You know the one thing that I still hear all the time from ALL buyers from the pickest buyers to buyers who can barely qualify to buy anything to investors, ALL cash buyers like I said just about all buyers. How are the schools, tell me about the district, the local elementray school, how is the High school sport team. Schools are important, they say a lot about the local community.

How are your schools? What are you doing to support them? Do you know if your local district even offers enough credits or AP class's for kids to get in to a State College? I happen to know that my local school district offers 6 periods a day (when the state funds only pay for 5) Schools are looking at major budget cuts at a time when most community involvement is at an all time low, if you have read between lines you'll know that this turns out bad for students. 

We as Realtors need to be mad about this, mad as hell if you ask me. This is a time when sure the schools will take your check but they could also use your hand, as you step into the building and do some real good for your local community.

I am just getting back on my blogging horse so I am going to keep it short but leave you with a few links

 http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=59524058844&ref=share

and

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=59832837735&ref=nf

I hope that you "open your window" and do something for kids, for students and for your community by doing something for schools. NO NO not finger pointing we are past that, just do what needs to be done.

lets hope I can find my way back here again soon.

Brooke

Google must have read my last post cause look what they've done!!!

I'm not sure which tool that Google has released is the best.

Google earth Plug in

Google Analytics

 The Google Custom Search bar for your web site

 Adsense for Audio, or the new Google Friends feature.

I guess it doesn't really matter, unless I learn all about this Java code stuff! But here's the link so the the rest of you can use all the Google tools, if you haven't been using them already. And unless you want to send me a finders fee, it won't cost you anything.

 http://code.google.com/more/#products-products-android

Feel free to leave me a tip, after you get it all figured out, and tell me which tool you liked best, I have tried using them all but I have zero HTML or Java whatever know how, until about 4 days ago, and I tend to want things done, before I want to learn how to do them. (which didn't work out to well so I am learning)

And While this link alone is a great Gift for my dad for Father's day, for the rest of you there are only 4 good shopping days left.

What would Google Do?

I tried, I really did Google,I didn't mean to let you down. It was easy to Use your little Earth it was Cute and fun zooming around leaving my mark all over the Earth. But I want more, I want to send out those marks to everyone! Ok I could email, the file but how come I couldn't get it into this Post? I can convert the screen shot into a PDF and save it as a JPEG  as seen above but I couldn't get it so all of you could click it and fly with me.  I guess I just need to know a little bit more to master this trick!

 But look what this school teacher did http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/index.htm this site is what started all of this for me, find his lesson on stonehendge and just click one or two of the movies, I can picture a tour Like his Stonehenge on my web site of the reasons I love Maple Valley; where the schools are, a stop at my office, the view of Mt. Rainier from the Black Diamond Bakery (see I wish I could have done it) and more. 

http://www.seero.com/  May do it all for you a FREE site that puts videos in Maps!!!

And two sites for learning how to use Google Earth these are advanced site's as in they were over my head and didn't really help me!!!   http://digitalurban.blogspot.com/search/label/Google%20Earth,  http://freegeographytools.com/2007/google-earth-plus-do-you-really-need-it,

After all that is said and done, I think I am still on a learning curve with google earth, If I can do it with Videos quick and easy may become a part of my tool box, until then there are easier ways to map a listing, Google is all about easy and free, I love what they are doing with the Android. http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/index.html

 With a title like that I figure I can set the expectations real low. Seriously low. Even lower, than the offer your clients dragged you away from some family event to write up. Anyhow I didn't drag you here to talk about my low standard, I was just trying to let you know, if you don't expect much then I won't let you down as far as my first blog goes.I feel a bit like I am walking a virtual plank, I am about to take a huge plunge,most of you who seem to blog all day and night and post and post, may think I am silly.  But I don't think I have posted a single thing before and taken credit for it until now! So from here on out, I have to stand up and take the good with the bad, there is a name (and soon Colleen very soon a Photo) attached to every word of wisdom, or wise crack that I type. So many fears! Will no one even look? Will no one even care? Finally I spill all of my worldly wisdom, and not a comment, not a critic to dull to boring too dumb to even deserve the meekest of following. Or will it be worse if they do show up and disagree, or point out my errors? That my views are flawed, and my comma's aren't used in the correct way! Maybe I should just stop right here and get a good firm grip on the back space button hold it down long enough until all my fears disappear right off the screen!!!  That thought was so comforting it even made me smile :) but that's not the point really is it, and the thing is I am actually pretty excited about developing a new skill, about stepping outside my comfort zone and pushing the envelope. The point for me is developing better Real Estate Relationships, so that I can represent my clients in the best light in this and future markets. I am excited about Real Estate and Technology; I am excited about everything that it makes possible.  I read my first blog today on active-rain posted by My Broker Colleen Fischesser owner of                    Maple Valley WA. The blog title was The Price of this Brisk Technology Pace.

And while I agree a lot with Colleen (My poor kids will write in cursive if the schools teach them or I do) I so see the other side of the coin. My kids get to see their grandparents who live in California at least twice a week sometimes more because of video conferencing, they have a much stronger connection because  of technology. If we use technology to enhance our lives and our business by taking the time to learn and use the right tools the right ways, I think that we can have better relationships than ever before. See how I just talked myself right back into blogging!!

If you want to be amazed by technology and in awe of what our future will hold for us go to think.com or  http://www.thinkquest.org/ it is a web design contest for kids ages 9-19 the kids work in teams some international teams all online to create amazing web sites. Connecting to a Global community, each kid making a difference locally and internationally you have to see for yourself, there is a library of past winners.

Technology done right can help better manage our time and put global reach in our local community.