Brians has left 671 comments

Brians comments on You Don't Know Jack About Medellín!

Been to three of the five places mentioned. Probably seen more of real Colombia than you MT with my wife and her family. Honestly give me Parque Lleras, Oviedo, Palmitas and I am fine. First time around doing those "Real Colombian" things is fine but WTF I am not Colombian.

Brians comments on "Capitulation", anyone try it?

I believe the truthspeaker is "The Batman"!!! The vigilant of the night here to protect the innocents of PBH. He is the law that the Mods cannot control in this chaotic forum of PBH. He is both good and evil and wrestles with his own inner demons. Or he is just a troll. I am not sure yet.

Brians comments on "Capitulation", anyone try it?

Medellin Viking was gringo. What did happen to him??

Brians comments on Thinking about living in Medellin - Reality check please

dwmte I like your saying "You don't have the money to fuck with me but I have the money to fuck with you". I think that is a good one to remember that would scare you average Colombian prick. Have to remember that one and hopefully not have to use it.

Brians comments on What is one year's expenses to live in Colombia?

Wow Tejas...I would have expected minimums a lot more than that rate.

Brians comments on Colombian Prime Time TV Gives Insight into Cartel Operations

I wonder if they will show this on Characol

Brians comments on Luxury Penthouse to share in El Poblado/Medellin

Bad little girls get spankings and Robert looks like the guy that gives naughty little girls like truthseeker their punishment.

Brians comments on Luxury Penthouse to share in El Poblado/Medellin

So then truthseeker may be on Robertinmedellin's short list...

Brians comments on Luxury Penthouse to share in El Poblado/Medellin

Do tell.....

Brians comments on A Tribute to the Real Winner, Miss Universe Talian Vargas 2008!

but didn't. The real winner was not even in question in my mind. Tatiana is nice but no Venezuala

Brians comments on Luxury Penthouse to share in El Poblado/Medellin

Too funny guys.....great detective work...truthseeker is a like a vigilant moderator:)

Brians comments on Will NEVER step foot into Mangos in Medellin again nor recommend it to my customers.

Did Robi's chorizo really go limp??

Brians comments on Will NEVER step foot into Mangos in Medellin again nor recommend it to my customers.

Morphus you have some real hate going on there...

Brians comments on Miss Colombia and Other Miss Universe Contestants

Venezuela CLEARLY the winner. Colombia should not even been runner up. She was nice but definately not number 2.Before Simon goes on one of his rampages my wife said the same thing as soon as Colombia walked on stage. When Venezuela walked out I looked at her and said we can now turn it off as there is the winner. No question she was HOT!!!

Brians comments on Happily Married Colombian's to American's. If your out there please post!!!!!!!

Yo estoy muy contento con mi espousa de Medellin. Ella es mi sangre y mi vida. Tenimos una nina que tiene 4 meses. Llevamos tres anos casados.

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

I believe RJ needs an attorney BUT she should not know about it. Based on reading RJ for awhile I don't think there is a major asset claim. However rights she has during divorce can garnish wages. This could cost a pretty penny if she is not working and once again not knowing the state or income situation I will not venture to guess. I was married and divorced 15 years ago and before I had any assets.APL in my state cost me $75,000 because my wife only made minimum amounts she was entitled to a non-deductable alimony payment until we finalized the divorce. She could hold out 2 years before signing the papers before I could proceed without her consent. We were married a couple months and there was no dispute over assets. She went to a lawyer and found out what she was entitled to which she got in the end. $75,000 in hindsight saved me a lot of money rather than sticking in a mistake of a marriage and then going through asset splits.

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

RJ collect evidence but it really doesn't matter whose fault it is...She has rights which she can now exploit which may cost you more. Take my advice and focus on getting this thing wrapped up quick. If she starts the ball rolling (depending on your state of residence) you are are in some trouble so keep her happy and agree that things are not working out. She what you two can agree to end it quickly. DO NOT LISTEN TO YOUR BUDDIES ETC>> WHO WILL STROKE YOUR ANGER BUTTOM. Focus on closing this thing up.

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

Great advice dwmte. I would add on that thought is to not let her know you have contacted an attorney. She needs to be kept calm and her first reaction will be to contact one herself which if she hasn't already can be really bad. RJ you have to remember you are trying to negoiate a quick exit with as little pain as possible. My first advice is always: "When she makes her first offer. PAY IT!!" As unfair as it may seem or how screwed you may feel it won't amount to shit over the rest of your life and the price of a war will only result in you paying that first offer plus attorney fees and shit load of emotional distraction which only you can place a price tag. Like dwmte said "Deal with the high and lowes of all this a bit down the stream."

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

scumbuster that is actually great advice as well. All it takes is an accusation. I don't mean to put fear into R_J but believe me she has probably more power over him than he can imagine (depending on the state). He needs to work this out quickly and hopefully before she becomes aware of her rights. If she goes to a lawyer it is over as the lawyer will advise her not to listen to him and she will then become paranoid and only trust what the lawyer is saying. Forget about deporting etc.. Just focus on getting yourself legally untied even if it means sucking it up and kissing her ass a little to make it happen. I know this sounds crazy but believe me it is the best advice RJ can get.

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

Very true and like I said earlier divorce attorney's are great at letting a woman know her rights immediately. I have gone through so many divorces with clients it can make your head spin. I have two happening as we speak. Anyway the point is if she is being "Coached" then R_J has a problem and you probably do not want to move to piss her off as it will cost more emotion and money. Remember the goal and then get mad after the papers are signed.

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

Mistake number one as this is now viewed as "Abandonment" under the letter of the law. You really have to be careful and I do not know the state which you reside but State laws are generally scripted to protect the woman. Even though she is not permanent she has rights under the law and generally speaking if she as access to an attorney he will let her know quickly what these are and based on this move to negoiate a settlement based on this. Some states have APL (Alimoney pending litigation) in which you can not obtain a divorce for two years unless jointly agreed. The person making the most is required to split the difference with the other until a divorce settlement. This amount is not counted towards the divorce settlement nor tax deductable. Know your state laws!

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

R_J I am probably more of a realist than most people and i would not tell you to try to repair a broken relationship as it probably prolongs and exposes people financially. I think cutting losses is necessary most of the time. What I am saying is that there is exposure and in situations like yours you need to focus on what is important which is you and your financial position and emotional position and not trying to extract revenge. Taking a loss is just that taking a loss so you have to put a price tag on time and emotions. I suggest getting out but even though you may have been screwed you have to focus on "Getting out quick". Make an honest assessment of your goals and hold attorney's advice at arms length. Divorce attorneys financial goals are a direct contradiction of your goals. They have a tendency to stoke fires. Harvest their knowledge of legalities but stay focused on the goal.

Brians comments on PBH Marriage Posts

R_J too bad about your experience as I have read your story unfold. I actually really thought you had a great situation. So sorry to hear about it and would like to hear more. I know you probably don't want to post your story on an internet board but if I can be of help please email me. I might be able to offer some advice as I have seen my share of divorces with clients over the years and have gone through my own. The most important thing is to keep balance and stay focused on what you are trying to do. I will tell you that revenge and anger are your worst enemies at this point.

Brians comments on New Way to Bring Money to Colombia??

Form 4 is real estate I thought that was why you might be looking at this.

Brians comments on New Way to Bring Money to Colombia??

One other thought after thinking about it is it may help (Not sure) on not having to file form 4. Because the brokerage account recieves your stock certificate maybe this would serve as evidence of how money was obtained. Thus might simplify that part but I have no idea. The Form 4 really just proves the origins of the money an thus rpotects from laundering etc.. I assume this creates ample papertrails in that instance but I would have my doubts with getting a straight answer on that from DIAN and I see no advantage. I would want to keep my US stocks in the US and wire money down. Heck I don't even know the recievorship process in Colombia. Are your securities separated from general operating accounts of the brokerage?? I would advise you not to go down this path. Just my thoughts.

Brians comments on New Way to Bring Money to Colombia??

Gringoloid I do not know the ins and outs of opening a brokerage account in Colombia or procedures in producing stock certificates. However I will tell you that your stocks will need to be settled the sale on the US exchange. This is a three day settlement. Thus the conversion back to Pesos would be three days after the sale (In which you will have to pay the commission). This is about the same time as an International wire. I see no advantage and the lack of knowledge of their commission makes this seem a bit expensive. Think about it. If you have shares of Banco Colombia issued in Colombia do you really think you can settle that trade in the USA. Absolutely not as those shares on the NYSE are ADRs and completely differnent than foreign ordinary shares. I could sell them for a client but need to route the trade to Colombia and then convert the settled proceeds back to dollars as all US accounts are dollar denominated. Thus a commsion and a conversion plus whatever time delay in settleing trade..

Brians comments on New Way to Bring Money to Colombia??

Gringoloid the shares are not listed in Colombia. However it is interesting because they could still sell them via an inter-broker relationship in USA and convert back to Pesos for you. However I see no advantage as every brokerage charges a fee like banks on coversions of currency. Therefore a lot of work for no advantage. Even if the shares were listed in Colombia they would not be the same shares which you own on a US exchange. Therefore the shares you buy in US have to be sold in US and visa versa. Each exchange lists shares differently i.e. buying Banco Colombia in USA it is a different share than in Colombia. There are foreign shares in which like mentioned above need to settle on there respective exchange (Colombia) and then converted back to dollars. Then there are ADRs which are actually trusts that represent beneficial ownership of the company in Colombia and settle in the USA but need no conversion. In short no advantage as the MSFT shares you own in US have to be settled on sales in USA and converted back to Pesos.

Brians comments on Canadian Engineer & Colombian Kidnapped near Tolua, Colombia

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Brians comments on Canadian Engineer & Colombian Kidnapped near Tolua, Colombia

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Brians comments on looking for budget hotels in santa marta

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Brians comments on looking for budget hotels in santa marta

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Brians comments on HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!

What people always assume is that it is the day which we gained our independence. However it was really only a year or two into the conflict. The taxes that Britain levied were the main reason for the push and they had started about 10 years earlier (Boston Tea Party etc.). The revolution I guess could be summed up as starting when fighting broke out which was 1775. Even though 20%-30% of the population was still loyal to Britain. The turning point in the David versus Goliath war was when France joined us a few years after the Declaration was signed in 1776. That also aligned us with Spain and basically evened up the war. The war was actually won with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The Constitution signing is what I consider the real date of our new country and still the most important document EVER created. Copied to this day by other countries the "Living and Breathing Document" is really the most innovative thing ever written and which without it would have doomed us to having never really being united as states. I live in Philadelphia and I guess get my share of American history. Spend a lot of time reading the Constitution and going to museums with my wife. She seems to like it but who knows:) Although we have our share of problems in the USA I still believe we are the greatest country in the world. The drafting of the Constitution still amazes me in that these young men where able to create this document. If anyone is ever in Philadelphia please let me take you to the Constitution Center as I believe it is the greatest museum for understanding how this country is governed to this day. Protection of individual rights is the core of the country and even as times change the balance of Presidency, Supreme Court and Congress (even the selection of members to each branch) is an amazing balance that has never been repeated in the world.

Brians comments on Watch the NBA finals at The Tiger Paw in Parque Lleras, Medellin

After reading Sprigimace I am willing to pay $5,000. Man people like to bitch about prices. Don't go like bradenmiami says....Brian you will have your work cut out for you if your clientel bitchs about a friggin 50 cents. I would not want your job.

Brians comments on Visa time table from PBH members..

Probably not a good idea to buy the tickets in advance. You recieve the confirmation and she will recieve one in Colombia in the next few days to a week. Then probably a July interview. The Visa will be sent and recieved about 10 days to two weeks after a successful interview. Some little things like paying the fee to the bank are necessary and cause confusion for a lot of people. However generally if you do eveything right she'll get it in a week or two after the interview. If you just got the packet in the US then I would expect a July interview if you are lucky. However she needs to get her packet and express mail it back and then wait.

Brians comments on FARC Demobilizing?

Agreed terrible reporting. It is almost as the FARC werelaying down their guns from the tones of the article.

Brians comments on Go Peso Go...

Dave don't you earn money in Florida?? Probably going to see further strength with all these good headlines from colombia recently.

Brians comments on Investor Visa (Gator)

Thanks Robi....

Brians comments on Investor Visa (Gator)

Good advice on the TC as i was out of Colombia for 8 motnhs in 2007. Thus I guess my best choice is to make sure I return to Colombia always within the 6 month windows. I wonder how closely they look at those stamps? Colombia does not seem to be really organized with these things. Last idea is to make another investment for over $100,000 and do the Investor Visa simultanously. I think I have filed all the Form 4 and 11 properly but it scares me a little that people like you and Robi have your own concerns as I think you are both more qualified than I in these areas.

Brians comments on Investor Visa (Gator)

Robi tell you the truth what you just said scares me a little. I have the same reciept from Banco de la Republica. I would have hoped that was all I needed. My main problem with the Spousal Visa is based on reading from Gator it looks like I do not qualify for a permanent spusal UNTIL I reside in Colombia for three years. If you are out of country for more than 90 days in a year (which obviously I am) then it starts all over again. I would think you qualify but until I move to Colombia I will have to keep renewing which is a real pain in my ass. Thus I was thinking of trying to get a Investor Visa instead and pay the extra. However that looks like it may be difficult as it sounds like they did not accept the reciept of form 11.

Brians comments on Investor Visa (Gator)

I understand that I don't need an Investor Visa. My question is that the Spousal Visa expires every two years and it is a pain to renew. Since I qualify for an Investor Visa how long are they valid for because I want to avoid having to go to the Consulate all the time. If they expire every 2 years like spousal Visas then no sense in changing Visa types.

Brians comments on Colombia clowns killed on stage

That happened about a year ago and Pepe met his maker about two years ago. Clowns as I understand it are feared for the most part in the countrysides of Colombia. Therefore not surprising...

Brians comments on earthquake///terimoto....

Good article I was actually reading last week and timely after yesterday. Anyway take a couple of minutes to read so you know what to do in an earthquake as most people seem to have bad information: EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: "TRIANGLE OF LIFE" My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake. I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters. The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something. Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY 1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed. 2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it. 3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs. 4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake. 5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair. 6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed! 7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged. 8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked. 9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them. 10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper. Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared! "We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly" In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life." This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV

Brians comments on Hooters Bogotá

First time I saw this and from my point of view this will work well in Colombia.

Brians comments on Selling a house in USA to move to Colombia...

Rubi is that bet in dollar terms? I will take that bet we need to pick the index. I really don't know any other way to track your assumption without a reference. I also want to convert it into dollars to factor out a higher impact of inflation in Colombia. PM me and we can come up with a $ amount that works for you as well as an index but we need to convert this index to dollars as this is the core basis of your theory. So if I am wrong you'll win walking away as I expect real estate to track inflation plus a margin in Colombia so a 25% move in Colombia real estate is expected by me. However dollar rates should wipe this out. So send me a PM.

Brians comments on Selling a house in USA to move to Colombia...

Off topic once again...Roci I take back my comments about you and being overly bearish. However you say you moved to Medellin expecting a 1000 peso exchange rate and now expect 500. Anyway we can agree to disagree buddy as I will be the first to admit I did not expect to see 1750 currently.

Brians comments on Selling a house in USA to move to Colombia...

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Brians comments on What is the best way to invest in oil?

symbol OIL amex. However very rich. Tough short as the market wants to take it to $150. Stay away! Trust me and look at DUG when it breaks to the downside. Get 2x leverage on a short of the oil companies which have a high correlation to Oil obviously. Oil has doubled in the last year alone and is up 12 fold in 10 years. This will change a some point and you do not want to be near it as when it does it will take you years to get even. If you bought GOLD in 1979 you are finally making money.

Brians comments on Selling a house in USA to move to Colombia...

I will tell you this...people are far too pesimistic towards the US currently. Although we may see a long period of time before we have a rebound in liquidity the bottom is close to being realized in housing prices in the US. One rule of thumb for any investor which 99% of the individuals don't do because they are influenced by dailey news headlines: "Invest were capital is scarce". Capital is scarce today in the US and especially in the housing market. The exact opposite has occured in Emerging Markets. Capital is abundantly available because of the commodity boom etc.. What happens when these prices subside somewhat? Capital subsides with it. Look at Dubai etc.. These are the next real estate bubbles in the world in my estimation. Colombia is a bit different but will probably be under pressure as less capital will be available for FDI in various countries.In 2006 70% of the worlds economies experienced accelerating growth. Today only 2 of 35 countries in our global valuation model are experiencing accelerating growth. So if investing in emerging markets was the correct strategy when 70% of the world's economies were accelerating then I find it difficult to believe it is the correct strategy if 94% of the world's economies are decelerating. This is getting off topic a little but I thought I would post it only because reading posts from Rubi and Roci everyday which are constantly overly optimistic in my estimation on Colombia and pessimistic on US are riddled with flaws. I respect their opinions and I did invest in Colombia in 2006 when I felt there was an opportunity. Now it is more difficult in terms of prices and currency. However the US is probably one of the better opportunities in the world today. Selling US assets for Colombian assets is a few years too late unless you can find the right opportunites. I will still invest in Colombia now but only because it is in my longer term plan of dollar cost averaging in and not because I think I will make money in dollar terms. Sorry for going off topic.

Brians comments on Baby Car Seats in Colombia

Fiirst of all you HAVE TO have a car seat. Secondly the only way I could see you strapping that car seat in and out for taxi rides is if you were renting the cab for 1/2 day or something. I would bite the bullet and rent a car or at the least negoiate a taxi guy to be on call for you. I would not want to deal with putting in a car seat and taking it out a bunch of times.

Brians comments on Why is Avianca so confusing?

Once you get on the plane they are great. However the rest of the experience is terrible. One of the most mismanaged companies although pretty much par for the course with airlines. It is just that they are the worst of the worst. However one you get on that plane they are probably one of the best.