Mr. Mortgage Warns: We Haven't Learned Anything...

Low Mortgage Rates to Spur New Wave of Defaults

Posted on December 26th, 2008 in Daily Mortgage/Housing News - The Real Story, Mr Mortgage's Personal Opinions/Research

Talk about unintended consequences. The following is significant insight from the street level. This is especially important for those of you thinking that these low mortgage rates will lead housing and the consumer to the Promised Land.

Everyone wants to refinance right now - that’s a fact. Home owners and loan officers around the nation have not been this exited in years over the low rates. Purchases are far and few in between and require solid relationships, so most loan officers love a good refi boom - they are the easy pickens (until now). The media are actually quoting mortgage rates non-stop, which is a complete story in and of itself.

Loan officers and banks are very busy taking loan applications, as reflected in the faulty MBA loan application survey data (Mr Mortgage story out next week). Loan approval times at some banks is at three to four weeks making for a two month start to finish process. Fall-out will be extreme over the near-term as brokers and borrowers switch banks three and four times trying to get the lowest rate available. Trying to hedge this chaotic mess is a mortgage secondary marketing manager’s worst nightmare and can lead to significant losses.

Along side of being one of the biggest consumer ‘bait and switches’ of all time, this drop in rates should set the stage for a significant leg-up in mortgage loan defaults and leg down in house values and consumer / homeowner sentiment.

In my opinion, the government artificially pushing rates down this quickly not only will cost the originators plenty but quickens the pace at which the Alt-A, Jumbo Prime, and ‘Prime’ implosions could begin in earnest.

Click Here for the full article

LA Times: Top 15 California Destinations

For whatever it's worth here is what LA Times writer Christopher Reynolds believes to be the "not-so-obvious but oh-so-essential sites" within "our" "Golden' State". (I add quotation to 'our' and 'Golden State' for comedic effect and parodic inflection)... (maybe even some angry sarcasm).

1. NATIONAL STEINBECK CENTER Salinas, Monterey County
2. THE COLD SPRING TAVERN San Marcos Pass, Santa Barbara County
3. CORONADO BEACH, WITH GRUNION RUNNING Coronado, San Diego County
4. SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB Santa Barbara County
5. HIDDEN VALLEY Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside& San Bernardino counties
6. THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest
7. SEA RANCH Sonoma County
8. TOMALES BAY Marin County
9. MONTANA DE ORO STATE PARK San Luis Obispo County
10. LITTLE PETROGLYPH CANYON Naval Air Station - China Lake, Kern County
11. THE BATHS AT ESALEN Big Sur, Monterey County
12. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 46 San Luis Obispo County
13. GENERAL GRANT TREE Kings Canyon National Park, Tulare County
14. THE INN ON MT. ADA Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles County
15. DRAKESBAD GUEST RANCH Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County

(Take a moment to appreciate the fact that I have collected these links for you so you dont have to click through 15 separate pages on LATIMES.com just to see the friggin list.)

Obama flashes Tits To Curry Favor At Pentagon Meet and Greet

(Some Fun from our friends at the Comedy Hub):

Transition Meeting With Top Military Officials Ends in Truth or Dare Fiasco.
by: Kaylee Strut, Comedy Hub Political Analist. 6:15 PM EST

In what seemed to be standard procedure, President-Elect Barack Obama sat down with transition advisers, State Department Leaders, and numerous 4 Star Generals to discuss the possible surge of troops into Afghanistan rumored to begin just after the Inauguration.

The three hour meeting was all but complete when Obama reportedly challenged Deputy Secretary John Negroponte and his staff to a game of 5 on 5 basketball. Negraponte is said to have promised to make the President Elect regret the offer according to an un-named source.

Although the two sides never took the court the situation escalated rather quickly into a literal pissing contest with Under Secretary of Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky out-distancing VP elect Joe Biden 13 feet to 11. No comments have been made about rumors of other challenges such as: "oops the closet light went out" and "just the tip to see how it feels".

As promised, (the losing team captain) Obama complied with a truth or dare test of and shaved his chest prior to completing 4 sets x 25 fingertip pushups all while chanting "Praise Alah". Finally he completed the dare by walking topless through the building lobby and out to the street where photographers had been called in to capture the historic/breasty moment .

At no time was Obama to remove his sunglasses or tuck in the drawstring on his shorts; both points of contention for the future Chief of Staff Rahm Emanual .

"I think we made some progress today" Negroponte told reporters after the urine, shaving cream, and KY jelly was cleaned from the 3rd floor meeting room outside of his office. "We found out what kind of nerve this guy has, so far I like how things feel... let's be honest this is mostly a 'feel' game when it's all said and done."

The safest place in the world: The Santa Monica Stairs

So, how do you define the safest place in the world?

I say it would be the mythical combination of a place where no crime exists along with an unnecessary and overwhelming police presence. We all realize that those two things would never occur at the same place for a plethora of reasons; it would be like someone trying to attack the Pentagon with a handful of civilians aboard a passenger jet.

In fact it just so happens that such a place does exist and it's right here in LA. The Plastico reports that there is no place in the world that is better patrolled than the ultra safe block of 4th avenue between San Vicente and Adelaide in Santa Monica, CA. This particular block is very very small. In fact, it has a total length of about 425'.

By now you have lots of questions as to why the police would have any active presence on this particular block made up of multi million dollar estates. Let me take it from the top:

This particular area has two sets of stairs that are treasured by folks who enjoy outdoor exercise. One set is concrete, the other is wood; both are a very difficult climb (if you can do 10 sets you are in good shape). Long story short - hot girls work out there and they work out there often. They can be found wearing sports bras and a light layer of glistening sweat. I have been keeping close tabs on this very fact for some years now. While I admit to working out and catching a nice view at the stairs I also admit to not taking a government paycheck while I do it.

So here is the rub: Just about every male city worker in Santa Monica drives back and forth through this neighborhood all day long so that they can see some tail. The endless parade of taxpayer funded vehicles and personnel frequenting the stairs include but are not limited to:

Animal Control
Santa Monica Parking Enforcement (on days with no posted parking restrictions)
LAPD
Santa Monica Police
Los Angeles County Sheriffs

Santa Monica City Maintenance (just about every kind of truck you can think of)

To top off the list just today I spotted this Santa Monica Police K9 unit (pictured left) as it cruised through; I guess you have to give a dog a bone every now and again.

The reality is that since before Christ folks have been exercising in this area. For just as long, your tax dollars have gone to State and City workers that spend remarkable amounts of time driving by in circles and parking nearby to enjoy the view.

But now it's actually official. The Santa Monica Police now have a full time presence at the stairs. Shift after shift we now pay an armed officer hang out and tell people they cannot stretch or do sit ups on the 4th street median. City code says that the median is for walking and jogging only. If you are handicapped and wheelchair bound you may not wheel yourself across the median that you pay tax dollars to maintain. Suck on that invalids!

If you think I'm kidding, you are wrong. Here are the signs that prohibit you from stopping to adjust your socks, kiss your child or to help someone who has just suffered a heart attack because they could not legally stop to rest during their run:

The sign pictured left is new; four of them were installed this week

So how much are taxpayers spending to patrol this 20' wide x 425' piece of grass median? Hard to say but you can price in a full time officer with patrol car for all daylight hours to start. The officer on duty today said that he figured it would just be a two week stint; after a recent meeting he was told it will be indefinite. I suppose that the other city workers who circle throughout the day probably wouldn't be doing anything else anyway so that cost is moot. Certainly the least they could do is get out of their vehicles and do a set of stairs.

For the record (and we always hate the record), it seems that all 'median planting strips are for walking and jogging only' in Santa Monica according to a 1970 code. But can't we all agree that we would rather have every officer spending his or her time targeting serious crimes like not having a front license plate or for using a hand-held cell phone? Also for the record - the Santa Monica Police will not return calls to comment on this story; other city workers have been quoted as saying "(insert chauvinistic whistle sounds; repeat as needed)".

So What if We Had Just Listened To Mark Hanson (Mr. Mortgage)

It seems as if the news cycle is running about a year behind on just how deep and wide the credit crisis is. When the final story is written (if any of us survive to write it) we will take a look back at the folks that got it all dead wrong and run after them in angry crowd format with sticks and torches. So be it. But we will also eventually identify the people that had it dead right from the get go. One man that identified and warned about the sub-prime crisis early on in plain language was Mark Hanson, or "Mr. Mortgage" as he is oft referred to within inner circles.

Mark Hanson's discussions are so valuable for West Coast Real Estate that we felt it necessary to track him here at The Plastico full time with an RSS Feed on the right side of the page. You can stay literate on the housing market just by following his articles.

If you are a buyer or seller of real estate in California you need to hold your nose and read Mark's latest article where he takes a moment to rip the CA. Association of Realtors a new a**hole.

CA Association of Realtors Needs a Math Class…Perhaps Ethics as Well

Posted on September 29th, 2008 in Daily Mortgage/Housing News - The Real Story, Mr Mortgage's Personal Opinions/Research

In their latest attempt to paint a picture of the glass totally full of Cristal Champagne, CAR released a August home sales report on Thursday that made it seem as though the state had no housing-related issues whatsoever. This is exactly why I always scream ‘YOU CAN’T BELIEVE THE HEADLINES!

“Sales are now 85 percent above the monthly trough for this cycle, which occurred in October 2007, and for the first time this year are ahead of 2007 in year-to-date terms,” said C.A.R. President William E. Brown”.

I think CAR either needs a math class or should not be allowed to ever put out another press release. I have no idea what they are even saying here…

“The statewide sales figure represents what the total number of homes sold during 2008 would be if sales maintained the August pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales”

“Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 490,850 in August at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations statewide. Statewide home resale activity increased 56.7 percent from the revised 313,310 sales pace recorded in August 2007. Sales in August 2008 increased 1.8 percent compared with the previous month.”

This would not bother me so much if three days before I didn’t put out a very well-researched August CA Home Sales Report saying:

“August was not good for the CA real estate market. Just one month after pom-pom’s were flying over how well the market did in July and bottoms were again being called across the board yet again, August, a peak sales month, delivered another blow. Total sales were off, organic sales were off, foreclosure-related sales rose, defaults rose and prices tumbled.”

The facts are that in August 2008 37,988 new and resale properties sold according to DataQuick. Last August, there were 33,429. There was an increase but nowhere near the 85% quoted above or the 56.7% quoted below. The sad part is in August 2005, 73,285 homes sold. Yes, there was an increase year over year from August 2007 to 2008, which could be viewed as encouraging. However, the number of ‘organic’ sales in August 2008 were only 21,172, as foreclosure-related sales made up 46.9% of the total sales. In August 2007, foreclosure-related sales were negligible. Therefore, in my book real home sales fell sharply from August 2007 to August 2008, less inventory was absorbed, prices tumbled, which is the most destructive and the foreclosure market remains the real estate market at least for now. Nice try guys.

A Whole Bunch of Reasons to Avoid the Santa Monica Pier

A Guide For Santa Monica Pier Virgins

Santa Monica, CA - Living in and around West LA all of us sort of get into a groove of places that we go and places that we go...not.  I wasn't sure why I had avoided the Santa Monica Pier for so long, but I had. In fact, I had not set foot on it for at least 10 years. So last Monday afternoon I took a walk. A good ole-fashioned walk on the Pier... and I sure wish I hadn't.

The most recognizable sight in Santa Monica is the famous and oft pictured sign at the entrance to the pier. Commonly thought to be the official end of historic Route 66... It isn't. 

Route 66 actually actually ends a block away at Santa Monica Blvd. and Ocean Ave. You can view the Will Rogers Highway Dedication Plaque at Palisades Park if you are so inclined. But lets stay on track: So I took a walk on the pier...

Reader Safety Alert: The pier itself (the Planks and the nails/spikes that hold them) are old, warped, and often in shocking disrepair. Wearing sandals should net you at least one stubbed tow before you are able to escape. As I tripped along the aging and un-maintained surface I could not help but to think about all of those brand new parking enforcement vehicles that are absolutely everywhere in Santa Monica... or the cost of the full time police patrol at 4th and San Vicente where an armed officer is paid to tell you not to stretch in the grass median (it's for walking and jogging only; duh).

Back to the pier. After opening a small wound on my left foot I kept a close eye out for those little 18" x 18" plywood patch boards that seem to be meant to close gaps between broken planks but actually result in a far greater tripping hazard than anything they might cover. Maybe they would serve a reasonable purpose if the installation technique had included using enough screws to hold them securely in place. 

The first thing you might see on the pier itself is the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant which I believe is legally required to be on every pier in America. Try not to think of the last time you ate at one, just think happy thoughts about Forest Gump and the late Bubba.

Once you get passed the fine dining at Bubba Gump you will be happy to find lots of fast food that is simply impossible to find anywhere else: Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Coffee Bean are appetizers until you find the overpriced fried seafood joints that change their cooking grease at least once per leap year. About midway across the pier you may find yourself in need of a pit stop. You are in luck because not a dime was spared on some temporary bathrooms (pictured below).
.

The picture also provides a good example of the type of folks that have time to hang out on the pier. Please note the latest style; are they shorts that are too long or pants that are too short? They shall henceforth be called: "shants".

The main attraction is just ahead on your left. No, it's not the gimmick roller coaster or the trapeze lessons; it's the remote controlled boats! This is your chance to pay $2.00 for the opportunity to control a boat that moves very very slowly inside of a smallish bathtub/jacuzzi. The best among us are able to navigate their boat into well identified docking station that happens to be an exact replica of a normal sized miniature remote control boat dock.


As you approach the end of the pier you will see a Police/first aide station and the final eatery. After you dress your foot wounds you just might be hungry enough to view the overpriced menu at Mariasol Cocina Mexicana. 

It seems you have reached the end, but if you're lucky, you will go about 10 steps too far and find yourself having a look at the local anglers and the days 'take'. This is where another Pier rule sets in: If you walk to the end of any pier in America you will see a skate fish that has been caught and is slowly suffocating and bleeding out through its chopped off tail. Here is a photo of the one that graced the pier for me and the fine 'shant' wearing gentleman who caught it...


When you catch your skate here is a youtube video showing you how to clean and prepare the fish for cooking. 

So why would anyone ever set foot on the Santa Monica Pier?

Well it wasn't clear at all, not until I saw one final thing that reminded me what all piers are meant to be. The pier is, in all her glory, just a place to sit with the one you love - it just might be the one you chose to grow old with and to watch one more sunset.


If you still insist on going, I wont stop you (I just don't have the time). So here is some info that may help you navigate through the fray:

Official web site — directory with links to the arcade, the aquarium, and history
Pacific Park — information about the rides, attractions, and food court on the pier
Twilight Dance Series — free concerts that run on the pier from June - September
Santa Monica "Drive-In" at the pier — free films at the pier in Aug. - September
Taste of Santa Monica — September 14th (THIS SUNDAY) event featuring Santa Monica restaurants. This year: $40.00 - to stuff your face for 4 hours. Take a look and take your own first aid kit.  Cheers.

LA RENTERS: No Worries, You Only Pay 5th Highest Rates

Most And Least Expensive U.S. Cities For Renters
Francesca Levy 09.23.08, 6:00 AM ET. Forbes.com

California house-hunters are squeezed. As credit tightens and the economy softens, many would-be buyers in San Jose, San Francisco and Los Angeles can't find or, in some cases, afford a mortgage.

But in areas like these, where housing prices have dropped precipitously, increased demand has driven up rents. Renters in San Jose pay a whopping $1,314 a month; for those just north in San Francisco, that number dips to $1,210; and in Los Angeles, it's a relative bargain at $1,101.

Elsewhere, such as in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, housing is still a relative bargain, but it may not feel that way to residents whose low earning power and poor job prospects have contributed to the weakening rents. There, monthly lessees pay $678 and $608, respectively. MORE

Angels back out of Freeway Series Deal...

The Dodgers did their part and more with a 3-0 sweep of the loveable Cubbies. The Angels did nothing more than play generally bad baseball against a Boston team that out-pitched and out-defended them.

Who is to blame if you could blame just one guy?
Howie Kendrick

That's right - I know that he is young but he sucked crap all series. At the plate he was 2 for 17 with 2 singles and 7 k's. He had no walks. He left about 3000 runners on base but most importantly he mishandled a possible double play ball tonight that cost the Angels a run. Had he just got the lead runner on the play the Angels would have likely won on Torii Hunter's 2-run single in the 8th inning.

One man played great ball all series: Mark Texiera. Great with the glove and awesome at the plate. Hint to Arte Moreno: SIGN MARK TEXIERA!!!!!!!!!!!

Why we have no choice but to pass the "Paulson Plan"

The bailout package presented to Congress, which Congress defeated on Monday in order to punish America and the world at large, is absolutely essential to all of us. Let me explain the dire and urgent need for the plan to pass when it comes to re-vote this Wednesday.


The Problem:
We will deal with some of the culprits pictured above later. As of right now, banks across the country have stopped lending money to just about everyone.

Why?
Every financial institution in America is attempting to hoard cash to battle huge runs by their large account holders (especially those who have more than the FDIC insured 100K). Having unsuitable cash holdings has already shredded: Bear Stearns, Lehman Bros, WAMU, Wachovia, Merryl Lynch, AIG, Indy Mac, Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac, and more. Local and Regional Banks are all at risk of FDIC takeover as runs continue on their cash assets.

How the plan will help:
The 700 billion dollars can be used to create a transparent market to buy mortgage assets that have no current market and no current buyers. Private and Institutional investors have given up trying to buy mortgage assets originated in the past 5 years, therefore nobody knows how much danger banks are in that hold those mortgages because they can't be accurately valued (It takes a market to set a price).

How it screws up your perfect little life:
RIGHT NOW small and large business can not get loans needed to buy seed for farm, inventory for retail, or personal loans of all types - like the one you need so you can send Betty Sue to diesel mechanic school. The Christmas retail season will be met with pink slips instead of product in stores. The credit crunch will force huge layoffs in huge numbers because business in America and around the world will seize up along with their credit. Then the real pain will begin as demand for everything disappears along with your job. This will badly hurt every person in America from unborn (or un-aborted) fetuses to illegal immigrants to Wall Street CEO's.

The misconception: "This is just 700 billion for Wall Street Fat Cats" - Joe Sixpack.
The plan does not bail out Wall Street. Trust me - they have been in pain all year. This plan should cost taxpayers nothing and will return a profit if handled with basic care. This plan will help stop foreclosures as the Federal Gov buys distressed assets and holds them until they appreciate in a few years. This plan allows taxpayers to actually dupe Wall Street into buying these assets back in the future at higher prices then the current bargain value. Joe Sixpack can turn a profit and he can do it with money taken from rich people who pay nearly all of the taxes to the Federal Gov. to begin with. That is the briefest I can do it. Now- stick with The Plastico for updates, more importantly don't eat at Baja Fresh anymore because they keep shrinking their freaking burritos and cutting them in half is not fooling me whatsoever. Seriously, this looks like a bloated taquito.

Best In The Bigs...

Angels clinch home field and will play Red Sox in playoffs Wednesday.

Though the Angels have lost nine straight postseason games to the Red Sox, they are 8-1 against Boston this season.

That the Angels are 11-4 since clinching the division on Sept.10, is a statement in itself. John Lackey will take the hill to open the playoffs, he will be opposed by Red Sox righthander Jon Lester.

Jon Lester, LHP (0-0, -.--) Red Sox @ John Lackey, RHP (0-0, -.--) Angels

Scouting Report: Angels: Lackey allowed a career-worst 10 runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Rangers on Friday in what was supposed to be a final tuneup before his Game 1 start against the Red Sox on Wednesday. But it wasn't indicative of the way the big right-hander has been throwing this season and was just a bad start in an otherwise meaningless game. Lackey, who is 3-6 with a 5.54 ERA against Boston in his career, appeared to turn it around against the Red Sox this season. He went 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA against Boston and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning at Fenway Park on July 29. It will be interesting to see what version of Lackey shows up on Wednesday at Angel Stadium.

Friday, October 3 Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 6:30 PM PT

Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (0-0, -.--) Red Sox @ Ervin Santana, RHP (0-0, -.--) Angels

Click Here to Buy Angels Playoff Tickets

Just for kicks - Here are the debate reports that we are aware of...

CBS News: Obama won 39%, McCain won 25%, Draw 36%

Insider Advantage: Obama won 42%, McCain won 41%, Undecided: 17%

CNN: Obama "did better" 51%, McCain "did better" 38%

{{{{DRUDGE POLL}}}} WHO WON THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?...

MCCAIN

65%

131,270

OBAMA

32%

65,203

NEITHER

2%

4,565

Total Votes: 201,038

For those who get all of their news from The Plastico

#1 USC lost to Oregon State Thursday night.

Washington Mutual was seized by the Federal Government and assets of value sold to JP Morgan in a sweetheart deal (JPM already stole Bear Stearns). All deposits and all accounts at WAMU are safe and accessible through JP Morgan - unlike the Indy Mac situation.

The proposed 700 Billion Dollar "bailout plan" is stalled and will likely jolt markets lower... BTW - w/out this plan we are much closer to a depression. ;-{

The Lexus Gauntlet will be kicked off FRI night as the #5 USC and #4 UCLA women's volleyball teams meet at the Galin Center

Dodgers clinch the West further cementing my claim that a freeway series is all but inevitable

The Office premiered Thursday Night to a lukewarm response by me

AP: Gardena wants to be sag free

Gardena council weighs ban on saggy pants

The Associated Press

Article Last Updated: 09/24/2008 12:38:22 AM PDT

GARDENA - A city in Southern California is considering a proposal to ban saggy pants. The Gardena City Council debated the ordinance Tuesday night before deciding to postpone the vote.

Patty Yanaga, a recording secretary from the city clerk's office, says some council members felt the ordinance was too broad and unstructured and wanted more time to reach a consensus.

Councilman Steve Bradford argues that wearing pants that hang below the waist and expose skin or underwear is indecent exposure. Critics of the proposal say they are concerned about law enforcement playing fashion police.

Several cities across the country have passed similar ordinances, but not without controversy. For example, last week a judge in Florida declared Riviera Beach's ban on saggy pants as unconstitutional. The order was issued after a 17-year-old was held in jail overnight because police spotted his boxer shorts.

The Plastico staff has uncovered several other area proposals:

1. The Brentwood City Council is considering banning yuppies.

2. Beverly Hills is considering banning dogs that fit into purses.

3. Malibu is close to reaching a deal that will tax surfing at $85.00 per hour.

4. Pasadena will soon ask all Armenian residents to leave town; replacing them systematically with Turks.

5. Hermosa Beach is ready to consider an all out ban on 'hot chicks'.

6. Santa Monica Council members will finalize a deal to ban Eurpean Tourists sometime this week.

7. Venice is drawing up plans to ban 'crazies'.

8. The County of Los Angeles is considering not being absorbed by the Nation of Mexico; although this is an unsubstantiated rumor.

9. The Inland Empire is unified in an attempt to outlaw being not liked by the rest of LA

10. Antonio Villaragosa wants executive authority to silence his critics in the media.

Egg finally follows the chicken....

New law outlaws text messages while driving

The Associated Press

Article Last Updated: 09/24/2008 05:41:58 PM PDT

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a law making it illegal to read or send text messages while driving in California.

The bill by Sen. Joe Simitian imposes a $20 fine for a first offense and $50 for repeat offenders using any electronic devices to read or send messages, starting next year.

Schwarzenegger says the law he signed Wednesday encourages drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

What happens when the Federal Government spends @ 1 Trillion in a week..

You get inflation and a weaker dollar. So, guess what else happens to dollar based commodities....

Crude Oil prices rose far more in one day then just about anyone ever could have imagined. Really. The price per barrel for October Contracts actually hit $130.00 for a brief moment. Crude was trading in the low 90's just days ago.

Prices should open much lower tomorrow; many believe today's gains were the result of a "short squeeze" on expiring October contracts, but prices could make another run soon. The Gas Map at the bottom of the page will likely change in a not fun way. The Plastico staff recommends that you fill your tank today just to get a small reprieve before your next fill up. Good Luck.

File Under: Mumblings of a Freeway Series...

Top 10 Reasons A "Freeway Series" will happen this year:

10. The Dodgers pitchers have come alive and they are ready for the NL Playoffs. Chad Billingsley (2.64) and Derek Lowe (2.83) both have ERAs under 3.00 in the second half, and Hiroki Kuroda's is 3.43

9. Jeff Kent, thought to be out for the season, will be back for the playoffs. Even if you hate him, he can help the Dodgers with experience and a knack for RBI.

8. The Dodgers are 16-5 over their past 21 and that is spicy hot. Joe Torre has the team peaking just in time.


7. The Angels have a ton of pitching and will have lots of different ways to beat just about anyone that is trying to take away the home field advantage that they are about to wrap up this week.

6. "TEX". The addition of Mark Texiera supplied the Angels with the extra bat they have needed for years; they can now score enough runs to go all the way.

5. The Dodgers finish against the Giants and Pads - two very weak teams. They might even get a chance to rest some folks before the playoffs start.

4. Mike Scioscia, Dodger traitor, has been resting key personnel for 3 weeks and still keeps winning.

3. K-ROD is sitting on a MLB record 60 saves and may get a few more. The Angels can hold a lead and they want to use K-Rods's arm up before he walks away from the Angels next year for more money.

2. Joe Torre has critics to prove wrong. Joe Torre will bring his best down the stretch; Torre's best is very very good.

1. MANNY, MANNY, MANNY

BTW: Angels in 6... Reserve your spot on Interstate 5 now.
Here's a tip - The best local baseball websites are
(they are linked on The Plastico essential link list):

Jon Weisman's Dodger Thoughts

Rev. Halofan's Halos Heaven

Rob McMillin's 6-4-2 -- an Angels/Dodgers double play blog

Q2 08 Executive Job Market Trends For LA (www.theladders.com)

REGIONAL JOB MARKET COMPETITION

Compares the number of active job seekers to number of $100k+ positions available in this location....... 6:1

REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT INTEREST

Compares non-resident job seekers and local job seekers who are vying for $100k+ positions in this same market....... 102

TOP COMPANIES HIRING

The companies in this location who post the most $100k+ positions on TheLadders.com.

1. Walt Disney Company
2. FOX Entertainment
3. Deloitte
4. TNG Global
5. Western Digital

MOST DESIRED COMPANIES

The companies in this location for which TheLadders.com members most want to work.

1. Campaigners, Inc.
2. Panasonic
3. Jones Lang LaSalle
4. MGA Entertainment
5. FOX Entertainment

Forbes: LA is 4th Most Stressful US City

According to a recent article by Forbes Magazine the most stressful cities to live in are

1. Chicago
2. NY
3. Detroit
4. LOS ANGELES:

The article pretty much sucks and is rather non-sensical but you can read it in full here. In fact, every reason given for why Chicago ranks #1 would be more so attributable to Los Angeles. Me thinks they gave us a positive bump because we have more fake boobs to play with.

Still no plans this weekend? Don't forget Street Scene.

Latest News from San Diego: The Black Crows will not play because of a band members illness.

San Diego Street Scene was launched in 1984 in a one-block area of Downtown, San Diego. This year, founder Rob Hagey has teamed with Casbah's Tim Mays to reinvent the festival as it returns to its roots in Downtown San Diego - returning from south-eastern venues such as Cricket Amphitheater. Most of the bands in this year's lineup got their start in San Diego at the Casbah or at other local venues; e.g. the band X played the very first Street Scene and will be returning this year.

A new culinary dimension has been added to Street Scene this year, as some of San Diego's premier restaurants are offering up their best food and beverages (many vegan-friendly). All items for sale at Street Scene are available for cash only.

A limited number of one-day tickets are on sale now for $65.00, and two-day tickets are available at the special price of $95.00, but these are selling out very fast. For updates, transportation, parking and other facts, please visit Street-Scene.com.

Here is the lineup from Streetscene.com

Ok - It might really be over now...

Leaders say final budget deal reached

By Dan Smith and Kevin Yamaura -

Last Updated 5:54 pm PDT Thursday, September 18, 2008

Legislative leaders said today that they have reached a deal on the long overdue state budget that will satisfy demands made by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Republican governor has said he would veto the $104.3 billion plan lawmakers passed this week. He demanded that a proposed rainy day fund to help the state though bad economic times be tightened to prevent its balance from being depleted in good times.

And he said lawmakers must remove a maneuver, worth $1.6 billion, that would have increased the amount of withholding tax paid by personal income taxpayers.

Republican leaders and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata emerged from a meeting this afternoon saying they had agreed to the governor's demands.

How Does A Dead Man Make 35 Phone Calls To Loved Ones?

We have the answer and it is very hard to admit. Rescue workers say that Chuck Peck died instantly in the first car of the Metro Link Train last Friday afternoon in Chatsworth; they finally found his remains at @4:30 AM Saturday morning. The collision killed 25 and injured 130. So why did Chuck's family frantically try to update rescue workers that Chuck was still alive in the wreckage throughout the night ? That may be because they received about 35 phone calls from Chuck's phone (that was never found) to several different family members. The last call came at 3:28 AM; just one hour before his remains were found and 11 hours after his call that he was about to arrive at his stop.

The story may not be fit to print in the LA Times -but you can read it here - Chuck Peck was alive and slowly dieing for a long time in that crushed train car; although he was unable to speak he apparently could speed dial. Rescue workers did the honorable thing (there is no doubt) when they told the family that he died instantly. The reality is that there was no way to get to Chuck or to save his life and we honor the workers that did everything in their power to make it otherwise. Those are the cold hard facts. Just for posterity, let us all be sick to our stomachs one more time that the lives of every person on the Metro Link Train could have been saved with virtually any type of redundant safety protection.

So, lets get ready to pay the estimated 1 billion dollars to victims, families, and attorneys; can you imagine the state of the art system upgrades that the such money would have bought had it been used pro-actively.

But first, more importantly, let us say in unison: Chuck we are sorry that we always wait for total disaster to strike before we deal with simple common sense problems. We are so sorry that you were just one stop away from getting picked up by your fiancee; we know that you said goodbye when your final call went to her just one hour before they could get to you through the wreckage. We are so sorry.

The story that was 'fit to print' can be read at the Daily Breeze:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_10483232?source=rss

The Governor Grows A Spine - Turns Down Budget.

“NO”

Schwarzenegger to veto California budget, a first in modern times

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he will veto a state budget passed after a 78-day stalemate, setting up a historic showdown with the Legislature.

As the San Francisco Chronicle explains, the proposed budget sought to close a $17 billion deficit for the fiscal year that began July 1 without new taxes, a demand by Republicans. It did so by requiring all taxpayers to make earlier and larger tax payments to the state government.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican, made the announcement this afternoon. The veto will mark the first time in modern history that a California governor has rejected a state spending plan. The Democrat-controlled Legislature has said it is prepared to override a veto.

Yesterday, about 12 hours before the last vote was taken at 2 a.m. today, the governor sent Assembly and Senate leaders a letter threatening the veto

"I have been very clear this entire year that I would be unable to sign a budget without meaningful budget reform," the governor wrote, stressing that spending cuts were needed.

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, a Democrat, also assailed the budget plan, saying this morning that it "gives gimmicks a bad name."

"It's banana republic financing," Lockyer said. The spending plan relies on "phony money and phony estimates."

Update at 7 p.m. ET: "When they send me the budget, I will veto it," Schwarzenegger said at a Capitol news conference, the Los Angeles Times reports. "If my veto is overriden," he said, " ... hundreds of bills will be vetoed."

Two Websites Added To The Plastico Stable.

It's a real juggling act bringing you everything you could need to navigate Los Angeles on a daily basis mixed with just the right amound of bullshit. Two new websites have been added to The Plastico Essential Link List. These are 'get er done' websites that you you should play with all day at work.

If you like to snoop around the neighborhood you will love "Every Block Los Angeles". This site gives you everything from arrests to pool code violations specific to your hood. If you are ready to become that old woman next door who watches everything from the front window - do it right: www.la.everyblock.com (You can even have RSS feeds sent to your email).

One of the input sites for Every Block Los Angeles is a real estate network called Trulia. If you are buying or selling in the Los Angeles housing market you may already and should be using Trulia. Trulia.com has excellent interactive maps and data that allows you to customize search results for your house hunt. Make it your non-comissioned buying agent and save that 3%. Here is just a taste of the current market:

Westchester

Imagery ©2008 TerraMetrics, Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use

Avg. listing price for
Los Angeles
week ending Sep 10

$830K and up

$741K to 30K

$652K to$741K

$533K to$652K

$444K to$533K

$356K to$444K

$356K -below

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