Mariannes Motifs

Where is my stimulus check?

The 45th most popular search today on Google is "Where is my stimulus check?"  It's amazing that something you didn't expect to get you now start to count on and spend in your head before it gets here.

What are you going to do with this "free" money?  I am going to finish paying off my credit card.  Just what Shrub does not want me to do with it, but I refuse to be a consumer puppet propping up an unsustainable consumer landfill economy. 

Be subversive - here are some things you could do with your stimulus check besides spend it on disposable consumer goods.

1.  Pay an extra mortgage payment.

2.  Put in in a Roth IRA.

3.  Pay off a credit card.

4.  Put it in a college savings plan for your kids.

5.  Make an extra car payment.

6.  Do you have a big enough cash savings?  Open a savings account with this money and forget about it.

7.  Open a brokerage account and buy some well managed no load mutual fund shares.  See Roth IRA above.

Still wanting to know where your check or direct deposit is?  Here's the schedule from irs.gov.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits:	Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20	May 2
21 through 75	May 9
76 through 99	May 16

 

 

 

 

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks will be mailed starting May 9 and will continue through May 16. A similar process will be repeated in the following weeks.

PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits:	Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09	May 16
10 through 18	May 23
19 through 25	May 30
26 through 38	June 6
39 through 51	June 13
52 through 63	June 20
64 through 75	June 27
76 through 87	July 4
88 through 99	July 11

Derby Day and Wimbledon are Coming

There is something about certain sporting events that just conjures up imagery of class and distinction.  I have not yet attended the Kentucky Derby, or Wimbledon in person, but I fully intend to someday.

The Kentucky Derby in particular holds a very special place in my heart - it was Jin and my first date together - 13 years ago.   We watched the race at my friend George's house, made bets just for fun, and then spent the day together.  Every year we celebrate our "unofficial" anniversary on Derby day and make sure to watch the race and pick a horse to cheer for.

Someday we will attend the Derby, and I will wear a big hat!

Now another fantastic and classic event I would love to attend is Wimbledon.  I have always wanted to go to England, and what better thing to do than see the oldest major championship in tennis.   Whereas at the Kentucky Derby the spectators are sipping Mint Juleps, at Wimbledon, the traditional snack is strawberries and cream.  Did you know that according to Wikipedia,  approximately 62,000 pounds of strawberries and 1,540 gallons of cream are sold each year during the Championships?

I wonder how much it would cost to buy Wimbledon debenture tickets?  Wimbledon tickets are in great demand.   I read on Wikipedia that would be spectators wait in line overnight to get the same day tickets that are available to the public.

Local Coeur D'Aline Real Estate Agency Preserves the Past

When the founders of the Coeur D'Alene Idaho real estate agency "Prestige Realty" chose the white House, located downtown, at 805 E Sherman in Coeur'D Alene, Idaho for their offices they not only were choosing their office space, but also saving a local historic monument from developers who had planned to tear down the home.  Now they can enjoy working in a beautiful  turn-of-the-century mansion downtown that also has the benefit of adjacent free parking.

Prestige Realty is a fairly new independent real estate agency in North Idaho.   But don't think that because the company is newly formed, that the agents are new - the majority of their agents have been working in real estate for over 20 years.   According to my web interview with the team,  their focus is on exceptional customer service, taking the time to really understand the needs of their clients, and having the highest level of professional ethics.  It was stressed that compared to other local firms, Prestige returns calls quicker!

Coeur D'Alene is located 30 miles from Spokane, Washington, in Northern Idaho, in what is called the Idaho Panhandle.  To quote from Wikipedia:

The city of Coeur d'Alene has grown significantly in recent years due in part to a substantial increase in tourism, encouraged by several resorts in the area. Barbara Walters called the city "a little slice of Heaven" and included it in her list of most fascinating places to visit.

If its anything like the gorgeous photos on the Prestige Realty Of North Idaho web site I can believe that it is a "little slice of heaven."

Prestige Realty is offering a sales and buying program where they can give up to a $10,000 rebate at closing to a buyer or seller of any home in North Idaho.  More information for this program can be found at Northidahorebates.com.

Here is some more information:

http://www.prestigerealtyni.com/

805 E Sherman, Coeur D'Alene Idaho, 83814
and our phone number 208-765-4500
or 1-877-sold-851

I saw a Smart Car

Yesterday when Melissa and I were stopping in at the local Barnes and Noble we saw a very funny looking yellow can, I mean, car.  Being the dedicated blogger I am I begged Melissa to pull out her camera and snap a shot of the teeny tiny Smart Car.  I had read about these little guys and I was kind of excited to see one in real life.

Apparently they are or will be offering an all Electric plug in (called a hybrid) version of this car, which I think is so cool.   Yes, this looks like a golf cart with a car built around it, but I think it would be pretty sweet for a short commute like I have.  I don't think you would want it to be your ONLY car, but for a second commuter-mobile, it would be darn cool.

I will add the photo as soon as I can - waiting for Mel to bring me her memory stick.

Edited to Add the Photo (4/26/08)

Lots of links about the Smart Car:

CNN Article on Smart Car

How Stuff Works - Smart Car

SmartUSA.com

ZAP Smart Car FAQ

Top Gear Smart Car Crash Test Video  -  I watched this and its pretty amazing how the "cage" of the car keeps the passenger area together when crashed into a concrete barrier at 70 MPH.   I wish they had had a crash test dummy in there though.

Smart Fortwo Buyer's Guide

Wired News: Smart Car Seeks Small Niche

Atlanta Pollen Count

According the the Atlanta Journal Constitution's "Metro Atlanta Pollen Count" page today's maniacal pollen count is a whopping 2809.

April 10, 2008

Pollen numbers are updated by 8:30 each weekday morning.

2809

Today's primary allergens: Pine, oak, sweet gum, birch, sycamore

Source: The Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic

My co-worker Amanda is planning a wedding on the beach on Fripp Island, North Carolina for later this summer.  The idea of being on a breezy pollen free beach with the waves crashing, sounds so nice.  I haven't received any wedding or bridal shower invitations yet  (she's actually having a very small family only destination wedding) so maybe I have to start planning my own beach getaway.  Maybe we could rent a condo in Destin, and drive down there.  That might be reasonable and kid friendly.

Atlanta Pollen Count

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Atlanta Pollen Count page, today's pollen count in the ATL is a whopping 2,659.  My head feels like it is filled with sand.  My eyes are puffy and baggy.  I am currently taking a nice cocktail of: singulair, advair, claritin, sudafed, and maxalt for the migraine I have developed from the pollen.  Don't forget the topamax I take to prevent the migraines, and add in 9 pills a day for Crohn's disease.  Lovely and charming.  Yay for me.

I am seriously considering trying Botox for migraines.  I have heard that for some people it works wonders.  The last time I went to the neurologist I forgot to ask him about it.  Next time I won't forget.

April 8, 2008
2659

Pollen numbers are updated by 8:30 each weekday morning
What this number means

Today's primary allergens:
Pine, oak, sweet gum, birch

Please note that according to the Atlanta Athsma Allergy Clinic "Atlanta Pollen Count" page an extremely high pollen count is defined as over 120.  One HUNDRED Twenty.  We are at TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED PLUS.  Altanta is just crazy this time of year.  You can literally see pollen all over the place.  My blue car is green.  You have to use your windshield wipers to get it off the windshield.   Its just out of hand.

POLLEN COUNT

0-30 Low

31-60 Moderate

61-120 High

Over 120 Extremely High

I've been to the mountaintop

40 years ago today Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically shot down and killed in Memphis, TN.  The night before, he had made a speech at the Monumental Baptist Church.  He was in Memphis in support of striking sanitation workers.  Before his death, King was broadening his  message to include wiping out poverty, and also opposition to the Viet Nam war.

King's last speech has come to be known as the "Mountaintop" speech, and is quite eerily prophetic.

Here's a link to a wonderful npr.org page all about MLK's last speech.

Remembering MLK's Prophetic 'Mountaintop' Speech

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life — longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything, I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." — the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

I was born two months after this event and, as as we all know, Robert F. Kennedy was also assassinated in that fateful summer.   I wonder what Martin Luther King could have accomplished if he had lived his natural lifespan?  We have come so far!  I wish he had lived to see it and help the process along.  Can you imagine what he would have thought of Barack Obama's promising presidential run?

Students plan to attack teacher with broken steak knife

Students plan to attack teacher with broken steak knife

Three Waycross, GA students ranging in ages from 8-10 are charged with assault after plotting to "knock the teacher unconscious with a glass paperweight, bind her with handcuffs and duct tape and then stab her with a broken steak knife."  As many as 9 children had some involvement in the plan.

Why do these crazy news stories always have to be coming out of Georgia?  We wonder why the rest of the country looks down on us - well its news stories like these, people!   I swear to you that people in Georgia are perfectly normal and not trying to stab anyone with a steak knife, broken or otherwise.  I am from upstate New York, so I know what life is like elsewhere than the South, so take my word for it.

If its not "Hogzilla, " or the "State Flag Controversy," or perhaps Former DeKalb county Georgia sheriff convicted of murdering successor, or the PBS special "The Lost Children of Rockdale County," Georgia always gets dumped on in the news.  Sigh. 

Yes, Georgia was also responsible for the Runaway Bride.  Sorry, man.  We're really, really, sorry.

Under Armour for the troops

I was listening to a really interesting piece on National Public Radio today about a woman who runs a coffee shop and has a board up listing the names of local soldiers who have died in Iraq.  She was quoted in the article as saying that she walks a fine line in a military town of supporting the soldiers but being against the war.

This is pretty much how I feel.  Its a real shame that some people have made it seem like disagreeing with the president or not liking the way the war was started or ran, is the same thing as not being patriotic and not supporting our troops.  I truly think the United States of America is the greatest country on Earth, and one of the major reasons is that I have the right to write this blog post saying that I do not support President G W Bush, and I think he and some of  his buddies bamboozled the American people into going into a war that could have well been avoided.  And once there, they didn't even run it properly.

I do support the troops, however!  Some of those guys and gals are my personal friends, in fact.  Did you know that alot of family and friends of soldiers will buy gear and send it over to their loved ones who are serving?  I have heard for example that Under Armour brand clothing is a favorite for wearing under the heavy bulletproof vests and fighting gear as it stops the chafing in the heat.  This place that  sells SWAT gear,  including Under Armour, might be a good place to get it.  They even direct ship right to an APO address.

Earth Hour

What are you going to do for Earth Hour?

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

According to this  Sunrise/Sunset chart the sun will go down at about 7:00 PM here in ATL so what will I do with the kids that does not require any power?  Perhaps we will play UNO by candlelight until bedtime.  The boys have really been enjoying playing UNO lately.  Adam calls the Wild Card "Bonus" and he won't play unless he has one.  Nor will he play the card - he just wants to hold onto it.  Its pretty funny to play a card game with a 3 year old and a 4 year old.  You have to be kind of flexible, if you know what I mean.

Downtown Atlanta hit by Tornado

First of all, we are fine.  We has severe thunderstorms in the Northern suburbs and that was all.  Jin was out having a night out before my trip and I had trouble getting through to him and I was worried for a few minutes.  He was a a bar in Sandy Springs and was fine.

What I can't beleive is that I was at Phillips Arena 3 days before it got hit by a TORNADO.  (See the hockey pictures below)  Jin and I sat in the food court and had dinner before we went into the game.  Now I watch the local news and see the food court has no roof!

Wow.  You just never think of a tornado hitting downtown like that.  Alot of people were hurt but thank god no-one was killed.  And the Aquarium was about 1 foot away so thank god the big fish tank didn't get blown away.  Yikes.

Cash for Property

Recent problems in the mortgage markets have many people struggling to pay their mortgages and facing foreclosure.  This is such a sad situation.  Having a foreclosure on your credit record will make it even more difficult in the future for you to get your next car loan, or other credit that you may need in the future.  I predict that going forward, the problems we are currently seeing in the credit market are going to start bleeding over into consumer credit and it will be much harder to get credit cards and car loans if your credit is not top notch.

With the state of the real estate market also effected by the mortgage industry problems, many people are looking for a quick way to sell their house and get out of a bad loan situation.  One company that buys houses quickly for a reduced price is Properties Direct.  Basically, they give you cash for property without having to wait for a long time to find the right buyer.

While someone with time to put the house on the market with a traditional broker and wait and see what happens is going to get a better price for the house, a person facing repossession or who needs money right away to pay debts might want to take advantage of a quick property sale.

Terrorism vs. Tourism

Terrorism vs. Tourism

Somehow I am really surprised that a terrorist could live in the US and not absorb out values of freedom, individualism, and tolerance.  I wonder if the 9/11 terrorists ever thought to themselves, "Hey wait, maybe I could just finish my flight training and be a pilot.  Maybe I don't have to die."

Kamikaze suicide bomber fighting is not the style in the US.  Even a Rambo-type "suicide mission" in our popular films always has the possibility of survival.  One casualty is one too many to us.  We don't see things in terms of "We killed more than we lost."

I don't understand the London train bomber who was a teaching assistant.  How could you work with children all day all the while planning to kill people (possibly those very same kids’ parents!).  Suicide bombers with children of their own - how can this be explained?

My idea for peace in the Middle East is to have all the major religions share in turning Jerusalem into a major tourist spot.  After all it is the holy city for three major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Do some Disney style crowd management, have great security, and all levels of accommodation from budget to luxury.  Let each religion control their own part of the pie and split the proceeds equitably.  We can call it "Holy Land."  I am being slightly glib but I am quite serious.

People say that the real driving force behind the siren call of violent Islamic extremism is poverty and lack of economic opportunity.  If the Jews, Muslims, and Christians of Israel and Palestine could work together to collect the money from tourists to the region, the jobs and opportunity that would naturally arise would be the best antidote for violent extremism.  Happy working people in a free country just don't do things like blow themselves up for a cause.  Or do they?