TGM

Don't forget to account for the weight associated with the bridge patrollers being completely full of sh**. I'm sure that is good for another 200lbs or so depending on the individual and their preferred brand of adult diaper.

Do not underestimate the issues that can arise when you share common walls with individuals that have different concepts of proper maintainence. As my particular group of homes aged it became increasingly difficult to get people to open up their pocketbooks. The problem is that you have very young people that really should be living on a no-worry, apartment complex or high-rise, yet because of interest rates and pressure from their parents they buy the entry-level aging townhomes in Midtown. The first shock comes when it dawns on them how much th escrowed taxes and insurance adds to their payment, the 2nd shocker is homeowner fees and periodic assessments. Because of this the properties suffer because there is no motivation to do more than the bare minimum.

On the next episode of "The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads - The Heights", truckers risk legal trouble, flesh-eating local activists, and a bridge so dangerous that some Bolivian truckers have refused to risk crossing it, all to stock the shelves of a Wal-Mart none dare to be seen shopping at.

Rumour has it that San Jacinto stone will be the future site of Heights Subaru, with full support of the mayors office.

I guess the Kombuchu sippers at s3mh's council are perfectly fine with destroying the "quality of life" along for homeowners in that neighborhood. The peace and quiet in that neighborhood is less important than the chubbies each council member gets when driving their Leaf's (or Leaves?) across the bridge. All neighborhoods are equal, but some are more equal than others

I hear they are going to put together a cd compilation to support the bridge. Over and Under

I snapped a photo of some truck crossing the bridge early this morning.

The reconstruction of the Pierce Elevated proved that major projects can be conducted in short time spans. There are several case studies out there that tout the Pierce project. http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2001/C/675801 http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1996_1359795/pierce-elevated-reconstruction-set-bonuses-penalti.html

Sorry, but I've done unionized the vagrants in Midtown. They'll need to get on a waiting list and have someone vouch for them before they can receive their Midtown benefits.

I'm concerned that the proposed bridge repairs might adversely impact the mating habits of the endangered Heights bat that resides there. "No, not a Wal-mart, noooo!"

The fish caught (Alligator gar?) can be sold as locally sourced seafood at Wal-Mart which will make some happy.

This no doubt, is failure of People's Central Planning Bureau. Our comrades previous 30 year plan had make attempt to limit growth in the Heights to that of 0.0004% per people's year, but young party members outgrow living allotments and want to make big living like Politburo elite. A tradgety that all must learn from if we dare not history repeat. S3mh, please stop by party offices for punch and cookies. You have made big success in protests and will receive Order of Lenin.

Having worked on several trade floors in an IT support role I'll agree that it can be a stressful job. However, trading companies pay very well, and in the specific role I was in paid double that of a non-energy trading firm. Your best bet is to find a non-support business analytic or system analyst role so you can avoid the psychotic pace of the trade floor, but enjoy the perks of working for a trading firm.

Somebody write them a stimulus check before the account is drawn down. They need their check darnit! File it under arts and humanities or thirst quenching or something.

So I take it you've had a few run-ins with them while stocking up on glitter and assorted crafting supplies?

Let 'em, the coffee there is shyte. Does the Wal-goose come with catheters? That might be useful considering the amount of PBR that will be consumed there.

Whoa, I'm left spinning on what you feel are positives vs. negatives. Buck-naked dancing prostitutes at 2am might be funny in the Hangover 3, but for the people with kids who tire of law enforcements blasé attitude towards their jobs it's not all that exciting. I'm with you in that some of its downright funny when you're at a bar telling a "you ain't gonna believe this" story, but the fun stops when the same guy exposes himself to your kid when the family is driving by. Everyone involved in Midtown says its going to get better, but I don't see how if they refuse to get serious about the concerns of their residents. (who are starting their own organizations due to lack of response from the MMD)

It could, but after the required environmental impact studies, search for a transgendered-minority-women-owned business that serves fair-trade coffee, "concerned" residents townhalls, and other related nonsense it will take about 3 years. And if and when it is built it will have one reversible lane for cars and trucks and four bike lanes. Car and truck drivers will be required to pay a carbon off-set fee and must endure "share the road shouts" from biketavists while creeping along in their single undersized lane. Any person on foot will be granted stop transit authority if they should smell anything other than biodiesel being emitted from Wal-Mart trucks.

No doubt. I'm also thinking of bringing an AR15, garlic necklace, wooden stakes, can of Vienna Sausages, and a BASE jumping 'chute just in case. Heck, you never know if you're going to run into Colonel Kurtz or something.

So people driving on Yale must be methheads.

I guess that would depend on how much renovation is going to take place. If it does have asbestos then there is no getting around either containing or removing it. I have no idea what that costs these days. The other thing to consider is how much $$$ will you have to sink to renovate to meet the minimum standard that is necessary to attract the desired (or any) clientele? The knowledge based businesses that you want to attract want to know all about Eco and sustainable practices, Leed certifications, all that stuff. However the reality is that if it looks like the inside of High Fashion Home, and it's cheap they may just go for it. If you're on fire about this then start talking to various academic, governmental, quasi-governmental, and private sector benefactors about making it happen. Step 1 is getting some sort of academic involvement and $$$. (UH small business, bio-med, nano-tech, etc) Step 2 is finding away to make the purchase more affordable. A. Get the guy to lower the price enough to make it worth it. B. Receive some sort of tax break, matching dollars, assistance, grants, EPA funds, whatever to offset any mandatory cleanup requirements. Step 3 is proper project execution, controlling costs, managing unforseens, etc. Step 4 is run in parallel from the beginning and is all about generating significant buzz and interest in the project that turn into signed leases. Media campaigns, fund raisers, startup spotlights, and plenty of open-bar mixers. Step 5 is swearing that you won't do this again while looking for the next project.

I'm just dying to see what other MCM stuff is inside. Maybe I should get Redscare on retainer just in case.... Anyone up for a site visit?

The ideas are great, the reality of putting them into place is not. Asbestos abatement and subsequent liability are the major deal killers. I think the building is pretty swanky, and would love to see a mid-century mod office-plex. All that is needed is to convince the owner to come down $12 mil and the gov to grant a 30 year tax waiver.

Dave: Someone on Haif wants to turn the Central Bank Building into a mixed-use office space for startups. Hal: Sorry Dave, but I'm afraid I cannot allow that.

There is slow as in, "I'm sticking to the speed limit because this is a neighborhood and there could be kids darting out into the road", and there is slow as in, "dude, I think I hear sirens, wait, that's just the ambulance at the assisted living center"