tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74464750752323359822024-03-14T10:59:16.329-04:00Keep Durham Different!old and new urbanism in the Bull City, from a libertarian progressive.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-43861551024943416512018-01-28T09:34:00.001-05:002018-01-28T09:34:12.337-05:00Peak Hipster<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LT9OOW5eC6w/Wm3dsGOUkJI/AAAAAAAAajE/vRJkXuquRBAfyvrHll7gGG7YClNSaJYxgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180128_022756.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LT9OOW5eC6w/Wm3dsGOUkJI/AAAAAAAAajE/vRJkXuquRBAfyvrHll7gGG7YClNSaJYxgCLcBGAs/s320/20180128_022756.jpg" width="320" height="180" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="900" /></a>
God, I've missed this place. The perfect marriage of high and low, opulence and economy. <p>
It's hard to believe I'm from here. The Rollins family no longer controls the media empire of the Herald-Sun, but there are footprints everywhere. Walked by the Rollins Apartments on Lancaster last night. Caught up with my cousins in Chapel Hill on Friday, and very sad to learn that Daisy died. So it goes.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-91798139212524587002011-06-30T18:28:00.001-04:002011-06-30T18:30:37.575-04:00RIP<a href='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZu60qsbyAw/Tgz4fpfjhhI/AAAAAAAABXM/S2d3vyorbtg/s1600/Photo_040208_003.jpg'><img src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZu60qsbyAw/Tgz4fpfjhhI/AAAAAAAABXM/S2d3vyorbtg/s400/Photo_040208_003.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br /><br />One of my glorious oak trees fell victim to Monday's storm. I believe these are pin oaks, as compared to the live oaks we have in Louisiana. More pictures to follow, but for now let's all pour a bit of fertilizer on the ground. Who speaks for the trees?<div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-49308103148979578942010-06-09T09:40:00.003-04:002010-06-09T09:47:00.703-04:00The Young-Cole-Couch House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/TA-amqYZhYI/AAAAAAAABOE/-mi1ln8OFE4/s1600/club_snow.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/TA-amqYZhYI/AAAAAAAABOE/-mi1ln8OFE4/s400/club_snow.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480769260535514498" /></a><br />My friend Gary Kueber has a nice <a href="http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/2010/06/young-cole-couch-house.html">story</a> on my Durham home up at his <a href="http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/">website</a>.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-65067791365118600732009-08-06T22:36:00.002-04:002009-08-06T22:50:45.171-04:00NC vs LALouisiana, that is. The 'big house' in Durham is rented to some students this fall, so I'm moving into the carriage house which should be a freakin blast. How many men can roll out of bed and reach their table saw in two steps? Talk about a man cave -- I am so excited about sleeping less than ten feet from my new convertible (she speaks to me in the middle of the night).<br /><br />Meanwhile, I've been spending a bit of time in south Louisiana. Durham and New Orleans are similar in so many ways: how the industrial core has rotted away, leaving disenfranchised minority communities that elect a government no less dysfunctional once they are no longer in the minority; how a drive down a street like Englewood or Markham in Durham showcases solid middle class homes at higher elevations, and tiny bungalow homes on the same block but closer to the floodplain. It's just like how in New Orleans you can walk from the grand homes on St. Charles Ave. to the houses built for the housekeepers a block or two away. Both cities have bad crime reputations, but for the sake of a little diversity and freedom from the do-gooder HOA types I'm willing to accept a bit of nuisance crime, or property crimes of opportunity. I carry a gun all the time, so I don't worry about something really bad happening to me or my loved ones. In Durham (hoity toity Trinity Park, no less) my car gets broken into once a quarter; in Harlem it was once a month. Will be interesting to see what it is in New Orleans, as by now I'm pretty used to it.<br /><br />Dysfunctional towns are about as close to anarchy as you can get in the south, and Durham's gritty funk is more than matched by the joie de vivre of a town where going out to a bar often involves selecting a costume first (even for uptight white yuppies). Give me liberty or give me death!KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-75977536201274921772009-05-13T11:04:00.000-04:002009-05-13T11:07:55.080-04:00"Why should regulatory uncertainty, contempt of Congress and political risk be just for the big guys in New York?"I'd like to think that this was uttered by John Allison, the <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=as6BR0QV4KE8&refer=home">liberty-loving</a> former CEO of BB&T.<br /><a href="http://dealbreaker.com/2009/05/tarp-funds-to-destroy-small-ba.php">TARP Funds To Destroy Small Banks Next</a>.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-55081673493467242182009-05-12T15:11:00.000-04:002009-05-12T15:24:17.677-04:00Law School Graduation<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SgnKX0UWBfI/AAAAAAAAA8U/pgcqdRmcuSE/s1600-h/Treo_050909_003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335017744126838258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SgnKX0UWBfI/AAAAAAAAA8U/pgcqdRmcuSE/s400/Treo_050909_003.jpg" /></a> This was the first year that Al had students graduating (she taught them legal writing back when they were 1Ls), so we made sure Lila had a long nap in anticpation of a late night at Cameron.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Kind of a hot day for academic gowns, but we managed OK. In the second photo you can not only see the UT colours (Hook 'em Horns!), but the pocket in the sash where students were expected to put their tuition, a practice which apparently dates back to the Renaissance.</div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SgnMngZljeI/AAAAAAAAA8c/bRDz9zyUgNY/s1600-h/Treo_050909_005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335020212681280994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SgnMngZljeI/AAAAAAAAA8c/bRDz9zyUgNY/s400/Treo_050909_005.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-69708469643751062612009-05-08T14:48:00.000-04:002009-05-08T15:07:10.853-04:00drinking and drivingLast night I spent an entertaining evening in the Cary and Raleigh jails trying to get a friend released, so as a libertarian I thought I'd share my impressions.<br /><br />A colleague of mine arrived at RDU only to find his out of state driver's license was expired and he couldn't rent a car (said colleague lives in a city where he does not drive, and uses his passport for ID). I gave him one of my SUVs, not realising that one of the taillights was out (I only drive it during the day). We had a few drinks at lunch, then agreed to meet after work (he was planning to check into his hotel and take a nap before meeting me to watch the Red Sox game).<br /><br />He got stopped in Cary at 8:42pm for broken taillight, which is reasonable suspicion (i.e., it would be hard to challenge the stop for lack of probable cause). The police officer allowed him to use his blackberry during the license and registration checks, so he texted me.<br /><br />By coincidence I was at a Durham bar with two of the three Duke lacrosse lawyers (one of whom I keep on retainer). We gave him the best advice for his situation, collected from the various attorneys, bartenders, Duke law faculty (my wife), and patrons with DUI convictions who were in attendance. Your mileage may vary, of course.<br /><br />The portable breathalyzer test (PBT) administered on scene is not admissible in court. You may refuse this test without incurring the mandatory one year license suspension. Based on the field sobriety tests and the officer's discretion, however, you may be taken to the police station for an admissible breathalyzer test (this is the one that will get your license suspended if you refuse) or a blood test. Up until this point you are merely being detained, but if they move you from the scene you will be handcuffed and arrested for suspicion of driving while impaired. In my friend's case this was a given, as he had an expired license and an open container of alcohol to boot. <br /><br />They did not impound my vehicle, though I think this was because (1) it did not belong to the driver; and (2) the stop was in Cary (I was led to believe that in Durham or Raleigh my vehicle would be seized).<br /><br />At the station you are read your rights of refusal for the "Toxilyzer 5000", and allowed to call an attorney or friend to witness the tests. This was done at 9:42pm and gives the prisoner 30 minutes for the witness to arrive. Perhaps because this was in Cary the police were generous; they gave me an extra few minutes because I was close to the station, but commenced testing at 10:15pm as I was admitted to the detention area to witness my friend's BAC test. The police gave me a hard time, perhaps because (1) I had been drinking earlier in the day; (2) I had to check my firearm; and (3) I was wearing my Duke Law shirt. I asserted my rights and they left me alone; I was allowed to communicate with my friend but not in confidence as I am not an attorney.<br /><br />My friend blew a .06 two times, and the tension in the room dropped dramatically. At this point the police officer will interview you regarding your use of prescription drugs, marijuana and other controlled substances, your medical history, and your recent eating, sleeping, and drinking habits; you could still be guilty of driving while impaired if your BAC is below .08, though it's obviously harder to prove in court.<br /><br />Unfortunately he could not simply be released, because according to the Wake County magistrate he had to be "unarrested" at the courthouse. Off we go to downtown Raleigh, despite me being in an open air pickup truck with no top in the pouring rain. It was cold and wet (now I'm super sober!). Happy ending circa 1:30am, and I retrieved my vehicle this morning from a shopping center parking lot.<br /><br />According to the officer, if my friend had taken and passed the PBT "this all could have been avoided" as he would have had him abandon the vehicle and get a ride home. However, I submit that my friend did the right thing, since his BAC was on the decline and the extra 90 minutes certainly helped. Obviously he did not do the right thing by submitting to the field sobriety tests and having an open container of alcohol, though I was surprised to learn that the fine is only $25 plus court costs for this offense (in larger cities it can be as high as $500, plus it's good cause to take you in for suspicion of DUI).<br /><br />RECOMMENDATIONS: Upon reflection and consultation with several attorneys, I think there are a few lessons to be learned from this episode.<br /><br />1) If you have a phone that records audio or video, turn it on as soon as you are being pulled over (make sure you have plenty of storage).<br /><br />2) If you have a firearm on your person or within easy reach, try to put it on the passenger floorboard, seat, or dashboard. Make sure your license and registration are not near the gun (I keep my documents in the driver's map pocket and NOT the glove box). All of us who are licensed for concealed carry know that the BAC limit is 0.01 when carrying concealed, but a lot is up to the officer's discretion and usually the police will be happy to know that you have received proper training in firearms safety. <br /><br />Opinions differ on whether the fact that your weapon is not concealed means that you can drive with a BAC between .01 and .08. In the opinion of the Cary police officers it makes no difference; you would be OK with these officers even if your weapon was concealed. I have been unable to find NC judicial precedent on this issue.<br /><br />3) You might think that the easiest way out of an "open container" violation is to pour your beverage on the floorboard, but most likely the officer will smell the alcohol or detect that the container is cold and/or wet. Remember, in NC the fine is only $25.<br /><br />4) If you are being detained, don't get out of the vehicle, submit to field sobriety tests, take the PBT, or answer any questions besides what is required under SCOTUS precedent. You can roll down your window a crack to exchange documents, but you should not give the police any opportunity to invade your privacy or search your vehicle. Obviously this is more difficult if you have a firearm, as they may want to "make it safe". Search youtube for videos on how to respond during a traffic stop, or at least watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA">BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters</a>. If you are arrested or forced to exit your vehicle, take only your phone, roll up the windows and lock the doors immediately upon exiting. Refuse any further search.<br /><br />5) If by chance you have just had four shots of whiskey before getting behind the wheel (and why would you do that?) you may want to take the PBT as your BAC will be increasing. Otherwise, time is on your side. Make sure you have your attorney's contact info in your phone.<br /><br />6) You might think that being a citizen would give you a right to refuse ALL chemical detection (breathalyzer and blood tests). You would be wrong, as NC is an "implied consent" state. You might also think that if you are a principled libertarian with a documented history of civil rights advocacy, you could explain this to the judge at trial and avoid a DUI conviction; for example, I have been quoted in the press several times about the unconstitutionality of DUI roadblocks. Unfortunately, the crusty old judge will likely think you are trying to pull a fast one, especially if the arresting officer smells alcohol or has other evidence to indicate you were driving while impaired. If you're stone cold sober and you refuse the test, why wouldn't you take it since you're innocent? This is a rhetorical question.<br /><br />7) A one year suspension of your driving privileges might not be as bad as you think. Besides public transport or simple disobedience, you can get a 49cc scooter which may work fine depending on your driving habits.<br /><br />8) Don't drive drunk! It's a moral issue regardless of law, just like any other risky behaviour. Know your rights and don't be afraid to assert them.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-16692048736430195322009-05-08T14:09:00.000-04:002009-05-08T14:17:17.388-04:00Bike to Work Week<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SgR2-k4m3lI/AAAAAAAAA8M/5XHIw5ifEtM/s1600-h/Treo_050509_002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333518676138581586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SgR2-k4m3lI/AAAAAAAAA8M/5XHIw5ifEtM/s400/Treo_050509_002.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Somehow I doubt this is what they had in mind, despite the fact that my motorcycle gets better gas mileage than my Prius. I feel I should get some "credit" for changing my commuting habits, however.</div><br /><div>My other complaint with the SmartCommute Challenge is that they no longer offer the green wristbands that got you a week's worth of free rides on public transport. Surely this is the least that DATA/TTA/CAT can do for the success of this program. Fail.</div>KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-52804949297114127422009-03-18T13:49:00.000-04:002009-03-18T14:01:47.728-04:00hiatusThings have been quiet 'round these parts, and are likely to remain so through April 2009 due to some long-overdue spring cleaning (both personal and professional). I've been involved with the <a href="http://www.durhamcentralmarket.org/">Durham Central Market</a>, whose efforts I highly recommend you join. Also checkout the <a href="http://www.fullsteam.ag/">Fullsteam Brewery</a>.<br /><br />For financial commentary I recommend <a href="http://dealbreaker.com/">DealBreaker</a>. Remember kids -- <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/29737389">the war on greed is the new war on terror</a>.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-40016911407492810182009-01-27T13:58:00.000-05:002009-01-27T14:01:48.695-05:00"Ain’t Messin’ With No Broke Banker"<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SX9Z6lMbPLI/AAAAAAAAA34/7VW9cAvDZaI/s1600-h/foo.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296050549762505906" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SX9Z6lMbPLI/AAAAAAAAA34/7VW9cAvDZaI/s400/foo.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>From <a href="http://dabagirls.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/ain%e2%80%99t-messin%e2%80%99-with-no-broke-banker/">my new favourite website</a>. I'd follow fellow Duke alum Elizabeth Spiers into the mouth of Hell (gawker, dealbreaker.com).</div>KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-75305073485186755372008-12-15T06:02:00.000-05:002008-12-15T06:12:14.639-05:00Going Long on going short<a href="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-AU000_OPTION_NS_20081214184506.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MI-AU000_OPTION_NS_20081214184506.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Very interesting <a href="http://online.barrons.com/article/SB122912485543502941.html?mod=b_hpp_9_0002_b_online_exclusives_weekend">article</a> in Barron's this weekend from two of my colleagues at CS. Last week was the first time the VIX stayed under 60 for all five trading sessions, but investors should not be lulled into complacency. Messrs. Tom and Davitt submit that it can go a lot higher.</div><br /><div>Like many folks I believe stocks are cheap and have been buying them selectively -- but often with a "buy-write" derivative hedge. I wrote the Nov 40 calls on HNZ and was proved spectacularly prescient when the stock closed at 38.75 on expiration (never mind that I had to sell anyway for liquidity!). Long term investors should consider writing more calls, but remember that what you consider a steep premium may seem like peanuts in a few weeks. I'm going to short half my position with covered calls, and be prepared to short more if the VIX spikes in line with the article's perspective.</div>KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-64527841655988453712008-12-06T08:25:00.000-05:002008-12-06T08:31:33.309-05:00Durham hipster singularity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX2hjNSVkoeJkrbhPDYjiOvJ4wlXhMi8Bf_5LUTH5VFuT_1nBMjVdomoZTfTkGcZr2o2waJyG-r775nTtDbsy0LGy8k-gLNdXf-YJht-FfZ62ohK2TrObWkdv_D6dxCpDPce9Qimd5UY2/s1600-h/DPAC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX2hjNSVkoeJkrbhPDYjiOvJ4wlXhMi8Bf_5LUTH5VFuT_1nBMjVdomoZTfTkGcZr2o2waJyG-r775nTtDbsy0LGy8k-gLNdXf-YJht-FfZ62ohK2TrObWkdv_D6dxCpDPce9Qimd5UY2/s320/DPAC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276669129945595858" border="0" /></a><br />They were thick as thieves last night, what with the Fullsteam investor party leading to the official opening of Pinhook. This view is from the balcony of the Baldwin Lofts, where the occasion was the lighting of the Lucky Strike tower.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-77355852009697969292008-11-07T13:29:00.000-05:002008-11-09T16:11:11.187-05:00Durham Co. LP meetup and victory lap<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SRSKyVg6eiI/AAAAAAAAAvI/cWrxJlMOSPY/s1600-h/durhamrenownedsign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265986461676239394" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 124px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SRSKyVg6eiI/AAAAAAAAAvI/cWrxJlMOSPY/s200/durhamrenownedsign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Now that the elections are over, the Durham County LP will resume meeting on Tuesday evenings at The Federal. Come one, come all -- we have loads to celebrate, from the shattering of the 2% vote threshold to the defeat of the prepared meals tax. <a href="http://mrcheap.blogspot.com/">MrCheap </a>is buying beer starting at 6:30pm.<br /><br />Federal is smoker-friendly at the front bar, but we'll be in the back. You can shoot your mouth off all you want, but leave your shotguns at the door; the skeet outing will have to wait until the end of hunting season. (See the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4502934667">Facebook group </a>for the Duke University Shooting Team if you need more details.)</div>KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-3960333302074516392008-10-22T11:43:00.000-04:002008-10-22T13:41:06.345-04:00Buyology (book review review)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/ED-AI411_book10_DV_20081021150428.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/ED-AI411_book10_DV_20081021150428.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I think it was Oscar Wilde who said "I never read books, because the reviews are so much better" (though I've been unable to find this quote -- first one to cite it gets a free KDD bumpersticker). This definitely holds true with most nonfiction these days -- I can't remember the last nonfiction I read in its entirety, though when it comes to fiction I can hardly wait to get my hands on the latest <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Eastwick-John-Updike/dp/0307269604/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224690358&sr=1-1">Updike sequel</a>. Thus I get most of my nonfiction reading in nice five minute snippets from my daily newspaper or reason.com. Today I'm introducing a new feature, the book review review.<div><br /></div><div>The WSJ had a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122463327520456683.html">review</a> today of "buyology", and while I always applaud obscure Lionel Trilling references, I think Andrew Stark is reaching a bit by saying that neuromarketing fosters 'a culture of "inauthenticity": It disrupts identity itself by bypassing the conscious mind and targeting aspects of the self over which none of us has control'. The applications of neuromarketing are temporal at best; while you may have an urge to pinch the cheeks of the Mini Cooper's face, surely at some point your right brain reminds you that you never fit your kids into the back seat.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm reminded of the swanky advertisements for downtown Raleigh highrise living as so ably <a href="http://bullshat.wordpress.com/2007/06/07/pardon-me-for-guffawing/">parodied by Blazer Manpurse</a>. Many will see in this ad a younger, hipper version of themselves, sipping ten dollar appletinis poolside among the creative class (or maybe just another toned empty nester). The reality is that you will bitch about not having a decent grocery store and having no one besides trustafarians to talk to (I found this out firsthand when I lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn).</div><div><br /></div><div>Word on the street is that "North at West" is being discounted given the housing collapse, despite their well-produced <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FarlTpjl7DY">YouTube ad</a> (the bikini-clad avatar is a nice touch). If you find this a bit much you might enjoy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU-PMXXH-dg">the one for HUE</a>, which I liked better.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-11948495771633259202008-10-17T08:33:00.000-04:002008-10-17T08:43:09.238-04:00the housing crisis is a demographic crisisI was just getting my morning shot of <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/">Bubblevision</a> when <a href="http://us1.institutionalriskanalytics.com/pub/IRAstory.asp?tag=269">Josh Rosner</a> told Joe Kernan that the real problem in home prices is that the traditional postwar level of home ownership (estimated at 60%) has ballooned to 70%, and that given the baby bust there's simply no way out of this mess (other than to raze homes).<div><br /></div><div>This is shrewd analysis. On the one hand, you could see a scenario where the boomers keep these second homes and their underwater mortgages through thick and thin, passing them on to their kids for use as weekend getaways. One hopes the general level of prosperity will rise enough so that having a second home will be as commonplace here as it is in the English landed gentry (who would prefer to jet off to Ibiza, but will settle for Sussex or the Lake District). Given the government's apparent preference to guarantee the unlimited appreciation of asset prices, this is a likely scenario.</div><div><br /></div><div>But what about <a href="http://angryrenter.com/">The Angry Renter</a>? I know that homeownership is all well and good, but couldn't you make the case that a nation of renters makes for a more fluid economy, where labor is free to pack up and move according to economic conditions?</div><div><br /></div><div>What Durham needs is a state income tax deduction for rental payments, similar to what they have in Massachusetts. This is the true progressive position.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-24593601810775391672008-10-14T14:44:00.000-04:002008-10-14T14:51:43.815-04:00DDs: businesses that can't spell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SPTpLJIpCdI/AAAAAAAAAuM/bwo1gt3yi60/s1600-h/Treo_101308_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SPTpLJIpCdI/AAAAAAAAAuM/bwo1gt3yi60/s400/Treo_101308_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257083042688207314" border="0" /></a>I don't go to Wayne's because I love the little warren of shops south of NCCU, the prices are great, the service is good, or it's close to my commuting route (although all of these things are true).<br /><br />I go there because the "Laundramat" sign makes me chuckle everytime I stop in. Won't see that in Cary.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-46445500348877989252008-10-02T11:34:00.001-04:002008-10-02T11:34:26.748-04:00DDs: bagpipe guy<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcrollins/2887955554/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2887955554_92b657d725_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcrollins/2887955554/">Treo_092408_002</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/dcrollins/">dcrollins</a></span></div>Have you seen this guy outside the DSA? He's usually on Duke St. just north of Corporation. Awesome.<br clear="all" />KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-88626848547881619862008-09-26T16:24:00.001-04:002008-09-26T16:27:16.480-04:00Durham Differentiators - Sean Haugh<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcrollins/2890011431/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2890011431_8f9cb6491d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcrollins/2890011431/">IMG00004</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/dcrollins/">dcrollins</a></span></div>First in a series, profiling those who keep Durham different. Sean is <a href="http://lpnc.org/2008/house_030.php">running for NC House 30</a>.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-9155317787859696722008-09-25T13:41:00.000-04:002008-09-25T13:54:59.864-04:00mark-to-marketI'm trying to stay above the fray in the financial markets, because (1) this is where I make my living; and (2) this site is supposed to be about Durham, and I've already commented on some of my <a href="http://fortressdemocracy.blogspot.com/">other sites</a>. But <a href="http://dealbreaker.com/2008/09/perverse-incentives.php">this article</a> is worth reading.<br /><br />I'm not going to join the chorus of analysts blaming mark-to-market for the current problems, because like Mark and Erin of CNBC's "SquawkBox" I believe that we wouldn't be in this mess if only we had adopted MMM earlier (as in, way before the fed opened the discount window, or for that matter before the runup in real estate, or before my employer even invented the securitization of mortgage backed securities).<br /><br />But that doesn't mean I don't agree with Blodget & Co. Buffet <strong>IS </strong>right on the money, and this is part of why <a href="http://fortressdemocracy.blogspot.com/2008/09/gambling-with-warren-buffett.html">I went long on GS Monday afternoon</a>. I was burned on the Lehman failure, <a href="http://www.stovepipehat.com/2008/09/merrill-lynch-a.html">when I thought Paulson had finally grown a pair</a>.<br /><br />In related news, I encourage everyone to support the unionworkers in their <a href="http://dealbreaker.com/2008/09/st-patricks-day-no-anti-bailou.php">protest</a> to Stop the Bailout!KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-58509618828241172632008-09-23T10:55:00.001-04:002008-09-23T11:16:59.273-04:00about the name<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SNkIFczq5VI/AAAAAAAAAsI/kAIF7kG8WNo/s1600-h/durhamrenownedsign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FD2MxrxQeC4/SNkIFczq5VI/AAAAAAAAAsI/kAIF7kG8WNo/s400/durhamrenownedsign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249235730402305362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Several people have commented that it's too much like the "Keep Austin Weird" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Austin_Weird">campaign</a> of the mid-90s...especially my wife, who went to law school in Austin.<br /><br />I'm OK with this, but I'm also open to suggestions if anyone has a better slogan. Having lived in Texas myself, I'm all too familiar with how the KAW campaign became corrupted by all manner of people: "evil" corporations trying to make a buck, do-gooding yuppies who wanted upscale boutiques on Guadeloupe, hippie weirdos who found it fashionable to hate Wal-Mart, etc. KAW is what you make of it.<br /><br />KeepDurhamDifferent is intended to be a rallying cry for the independent-minded people and businesses that make this city great. We don't want to be another Cary (bland suburban), Raleigh (vanilla sprawl), or Chapel Hill (unaffordable elitism). It's what you make of it, whether as a merchant on Ninth St., a resident of Trinity Park, or a Duke student slumming it in the Dirty D Town.<br /><br />In case you're wondering, the second choice for the name of this site was DurhamRenowned, which I actually like better but doesn't sound pithy enough on a bumper sticker. For more discussion of Durham slogans, see the post at <a href="http://endangereddurham.blogspot.com/2007/05/durham-hotel-telephone-exchange-durham.html">Gary's site</a>.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-11633667872283900342008-09-23T07:17:00.001-04:002008-09-23T07:27:44.031-04:00about the siteI started this site when my <a href="http://rollinsforncsenate.blogspot.com/">campaign for state senator</a> began to attract interest from the liberal and progressive coalitions in Durham, especially the Green Party. These interests are traditionally represented by the People's Alliance, but when they <a href="http://www.bullcityrising.com/2008/09/durham-legislat.html">met recently with our state representatives</a> there was a lot of bitching and moaning about how Durham's needs are outvoted by the rural and Republican coalition in the General Assembly.<br /><br />To which I say, "Well, Duh." North Carolina is not that partisan relative to other states, but when the Democrats and Republicans square off there is often little room for compromise. We need a third way to advance the progressive agenda, in the spirit of Bill Clinton and the New Democrats. Call it conservative Democrat, liberal Republican, Libertarian....I don't care, as long as we get the job done. Durham needs mass transit and should not be held back by the lack of reform at the state level.KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-88749353151159982762008-09-23T07:08:00.000-04:002008-09-23T07:16:25.720-04:00Constitution DayI started this site on Constitution Day. As a card-carrying member of the ACLU, I think it's appropriate to take a few moments to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Constitution and the Articles of Confederation that preceded it. Yesterday's Wall Street Journal featured a great <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122204297442161385.html">profile</a> of one of the dissenters, Luther Martin.<br /><br />Durham's progressives would do well to remember that the Constitution was passed only with the inclusion of the Bill of Rights. Reflecting on the arguments of Martin and the constitutional opponents, it's easy to see that the federalists laid the groundwork for the concentration of government power at the national level. One of the guiding principles of this site is that the citizens of Durham know best what is good for them; we need effective leadership from our state representatives to allow reforms that are not necessarily endorsed by our sister cities in the Old North State. I'm not going to parrot the libertarian line that "Small government is better", but I think it's accurate to say that "local government is better".KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7446475075232335982.post-74455296927762380722008-09-17T12:04:00.000-04:002008-09-17T12:05:59.810-04:00Welcome!A new vision for Durham, supporting the progressive agenda. Durham, love thyself!KeepDurhamDifferent!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01327155006323446888noreply@blogger.com0