"Proof", I suppose, that USofA is on the skids.

What happens, I wonder, to those families of gastropods that get treated so callously by the cold-blooded lenders?

VZ: On the skids? You bet. Where do you want me to start? The stupid war in Iraq is still in full speed while bridges in this country are falling apart. People go bankrupt, because they got sick and can't afford the health insurance. The gay bashing Republicans in the US Senate and Congress turn out to be gays, which is for me an apotheosis of hypocrisy... You bet the country is in the skids, but new hope is on the horizon.
Remember this one?
http://www.nostalgia.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Sketches_from_the_Forgotten_Coast:_Waiting_for_the/

Looks like a prime estate. I guess the occupant just couldn't afford it. A sad sign of the times

VZ: Sad times indeed, Martin.

My wife used to work for an estate agent. They have just closed her office down...houses not selling. So this is a very appropriate image Viktor!

VZ: I hear you, Bill. A prominent housing developer has killed himself recently here in Atlanta, being depressed about the state of affairs in the housing business.

The American photographer Henry Ries said you always have to look your surounding with two pairs of eyes! Yes, reading the news from the States and the given comments I well understand the symbolic meaning and feel how sad this "sign of the times" must be!
On the other hand I admire the beautiful intact snail's shell and I would like to take it with me and put it to my shell collection at home- or it is better to leave it there on the rocks hoping that perhaps an other animal could find there a new fine, comfortable home?

VZ: I've never heard of Henry Reis before, Philine. Had to google his name. What a fascinating biography! You do need two pairs of eyes and, I'd add, two pairs minds, if you're into photography.

It makes you want to reach out and touch the shell. This foreign texture on the tree. It is beautiful.

VZ: Do you remember I was developing the texture theory, inspired by the color theory? I'm still toying with it, and this is a bright example.

Oh, sorry, no 'rocks', Kelly may be right- the shell adheres to a tree- is it possible that the shell is still alive, inhabited by ...

VZ: Kelly is right, Philine. I was thrilled by the contrast between the rough and chaotic texture of the tree bark and the smoothness and regularity of the shell.
The shell was abandoned. Apparently, the snail couldn't afford such a fancy house anymore.

ha! nice

VZ: ha! thanks

Thank you for showing us this home. Visualization of the true costs of our excess is necessary.

VZ: My pleasure, Edward Douglas Rogers.

VZ: Tsk, always seing the glass 1/4 full with ice. Of course its' the creatures own fault. He built a home that was beyond his means. Now it can be possesed by someone who really deserves it.

VZ: Yep. That's what Fox News folks would like you to believe.
I'm sure a corporate snail will snatch the house for cheap.

the slowing down of the economy is hitting home in the UK at the moment. We have floods with many displaced, patients left on trolleys in hospital corridors, fuel shortages with a gallon of fuel costing £6.55 etc etc. This week the government announced a further 855 troops would be sent to Afganistan with a further 520 to Irak. I'm so pleased that the UK government are treating us so well!.... mal

VZ: Oh, man. You pay more than $13 a gallon of gas and there is still no revolution in sight in England and people don't march on the streets of Biritish cities? You Brits have a lot of patience, I must admit, unlike Germans. Look at this http://m.usatoday.com/detail.jsp?key=862768

oh vz thats deep and maybe tomorrow i will give you my views on the new world order that the politicians over there are desperate for, sad thing is for every closure, someone somewhere will be making money out of it,buts that the world we live in and it sucks, have a good weekend matey

VZ: I'll be waiting for your weekend thoughts on the new world order, Tim.

the poor mollusk should be thankful that he doesn't have to withstand the bright red signs and locks on his door.

very nice photo, it should resemble a city near you soon!
cheers!

VZ: A shell city full of empty shells. What a horrifying picture you described here, danny, which might eventually become a reality. Thank God only five months left to the end of the nightmare.

well captured vz

VZ: Good to hear from you, doc.

I like the textures and your reason for showing. I work in the financial sector but luckily we didnt end up doing much sub prime business.

VZ: Your boss was smart enough not to go into that subprime mortgage business, Nig. Good for him. Glad you're still afloat.

Ahahh! With the crisis it would mortgage global this is what happens, you remain without home in abrir and closing of eyes! I like much this composition and this tonality!

VZ: How can one argue with the representative of the Champions of the European Cup? One more time, Jose, my sincere congratulations. This team deserved every bit of it.