,

    So future generations must be forced to pay off the debts of the previous generations even though they (for the most part) had no or little say int he matter????? The only reasonable course is to cut all benefits to what can be supported by current tax receipts.

    I can promise you a gold plated house in mountain lakes, but that promise is irrelevant if i do not possess the means to actually deliver. if you choose to believe me without verifying for your self whether or not i can actually delivery on said promise, then any crushed dreams or outage are your own fault.

  94. Painhrtz says:

    clot bingo, if it’s going to be a girl that is exactly what I’m looking for, winters will be hockey

  95. ditto says:

    with new youngsters the snow, going to the zoo, dad’s awful “magic” tricks (a la sliding thumb), ice cream balloons – all suddenly become rejuventated and exciting again – I can’t explain how though. Its impossible not to vicariously share the wonder of seeing the world for the first time.

  96. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Debt,

    14.2 trillion??????? LOL if you start counting unfunded liabilities that isnt even a drop in the bucket. Know what happens as the debt servicing costs increase ont he national debt, tax receipts continue to decrease and unfunded benefit consumption increases?

    If only they would invent a perpetual motion machine.

  97. The Chairman says:

    I feel so safe now that border fence has been cancelled. Mr Jaziri just wanted to do work americans didn’t want to do.

    “U.S. border guards got a surprise when they searched a Mexican BMW and found a hardline Muslim cleric – banned from France and Canada – curled up in the boot.
    Said Jaziri, who called for the death of a Danish cartoonist that drew pictures of the prophet Mohammed, was being smuggled into California when he was arrested, along with his driver Kenneth Robert Lawler.
    The 43-year-old was deported from Canada to his homeland Tunisia in 2007 after it emerged he had lied on his refugee application about having served jail time in France..”

    You won’t see this in State Media.

  98. Painhrtz says:

    NJ real estate, revolution and expectant dads report

  99. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Pain,

    Let me second and 3rd some of the comments on here regarding kids. You may hate every other soul on the planet, but you will love your child in a way that cannot be replicated. Its different from the love of a spouse and would even say it is deeper. Yes there will be days where they annoy the F out of you and then there are the days they crawl into your lap snuggle into you and pass out. Very few people would be willing to give up those moments for any sum of money.
    Yes you will F up too on occasion and perhaps feel guilty for it, but int he end it is the “love” that matters to the kid, not whether you were the mythical perfect father.

    This kid may completely F up some plans you and your wife had (been there done that) but at the end of the day those plans will probably be insignificant compared to the unconditional love of a child.

    Regarding being born into the current mess; babies have been born into much worse and turned out just fine. The key is the quality of the parents.

  100. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Pain u have mail

  101. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Left wing 85

    My almost 4yr old son skates most weekends (with a little help) and then watches the mens leauge. Every weekend he asks when he will be big enough to knock people down like the big boy hockey players do!

    I was thinking of some basic lessons next winter, any thoughts, is that too early?

  102. JJ says:

    Best part of a kid on the way is getting wife out of workplace, listening to all the whining about corp BS and “it’s a boys club” is tiresome. It is not a “boys club” but at some time ladies who “man-up” get far. I worked with two of top ten most powerful women in business and the gutter mouths they had and stay at home “man-wives” were tougher than Antonia Cromirtie, I am still shaking from when at a board meeting at the time the second most powerful women in banking said to a guy, if you are right I will get up here right on the table and f&ck you in front of everyone here. Guy turned white and backed down. Men can’t have as big a set of balls as a lady. Type A+ ladies have a free ride to the top. Trouble is Type A+ guys can’t marry them.

  103. make money says:

    Changing his mind on kids is like trying to get ChiFi and JJ to buy into shiny. It aint gonna happen. They’re programmed that way.

    When I first saw Gianna look at me, that moment I knew nothing else matters. It’s one of thsoe things that regardless of what people tell you, you just don’t know until you experience it.

  104. Painhrtz says:

    Cat thanks if internet rants were a judge of snaity then me making a quality parent would be far down the list. and you got mail back. My first hockey lessons were at 4, stick handling and shooting were not stressed, skating was. Good form should start early.

  105. Shore Guy says:

    Anyone here have a Martin HD-28? If so, thoughts?

  106. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Pain,

    if internet rants were a judge of snaity then me making a quality parent would be far down the list.

    I say the opposite.

  107. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Pain

    It’s one of thsoe things that regardless of what people tell you, you just don’t know until you experience it. BINGO

    I will add that you get back 2 fold from fatherhood what you put into it

  108. safe as houses says:

    Pain,

    Congrats. Go to the sonogram. It is an amazing experience.

  109. JJ says:

    The only trouble with kids sports is I know so many people think wow my kids will get a scholorship, very few do, even if they do may not be the school they want or much money. My stupid cousin did soccer like 14 years with kid, traveling teams, wasted saturdays and sundays for all those years for a lousy 10K a year partial scholor ship.

    Also most parents are in denile about how good their kids are. My niece who is actually good at sports got her scholor ship wrapped up in six grade. Dad and kid already met with coach of the division one team. She is a freek of nature.

    scholorship for girls are easier for something like ice hockey than soccer, millions of girls play soccer, for men golf is easier than baseball as millions of boys play little league.

    Anyhow if anyone dreams of making it to pros, washington generals basket ball team are taking on-line applications

    http://washingtongenerals.com/opportunities.html

  110. safe as houses says:

    #112 JJ

    My uncle was offered a 1 year contract to play for the washington generals when he got out of school but he turned it down and got married. I think it was the biggest mistake of his life (the getting married part at least).

  111. Libtard In the City says:

    Still (68):

    Would love to go, but mom is up from FL, since my sister just had her 3rd kid (at 42). Lil Gator is no longer the youngest cousin and the total cousin count is now up to 12.

  112. Painhrtz says:

    JJ, I played organized sports all through my childhood and was pretty damn good. Never even got a scholarship offer nor did I try really hard to sollicit one Anyone who thinks their kid is getting a sports scholarship is just as deluded as the person who thinks their kid is the next Jeter. When I coached hockey the worst parents were the ones who never played and couldn’t recognize true talent from good. Drove me nuts, the fathers who played were glad their boys were enjoying something they loved.

  113. jj (104)-

    Too bad your female banking exec and her pals decided to fcuk us instead.

    “I am still shaking from when at a board meeting at the time the second most powerful women in banking said to a guy, if you are right I will get up here right on the table and f&ck you in front of everyone here.”

  114. Painhrtz says:

    Debt, best comment in two years owe me a keyboard

  115. make (105)-

    You did that Gianna chick from the Food Network? :)

    “When I first saw Gianna look at me, that moment I knew nothing else matters. It’s one of thsoe things that regardless of what people tell you, you just don’t know until you experience it.”

  116. homeboken says:

    I started “playing” ice hockey at 5. First year was every Saturday, full pads, helmets, sticks NO PUCKS. One winter to learn how to skate properly with pads. The next year, first season, the kids that learned how to skate properly were already picking up fundamentals as skating was second nature. Get ’em skating without thinking before you put a puck on the ice.

  117. Libtard In the City says:

    It’s never too early to teach your kids to play hockey or any other sport. It’s always too early to push them to fulfill dreams of athletic grandeur that you couldn’t. Best bet is to expose them to as many sports as is possible and they’ll let you know which ones they like the best. The odds of your offspring becoming a scholarship athlete are much lower than the odds of your kid being gay. My close friend and hockey ref uses that line a lot when the parents get out of hand. It always shuts them up as they stop to think about it.

  118. NJCoast says:

    Pain-
    It’s a long slog raising kids. Hopefully they’ll wipe the drool off your face when you’re an old geezer. Enjoy your scotch.

  119. Against The Grain says:

    Reported Appellate Division case out today on the proofs needed to establish standing to enforce a note:

    “Our conclusion that the summary judgment must be reversed
    because Wells Fargo failed to establish its standing to maintain
    this action makes it unnecessary to address defendant’s other
    arguments. However, for the guidance of the trial court in the
    event Wells Fargo is able to establish its standing on remand,
    we note that even though Wells Fargo could become a “holder” of
    the note under N.J.S.A. 12A:3-201(b) if Argent indorsed the note
    to Wells Fargo even at this late date, Wells Fargo would not thereby become a
    “holder in due course” that could avoid whatever defenses
    defendant would have to a claim by Argent because Wells Fargo is
    now aware of those defenses. See Consequently, if Wells Fargo produces
    an indorsed copy of the note on the remand, the date of that
    indorsement would be a critical factual issue in determining
    whether Wells Fargo is a holder in due course.
    Accordingly, the summary judgment in favor of Wells Fargo
    is reversed and the case is remanded to the trial court for
    further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.”

    http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/a3627-06.pdf

  120. ATG (122)-

    Looks like Moose will be living in his car for another few years.

    Produce the note, mf’er! And make sure you don’t forge the dates.

  121. Libtard In the City says:

    Homeboken,

    I would agree. And for heaven’s sake, don’t go to any facility that has those walkers. It’s OK for your kid to fall. Really! And remember this line that I used with my 3-year old frequently when he was learning to skate and ski. “If you don’t fall, then you aren’t learning.” Finally, don’t buy good equipment for your kid unless you have money to burn. It’s a complete waste until at least the high school level. Trust me. Cap’n Cheapo skates circles around many opponents with his wooden sticks and $90 skates.

  122. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Libtard

    In the Schrodinger household sports is purely for fun and at the kids discretion. He chooses the sports he wants and he stops playing when he wants.

    His current favs are soccer, hockey and lacrosse. Our weekends usually consist of indoor soccer and skating. In the summer its usually soccer and lacrosse.

    I am thinking about getting some skating/hockey lessons ( skate fine for fun, not good enough for a hockey game) my self as i only ever dabbled and am getting into it as my son pursues it.

  123. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Libtard

    Hurray for freecycle!!!!

  124. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    For anyone munching on popcorn while watching the Egyptian fireworks, Al Jazeera has some great live coverage!

  125. Libtard In the City says:

    And Ebay too. Tons of weekend warriors run out and buy the whole $800 suit of armor, only to find out that it’s not as easy as it looks on TV. Half the equipment is used once and then sold at 30% of what they paid.

    Kettle, I highly recommend you do a beginners hockey clinic at a local rink. The program at Floyd Hall at MSU is great. You do drills for like 5 weeks and then the remaining 5 weeks are half drill and then half game. There are a ton of coaches and they will critique your every shift. There is a real variety of skaters from terrible to decent. Peer pressure will make you try things that you never thought you could possibly do on skates. I swear, what they teach you in those sessions makes your game that much better. If all you do is play in games, you really never improve at all.

  126. jcer says:

    This whole millenials vs. Gen X vs. Boomers, thing is nuts. They are all the same, there are exceptions in every generation, but at the core they are the same. Compared to my grandparent’s generation, and hearing the old timers talk there is a huge difference.
    Yes a lot if it with millenials and gen x people is the lack of opportunity, they are at a distinct disadvantage, they have a higher cost of living due to high rents, home prices, etc, lack of savings and crushing school debt. My parents generation had the opportunity to work hard, business was growing, there were opportunities, education was cheap, living expenses were low, that isn’t the case anymore. I kind of agree that the lack of upward mobility is a problem, I have seen it where I work new kids are running hard for a year and when nothing comes of it, they peter out. The millenials are different because of technology, and they will be forced to be the next great generation, the parallels between the people of the 20’s and the millenials exist. Hubris can cause tremendous problems, it is not only hard work but working smarter, in many places hard work is not the answer. Because of technology millenials also work differently and have shorter attention spans. From what I can see smart management needs to understand how to motivate millenials and get them moving, guys like JJ are doomed to fail. He doesn’t understand them so they are immediately bad workers, his generation is not good at working from home but I know people who are more productive that way. He’s going to end up working for one at some point.

  127. Painhrtz says:

    Hell my last two pair of hockey rollerblades were off of ebay. both new both sub 125 fo real high end skates. New equipment for kids and rec leaguers is just dumb and I echo that sentiment.

    Lib the kids I play with (18-22) laugh at my silver Gretzky model easton aluminums. I laugh when the 125 buck composite blows up i just replace a blade.

    Cat learn with a stick in your hand acts as a third leg

  128. NJGator says:

    Cat – The two local rinks by us (Floyd Hall and Clary Anderson) both offer skating lessons for kids as young as 4. You do need to pass a few of the general learn to skate lessons before they will put the kid in Hockey Skate. Once they pass hockey skate (skating skills only), they will take the kid into a more advanced class where they teach puck and stick skills. I think those classes are generally 40 minutes practice, 20 minutes game.

    Lil Gator is concentrating on floor hockey this season and he loves it. Springtime will be soccer and outdoor T-ball.

  129. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Lib, Gator

    I live close to Aspen ice in Randolph. We usually go there. I will definitely look into some adult classes and hockey skating lessons are probably on the agenda for Little Schrod next winter assuming he is still into it.

  130. SoccerDad (aka DeepThroat) says:

    The former dean at Princeton wrote a book on college admissions and stated that SAT prep courses and heavy duty sports for kids were a waste of time. Wrong on both counts or we’re the exception that proves the rule. Both son and daughter took 2 SAT prep courses and got high scores on the SAT. They had mediocre grades. IF you have high test scores and low grades, college concludes you’re smart but lazy. If you have low SATs and bad grades, college concludes you’re stupid and lazy.
    Both kids got full rides for soccer. Of course, it helps if your wife is Colombian and starts the kids playing organized soccer at 5 years old and…in a neighboring town, so they don’t play with their friends and thus, really learn the game.

  131. Libtard In the City says:

    I used to have an Easton Aluminum. Damn blades would break quicker than the solid woods and they were simply too heavy. And eventually, they do break. Mine split in half, which I didn’t think was even possible. I find the best bang for the buck is buying a 12-pack of Sherwood featherlights from Canada and they end up costing about $15 per stick. I only wish their blade tops were good as their bottoms. I also own some $30 composites, but I only break them out for special occasions, big games.

  132. NJToast says:

    129 – “Lack of upward mobility” – maybe I am missing something. How about all those folks who spent 30 + years in the same steel mill or assembly line? Given the world we live in today, perhaps the expectations of some are no longer realistic.

  133. Libtard In the City says:

    I never took an SAT prep course. Then again, I graduated from Montclair State College. For what it’s worth, I did do a couple of those SAT prep workbooks between my PSATs and my SATs. They did increase my score by about 100 points too.

  134. SoccerDad (aka DeepThroat) says:

    The olympic development program in boys’ soccer is dominated by New Jersey coaches in district one, Virginia to Maine. It’s really surprising how many of the Jersey coaches’ sons get picked for more advanced stages of ODP regardless of their talent level.

  135. Libtard In the City says:

    “It’s really surprising”

    Is it?

  136. J. says:

    Read all the posts by Gen-Xers. Then tell me they aren’t the biggest bunch of whiners in recorded history. Waah. Cry me a river. Two can play this generational scapegoating game if we want to, but where does it get us? Nowhere.

    I’ll tell you a secret…we felt the same way about our parents and about Social Security for us, that it won’t be there when we’re ready to retire. Tell you what: Give me the $178,000 that I’ve put in for the last thirty-eight years I’ve spent WORKING FOR A LIVING, with interest, and we’ll call it a day.

  137. Painhrtz says:

    Never liked wood, been playing with easton aluminums since 87. still have my original my mom gave me for my thirteeth birthday. It is beat up, dented, but still my go to stick. I would probably go into mourning if I ever broke it. Overall aluminums have been very good to me. When I watch professionals break composite sticks on innocent looking plays I scream never would have happened with aluminum or wood.

    Cat if you can rollerblade, and ski you can ice skate pretty well in a relatively short period of time. Problem is unlike kids adults have an aversion to falling and getting hurt due to slow recovery times.

  138. chicagofinance says:

    129.jcer says:
    January 28, 2011 at 1:59 pm
    This whole millenials vs. Gen X vs. Boomers, thing is nuts. They are all the same, there are exceptions in every generation, but at the core they are the same. Compared to my grandparent’s generation, and hearing the old timers talk there is a huge difference.

    jcer: I disagree. Boomers are pigs and their children are embarassing….basically anyone under 30 who lives in NYC needs to be executed…I’m not joking….

  139. Libtard In the City says:

    Yeah…but going back to inlines after ice skating is pretty tricky. I tried it and almost killed myself every time I tried to do a hockey stop. It’s rough because once your skating becomes second nature, you don’t stop to think which surface you are on. Will probably never play another game of roller in my life.

    BTW, my team will probably need one more body in October. The offer is always open. It’s a great bunch of guys with a terrible goalie. This makes for great fun and bench and locker room banter.

  140. JJ says:

    I can think on my own and I am reliable. I don’t like people working from home because it is impossible. While staff are downloading tunes on their IPOD and updating facebook I am speaking at conferences, attending outside board meetings and networking. Even at football some of my contra parties sit next to me.

    I played sports for a few months in 10th grade but I needed to work to support my family after school and stopped. During college I worked 20-40 hours each week took 18 credits and partied a lot, sometimes to 4am the night before an 8am test. So what I did not care about grades in HS, College or Grad School. Meaningless numbers. No one asks a 40 year old what their GPA was. Sports and Studying don’t get you far in life.

    When I younger at work I was told Always Be Closing, Bill Early and Often, Budget =’s Actual and never give them a reason not to promote you and always exceed expectations and never every miss a company event and volunteer for everything you can and join outside networking activities where you serve on boards and public speaking is key and be better than everyone at your level and be better than most at the next level. How to do it was never told, just do it. Once a year you got feedback, if you got promoted or not.

    Your GPA is good for one day, the day you get that first great job, after that it is gone forever, that is when street smarts kicks in and most bookworms don’t have it.

    jcer says:
    January 28, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    This whole millenials vs. Gen X vs. Boomers, thing is nuts. They are all the same, there are exceptions in every generation, but at the core they are the same. Compared to my grandparent’s generation, and hearing the old timers talk there is a huge difference.
    Yes a lot if it with millenials and gen x people is the lack of opportunity, they are at a distinct disadvantage, they have a higher cost of living due to high rents, home prices, etc, lack of savings and crushing school debt. My parents generation had the opportunity to work hard, business was growing, there were opportunities, education was cheap, living expenses were low, that isn’t the case anymore. I kind of agree that the lack of upward mobility is a problem, I have seen it where I work new kids are running hard for a year and when nothing comes of it, they peter out. The millenials are different because of technology, and they will be forced to be the next great generation, the parallels between the people of the 20′s and the millenials exist. Hubris can cause tremendous problems, it is not only hard work but working smarter, in many places hard work is not the answer. Because of technology millenials also work differently and have shorter attention spans. From what I can see smart management needs to understand how to motivate millenials and get them moving, guys like JJ are doomed to fail. He doesn’t understand them so they are immediately bad workers, his generation is not good at working from home but I know people who are more productive that way. He’s going to end up working for one at some point.

  141. Barbara says:

    Painhurtz,
    Congrats. Here’s how it goes. First year your life is turned up side down. You’re thrilled but still a little pissed…things you love like loud music, reading magazines in bed, cooking elaborate meals, going out for elaborate meals, sex, daily showers, sleep, manly hobbies involving machines, girly hobbies involving NYC…go by the wayside…kind of make a point to hang out with other parents, it helps. Second year, things stabilize a bit but its still hard to get back to the things you loved pre-baby. Third year, you get back to those things that yu loved the most, and you realize that some of the other stuff was just filler. Plus, you’ll have two years worth of Santa and Easter Bunny pics to look back on. Its cool, you’ll see.

  142. JJ says:

    Second year you have a second kid. Better to do it right away before you hit third year and don’t want to go back, then third kid in fourth year, then fourth kid in six year. Never reach third year till you are done having kids.
    Barbara says:
    January 28, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Painhurtz,
    Congrats. Here’s how it goes. First year your life is turned up side down. You’re thrilled but still a little pissed…things you love like loud music, reading magazines in bed, cooking elaborate meals, going out for elaborate meals, sex, daily showers, sleep, manly hobbies involving machines, girly hobbies involving NYC…go by the wayside…kind of make a point to hang out with other parents, it helps. Second year, things stabilize a bit but its still hard to get back to the things you loved pre-baby. Third year, you get back to those things that yu loved the most, and you realize that some of the other stuff was just filler. Plus, you’ll have two years worth of Santa and Easter Bunny pics to look back on. Its cool, you’ll see.

  143. Barbara says:

    JJ you (or your wife) is a trooper. I could not have handled that pace. I get what you mean though, getting the phases out of the way, but I kind of like the phases and have enjoyed seeing them individually since my kids are spaced apart a few years.

  144. chicagofinance says:

    100.Painhrtz says:
    January 28, 2011 at 12:44 pm
    NJ real estate, revolution and expectant dads report

    Pain: Just keepin’ it real about the kids. As a guy, pregnancy can be shared, but childbirth and its aftermath is very much about the mom. Some blowhards can romanticize all kinds of garbage to you, but as a dad, you will get shit on and spit on….you will feel guilt because these blowhards will tell you all kinds of crap about how you SHOULD feel. Who cares! Ultimately, as your child emerges from total helplessness and connection with mom, you will be able to enter the picture. When it happens is unique to your situation, but it will be months, or in my case about 15-18 months, when the little person’s personality emerges….

    Ultimately the best piece of advice I can give is to maintain your connection to the mom, because it is easy for it to go shit if you do not put forth exceptional effort and the strength of the parents relationship is a rock foundation for the kids. Also, think about that connection in the face of your partner effectively abandoning you…..you think long and hard about it….and how you will step up to the challenge…..

    Also, as a financial planner I will state….the worst financial choices are in order:
    (1) Divorce
    (2) Divorce
    (3) Divorce
    (4) Buy a house in 2006 with a 105% financed NINJA i/o option mortgage in Las Vegas
    (5) Divorce

    Also, the sonogram was about 20 of the most nerve wracked minutes of my life…..

  145. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    Pain,

    Don’t buy new what you can buy used (or get for free). Craigslist is your friend, as well as friends and relatives that have attics full of things their kids no longer need. I would not encourage recycling binkies, but nearly everything else can be sterilized and re-used. As for clothes and toys, baby won’t care that they aren’t new.

    For my part, I am looking forward to a massive yard sale to clear out toys, clothes, and all manner of baby furnishings, many of which I have already packed away.
    (and if you want first dibs, shoot me an email).

  146. Anon E. Moose says:

    Debt [123]

    To hear you talk here, it sounds like you’ll need to rent my trunk.

  147. make money says:

    For anyone munching on popcorn while watching the Egyptian fireworks, Al Jazeera has some great live coverage!

    Cat,

    Bingo. Egypt g2g in April?

    ps. over/under for oil opening on Monday is $100.

  148. make money says:

    http://www.prisonplanet.com/california-residents-hit-with-government-ban-on-using-cash.html

    If you pay your bills with cash, you must be a terrorist, and should be water tortured as a measure of national security.

  149. Painhrtz says:

    Barb, thanks for reinforcing why I didn’t want them in the first place ; )

    Chifi thanks that pretty much sums up how I feel, and where I am at right now. sound advice I’ll do my best to heed it.

    Nom thanks bud, why do I have a feeling I will be taking you up on that.

    JJ, I’m getting fixed while she is pregnant to ensure this never happens again. no worries on the second kid.

  150. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    This is actually pretty funny.

    Things no Nompounder should be without:

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41283196/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/?gt1=43001

    I think JJ would like the shorts, Cat would like the bacon, and Clot would like the bed.

    As for me, I think that the camp stove is actually pretty cool. Something I would get now (for camping).

  151. Barbara says:

    Painhurtz,
    its a two year sabbatical from life as you knew it. Its two years that are hard but amazing and you will never get them back, it moves fast. You WILL get back your previous life. Don’t listen to negative parents who like to tell you how you will never have your the old life/loves, these people use their kids as an excuse as to why their lost their mojo. Don’t get fixed yet. See how it goes. Also, don’t become homebodies. We took our babies everywhere. They get socialized and learn to like being out, this makes life easier. Seriously, we would take them to friend’s house parties without hesitation. They would get lots of attention and we could get a break and some booze. Lastly, for the next 9 months you will get so sick of hearing the avalanche of advice that has clearly already started, so I will apologize in advance.

  152. Libtard In the City says:

    Ditto on the advice. Look how f’ed up the majority of your peers are today. They took the advice. Here’s my advice. There is no right way to raise a kid. The best way is to do what feels right. And don’t fall for the Babies R Us crap. I cringe when I think of the thousands (and I mean thousands) of dollars that we and friends wasted on junk that will never get used. Hand me downs all the way!!!

  153. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Nom,

    MMMM Tactical bacon!!!!! On a side note i used to have a german slpeeing bag that was very similiar to the MusucBag wearable sleeping bag in your link, except the german sleeping bag was issued to german troops through the 90’s and had been in use since about WWII. It was a great thing to have when you are really in the outdoors.

    The german bags were built like tanks and were light as well!

    http://store.oldgrouch.biz/geslbagne.html

  154. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    hmm, will probably order one from the link. I wore my previous one out.

  155. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Nom,

    the camp stove is cool, but i would guess that the solar backpack is a better off grid power supply.

  156. Libtard In the City says:

    As someone who has hiked half the Appalachian trail. You don’t need no power for anything. A few slow burning candles will give you a reading light at night. A little gas for the stove and a single pot and you’re set. Solar backpack? Who you kidding.

  157. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Libtard 159

    Purely from an available power perspective, the backpack is probably going to be able to provide more net power then the stove. How practical that may be depends on the intended application.

  158. Libtard In the City says:

    You could probably get more energy burning an outside pocket on the backpack than what you could generate in a month in the woods with solar panels. I would question the durability as well. With that said, I’ve never seen a solar back pack but I have seen some huge grids that can light a couple incandescents for a few hours.

  159. leftwing says:

    Clot

    All good advice on the hockey above.

    He can’t play if he can’t skate, focus on that first. Lessons help but both my kids are quite good skaters and alot of it came from them chasing eachother around Mennen, playing ‘football’ on the ice with a glove, and running from the Staff.

    Don’t worry about pucks at this age. Throw a net up in the driveway, let him shoot pucks at that. Yes you will replace one/two windows and repaint one garage door before he’s seven.

    Aspen is a good rink and the in-house/Freeze are good programs. Don’t be pressured to get him on the ‘super duper triple elite or else he’s chopped liver for life’ Mite team though. Confidence is key, let him develop and when he’s ready place him in a situation where he will be challenged and have a reasonable chance to succeed.

    Love Stu’s advice to kids on falling, used it with my own. Nothing to be embarrassed about, it should happen because it shows you’re trying hard.

    And be careful yourself. The weekend before I started a brand new job at age 41 I was in the driveway with my six year old with the street hockey net when he wound up and let a backhander go. Force of the shot carried the stick up and back over his head and the toe went right into my eye. Swollen shut and protruding one inch before I even made it upstairs. Turned every color of the rainbow. Brilliant first day of work on Monday, the whole left side of my face was destroyed.

  160. Juice Box says:

    re: #159 – What don’t need power? That is crazy, how else are you going to charge the GPS for navigation, iPod for music, and Droid for TV while you are hiking?

  161. Double Down says:

    “I’m sure my attitudes will soften, but the baby is the most wonderful thing in the world BS comes from people who love children.”

    Disagree 100%. I was you; then I learned. You sound as though you believe you’ve mastered life, you will learn, too.

  162. Libtard In the City says:

    I didn’t even bring a phone or a flashlight. I did brink a transistor radio that proved useless as there were no stations worth listening to in the sticks unless you wanted to catch up on your bible studies.

  163. Juice Box says:

    Solar Backpack 4 watts while hiking. 1 hour in sun = 3 hours talk time.

    Think of all the calls you could make to the office, blog posts about real estate, and twitters about twatting and facebook uploads of wild animals that attack you for not paying attention to them.

    http://www.voltaicsystems.com/offgrid.shtml

  164. leftwing says:

    Just got back from the doc. He was complaining to me that part of OCare basically requires him to move from hard drive electronic medical records to a server based one. Further conversation is that he is 95% compliant, but not with the part that gives the feds the ability to search patient and diagnoses. I said it’s a fraud issue, he says no, they already have access to all the billings they need for that.

    Never knew Dear Leader cared so much about me to want to know my HDL.

  165. Pain (130)-

    Cue the JJ retort.

    “Cat learn with a stick in your hand acts as a third leg”

  166. dad (137)-

    Somewhat true. However, players on academy teams can’t play ODP anymore, so the player pool chances have opened up.

    At my son’s age- and the two years above- Region 1’s best players are from PA. In fact, no kid from NJ made the Region 1 team at the ’97 level.

  167. Essex says:

    46. and 95. It all sounds fine until you realize that the people that you’ll hurt most are those who actually rely upon the benefits or entitlements not to live in a gold plated home but to eat.

  168. Essex says:

    It’s always the little guy that gets burned. The fat cats find a way to milk the system.

  169. jj (143)-

    Do you ask them to show you their t!ts?

    “Even at football some of my contra parties sit next to me.”

  170. Anon E. Moose says:

    To all those who want to see heads roll from the banking sector, I nominate Magnetar. Nothing fancy, just several hundred billion in straight-up fraud. Looks like the big mistake was paying off the CDS at par. I recall saying that if there was to be any bailout, it needed to be witha significant haircut; Timmy bleated that anything less than par == default; BFD says I. Anyway, the money is already gone; good luck clawing it back.

  171. moose (149)-

    The only thing I would do with your trunk is stuff you into it, bound and gagged.

    “To hear you talk here, it sounds like you’ll need to rent my trunk.”

  172. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Essex
    Life’s a b1tch & then you die. Of course i am sure it makes more sense to rape the young and unborn to pay the elderly.

  173. Essex says:

    Case in Point:

    WASHINGTON – Tea party hero Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) this week proposed a blueprint to eliminate $400 billion from the federal budget, which included billions in cuts to veterans’ health care and disability benefits.

    Her plan would freeze health care funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and slash $4.5 billion in disability benefits to military veterans.

  174. cat (175)-

    This is the new American Dream.

    “rape the young and unborn to pay the elderly”

  175. d2b says:

    JJ’s feeling on sports aside….
    My friend who was backup QB in a division one program and started one game in his college career has his sports experience on his resume. It’s listed right under his work experience. I think that it looks impressive and I am recommending that my friend’s son do the same. I heard that some companies hire ex-athletes for their competitive nature. What do you think about this?

  176. chicagofinance says:

    Barb: Vomiting aside, as a mom you cannot really speak for the dads. I am not trying to be troublesome. As long as the dad is a stand-up guy and is responsible (nothing to assume…many pricks out there), then the mom calls the shots on everything. You and hubby didn’t lose your mojo, because you as the mom were on board with not losing the mojo…..if the mom wants to go Operation Shutdown (to quote Derek Bell)…dems da’ breaks…..

    154.Barbara says:
    January 28, 2011 at 3:25 pm
    Painhurtz,
    its a two year sabbatical from life as you knew it. Its two years that are hard but amazing and you will never get them back, it moves fast. You WILL get back your previous life. Don’t listen to negative parents who like to tell you how you will never have your the old life/loves, these people use their kids as an excuse as to why their lost their mojo. Don’t get fixed yet. See how it goes. Also, don’t become homebodies. We took our babies everywhere. They get socialized and learn to like being out, this makes life easier. Seriously, we would take them to friend’s house parties without hesitation. They would get lots of attention and we could get a break and some booze. Lastly, for the next 9 months you will get so sick of hearing the avalanche of advice that has clearly already started, so I will apologize in advance.

  177. sx (176)-

    That just proves the stupidity of consciously signing up to have your ass shot at.

    TPTB’s true feelings regarding the common foot soldier haven’t changed since the days of Rome.

  178. Shore Guy says:

    Ket,

    BBC also has great coverage
    An Egyptian general just made an interesting statement about “we have received your message and the political authorities will be making decisions in the best interest of the nation.”

  179. Essex says:

    Perhaps. But it also makes my case. It’s ALWAYS the little guy that gets screwed in the end.

  180. d2b (178)-

    Has been so since the days before Sinclair Lewis wrote Elmer Gantry.

    The real door-opener sport for getting financial industry jobs is lacrosse, though. Many NYC adult club teams are de facto networking groups.

    Unfortunately, the only networking that has ever seemed to exist around soccer is the recruitment of players who have the ability to drink mind-bending amounts of alcohol and are willing to pick up gigantic bar tabs.

  181. shore (181)-

    Does this mean that summary execution of protesters is about to begin?

    “An Egyptian general just made an interesting statement about “we have received your message and the political authorities will be making decisions in the best interest of the nation.”

  182. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Shore 181

    interesting indeed. Though i tend towards Clot’s interpretation.

  183. Shore Guy says:

    The open question is whether the model is Yeltsin and Moscow or Li Penguin and Tiananman Square?

  184. Essex says:

    143. JJ’s right in many ways. But sports do give you an approach to work and fitness that can be helpful later in life as well. A nice body never goes out of style.

  185. If Mohammed El Bardei has an unfortunate “accident” this weekend, all bets are off.

    Reports now of demonstrations in Saudi, Yemen and Jordan. Anybody who’s got the balls to protest in those countries has to be pretty damn pissed off to begin with.

  186. Anon E. Moose says:

    Debt [174];

    The only thing I would do with your trunk is stuff you into it, bound and gagged.

    Perhaps you were practicing for that eventuallity in Harlem yesterday?
    http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-found-beaten-bound-trunk-car/story?id=12778043

  187. sx (187)-

    At the end of a life playing soccer, your nice body goes to hell.

    Not as bad as what NFL players do (bulk up to 600 lbs and go nuts from all the hits to the head), but it’s not pretty.

  188. chicagofinance says:

    Yeah, but your trolling hubris was a big bore in-utero…..

    187.Essex says:
    January 28, 2011 at 4:38 pm
    A nice body never goes out of style.

  189. The Chairman says:

    Helicopter evacuated staff from Israel’s Embassy in Cairo.
    Egyptian tanks surrounding (protecting?) US embassy.

    Hmm..1979 again.

    Clueless weak anti-american POTUS – check
    Protests by democracy/union/student activists – check
    US embassy surrounded by crowds – check
    US embassy staff taken hostages and new terror regime emerges ?

    would have been easier just to renominate Carter.

  190. leftwing says:

    “It all sounds fine until you realize that the people that you’ll hurt most are those who actually rely upon the benefits or entitlements not to live in a gold plated home but to eat”

    “It’s ALWAYS the little guy that gets screwed in the end”

    Yeah…but they eat their own too.

    Holiday time around the family table where one relative is a 15 year member of the bravest/finest in the jurisdiction that laid off 167 cops late last year. Discussion starts around the economic tradeoffs, ie. that 167 rookie patrolmen jobs could be saved if those already employed in the department gave up just 2.5%.

    The older guys around the table were ‘how in this age of unemployment and stagnant comp can you not do it’. Public servant was NFW, not on my dime.

    Cry me a river. Over time with bennies the ‘public servant’ may well out earn the big, bad government bond salesguy eating dessert.

  191. relo says:

    Pain,

    Congrats and best of luck and health, especially to Mom & child. It’s a blessing, more so if he/she lets you both get a few winks in the early months.

    JJ: I’m truly glad your blueprint worked for you, but there are others.

  192. leftwing says:

    Serious Stuff:

    I’m looking for some temporary housing in the Summit through Morristown corridor.

    We close on our current house in March. Our new house won’t have its CO by then.

    Guessing a two month gap.

    We’re at the front end of looking at some corporate housing, condos in Morristown, etc. ST leases are rare.

    Any suggestions?

  193. Essex says:

    190. Ah yes. field sports. That’s why swimming becomes so important. Cycling too. Less impact. More exercise.

  194. chicagofinance says:

    Soylent Green?

    WSJ
    U.S. NEWS
    JANUARY 27, 2011
    Michigan Works to Speed Burials for the Poor

    By KATE LINEBAUGH

    DETROIT—Michigan’s new head of human services promised to streamline the process for funding indigent burials, following a Wall Street Journal article Monday describing backlogs at the Wayne County morgue in Detroit.

    Maura Corrigan, recently appointed director of human services by Gov. Rick Snyder, contacted the county about its funding applications this week and pledged to reduce delays in payments so corpses that have been awaiting burial at the morgue can be laid to rest within 30 days, said Dennis Niemiec, a spokesman for Wayne County. A state official confirmed that the department was working with the county on the issue. Officials from the county medical examiner’s office aim to bury about 50 bodies in that time period, Mr. Niemiec said.

    Wayne County has about 185 bodies in storage awaiting burial, some dating back to 2008. Because of state budget cuts, the county can afford to bury only about half as many bodies as it needs to, Albert Samuels, chief investigator for the county’s medical examiner’s office, told the Journal last week.

    Wayne County is among many cash-strapped localities around the country scrambling to deal with the cost of indigent burials amid budget cuts at the state and local levels.

    In Toledo, Ohio, the city council on Tuesday approved a plan to adopt cremation as the default option for indigent people, unless their religion bars it. The change is aimed at saving the city $600 per body and tens of thousands of dollars a year.

    Michigan spent about $4.2 million on indigent burials in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2009, burying about 17,000 bodies.

  195. relo says:

    JJ: Also, I recall something about the prospect of a football scholarship being mentioned by you. Not bad for only playing in 10th grade.

    And

    Watching your kids play is wasting and Sunday, but watching the Jets isn’t?

  196. sx (198)-

    Sports that don’t allow you to hit somebody are no fun.

  197. chi (199)-

    Fastest, cheapest disposal is to put the corpses in an open field (God knows Detroit has plenty of those), and let the buzzards go to work.

  198. Energy costs to fire a crematorium aren’t worth it for indigents.

    Only people whose families pay for it should get cooked.

  199. relo (200)-

    Ever try shouting “show your t!ts” at a Pop Warner game?

    “Watching your kids play is wasting and Sunday, but watching the Jets isn’t?”

  200. Shore Guy says:

    Clot,

    Remember, most accidents occur at home. Including those where one ties one’s own hands behind one’s back, beats one’s self silly, then shoots one’s self three times in the head.

  201. Shore Guy says:

    The bathroom can be SO dangerous.

  202. NJToast says:

    Left wing – Riverbend in Florham Park has some 2 br furnished. Note the apartment complexes half mile or so down the road you probably don’t want to live in. Avalon at Florham Park also has some furnished stuff.

  203. Bystander says:

    Somewhat NSFW story:

    http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2011/01/hoboken_cops_arrest_33-year-ol/1970/comments-newest.html

    The difference between men and women highlighted yet again. This guy gets a trip to jail while (if the situation were reversed) , most men would have been praising the lord for such a lucky day while fumbling around for binoculars and flip video. On a personal note, now that I got a cruddy 10% bonus and spiel about how it was a down year our bank..blah, blah – my main reason for staying is now the blonde with the smokin’ body who cohorts around completely naked between 9 – 10 AM every morning in the apt across from my cubicle. JJ- what do I do? There are power women all around me who might catch me licking the window and therefore not promote me. What a dilemma..I think I would die a happy man if she did what this guy in Hoboken did.

  204. leftwing says:

    NJT, thx

    Separately, NBC just reports that the layoffs of 82 officers won’t happen in Jersey City.

    Major compromise is that the police force will now get 11% raises rather than 13% raises over four years.

    Mighty kind of them.

    Enable State bankruptcies, take it all down.

  205. leftwing says:

    By:

    Dude’s an idiot. Should have just never answered the door. What were they going to do, kick it down because some chick accused him of spanking?

  206. shore (205)-

    Reminds me of the old Richard Pryor routine: “nigga accidentally shot 27 times…”

  207. Neanderthal Economist says:

    195 Debt. Are you sure that soccer and excersize did that to him and not a lifetime of alchohol abuse?

  208. veets (212)-

    In soccer, exercise, training and alcohol abuse go hand-in-hand.

    Even the choirboys I know in the game have drinking stories that are both hilarious beyond belief and rather chilling, when I’ve thought about them in retrospect. As for me, most of my footballing-and-drinking stories are just too repugnant to even share (think along the lines of the sous-chef chapter in Kitchen Confidential).

    An English friend of mine really summed it up well once. He said that rugby is a hooligan’s game, played by gentlemen…and soccer is a gentleman’s game, played by hooligans.

  209. Amazing how many soccer drinking stories involve urination into public trash cans and wearing garbage bags as diapers.

  210. Firestormik says:

    Ditto 29,
    I disagree with you, same French wine that goes for $10 here goes 2 euro in Paris.

  211. Neanderthal Economist says:

    Debt. It has more to do with soccer being a working class sport but I don’t disagree with your sentiment. I had the pleasure of training/scrimmaging with marco echavery on his childhood practice grounds. Granted he was basically coaching us. You want to talk about a raging alchoholic?

  212. safe as houses says:

    #197 Leftwing,

    You can get a 3 month rental apartment (it’s really a townhouse with at least a 1 car garage) in Florham Park on the Columbia Parkway. It’s called The Avalon. They have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom places, 3 stories tall. We stayed there for 2 months in a corporate furnished place when we moved back to this area. There’s a fitness center there too, no playground or open fields for the kids though. Not sure if they only do 2 months for public person.

    http://www.avaloncommunities.com/avaloncore/nfloor.asp?comm=36&refcd=GO555115s_avalon_florham_park&tsacr=GO5199583101&keyword=avalon%20florham%20park&gclid=CLvPrcKb3qYCFYHb4AodtEJo1Q

  213. Neanderthal Economist says:

    214 debt did you see greenstreet hooligans starring that kid who played the hobbit? Ooh boy, that really puts a new twist on encouraging your kids to play soccer because its ‘safer’ than football.

  214. veets (216)-

    Jesus, the South American guys are the worst. They all have this nihilistic streak that the Europeans don’t. When they start drinking, you get that nasty streak…with the added accelerant of the easy availability of coca and all these high-test indigenous swills, such as cachaca.

    Anyone who thinks Brazil is an emerging superpower should see three of their footballers in the middle of a cachaca and coca-fueled binge.

  215. veets (218)-

    Yeah. Pretty scary stuff.

    Extra scary when you realize that British hooligans are really the lightweights of the world of ultras. There are at least five clubs in Italy (especially Roma), whose ultras are basically out of control paramilitaries.

  216. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Debt

    are you trying to say that there is something wrong with opiate infused alcoholic beverages that can incapacitate a cape buffalo in a single glass?

  217. The Tunisian Exit Plan. Coming to a country near you.

    “We were doing some diligence on Egyptian (now historic) gold holdings but unfortunately the following link no longer seems to work: (deleted to avoid moderation). To those who guessed correctly that this is the web site of the Egyptian Central Bank, you win whatever is held in the vaults of said building. Which we are willing to bet against all that is held in our own tungsten warehouse in Kentucky, is absolutely nothing. To any potential readers in Egypt, may we recommend you go politely enter the building at 31 Kasr El-Nil Street, Cairo, go to the basement and check on the precious metal inventory. There should be 75.6 tonnes of gold. Which incidentally may also be a sufficient motive for someone to pull off a Die Hard 3.”

    http://www.zerohedge.com/article/httpwwwcbeorgeg-not-responding-has-egyptiancb-been-plundered

  218. cat (221)-

    Only when not consumed in moderation. ;)

    [sarc off]

  219. Someone please show me a moderate consumer of cachaca and coca.

  220. I still say Bobby Bonilla and Steve Phillips did more to the Mets than Madoff could possibly have done.

  221. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [217] leftwing

    We stayed in corp. housing in Avalon and (I think) Riverbend. From what I recall, Riverbend was much nicer than Avalon, and closer to Chatham boro. But I was happy to move to a short term furnished rental in the brig before buying there.

  222. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [215] firestormik

    Ditto. I recall that french wines were pretty reasonable over there. Everything else cost a pantload though. Cheaper to drink wine than beer.

  223. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [154] barb

    2 years and back to normal??? I won’t say anything cuz it will come across as rude, but, from my perspective, that is abnormally lucky to the point of defying credibility. Form most people, especially me, once you have a kid, your life as you know it is over.

    Children also make or break a marriage more than any other factor by a wide margin.

  224. Comrade Nom Deplume says:
  225. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [229] punch

    It’s Chatham. Lowballs will not be accepted.

    They have a neat little 9 hole course there called Chatham Sea Links. Played it once, and while waiting for a group ahead to tee off, I struck up a conversation. Found out that the guys in front of us lived around the corner from me in Mclean, VA.

  226. Punch My Ticket says:

    Pain, keep your chin up. And congratulations.

    And think again before the big V. An only child is not necessarily a happy child.

  227. NJToast says:

    Left – google bridge Corp housing or might be bridge street. There is another Corp housing company with hq in Hawthorne but name escapes me. Also Marriott has some Corp places too and you get points if that is important to you.

  228. Barbara says:

    230. Comrade

    what on earth is so insurmountable about a 2-3 year old that you just can’t do things that you used to do? Snorting coke off each other’s hineys aside, its just a kid.

  229. Barbara says:

    oh, and sleeping in all day.

  230. Juice Box says:

    Re 235 – Babs men really are drama queens deep down lol.

  231. Confused In NJ says:

    Here they go picking on the poor teachers again;

    In 2007, the Wayne Township School Board and then-Superintendent Terry Thompson agreed to a renegotiated contract that provided a generous retirement package for whenever Thompson decided to step down.

    But it wasn’t until this month that board members realized just how lucrative that deal was, to the tune of more than $1 million.
    Thompson, 64, who retired in December after 15 years with the district, already has received more than $800,000 of his retirement deal, which included a year’s base pay at more than $225,000, as well as contract provisions that kicked in hundreds of thousands more.
    But that’s not all.
    The contract also created the position of superintendent emeritus — a position that has been paying Thompson $1,352 a day since his retirement to advise his successor, among other duties. That amount, over the 150 days laid out in the contract, would pay him more than $200,000 — bringing the total to more than $1 million.
    In addition, the contract called for one other perk — a onetime $15,000 stipend for “retirement planning.”
    On Thursday, the board issued a statement asking Thompson to resign from the superintendent emeritus position, but it’s unclear whether the board can force him to do so — or reclaim any of the money in the contract.

  232. Howard R says:

    To Carlie who posted here on 1/26:

    I feel your pain. I’ve been looking in those same beach towns for years. Prices have started drifting lower but still seem outrageous. I say don’t be afraid to send in those low offers!

  233. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    barb 235

    ….Snorting coke off each other’s hineys

    thats what baby sitters and grandparents are for!

  234. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    confused 238

    what that board agreed to should be considered either criminal negligence or outright fraud.

  235. grim says:

    Legal? Delay tactic? Does the state have no case?

    From the Star Ledger:

    Hearing for state’s biggest mortgage lenders postponed again

    For the second time, the state has postponed a hearing for six of the country’s biggest mortgage lenders called to court to defend their foreclosure practices.

    Edward Dauber, the attorney appointed to represent the state in the case, requested the extension to allow more time for the two parties to negotiate a settlement.

    In December, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner ordered the six banks, including Citibank, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, to outline their past and present foreclosure processes. If the court finds any part unsatisfactory, all pending foreclosure matters will be suspended. The banks responded with hundreds of pages of documents, and earlier this month Dauber asked for an extension for his response.

    The banks must now appear in court March 1, instead of Feb. 14. At that hearing, Judge Mary Jacobson will decide whether the banks’ foreclosures should be suspended, unless the case is settled out of court earlier.

  236. Libtard says:

    Storm on 1-3 of February looking like a dangerous one at this point. The models are calling for a 4-8″ event for NYC followed by a .75″ ice storm. If this occurs, there will be roof collapses and tons of power outages. If the storm was to hit exactly as currently forecast, you actually might want to run to Shoprite to get some non-perishables now rather than on Tuesday when all hell will break lose.

  237. Libtard says:

    Loose that is. What the heck does that even mean? All hell will break loose. Wonder who coined this phrase?

  238. gary says:

    Libtard,

    That phrase was created in the Greenville section of Jersey City! ;)

  239. 30 year realtor says:

    Bergen Sheriff has 633 properties scheduled for sale between now and 2/25/11. Two have been sold so far this year. The postponement of the order to show cause until 3/1/11 will create a large backlog.

    My predictions. NJ sheriff sales do not return to normal until the 4th quarter of 11 or the first quarter of 2012. Every state in the country will experience a similar review of foreclosure practices resulting in similar delays.

  240. gary says:

    30 year,

    Nonsense, it’s different here. There’s unicorns running wild in the Ramapo Mountains, someone knows someone named Griffin and Baine and children only wear clothing with Bottega Veneta and Nina Ricci labels.

  241. Outofstater says:

    #243 Good idea. When we had a snow and ice storm a few weeks ago in Atlanta, I was glad I had a full pantry and freezer. Couldn’t get out of the neighborhood for three days and when we could, the gas stations and grocery stores were out of fuel, milk, bread, meat and produce because the trucks couldn’t get thru to re-stock. We did not lose power, but we were ready with firewood, extra propane tank for the grill and two kerosene heaters. We also have a lot of camping gear – stove, lanterns, etc. If you do lose power and you can’t get warm, set up a tent in the living room – the body heat alone will make it warmer than the room. Break out the sleeping bags too.

  242. grim says:

    I’ve got a nice expedition tent and bags from when we used to ice climb (one of my goals as a young’in was to climb Everest, I’ve since realized I’d rather spend my time on a beach in the Caribbean). I’m going to set it up on the front lawn as base camp for the assault on the snow pile in my front lawn (aka The Matterhorn). I’ll break the ice axes out too, they do a great job as beer bottle openers now.

    Stu, regarding the footwear discussion the other day. I highly recommend Asolo.

  243. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [235] barbara,

    Not insurmountable (though some days, I wonder). Can’t go into more detail without disclosing things I would rather not disclose here. That aside, I commend you on your good fortune and superior parenting skills. Perhaps I could interest you in coming over and raising my kids?

  244. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Grim

    I second Asolo boots. I have had 2 different pair that made through he’ll and back with the only real issue being that I completely wore the tread out.

    Can those boots be retreaded and maintain the quality????

  245. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [240] cat

    “thats what baby sitters and grandparents are for!”

    That assumes you have grandparents (or any family for that matter) that live within a 150 mile radius, and can find babysitters that are (1) reliable and (2) don’t cost more than the coke you plan to snort.

  246. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [243] libtard,

    What sort of survivalist, paranoid, Nompounder would I be if I weren’t prepared for such an event with a well-stocked pantry and freezer?

    (note to self–rush out to Shoprite now)

  247. Graydon M. Ellery, III says:

    “Thompson, 64, who retired in December after 15 years with the district, already has received more than $800,000 of his retirement deal, which included a year’s base pay at more than $225,000, as well as contract provisions that kicked in hundreds of thousands more.”

    we need more of this – well-compensated professional educators.
    think of the children!

  248. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [254] Graydon

    And to think, I used to put down the profession because I didn’t think you would ever be able to earn copious sums as a public servant.

    It occurs to me that the phrase “public servant” is now a non sequitur. The new phrase should be “Servant Public.”

  249. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    In fact, I reserve “Servant Public” as my new posting name.

  250. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Nom

    don’t cost more than the coke you plan to snort…

    Excellent point

  251. grim says:

    Nom = Charlie Sheen?

  252. Punch My Ticket says:

    Nom [253],

    Freezer of dubious value if power is out for days.

    I have first hand experience. We did have a hell of a block party though.

  253. cobbler says:

    With 2 feet of snow outside, don’t worry about your food perishing without power, as long as you are not in a bear country… Take it out – just make sure that the box is strong enough for the raccoons.

  254. i think period it Housing depressing influence cools before hot markets | New Jersey Real divisio interest Report now im your rss reader

  255. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Looks like the fun in Egypt is still going strong!!!!

  256. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Reports of the Ministry of the Interior being stormed by protestotrs and Mubarak speaks, dismisses government and says he will name a new government tomorrow.

    Time for a Costco run for popcorn

  257. Libtard says:

    Gary, you’ve got mail. Very funny mail.

  258. jamil says:

    Re Egypt.

    Yeah, its fun to watch. If ElBaradei is not killed soon, this will be Iran 1979 again. Egypt will get the bomb in 5 years and it controls Suez.
    ElBaradei is a spokesman for Muslim Brotherhood, he has been defending and advocating for them. His wife is a daughter of hardline Iranian mullah, close to the Iranian ruling elite. When he was head of UN nuke agency, his main job was to (successfully) protect Iranian nuke program.
    If Mubarak goes, the group that is best organized and funded in Egypt, will take over. Iran (and its servant groups MB/Islamic Jihad), headed by ElBaradei will be in charge soon. No doubt State Media and Obama Admin (to the extent they can be separated) touts this as a great thing. This is the “smart diplomacy”.

    No doubt Obambi welcomes his soulmate ElBaradei.

    Also interesting, that Bill Ayers traveled last year to Egypt to coordinate the resistance against zionist enemy and he met with Muslim Brotherhood. Killing americans (or pro-freedom) people is sure a bond between terror groups globally.

  259. Hal says:

    Good contribution, I truly await up-dates from you.

  260. Barbara says:

    250. Comrade.
    Take it easy. You did a hug n slug in your original post, don’t get mopey because I can serve it back. I was just trying to be real but posiitve for Painhurtz. I was on the fence about the kid thing, I know the fear and I think that after those first two years, things settle down and you can get your footing back.

  261. Especially rancid stench of death in the air today.

    No one will be spared.

  262. Shore Guy says:

    I Ned a place for a good quick lunch in montclair NOW

  263. Shore Guy says:

    Suggestions?

  264. Libtard says:

    Get a salad at SmashBurger.

  265. Barbara says:

    269. Shore.
    I love the little funky greek diner off of Bloomfield. Same street at the mexican restaurant with the huge rooster on the wall.

  266. Libtard says:

    Barb,

    Greek Delights moved to a new location on Bloomfield Avenue. The old location is named Plum on Park. Haven’t been there.

  267. Barbara says:

    Libtard, so that little authentic diner has a new restaurant? Plum on Park sounds snooty for old chrome and vinyl ;P

  268. NJGator says:

    Shore – How about some Ethipiopian in Mesob?

    http://www.mesobrestaurant.com/

    Or Thai at Spice II?

    http://www.spiceii.net/

    And Costanera, the newish Peruvian place has been getting high marks too.

    http://costaneranj.com/

  269. NJGator says:

    Shore – How about some Ethipiopian in Mesob?

    http://www.mesobrestaurant.com/

  270. NJGator says:

    Or Thai at Spice II?

    http://www.spiceii.net/

  271. NJGator says:

    And Costanera, the newish Peruvian place has been getting high marks too.

    http://costaneranj.com/

  272. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [267] barbara,

    That’s why I said I was trying not to come across as rude. Wasn’t my intent. Unfortunately, due to professional attributes and living in NJ, that is nearly impossible for me, it seems.

    Everyone’s experience is different. What I would not give to have had yours. Suffice it to say, I have a newfound respect for parents who deal successfully with challenges, and a newfound envy for those with perfect kids.

  273. NJGator says:

    And if you were willing to drive to Broad Street in Bloomfield, we really liked this new Thai place, and it was quite reasonably priced.

    http://www.yelp.com/biz/jukgajee-new-thai-jersey-cuisine-bloomfield

  274. Comrade Nom Deplume says:

    [259] punch

    Been there, done that. Lost power for 3 days once in New Hampshire. Only heat source was the gas log stove in the living room.

    [258] grim

    I wish.

  275. Barbara says:

    278. Com
    Perfect kids, ha. No, my 7 year old struggles with his academics. His reading level is improving but he is still behind. He is highly creative, however, really good at putting things together in ways I would have never though of, good story telling, imagination, etc. Also, he doesn’t have a lick of athletic ability. My 20 month old girl is physically advanced, walking at 9 months. Don’t know how the academics will play out with her. I would say I have a “B” parenting style, maybe that’s where the difference in opinion is coming from. We stress education but let them improve where they are at, not where everyone else is at, if that makes any sense.

  276. Libtard says:

    I’m with Barb. You get your life back as soon as you are willing to tear yourself away from your child’s side. A lot of parents baby their offspring to the point where they are not authority figures to their children but their best friends. This is a recipe for a miserable experience of codependency with your children and will result in the loss of your independence. Let your kids make their beds, feed themselves, wipe their own bottoms ASAP.

    We have been able to take our son anywhere since birth since he is well behaved. He is rewarded for good behavior and punished for bad. We are very fair and he is extremely independent. Parents stop coddling your kids!!!

  277. safe as houses says:

    No love for Ecco shoes or Elevation Burger?

  278. Outofstater says:

    #282 Yep. Throw out all the parenting books, ignore all advice and go with your gut. It’s the only way because every kid within the family is different.

  279. Confused In NJ says:

    New Providence lost power for three days January 95. Heavy wet snow laying on the Fiber Optic Cables going to Salt Brook School took down all the power poles like dominoes. Only heat for three days was a wood fireplace. Manually bailed the sump pump for three days also, as luckily the weather turned warmer to the low 40’s keeping the pipes from freezing. That was genesis for getting a generator. In Watertown NY after the great ice storm caused power outages up to 6 weeks, a number of people bought 17K natural gas power stations, which could electrify a house indefinately.

  280. Libtard says:

    And the ice storm is still on track according to NWS and the weather geeks that I follow.

  281. Libtard says:

    Elevation Burger is good, but overpriced. Ecco?

  282. Libtard says:

    Best burger in town is at Tierney’s. And good Guinness on tap too.

  283. Yikes says:

    Rich people have snowblowers, long driveways, big houses and fancy cars. Not us middle class people. Of course the guy who told me this definition of middle class is 100k to 5 million a year. One year he made in the hey day 100 million in one year the guy who told me this, but said I am not rich, rich people make that every year and not just in one lucky year. Other guy told me buying new cars is for rich people, he makes three million a year. The definition of rich gets higher and higher each year.

    Agree. big difference between one lucky year and making bank year-after-year.

  284. Yikes says:

    Be someone your parents can be proud of, Doctor, Lawyer, Wall Street. Stay in shape, have a beautiful educated wife who hosts family parties and have perfectly well behaved kids.

    are those the only 3 acceptable careers? Surely there are others …

  285. Neanderthal Economist says:

    I’ve finally finished creating a nj affordability index, mostly because i dont trust the NARs version since i dont know whats in theirs. Mine uses med homes prices, median incomes and mortgage rates and it shows that homes are more affordable in nj now than ever before. Im kindof surprised by the results myself but the more i think about it, the more it makes sense, mostly because rates are so low. It basically shows that homes are cheaper now than ever before! It also shows that even during the 2005 bubble, nj home prices were relatively cheap, considering the historically low mortg rates.
    Here is the link below.
    Please note that the lower the index (orange line), its supposed to mean that homes are more affordable, so i have to tweak that but the outcome is the same.
    Would be interested to hear your comments.
    http://www.scribd.com/full/47793178?access_key=key-1ii69k2bgqpk41q3gdfe

  286. Schrodinger's Cat says:

    Neanderthal

    youth unemployment in spain is estimated to be between 45 – 55%! And that is the more dangerous segment of your society to have in such a situation.

  287. Neanderthal Economist says:

    Here is the updated affordability index link…
    http://www.scribd.com/full/47793178?access_key=key-1ii69k2bgqpk41q3gdfe
    I changed part of the calculations.

  288. Libtard says:

    Considering what I just paid for my new home with 10% down, I would say that homes are becoming a bit more affordable. Of course, it might take you 2 years of waiting for that affordable home to come to you.

  289. Neanderthal Economist says:

    “45 – 55%!”

    Is that their youth U-6?
    And what age is is considered youth? If its hs kids, then 50% seems somewhat normal, judging from my hs that is.

  290. Neanderthal Economist says:

    Lib, the big wild card in my affordability calc is property taxes.
    i dont include that.

  291. Libtard says:

    Property taxes are only really bad if you don’t know how to fight them. We are paying less than $1,000 more now than we did when we brought our multi in 2004. Keep in mind, we also sunk 75K into the place so it’s not like we are letting it go. We are going to Newark in April since the county screwed up our last attempt. We doubt the state will.

  292. Neanderthal Economist says:

    Lib.
    Instead of doing townwide reassessment of all properties across the board, many towns seem to have taken the position that they will only re-assess on a case by case basis those properties that actually take the time to file an appeal. You don’t ask you don’t get I guess.

  293. yikes (289)-

    Let’s see how well this jabroney does when an average day in Amerika involves dodging armed gangs and killing small animals and birds in order to live for another day.

    “Of course the guy who told me this definition of middle class is 100k to 5 million a year. One year he made in the hey day 100 million in one year the guy who told me this, but said I am not rich, rich people make that every year and not just in one lucky year.”

  294. yikes (291)-

    Word up: jj is Don Draper, and he’s stuck in some sort of 1962 time warp.

    I dream about staging an intervention for him where Elizabeth Warren repeatedly rabbit punches him in the head and tells him to wake up and get a life.

  295. Yikes says:

    IF you have high test scores and low grades, college concludes you’re smart but lazy. If you have low SATs and bad grades, college concludes you’re stupid and lazy.

    respectfully disagree.

  296. Shore Guy says:

    Thanks for the dining suggestions. Parking was abysmal, as was the Montclair snow removal, so I said frig it and just drove into the city. It wad less frustrating.

  297. Shore Guy says:

    Was

  298. Firestormik says:

    253:
    Nom,
    Got a freezer too. Thinking about 7KW portable generator. If I own a house, it would be no brainer, but adding a bypass switch and external outlet for the generator feed in a rental townhouse stops me so far. Haven’t lost power for more than 8 hrs since I moved in 4 years ago. On the other hand I would loose ~$500 of food if there was no power for more than 48 hrs.

  299. Confused In NJ says:

    286.Libtard says:
    January 29, 2011 at 5:39 pm
    And the ice storm is still on track according to NWS and the weather geeks that I follow

    Let’s hope they are wrong, can’t do much with ice.

  300. Firestormik says:

    BTW, be extra careful driving earlier in the morning. Hit some black ice on a local road driving back home. If you are not sure what’s underneath your tires, carefully apply breaks to check. Drive safely

  301. Doom is nigh. No future for Amerika.

  302. Burn the mf’er down, and start over.

  303. This should end well.

    “Not many exchanges are open on Saturday. But the one that matters in a contagionary light sure was. And the drubbing it took was not pretty. “Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange tumbled by over 6 percent on Saturday, setting the stage for other regional markets to drop as concerns mounted about the violent protests in Egypt. The Tadawul All Shares Index fell 6.44 percent to close at 6,267 points. The market in Saudi Arabia, where the start of the work week is Saturday, was the first to react to the violence in Egypt and the drop in the TASI offered a window into the potential battering that could emerge when other regional markets reopen on Sunday. On the Saudi market, there were no gainers as investors sold off holdings. Hit hard was Sabic, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies and the largest publicly traded firm on the exchange. Sabic’s shares fell 8 percent, closing at 97.75 Saudi riyals.” And this is just the beginning. If there are any further rumors (or confirmed sighting) of protests in Jeddah and elsewhere, regional markets will go bidless, oil will go offerless, GETCO and other NYSE SLPs will go bankrupt in their attempt to keep the stock market alive, and Bernanke will just go, once the entire world realizes that Genocide Ben, which is what ZH has been calling him for quite a while now, is really much more appropriate an appellation for the man who gives a bad name to helicopters.”

    http://www.zerohedge.com/article/saudi-stock-exchange-plummets-6

Comments are closed.