Subject: Twilight Zone

Date: Sat Jun 7 16:57:27 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
I'm completely reconnected to freecell.net, but a little while ago my cards started acting strangely. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. When the deck is dealt, there are one or two vacant gaps where a card should be. Sometimes when I try to make a legitimate move, the card refuses to move. So I make other moves and come back to it . . . and it moves. Very distracting and unsettling. I hope everything gets back to normal soon. Is anyone else having this problem?

Date: Sat Jun 7 18:27:13 2008
User: Rappaport
Message:
Actually, Mssr. bjg, there was a precedent, but it was under Napoleonic Law in New Orleans, which may not be applicable to English Common Law in the other United States. In Comeaux vs Freecell.la, the cards similarly were invisible, or showed erratic patterns when dirercted to move along. THe complaint was that considerable time and money had been dedicated to the game, and it should perform more reliably. The resolution was amicable. Complainant and defendant decided to seek a resolution over some good Creole cookin' and Loosiana Brew. When they arrived back in the courtroom, Judge Lafourche pointed out that all had been restored, and Comeaux's complaint was dropped. That evening, Lafourche, the defendant Dennyebonne and Comeaux all participated in a "Wide Durand" tourney. They are no longer on speaking terms.

Date: Sat Jun 7 21:35:20 2008
User: Denny
Message:
Try Ctrl-F5 to force a reload of the game assets. And try resizing your browser window to select a new card set. Then a few questions: Which OS you running? Which view? Connection speed modem/DSL/cable? Probably the Ctrl-F5 thing will fix it but it's always interesting to know. Denny

Date: Sun Jun 8 08:47:34 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
Thank you, Mr./Ms. Rappaport, for reminding me of the precedent. I do recall reading about it when I was studying for my bar exams. I'm admitted to practice in both California and Florida but I do only criminal defense (public defender) work, so I've forgotten all the tort/contract/freecell law I ever knew. After I posted my question, the problem ceased, at least for now. But if it returns, I will have to consider filing suit for intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as tortious interference with business. I simply can't be an effective advocate unless I am able to relieve stress and clear my mind several times a day with a good game of freecell. Believe me, practicing criminal defense in Florida these days generates A LOT of stress, so the damages would be in the millions. Thanks Denny for the tips. My internet access is via BellSouth, now AT&T, DSL. By OS, do you mean Windows? That's what I use. What mean you by "view"? I know very little about computers. When I went to law school, back in the Ancient Times, computers were rarely used. I actually researched using books! Now I use a computer, but I leave it up to others to make decisions about the system and the speed. Someday, I hope they will design a computer that emits the scent of an old law library whenever I pull up a case from before 1970 . . . like Comeau vs. Freecell.la. Ms. BJG

Date: Sun Jun 8 08:58:22 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
Addendum: The "view" I use is the old cards, of course. I am a creature of habit.

Date: Sun Jun 8 09:39:32 2008
User: Rappaport
Message:
Sorry about the Mssr, Ms BJG. It seems to happen everytime I assume something... But, I am glad to be of any non-technical assistance. BTW, it's Mr. Rappaport.

Date: Sun Jun 8 11:27:06 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
That's alright, Mr. Rappaport. I am quite used to being mistaken for a man by people who haven't seen me, in view of the fact that the B stands for Billie. [Yes, my real name. No, my parents did not want a boy.] People receiving a letter or phone message from a lawyer named Billie assume that it's from a man, and are not easily dissuaded, even when I answer my phone "Hello, this is Billie," with a decidedly female tone of voice. I adored your post. Are you a lawyer?

Date: Sun Jun 8 13:01:49 2008
User: Denny
Message:
Ah ha, Old Cards, huh? Yup, Ctrl-F5 should force those to reload and your missing cards will be gone. Denny

Date: Sun Jun 8 15:54:37 2008
User: Rappaport
Message:
Actually, Ms. BJG/Billie, I am not (although I did take Elementary and Business Law courses way back when.) However, I frequently interact with attorneys, in business and in real estate (which I suppose qualifies as business.) My actual name is Joe, and I sell real estate now and write books. Stuff like that. Happy to make your acquaintance!

Date: Sun Jun 8 18:27:01 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
I'm happy to meet you as well, Joe. What a coincidence that you should be involved in real estate! In addition to the pressures of my work, the pressures of the present real estate market in South Florida are causing me to spend more and more time seeking refuge in Freecell. My 85-year old mother is a complete invalid and lives with a wonderful lady who cares for her day and night in the lady's home. Needless to say, this is very expensive. My mother's retirement account became totally depleted last month, and I sold some stock and got enough for 3 more months. Now I'm looking for a loan. I suppose I could put her into a Medicaid-funded facility. But her mental state is fragile, and I don't think she would survive there. So I'm looking for ways to keep her where she is. If I could sell my mother's house in Delray Beach, Florida, that would finance her care for another year or two. I've had the house on the market for 6 months, with not even a single offer. I staged it to look quite inviting, painted it, left the furniture there. At my sister's urging, I even put a small bamboo plant in the back room of the house. This is supposed to bring luck. It didn't. Do you write about real estate, or other things? Why do YOU play freecell?

Date: Sun Jun 8 22:00:39 2008
User: Rappaport
Message:
Actually, I also post as Snowguy, which is the name most people know me by in here. Many know that I write novels (historical fiction.) My first published book has done very well, and I am also about to release it in hardcover and large print for those who need it. I am posting a link below. (Actualy, many NetCellers have read "Holes in the Hills" and several have posted favorable reviews.) Sorry to hear that about your mom. I went thgrough some of that with my own. Also, I have a lot of familiarity with the travails of Florida real estate via contacts. (One lady who moved to my street a year or two ago is going through the same market woes with her own home. She finally decided to rent it and wait for a better market. Have you considered doing that? Also, have you tried burying a small Saint Joseph statue? Many people swear by it, and say they have had startling success. I know there are Internet sources of information. I know one guy locally who didn't bury his; he just placed it so the statue could "look" out through the front window. Interestingly, many of the people resorting to the statue are not even Christians (in fact, as you can imagine, many Christians, especially Catholice, tend to be the most uncomfortable with burying ol' St. Joe.) I understand religious bookstores stock them , and often they come with a set of instructions. I play Freecell for relaxation, although I don't play much these days. I also used to haunt the Freecell Chat Room with my worlfwide friends, but I don't get in there very often these days. Mainly, I play a few games now and then and check the Discussion Board, where I post now and then. Frankly, as a Freecell player, I am not quick-thinking or dextrous enough to become competitive, either as a serious streaker or in tournies. (Or, I never played enough to become good.) So, I just play a few for enjoyment. In any case, Billie, back to your mother. Remember that Medicaid is there for just that purpose. And, you can be selective as to the facility you choose. I know that decision can be tough and fraught with feelings of guilt and despair. But still, your options should be kept open. Hey! Does your mom's house have enough equity for a reverse equity mortgage? (The house pays payments to her, instead of the other way around.) If her house currently has that kind of equity (it does not have to be free-and-clear) it could solve your problem, at least for now. Juse be careful of brokers pushing this mortage product. While some are honest and do business with integrity, some are not.

Link: Holes in the Hills

Date: Mon Jun 9 07:26:13 2008
User: Snowguy
Message:
One site of many featuring how to sell a house by burying Saint Joe (who happened to be a carpenter) to sell a house.

Link: Bury the statue. Sell the house...

Date: Mon Jun 9 09:50:30 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
Thanks for the information. Despite the fact that I have the mind of a lawyer [and got a perfect score on the logical reasoning portion of the Law School Admission Test which, I realize, is more a matter for concern than for pride], I do believe I have been changed for the better by unexplained and unexplainable connections with special people I know who are physically far away from me. There's no reason why something positive shouldn't also come from a special person who is no longer physically on earth, like St. Joseph. As for your other suggestions, I was told that a reverse mortgage is possible only when the owner is occupying the house, which my mother is not. Maybe I should check again. Renting the house would help pay the $600 per month we are paying for insurance, taxes, homeowners fees, electricity, etc. But it would provide only a tiny fraction of what I need for the caregiver. I can feel my pulse increasing as I write this. The stress is starting to take a toll.

Date: Mon Jun 9 10:07:21 2008
User: Snowguy
Message:
Yes, I suspected that might have been the case with the reverse mortgage. Darn! Okay, another shot-in-the dark: Does your mom have mush in the way of life insurance? (Not necessarily whole life with cash value, either.) Any policy that has a cash payment due at death can have a portion paid ahead of time, as long as the owner passes a certain age and continues to pay premums (to the best of my knowledge.) The theory is that the policy will be payable in a few short years, so a portion can be paid early. Exactly how that works, I don't know for sure. Okay. I did a quick search and found this source amnong many: (See link) If she does have life insurance, you might want to check with the agent who services the policy...

Link: Early payment of one company's life insurance policies

Date: Mon Jun 9 16:25:42 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
Alas, no life insurance. My father had none either. I was surprised to discover this after he died in April 2001. But he did have a large IRA, which my mother inherited and added to her own. The value plunged after September 11th of that year. Something I'm sure my father never could have imagined. The balance was still enough for her needs while she was living alone with help for a few hours a day. When she stopped bathing, and started sleeping in her clothes because she couldn't figure out how to dress and undress, then her care became exponentially more expensive. Another development that my father did not anticipate. He had purchased long term care insurance . . . but it has a cap of $36,500, and it does not cover a nursing home. It does pay for a day program she attends two days a week, which I believe has slowed her decline. The neurologist says she has an Alzheimers-like condition, but from what I've read I think it's more likely something called Lewy Body Dementia. She has many of the symptoms, including a Parkinsonian tremor. I was once robbed at gunpoint when I lived in LA. Sometimes when I'm thinking about my mother's financial situation I get the SAME physical sensations I had during the robbery. I suppose it must be fear/adrenalin. Isn't it strange that I would have a "fight or flight" type of reaction to a situation that is so cerebral? When you're writing historical fiction, you must have to research more than just history. To make it real, you must need to understand how people think and react. Have you had many female characters in your fiction? Is it difficult to know how they would think and react?

Date: Mon Jun 9 17:56:55 2008
User: Snowguy
Message:
In "Holes" I wrote a "love note" from a grieving fiancee (Carmella) in 1922 to her beloved Nick, who had been shot in the riot I describe, and expired shortly after. She writes it to gain closure to his loss, after a year of grieving. The note is read for the first time in the present time frame, in other words about 85 years after it was written. Interestingly, it had to reflect the times, her Italian heritage, and coming to terms with her grief. Many people, especially women, wonder how I could have nailed Carmella's emotion, passion, despair and will to move on as well as I did. Also, generally, people have no problem with how I portray the emotions and dialogue of both the male and female characters. I do tend to craft my female characters with an underlying strength. No pantywaists so far! ;-)

Date: Tue Jun 10 12:43:45 2008
User: Rappaport
Message:
Okay, Billie, another thought: Turn your mom's house into a rental,0 and refinance it with cash-out. My guess is that, as non-owner-occupied, the cash-out might be limited to about 60-75% of appraised value, though. But still, regular monthly rental income to pay the basic (taxes and maintenance, etc.) bills, and a pot of cash from the refi to carry her personal care costs for a while might be worth it. You could invest the proceeds in an interest-bearing money market account or series of short-to-long term CD's, set to expire as the money will be needed to pay for her care. Your bank could handle that. Of course, the tenant would pay all utilitiues. The costs of the closing could be paid from the cash-out proceeds. You could always sell the house later. I'm thinking, I'm thinking. By the way, I think I'll run this idea by a loan officer I know. He will give me an educated, impartial opinion.

Date: Tue Jun 10 14:37:22 2008
User: Rappaport
Message:
Okay, Billie. I just spoke with the loan officer. He said you should be able to take out up to 75% of the appraised value as a cash-back refinance. The house should NOT be offered for sale. (Refinances and equity lines/loans are usually not available for homes that are on the market.) I would suspect that, with the cost of utilities being taken over by the tenant, you should be able to carry a positive cash flow on the rents. Then, just handle the proceeds from the refi as I posted above. He said that you would have to consult with somebody who is licensed to do mortgage financing in Florida. I recommend you talk to at least three, and INSIST they all do a Good Faith Estimate of your costs and net return, prior to your applying for the loan. Absent an early Good Faith Estimate, some lenders have a way of sneaking in substantial fees prior to, or at closing. Also, they tend to overlook such mandatory costs as real estate transfer fees, recording fees, etc., in order to inflate the bottom line and get your business. You want an honest and upfront estimate so you will know all your costs to assist in making your decision of which lender to use. Let them compete for your business! I hope this helps you and your mom.

Date: Tue Jun 10 14:49:05 2008
User: bjgesq
Message:
I really appreciate your coming up with these suggestions. There have been several emergencies at work today, preventing me from spending any time on Mom ... although I do need to call two doctors about prescriptions as well as the day care about a problem with a bill. I may take some time off later in the week so I can get away from here and focus on resolving her situation. I know I'll feel better physically and mentally once I do. Don't you think that people who play freecell tend to be more interesting, clever, and good hearted than other people? So it seems to me. Thank you, Joe.

Date: Wed Jun 11 07:23:53 2008
User: Snowguy
Message:
It didn't take me long to realize that some pretty nice and caring people frequent this site. Intelligent, too. Somebody should write a book.

Date: Sat Dec 17 11:06:33 2016
User: Snowguy
Message:
Most are in "reruns of reruns" meaning I have seen them this year. Here's a "new one" I am watching now. "The Old Man in the Cave" with Charle Bronson, probably 25 years old? Anyhoo, what I found interesting is that it takes place in 1974, ten years after "The Bomb" destroyed most everybody. The episode was made in 1963, which means they were saying "next year, 1964, most everybody could die."

Date: Sat Dec 17 12:13:13 2016
User: outskirts
Message:
Then JFK was assassinated.