WTF-Beta

They're both on the 1st floor so both would probably have foot traffic.

I think most people would be headed for the elevators though.

I'm more worried about people walking in the apartment above mine!

I trust your judgment about the kitchens. Either one would be fine with me (I like #1's better but then again I like #1 better).

I absolutely need to learn to cook.

The view. Wow!

I wonder what being exposed to that view from the ground to the bay to the sky every day and night n all kinds of weather would be like to experience. It would probably be very, very relaxing and peaceful.

I'd take #1. If #1 was off the market and #2 was for sale I'd make an offer. Iirc, it's been on the market for a long time.

The architecture of the #2 complex wins hands down.

Link to video

This is what can happen if you don't own the land and it happens every day.

Ax,

I would say in addition I like the floor plan of #1 a lot better. I think it's brilliant.

The views from #2 must be amazing but I think of that as being slightly relevant.

I would rather be in the city than trapped on a remote golf course. I'll have a like-new car, but I'm more than old enough to know cars break down, are in accidents, and people can get injured and can't drive.

I'll admit it though: what I want most is a clean slate: a beautifully renovated and perfectly clean apartment where I can finally relax.

I think it will come down to timing, the right confluence of events, before I'll know my options.

Steve, Yeah, the hurricanes are no joke and one of the reasons I'm moving. I only remember my last three rent increases: $75 for 2026, $35 for 2025, and $25 for 2024.

The old man was probably the original developer in 1973.

I met him the other day.

I was walking and he was driving his gold Bentley SUV. I thought he was going to pass me so I stepped back. Instead he got out of his car to talk to the electric company workers. So we walked past each other. He waved at me in a kind of perfunctory way. For my part I smiled and waved at him.

I clocked him as the owner years ago. Who else would routinely drive a gold Bentley SUV in this neighborhood?

Ax, I agree. I hope it's not in pending or sold status when the Dutchess County Surrogate's Court finally schedules the **** settlement hearing. My father died in October, 2024. Of course, it's now February, 2026.

This is a listing for a unit in the same complex. Rotting pressbord kitchen and bathroom cabinets, stained carpets, outdated bathroom, etc.

800 Cove Cay Dr Unit 1F, Clearwater, FL 33760 [Updated 2/14] https://share.google/o6UNFiHnmexjXuqjc

#2 would be great. The problem with this complex is it's massive. You have to stop at a gatehouse with a guard and then drive to your building. So now you're at your building. At this point you're far away from everything and can't walk anywhere. This would weigh heavily against it for me but not disqualify it.

What do you think, Andy?

These near-luxury renovations are like finding a needle in a haystack. Almost all units in this type of building look like rental apartments the tenants left two weeks ago and almost none of them have washer and dryer hook ups (they usually have a room with coin machines on each floor). No way.

I'm glad you think that.

Someone who lives here told me he believes the owner is trying to buy everyone out (or will soon?) before selling the park to a corporation on Wall Street.

This is happening to land lease mobile home parks here and all over the country.

This transfer of ownership to Wall Street has already happened to two of the parks out of approximately ten on my street.

Rents go up dramatically, services that were paid for with lot rent are sectioned off and billed separately, and the amount of money spent on park maintenance is cut.

Many residents will not be able to afford to stay. Those who can not afford to stay often can't find affordable housing and end up with nowhere to live.

The owner is in his '80's. His children have no interest in the business. It will be sold soon. I don't want to be here when it happens.

I'm also encouraged by the fact you think it's a better choice because buying a condo is not a simple or easy process.

I still have tons of research on my to do list.

I appreciate your opinion very much. Thank you.

I would like to know if you like #1 or #2 better.

These are the two on my short list.

I want a new professional renovation and private washer and dryer.

This has narrowed my choices a lot but I'm sure there are others.

I want a concrete block building from the '60's to the '70's. This type of construction is as solid as possible and the walls are sound proof.

#1 911 Washington Ave

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/911-Washington-Ave-Apt-308_Largo_FL_33770_M60525-19843

I like this complex because it's easy to get to, there isn't a gate, it's not connected to a golf course, it's next door to Publix, and it's on the desirable west side of central Pinellas County.

I like this floor plan and renovation a little more than #2.

I like how #1 uses light surfaces for the galley kitchen juxtaposed with traditional medium brown floors for the rest of the apartment including for the little dining room at one end of the kitchen.

I'm assuming it's not actually a room, the wall on the left goes straight to the front door, and the one on the right takes a right angle.

The other end leads to the "outside" room with a washer and dryer.

I like the pass through floor plan.

#2 2617 Cove Cay Dr

2617 Cove Cay Dr Unit 306, Clearwater, FL 33760 [Updated 1/26] https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2617-Cove-Cay-Dr-Unit-306_Clearwater_FL_33760_M59456-26599?from=srp-list-card

I think #2's renovation is just as good as #1's but it it uses dark surfaces.

The dark surfaces used for #2 are intriguing. The kitchen does use lighter colors. I could learn to love this interior in about a day.

I like how the back "porch" room is actually an enclosed room.

#2 definitely has a worse location on the eastern coast. It does border Tampa Bay on the other hand and has an amazing view including the morning and evening sky and a partial water view.

Clearly I like #1 slightly better but both are examples of what I'm looking for and either would be more than fine.

Do you like #1 or #2 better?

Comments welcome!

Speaking of Madonna, she was probably in the best shape of her career as a dancer and stadium performer at the time this video was made.

Link to video

I saw a live performance she gave in Italy around this time and it was great.

Old person note: some of us are old enough to remember Times Square before it was gentrified. : leaving :

Freeze at 15 seconds. This must be one of the most famous stills in film history.

Link to video

The great thing about this clip is you can see what happened before and follow what happens next.

I'm a fan of many male movie stars but I've never seen anyone more handsome on screen.

French cinema is probably an acquired taste and I don't plan to focus too much on it.

Alain Delon is extraordinary though.

Madonna's Alain Delon tribute from her MDNA album.

Link to video

I say I have no arguments to defeat any of his points, sadly.

It seems to me to be decorated the way new high end London apartments are decorated.

The aspects that stood out the most to me were: the darkness of it (I don't mean gloom; I just mean darkness); New York apartments don't have this aesthetic,...

and, the light fixtures looked to me like the ones you see in new high end London apartments.

It was only a matter of time before I solved this mystery. It took almost 40 years but who's counting?

My alma mater's seal was taken from a cooking object in the national museum in Athens dating to 2800- 2700 BCE Greece.

History of the Four Winds seal – The Catalyst https://share.google/iCn2ClcmvLAFe3kQs

It came from Cycladic art.

This is news to me.

Cycladic art - Wikipedia

https://share.google/FLX9E2S9VMpUOP1UY

I thought it was especially interesting they argued about the colors to use.

I think they made a good choice. Only blue and white. It's effective but subtle. The original drawing from the designer used a lot of red.

Interesting to see but probably not by many besides me. Lol.

I like this pattern a lot.

I found a Greek jewelry workshop that hand makes a silver signet ring
with this pattern.

I'm going to buy it and wear it on my right index finger.

https://athenagaia.com/products/alexander-filigree-ring-18k-gold-sterling-silver-ring-signet-ring

Good luck!

Link to video

I found this in my YouTube feed. I thought of you because the interior design of this New York apartment makes it look like a London apartment. Strange!

https://share.google/LM4m0y18nDWdbiVpr

Caravaggio

The Narcissist

I've been wondering for a long time about this myth. What is the context? Who is Echo? What role does Echo play? I'm at a loss. 🤪

The psychology of this painting fascinates me.

I also wonder what if anything does the myth have to do with the modern psychiatric classification of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

NPD is very real. I know. I know people who have it.

More questions than answers for sure.

Caravaggio is magnificent.

@andyd Yes, more, please, of course!