Real Estate Ninja

Getting better in Houston TX

2009-01-09T18:52:00.003-06:00

Boats on the road.

Out of Town on Mission

2008-10-03T07:07:00.003-05:00

Whell no photo to day but just got the computer gooing again. Just like the power. I will be Showing you whats hapening in TX after the storm.

Again some one saving money

2008-09-08T07:15:00.002-05:00

Who is in charge of this new trend? Why add windo tretments when you can add plywood.

Found, Chicago, Empty Lot, Art & Sculpture

2008-08-31T19:24:00.000-05:00

I found this stuff in an empty lot.
It really met a lot
Decorate and use
Land was not set to abuse

Portage Park

2008-08-20T06:49:00.001-05:00

The Chicago Loop

2008-08-19T08:28:00.005-05:00

What I saw yesterday in the ever changing loop. New condo sales have just about stopped so the loop needs to keep people active before it turns into a wasteland. 628 homes sold this past qtr is a far cry from 4500 just a fue years ago.

Chicago Parking

2008-08-17T10:05:00.002-05:00

Thanks for the parking provided "complementary" but how many restrictions can you add to the "complementary" Parking?

Still on the market

2008-08-12T20:13:00.004-05:00

This home has seen a revival once on the market in early 2004 and recreated and available again now at 685,000. Trouble is where are all the buyers? Looks as it has been on the market for more then 300 days.
With 4 Bedrooms and 3.5 baths and empty you might let your next group of vampires move in They will not need a refrigerator or dishwasher. keep looking for that new buyer.

When is to much stuff tooooo much stuff

2008-08-05T10:57:00.004-05:00

Garden Flair

2008-07-31T07:58:00.002-05:00

This home owner has the curb apeal down but is a little behind on the windows and Door. How will they enjoy the colors.

Car and Driver

2008-07-29T08:26:00.001-05:00

I found this on the streets of Chicago. This home owner is following HDTV to the max. His car and home match.

Full Of Rain

2008-07-20T08:17:00.003-05:00

Did not sleep last night for all the rain was falling down on my AC keeping me awake.

First Step

2008-07-14T10:05:00.003-05:00

Not letting the bed bugs bite is the lest of this homes problems. The steps have been missing for some time... the grass needs mowing where the footings should be.

More like teeth then an enty

2008-07-11T09:38:00.005-05:00

This just found in Chicago .... School that eats children! Ninja is on the look out

1940's Vintage

2008-07-10T11:24:00.003-05:00

Found in the basement on several old lockers. What a fun time was had when this logo was popular

Chicago Bungalows

2008-07-03T08:22:00.004-05:00

Bad Bathroom? Not in my sales office

2008-07-03T07:36:00.001-05:00

I have been looking around and I have never red a real estate agent speak badly about a bath room have you? Here are some of the standards out their and let me tell you yes they are all " spa inspired" .

Nice curb apeal

2008-07-01T09:20:00.004-05:00

This house is for sale since octuber 2006 the price has come down 200,000+ you whould think some one would put a door and windo in the hosue before trying to sell. Thanks for sending in this photo.

The Cubs can't help

2008-07-01T07:22:00.002-05:00

With a quick look at the listing services their are 106 listing with a reference to Wrigley Field. The standard photo below...must have been taken from the 40Th floor of the some high rise 6 blocks away and not from across the street. Do the cubies in first place help you move your digs. I don't know because of the 106 homes for sale the average sold time is 162 days. The Realtors will have to keep working on that one.

4 Closed

2008-06-24T06:34:00.001-05:00

If must ask....I know its been forclosed because of all the stickers. See each contractor, utility, city and village has its own crew that stops out at the growing inventory of empy homes. This is one is just one of 4 that I toured in Park Ridge IL.

its a new roof

2008-06-21T14:51:00.001-05:00

Oh... I see thse are the old holes

Left behind

2008-06-16T14:16:00.001-05:00

This was left at the house.
Now I'm in the dog house.
It's a good boat
She said ide rather have a goat

New Security Installed!

2008-06-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

Once installed i asked great now how do the kids get out?

"ready to show"

2008-06-05T08:53:00.005-05:00

The client called and said the house was "ready to show". I felt something was a miss and went to check before I had any buyers ready. THIS is what I found!! Truly in a slow market clean is an understatement homes need to be immaculate. I sent a crew over and a DUMPSTER, this house was full of junk. Now its sold....we are off to the next one.

2008-05-25T06:12:00.000-05:00

Its a little low but it will do on a holiday weekend... enjoy and send in your holiday photos.

2008-05-16T06:58:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite places. Here are some shots for you.

2008-05-14T06:33:00.002-05:00

Thanks for sending this in. Its a great example of what to give your house curb apeal.

2008-05-12T06:29:00.000-05:00

A new job.... The owners said theri was a small leak a fue years ago. The house was full of mold!!!!! The walls were wet. Im sorry but you need to be more proactive if you want to move your realeste these days. Im moving on to the next house.

Keeping the cost of drapes down.

2008-05-05T02:27:00.001-05:00

Nice Door! If you see one send it to me....

2008-04-29T19:53:00.001-05:00

Not in my house but one of these..... Can you beleve?

2008-04-26T06:37:00.008-05:00

It's a set up and not want you whould think..........

HVAC Delivery

2008-01-16T09:30:00.001-06:00

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC)
This is not always a boring topic.
Especially when you get to watch it get delivered over Millennium Park and Historic Michigan Ave. Drop any thing their boys and Hizzoner Mr. Daily will not be happy. Not to think any of these people will be happy either… Frank Gehry, Anish kapoor, The Pritzkers, Mr. Crown the Reyes brothers, or any of the other families in Chicago with Big Shoulders that help fund one of Chicago newest attractions. Enjoy big city life… I do… do you want to own a piece of it buy sell homes chicago.

Top Down- its all over

2008-01-07T08:41:00.001-06:00

Photo by
Ken Douglas

2008 Will Be Great
There Is No More Time To Wait

Buy A Home Now
I’ll Show You How

Look At This City
Oh What A Pity
Of You Don’t Have A Home In 2008

This is just my part in trying to get the real estate market moving again in Chicago.

Let’s go buy sell homes Chicago

Indoor Plumbing

2007-12-14T12:04:00.001-06:00

Practically a requirement to have 4 billion adjectives at your disposable in order to advert your props properly

But alas

The accompanying photos often tarnish the agent's silver tongue in a heartbeat.

Now bathrooms are a beast to photograph - I'll give you that

Generally, all you can see is 3 inches of $3000 worth of Italian marble and the reflection of the soaking tub you convinced the developer would raise the price, but 145% of the ole blue water.

No one is buying the miracle of indoor plumbing people.
They're buying a fantasy of time spent lounging around in bubbles reading books and drinking champagne.
One rule about bathroom shots?

CLOSE THE LID

This listing has the most strangely photogenic baths I've ever had the pleasure of photographing.

Holiday Countdown

2007-11-06T10:01:00.001-06:00

As I threw the last piece of chocolate at some teenager swearing up and down that he was wearing a costume - every retailer in America ripped down the orange & black and tossed up the red & green.
Every real estate agent felt their pain - but we have a shorter goal.
Turkey Day might as well be D-Day - if you don't have a paper offer by then you can kiss it till Spring Hunting Season.
I'm outie.
Easier to sell without the Halloween decorations attacking the buyers.

Sweet Sweet Real Estate

2007-10-15T13:42:00.002-05:00

Negative Nellies - Back off

Saw about 20 plus for sale signs in a short morning walk

Yeah there's still a lot of inventory blah blah

What was interesting was how many were from smaller firms

Buyers turning to different agents as their listing lingers

Hey - you know what

Good for them - what this market really does is let the cream rise to the top

And cream is what makes rich, rich desserts, natch.

Beat the Dead Horse Slowly

2007-05-23T08:04:00.000-05:00

So the buyers have all taken their bags of money & hunkered down in front of the telly.
The sellers don't want to drop their prices.
The sellers drop their prices & the buyers stay with the telly.
You advertise more; which costs more.
But commissions are less.

Fridge conks.
Cicadas coming.
Beebleberry dies.
Electric rates up.
Toilet runs.
Pirates cooler than ninjas.
Identity stolen.

Security breach at the State license office.
Your social security number out there for 5 months, selling like , well certainly not like deal estate, like, um, hotcakes.

That's how those buyers got the giant telly in the first place.

Ambulance Chasing

2007-05-15T18:11:00.000-05:00

Okay well it's a step up from following little old ladies as they are transferred to nursing homes & leave that pristine bungalow just waiting for my lawn sign

How can the Chicago Olympic Bid benefit ME & by default Chicago Real Estate?

Please do not suggest I rent that movie with Jonny Crashville either

Outsider Art Chicago Stylee

2007-05-04T17:36:00.000-05:00

Call it Atomic Age or Mid Century Modern - it's just Grandpa painting the garage door to me

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The Dearly Departed

2007-04-23T10:03:00.000-05:00

May their souls and all the souls of the dearly departed rest in...

Wait a minute

This isn't a Funeral Home?
Masonic Temple?

Nope - it's BADDITION® - the Death Edition

And because you know we here at Real Estate Ninja have such a large photo op budget - we were able to stage a before and after shot

Please sign our guest book so the family may thank you for your condolences

The City that Works

2007-03-03T13:59:00.000-06:00

And the Association that works...

Tada

Chicago Real Estate Agents Rejoice...

And write your check

The City of Chicago Professional Service Parking Permit is here

The Tin Man

2007-03-02T16:02:00.000-06:00

So I stood outside and sang that song by America

Didn't do nothing that I didn't, didn't already do

Occupational Hazards

2007-02-24T11:05:00.000-06:00

Why can't I just get a nice listing?

Guts

2007-02-22T11:13:00.000-06:00

It's the Anatomy Coloring Book for Development.
Chicago's warmer weather is ramping up the crews.
I wanted a shot of me ascending the staircase but the wife frowned upon that.

Chicago Beargalow

2007-02-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

One of the few times it is kewl to stray from the vision of Chicago Bungalow perfection - when the Chicago Bears are going to the Superbowl.

Then it is de rigeur to celebrate with plaster waterfowl masquerading as the spirit squad.

Speklunk =Splat

2007-01-25T16:25:00.000-06:00

Ya know what a Real Estate Ninja does while his wife is assembling 70 people for his surprise party?

Urban spelunking

Breeze by the RA who is in iPodblivion & check out the place's mechanicals, natch.

Then exit down the fire escape.

Can't be late for your own party ya know.

You Be Grillin

2007-01-19T13:19:00.000-06:00

This is totally being renovated to flip into condos.
Telltale sign - Balconies.
Right after granite countertops and in unit laundry, IT IS WRITTEN that all vintage remodels must have a bacony.

Why fresh air is forbidden to renters I do not claim to know.
But only when you actually invest with hard cash may you have something that is kinda free to all.

BADDITION® Amnesty

2007-01-17T11:35:00.000-06:00

This wins the "If it can't be gorgeous at least it's interesting" award.
And the award for "Don't worry what the map says, You can't miss it"

London Calling

2007-01-15T11:02:00.000-06:00

These are the new neighborhood lampposts
Not sure how I feel about these puppies. They're ok looking I guess.
But is this the city of Chicago or a film set for a London mystery?
Feel like I should be wearing a trenchcoat to go to the mailbox

Obiligatory Chicago Bears Post

2007-01-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Go Bears!
Bring back those 8th grade memories.
The first rap song I ever heard was Superbowl Shuffle.

Let it Snow Already

2007-01-13T10:54:00.000-06:00

Yeah yeah - I'm not going tell you it's oh so pretty or that.
But I have been waiting to see how the city plans on plowing around/over/up to - their 578 thousand speed bumps.
Child safety. Crime deterring. Sure.
Thought all the way through? Perhaps not.
Really - how is a Chicago garbage truck gonna come at these & push snow over them if I make sparks at 6 mph?

And fine they get the one side clear. Are they really gonna do the other side or is there gonna be a mini sledding hill in effect thus ruining the child safety factor?

Belated Xmas

2007-01-13T10:43:00.000-06:00

The gifts we give ourselves are the usually the best.
Like this chunk of tile from the construction site at Halsted &

Van Buren. I caught the red & saw it just laying there in a puddle. Jumped out. Grabbed it & met my wife in the car down Halsted.
So it was raining.
That just made it shinier.

BADDITION® Energy Conservation

2007-01-10T16:49:00.000-06:00

No drafty windows here. No sirree. They're all warm & toasty and probably quite pale.

On summer evenings they project movies for the neighbors too.

Have a Pen

2006-12-11T21:27:00.000-06:00

Taking the home office to a new level. There isn't a room at my place that doesn't have at least three pens offering my agent services and a listing sheet being used as a grocery list.
The infiltration is nearing epic standards.

Check it.

Old Man Physics

2006-12-06T10:16:00.000-06:00

This Carbon Monoxide detector law is a decent thing. Just needs a little clarification.
Cuz first they tell you it's an heavy gas that lurks around basements & garages. Then they tell you to put one by every bedroom.
But if you have 2nd floor bedrooms - doesn't it seem a little counterintuitive?

Like how the old man used to crank on the window ac in the front room, hang a blanket at the bottom of the stairs & then scream at you for moving the blanket & letting the heat down.
And you smugly told him heat rises & then he told you a thing or two.

Well put aside your basic grasp of physics & embrace the old man's view of things.

Sure YOU have bedrooms on the 2nd floor but is yours the only floorplan in Chicago?
~ No mister - you don't know how good you've got it.

Did you install a gas fireplace in the master? And was it actually you or your cousin from your mother's side of the family?
~ Yep mister, the Old Man knows a thing or two & he wouldn't let either of you near his toaster.

Got that fancy attached garage & let the beast idle a while in the garage so you don't get a chill?
~ Old Man told you to buy American - 8 cylinders will start right up every time.

Yeah I'd buy a detector. For the price of a pizza it's better than having to hear "I told you so."

Idiot Box - Real Estate Stylee

2006-12-05T08:10:00.000-06:00

When I get home after an 8pm showing in single digit weather I usually run for the beloved computer to do follow up. Once in a great while I'll turn on the idiot box.
And pick a home improvement/celebrity real estate show.
Hey I said this was my thing.
My fave is when they say they are "in Chicago" today. Then I get closer to the screen to test my visual knowledge by id'ing the exact location as fast as possible.
Only a bummer when they say "Chicago" but are actually closer to Rockford.

Snow Day

2006-12-01T09:58:00.000-06:00

You know it's a snow day when you're faced by this when you open your door.

North vs South

2006-11-30T14:36:00.000-06:00

Wrong rivalry.
As a product of American education this one took a little Internet confirmation but it is conceivable that a Civil War veteran dusted off his boots in my house.
The Civil War ended in 1865. The guy was prob 21. The Chicago Fire was 1871. Now he's 27. He moves to Chicago to get a construction job as the place is booming. My building was built in 1917. Now he's 67.

First floor of my place was a butcher shop. Dude liked bacon. And there you go.

And that's why I haven't covered up the tiles even if they've seen better days.
Cuz they've seen some interesting days.

From the Block

2006-11-28T13:41:00.000-06:00

Holidays bring out those people/smellatives that moved to the burbs & now ask classy things of their party hosts like "Is it okay to leave my car unlocked?"
Um no. But not because you're in the big bad city.
Because it isn't 1943 anymore.
I wouldn't leave my car unlocked in a monastery parking lot in Wyoming on a holiday after the apocalypse.

"I betcha I paid a lot less for my place & it has 16 bedrooms & 9 car garage."

Uh huh. That 2 flat you left 17 years ago? Worth 4 times as much as your current digs. Let's move to a festive topic like the war.

"Wow, there is no parking around here at all!"
No, there's lots of parking.
It's just all full. Because tons of people live here.
Because Chicago totally rocks.

Pie for Breakfast

2006-11-27T14:28:00.000-06:00

What do real estate agents do for fun on holiday weekends? Besides still have 3 open houses, do 4 showings & stalk the market online?

Take advantage of the 60 degree weather & go for a walk.
A nice Sunday morning walk. In a neighborhood that you drove 12 minutes to.
To scope it for teardowns, have a mini scavenger hunt of signs from agents in your company and find blog fodder.

Good thing I had 2 slices of pie for breakfast

Thanks

2006-11-23T08:36:00.000-06:00

For not knocking down this building.

Not matter what kind of incongruous business they put in there.

People should be surrounded by beauty when they buy fan belts & flan.

BADDITION® – Redhanded

2006-11-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

Baddition® in progress. And I thought these things were done in the dark. We will follow this project but looks like it’s heading straight to the Baddition® yearbook.

BADDITION® - Barnraising at the Double R

2006-11-20T13:02:00.000-06:00

It was a ranch. But then they had some extra wood leftover from the barn. And then their cousin came in from Califernya extolling the latest in exterior access motel design. The bushes are covering up the ice machine.

Training Grounds

2006-11-10T14:28:00.000-06:00

A Real Estate Ninja must complete many mythical tasks before ninjaness. Behold the razed lot fraught with many dangerous obstacles like beer bottles & railroad nails. I had to leap all over this lot to get to the front of my listing to take some fresh shots. I am like a cat.

A Star to Em Not at Em

2006-11-10T14:05:00.000-06:00

I sheath my throwing star. The Chicago City Council has approved the Realtor Parking Pass. $300 is a bargain. That's 10 parking tickets. Or roughly 2 weeks' worth.

Free Lunch Tuesday

2006-11-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

No need to pack a lunch or even have breakfast. It's Broker's Open Tuesday. Like a really spread out tradeshow, Tuesday is the day Realtors drive from Lakeview to Humboldt to scrounge free snacks and see what listings the other guy got. The menu is kind of a 7th grade birthday party of sandwiches, cheese trays, pizza and cookies. And then you know how you have that one person in the family who can only handle the paper plates or a bag of Oreos ? Yeah, we got those too. They stop at the gas station and pick up some Starchucks gift cards. I'm not complainin - I'm just sayin

Ninja Kent

2006-11-03T13:49:00.000-06:00

Dude this is Chicago. You are not gonna get very far showing up at your developer's job site in yer shiny shoes and yer fancy tie. The trades aren't gonna roll with your idea to move the kitchen island over there and add some can lights if yer too busy looking for a clean place to stand. So you get yer cred by popping over in old jeans & boots. And of course a listing appt will drop out of the sky while yer there. So you change in the bathroom amid the caulk guns and make some mad ninja moves thru the site avoiding sawdust & plaster dust. Cuz your wife didn't go to college to be a laundress.

BADDITION® of the Week - Barf Bag

2006-11-01T11:58:00.000-06:00

You don't even need to see the contrast of the lovely brick two flat that this is slapped on to appreciate how bad this is.

Baby pee yellow siding, natch.

Haphazard unlevel window installation, check.

Door floating above unattached steps built from wood found in alley, double check.

And the piece de resistance - the thing is so sicked out by itself that it is actually vomiting from under the window. What is that? It's the color of that stuff janitors threw down in grade school on puke. And? The half hearted attempt to control the spillage with another piece of random alley wood?
I'd keep my shades down too.

Boo A Realty Tale of Terror

2006-10-31T10:50:00.000-06:00

In honor of Halloween, I offer the following tale of realty terror.

Dumpy little houses always appear as sweet Victorian cottages to Realtors. Just need a little paint and some flowerboxes. I’m all fired up about a shack in a sweet area & entice, I mean flat out lie to my wife that we’re going to Fields and on the way, park in front of shack. Now you know I’m brave. One I’m a Ninja of some variety. Two I handle all pest control at home. Three I have come between a woman and a 13 hour sale. Though the rusty gate, up an overgrown path into a shag carpeted living room full of boxes tall as a man. I go for the light switch. Click click – no power. Through the musty dining room with torn shades. The kitchen cabinets creak and something scurries across the floor. I lure her to the cellar with the promise of future rumpus room glory. Down the narrow wooden stairs lined with old glass jars full of who knows what. We creep around the little torture workshop rooms past carcasses of old snow blowers and tennis rackets. I work up all my courage and go for the last ditch save. Storage. I reach up through the cobwebs. She looks anxiously at the fading sun through the tiny cracked windows. In the back of the room is a cubbyhole with a set of sliding wood doors. I give it a shove but the side near my wife’s head opens. Out leaps a naked glassy eyed doll, hands grasping for my wife’s throat.

To this day when we walk past with the dog, my wife eyes the dark windows, hastens her step and gives me a little jab in the kidney.

Like the First Robin of Spring

2006-10-26T15:08:00.000-05:00

You know a neighborhood has gone good…

When the Women Joggers Appear

especially at Night

Maybe I should alert that Freakonomics guy

BADDITION® - Time Capsule

2006-10-25T15:32:00.000-05:00

Thanks go out to Bertblogger for this sweet find.

It's a veritable archaeological dig of Chicago building materials in the last 40 years:

You've got your Tudor, your brick, your white vinyl siding.

6 different window replacements, glass block, a window ac that was at least centered, a shut up porch, a balcony and a balcony shut up with an old door with what appears to be that wavy green glass from the 70's.

Alas - as so many of its peers - its value as a landmark has been dismissed and it is slated for tear down.

For shame. For shame.

Destiny

2006-10-23T13:44:00.000-05:00

Go to grab my open house signs from the next block.

Gone.

Dude you think they just GIVE them to me? They’re like $60 bucks a pop. I treat them like a vintage Corvette. Wash, wax, use packing tape to make repairs. They even have a cush bath towel covering them in the car. Weasels.

Next week I am randomly stalking the area, looking for more more more listings. Fab brick 20 unit on a corner no upkeep – for the taking people. They also sell something out one of the first floor windows. I walk up to the woman leaning out and before I can ask the owner’s name she’s all “Great you’re here.”

I roll. I roll.

A man comes to let me in & brings me to the basement. It’s a Sunday at 11 am. I am wearing a full suit and tie before my open house. Drug psychos think I’m here to repair the washing machine.

And there - in the laundry room - against the wall is my freakin sign. With the patched corner. I charge right past the guy, grab my sign and flee into the shadows.

Sorry - I Fell Asleep

2006-10-20T11:22:00.000-05:00

Can we invent a new word to replace the following boorrring phrase?

“Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, hardwood throughout”

I fell asleep typing that. Keyboard full of drool. Because I have typed it over 6 million times now. Let’s just agree on some standard so we can get on to the really cool parts of the listing.
Like “Finish Trifecta” or “SSGCHW” or “AsIfWeCouldEvenSellAnythingNowadaysWithoutTheseFinishesDoWeLookLikeCrazyPeople?”

Does Blackberry have a Taser Feature?

2006-10-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

Walked by an Aikido class last night. They were learning how to defend against closet rod attacks. More skilled practitioners got to wear black pants. Told wife that I want to get to the black pants level. She pointed out that I should aim higher cuz I’ll need to ward off the closet rod with one hand while negotiating on my Blackberry in the other.

Ninja skill set not broadened.

BADDITION® - Leave Geometry to the Ancient Greeks

2006-10-18T16:56:00.000-05:00

I’m coining the word “baddition” right here. There is no reason to make the top or back of your house look like a refugee camp. Bad design happens to too many good people. Every Wednesday we’ll feature one of these bad boys.

For our debut, we have a fascinating feat of angles and siding. I think is the shape they call trapezoid if I remember correctly. And the bay window? Why? Do ya really think they have a window seat built in there? Sure they do. Out of leftover white siding. It’s only a matter of time before the fine people from the Chicago Bungalow Association become vigilantes, staging midnite demolition raids. I’ll be with them.

Between the Lines

2006-10-18T08:52:00.001-05:00

Under the Hobbies & Interests section on my biography I put:

Gardening, Boating & Antiquing

You know that means turning the sprinkler on twice a year, having a canoe on my garage roof & garbage picking.

St Joseph is my Homeboy

2006-10-17T22:23:00.001-05:00

For Open Houses (OH) I don't boil those smelly dead flowers, bake cookies, create curly bamboo archways or bury resin Catholic saints in the former coal chute under the light of the waning moon. Don't practice Santeria, I ain't got no crystal ball.

I am trying to get a handle on the weather factor tho.
No traffic at your OH? Rained, kept 'em inside watching the Food Network.
Low traffic at the OH? 72 & sunny, they went to the zoo, mowed the lawn, dusted off the kite.
62 people, all preapproved, gasping at the joy of builder's white on the walls & you ran out of business cards despite it being a freakin hail storm outside and the slab is in a floodplain?
Yeah, your wife buried Joseph under the hostas because she likes the part where you have heat in the winter.
There he goes, floating by with some old army guys and a marble.

Guerilla Gorilla

2006-10-10T20:02:00.001-05:00

Walking round Uptown - found this guy - he does not know the way of the ninja - the outfit is too shiny.
Yet I admire his brashness.