Fashionistas you have arrived 3-25-03 - 10-3-03

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
I have irreconcilable differences with Sharon Stone, but that doesn't mean I'd give up the opportunity to hit that every night.

A(Vive la (irreconcilable) Difference!)G

Eww, really? I put her in my Kathleen Turner, I'm soo much hotter than you but not reallly category of fake blondes who wear their clothing too low cut and way too short.

[zakoh02]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
What do people know about timeshares? Does anyone own one? Do people have stories of good or bad experiences they or a friend may have had? I'm thinking about it and want some input. Any help would be appreciated.

TM

My parents have two of them and they love them. Both can be used at any time of the year and at any location within the global portfolio of properties. There are slight difference between the two they own, which may be useful info. for you.

The first is a week in Hawaii timeshare. This program has some sort of ranking system, with three different levels of quality (something akin to five-, four- and three-star resorts). Since my parent's place is a five star, they can either use their place or "bank" it and go somewhere else. If they go to another five star, they get one week. If they go to a four or three star, they get a longer stay (I believe two or three weeks). My parents have been to Hawaii a few times, but usually they bank it and go elsewhere (Canary Islands, Aruba, you name it). The downside to this timeshare is that they have to go for a week at a time, since the rentals run in some specific, system-wide sequence, like Saturday to Saturday. The selection and quality of the portfolio properties is amazing (they haven't found a shithole yet). There is a giant book from which to plan a vacation that will let you go anywhere you want to go. If you don't use the vacation that year, it rolls over into the next year (ie its not use it or lose it).

The only main difference between their other timeshare is that it operates on a points system. Their property in Pismo Beach is assigned a certain number of points that they can use as applied to other properties, which include both timeshares and major hotel chains (Westin, Four Seasons, Ritz, etc.). The thing that is better about this timeshare is that they don't have to use it for a week at time. If they want to run to Scottsdale for the weekend to play some golf, they just use a few days worth of points. They found it worked better for their busy schedules, as getting weeks off at a time often proves difficult.

As far as my parents explained it to me, these timeshares will pass to my sister and I--don't know if you care about that. In addition, other members of the family can use the points/days, and if all points have been used, members of the family can still stay at the properties at a cheaper rate than you'd normally pay for a hotel (if availability exists).

Hope that helps,

Zak (planning to use some of their points after the bar...)

Edited to add that my parents are both extremely busy professionals, so the fact that it works for them, bodes well for you. I know for theirs, they do not have to plan two years in advance, but it could be because they have paid for a more expensive one.

[zakoh02]

Originally posted by tax_hottie
Has anyone taken the MPRE recently? Does anyone know how long it really takes to finish the MPRE? The info packet says it's a two-hour exam, but I remember when I took it several years ago, before they changed the test in '99, that I finished in a little over an hour. Two hours was more than enough time to finish. Is this still the case?

I hope so, otherwise, I'm going to miss my flight. I'm taking it again for bar admission in another state.

Thanks all!

Don't know if someone answered this already since I am playing ketchup, but...I took the MPRE about two years ago and finished well under the two hour time limit. I passed with a considerable margin, so you should be fine.

Zak

[tax_hottie]

I have a time share in Mexico. One week in Cabo San Lucas to be exact. I really like it. I've exchanged it for a week in the Dominican Republic and Hawaii. Typically, these units are condos, often with a full kitchen, living room, and a separate bedroom, but it varies. Mine is a "junior suite," which is really a glorified studio that sleeps four. Condos are so much better than hotel rooms if you're going to be there for a whole week. Frankly, I get sick of eating out all the time. Plus, cooking saves a lot of money, if you're concerned about that.

My unit is the smallest unit my resort has, but b/c this particular resort is "Gold Crown," (the highest distinction available), it has higher trading power, which means I can usually trade it (for a "transaction fee" of about $150) for a bigger unit at other, non-Gold Crown resorts. My resort really is fabulous and I love going there. The only thing I wish it had was a swim-up bar.

They also gave me a bunch of bonus weeks when I first signed up, but regrettably, I haven't been able to use them all. Two of them will likely expire this year without getting used. (Unless we all want to go to Cabo!! Any takers?) Because they're for one week at a time, it makes scheduling a little bit difficult. You really have to commit to it. You can also sell your week to the public and charge them whatever you want.

There's also an annual maintenance fee you should be aware of--mine is about $350 or $400. I guess overall, the whole time share thing is a decent deal, but it's not extraordinary. First of all, you pay a pretty big upfront cost. Add on the annual maintenance fees, which increase every year, plus various transaction fees for exchanging the unit at another resort, and you come out modestly ahead. As the unit starts to appreciate though, it becomes a better and better deal.

[tax_hottie]

Originally posted by zakoh02
Don't know if someone answered this already since I am playing ketchup, but...I took the MPRE about two years ago and finished well under the two hour time limit. I passed with a considerable margin, so you should be fine.

Zak

Thanks Zak! That's a relief.

[leagleaze]

Originally posted by str8outavannuys
This might be the wrong place to post it, because it's a quasi- substantive question, but does anyone have any idea:

a) How much I should charge my "jewelry guy" to do a prenup for him? (I've never done one before)

b) Does anyone have a prenup form they could email me?

For a), I'm thinking of just charging him about $75/hour for as long as it takes me, which is certainly well below what a LA family lawyer would charge, but it should be as it's going to take me longer, and I don't know what I'm doing.

Is there anything I should know about in doing this? Anything easily avoidable that will get me sued for malpractice if I fail to do it?

Thanks.

str8.

I have forms but they are for PA which has some odd decisions including one called simeone (sp) which has an impact on how we draft them here. If you'd like them I'd be happy to send them along.

As far as what you bill, I'd figure out either a flat rate, which would vary based on the complexity of the prenup, or an hourly fee which does not include the time it takes you to learn.

I'd ask some attorneys you know who do prenups what they tend to charge.

I know people who charge 90 bucks an hour and I know people who charge 500 bucks an hour. Given you are new at this, if you really want to do it, I'd go towards the low end.

I don't know anyone who charges a flat rate, but given this situation that might be wise here.


All of this said, I would not write the prenup if I were you. I would send him to someone else. Given your concern about malpractice and all. That or see if you can get someone to help you out.

[bridge of love]

Originally posted by leagleaze
I
All of this said, I would not write the prenup if I were you. I would send him to someone else. Given your concern about malpractice and all. That or see if you can get someone to help you out.

plus jewelers are in a cut throat business that oftentimes gets real close/ beyond shady. a senior guy threw my newbie ass into a litigation between two jewelers a few years back . i caught about 4 or 5 of their acts in deps etc. not one would be client you'd want to work with. maybe you know your guy, maybe you want to learn the area, maybe need the work, but be careful. I say jewelers and doctors=bad legal clients.

[ABBAKiss]

Hope all you fuckers are having a great day out in the sun. My skin will thank me for saving it from the harsh UV rays. Actually, it's crappy out where I am right now so maybe I win. Fuck all y'all.

[evenodds]

Originally posted by ABBAKiss

Hope all you fuckers are having a great day out in the sun. My skin will thank me for saving it from the harsh UV rays. Actually, it's crappy out where I am right now so maybe I win. Fuck all y'all.

If it makes you feel any better:

we have an ugly grey sky and it has been raining all morning, so everyone's plans for the lake and the park have been ruined.

Even(except mine -- since i planned to watch the local fireworks from the comforts of home)Odds

[ABBAKiss]

Originally posted by evenodds
If it makes you feel any better:

we have an ugly grey sky and it has been raining all morning, so everyone's plans for the lake and the park have been ruined.

Even(except mine -- since i planned to watch the local fireworks from the comforts of home)Odds

Thanks. It does make me feel better.

I just did a lap around my floor. I am all alone. I am considering streaking.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by ABBAKiss
Hope all you fuckers are having a great day out in the sun. My skin will thank me for saving it from the harsh UV rays. Actually, it's crappy out where I am right now so maybe I win. Fuck all y'all.

Mom?

[zakoh02]

Originally posted by ABBAKiss
Hope all you fuckers are having a great day out in the sun. My skin will thank me for saving it from the harsh UV rays. Actually, it's crappy out where I am right now so maybe I win. Fuck all y'all.

It could be worse, you could be stuck inside your apartment (library is closed), all alone (no one can deal with your bi-polar tantrums anymore), sleep-deprived (insomnia for the last month), scared to death of failure (will they fire me if I fail the first time or just the second time?), studying for the worst bar in nation (and seeing your school's notoriously "we dont have to worry about the bar" attitude change overnight because a huge chunk of your class failed last year) while the SoCal weather outside is magnificent (not a cloud in the sky), all of your friends/family are having a great time (seeing movies, at the beach, the lake, Vegas) and you are wondering why the hell you ever mortgaged your brain to go to law school in the first place when you had an offer for a free MBA at INSEAD (France) at 23 years old...

but really, I am OK with it... :brick:

Zak (not a happy camper)

[ABBAKiss]

Originally posted by zakoh02
Zak (not a happy camper)

As long as it's just you and me and few others who pop in, share some erotica.

Oh--just as I was seriously considering doing a naked lap around the office a partner stuck his head in my office. Glad I didn't do it.

It was a lot more fun to streak about WITH him. Oh yeah--this is :bs:

[zakoh02]

Originally posted by ABBAKiss
As long as it's just you and me and few others who pop in, share some erotica.

Sheeit, I wish I had time to write some. I am barely able to walk the dog these days. Honestly, I haven't written a thing since graduation, over a year ago. I think I burned myself out--my creative juices are gone. And for some reason, I am perfectly content just having (mostly) vanilla sex with the Sioux Chief.

Zak (man, I am old at 28)

[LessinSF]

Originally posted by tax_hottie (Unless we all want to go to Cabo!! Any takers?)

Absolutely. I love Cabo, and I still owe you drinks. Pick a week. Slave will bring his kitchen. You know how to reach me.