Yuk.The cavalier attitude toward Blue Sky there doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth.  

Look to the lender and determine what their taste is for that type of loan, do they hold many in portfolio or is this an off shoot of their primary lending area.   

In the beginning of our rehab adventures, I had a female friend with good design decor taste help me out.

Trying to 'work around them' leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, and isn't a good long term strategy.And to answer your question on the networking, a lot of people on this board go to the meetup at Buffalo Wild Wings

I know whenever I'm bombing around the Gorge with friends at wine tastings I'm not the most inclined to head back to Portland by nightfall.

Many don't put forth the proper effort needed to be successful and it continues to spin around puts a bad taste in other people's mouths.There is a need,Manny

I would not go too far though, some of these are too taste specific and area dependent. 

Now posting pictures of you laying on stacks of 100's that is definitely done in bad taste.

I can't predict the future either but good design and good taste never go out of style!

And of course you can find some nice stuff in Napa as well.Not bad to go visit your property in Napa then do some wine tasting  :)