One advantage to being poor: I don’t own a home in Bermuda

Igor heading its way.

A softer version of the Chesire/Petit murder trial

From the New York Times. In a way, it explains the police force’s tardiness – who could imagine such horrendous acts? Normal people just don’t think like these two guys. Fry ‘em.

Known this all along: Yankee fans are perverts and criminals

Says so right here in the New York Times. Red Sox fans, on the other hand, are sober, right-standing citizens. Take my word for it.

Mugger, criminal!

Here’s a fascinating story

From InstaPundit, of course

HMM: Sunspots could soon disappear for decades: study. “Sunspot formation is triggered by a magnetic field, which scientists say is steadily declining. They predict that by 2016 there may be no remaining sunspots, and the sun may stay spotless for several decades. The last time the sunspots disappeared altogether was in the 17th and 18th century, and coincided with a lengthy cool period on the planet known as the Little Ice Age.” I don’t like cold weather.

The New York Post gets this story right

“Podunk” police dawdled for thirty minutes while family was killed. I commented yesterday on the thirty minute delay between the time the Chesire police were alerted to the Petit family’s horror and their arrival, but it turns out the cops did get there in plenty of time to save the women, but set about “establishing a perimeter”, whatever the hell that means, for a full half-hour. During which time, or course, the mother and her two young daughters were raped one final time, strangled, and burned to death. Good Lord. The police captain in charge says he was following strict state protocol for hostage situations. Maybe that protocol should be reviewed.

Have you ever seen the air when approaching NYC by plane?

New York City wants to ban smoking in Central Park. There are lunatics afoot and unfortunately, many of them are on the City Council.

The tea party’s a women’s movement!

Or so this poll claims. It makes sense to me – I’ve always said the Republicans were writing off a huge body of voters by being anti-abortion. Tea party candidates tend to be fiscally conservative and neutral – libertarian on the so-called social morality issues. Turns out, that appeals to number of bright, angry women. I will happily stand aside and let them lead.

Here’s a depressing bit of news for home owners

But not buyers. Bloomberg quotes “experts” who think prices will fall another 5-10% and then stick there for three years as the shadow inventory is absorbed.

What I said

Here’s a woman commenting on that sexpot Mexican sportscaster. She says, you lead with sex, you get sex back. Which is what I said yesterday. I may still be wrong, but I’m not alone.

Tea Party candidate loses in New Hampshire

I could swear NPR reported the Tea Party candidate winning, but either they or, more likely, my ears got this story wrong. The Republican-backed candidate won, by a 1,000 votes or so.

How can you go wrong here?

142 Cat Rock

This house is almost new and was purchased for $4.05 million in 2005. The owner priced it for resale at $5 million and it has dropped, dropped dropped ever since. Today it’s at $2.625, which is just about its 2005 assessment (which was supposed to be 70% of its 2005 market value). I think the house is fabulous and I really don’t understand why it hasn’t been snapped up. There may be septic system issue regarding the number of bedrooms (it has six) but that shouldn’t be insurmountable. This house is a very good deal.

Land deal on North Street

487 North Street

This beautiful old mansion sits on 14.8 acres across from the Dingletown / North Street intersection. The house needs a complete renovation, but what the heck – it started off at $23.5 million in 2005, dropped to $13 million, eventually, and was then pulled from the market. Neighbors on Flagler Drive, which it abuts had sued the heirs over a proposed subdivision but that’s apparently been resolved and they’re back before th P&Z for final approval of a five-lot split. I think there’s an opportinity here.

He didn’t call me?

Franklin of the RTM

RTM member and FAR Czar Franklin Bloomer has listed his house on Pinecrest in Riverside for sale at $1.895. Pinecrest is a very nice street.

Sales and a contract

1 Byram Dock Street

 

Paid $2.2 million in 2004, assessed at $1.882, sold yesterday for $1.72 

On the other hand, 80 Shore Road in Old Greenwich never hit the market but is showing as sold today for $2.8 million, assessment $1.68. Did the buyer get a deal, or the seller? We’ll never know. 

28 Flagler, a nice 2 acre land parcel off North Street, is under contract – last asking price, $2.6 (ish).

Malloy vs. Foley

Malloy ahead by nine points. I wonder if I’m the only voter who doesn’t read the local paper or watch TV. If I’m not, how do these candidates reach us, or are we so insignificant in numbers (entirely probable) that it doesn’t matter? I have received no information about either candidate, but how could they reach me? Beats me – I’m just curious about how many other voters are off the grid.

Disgruntled UConn law graduates

I’m sorry for them. I went there because, in 1978, they offered free tuition to Connecticut residents. These days, the students incur over $100,000 in debt. Bad choice. I was earning $25,000 as a salesman before attending, on my way to making $35,000. My first salary as a lawyer, three years later, was $22,000. Ouch.

A downside to medical tourism

Drug-resistant bug appears in three states and Canada.

In the world of infectious diseases there is a new bacterial strain causing concern and alarm in the medical community. This strain of bacteria is resistant to the majority of available antibiotics and has infected people in three states as well as Canada. The bacterium has infected people globally, according to health officials. The culprit is a rogue gene that causes the bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics.

The cases reported in the United States and Canada share one particular detail in common, each infected individual had received medical care in India. This resistant strain of bacteria is widespread in that country. There is no information as of yet, regarding the number of deaths attributed to this super-bug and the gene responsible for the drug resistant bug is mostly found in bacteria associated with stomach or urinary tract infections. Numerous cases have been reported in England.

Disease specialists have been dreading this day, the day conventional antibiotics fail to do their job.

Don’t bank on it

Chase Bank’s application to open a new branch next to Dunkin Dounuts in Cos Cob was rejected, 3-2, by the P&Z last night. I’ll check with Fudrucker for details but for now, that’s all I can glean from the Greenwich Time.