I just discovered my Real Estate Blog counterpart!
Some celebrity curmudgeons
I've never been called a curmudgeon (btw, the hyperlinked definition is way too harsh, scroll down to see it), but I exhibit some curmudgeon-like tendencies:
1) Curmudgeons shy away from topics everyone discusses ... they prefer to watch others discuss the travails of Zillow, and who does it better than Greg , Joel and Jonathan .
2) Curmudgeons are quirky and do everything their own way or they don't do it at all.
2) Curmudgeons prefer cynicism over frivolity and sometimes find it hard to participate in fun activities that don't have a point
3) Curmudgeons have no pulse on popular culture and what is popular.
That said, I admit I have a hard time following up on any well-versed topics like Zillow so I don't; I prefer to create my own topic... it took me a while to get used to ActiveRain (but I'm still on the fence with it)... and all the articles I voted for in Real Estate Voices averaged about 2 votes each... even when I thought they were total winners.
I just discovered another real estate blog that escaped my attention during the brief time I've been blogging. I've found my curmudgeon counterpart in 360Digest! (I hope Marlow doesn't mind being called a curmudgeon... she seems too pretty... and too young... but Marlow is a kind of curmudgeonly name and look at her all dressed in black looking a little bit like Elvira (who curmudgeons can relate to, btw, because Elvira represents the hollowness behind the horror show host and makes us laugh) with her arms crossed - body language that says - "ha! I'll get to know you on my own terms"... And look at her classic curmudgeon quote - "I love American and Japanese popular culture and I take great pleasure in the absurdities of the human condition." Oh, curmudgeons love Japan... it's an absurd country... I know... I'm Japanese... with an Irish first name.
Instead of the usual aggregated "here's the best news of the day" kind of blog that you always see (I tried that tactic the first time last week when I started the blog at midnight and wanted to get it done, but I realize I don't like that kind of format...), I'll just list all these great unusual posts c/o Marlow... enjoy! (btw, this is a word that makes me cringe because I've heard it so often from waiters and I use it just to show you what curmudgeons think is an example of their quirky sensibility)
From This and That - "Speaking of Zillow, they put MyBlogLog on their site and now whenever I visit their blog, there’s my smiling face staring back at me. Maybe in the name of transparency in real estate I should remove my high school photo and send in one a little more recent…."
>>> Marlow's contribution to the Zillow hullabaloo is her high school picture!
- and I can relate to the transparency bit...Candy Action Scale
>>> I just have to figure out how to do a Trick or Treat heat map for San Francisco next year!
From Real Estate Poodle - "In the past, I may have looked at Play Girl at the latest model, where now I tend to look at Met Home for the latest model (of Viking gas range)…. My centerfold gazing is more likely to be at a newly remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances than “buns of steel” and I start breathing harder at the thought of French Doors rather than French kissing."
>>> Objectifying sex is hot! - an age old curmudgeon parlor game
And more hot stuff! Condom or Condominium? - "(I) still subscribe to the old chestnut “Sex is like real estate: get a lot while you’re young….”
>>> Yeah, who wrote that chestnut? I bet it's not an "old chestnut", I bet it was you trying to pass off one of your cool ideas as an "old chestnut" ! I know how you think...
A Sad and Pathetic Tale
>>> This more serious topic about how baffling the brain-shut-down syndrome is among some real estate folks and why it makes us so completely damn frustrated --- I could have written this... I've experienced this.
War of the Classes
>>> ok, who loves Jack London? I do... this is the ultimate curmudgeon post ... Jack London's speech to the Oakland Socialist Party about 100 years ago proposes a zero-sum society and explains as well as indicts the dog-eat-dog competitiveness associated with the gain/loss that actions of individuals have on their immediate society. It's a subtle dig into the real estate world and explains why competitiveness (the nasty kind) has scaled with all these newly licensed agents (like Jack London's scabs looking for their piece of the pie) climbing on board. (of course, that's my interpretation, I may be completely off...)
But curmudgeons don't expect the masses to "get it" - to understand what this Jack London s--t is all about. Only a few will figure this one out, and those few will have passed the test of the curmudgeon that allows them into their world (the unfolding of arms). I didn't expect one comment... but there was one - something about "panties" that must have some sort of relevance from a previous steamier post - and it had nothing to do with the travails of society.
Here's Marlow's reply to "panties" - "Not sure which blog you’re talking about. I am a big fan of Jack London and find it remarkable that the words he spoke over a hundred years ago are still fresh and relevent today."
Sorry, Marlow, don't even try - that one flew over that guy's head like a frisbee flying over your frisbee catching poodle...
Technorati tags real estate blogs 360digest curmudgeon Jack London
Pat, I think my wife will be amazed to learn I'm not really a curmudgeon after all!
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Yikes!
My pulse quickened when I first saw this, thinking I'd been dissed, and I was preparing to pound someone (you!)
But upon reading your classic definition, a light bulb went off. Yes, I AM a curmudgeon! I am suddenly fulfilled, satisfied, glowing with knowledge, as I realize the truth, and I am at peace with who and what I am. I will wear the badge proudly. CURMUDGEON! I will flinch no more. I accept and embrace this title. Cheers and approbation to you, Pat Kitano!
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Aha! I love your first reaction tinged with violence! Hackles raised... ready to pounce... I think we'll get along just fine! I'd like to introduce my friend Kevin at 3Oceans who you may already know... he is a curmudgeon too but he's in denial thinking that it's a term reserved for old cranky guys like Andy Rooney (definitely one, should have thought of him)... I think most of the famous female curmudgeons are British... but maybe Angelica Huston fits... (hey, it's a parlor game now... btw, I think Joel might be one too, but he's not cranky enough)...
Really, all our writing (hey, I just found out about your incredible Unusual Life!... just wonderful...) reflects who we are... we gravitate towards other writers with whom we share some sort of kinship... I anticipate we'll be friends...
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I have to disagree with both of you self-proclaimed curmudgeons: neither of you is anywhere near to the definition here.
My classic example of a curmudgeon?
That would be Andy Rooney.
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Point well taken * Kevin - if you want to adhere to the classic "old guy" definition of curmudgeon - then you are also a curmudgeon in the making! Join our club... we make our own rules and definitions anyway... we'll take sarcasm to a new level... and no one will know it...
* History of a slightly obnoxious retort - "Point well taken" is the standby phrase often used by Harvard MBAs during case study analysis just before they deliver their putdown.
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This is some good work.*
Hey, if "curmudgeon" means "contrarian with a slightly twisted sense of humor," count me in. By the classic definition, however, I'm neither old enough nor ill-tempered enough to fit. Whether you and Marlow are, well, that's for the two of you to decide. In the meantime, I'll remain in my state of denial.
* Favorite phrase of consulting firm partners, just before embarking on scorching critique of recent MBA grad's painstaking work.
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Welcome to the club!*
Well, Marlow and I aren't grumpy old men either so let's call it a club... for contrarians, etc. etc.
* a fine phrase that has no negative connotations whatsoever unless you hear it starting your jail sentence. Actually uttered to me upon my first job offer after graduating b-school (uh, I decided not to join that club...)
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Love it!
This article had me wanting to be a curmudgeon too until Kevin pointed out that Andy Rooney is the ultimate posterboy.
Talk about being confused...
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Ok Andy, you've been on my bloglines for a while since Jeff alerted me to your interesting projects... and I remember seeing your great pictures... but I had to go back to confirm that you will likely never become a grumpy old man... but don't give up hope - - - a few snide posts with a few yucks and you'll redefine curmudgeon... maybe you'll find appropriate material at Adtech... have fun!
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