Growth Leader, Week Eleven - 06/29/09 05:39 PM
Week eleven came in with 43 visitors to my web site, on par with the previous week which had 47 visitors.
The percentage of visitors who have signed up for listing alerts in these eleven weeks is at 71%, well above our goal of 10%.
I got one new prospect out of the 43 visitors, bringing my total to nine active prospects in eleven weeks.
Although no inactive prospects have returned to my site, I have had additional contact (through email) from a current active prospect who was interested in viewing property.  However, my follow-up calls and emails have received no … (7 comments)

Your Blog - In Every Language - 06/29/09 01:08 PM

Via Elizabeth Bolton - Cambridge MA Real Estate Agent (Coldwell Banker Cambridge, Massachusetts):
I was looking through the visits to my blog this morning and discovered something really cool.  Sitemeter shows you the visits to your website and you can click to see the page that brought them there - the google, yahoo, bing search or whatever.
Well I clicked on one of the links to see the referring site and what did I see but my blog - in Spanish!!  
It's yet another nifty Google application - Google Translate.  Someone in Spain was reading my blog in Spanish via Google Translate. … (2 comments)

Red-light cameras in the City of San Diego - 06/29/09 12:44 PM

If you don't know it by now, Big Brother is here, and he's keeping his eye on you, all in the interest of safety and the good of the public.
If you walk into a grocery store in San Diego County, it's highly probable that you'll see some television screens, and if you're lucky, you'll see your smiling face on them.
If you get gas at almost any service gasoline station, inside there are a couple of television screens keeping an eye on everyone at the gas pumps.
If you go to any mall, don't look now, but there's a … (12 comments)

SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Baby meerkat - 06/28/09 11:21 PM
Usually I plan my trips to the San Diego Zoo but today I went just because.
I always stop by the meerkats and was able to get this picture of a new little cutie at the Zoo:

I'm not sure who the daddy was, possibly the one in the picture, although he was in a group of four who really looked proud:

That's mommy's feet at the left in the picture.
… (13 comments)

SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Federal Stimulus money and universal health care - 06/28/09 10:53 AM
I was over at the San Diego Zoo recently, and on my way out to the parking lot after my visit, I passed a car with an unusual graphic on it.
Now I know that there are pigs at the Zoo -- wild ones, not people ones -- well, there are people pigs at the Zoo, too, but nonetheless....
I didn't know that the Federal Stimulus money and our desire for universal health care had already created the Swine Flu Response Team. I wonder if they were checking the pig pigs or the people pigs.

*****
Jim Frimmer, Realtor, Century … (9 comments)

Turn the mundane into the unusual - 06/28/09 09:57 AM
While many people become jealous of what others are able to do, I take what they can do as suggestions of what I myself could actually do.
I think inspiration is a far better emotion than jealousy.
Downtown at Seaport Village, there are often people who can balance rocks. Now I'm not talking about one rock, I'm talking about a big rock on top of a little rock on top of a big rock on top of a medium rock, etc. Seaport Village gets quite windy, but the wind doesn't seem to affect their ability to balance those dadgum (dadgum?) rocks.
… (9 comments)

East San Diego County numbers you can use - 06/25/09 10:07 PM
Animals or pets loose on the street? Need a dead animal removed? Did you miss trash collection? Know of a traffic signal that is not working, or vandalized or missing street signs?
Following are numbers for assistance in East San Diego County.
El CajonAnimal Control for dead animal removal or loose animals or pets on the streets - 619-441-1580Waste Management for missed trash collection - 619-596-5100Streets Division for road debris or street sweeping - 619-441-1658Traffic Engineering for traffic signal malfunctions - 619-441-1653 La MesaAnimal Control for dead animal removal or loose animals or pets on the streets - 619-667-1436EDCO Disposal for … (5 comments)

East San Diego County municipal government numbers - 06/25/09 09:15 PM

If something needs fixing in your neighborhood -- potholes, graffiti, non-working street lights, etc. -- you can contact your city goverment to request repairs.
Many city governments are understaffed and under budgeted, so any help you can provide to help keep our cities and neighborhoods safe is appreciated.
Following are some of the most common numbers for cities in East San Diego County.
El CajonPublic works - 619-441-1658Graffiti hotline - 619-441-5533 La MesaPublic works - 619-667-1450 Lemon GrovePublic works - 619-825-3810 City of San DiegoStreet Division - 619-527-7500Water Department - 619-515-3525Transportation Engineering - 619-533-3126Graffiti hotline - 619-525-8522Waste code violations - … (4 comments)

Recycling centers in East San Diego County - 06/25/09 07:01 PM
Recycling centers throughout San Diego County vary in hours of operation, what items they accept, and whether or not they pay for certain recyclable materials.
There are several resources that can help you with recycling:
I Love A Clean San Diego County at ilacsd.org. If you live in an incorporated city, call 1-800-237-BLUE. If you live in an unincorporated community,call 1-877-R-1-Earth or go to sdcounty.ca.gov/dpw/recycling/index.html. Following is a list of recycling centers in East San Diego County:
AlpineViejas Transfer Station7850 Campbell Ranch Road619-445-8472Hours: Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. El CajonAmerican Recycling210 El Cajon Boulevard619-593-0089Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. … (6 comments)

WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): San Diego Zoo tiger slide show - 06/24/09 07:28 PM
The San Diego Zoo has five Malayan tigers in residence, but they usually spend most of their time sleeping.
Unfortunately, their sleeping quarters are out of view of the general public.
A recent visit, though, found three of the tigers running and frolicking.
Well, maybe running and frolicking might be putting it a little too strongly, especially for one of them.
You'll understand.
Just enjoy the slide show that I've put together for you. If the slide show here doesn't work on your computer, click here to watch it at slide.com. And remember to put the Zoo and the tigers on … (13 comments)

Getting business from home and garden shows, fairs, and carnivals - 06/24/09 10:59 AM
Each year here in San Diego County, we have four major home and garden shows, as well as one of the nation's largest Fairs, the San Diego County Fair.
Each year I consider getting a booth at the home and garden shows, as well as at the San Diego County Fair.
Each year, after careful consideration, I vote no.
Instead, I find that I can get a lot of business, and have a lot more fun, simply by walking around the fairs and home and garden shows with my company shirts on and leaving a business card at every booth I … (12 comments)

Encinitas ranked #3 surf town in America - 06/23/09 11:27 PM
Surfer magazine has released in its July issue a list of the Top 10 surfer towns in America, with California claiming the #1 and #3 spots. Santa Cruz came in #1, probably not a surprise to anyone who follows surfing, with Haleiwa, Hawaii, claiming the runner-up spot.
Right there in the bronze medal position is San Diego County's own Encinitas, possibly a surprise since the Los Angeles area -- Huntington Beach, Malibu Beach, Manhattan Beach, etc. -- often claims to have surfing equal to Santa Cruz.
Encinitas is a sleepy, albeit somewhat expensive, seaside community about 20 miles north of downtown San Diego. Encinitas … (7 comments)

If you need help, don't be afraid to ask.... - 06/23/09 10:48 PM
I've found that the morning is the best time to go because the Zoo keepers are feeding and caring for their special friends, and with my trusty new camera in hand, I get to share with my ActiveRain friends things that are new or unusual for me.
Yesterday morning found me over at the new Elephant Odyssey where the elephants were getting pedicures. Elephant pedicure tools are similar to those used in human spans and salons, except perhaps a little bigger.
Elephants in the wild walk long distances, which helps keep their feet in good condition, whereas at a Zoo they … (3 comments)

California Foreclosure Prevention Act - 06/23/09 04:15 AM

Via Dave Roberts (Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty):
Yesterday, June 15, 2009, was the start of a new program in California called the California Foreclosure Prevention Act. The main goal of this legislation was to encourage mortgage loan servicers to be more aggressive with their loan modification efforts to try to keep people in their homes. There is an additinoal 90 day period between the Notice of Default and the Notice of Sale in which the lender and homeowner can work out a loan modification. The law was passed in February but is just going into effect now.
There's a lot of confusion … (1 comments)

Presenting Mission Greens in Mission Valley, San Diego, California - 06/22/09 06:19 PM
Mission Greens is a condominium complex in the heart of Mission Valley, zip code 92108.
There are 212 units in Mission Greens ranging in size from 644 square feet to 1,794 square feet, with floor plans from one bedroom and one bathroom to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. HOA fees are $335 per month. Some units also have laundry facilities.
As of June 1, 2009, there were no units for sale in Mission Greens. Unit #189, a 3 bedrooms/two bathrooms unit of 1,279 square feet, is in pending status at a list price of $315,000. Other than that, the most recent sale in … (4 comments)

SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): I can too get up early! - 06/21/09 10:50 PM
My marketing guru got up very early the other day and went to the San Diego Zoo.
Without me!
Can you believe it?
Without me!
He claimed that I'm not a morning person. Well, okay, he's got a point there. However, he also told me that he discovered that the best time to go to the Zoo is in the morning when they first open because all the wildlife is being fed, or has been fed and is eating.
So he told me last night that he was going to go walking at the Zoo again this morning. Ha! Did I … (7 comments)

I might play the lottery now! - 06/21/09 10:24 PM
Various lotteries have been around for as long as I can remember, yet I can honestly say that I've never played one, and I've never gambled money on anything, even when I've had to take friends to the various casinos here in San Diego. It's something that has never interested me, until now perhaps.
Seems that several California sports teams are talking with the State of California about producing sports team-related scratch-off lottery tickets. Apparently the New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, and Boston Red Sox already have such deals in place with their state lotteries.
Hmmm. Since I can't afford the … (6 comments)

The $2 million candle.... (and you thought real estate was expensive) - 06/21/09 06:47 PM
Rarely does the newspaper or the television follow up on what caused a house fire. Once the big news is over with -- big fire, property damage, personal injuries or deaths -- well, all the news that's fit to print or talk about is over with. Each day brings new doom and gloom -- no time for old doom and gloom.
Consequently, when I was a home inspector from October 2001 to August 2005, the boss taught me to keep on the lookout for causes of home fires because they make good personal interest stories for the Clients.
Earlier this month … (9 comments)

Why didn't schools have positive reinforcement when I was young? - 06/21/09 06:02 PM
I was one of those studious youngsters -- I went to school because I enjoyed learning.
Well, except for math. Didn't enjoy learning math. Still don't like math. Nonetheless....
I never skipped school -- even math class -- because if mom or dad ever found out, I'd get a whipping. How did I know that? Because they told me so. They also told me that I would get a whipping for doing other things, too, like lieing, stealing, cheating, etc.
Mom and dad also rewarded me with cake, ice cream, a trip to Disneyland, even a long-distance trip to the San Diego … (6 comments)

SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Pink flamingo nesting season - 06/21/09 10:08 AM
On this Father's Day, let's talk about mommies -- LOL.
It's nesting season at the San Diego Zoo for the Pink Flamingos.
Although three mommies apparently got started early and have little one-month old chicks, all the other mommies seem to be following through on staying together as a community to lay the eggs and keep them warm.
When I was there a few days ago, every nest had a big bird sitting on it. Suddenly a flock of mallards dropped down out of the sky looking like one big predator, which obviously upset all the mommies. The immediately stood up … (5 comments)

Viking Range refrigerator recall - 06/20/09 04:21 AM

Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Viking Range Corporation have announced a voluntary recall of Viking built-in 48-inch side-by-side refrigerator/freezers and built-in 36-inch refrigerators with bottom freezers.
"Viking has received 57 reports of doors detaching, including four reports of injuries involving bruises, broken toes/fingers, and strains, and minor damage to floors and counters."
The recalled refrigerators sold for between $4,725 and $6,400 from July 1999 through April 2006.
Free-standing models and the 42-inch models are not involved in the recall, and only certain model numbers and serial numbers, affecting … (3 comments)

Make a splash on the SEAL! - 06/19/09 06:53 PM
If you live in San Diego, or you're coming to San Diego to visit, there's one thing that I think you absolutely have to do.
I can't believe that I've lived here since 1988 and never knew about this until very recently when my marketing guru and I discovered it and did it as part of our fifteenth anniversary.
It's Sea and Land Adventures' "San Diego Seal Tour." You board a strange-looking vehicle at Seaport Village in downtown San Diego, take a drive along the Embarcadero over to Shelter Island, and then, magically, your vehicle turns into a boat and takes … (14 comments)

The Flying Seagulls - 06/18/09 01:27 PM
Usually my Clients come to my office. Today, though, I went over to my Client's house since she lives out near Mission Bay. That would give me a great opportunity to get my daily walk in on the sands at the beach.
So I got up very early to miss rush hour traffic and headed to the beach. I got a three-hour casual stroll in before heading over to my Client's house.
I found two seagulls that were playing with each other, and when I walked up, they decided to play with me. They would fly off the shore and come … (13 comments)

Presidio Place in Mission Valley, San Diego, California - 06/18/09 12:33 PM
Presidio Place is a condominium complex in the heart of
Mission Valley, zip code 92110.
There are 402 units in Presidio Place ranging in size from
695 square feet to 1,834 square feet, with floor plans from one bedroom and one bathroom to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. HOA fees range from $370 to $499 per month. Most units also have laundry facilities.
As of June 1, 2009, there were only two units for sale in Presidio Place:
#199, 1 bedroom/2 bathrooms, 854 square feet, $179,900 #383, 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1,120 square feet, $295,000 Along with the swimming pool and spa (required for … (8 comments)

The inspirational story of Capt. Wesley Moore - 06/17/09 11:40 PM
Today I was watching an interview of a Capt. Wes Moore.
Capt. Moore was kicked out of school for vandalism at the age of 12 and sent to a military academy. Ten years later, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University, was named a Rhodes Scholar in 2000, joined the Army and did a tour of duty in Afghanistan, was promoted to Captain, won a White House Fellowship, and became an investment banker. He's only 30.
Capt. Moore is currently writing a book about two Wesley Moores, both the same age, both from Baltimore, and both of them winding … (11 comments)

WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): San Diego Zoo slide show - 06/17/09 09:33 PM
Since the National Association of Realtors 2009 Convention is coming to San Diego this November, I thought I'd take a lot of my unused San Diego Zoo pictures and make a slide show to help encourage you to come to San Diego, if not for the Convention, perhaps sometime this summer.
Although the San Diego Zoo is also an international arboretum, this slide show will focus on just the animals. I'll do another slide show in the future on the wonderful plants and flowers at the Zoo.
Other blog posts about the Convention can be found by clicking on NAR 2009 Convention … (22 comments)

Wordless Wednesday: Let me help you.... - 06/17/09 04:02 PM
I was 9 when I first visited a Zoo, that being the Los Angeles Zoo.
I thought it was the coolest thing to see so much different wildlife that I had previously only seen in books or on television.
Since then, I've been to a good forty or fifty zoos, and since I live just fourteen miles from one of the world's greatest zoos, I maintain an annual pass so that I can just zip in anytime I want to see something specific, like babies or special events, or just to stroll around in order not to have to sit in … (17 comments)

San Diego Trolley - 06/15/09 08:24 PM
It's not too early to prepare for the National Association of Realtors 2009 Convention here in San Diego, November 13-16.
You can find all sorts of information about the Convention at the official NAR Convention web site, but I'll be doing some blog entries up through the convention about "America's Finest City," things to do, places to go, people to see, etc.
I'll eventually put all the NAR 2009 Convention blog entries under NAR 2009 Convention San Diego, but the tags don't seem to be working right now.
Since the Convention is being held at the San Diego Convention Center on … (6 comments)

SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Public art - 06/14/09 10:27 PM
I enjoy public art just as much as the next person, which means that I don't have much appreciation for a lot of what is called public art.
I understand that art is in the eye of the beholder, so I like to walk along the Embarcadero down at the Bay to see what kind of public art has been installed to test our eyes.
This morning I decided to drive to the Bay and park, and then spend my daily walk absorbing the sights and sounds of the Harbor, Bay, and downtown at dawn. I'm not sure how far it … (11 comments)

Start getting ready for the NAR convention in San Diego in November - 06/14/09 08:58 PM
If you don't yet know it, the National Association of Realtors
will be holding its 2009 Convention right here in San Diego,
November 13-16, at the San Diego Convention Center downtown
on the Bay.
Although you can find all sorts of information about the Convention at the official NAR Convention web site, I'll have more personal information for you over the coming months, including my own personal restaurants, my favorite downtown hotels, places to go and things to do, etc.
I'll also have some free passes to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park which will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. … (8 comments)

Cute Little Funnies to get your Weekend Started....SMILE :-) - 06/13/09 10:44 PM
I've had a long day showing properties, so I really appreciated this humor that Gail MacMillan provided me while I'm trying to get my 10 comments in for the day. Thanks Gail. Hope my readers got a good laugh, too.
Via Gail MacMillan - CRS, e-PRO, GRI ~ Titusville FL Real Estate Brevard County (Home Sweet Home Florida Realty):
Kids seem to have a unique perspective on the things adults say and expect of them.  Nowhere is this more evident than the relationship between teacher and student.  Without further ado these should bring a smile to your face as you remember your own school … (7 comments)

Lake Murray, San Diego, California, presented by Jim Frimmer, Century 21 Award Realtor - 06/13/09 01:07 PM
Lake Murray is a reservoir within Mission Trails Regional Park and is maintained by the San Diego Water District. When the Lake is full, there are 171 surface acres, a maximum depth of 95 feet, and 3.2 miles of shoreline.
Although the Lake is completely within the City of San Diego, Mission Trails Regional Park also borders La Mesa and Santee.
Surrounding Lake Murray is Lake Murray Community Park and the Mission Trails Golf Course. There are 10 barbecues and 64 picnic tables located around the lake. You can bring your own barbecues for use in designated areas. No ground fires or glass … (5 comments)

FREE Windows 2000, XP, and Vista programs for reducing the size of your pictures - 06/12/09 09:21 PM

Via Russel Ray, San Diego Marketing & Business Consultant (Russel Ray):

As digital cameras keep increasing the resolution -- and size! -- of digital pictures, and as pictures become more and more an integral part of the lives of Realtors, if they haven't already, we increasingly need a way to manage the size of the digital picture files taking up space on our computers. And we won't even talk about digital video and audio files.
PROBLEM: A few months ago I bought a new computer running Windows Vista. A few weeks ago I bought a new digital SLR camera, a … (5 comments)

FREE Windows 2000, XP, and Vista programs for reducing the size of your pictures - 06/12/09 08:54 PM
As digital cameras keep increasing the resolution -- and size! -- of digital pictures, and as pictures become more and more an integral part of the lives of Realtors, home inspectors, and others, if they haven't already, we increasingly need a way to manage the size of the digital picture files taking up space on our computers. And we won't even talk about digital video and audio files.
PROBLEM: A few months ago I bought a new computer running Windows Vista. A few weeks ago we got a new digital SLR camera, a Canon Rebel XSi. On our old Windows XP … (15 comments)

Ocean Beach, California, presented by Jim Frimmer, San Diego County Century 21 Award Realtor - 06/12/09 01:14 AM
Ocean Beach, affectionately known locally as OB (no initials), is a neighborhood within the San Diego city limits, only about five miles north of downtown San Diego. It likes to call itself an "unpretentions beach community," being a fairly liberal community in the heart of a fairly conservative city. Shops are still locally owned and managed, although a Starbucks moved in several years ago, causing quite a controversy.
Along with the morning marine layer of clouds followed by the afternoon sun, there are jet airplanes roaring overhead after taking off from San Diego International Airport, military helicopters doing an occasional fly-by, dogs … (11 comments)

The Courtyards in Mission Valley, San Diego, California - 06/11/09 09:33 PM
The Courtyards is a condominium complex in the heart of Mission Valley, zip code 92110.
There are 340 units in The Courtyards ranging in size from 816 square feet to 1,969 square feet, with floor plans from one bedroom and one bathroom to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. HOA fees range from $255 to $500 per month. Most units also have laundry facilities.
As of June 1, 2009, there were only three units for sale in The Courtyards:
#1304, 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, 816 square feet, $199,000 #2203, 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 1,176 square feet, $370,000 $2206, 1 bedroom/1 bathroom, 816 square feet, … (4 comments)

Anyone you know? - 06/10/09 12:01 PM
There are a lot of cliches that we use to describe other people, some flattering and some not so flattering.
One of the not-so-flattering cliche is "slow as a snail." There are some advantages to being slow, such as being deliberate in one's deliberations.
Some would say that perhaps the Federal bailout of the banks and AIG, the "cure" for an ailing automotive industry, and even the Federal Stimulus Bill might have needed a little more deliberation before action was taken.
Some would say that action wasn't taken fast enough.
Do you know anyone who is as slow as a snail? … (11 comments)

Southern California's Faces & Places Photo Contest - 06/09/09 11:58 PM
Calling all photographers, amateurs and professionals!
Capture Southern California in a photograph and you could win big time!
How it works:
Photographs can be submitted by anyone, anywhere, but must be taken in the Southern California region. There are two divisions: Amateur and Professional Entry fees for Amateurs are $10 for 1 phone, and $15 for 2-6 photos. Entry fees for Professionals are $20 for 1 photo, and $25 for 2-6 photos. Categories are (1) Action shots, (2) Animals/Pets, (3) Beach life, (4) Nature/Environment, and (5) People Entry deadline is August 31, 2009 Enter online at SoCalPhotoContest.com Here's what you could … (7 comments)

When is the right time to buy a home? - 06/08/09 11:47 PM
If you ask ten people when is the right time to buy a home, you'll probably get ten different answers, including some of the following:
Now! When you have money saved up for a down payment. When your family situation changes and you need more, or less, space. My mom still lives in the home that my dad and her bought back in 1968. It was their first home. My dad died there, and I suspect my mom will, too. Even though homes have vastly depreciated over the past three years, my mom's home is still worth about twenty times what … (5 comments)

Seven ways to speed up the sale of your home - 06/08/09 11:12 PM
Unfortunately, there is no set way to sell a home. If there was, anyone could do it.
There are a few things that you as the home owner can do to ensure that you get the highest price for your home as quickly as possible.
Hire the right Realtor. All Realtors are not created equal. Interview several to determine if you've got the right chemistry with them and that they are knowledgeable about your neighborhood and market conditions for your type of home. Trust your Realtor to help you set the right price. A properly priced home will draw attention from … (3 comments)

Market conditions continue to improve - 06/08/09 10:12 PM
DataQuick reports that home sales in San Diego were up in May 2009, making 10 consecutive months of increasing home sales, year over year. Additionally, prices have been stable or slightly up for four consecutive months.
The National Association of Realtors also reports an upward swing nationally, and is now projecting an additional 6.6% increase in home sales for 2009, to about 5.74 million transactions, making it one of the strongest years in history. Newly built home sales are expected to total more than 600,000 transactions.
Concerning prices, existing home sales prices are now projected to increase by 3.7 percent in … (4 comments)

Is everything you try being blocked by someone? - 06/08/09 09:10 PM
It seemed like there was a preponderance of blogs last week concerning things not working out, roadblocks everywhere to that successful purchase offer, or close of escrow, or loan funding.
It does happen to everyone occasionally, just like someone put up a roadblock for this tree:
    

If necessary, reach out to someone, perhaps even those who are blocking you.

If that doesn't work, go ahead and strangle them:

If you choose to strangle them, do it nicely.
… (19 comments)

Walter Andersen's Garden Nursery garden railroad - 06/05/09 11:53 PM
If you've got some children who have not yet been exposed to model railroads, I have a great place to get them that exposure. You just might find some interesting plants to buy for your home, too.
My two favorite plant nurseries in San Diego County are Simpson's Garden Town Nursery in Jamul and Walter Andersen's Nursery in Poway. Both of them are much, much more than just plant nurseries.
For example, Walter Andersen's Nursery in Poway has a huge garden railroad. It's usually not running when I go by, but I was at a recent home inspection up in Poway … (7 comments)

The two faces of anger - 06/05/09 09:18 PM
"I hate quotations." — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American philosopher and poet
"Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied." — Pearl Buck (1892-1973), American author "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." — Carl Jung (1875-1976), Swiss psychiatrist "The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reasons." —T. S. Eliot (1888-1965), American poet and playwright Guilt and resentment. The two faces of anger. So alike. So different. The process, though, is the same.
We create an image of ourselves and others … (11 comments)

Interesting predatory lending advertisement - 06/05/09 05:30 PM
I like to walk malls, occasionally going to a mall to get my daily walk in if the weather is bad, which isn't very often here in San Diego, of course.
When I'm walking I like to read the advertisements, occasionally finding something interesting, a good meal deal, or bargain sales.
At Plaza Bonita in National City, one advertisement in the food court caught my attention to the other day.
Not only was the subject matter of interest to my career as a Realtor, but the advertisement itself was quite creative:

***** Need help buying or selling a home in … (6 comments)

Lake Hodges bike and pedestrian bridge - 06/04/09 04:36 PM
One of my May blog entries was about the Lake Hodges bike and pedestrian bridge that opened.
Lake Hodges is a long man-made reservoir that runs east-west, thereby breaking up the north-south commute for workers, especially those who walk or bike to work. Previously, bicyclists and pedestrians had to use the shoulder of the heavily traveled -- very, very heavily traveled - Interstate 15 bridge over Lake Hodges.
A couple of days ago, on the way to a Donor event at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, my marketing guru and I stopped by the Lake Hodges to take a casual … (5 comments)

WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): San Diego Zoo peacocks - 06/03/09 08:26 PM
This has been my year to see the strutting peacocks at the San Diego Zoo. I've been going at least once a year since I was about 12, but I had never seen the peacocks in full display. This year I've been to the Zoo three times, and all three times I've been privileged to see peacocks putting on a show.
Last week was just supposed to be a quick one-hour trip to the Zoo to see the new Elephant Odyssey that opened at a cost of $45 million. What recession?
Elephant Odyssey covers almost eight acres and has more than … (17 comments)

5 Things to know about cell phones - 06/03/09 04:42 PM
I haven't tried these tips (yet), but in an increasingly mobile society where many of us have nothing but a cell phone, if just one of these tips works, this post from Diane Daley is greatly worthwhile.
Via Caron's Gateway Real Estate:
5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.) There are a few things that can be done in times of emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool … (3 comments)

Welcome to the United States of.... - 06/03/09 04:15 PM
....China?
Back when I was just a teenager living in Southern California, there was a severe recession, along with double-digit inflation, shortages of common goods like gas, flour, aluminum, paper, sugar, coffee, etc.
At that time, Japan's post-World War II economy was zooming along with no end in sight. Japanese businessmen (there was no such thing as a Japanese businesswoman, still might not be) were buying up anything and everything on the West Coast, including skyscrapers and the Pebble Beach Golf Course. The joke in junior high and high school was that soon we would be the United States of Japan.
… (7 comments)

Are you a big fish or a small fish? - 06/02/09 10:07 AM
I'm pretty sure readers know who Warren Buffet is. Last year, Alice Schroeder released a book she wrote about Warren Buffet, with his cooperation: "The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life."
Although I have the book, I have not yet read it, but something he said last year during interviews about the book has stuck with me: "If everyone is doing something, do something else." The reason it has stuck with me is because that's exactly what I tell my Clients, and it's something that I've done my whole life.
For the benefit of Realtors, I'll use Open Houses … (14 comments)

Tips for buying pets in California - 06/01/09 10:54 PM
Many pet stores have agreements with animal shelters to put a certain number of animal shelter pets up for adoption each week.
Some pet stores also have contracts with various breeders.
And if you desire a thoroughbred, especially of a rare breed, you can always go directly to the breeder himself.
There are several things to do to ensure a healthy pet, regardless of whether you are choosing an animal shelter pet, a pet store pet, or a pet from any individual breeder:
Make sure the animal has been seen by a veterinarian. Make sure dogs or cats are spayed or … (15 comments)

Contact information for East County Chambers of Commerce - 06/01/09 09:19 PM
Chambers of Commerce, sometimes called Boards of Trade, are local business organizations whose purpose is to further the business interests of the community. Local businesses pay annual dues to be members, and members typically elect officers, a Board of Directors, and/or an Executive Council to set policy for the Chamber. Occasionally the Board of Directors or the Executive Council will hire a President, a Chief Executive Officer, or an Executive Director, plus staffing, to run the Chamber.
Following is contact information for the various Chambers of Commerce in East San Diego County.
Alpine and Mountain Empire - 619-445-2722, alpinechamber.com East County … (3 comments)

Volunteer opportunities in East San Diego County - 06/01/09 08:39 PM
Volunteer San Diego helps nearly 30,000 individuals, families, and corporate and community groups fill volunteer needs at about 80 community organizations each year.
To volunteer or post volunteer opportunities, visit volunteersandiego.org.
Following are some of the current needs for volunteers.
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Volunteers needed for the "Wings Over Gillespie" air show, June 6-7 at Gillespie Air Field in El Cajon. Contact Betsy Brown, 619-438-2141, betsy.brown@cox.net Meals on Wheels Greater San Diego - Volunteers work in pairs taking a meal delivery route to deliver meals to 10-15 needy seniors. Volunteers must commit to at least one day each month from 11:00 a.m. to … (3 comments)

It's not whether you win or lose.... - 06/01/09 07:14 PM
As the Los Angeles Lakers get ready for a cross-country NBA championship series with the Orlando Magic, I was reading some sports posts today when I came across one by Jackie DeShazer, a Realtor in Libby, Montana.
Jackie had several good quotes by famous sports figures such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and John Wooden.
I was expecting to see what arguably is the most quoted -- and misquoted -- quote of all time relating to sports:
It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
The quote is not correct, and was taken out of context, … (6 comments)