Not to derail the thread, but I made this and it was the best thing I have ever made...ever http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/dining/281brex.html?_r=1&ref=dining Here are some photos: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/dining/28bacon.html
You have me confused with someone else. I did work for several branches of the Federal government for a total of 17 years. I did not retire, nor have I drawn any government benefits of any sort since I left government service. BTW, they call it service for a reason and I am honored that I was given the opportunity to serve my country for so long. I was able to help my country deal with Mt St Helens, the Tillamook Flood, the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, work on the Spotted Owl Recovery Plan and help the US Attorney on timber theft cases. I also did a lot of volunteer worked educating the public about their Public Lands and recreation opportunities. What have you done for your country lately? I will be eligible for a partial monthly retirement annuity of less than 3 figures when I am 62. It will be much less than my Social Security annuity as I also ran my own landscaping company from ages 8-20 with several employees, worked hard labor jobs in a factory for a few years, drove a forklift a few places, ran a retail/pharmacy store with 21 employees for a couple years, sold cars for about 5 years, spent a couple years as an international purchasing agent for a large local manufacturing company, worked a few years in the printing industry, and while employed fulltime in these jobs also delivered pizzas 40 hrs a week at night for 4 years. I've been a manager for Goodwill and repaired fire-fighting equipment for smoke jumpers. I once worked in a sweatshop with a bunch of little old ladies sewing and pressing drapes for apartment buildings. And of course as a youngster in LO every summer I picked berries and beans. Now I am a Realtor here in Beautiful Central Oregon, working an average 70+ hrs/week finding people their dream homes at 2001 prices and loving every minute of it. Other than my first job of landscaping, I have set production records, sales records, or changed procedures/operations resulting in significant profit/savings at every stop, particularly in my government positions. Every past supervisor I have had would hire me back in a heartbeat. Having worked so long in so many fields I have to say it's no contest at all who were the most honest, hardworking, professional, industrious, dedicated employees I worked with. It's not even close. The private sector is where the dead weight is, IMO. Since leaving government service I have truly been amazed at how many dishonest, thieving, lazy, and just plain stupid people there are holding down jobs in the private sector. From the top on down.
A real estate agent in Bend sounds like a horrible idea right now. They've been hit the hardest by this recession.
LOL @ 70 hours per week, MARIS. You wouldn't know 70 hours a week if it bit you in the ass. You've leeched off honest taxpayers for most of your career. Now you're taking advantage of people by inserting yourself into a simple transaction that could be done between buyer and seller. Thanks for admitting it.
Boy, that's some weak stuff you're spewing. A bit off your game tonight? Childish personal attacks aside, you exhibit a surprising lack of knowledge about what being a successful Realtor actually entails for someone who claims to make his living at it. Dealing in the sleazier commercial side I really doubt you've ever MET an honest taxpayer.
He completely destroyed your caricature, and you didn't even have the balls to concede you were wrong. I normally find Maris pretty ridiculous (and I can't stand realtors), but he comes off as a stud in comparison to you in this post.
It was rough the last couple of years, but I've personally been completely swamped with eager buyers since January and there's no indication it will slack off at all in the next 2-3 years. Only the sellers are hurting here.
Damn, maybe I'm doing this posting thing all wrong. From reading maxiep's posts I had concluded that "pretty ridiculous" was what we're all shooting for.
LEAVE MAXIEP ALONE EVERYONE! HE KNOWS DAVID FUCKING BROOKS AND WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO! Leave... Maxie... ALONE!.. LEAVE HIM ALONE! He has earned the right, through merely being in the same place at the same time with people who are smart, to spew dumb ideas masqueraded as cognitive thought (though often stolen from other idiots). His constant posting on this board (instead of working) and massive condescending tone deserve our respect, loyalty and a night with our wives.
Once again displaying your ignorance for all to see. I bet the photo on your business card is lovely.
Thanks for your opinion, Mook. You have your opinion of government workers and residential Realtors, and I have mine. IMO, they are two massive externalities. Both industries exist to further their own existence and not to add value.
