How To Avoid Being A Jerk

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How To Avoid Being A Jerk

“Your image is not what you see in the mirror, but what others see in your eyes.”

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The idea to write about jerks came after reading an article in the SF Chronicle, “Does more money mean more jerks?”.  Since English is my fourth language, I often use the dictionary to find out the exact meaning of a word; especially those that have a common use, like “jerk”. According to Urban Dictionary, “Jerks are selfish, manipulative bastards who see women as little more than sexual conquests to brag about to their buddies, or mere objects that are there for their personal pleasure.” There are other definitions and all of them have to do with the relationship between men and women.

I immediately had a number of questions: the article does not talk about personal (sexual) relationship, why did Heather Knight used the word “jerk” in the title? But I also questioned the conclusions of the 50 studies made by Paul Piff?

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In my view, there are three types of drivers: aggressive (I am one of them), docile, and those who never learned how to drive. Since most of us are either “A” or “B” types, our driving style reflects our personalities. “A” types want to do more in a limited amount of time. Some believe that fast cars like BMWs can get them to their destination faster. On the way, they might violate a few traffic rules, like not stopping for pedestrians, or running a red light. When caught, like I was on the traffic camera (read my story here), there was no choice but to pay the hefty penalty and to take an 8-hour class to learn how to behave on the road. Of course, there is another category of people/drivers; those who do not care about others. We can call them irresponsible, egoists, crazy, or even jerks. Just be sure you are not getting in their way.

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Driving on the road is sharing it with others. Like other social activities, we need to learn how to be social regarding our personality type. As I’ve written before, taking time for driving classes can help calm and pacify any driver. As far as the type of car, we all have our budgets. We all will get to our destinations, though sometimes we need to shop even when we are in a rush.

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P.S.

Some people with “extra” money like to show off, drive fast, and buy expensive cars (not necessarily BMW’s). On our recent visit to LA, I found four beauties in front of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel: a yellow McLaren, a grey Lamborghini, a red Ferrari, and a black Bugatti. Enjoy and share it with a friend.

 

Do Not Keep Me As A Secret!
Smile And Please SHARE It With A Friend!

 

  Cheers,

Manny
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Mortgage Solutions For You!

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According to a recent article by the SF Chronicle, the Fed released a statement signaling a rise in the interest rates to come in June–the first increase since the recession, but the central bank emphasized that it might still delay the decision.

What does this mean?

Don’t miss the lower interest rates this time! Make sure to contact Pacific Bay Financial TODAY for all your mortgage needs. We can help secure a loan that is right for you.


 

Whom Do You Know That Might Benefit From Our Tailored Mortgage Solutions?
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Cheers, 

Manny<br />
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The Beauty Of The Sunrise

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The Beauty Of The Sunrise

“Regardless of what happens to us or in the world around us, the sun will always rise.”
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When the time changed one hour ahead for Daylight Saving Time recently, I realized that it was done especially for me. With spring approaching, and the days growing longer, I had to get up much earlier to catch the sunrise. But then, in anticipation, I did not sleep well, waiting, not wanting to sleep through the sunrise. (I did not want to set my alarm clock, so as not to wake my wife, Elfa.) By 6:30am, I was out on the dark street with a small camera in my pocket and a large one over my shoulder. I was on a mission to capture this event when his majesty, the Sun, showed his face and all his glory. (It only happens once a day.) As I’ve written before, Mount Davidson—part of San Francisco’s rich history, located 25 minutes away, in a high spirited walk up the hill from our house. I got to the top and took my first shot at 6:52am.

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The world was just waking up (after all, it was Sunday). Most of the city down below was still lit with lights. The sky had a beautiful blue color with darker clouds and pink light peeking through. Behind my back on the scantily lit hill, a flock of robins were busily pecking at something on the ground, chirping constantly (possibly greeting each other with ‘Good Morning’.) I was the only one there. The silver moon was high in the sky, as a reminder that the night was not yet over. Down the hill, Downtown San Francisco was grey with some lights and the lit streets were waking up, slowly. The Golden Gate Bridge was crossing the dark water of the bay onto the other side. As the minutes passed by and the steady voice of the wind filled the air, the pink color of the sky was converting into magenta with yellow lines above Mount Diablo on the other side of the Bay. With every minute the dominating magenta was expanding, bringing the excitement in anticipation of what would happen next. The city lights on the surrounding hills were fading out and more light from the sky was slipping in.

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But suddenly, the brightness of the sky was gone—everything became grey with light pink streaks. It seemed that the show was over, though I knew otherwise—it was just a prelude. His majesty was not out yet. I had to be patient. And then at 7:06am, right in front of me, the sliver of orange was announcing its’ inevitable return! The street lights below went out, and the city became dark grey. The sky became lighter, with every changing second.

And then it showed up; the white crown surrounded by strong colors of red and magenta, which slowly changed into blue and yellow, layering each other.

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It was 7:07:38 am.

Suddenly I turned around, stunned by the quietness. The flock of birds, stopped chirping and were sitting on the bush facing the sun, seemingly mesmerized by the stunning scenery. It appeared that even the wind quieted down.

But the show was not over yet.

As the sun rose, the magenta became yellow, and then the sun finally showed its full glory.

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It was 7:19am. Everything became illuminated. I realized, that every time I see the sun rise, it is like the first time, because it is never the same. Russian poet, Vladimir Soluhin wrote:

“Since in life everything is happening the first time, what is left is the joy of anticipation.”

P.S.

I hope that my panoramas gave you a glimpse of my experience and feelings. If you would ever like to walk to the top of Mount Davidson, I would be happy to come with you. Meanwhile, enjoy and share it with a friend. 

 

Do Not Keep Me As A Secret!
Smile And Please SHARE It With A Friend!

  Cheers, 

Manny<br />
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Federal Reserve Press Release

Press Release

Federal Reserve Press Release

Release Date: March 18, 2015

For immediate release

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January suggests that economic growth has moderated somewhat. Labor market conditions have improved further, with strong job gains and a lower unemployment rate. A range of labor market indicators suggests that underutilization of labor resources continues to diminish. Household spending is rising moderately; declines in energy prices have boosted household purchasing power. Business fixed investment is advancing, while the recovery in the housing sector remains slow and export growth has weakened. Inflation has declined further below the Committee’s longer-run objective, largely reflecting declines in energy prices. Market-based measures of inflation compensation remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee expects that, with appropriate policy accommodation, economic activity will expand at a moderate pace, with labor market indicators continuing to move toward levels the Committee judges consistent with its dual mandate. The Committee continues to see the risks to the outlook for economic activity and the labor market as nearly balanced. Inflation is anticipated to remain near its recent low level in the near term, but the Committee expects inflation to rise gradually toward 2 percent over the medium term as the labor market improves further and the transitory effects of energy price declines and other factors dissipate. The Committee continues to monitor inflation developments closely.

To support continued progress toward maximum employment and price stability, the Committee today reaffirmed its view that the current 0 to 1/4 percent target range for the federal funds rate remains appropriate. In determining how long to maintain this target range, the Committee will assess progress–both realized and expected–toward its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments. Consistent with its previous statement, the Committee judges that an increase in the target range for the federal funds rate remains unlikely at the April FOMC meeting. The Committee anticipates that it will be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate when it has seen further improvement in the labor market and is reasonably confident that inflation will move back to its 2 percent objective over the medium term. This change in the forward guidance does not indicate that the Committee has decided on the timing of the initial increase in the target range.

The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction. This policy, by keeping the Committee’s holdings of longer-term securities at sizable levels, should help maintain accommodative financial conditions.

When the Committee decides to begin to remove policy accommodation, it will take a balanced approach consistent with its longer-run goals of maximum employment and inflation of 2 percent. The Committee currently anticipates that, even after employment and inflation are near mandate-consistent levels, economic conditions may, for some time, warrant keeping the target federal funds rate below levels the Committee views as normal in the longer run.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Janet L. Yellen, Chair; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Lael Brainard; Charles L. Evans; Stanley Fischer; Jeffrey M. Lacker; Dennis P. Lockhart; Jerome H. Powell; Daniel K. Tarullo; and John C. Williams.

FULL PDF DOCUMENT HERE–Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Mortgage Solutions For You!

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VISAS


Before seeing this list, Pacific Bay Financial had no idea that there were so many restrictions to live and to work in the United States. Fortunately for foreigners who would like to have the “American Dream”, there is a way! As long as the borrower has a gainful salaried employment, money for a down payment, and a limited credit history, the sky is the limit!

 


 

Whom Do You Know That Might Benefit From Our Tailored Mortgage Solutions?
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Cheers,

Manny<br /><br />
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Do You Know How To Read?

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Do You Know How To Read?

“The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more you understand that you know very little.”

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Of course you know how to read, otherwise you would not be reading this “Good News From Dr. Manny”. We are all very busy and many of those who have received my emails, do not open them or just look at the pictures, even though they know how to read.

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But there are people who do not know how to read, for various reasons. As a matter of fact, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy in April 2014, 32 million adults in the U.S. can’t read. That’s about 14 percent of the population. 21 percent of adults in the U.S. read below a 5th grade level and 19 percent of high school graduates cannot read at all. This statistic is mind boggling.

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I found out about this by coincidence. While helping a client with a complicated mortgage solution, we became instant friends. Her father, who is a farmer in Washington State, came for a visit and brought some of the products of his labor. One day, my client surprised me by giving a huge jar of the most delicious apple cider that I’ve ever tasted in my life, as well as some other tasty goodies. To express my gratitude, I asked her if I could send him a book, “The Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education”, written by Michael Pollan. A few weeks later, she called me with excitement in her voice. Her dad received the book—it was the first one he had ever received in the mail. She also told me that he was illiterate for many years, and finally learned to read a few years ago, and liked Michael Pollan’s book very much.

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Reading is a habit—an intellectual curiosity. It is like developing a muscle—the more you read, the more you want to. The same goes with writing. One of my readers pointed out that my stories have become more interesting.  In today’s technologically advanced world, many readers limit their reading experience to their electronic devices. Because of that, after writing my first paper book, “The Mortgage Game: The 5 C’s and How To Connect Them”, which is also available on Kindle, I decided to make my second book, “Mortgage Solutions: 5 Easy Way to Get Your Loan Approved” an e-book.

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P.S.

As a reader and photographer, I notice people who read. People read everywhere—and not only books as you can see with today’s collection. Enjoy and share it with a friend.

  

Do Not Keep Me As A Secret!
Smile And Please SHARE It With A Friend!

 

  Cheers,

Manny
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Mortgage Solutions For You!

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Click to enlarge


A client wanted to buy a property to fix it and then resell it for a significant profit. Since the property needed a lot of work, conventional lenders could not finance it. Usually private money lenders limit the Loan to Value (LTV) to 65% and charge rates as high as 12.0%!

Our lender can lend up to 75% for loans exceeding $750,000!


Whom Do You Know That Might Benefit From Our Tailored Mortgage Solutions?
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Cheers,

Manny
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This Is Music For My Eyes

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This Is Music For My Eyes

“We are born with eyes and ears. During our lives, we have to learn how to use them.”
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The title of this piece is not a typo. I always try to get the window seat on a plane, so that I can photograph the scenery below. (As you can see in last week’s story.)  An evening flight gives me a special opportunity to photograph light. After our recent trip to a conference in Las Vegas, I uploaded the images I took, did some processing, and showed the results to my wife. Her immediate reaction was “It looks like music”. Since Elfa knows music very well, she is also an artist, and we often go to concerts, her statement did not surprise me.

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According to Wikipedia, “music is an art form whose medium is sound”. Sound is vibration, which we perceive through our ears. Light, which we perceive with our eyes, is also vibration. At the same time, we can visualize things with closed eyes and hear sounds with the inner ear in our minds.

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The famous composer Ludwig Von Beethoven composed music even after he became deaf. It is said, that good musicians make music, instead of playing it. The same is said about good photographers, who manifest an image versus just taking a picture. All this leads to the realization that sound is based on our seismic communication, which actually is not one of our traditional five senses, but is often used to express our feelings.

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So one question may be, how do we convey what is in our imagination, a unique perception, as we see it or hear it? How can we make it possible for others also to recognize our experience? I think this requires special training and perception. Years ago, when I made a negative comment about some art that I did not care about, my daughter Alona, who is an art dealer, suggested, before I make any comments about art, to learn about it first. This statement can be true about anything in life.

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It does not surprise me that many good photographers love music. The famous photographer Ansel Adams, was a serious musician. The same can be said about Gordon Parks, who was not only an incredible photographer (and one of my favorite ones), but he also played piano and composed music. One of Gordon Parks’ books is called, “A Poet on His Camera”. When I was asked as a little boy who I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was a pilot and a poet. As a mortgage broker and photographer, I think I accomplished both desires.

P.S.

I cropped these images into panoramas, after I photographed them retaining the most effective parts. You can see my panoramas every Wednesday in Pacific Bay Financial’s “Mortgage Solutions For You”. Enjoy and share it with a friend!

  

 

Do Not Keep Me As A Secret!
Smile And Please SHARE It With A Friend!

 

  Cheers,
Manny<br /><br />
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