Monday, June 25, 2007
Quick update...
Well, I'm inching closer. The mortgage is ready, but the rate will probably be aroud 7.5 or even a tad higher. My credit, long a source of stress, is kicking my ass once more. Still, just a little work and I'll have all my paperwork in for the loan and I'll be ready to face the board. Even with the high rate, I'm coming out ahead, as I'll save on taxes. I'll be handing in the financial paperwork today, and I'll know more from there.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Good point..
Got a hold of my sponsor today, and we talked about my possible move. It turns out there's a NYSC 5 minutes away, and I will continue with my gym membership after all. That's a nice, if minor, point. What we really discussed was the emotional aspect of my move to Croton. If irony is a Gen-X hallmark, and I am a typical Gen-Xer, then the move makes perfect sense. When I first returned to Westchester, I spent all my free time in Yorktown, hanging out with all my friends and spending all my $$ on gas and Starbucks. Still, I lived in Mamaroneck. Combine this with working in Rockland or Dobbs Ferry, and it's easy to understand why I killed so many cars. Anyway, I loved hanging out up there, but I didn't feel I could afford to live up there. It turns out I probably could have while working at Rainforest Cafe, though certainly not at Mercy.
Many of the friends I once had in the area I no longer have. We would go camping, PAA's, whatever. These were heady times, and as I've often said, you won't know you're at the zenith until it's over and you're looking up at the top from the other side. The same can be said for my social life, where once it was vibrant; it has suddenly become quite small. Maybe I need to get out more? Nah, that would take time away from World of Warcraft. Wait a minute....
So now I may be moving to a place that was the epicenter of my social life at a time when almost all the friends I had in that area are going or gone. It's painful, but maybe by being forced to face these things will I get better. This sounds like a topic for Pennye. Or, I simply get new friends and begin anew. Mickey said as much when I spoke to him this morning, and he's right as usual. This is a do-over, and it's been something I've been anticipating for some time. From one waterfront town to another, it is time to explore new areas and meet new people. It isn't as easy as it used to be; another sign I'm getting old. Bah...
Many of the friends I once had in the area I no longer have. We would go camping, PAA's, whatever. These were heady times, and as I've often said, you won't know you're at the zenith until it's over and you're looking up at the top from the other side. The same can be said for my social life, where once it was vibrant; it has suddenly become quite small. Maybe I need to get out more? Nah, that would take time away from World of Warcraft. Wait a minute....
So now I may be moving to a place that was the epicenter of my social life at a time when almost all the friends I had in that area are going or gone. It's painful, but maybe by being forced to face these things will I get better. This sounds like a topic for Pennye. Or, I simply get new friends and begin anew. Mickey said as much when I spoke to him this morning, and he's right as usual. This is a do-over, and it's been something I've been anticipating for some time. From one waterfront town to another, it is time to explore new areas and meet new people. It isn't as easy as it used to be; another sign I'm getting old. Bah...
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Here we go...
So I put in an offer on the place. The list price is $69,999 and the offer was $60,000. What's funny is the list price began at $74,500. I'll go out on a limb and say some one's taking a bath on the sale, and I am not that person. Even if the potential selling price dips (and I'm sure it will), I have no intentions of selling it. I will say this: the place is tiny. I have a fill sized kitchen, but the "main room" is MAD small. I should probably look at other units, but I like the place and I can always rent it when I move. Moreover, I like the idea of owning this little place, "my place." When I consider it's dimensions, I think of the statically improbable phrase: "love nest." This isn't my favorite Amazon.com SIP, that goes to "visa run" for the obvious reasons (I intend to make many such runs), and the obscure (the SIP engine kicks out the term when you search :Off the Rails...). Still, there's the promise of forbidden passion and intrigue. A love nest is an apartment held in such a manner to hide it's existence from all parties save the two (or more) people using it exclusively for nookie. The strange show "Men" first introduced me to the concept in a very odd, though equally satisfying, episode. This episode may qualify as one of the best examples of unfulfilled potential. The show did not last, but the episode was terrific. The show begins with the focus of the episode missing and may have committed suicide. It turns out he stole from the bank he managed, faked his own death, then ran away with his mistress. The "men" begin to unravel the plot when they find his love nest in Greenwich Village. I'm leaving out the drama of the pain (and recovery) of the family, cleaning up the mess, and the "funeral" where they come not to praise him, but to bury him. Good stuff. If there is a time I can download this episode, I'm all fucking over it. Sometimes I wonder how much I've internalized the episode.
Anyway, the apartment in NYC is similar to what I hope will be my little place. Karl is bummed, and I understand that, but I need to get out of my place and Mamaroneck. What a dump my town has become. It's sad, even depressing, but soon it will not be my problem. C'est la vie? I guess so. I still have much to finalize, and I'll record the work here. the biggest obstacle is the board, of course, though no one else seems concerned. I need to buy more storage containers, and give my place a thorough scrubbing. I'm excited and a little scared. More later.
Anyway, the apartment in NYC is similar to what I hope will be my little place. Karl is bummed, and I understand that, but I need to get out of my place and Mamaroneck. What a dump my town has become. It's sad, even depressing, but soon it will not be my problem. C'est la vie? I guess so. I still have much to finalize, and I'll record the work here. the biggest obstacle is the board, of course, though no one else seems concerned. I need to buy more storage containers, and give my place a thorough scrubbing. I'm excited and a little scared. More later.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
OK, think I got it...
The tax benefits are as follows: if the combined potential itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction. E.g. if all your potential itemized deductions were 4800, then there is no added benefit to your owning a home. I base this on the standard deduction of 5150 for '06. Both mortgage interest and property taxes are itemizable, so most people (certainly most here in Westchester) would benefit. However, as the home I'd be buying is relatively cheap, the taxes and interest may not meet the standard deduction. E.g.: let's say my rate for a 64K loan is 7.4; this is a little high, but not impossible. In the first year, I'd pay $450 a month, with nearly $400 per month in interest. Couple that with the property taxes at approximately $185 per month, and the option to take the income and sales tax for NYS, and I'll have substantial tax savings. To properly use this benefit I'd need to increase the deductions on my paycheck after 2008 begins. I could increase the deductions right away (and I may do that anyway), but I would probably not get any tax benefit by doing so.
None of the above or in the previous post means this will occur, just that it could and that I could handle it. We'll see. When I here from my mortgage broker and visit the apartment, I'll know more.
None of the above or in the previous post means this will occur, just that it could and that I could handle it. We'll see. When I here from my mortgage broker and visit the apartment, I'll know more.
Then again...
When I finally took the plunge and bought my car, I first secured financing via Capital One. The rate was high, but I wasn't that perturbed; I just wanted to buy a reliable car. I first went to a Toyota dealer in Yonkers, fell for a bait and switch, got dissed, and left in a major hurry. I was pissed to say the least, and swore off buying a car for the immediate future. I even spoke to my then girlfriend and vented. One quick trip to the Toyota dealer in Mamaroneck, and I was the proud owner of a 2002 Corolla with only 26K on it. :)
I repeat this tale to add some perspective to my last post. I said I was considering buying a place, but my ongoing financial meltdown and total lack of cash made this difficult and probably a bad idea. That said, I was researching places, and I found a nice co-op in Croton for only 69,999. It's been on the market for a while, and I can probably talk them down to 60K. The complex allows cats as per the realtor, so the choice was easy. With that in mind, I spoke to a friend who is also a mortgage broker, and he's on the case. I also shifted some money from stocks and bonds to the money market portion of my retirement fund, so I can borrow a down payment if needed. I can also inflate my bank accounts to seem wealthier than I really am. The co-op board must approve my purchase, and few mundane tasks will terrify a New Yorker more than the phrase: "you need to be approved by the co-op board." Even worse, the denial comes with little recourse unless I could prove discrimination. Few boards are this dumb, so I have a contingency plan: a condo (no approval needed) in Fishkill. It's a bit far, but I'm not really in the mood to live in my walk up any more than needed.
This begs the question: what about all the other stuff I've been blogging for the past year or so? Good question. None of what I've been planning is off the table due to buying a place; in fact, it may be the start of finally putting these plans into motion. The real question is the value of the apartment as an investment. As per the http://thehousingbubbleblog.com/, the market is, politely put, in the shitter. Too many homes were built and then purchased with mortgages the were BY DESIGN not meant to be paid off, rather refinanced at a later date. No one mentioned the prepayment penalties, and no one asked either. As such, people are waiting for the bubble to burst, and althoug it is as we speak; it will get much worse before it gets better.This is probably the best reason not buy anything right now, but I do have an answer: I cannot forsee the value of the apartment falling that much between now and when I would sell it. Furthermore, I can rent the apartment (possibly to my mom) after living there for one year. It would pay for itself while Karl and I commence taking over the world. Also, the tax benefits to homeownership are HUGE, although I cannot quite articulate how you benefit. Scott knows all this much better than I do, so I'll ask him to explain it to me. I also printed out a form from the IRS to explain the benefits as well. Yes, I can understand tax guides from the IRS; I file government forms for a living.
Anyway, things are bouncing along. More later.
I repeat this tale to add some perspective to my last post. I said I was considering buying a place, but my ongoing financial meltdown and total lack of cash made this difficult and probably a bad idea. That said, I was researching places, and I found a nice co-op in Croton for only 69,999. It's been on the market for a while, and I can probably talk them down to 60K. The complex allows cats as per the realtor, so the choice was easy. With that in mind, I spoke to a friend who is also a mortgage broker, and he's on the case. I also shifted some money from stocks and bonds to the money market portion of my retirement fund, so I can borrow a down payment if needed. I can also inflate my bank accounts to seem wealthier than I really am. The co-op board must approve my purchase, and few mundane tasks will terrify a New Yorker more than the phrase: "you need to be approved by the co-op board." Even worse, the denial comes with little recourse unless I could prove discrimination. Few boards are this dumb, so I have a contingency plan: a condo (no approval needed) in Fishkill. It's a bit far, but I'm not really in the mood to live in my walk up any more than needed.
This begs the question: what about all the other stuff I've been blogging for the past year or so? Good question. None of what I've been planning is off the table due to buying a place; in fact, it may be the start of finally putting these plans into motion. The real question is the value of the apartment as an investment. As per the http://thehousingbubbleblog.com/, the market is, politely put, in the shitter. Too many homes were built and then purchased with mortgages the were BY DESIGN not meant to be paid off, rather refinanced at a later date. No one mentioned the prepayment penalties, and no one asked either. As such, people are waiting for the bubble to burst, and althoug it is as we speak; it will get much worse before it gets better.This is probably the best reason not buy anything right now, but I do have an answer: I cannot forsee the value of the apartment falling that much between now and when I would sell it. Furthermore, I can rent the apartment (possibly to my mom) after living there for one year. It would pay for itself while Karl and I commence taking over the world. Also, the tax benefits to homeownership are HUGE, although I cannot quite articulate how you benefit. Scott knows all this much better than I do, so I'll ask him to explain it to me. I also printed out a form from the IRS to explain the benefits as well. Yes, I can understand tax guides from the IRS; I file government forms for a living.
Anyway, things are bouncing along. More later.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Well, the die is cast....
Success comes at a high price. My laptop is dead, and this is after I sent it to CompUsa. Luckily, I have my backup disks, and I saved my music and videos and pictures, etc. I have a new desktop, and finally got it updated to the point I can play and surf, etc. Still, the price, both in money and personal aggravation, hardly seem worth it. I spent a small fortune, and although I'm happy to be surfing and gaming away, I have been defeated my myself yet again. I'll find out where the damage was most great soon enough, but for now I just want to chill and hide in my apartment. I can't even reply that I'll bump up my $$ through OT or anything else, just that I'll suffer for my accident and even if lose something really important, I cannot figure how it will be replaced. I say this because I have probably lost my second IPod, and now I'm forced to use the heavy Ipod instead. I hope I find it, but I can't buy another one either way. The real answer would be to buy a bus pass and take the Bee-Line to and from work, but I can't even do that.
Alex is visiting from Germany for 3 weeks, and I'm off for the last 2. What this means in terms of driving, etc., I cannot say. I only know I'll find out. I need to get together with my dad, but I believe he's away until Alex touches down. I may end up staying in Bethlehem part of the time and hang with Alex while my father is at work. We can hit the Poconos during the day and have dinner in the Lehigh Valley. We'll see. The paternal unit is discussing a trip to Las Vegas, which I could swing IF I cash in my airline miles (or find a really cheap flight). Hotels in Vegas aren't that expensive, so I'll try to swing it.
In other news, I may end up leaving therapy for the moment. It's been a long road with therapy and I don't know if I'm better or worse for being there. Actually, I can answer that: yes I'm better. The main issue that sent me to therapy is fixed (?), although major areas of my personal life are a mess. Still, I believe I've reached the point where therapy is a bit redundant. Then again, so is this blog.
Finally, in the offbeat news segment, I have accomplished a goal I've been trying to finish since I moved back to NY: no, not biblical communion with twins, nor a group grope in hot tub at Pennsic. (Sans hot tub? OK, mission accomplished). I refer to a goal much greater and more personally significant; (than a threesome with twins? This better be good.) yes, I have scored Counting Crows tickets! (Waiting for applause; hearing crickets...) . I'm a huge Crows fan, and I'm thrilled to be going to a nostalgia show in Dutchess. Wait, this isn't working. Well, I am happy to have the tickets, as I've been stymied for literally years. Still, the bloom is off the collective rose when I saw an add for the concert with the following tag line: "All the hits!" Damn, that
KILLED the mood. I realize this more for the opening acts of Live (Lightning Crashes) and Collective Soul (um... can't think of anything, but they were big back in the day - right?). Neither band excites me, but if I had to chose between the two, I'd take Live. They seem like they'd be better, um, live. Live actually strikes me as a proto-Creed, musically gifted but WAY too self-serious. Damn pretentious to say the least. Of course, the same can be said of Collective Soul, but without the musical talent. Also, CS dissed NYC, so fuck them. Mid 90's flash in the pans aside, Counting Crows has never had that many radio hits, but have a loyal fan base and sell out tours. I'll assume this one will sell out as well. It's a nice feeling to finally hit a CC concert, and I'll have a report and set list, though no one will read it. Why do I blog? Can someone remind me? Wait, no one is reading. Anyway, this will make an excellent end of summer experience.
In closing, I'm broke (bot not so broke I won't spend 117 on concert tickets) and I'll need to lay low for a while. I was acutally entertaining the thought of buying a place, but I should wait.
Alex is visiting from Germany for 3 weeks, and I'm off for the last 2. What this means in terms of driving, etc., I cannot say. I only know I'll find out. I need to get together with my dad, but I believe he's away until Alex touches down. I may end up staying in Bethlehem part of the time and hang with Alex while my father is at work. We can hit the Poconos during the day and have dinner in the Lehigh Valley. We'll see. The paternal unit is discussing a trip to Las Vegas, which I could swing IF I cash in my airline miles (or find a really cheap flight). Hotels in Vegas aren't that expensive, so I'll try to swing it.
In other news, I may end up leaving therapy for the moment. It's been a long road with therapy and I don't know if I'm better or worse for being there. Actually, I can answer that: yes I'm better. The main issue that sent me to therapy is fixed (?), although major areas of my personal life are a mess. Still, I believe I've reached the point where therapy is a bit redundant. Then again, so is this blog.
Finally, in the offbeat news segment, I have accomplished a goal I've been trying to finish since I moved back to NY: no, not biblical communion with twins, nor a group grope in hot tub at Pennsic. (Sans hot tub? OK, mission accomplished). I refer to a goal much greater and more personally significant; (than a threesome with twins? This better be good.) yes, I have scored Counting Crows tickets! (Waiting for applause; hearing crickets...) . I'm a huge Crows fan, and I'm thrilled to be going to a nostalgia show in Dutchess. Wait, this isn't working. Well, I am happy to have the tickets, as I've been stymied for literally years. Still, the bloom is off the collective rose when I saw an add for the concert with the following tag line: "All the hits!" Damn, that
KILLED the mood. I realize this more for the opening acts of Live (Lightning Crashes) and Collective Soul (um... can't think of anything, but they were big back in the day - right?). Neither band excites me, but if I had to chose between the two, I'd take Live. They seem like they'd be better, um, live. Live actually strikes me as a proto-Creed, musically gifted but WAY too self-serious. Damn pretentious to say the least. Of course, the same can be said of Collective Soul, but without the musical talent. Also, CS dissed NYC, so fuck them. Mid 90's flash in the pans aside, Counting Crows has never had that many radio hits, but have a loyal fan base and sell out tours. I'll assume this one will sell out as well. It's a nice feeling to finally hit a CC concert, and I'll have a report and set list, though no one will read it. Why do I blog? Can someone remind me? Wait, no one is reading. Anyway, this will make an excellent end of summer experience.
In closing, I'm broke (bot not so broke I won't spend 117 on concert tickets) and I'll need to lay low for a while. I was acutally entertaining the thought of buying a place, but I should wait.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Wow...
Well, it seems I am the reason my laptop is dead. Evidently my computer took a coffee bath. Worse still, this may not be covered by my service plan and I may need another computer anyway. Man this sucks. Ergo, if the price for the repair is high enough, I may need a new computer anyway. When the fuck did this happen? Bah
Update...
Well, the worst case scenario was activated. I will need a new hard drive and a reinstall on my hard drive. Ergo, I just spent 158.00 on data back up, and I am FUCKING pissed. More later, but when that will be I cannot say.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Welcome to June...
I'd bitch about the weather (gonna hit 90 today) or avoiding homicide at a meeting on Wed. only by leaving without speaking to ANYONE. Thankfully, men do not need conversation when shaking hands. No, today I want to bitch about CompUsa.
I've mentioned my laptop on this blog many times, and as of yesterday morning it was working fine. Last night, however, the computer died. I spent nearly an hour with tech support last night, but it did not help. Luckily, I purchased the service agreement, and I'm still covered. However, CompUsa decided to close both local stores, so I must how either go to Manhattan (yeah, right) or truck 54 miles all the way to Orange CT. Hopping to CT is an improvement only when compared to driving to the city, but it is off I-95. They are getting an earful tonight, that is for fucking sure. Anyway, though I'm covered, there's the chance that I may lose my laptop and need another one, or it may need to be refurbished, thereby formatting my hard drive and me losing all my data. Hopefully it's fixable, but I cannot say. All this means is no WoW, and no surfing, and I may actually turn on the TV for the first time in months. At least I have my P2. If that breaks... eh.
Anyway, it's good to write once more, and better to expand my tiny space on the 'Net. Things are afoot, as usual, and I'm wondering what will happen this summer. The summer is always important in our culture; the warm weather and it's short duration create an artificial time and place for discovery and experimentation. Summer vacation, summer flings, summer planting (which is why we have a summer vacation to begin with), etc. all lend credence to my notion, and I'm not immune to the phenomenon. I've already buried one friendship and I may be burying another. As I was commenting to friend last night, all this recent activity (very little of which is positive, or even tolerable) will leave my life far less full, and this was before my laptop died ignominiously. Combine this with the extended time off I'll receive this summer, and I'll be overstimulated and under supervised. I cannot view all of this as automatically bad, merely unpleasant. Change is rarely easy with me, and I must remember one of me exes: Pat. She and I were a serious couple - seriously unhealthy. In the end she went nuts ( I mean that clinically, not descriptively) and I was sick of it. I can say she was probably trying to get me to marry her, but I wasn't ready. The fact she is 10 1/2 years older than I did not help. We were not meant to be together any longer and I wanted out. I was terrified of the notion of not being with her; we were terribly codependent. When we did break up, I found I was free! I got myself together and began life anew. I won't say I'm doing back flips with the result, but I am happier than when I was with her. That feeling of change is quite strong now, and I wonder if I'm embarking on another transition. I'm loosing thins left and right; what will replace them? I'll find out by the end of October.
I can also say I'm finally shaking the depression/angst/anxiety I've enjoying for the past few months. One of those realization moments occurred at the aforementioned homicide-free meeting, when I realized how much I missed... something. I couldn't put my finger on it until I was sitting down to read the Big Book, and then I realized I wanted to feel like I did in early sobriety. I had hope and I felt so much better than today. I haven't been hitting enough meetings, and even the small increase I've had lately have helped. With that, I'll have to endeavor to go to Harbor Island, if not tonight, then Sunday and beyond. More later....
I've mentioned my laptop on this blog many times, and as of yesterday morning it was working fine. Last night, however, the computer died. I spent nearly an hour with tech support last night, but it did not help. Luckily, I purchased the service agreement, and I'm still covered. However, CompUsa decided to close both local stores, so I must how either go to Manhattan (yeah, right) or truck 54 miles all the way to Orange CT. Hopping to CT is an improvement only when compared to driving to the city, but it is off I-95. They are getting an earful tonight, that is for fucking sure. Anyway, though I'm covered, there's the chance that I may lose my laptop and need another one, or it may need to be refurbished, thereby formatting my hard drive and me losing all my data. Hopefully it's fixable, but I cannot say. All this means is no WoW, and no surfing, and I may actually turn on the TV for the first time in months. At least I have my P2. If that breaks... eh.
Anyway, it's good to write once more, and better to expand my tiny space on the 'Net. Things are afoot, as usual, and I'm wondering what will happen this summer. The summer is always important in our culture; the warm weather and it's short duration create an artificial time and place for discovery and experimentation. Summer vacation, summer flings, summer planting (which is why we have a summer vacation to begin with), etc. all lend credence to my notion, and I'm not immune to the phenomenon. I've already buried one friendship and I may be burying another. As I was commenting to friend last night, all this recent activity (very little of which is positive, or even tolerable) will leave my life far less full, and this was before my laptop died ignominiously. Combine this with the extended time off I'll receive this summer, and I'll be overstimulated and under supervised. I cannot view all of this as automatically bad, merely unpleasant. Change is rarely easy with me, and I must remember one of me exes: Pat. She and I were a serious couple - seriously unhealthy. In the end she went nuts ( I mean that clinically, not descriptively) and I was sick of it. I can say she was probably trying to get me to marry her, but I wasn't ready. The fact she is 10 1/2 years older than I did not help. We were not meant to be together any longer and I wanted out. I was terrified of the notion of not being with her; we were terribly codependent. When we did break up, I found I was free! I got myself together and began life anew. I won't say I'm doing back flips with the result, but I am happier than when I was with her. That feeling of change is quite strong now, and I wonder if I'm embarking on another transition. I'm loosing thins left and right; what will replace them? I'll find out by the end of October.
I can also say I'm finally shaking the depression/angst/anxiety I've enjoying for the past few months. One of those realization moments occurred at the aforementioned homicide-free meeting, when I realized how much I missed... something. I couldn't put my finger on it until I was sitting down to read the Big Book, and then I realized I wanted to feel like I did in early sobriety. I had hope and I felt so much better than today. I haven't been hitting enough meetings, and even the small increase I've had lately have helped. With that, I'll have to endeavor to go to Harbor Island, if not tonight, then Sunday and beyond. More later....
