Traffic Collisions of National and Overland

This intersection affords me hours of free entertainment.

I have a lovely third-story view of the Fourth Worst Intersection in the city of Los Angeles, Overland Avenue and National Place in the Palms neighborhood of west Los Angeles.

I feel awful for all the poor people involved, especially for those who get injured. But I also see some real dipshit driving techniques from my window, so there’s some kind of karmic balancing going on out there.

I usually sit by the window when I’m on my computer which is nice for a number of reasons. One feature of this location is that so I don’t have to rush over when I hear the tire-screech that usually precedes the sound of crunching metal when there’s a traffic collision.

I’ve gotten kind of desensitized to traffic collisions. I’ve witnessed a lot lately. But there have been three in a row in the last 24 hours. It seems like they are increasing in frequency.

On Sunday a Mercedes-Benz CL 500 t-boned a Honda Civic.

This morning around 10:15 AM an older Toyota Celica rear-ended a newer Toyota Avalon.

At roughly the same time there was this little fender-bender with what looks to be a Toyota Tercel (on the flat bed) and some kind of minivan (see image below with missing bumper goodness).

I swear to God, the Mobil station on the corner probably makes more money with its towing service than it does selling gasoline.

Cobra Commander Buys Staples Center

Watching game two of the NBA Finals, the shot from the Goodyear blimp appears to show Staples Center with an unusual design on the roof.

Has anyone else noticed that the roof of Staples Center appears to be painted with the “Cobra” logo from the G.I. Joe movie?

If so, hats off to the promoters who came up with this idea. 5/5 cleverness points.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Pay Option ARM

I often attempt to explain to friends and family, in simple and straightforward terms, the basic mechanism of the pay options adjustable rate mortgage. I often feel that I’ve done a poor job in this effort. Fortunately, I’ve found other who have done a much better job at this. Dr. Housing Bubble (www.doctorhousingbubble.com) is a site with just such an individual.

If you’re interested in seeing a horror film this summer, save your $12 and read about the monster that is … the option ARM!!!!

Here are a few of his articles dealing with this mess:

Option ARMs for Dummies: Why 4.5 Percent Mortgages Rates will do Absolutely Nothing for these Toxic Assets
^start here^

Stage Two of the Mortgage Collapse: $500 Billion in Pay Option ARMs Meet the Piper in 2008 with 60 Percent Being in California

Notice of Financial Default: California Develops a Mortgage Tsunami Patter Reminiscent of the 2007 Subprime Collapse. Alt-A and Option ARMs Unite

10 Reasons Why Buying a Home in Southern California today is a Mistake. California Housing and Financial Market Analysis produces no Green Shoots

Happy birthday Wave Mechanics

Wired has a great article summarizing the significance of today’s anniversary of the consideration of the concept of the possibility of the existence of wave mechanics (physicists can be so modest), thus revolutionizing nearly all fields of scientific exploration and paving the way for this wonderful world of advanced technology.

To put it simply, first there was fire.

Then came the wheel.

Then these guys started figuring this stuff out.

So, kind of a milestone in human understanding.