Cellar Scribblings

[Jeff Wrangler]

My brother went looking for a car the other day.  He doesn't need one yet, his old one is still working fine.  Just wanted to see what the prices are like.  A dealer told him that things are so rough right now, that most dealers are only accepting cash or certified checks for auto purchases, credit no longer being extended.

Interesting. ... 

[CellarDweller]

I'm just glad I paid mine off.   

[dejavu]

I'm just glad I paid mine off.   

And that you won't need a new one for a looooooong time!

[underdown]

Wow, guys, it sounds really bad up there. Things are crook in Oz, too, but nowhere near that bad.

The banks here are still giving credit, so businesses haven't been hard hit yet, but the stock market, like in the rest of the world, is sinking and very fragile. A lot of folk who are due to retire are putting that off, because their superannuation nest eggs have taken a serious battering.

Oz is fortunate to have a reasonable Government surplus to create jobs, but that will take a while to get going.
In the meantime, we have a huge supply of base metals and coal that have provided a big source of income, when other countries were buying them.
Now the prices have dropped dramatically, 'though the ozzie dollar has dropped a lot, too, so it's not all bad.

It will be interesting to see which countries emerge from all this, either stronger or weaker.

The funny thing is, no-one is burning the money. So where is it going? 

[CellarDweller]

Rob, I wish I could tell you!

[underdown]

Oops. I sound like another person asking awkward questions.
Well, there's been a lot of talk about people in the US getting cheap loans, and then being in a difficult position when interest rates rose, and going into default, causing huge problems for the banks. And some people thinking the rest of us have suffered as a result.
That's true, to a degree, but the whole world has been on a buying spree. Chinese goods more affordable (especially electronics), China, in turn, expanding and buying up huge amounts of raw materials, oil and coal. So, it's a world-wide problem of fast expansion of debt in all sorts of areas, and money in short supply. Thus, maybe it has flowed into a few coffers where it will just take a while to flow back out again. Maybe when the share markets are so low they will be very attractive. That can't be far off. Some markets have already started to stabilise.

Phew! It's a good thing we can also chat about more pleasant things in BM.

[underdown]

How's the gym going, Chuck?
Is the weight still coming off ?

[CellarDweller]

How's the gym going, Chuck?  Is the weight still coming off ?

Unfortunately, I've been slacking with the gym, and the eating, so the weight is on a stand still.  I've recommited, and I'm determined to get this done!


what's up with you, buddy?

[underdown]

Stick with it, bud. It'll be worth it. (The gym, that is ... not the food).

What have I been up to?
Only the usual. Came back from Melbourne after a bad experience with the work there, and now back in Sydney, doing what I love most.
Working with a great company that wants to expand their development and construction business.
Looking around for a happy place to live.
Going out on the occasional date but not very serious about it. Heee, I mentioned one of those to Fiona, and she wanted a blow by blow account (no pun intended).    Actually, it was a bit of a non-event. Can't seem to get enthusiastic the past few years.

How's your tickling going?

[CellarDweller]

Stick with it, bud. It'll be worth it. (The gym, that is ... not the food).

What have I been up to?  Only the usual. Came back from Melbourne after a bad experience with the work there, and now back in Sydney, doing what I love most.  Working with a great company that wants to expand their development and construction business.  Looking around for a happy place to live.  Going out on the occasional date but not very serious about it. Heee, I mentioned one of those to Fiona, and she wanted a blow by blow account (no pun intended).    Actually, it was a bit of a non-event. Can't seem to get enthusiastic the past few years.

How's your tickling going?

Don't give up buddy!  You're a sweet guy, and I bet there's someone out there waiting for you.