Robert's Blog

Revival of the Cold War?

2008-08-15T00:21:20Z

On December 3, 2007, I wrote this blog about Russian capatilists and the Vladimir Putin. I wonder if it will get more attention today, in light of recent events in Georgia.

"Russia is now a very wealth country. Vladimir Putin has created a disciplined nation, and the young majority don't like Americans. They blame us for most of the problems in the world.

After seeing the report on CNN, one realizes that it is conceivable that something much worse than the former 'Cold War' could happen.

According to the report, Russians are indoctrinating their youth to be strong nationalists with little respect for human rights. One might summarize that within 10 years a conflict could develop between opposing sides of the old 'Cold War'

If you saw the report you were surely as impressed as I am, and you may want to share your impressions.

Is there enough Russian wealth to take up the slack in our troubled mortgage loan industry?

Will Russian wealth buy cheap American real estate and business?

Will Russian wealth invest in American manufacturing to take advantage of our cheap labor as a result of the weakness of the American dollar on the international market?

At least there's a plot for an interesting book about 'Revival of the Cold War'!

What are your thoughts?"

Thank you Miss Doudou!!

2008-08-14T17:15:50Z

I just received the following message from Miss Prisca Doudou. I can barely contain my excitement?!! Prisca must be extremely wealthy and kind, as she would like to invest $9,500,000 in US manufacturing. That's great for the US economy because we don't manufacture a lot of things, we import most everything from China. Lucky me! All I have to do is provide Prisca my vital information such a bank accounts, credit cards, etc., which she will use to export the money here for investment in the US, and, here's the reward, Prisca will give me 15% commission for the service! I will earn $1,425,000 just for letting Prisca use my accounts to transfer the investment cash. Miss Doudou is certainly generous. Has anyone else been this fortunate?

I wonder if Miss Doudou is a member of the ActiveRain community....

	Dear , I would like to request your assistance in a financial transaction. cher I get your contact with a member of sit.I it your desire to invest in manufacturing and property management in your country. I have nine million five hundred thousand United State dollars. USD ($ 9.500.000.00) to invest USD in the transaction and I need your help to receive the funds in your account in your country. I will gladly give you 15% of the total sum for your help. please, it is important that you contact me through this my e-mail directly (MissDoudou@xxxx.xxx) for further explanations. Awaiting your immediate response and God bless you. Regards Prisca Doudou.

Dear ,

I would like to request your assistance in a financial transaction. cher I get your contact with a member of sit.I it your desire to invest in manufacturing and property management in your country.

I have nine million five hundred thousand United State dollars. USD ($ 9.500.000.00) to invest USD in the transaction and I need your help to receive the funds in your account in your country. I will gladly give you 15% of the total sum for your help. please, it is important that you contact me through this my e-mail directly (MissDoudou@xxxx.xxx)
for further explanations.

Awaiting your immediate response and God bless you.
Regards
Prisca Doudou.

8-8-8-8-8

2008-08-09T17:34:32Z

Yesterday morning, around 8 am, I checked my time, and it was eight minutes after eight am on the eigth day of the eigth month of the eigth year into the 20th century following the death of Christ. This made me very hungry so I went str8 to the kitchen and 8 breakfast. The Chinese chose that d8 to open the Olympic games in Beijing.. I forgot to play the lottery. My wife heard on TV that a child was born at 8:08 am whose w8 was 8 pounds and 8 ounces. This probably the eigth time I've told this story. W8 a while, and I'll tell it again. All in all, it was a gr8 day for me, and I hope yours was gr8 also.

Opening of the Olympics in Beijing

2008-08-09T00:39:27Z

Let the games begin. I suppose most everyone say at least some of the festivities presented by the Chinese in Beijing to introduce the Olympic games of 2008... Guess everyone was impressed so far...

We were shown much about the technological capabilities of the Chinese. We got a glimpse of what can be done with the profits from all the stuff we buy from China.

By the end of the games, we will see many more amazing things. The Chinese will need to be treated with more respect henceforth, and will have more of a say in decisions that affect world governance.

Just trying to open an interesting topic of discussion... so what were your impressions?

Sunsets on Choctawhatchee Bay, from Driftwood Estates, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

2008-08-04T23:42:19Z

Here are a few pictures of sunsets on Choctawhatchee Bay, from Driftwood Estates, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Amazing sunsets appear everyday, but today was special. Hope you enjoy.

Isn't that breathtaking?! When you have scenery like this to work with, you don't need to be a great photographer.

Can you think of any other planet you would prefer to live on?

Just more reason to love Driftwood Estates, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Choctawhatchee Bay

Olympics in China - Affects on USA

2008-08-03T13:04:29Z

Let the games begin. They will withing a week, and in China. So many of us, probably like myself, respect the athletes, and enjoy a perfomance/contest from time to time, but probably prefer a good football game to spend our television time on.

However, recent programs on the travel channels are opening our minds about the Chinese, their numbers, the size of their country, their eating habits, living habits, and their nationalist devotions...

They seem to be really proud, and dedicated people, with a lot more history than any of us know about.

There is something eating at me, saying, guess what, Americans, all planetarians, are going to learn a lot about the Chinese and China, real soon.

Question is, how will this knew knowledge affect our dependence on the Chinese for production of about everything we possess? What else will we learn?

Sunset from Driftwood Estates, Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County, Florida, near Destin and Sandestin

2008-08-01T09:18:10Z

Hi, sunset in late July, from Driftwood Estates in Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County, Florida, across Choctawhatchee Bay, Mid-Bay bridge, Destin, Sandestin, Fort Walton Beach. Sunsets are spectacular all year long, and change by the second. Choctawhatchee Bay widens across the intracoastal waterway which goes from Pensacola all the way up the east coast to Virginia. Barges and all sorts of pleasure watercraft are seen on the intracoastal. Often, on Choctawhatchee Bay, sailboats are out and about. There was hardly enough wind for them on the day of this picture.

Fires Burn Homes in Forests

2008-07-27T13:33:09Z

We see a lot of news about forest fires during the dry, hot, windy seasons, and we see the sadness of those who lose their homes to forest fires, and we even see these courageous souls come back and start all over in the same place...

Well, at the risk of getting hammered from all directions, I'll say anyway what I think I about that. Leave fall from trees and dry up in forests, lightning is a fact of life and starts fires in dry forests. Homes built inside forests that burn, burn just like the forest.

And somebody pays for the insurance to make restitution. Firefighters risk their lives, and we spend fortunes dropping water from airplanes onto burning houses.

What are we doing folks? Just don't build a house inside a forest, or, if you do, build it underground, let the trees burn, then come out of ground.... really, we're never going to prevent mother nature from starting fires, and if we did, the consequence would probably be more serious than forest fires.

All Grows Well

2008-07-26T14:57:40Z

Hi. I just wanted to share some of these flowers with my friends. Aren't they just gorgeous!! It seems like just about everything grows well here in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. That's good, and bad... Flowers, for example, a so beautiful and pleasing to the eye and the nose. And many of the insects are tolerable. And birds and lizards are all fun to see. But, then, on the flip side of that coin, there is so much grass to cut, and weeds grow, too, and not all the insects are friendly, i.e., yellow flies, deer flies, 'no-see-ums' (those near microscopic gnats that bite, and mosquitoes, and not all snakes are cute like green snakes and black racers.... there are also plenty of pigmy ratlers... and don't forget everybody's least favorite, the termite!! Anyway, just wanted to share some flower pics with you... hope you enjoy.

The Real Estate Market after the Election

2008-07-26T00:45:34Z

What do you think the real estate market will do after the election in November? If Obama wins? If McCain wins? I can turn on the television and hear from the talking heads exactly what the outcome will be and how it will affect us. I can hear that in two versions, the democratic and republican version. But, really, what I find most interesting is opinions from working stiffs like you and me... We live in a real world. To me, if anyone one asked?, it looks like Obama is going to be our next president. He certainly has the oratory, and the presence, and he's likeable here and around the world... Anyone else have an opinion you dare to share?

Alan Osborne, Walton County Commissioner, District 5

2008-07-25T14:43:59Z

Hi, I apologize up front for getting political, but the gentleman I'm about to promote is someone I've met a few time, and he seems to be honest, sincere, concerned, and concerned about his community. I don't think Alan Osborne is really a politician, I think he is just a concerned citizen with an agenda to improve things in district 5, and he sees membership on the Walton County Commission as a means to that end. Alan Osborne is a product of the US Army and Air Force. He worked his way up through the enlisted ranks and recently retired as a major with over 4000 flying hours. I hope you will take the time to look at Alan Osborne's bio, and cast your vote in his direction. Follow this link to read about Alan Osborne: http://www.osborneforcommissioner.com/

Holding the Bag

2008-07-25T13:07:17Z

Is the Florida Real Estate Market Improving? We've been hard hit here for lots of reasons. Prices got rediculously high and were supported by appraisals, lenders, Realtors, and buyers. Then the second shoe fell, and reality stepped in. We've had the flood of foreclosures, short sales, auctions, etc. Lots of buyers and institutions found themselves 'holding the bag'. My sentiment is that we're nearing the worst of it all and that things are beginning to steady out, short of turning north. I'm just hanging a carrot here to get some 'on the field' feedback. I can turn on the TV to find out what talking heads say, I am more interested in what the ground troops have to say. Thanks in advance for your thougths.

Super Deal - Estate-size lakefront lots, Montgomery, Texas

2008-07-24T16:21:59Z

Hi. I live over here in Florida. I used to live in Texas. When I lived in Texas, I expected to stay there until the chickens came to roost. Well, my wife got a peek and the beaches in northwest florida, and that all changed. So now we live in Florida. So, just outside of Houston, in a developping community known as Montgomery Trace, we own three beautiful, huge, lakefront lots. If you're interested, take a look at this link, and let me know. http://www.rmonk.com/FSBO-MontgomeryTrce.html

Does Power Corrupt Good People?

2008-07-24T13:28:34Z

Guess we've all seen the person who gets elected to the POA, PTA, or the School Board, or the Union management, or this committee or another, and instantly becomes a changed person.

What makes us be that way?

It's like the perfectly sweet, kind, gentle little old lady or gentleman we all know and adore, who, upon finding himself/herself seated at the controls behind the steering wheel, becomes an aggressive wannabe tank driver, fighter pilot, state trooper, or the Lone Ranger, all in one, dilligently in pursuit of a bandit or a bad guy.

Tail-gating, horn-blowing, hi-beam-flashing, bird-flinging foul-mouth champion, out to set the world straight.

There must be some of you psychological thinkers who can clear this up with a simple, logical explanation for the rest of us...

I'd sure be grateful to you.. Thanks.

For Rent - Driftwood Estates - Florida - Cheaper than a Mortgage Payment

2008-07-22T00:29:59Z

3000 square feet brick home, 4 large bedrooms, 3 full baths, large open floor plan, large kitchen with breakfast room, great room, dining room, 2-car garage, utility room, large pantry, fireplace, vaulted ceilings, 100 feet by 250 feet level lot, trees, Choctawhatchee Bay view, northern point of Driftwood Estates, near Gulf of Mexico at Topsail State Park, near shopping and restaurants at Grand Boulevard of Destin Commons, near Sacred Heart Hospital. For rent at $2000. Call 850-428-1776 .

Lions roam free in Santa Rosa Beach

2008-07-21T22:25:21Z

These two young lionesses, JouJou on the left, Bijou on the right, have been seen hunting food in the jungles of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Generally, these beasts prey on small lizards, large flying animals such as butterflies and and sparrows, and have occasionally taken down a green or black snake. They appear affectionate and loving, however, one should not be misled. The true purpose of their tolerance of human-kind is their attraction to treats. JouJou and Bijou are the youngest in a pride of four females. If you should encounter these girls in the wilds of Santa Rosa Beach, approach them only with extreme caution.

Radical new Cutting Edge Water Transportation System Introduced to Choctawhatchee Bay

2008-07-21T00:49:04Z

Several recent sitings of a strange watercraft have occured in Choctawhatchee Bay near Driftwood Estates in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Possibly a product of the local skunk works, the vessel resembles a surfboard, being long and narrow and is powered by a type of paddle. The particular version of this new watercraft appears to be the two-passenger model. The vessel is quiet, sleek, and stable. The pilot navigates by forcing the paddle-like object into the water and exercising a rowing-like motion alternatively to either side of the vessel. Definely this timely new transportation system has promise in our fuel-challenged economy.

hello

A Bucket of Worms

2008-07-19T18:34:17Z

Well, why not bring up a few questions about the coming presidential election and the effects the election will have on real estate...and everything else? There is a lot at stake in this one....

Will we stay in Iraq, or leave?

Will taxes rise or fall?

Will Americans panic, or regain their confidence of the past?

Will internationals support us, or search for weaknesses?

Will our government grow or reduce in size?

Will tax payers bail out the mortgage industry?

Will there be peace in the middle east?

Global warming?

A new source of energy?

We are living very exciting times. Thoughts of the future, the near future, are dramatic.

Any ideas about what's ahead?

ActiveRain is Growing in Walton County, Florida

2008-07-19T17:16:57Z

About a year ago, I began to experiment with ActiveRain following an invitation from a coleague in the mortgage business.. I had asked a question, which my coleague answered, but she also referred me to ActiveRain to gather more data about my concerns...

Since then, I learned many things here, and have used this free site to market my listings, and myself. I think that overall, I have improved my SEO, search engine optimization, and have made it much easier to locate me on the internet.

As I get better at this, I find that by doing a search for property in the territory I farm, I have a good chance of coming up on the first page of the search.

That has to be useful and valuable.

The experience has been pleasant and educational for me, I hope that others in Walton County and elsewhere are having the same impression.

Motorcycles, Fuel Economy, and Road Rage

2008-07-03T07:38:17Z

With the cost of gasolene climbing through the roof and up to the clouds, one might expect to find a little more leniency towards motorcycle traffic. But that has not been my experience. In Europe, Asia, and surely elsewhere, motorcycles squeeze in between automobiles on the streets and highways. More drivers opt to you motorcycles to quicken their own commutes. Yet, here in the south, if you squeeze between cars, you can expect, you can expect the drivers to close the space, open their doors, use their cell phones to call the police,, or some other friendly behavior... You will at least get flipped off...

It doesn't seem to matter that the motorcycles reduce automobile traffic, lessen total fuel usage, and contribute to the lowering of demand of fuel, and therefore lower the cost of fuel. The main concern seems to be the irritation of those in the cars that a motorcyle will pass.

Oh, well, go figure...

POST NUMBER 1000

2008-06-26T21:03:17Z

I can hardly believe it.... I just made my ActiveRain post number 1000 post to Mrs. Sharon Simms, of Florida... For me that's pretty awesome. 1000 times I've come to the ActiveRain trauff (i have no idea how to spell that word, I hope phonetics is acceptable). I thought it befitting and necessary to honor Mrs. Sharon Simms with post number 1000, because she is the benchmark of the ActiveRain community.

So, I will open a bottle of descent champagne and toast myself, ActiveRain, Mrs. Sharon Simms, and all the rest of you ActiveRain folks, with hope that the real estate market takes a 180 degree turn in the near future and we can begin to make a little money once again.

Kindest regards,

Robert Monk

Freedom vs the Homeowners Association

2008-06-16T18:27:31Z

I just finished venting a little pent up frustration over being ordered by my Homeowners Association to cease and desist display of a Home Depot sold red and white 'For Rent' sign. The HOA/POA also informs me that a 'Group' will soon visit my property and remove the 'inappropriate' sign....

Folks, that's just plain chilling!! Are we talking vigilantees, the peoples' possy, capes and hoods?

What kind of 'group' enters a man's property and removes a sign suitable to millions advising that the property is available for rent?

What has happened to property rights? What has happened to human rights?

What have we done? We have created organizations to rule our communities and given them power to collect fees (taxes?), to augment the fees, to seize our properties if we do not pay those fees (taxes), and comply with the manifesto of the board.

We are idiots and we don't deserve the freedoms our forefathers died to preserve and protect....

POA HOA Behavior - How far is too far...

2008-06-16T18:04:29Z

Hello everyone.

I haven't posted here for a while, since things have been going along quite well and I didn't have any problems...

But, now, I have an issue... I think it's time to vent a little, so here goes..

POA's HOA's - WHAT KIND OF POWER TRIP ARE THESE PEOPLE ON?!!!

I received a notice from the Property Management Company that collects the dues for our POA -

Warning!! the 'For Rent' sign in front of my house does not comply with the sign code established by the POA.

As a violator, my inappropriate sign will be removed by a 'group' in the near future.

And the note asks that I not be upset...... well, I'm livid...!!

The sign is sold to many thousands by Home Depot, a red and white 'For Rent' sign on a black metal frame that plants into your front yard.. It only says 'For Rent', and my telephone number...

There are tens of thousands of these signs manufactured and sold in America, yet my POA finds these signs 'inappropriate'...

So a 'group' will come upon my property to remove the 'inappropriate sign'... Vigilantees? With hoods and capes maybe? Where is the POA going with this control thing?

Without my permission, on my property, my sign... in front of a house I need to rent.. What about trespassing? What about property rights?

The association here provides nothing to the neighborhood, save for a few street lights, far from enough.

Yet, our dues have increased by 20% to offset the costs of lawsuits against the county because of drainage issues in our development, and a desire to open a wall from our middle class community into the adjoining exclusive resort community.

Well, enough said... I got some of it off my chest. I appologize if I bore you.

I'm just curious to know if others have experienced any POA extravagance....

Arrrggggghhhhhhhhh.......!!!!

Cinco de Mayo

2008-05-05T18:47:21Z

Happy 5th of May to all my Mexican friends. This holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin of French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day: Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16, which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico. Wikipedia helped me through this post.

Springtime Beauty comes to Driftwood Estates, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

2008-04-28T00:48:48Z

Spring is a special time here in Driftwood Estates.. It seems like everything beautiful grows in abundance.

Why, there are more colors here than you find in a rainbow! And the insects, and lizards, and birds, and bees,... they're just everywhere you look! I really need to get a picture of the beautiful little humming birds that visit us during this time. And soon, the most beautiful bluebirds the eye can see will stop to say 'hello'... Gosh, what a wonderful place to live!!