BridgeGate20.com

It’s been awhile, and I’ve been under the weather a bit. I
don’t really have a column type blog today, just some simple
observations that have revealed themselves as I continue my
journey into “Middle-Aged Wisdom”. I hope you, the reader, find
some value from the following. I’ve learned these lessons
through my journey so far, and hope that I’ll be around long
enough to post my “Old Age Wisdom.”

1. True friendship is a rare and fleeting thing. You’ll never
know who your friends are until you’re in a bind. A friend will
give you the helping hand required to get back on your feet.
True friendships have been tested and tempered by the passage of
time and crisis. Each milestone strengthens the bond between two
people.

2. There are no “Mulligans” in life. For those of you who don’t
follow golf; a Mulligan is a do over; Bill Clinton was famous
for these on the golf course. Here’s the bottom line. Live your
life the way you want to. Do and experience as much as you can
in your life. There is only one go around, so make your choices
carefully and live them heartily. Don’t waste too much time
mulling over mistakes. Learn from them but don’t fret over them.
The road to wisdom is paved with misjudgment.

3. Enjoy the knowledge and love of your parents; nobody, not
even your spouse, will love you as much as your Mom and Dad.
Once they’re gone, you are truly on your own.

4. Listen to that little voice inside your head when it talks to
you. It’s called a conscience; if it feels wrong don’t be
swayed. If it feels right, follow through. Sometimes over
thinking and overanalyzing can paralyze one to inaction.
Inaction creates missed opportunities and missed opportunities
create regret.

5. Always tell the truth, that way you never have to remember
what you said in a prior conversation.

6. Experience love, at least once. Only through Love can one
experience the euphoric highs and lows of the human condition.
Love needs to be experienced at least once to understand the
driving force behind the sexes.

7. Laugh. This is the healthiest thing one can do for both mind
and body. Laughing releases beneficial endorphins into the human
blood stream and is a great cardiovascular workout.

8. Know the difference between SEX and LOVE. There is a
difference; one act is a carnal pleasure the other is an
intimate entangling of two souls.

9. Pick and choose your battles wisely. Not every conflict
requires verbal or physical combat. Defend your principals and
your honor, everything else isn’t worth the aggravation.

10. Don’t fear what you don’t understand. If you fear the
unknown you will remain forever ignorant. Welcome the unknown
mysteries of life and relish the journey of discovery found
therein.

11. Ask questions from those you deem wiser than yourself. The
journey to wisdom often starts with “May I ask you a question?”
The elder generation, though mocked in our society and culture,
are revered in every other society. They have already traveled
most of life’s journey and can impart their experiences to those
of us who haven’t traveled as far or as long.

I hope somebody gains something from the above tidbits. Most may
be common sense or simple practical knowledge. I, however, have
discovered that even the most fundamental wisdom is often
overlooked.

Be well on your journey.

Greg B (Sparhawk)

Subprime mortgages offer more flexibility with down payments
than conventional home loans. You can choose to put nothing or
over 20% down. And with a subprime mortgage, you don’t have to
worry about paying private mortgage insurance.

Zero-Down Mortgages

Zero-down mortgages allow people with little money for initial
costs to buy a home. Even with a zero-down mortgage you can
expect to pay loan fees and points, which can still add up to a
couple of thousands. However, there are financing plans that
wrap loan costs into the mortgage.

The basic zero-down mortgage consists of one loan or two. If
your lender decides to split your mortgage, you may need to find
another lender to carry the second mortgage.

Zero-down mortgages come at a cost of higher interest rates.
They also have larger monthly payments since the mortgage is for
a larger amount.

Large Down Payments

A large down payment adds equity to your property quickly. You
also have lower monthly payments by having a smaller mortgage.
In some cases, a large down payment can qualify you for a loan,
in spite of a poor credit record.

If you have the cash for a large down payment, you may also want
to look at purchase points up front. You can lower your interest
rate, saving you thousands if you keep the loan for several
years. You can also waive prepayment fees, usually by paying a
point.

Subprime Lenders

Subprime lenders offer a variety of financing solutions. If you
are unsure how much you want to borrow, start by requesting
quotes from lenders for different financing options. This way
you can compare numbers and look for a lender who offers the
best rates and terms.

You can use the internet to gather this information quickly. You
can get quotes through websites or email. However, don’t give a
lender permission to submit a financing bid until you are ready
to apply. Every time a financial company checks your credit
history, your credit score takes a hit. Even if you don’t follow
through with the loan, it still affects you. Fortunately, most
lenders are willing to provide quotes to allow you to make the
best financial decision.

Picture yourself driving a car or lying on a beach blanket on a hot, sunny day. If you had less than 20/20 vision and if this scenario was set decades ago, chances are you would be rummaging in your bag for tinted prescription lenses to clip on to your eye glasses. Fast-forward to the 21st century where things are done differently. Sure, clip-ons are still widely available, but they’re hardly the only choice anymore. Today, with prescription sunglasses, people with less than perfect vision can look cool but not compromise their need for visual clarity.

There are many types of prescription sunglasses to suit any individual’s taste and style. Those who prefer clip-ons may consider fitovers, which are separate sun glasses designed to “fit over” existing prescription eyewear. Then there are devices called “adapters.” Adapters are prescription lenses designed to snap on the bridge of a pair of sunglasses - thereby transforming them into corrective sunglasses. And of course, there are prescription sunglasses whose lenses are ground to the user’s specifications. Usually, the frame and prescription lenses are purchased from the same manufacturer. Famous brands offer this service - among them Oakley and Costa del Mar.

Corrective sunglasses are also a necessity for a number of people who engage in sports. If you’ve ever watched a professional basketball game (such as those held by the NBA), you’ve probably seen some of the players wearing snug goggles - these are pretty much like prescription sunglasses, but the latter are geared for outdoor use. So, corrective sunglasses are very popular among athletes such as bikers, race car drivers, snow sports enthusiasts, and many others. And as can be expected, there are numerous popular styles, such as Ray-Ban’s classic aviator style and the snug, wrap-around style. Prescription lenses used to be difficult to fit into wrap-around shades; the curve of the frame would require the lenses to be bent, thus distorting images. But quite a number of manufacturers nowadays are able to work around this difficulty and provide corrective lenses for trendy wrap-around shades.

Lenses are available in a wide variety of materials. Even though glass used to be the material of choice because of the optics quality it provides, many people are eschewing it now because of its weight and its propensity to break when hit. Today, prescription lenses are usually made from polycarbonate, high-index, and CR-39 (regular plastic). There is even something called a photochromic lens. This kind of lens is dark in bright sunlight, but turns lighter and more translucent when sunlight is reduced - for instance, when the wearer goes indoors. It may be very convenient because the user doesn’t have to remove his or her corrective sunglasses to put on regular glasses. But remember that some photochromic lenses are not designed for ultraviolet (UV) ray protection. And one of the prerequisites of good quality sunglasses, corrective or otherwise, is that they should be at least 90 percent effective in blocking UVA and UVB rays.

People with more complicated vision problems than astigmatism or myopia - such as presbyopia - can also benefit from the wide variety of prescription sunglasses out there today. Those with presbyopic vision oftentimes need bifocals or progressive lenses, which are available in sunglass version. Bifocal sunglasses that are ready to wear (if you already know your prescription) are available from brands such as Action Tropics.

Another innovation in optical wear that are of great benefit to those with vision problems has to do with polarized lenses. This type of lens can be used for corrective sunglasses. The main benefit of polarized sunglasses is that they block the glare that results from sunlight bouncing on surfaces like water, pavement, and snow. They filter the light waves that cause the glare, but allow other types of light wave in, so the wearer gets to enjoy sights under a bright sun naturally, but without having to strain the eyes by squinting against sunlight.

Before going out to purchase a pair of prescription sunglasses, it would be best to visit an eye expert to determine the grade of glasses you need. If you wear contact lenses, remember that your contact lens grade may be different from your spectacles grade. Remember also that certain types of frames may not be suitable for you - either because they are not suited to your face, or because the lenses you need are too thick to fit into the frame you want. In any case, an optician or another eye professional can give you advice and help you choose the right pair of prescription sunglasses for you.

Sunglassology.com provides you with information on prescription sunglasses, where to buy, which are crap and which are slick. From baseball sunglasses to prescription sunglasses. http://www.sunglassology.com