I thought it appropriate to take some time out to talk about how we as Americans deal with hard times. For many, hard times has been present tense for quite awhile now. You’ve been through ‘em, I’ve been through ‘em — everyone has their stories. I’ve always thought hard times is like surgery — minor surgery is done on the other guy. Same with what we’re dealin’ with now nationwide. Some are experiencing a traumatic stretch, while others are worried if it’s gonna be their turn in the barrel or not.
Anyway, I thought you might wanna wander over and read it. It’s over at Bloodhound — I bet you’ll relate. Have a good one.
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About BawldGuy
Great piece, with spot on perspective. I sent it to an agent friend who is about to lose his house and do a BK after two plus years of hanging on by his fingernails. Also sent Greg’s piece about facing foreclosure, which had a lot of “me too” supportive comments from other agents, including some now very successful ones.
My grandmother fed the strangers that knocked on the door and asked for something to eat in exchange for a little work in Los Altos. The railroad tracks ran behind their property and the neighboring chicken farms. My aunt, who was in high school, would take leftovers and bread to the folks under the trestle after dinner.
The important thing to remember is an abyss has two walls – the one you tumble down falling in, and the one you climb up to get out. As long as you don’t wallow in the muck at the bottom, you will find a way to climb out.
AI — Thanks for the kind words.
Love your description.
Last time I talked to you, you told me to watch for an article that had my name on it.
This is it, right?
Knocked for a loop with high leverage and option ARMs when the crash came, we have spent the last year regrouping and digging ourselves out of the abyss (hopefully). Prayers are welcome. You have been such a support for us!!
About the 50′s and 60′s: I remember those simple times also. The Mexican laborers would come by my childhood house in Spring Valley looking for work. No matter how little we had, Dad would give them a days work, and Mom would feed them. They always looked wide eyed when Mom invited them to eat at the dining room table. Mom and Dad never thought they were better than anyone. The laborers deserved the best after a hard days work. I remember how excited they would be to see the spread Mom would put on for them. Today, the laws prevent such kindnesses.
Yes, we live in an “in your face” era.
Some of the things I dislike about the “new values” are:
Young people covered with tatoos and piercings
Loud car stereos that disturb the peace of quiet neighborhoods.
Call center people with no heart, no authority and a one word vocabulary…”NO”
Sneaky bank fees and horendous credit card interest rates for those who can least afford them.
Bored answering services for doctors, no house calls and doctors disconnected from any meaningful interaction with their patients.
Junk mail, cyber crap, especially the unsolicited porn sites found addressed to your private e-mail.
Businesses who substitute customer service with robo calls, goobly goop answers, and computer generated e-mail responses
Loan companies who stonewall, staffed with idiots who have no connection with
So there’s my rant! Ah feels good…
BG, you are a true “retro”…you answer your own phone, you offer solace to aching hearts, and you reply to your own e-mails.
If ever I get a response from a call center in Bangledesh, I will know you are six feet under.
(No offense intended to our hard working world citizen brothers and sisters)
You’re right, Cher. You guys are perfect examples of what I was taught about Americans handling hard times. Tempered steel. I’m proud to know you.
Glad to hear that we are following in your tempered steel footsteps.