The 47th TPBM Random Lazy Days (or not) Chat Thread

gjl711 wrote in post #15674467
Good morning. Looks like we're going to have to be a bit more careful when gardening in TX. Ran across a couple of these guys yesterday.

Cuteness!!

I like snakes, they eat the skitters.

Harm wrote in post #15676368
It's always someone you never know!

One of my friends from high school, his parents won 6 million in the IL state lottery. They pretty much retired.

Jill-of-all-Trades wrote in post #15676516
Cuteness!!

I like snakes, they eat the skitters.

Yes they do. These little guys eat bugs, but that's just fine with me. Lots of bugs down here.

gjl711 wrote in post #15676724
One of my friends from high school, his parents won 6 million in the IL state lottery. They pretty much retired.

The parents of a high school friend of mine won $18 million in the CA state lottery in the 1980s. They were smart and didn't piss it all away, and now they're worth a whole lot more than that original $18 million...

i always see these "winning the lottery changed my life" shows and they always end with they have nothing to show for it now other then possessions. all the did was piss it away...i mean sure, go and splurge a bit and buy a few things but invest the rest and be smart with the money. you were lucky enough to win it, be smart enough to keep it.

We're in the middle of a little thing ourselves right now, although not as exciting as being hassled by a rent-a-cop. We live in a small community that pays a lot of its bills with revenues from hotels and golf courses. In addition to the shakedown money they get from those sources, they've worked out a program where owner/residents are issued a "Property Owner's Identification Card" that entitles a property owner to get a 20% discount on all purchases made at the various hotels and restaurants, but also allows people to play golf at the Indian Wells Golf Resort for drastically reduced green fees. ($35.00 vs. $100-$200, depending on day of the week/time of year). We decided long ago that the card was of far more value to Lois' brother because he's a golfer, so we deeded him a minority interest in the property, and he got the ID card in his name. The rules allow for the issuance of a second ID card, but it can only be to the spouse of the cardholder, a domestic partner, or a dependent child under 21 years of age. (Yes, I did consider claiming that he and I were gay lovers, but it would be difficult to be convincing.)

The real rub for us is that there are certain 'free' events during the year that cardholders can attend over the year including the City's private box at the Parabas Open Tennis Tournament, free general admission tickets to the same event, various concerts, and so forth. It really is a valuable thing to have, but we can't have it even though we've paid over $125,000 in property taxes since we've lived here.

Today we made an appointment and met with her honor, the Mayor. She didn't even know the policy, but said she was quite sure we were wrong, that we were entitled to two cards per household. The matter is scheduled to be discussed at the City Council meeting later this month, and in the meantime, she needs to speak to the City's Finance Director to get schooled on the matter.

We've been fighting this matter for a couple years, and the greatest success we've had so far was meeting with this mayor and the last one, too. Nobody seems interested in changing the policy because it doesn't apply to that many people. I guess we're just going to have to make more noise. Hopefully they'll eventually get tired of listening to us.

One would think that anyone that owns property in the area should be entitled to a property owners ID card. Or be able to have the entire household use the card - restricting it to those that have that location as a main residence.

Those seem like rather archaic rules Chief.....hope you can come to a successful resolution.

Harm wrote in post #15676018
I saw that bird at the zoo when you and heather took us about....

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He was in a different enclosure when I took my shot. It all became part of the elephant exhibit where you took your shot. I didn't have fences to worry about...

This one is for HARM

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That is funny, Neil.

Actually, what is really funny is that my dad got my name wrong at birth - so there is an unknown, scribbled & erased name on my birth certificate. So when I need a copy of it, I can't find it by just giving my name, I have to go by DOB & time etc. (sorry Lonnie, you STILL don't know!). Quality! Never knew/found out what that odd name was....

Harm wrote in post #15683000
I have to go by DOB & time etc. (sorry Lonnie, you STILL don't know!).

...meh...

neil_r wrote in post #15682441
This one is for HARM

There's a woman where I (currently/still/for now anyway) work whose first name is Manmeet. I'm so glad she has a nickname!

thomascanty wrote in post #15684153
There's a woman where I (currently/still/for now anyway) work whose first name is Manmeet. I'm so glad she has a nickname!

Would be worse if that were her last name and her first name was Ophelia.