Life & Real Estate In & Around Athens GA. : September 2009

Then don't watch this because you won't ever again. This movie is so bad that it makes  Paul Blart: Mall Cop look like Oscar material.

Observe & Report looks like it tried to take some of the plot of Paul Blart: and then totally go nowhere with it. It starts out ok, has The Band's - "When I Create My Masterpiece" playing, but, that was the high point of the movie. While I enjoyed Seth Rogen in Zach & Miri Make a Porno, and tolerated him in Pineapple Express, he was nothing more than the leading actor who sucked in this movie.

I mentioned plot, well, I am not sure that there is one, although a streaker keeps showing up so I think it somehow revolves around him. And bad acting, Rogen's crappy performance was nearly matched by that of Ray Liotta. What the heck did he take that role for? Did he owe money to the IRS?

However, if you like the gratuitous and uncalled for use of the "F -word" and it's many derivations, you will enjoy this. The scriptwriters, for lack of plot, appear to fill the dialogue with as many uses of it as they can. Now don't get me wrong, there are times when it can be used well, either in drama or comedy. Take this scene from the Big Lebowski, between The Stranger (Sam Elliot) and The Dude (Little Lebowski - Jeff Bridges):

The Stranger: There's just one thing, Dude.
The Dude: And what's that?
The Stranger: Do you have to use so many cuss words?
The Dude: What the f*$k you talking about?
The Stranger: Okay, Dude. Have it your way.

In this movie, it is only used for it's own sake, and to get a giggle from jr. high mentalities. So, if you have the choice between watching Observe and Report, or something more pleasant, like a rectal exam (or getting into that stirrup seat for you ladies), chose the exam.

This is an hour and a half of my life I will never get back and resent forever. My wife and I are still wondering why we watched it all,

the framers signed the constitution of the United States of America. After five months of delegates from 12 of the 13 original colonies (Rhode Island did not send a delegation) arguing, negotiating, cajoling, threatening, walking out, and ultimately, agreeing, this wonderful document was completed and signed by members of the delegation.

It took over 3 years for the approval by the 13 original states to happen, the last, you might have guessed it, Rhode Island.

The constitution establishes our form of government, a democratic republic. It was designed to allow the democratic process giving the vote to people from all walks of life, rich, poor, landed, laborer, shopkeeper, wanderer. Yet the drafters had the foresight to put in safeguards to prevent a tyranny of the majority, or a minority.

It begins with the preamble and ends with the list of amendments (including the Bill of Rights). In the middle is the roadmap, the guide, the meat and potatoes of how are government is to be formed and executed.

You can read the entire constitution here, it doesn't take long. We all should read it, on different occasions, to remind us of the powers and limitations of government, to remind us of our rights, and, the unwritten responsibilities that come with those rights.

But, I will end this with a copy of the preamble. It is almost universally accepted that the preamble is an introduction, that it established no laws, but that it clearly shows that the federal government has no authority outside of what follows the preamble, included the ammendments.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Trying to decide whether to purchase a home or not? If so, you might want to move quickly. The $8000 Federal Tax Credit, for first time home buyers, expires at midnight, Nov. 30, 2009. Likewise, the Georgia Tax Credit for Home Buyers, of up to $1800.

The federal first time home buyers credit (for buyers who have not owned a home in 3 years) is 10% of the purchase price of a home, up to a maximum of $8000, whichever is less. That means, if  you purchase an $80,000 home, or higher, you will get the full credit. If you purchase a lower priced home, say $70,000, you will qualify for a $7000 credit.

The Georgia home buyers tax credit is 1.2% of the home purchase price, up to a maximum of $1800, whichever is less. Purchasers of homes costing $150,000 or more will be eligible for the full credit. The home has to be a single family home that was on the market prior to May 11, 2009.

There are only 74 days left from today in order to get those credits. In reality, that means you will need to have picked a home and reached an accepted offer within the next 30 days or so. It will take a few weeks to get your loan funded, and, there will probably be a rush of last minute buyers all wanting to close before the end of November. Plus, there is the Thanksgiving holiday that will further reduce the number of days in which to get all of the paperwork and closing tasks completed.

So, if you are seriously considering purchasing a home, now is the time to move.

For more information on either the Federal or the Georgia State tax credit programs, or to find that home  and have an experienced Realtor guide you through the entire process, give me a call at 706-207-5290. Or, you can click here to email me with your questions. To search for homes in Athens and the surround communities and neighborhoods in Clarke, Oconee, Barrow, Oglethorpe, Madison and Jackson County please visit my website The Athens Real Estate Page.  If you are interested in selling your home in the same area, or, would like to find out the value of your home, what is going on in the local market, or just have another real estate question, please feel free to contact me by phone or email.

This is what Jeff Foxworthy really wanted to put on TV but had to settler for 5th graders. Forwarded by a freind.

 We are sick and tired of hearing about how dumb people are in the South, and we challenge any so-called "smart" ass Yankee to take this exam:

1. Calculate the smallest limb diameter on a persimmon tree that will support a 10 pound possum.

2. Which of these cars will rust out the quickest when placed on blocks in your front yard? (A) '65 Ford Fairlane (B) '69 Chevrolet Chevelle (C) '64 Pontiac GTO

3. If your uncle builds a still which operates at a capacity of 20 gallons of shine produced per hour, how many car radiators are required to condense the product?

4. A woodcutter has a chainsaw which operates at 2700 RPM. The density of the pine trees in the plot to be harvested is 470 per acre. The plot is 2.3 acres in size. The average tree diameter is 14 inches. How many Budweiser's will be drunk before the trees are cut down?

5. A front porch is constructed of 2x8 pine on 24-inch centers with a field rock foundation.. The span is 8 feet and the porch length is 16 feet. The porch floor is 1-inch rough sawn pine. When the porch collapses, how many dogs will be killed?

6. A man owns a Georgia house and 3.7 acres of land in a hollow with an average slope of 15%. The man has five children. Can each of his grown children place a mobile home on the man's land and still have enough property for their electric appliances to sit out front?

7. A 2-ton truck is overloaded and proceeding 900 yards down a steep slope on a secondary road at 45 MPH. The brakes fail. Given average traffic conditions on secondary roads, what is the probability that it will strike a vehicle with a muffler?

8. With a gene pool reduction of 7.5% per generation, how long will it take a town which has been bypassed by the Interstate to breed a country-western singer?

I betcha thought that there test was gonna be an easy one, didn't chya? It's okay if'n yall didn't do all that well. Just goes to show ya .... There's a whole heap of things that big city book-learning don't prepare ya for in this life.

As an added bonus for taking the "REDNECK CHALLENGE", here's some southerly advice that may come in handy down the road a piece .... Next time you are too drunk to drive, walk to the nearest pizza shop and place an order. When they go to deliver it, catch a ride home with them.

Photos Copyright Mike Saunders - 2009. For information on things to do, dining, lodging or about buying or selling your home in Athens - Clarke County, GA and the surrounding counties, call me at 706-207-5290, click here to send me an email with your inquiries or visit my website at The Athens Real Estate Page.

Watson Mill Covered Bridge State Park, one of the most picturesque parks in Georgia, is located in Oglethorpe County (well, mostly), just a short drive from Athens, Commerce, Lexington, Watkinsville, Comer, Crawford and other area towns. While the majority of the park, including the covered bridge, is located in Oglethorpe County, there is the small northeast section of the park that is in Madison County.

The park is focused on the covered bridge, which is still in daily use after being put into service in 1885 allowing people to cross the South Fork River at will . The bridge is 229 feet long, a town lattice construction, still held together with wooden pins. There is also a small damn downstream from the bridge which backs up the mill pond. A mill race parallels the river for over 1/4 of a mile downstream to the ruins of the old powerhouse. The bridge is one of the few remaining "working" covered bridges in Georgia providing one way automobile and small truck travel across the river.

Popular all year round, in the summer, the shallows below the  bridge provide a place for families and their kids to cool off in the waters below the damn. Kids enjoy playing in the pools as well as sliding down some of the "chutes". The park also provides trails for kiking, biking and horseback riding. There are campsites as well as 3 bunkhouse that can be rented. It is also a popular place for fisherman who can fish from shore both in the mill pond, either from shore or non-powered boat, as well as from the river below the damn.

Watson Mill Covered Bridge State Park is located just 3 miles outside of Comer at

650 Watson Mill Road
Comer , GA 30629

It is a state park so there is a small entrance fee. You can get an annual state park pass that allows you to park your vehicle at any park, any day. You can also get a parks pass from your local library. So, come out and spend an hour, or a day, or a weekend. Bring your kids, or, you neighbors kids. They will love you for it.

For more information about things to do in Oglethorpe County or other areas around Athens-Clarke County GA or if you are interested in buying or selling your home there, please call me at 706-207-5290. Or you can click here to email me with your inquiries. To search for homes in Oglethorpe County or the Athens Ga area please visit my website The Athens Real Estate Page.

All photos copyright Mike Saunders, 2009.