Ravenous USC Defense Defends Title

After watching what has taken place on ESPN the last few nights, I'm entirely impressed with a particular athletic team. Admittedly, it may be more than simple bias that spending four awesome years at USC, and living only blocks from campus has something to do with it. That said, anyone paying attention is surely impressed by this group.

While the University of South Carolina's big win tonight was awesome, it is how they arrived to this point that has our heads shaking. Game after game, inning after inning, the Gamecocks were only inches, and seconds away from defeat. Instead, USC's defense kept opposing runners from touching home plate.

The Texas A&M game was great, but the second game versus UVA, and the first game against UF (last night) included "all time" type endings, for any sporting event. Viewers witnessed ravenous, lock down, stupid good, clawing, off the tank axle, TV highlight late inning defensive baseball, which kept USC alive under stratospheric pressure. To the amazement of everyone, they kept on...and by the thinnest of margins, won game after game.

As I sit here I can't type into words what this group has done. Their actions on the field have made thousands/millions jump around living rooms, and yell at TV's like freshmen full of BUSCH Light.

Congratulations to Columbia, SC, the State of South Carolina, and Gamecock Nation. Carolina baseball has done it again.

A Bit Much, Of A Dancing Carpet Pad

On Saturday around 1:00, we decided to get in the car and travel to Covington, GA for a 5:00 wedding. We were just late enough to miss the actual ceremony, sit in the parking lot for a few minutes, before entering the reception. It was a nice affair, and I'm glad we went.

I'm well aware, most of my friends have had kids longer than Finley has been with us, and they know cartoons and musical programs, all too well. That said, I'm officially freeking, "Barney'd Out."

Three hours to Covington on Saturday, two+ hours to Anderson, and two more hours back to Columbia on Sunday, is seven hours of this big piece of purple carpet padding. During the trip, our car stereo wasn't on one time. Of course, two or three hours in the hotel room Saturday night.....Barney. Sunday mornings that used to be filled with, "Meet The Press" and "This Week"....Barney.

After a long weekend of giving hugs and visiting with loved ones, we returned to Columbia around 8ish. Tonight, with fresh pajamas, a new bot-bot in tow, we set up for pre-bed family time with, you got it....Barney.

Thank goodness for Twitter, and other cool apps. If I didn't have a good/endless Twitter feed to keep up with real world stuff, I'd prolly be curled up in the back of the vehicle in the fetal.

I'm glad Finley is happy watching a singing puffy beast. But, dern...

Why Can't You Eat The Dumb Cake???

So I was pumping gas yesterday, when a thought popped in my head bone. It's not an earth shattering, huge whoop, or anything like that. It's an issue, however, because I hear it, and actually say it quite often. That said, where's the dang logic behind the line, "You can't have your cake, and eat it too." Lemme let that sit in for a second...

I mean, what in the world? If someone gives you a damn cake, what are you supposed to do with the thing? Are you supposed to toss it in the closest sewer pipe? Put it in your garage? Throw it in your grandma's front yard? I mean, someone tell me what to do with a my stupid cake.

Giving this a shot... try to substitute "cake" with any noun, like a TV or tennis ball. "Hey fella... you can't have that tennis ball and use it too." Umm.

Even if taken to the divine maximum test of WWJD, it's still outta' whack. Even Jesus, I would think, if given a cake, would only think to eat that cake.

Since I do hear it all the time, I decided to give 10 seconds of research to the matter. Turns out, the phrase should be flipped to read, "You can't eat your cake, and have it too." Get it? If you eat it, you obviously won't have the cake anymore. I guess somewhere down the grapevine of American lingo, the phrase has been reversed and mangled. Either way, the manner it's used in 2011 doesn't make a lick of sense... although pretty much everyone just goes with it.

Deep thoughts, I know! #NotSoDeep

Franklin Jones

Lake Katherine Listing Coming Soon

1446 Kathwood Dr. To Hit Market This Week
I usually don't announce homes that are potentially coming to the market until they're actually "listed." On this one, however, since we're only one or two steps away, I thought I'd go ahead and put it out there.

This all brick, Lake Katherine home sports about 2,450 sq. feet and four bedrooms. Located on the corner of Kathwood Dr. and Perry Ct., it enjoys a stellar location. #primo

For those who don't know, Lake Katherine is a ridiculously popular neighborhood in Columbia, SC. It's not cheap by any means, but not wildly expensive, either. Last sentence notwithstanding, the best/coolest facets to this neighborhood are: 1) it surrounds a downtown Columbia, SC lake (Lake Katherine. I know... duh), and 2) it feeds into the ever popular Brennen Elementary School... which is a very big deal.

An extra bonus to living in "Lake Katherine" is that you can join the pool/tennis facility on Quail Lane. Obviously, this is a pretty sweet perk if you have kids, like to tan, or bang tennis balls with friends.

I'll post more pics and a link when this classic Lake Katherine listing officially hits the market. If you'd like to know more about 1446 Kathwood, give us a call... or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com .

Thank you!!!

Franklin

Two More Sellers, Now Solid Buyers

Given that we all must endure the 'Negative Nancy' real estate stats, it's nice to be able to report some good stuff.

As I've typed many times before, if a home is priced correctly and is "move in ready," it has a chance of procuring a contract. To be sure, said contract may not come fast enough for a seller's liking, and the number may not be perfect, but if the house is a solid product and the Realtor is active enough, it has a shot.

Congrats to the two homes above. Both are Under Contract, and currently in the inspection phase of a typical real estate transaction.

Most downtown folks will recognize the top photo, as it's located at the corner of Devereaux Rd. and Maiden, in Heathwood. As you might imagine, I had great fun applying the red "Pending Contract" rider today to the Coldwell Banker sign. :)

6319 Saye Cut (the second pic) is a good looking, move in ready house, in the popular Old Woodlands neighborhood. As attractive as the exterior is, the best part of this home is probably the downstairs owners suite, and the fact that it sports four true bedrooms. For the money, this is a goodie.

Congrats to the sellers of these two houses. Again, it took solid products, fair prices, and open minded sellers to get these done.

Now, guess what? They need somewhere to go!!! This week, I'll be on the hunt for some more Midlands sellers. Can't wait!

SC's Premiere Affair Has Title Sponsor

I learned from FitsNews, that RBC has stepped up to be the Title Sponsor of our beloved "Heritage" golf tournament. FITS does a good job of writing about the good news. Congrats to The Heritage, Hilton Head, South Carolinians and Gov. Nikki Haley. I'm not sure of the details, but on the surface it seems like a win/win for all involved. Now we can focus on luring to premiere names, like Tiger and Phil, to "our" event.

Truth told, I was hoping Tag-Heuer would step up to the plate. Given "TAG's" focus on luxury time products, Tiger Woods, and competition sailing (Hilton Head), I've long thought "TAG" would be the perfect brand for South Carolina's premiere affair.

Although RBC doesn't have a presence in South Carolina the likes of Bank of America, Wells-Fargo, or NBSC, I'm glad they're making this big investment in our state. Professionally, I can report positive, if not grand, experiences with RBC. Many of my buyers have used RBC's mortgage products to purchase homes in the Midlands.

Well done, and thank you... RBC.

Downtown Columbia's Updated Listings

Columbia, SC's Updated MLS: May 20 - June 14, 2011
This addition of the Hotsheet contains some good inventory. Heathwood, Forest Hills, King's Grant, and Forest Acres are all sporting some fun product. Shandon and Rosewood, for instance, have a little bit of everything...at many different price points.

Have fun clicking around!

They Can't Recreate Michael Jordan

I don't know the official stats, but I have to think the NBA hasn't been the same since Michael Jordan retired. No question, the media, along with the NBA itself, has tried incredibly hard to pump up current talent like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade to lure fans back to the days of Jordan. That's their job, and they do a fine job.

The attempts continue to fall short, however, because the delusional ultimate rivalry is between today's greatest players and Michael Jordan. Tonight's game between the Mavericks and the Heat delivered the same result. As fun as the series was to watch, most of us watched a/the "Next" (Lebron James) Michael Jordan, get blown off of the debate.

Here's the rub. Michael Jordan, night after night, took over basketball games. The man had ice in his veins. Not only did he have ice in his veins, he could change the flavor of his ice during a game. Whether it was dunking, fade away jumpers, defense, ref manipulation, coaching, bullying, staring, free throws, etc., he rose to the occasion and womped opponents. Conversely, not only did Lebron not do these things (any of them), he appeared not to want the basketball... in the NBA finals of a basketballing game... of basketball. #withmillionswatching

All around, some of this comparison stuff is unfair, due to timing and cable TV. For instance, Jordan was able to recreate the whole "game." Not just the "game" of basketball, but the game of marketing and P.R., as well. Jordan came along in parallel with Nike and Gatorade, and they made each other brands for all time.

Jordan did things, night in and night out, that had never been seen before. Its argued that Jordan put the Harlem Globetrotters out of business. I mean, after all, with Jordan on TV, folks could see amazing things on a nightly basis.

No doubt, I'm biased. However, I was rooting for Lebron to do something awesome for the world to see. Instead, he stood on the perimeter looking like a scary decoy for others to get something done. Didn't work. In short, Jordan made things happen. If he couldn't "make" something happen, he did anything and everything he could to "will" it to happen. Conversely, Lebron "hoped" and/or "watched,"...really hard.

Free throws, are a whole 'nother subject. Jordan made free throws. "."

As great as Lebron James is at the game of basketball, this NBA Finals has pretty much put the Jordan comparisons to bed. As fair or as unfair as it may be, LeBron could win 4, 5 or 6 rings, but his heart/win legacy now has a ding. Michael Jordan's heart of ice, and competitive spirit ...has no dings.

Welcome to Shandon, SC - 29205

Shandon Creme Puff For Sale @ $209,900. Come On!
In the past two weeks, we've probably listed 7 homes in downtown Columbia. I fully intended to blog about three or four of them in tonight's blog, but pulled back when I remembered the pics of the kitchen on Sloan St. in Shandon.

This home sports about 1,250 sq.ft. with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Features include hardwoods, smooth ceilings, plantation shutters, recessed lighting, and nice sized rooms.

As I would like to type about how cute the house is from the front, and the awesome price point for Shandon, the real star of this show is the kitchen. Without exaggeration, this may be the most slammin' kitchen I've ever listed in Shandon at this price level. As you can see from the pics above, this is a kitchen to be proud of. Kudos to the sellers and congrats to the next owner. Nice!

If you or anyone you know wants to be in Shandon at an "affordable" price point, please call or email fjones@cbunited.com or amandaqpayne@live.com . It's incredibly easy to show, as I live only blocks away.

Thank you!

Finally Chose Droid Thunderbolt. #But

For a little while, Amy (my asst/team manager) and I were Palm users. Last summer, however, we finally made the incredibly difficult decision to switch products. We went with Blackberry. As Droids became mainstream, and as cool as iPhones looked, I just felt like Blackberry was the more solid way to go. After all, every time I'd dine with friends, the table would be lined with Blackberries.

Mom hitting the hospital was a turning point. Given the speed of Blackberry (or lack thereof), I was determined to switch products before I left Columbia to be with her.

Now, for my "Aa Ha! moment." While I used Blackberry for communication, and carried an iTouch around the house, I found myself using Jennifer's Droid because of the screen size. Quite simply, it was easier on the eyes and more enjoyable to navigate. She has the Droid X.

Enter, Droid's Thunderbolt. Droids Thunderbolt is "4G," and sports a huge screen. Perfect! I was a Thunderbolt owner, the day I visited Mom. Good product... but hold the phone.

After a few days, the first Thunderbolt crapped out on me. A simple trip to Verizon, and a new Thunderbolt was in hand. Ok, fine. Fast forward a few days to my attempt to download the MLS app for lockbox capability. No dice. Obviously, this is a big whoop.

So, after another (4th trip by now) and hours dealing with this, I decided to stop the madness, and "give in" to the iPhone. Ummm... Hello world.

I have no idea why I've fought against the iPhone all this time. I knew all along it's a perfect device. ALL ALONG I knew this, but still resisted. For some reason, I felt almost determined to buck Apple. I was the loser, until today.

Even though I've carried the iTouch around the house for months, I still can't get enough of my new iPhone. Everything on this device is seamless, and butter smooth. I pretty much can't put the thing down. Quick parallel: Droid is to MySpace, as iPhone is to Facebook. Droid has apps coming from everywhere, and is overwhelmingly customizable. iPhone is what it presents, and that's that. If you like it, it LOVES you. Hence, you love it back.

For whatever it's worth, here ya go. As business(y) and "black and white" as Blackberry is, for now, it's not even in the same product category as Droid and/or iPhone. That said, I gave all I had to the Droid (14 Day trial, w/ a $35 restocking fee), but it just couldn't give back what I needed. iPhone keeps giving, smoothly and exponentially.

In short, fight and squirm all you can (14 day, $35 restocking fee). Oddly, I can relate. This typed... See you in the iWorld, sooner or later.

Latest MLS Closings For Midlands, SC

Midlands, S.C. Real Estate Transactions - May, 2011
-Downtown Columbia Closings - May
-Northeast Columbia Closings - May
-Lexington / Irmo Closings - May

While I usually report downtown Columbia real estate closings, I thought it would be fun to spread the wings a little. That said, the links above also include Northeast Columbia, Lexington, and Irmo, respectively.

If you click around a little, you'll see that "stuff" is moving in our marketplace. FJ

"Sweetie" Sparks, No Longer With Us :(

After 18 years of love and loyalty to my wife, "Sweetie" is no longer with her.

I hesitate to type about personal drama twice in a row, but since Sweetie has been such an integral part of my relationship with Jennifer, I'm going for it. To be sure, there aren't many things that have withstood our time together like Sweetie has.

"Sweetie The Wiener Dog," and I have endured a long, love/hate relationship. Admittedly, 51% of the time has the needle leaning toward the hate side of things. That said, I'm big enough to recognize the reason we had our troubles, is because of her love for Jennifer.

Sweetie pretty much had a perfect life. Sweetie peed and crapped indoors on a "potty pad" and at her pleasure, lived in 70 - 72 degrees, slept between Jennifer legs in a king size bed. She never had to deal with any boy dog drama, and even got a doggie treat every time she used the bathroom. I'll let that sit in for a few seconds.................. Yes, every time. Sure, every now and then she'd chase a lizard or bark at a cat, but probably never broke out in a sweat.

In the heat of many moments, I often thought of the old man vs dog phrase, "It's the dog, or me." When "The Dog Whisperer" came to TV, I begged Jennifer to watch it. She watched the show once, and immediately started spraying Sweetie in the face with water. Thank GOD for the "Dog Whisperer," and this baby step from that one episode.

I try to put spoiled demeanor in good light, thinking our daughter Finley will be a better baby/child/person, because of the lessons Jennifer and I learned from Sweetie The Wiener Dog. How's that for positive spin???

In all, Sweetie was all anyone could want from a dog/pet. She was loyal to the core to her pack leader. When Jennifer was at her loneliest moments in life, Sweetie was there to share them...and that's enough for me.

Jennifer did a 'big person' thing today. She took Sweetie, by herself, and helped her long time friend to the final level of life's cycle. I can't imagine Jennifer's tears. They were prolly bigger than Sweetie.

I almost alerted everyone on Facebook about Sweetie's goodbye. I stopped short, however, as I thought it best to let Jennifer handle it at her own pace. Nevertheless, I hope you will give her a big Facebook hug, whenever she's ready. :(