I love this trike. It reminds me of my big wheel when I was a kid.
Zeel Design
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Tara Needs Your Prayers
This is my friend Tara Larosa.
This is Tara Larosa's boyfriend SFC Adrian M Elizalde killed in Iraq when an IED hit his truck on Thursday August, 23rd. He was 30 years old.
This is Tara Larosa's boyfriend SFC Adrian M Elizalde killed in Iraq when an IED hit his truck on Thursday August, 23rd. He was 30 years old.
Home prices drop
WASHINGTON – Sales of existing homes dropped for a fifth straight month in July while the number of unsold homes shot up to a record level.
Many analysts said the worst slump in housing in 16 years is likely to deepen in coming months, reflecting the recent turmoil in credit markets, which has caused lenders to tighten their standards.
The National Association of Realtors reported Monday that sales of existing homes dipped by 0.2 percent in July, compared to June, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.75 million units.
The median price of a home sold last month slid to $230,200, down by 0.6 percent from the median price a year ago. It marked the 12th consecutive month that home prices have declined, a record stretch.
On Wall Street, stocks retreated on Monday after the housing report renewed concerns about the strength of the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 56.74 points to close at 13,322.13.
The deep slump in housing, combined with recent severe turmoil in financial markets, has raised worries about a possible recession. But many economists believe the Federal Reserve will ward off a full-blown downturn by reducing a key short-term interest rate should financial market conditions fail to stabilize.
But economists said the report on existing home sales signaled further trouble ahead, given a big jump in the inventory of unsold homes which rose by 5.1 percent to a record level of 4.59 million homes.
Based on the July sales pace, it would take 9.2 months to exhaust the number of single-family homes on the market, the highest level in nearly 16 years, and 11.9 months to exhaust the level of condominiums on the market. The months supply of condos sitting on the market is 45.1 percent higher than a year ago.
The rising glut of unsold homes is putting downward pressure on prices. The median price of an existing home, the point where half of homes sold for more and half for less, has now fallen every month for a year, something that has not occurred before on Realtors' records going back to 1969. Economists said to expect more price declines in coming months.
“We are literally swimming in an ocean of homes for sale,” said Mike Larson, a real estate analyst with Weiss Research Inc. “Until we work through this extremely large inventory glut, we're not going to see any momentum in home prices.”
Analysts said the financial market turbulence that has occurred in August will mean further downward pressure on home sales as big investors such as hedge funds grow more leery about purchasing mortgages that have been packaged into securities for fear that the rising number of defaults will mean they won't get repaid.
Even before the latest market turbulence, banks and other lenders were tightening up on their loan standards in response to rising delinquencies, especially on subprime loans extended to borrowers with weak credit histories.
“With fewer buyers qualifying for loans and lots of unsold houses out there, that makes a choice recipe for further sales declines this fall and into the winter,” said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC
Hoffman said there is a growing threat that the severe slump in housing and sagging consumer confidence will weigh on consumer spending in the second half of this year, presenting a significant risk to the overall economy. But he said he believed the country would be able to avoid an outright recession because the Federal Reserve will decide at its next meeting on Sept. 18 to cut the federal funds rate, the key benchmark rate for millions of consumer and business loans.
Hoffman said he expected the September Fed rate cut would be the first of several as the central bank steps up its efforts to combat the current turbulence. The Fed in the past two weeks has supplied the banking system with billions of dollars to encourage banks to keep making loans and on Aug. 17 announced a half-point cut in its discount rate, the interest it charges to make direct loans to banks.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said the latest housing report showed the need for Congress to increase efforts to deal with the potential flood of foreclosures that are being projected over the next two years as nearly 2 million homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages experience payment shocks as their loans reset in a weakening housing market.
“We need to deal with widespread uncertainty in the mortgage market and help to refinance borrowers who were duped into bad loans,” said Schumer, who is sponsoring legislation to boost federal support for mortgage counseling services.
The 0.2 percent drop in July sales, compared with activity in June, marked the fifth straight monthly decline and left sales 9 percent below the level of a year ago. The sales pace was the slowest since November 2002.
By region of the country, sales fell by 2.2 percent in the Midwest and were unchanged in the South. Sales rose by 1.8 percent in the West and 1 percent in the Northeast.
Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the Realtors, said he viewed the rise in sales in the Northeast as a potentially hopefully sign of a national rebound since that was the region where sales and prices first started falling after a five-year boom which ended in 2006.
Many analysts said the worst slump in housing in 16 years is likely to deepen in coming months, reflecting the recent turmoil in credit markets, which has caused lenders to tighten their standards.
The National Association of Realtors reported Monday that sales of existing homes dipped by 0.2 percent in July, compared to June, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.75 million units.
The median price of a home sold last month slid to $230,200, down by 0.6 percent from the median price a year ago. It marked the 12th consecutive month that home prices have declined, a record stretch.
On Wall Street, stocks retreated on Monday after the housing report renewed concerns about the strength of the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 56.74 points to close at 13,322.13.
The deep slump in housing, combined with recent severe turmoil in financial markets, has raised worries about a possible recession. But many economists believe the Federal Reserve will ward off a full-blown downturn by reducing a key short-term interest rate should financial market conditions fail to stabilize.
But economists said the report on existing home sales signaled further trouble ahead, given a big jump in the inventory of unsold homes which rose by 5.1 percent to a record level of 4.59 million homes.
Based on the July sales pace, it would take 9.2 months to exhaust the number of single-family homes on the market, the highest level in nearly 16 years, and 11.9 months to exhaust the level of condominiums on the market. The months supply of condos sitting on the market is 45.1 percent higher than a year ago.
The rising glut of unsold homes is putting downward pressure on prices. The median price of an existing home, the point where half of homes sold for more and half for less, has now fallen every month for a year, something that has not occurred before on Realtors' records going back to 1969. Economists said to expect more price declines in coming months.
“We are literally swimming in an ocean of homes for sale,” said Mike Larson, a real estate analyst with Weiss Research Inc. “Until we work through this extremely large inventory glut, we're not going to see any momentum in home prices.”
Analysts said the financial market turbulence that has occurred in August will mean further downward pressure on home sales as big investors such as hedge funds grow more leery about purchasing mortgages that have been packaged into securities for fear that the rising number of defaults will mean they won't get repaid.
Even before the latest market turbulence, banks and other lenders were tightening up on their loan standards in response to rising delinquencies, especially on subprime loans extended to borrowers with weak credit histories.
“With fewer buyers qualifying for loans and lots of unsold houses out there, that makes a choice recipe for further sales declines this fall and into the winter,” said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC
Hoffman said there is a growing threat that the severe slump in housing and sagging consumer confidence will weigh on consumer spending in the second half of this year, presenting a significant risk to the overall economy. But he said he believed the country would be able to avoid an outright recession because the Federal Reserve will decide at its next meeting on Sept. 18 to cut the federal funds rate, the key benchmark rate for millions of consumer and business loans.
Hoffman said he expected the September Fed rate cut would be the first of several as the central bank steps up its efforts to combat the current turbulence. The Fed in the past two weeks has supplied the banking system with billions of dollars to encourage banks to keep making loans and on Aug. 17 announced a half-point cut in its discount rate, the interest it charges to make direct loans to banks.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said the latest housing report showed the need for Congress to increase efforts to deal with the potential flood of foreclosures that are being projected over the next two years as nearly 2 million homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages experience payment shocks as their loans reset in a weakening housing market.
“We need to deal with widespread uncertainty in the mortgage market and help to refinance borrowers who were duped into bad loans,” said Schumer, who is sponsoring legislation to boost federal support for mortgage counseling services.
The 0.2 percent drop in July sales, compared with activity in June, marked the fifth straight monthly decline and left sales 9 percent below the level of a year ago. The sales pace was the slowest since November 2002.
By region of the country, sales fell by 2.2 percent in the Midwest and were unchanged in the South. Sales rose by 1.8 percent in the West and 1 percent in the Northeast.
Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the Realtors, said he viewed the rise in sales in the Northeast as a potentially hopefully sign of a national rebound since that was the region where sales and prices first started falling after a five-year boom which ended in 2006.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Yamaha Midnight Warrior
Stock
Custom
Sport meets cruiser in the all-black version of the four-time AMA Prostar drag racing champion. Can I get a hell yeah?
Custom
Sport meets cruiser in the all-black version of the four-time AMA Prostar drag racing champion. Can I get a hell yeah?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Cane Corso
Group
Guardian
Life Expectancy
10-11 years
Size Male
Height: 24-27 inches
Weight: 99-110 pounds
Size Female
Height: 23-25 inches
Weight: 88-99 pounds
Temperament
Very loyal, willing to please and quiet around the house. The Cane Corso is highly intelligent and very trainable. Active and even-minded, he is an unequalled watch and protection dog. The Cane Corso is great with children in the family. Docile and affectionate with the owner. They are protective yet gentle. The Cane Corso has a very stable temperament. It makes an excellent guard dog and watchdog. It will not wonder from the home. They stick close to their masters. If necessary he becomes a terrible and brave protector of people, house and property. The Cane Corso is not a fighting dog. They were bred as working dogs for hundreds of years. Therefore they will not go out looking for a fight, but on the other hand they will not back down from other dogs.
Originally used for hearding and guarding, the Cane Corso is somewhat aggressive with strangers and other dogs and is only recommended for an experienced handler. Cane Corsos make excellent family dogs, they are quiet, loyal, intelligent and gentle with children. Cane Corsos make excellent guard and watchdogs and are very willing to please their families.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Presa Canario
Group
Guardian
Life Expectancy
9-11 years
Size Male
Height: 24-26 inches
Weight: 103-126 pounds
Size Female
Height: 23-25 inches
Weight: 89-110 pounds
Temperament
Generally, the Canary Dog will make good guardians and companions. The Canary dog likes to spend time around people, yet can be suspicious of strangers. They are relatively aggressive in disposition, yet they tend to be affectionate towards the owners. Tolerance of other dogs is minimal. Therefore, the Canary dog may be a poor choice for people who have other pets in the household.
The Canary Dog requires a very dominant owner who understands the alpha nature in canines. No member of the family can be uncomfortable around the dog. The Canary dog will make outstanding guard dogs. Just their appearance is a deterrent not to mention their ability to confront any intruder. In the wrong hands this dog can be dangerous, but with the right owner it can make a nice, devoted companion. This is not a breed for first time dog owners.
The BoerBoel of South Africa
Boerboel playing with english bulldog
I've been researching guard dog breeds for when I get a house. I came across this breed and it's on my top potential breed list.
Group
Guardian
I've been researching guard dog breeds for when I get a house. I came across this breed and it's on my top potential breed list.
Group
Guardian
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Size Male
Height:25-28 inches
Weight:150-200 pounds
Size Female
Height:23-26 inches
Weight:150-200 pounds
Temperament
The temperament of the Boerboel dog is considered to be his most attractive and most important characteristic. The South Africans describe him as the only breed in the world bred with one purpose only: to guard and protect. A Boerboel dog should never sulk or grumble after being reprimanded. People buy a Boerboel dog for his temperament only, and this should stay his most important quality. He should be your best friend, he has to read your mind, he has to know when you feel threatened, and know instinctively if you approve of a stranger or not! He should feel when you are afraid, and tell you with a deep, comforting rumble: I'm here; with my life I will protect you.
He is a child-lover and playmate by excellence. He is not a one-man's dog, but he will love and protect every member of his family alike. The entire family belongs to him to love and safeguard them from any harm.
The Boerboel dog is a protector and can be very aggressive to people passing in the street. They will guard their family, friends and property with their life. When the owners are not home they will not allow anyone to enter the home, unless they know them very well. When welcomed visitors arrive they will accept them after being properly introduced. They are however, guard dogs, and will keep close watch over any house guest. Owners have to be very careful when opening the gate or door so that they don't get out into the street when people are passing by. The Boerboel Dog will do okay with other dogs, cats and other non-canine pets, letting birds come down and snatch from their food bowl. The Boerboel Dog requires a dominant owner.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Bodies . . . The Exhibition
Due to overwhelming public demand, the exhibition will extend its run in San Diego through November 11, 2007. Tickets are available at the box office or by visiting www.bodiestickets.com or calling 877-BODIES-5.
I still haven't checked this out. Anyone want to go with me?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
UCLA study on cannabis
Dr. Donald Tashkin of UCLA Geffin School of medicine talks to Lanny about the effects of cannabis (marijuana, pot, herb, smoke, etc) on the lungs.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
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