Texsox

As my wife and I are getting closer to retirement we are making some changes to our investments. One area is we have sold our undeveloped land and are looking at rental properties. This thread has helped a little in my process of putting a plan together. I've slowly developed a strategy for looking at homes. I've divided neighborhoods and/or homes into three opportunities. 1. Buy and improve 2. Buy and maintain 3. Buy and do as little as possible and keep it cheap. Aesthetically and philosophically I can't do #3. That is about as close to slumlord as can be and not my style. I will be part of the "problem" as some people see the process. We are looking at buying three homes in developments that are between 15 and 25 years old. Typically they will need new roofs and major updates to kitchens and baths. My wife also enjoys landscaping. By the time we are finished they will rent at the high end of the market with several amenities included (lawn service and water). That will push out some potential renters. But I am looking for more solid middle class to upper class renters who are more stable and more dependable.

While I agree with Balta on most of his posts in this thread, I do not believe it is hypocritical to also agree with this post.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 2, 2015 -> 10:30 AM) We have gumbo every year on New Years Day from my wifes side. I have eaten so much gumbo the past couple days that I dont want anymore until next new years day...seriously. Gumbo and blackeyed peas. Every New Years Day since my wife and I got together.

George Wendt obviously needs to be manager

If I was Tampa I would be thinking when will his peak value be? I'm going to toss out there that for a utility guy it will be now unless a contending team has an injury that makes it imperative that they acquire a BZ kind of guy. With BZ you are looking at steady contributions all season, helping your starters rest, etc. Not major boost to clinch a division. But, I'd like to hear other opinions.

The Peter Principle happens in every organization.

Let's play find a spot for Ozzie! Who will find Ozzie the most entertaining? We have to find a team in a state that is Against gay equality Loves Castro and communism Laughs at domestic abuse Enjoys a good drunk

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Jan 2, 2015 -> 07:36 AM) It's hard to get "professional" anything when states continue to lower the bar as to what requirements are necessary to perform these jobs because of quota based hiring practices. Or to attract candidates to work in some locals. The choice starting out seems to be low paying jobs in low crime areas or low paying jobs in high crime areas. The best police eventually are promoted to jobs where they see the least amount of crime. That may be the biggest recipe for problems.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Jan 2, 2015 -> 07:50 AM) That they do, I witnessed this on a few occasions while I was a student myself. Sadly, it causes the legitimate cases or errors to be dismissed. One of the reasons I love electronic submissions via Google Classroom is proof that I did or did not receive the work.

Living on the border I developed a love of tamales. My son brought up several dozens from my favorite place anywhere. We're rationing them out.

First "it" post of 2015

And because we need it.

And students grasp at any excuse. I was told by one parent that the reason her son was failing my class was because I didn't like him. I just pulled out copies of his work, printed out the work he submitted on-line, noting that almost all of it was late. I also showed her the rubric for the major assignment. I showed her the semester benchmark that he left mostly blank because he wasn't allowed to use the restroom as quickly as he would have liked. There was a long line and it was one at a time in the restrooms to help fight cheating. Her conclusion, I was a terrible teacher who didn't like her kid and that's why he failed. Later in the year she pulled him from the school because all the teachers were against her son and hated him. One of my MA classes was American Lit through the lens of economic systems. We read works like Cosmopolis, An American Dream, Invisible Man, The Great Gatsby, The Sun Also Rises, etc. One student was so upset that a couple times he had to leave the room, once it was so bad he was thisclose to needing security to escort him out. He earned an A in the class. To add a little levity I brought a bandanna to class and called it the bulls*** flag. We took turns throwing it. That didn't work long. Even though I was pushed way out of my comfort zone and my ideas were challenged, pushed, pulled, stretched, and discredited, it was my favorite class. All the training I received here from the right wing wackos really helped. I never sensed your views would cause a poor grade, just the opposite, sitting on the sidelines would have.

Maybe fewer, but more professional police is the answer and the NYPD is offering to be the experiment. My view is they basically are giving a giant f*** you not only to the Mayor, but to all the citizens thus confirming their police before the public view that some people already had.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 12:16 PM) So a University of Michigan department chairwoman has published an article titled, "It's Okay To Hate Republicans". How can any conservative student in any of her classes be assured that they are being graded fairly from now on? And if the University doesn't distance itself from this, how can the college claim to treat all fairly when they would clearly endorse hating Republicans? http://www.nationalreview.com/article/3947...katherine-timpf This teacher does a LOT of projection in her writing. She really needs to look in a mirror. The exact same protections every college students have regardless of reason, or even without a specific reason against a professor. Depending on the University there are numerous avenues for appealing grades. Every professor I've had enjoyed debate about what they are teaching. It is by far the best way to teach. The students are engaged and they learn a valuable life skill that carries into the work place. Should your employees have feared an unfair job review because you may have disagreed with their political views?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 31, 2014 -> 08:33 PM) I am spending NYE at home with my pregnant wife and my parents who came in to visit. We have a fire going, the dogs are asleep on the couch, the christmas tree is lit up. I have three bottles of Rogue Hazelnut Brown, and 4 bottles of Baileys (it was on sale for half off). And of course I have my onesie. Life is good. Where did you find a onesie to fit?

Beautiful fireworks being shot off in a field near my house. Legal in Texas, banned by wimps in other states.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Dec 30, 2014 -> 11:12 AM) I think you have to be very selective about what or who's numbers you retire. I think the Bulls have done this very well. They haven't retired Tom Boerwinkle's number. Or Norm Van Lier's. Just to name a couple. Those were guys who were long time Bulls and/or very special players and well-loved by the fans. I think Ozzie perhaps could get recognition like the Bulls did for Phil Jackson. His name and banner is up there with Jordan, Pippen, Sloan and Love just reading "Jackson - Coach". I like the idea too of having a White Sox Hall of Fame and not even having numbers retired. Wouldn't it then be a special honor to have the number of a White Sox Hall of Famer? When did the practice of sports teams retiring numbers begin anyway? It's a nice recognition of course. But maybe it needs to stop. Former players, coaches and managers can be honored with statues and plaques.......good enough. Great post and to answer your question In 1934 the Toronto Maple Leafs retired Ace Bailey's number after his career was ended by a nearly fatal cheap shot on the ice. A friend of mine os from Toronto and recalled the story one night while we were watching the Killer Bees play.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Dec 30, 2014 -> 02:20 AM) Like him or not, he's on the Sox Mt. Rushmore Thomas, Appling, Fisk, Fox At least four ahead of Ozzie on a Sox Mt. Rushmore

Zero chances of that. It's our God damn right to drive 90 on our new toll road.

Designate a driver. My brother died from a drunk driving crash. Watching my parents was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Happy New Years! AAA has free rides if you are too drunk to drive.

"X" is how they mark the eyes on dead people in the comics.

Me feeling confident that the late season skid was exactly what the team needed for the playoff run. A call from a soxtalk regular after the final game. Being in Texas meant I couldn't call any of my local friends, they owned too much Astro gear.

When the team moves to San Antonio I'll wave to y'all.