As Christmas is tomorrow I can't help but feel a little melancholy.  My Mom died in February of this year and it will be the first without her.  I am in no way trying to present myself as the best son in the world, but we seemed to have 'reconeccted' since she lived with us the last three years.

I can't help but think about all that she did.  I would like to say 'well that's what you're supposed to do as a parent,' but my mother really went the extr mile.  My father was stabbed to death in 1972 on the Washington Heights bridge, my Mom raised me all by herself, I did have a sister, but she was 19 years my elder, she never really lived with me while growing up, because she was estranged for a while.

My Mom worked at Isabella Nursing Home, she was a nurses aide; she was up at 4:40 AM EVERY morning, and back home around 5:00 PM, at which time she would cook for me; she barely had an elementary school education, but when she came to the US she went and became nurses aide, that was a different time, there still was job training and it wasn't necessary to go and get an Associate's Degree, yet alone a high school equivalency.  Education was extremely important to her, by hook or by crook I HAD to go to college--which I did, although I was in the top 1% of my graduating class, I really had doubts I would get through college.

There was nothing I could ever want for.  Many of my friends and relatives will say that I was 'spoiled,' I don't know how they can say that, I worked my but off.  She did instill that in me--hell I had my paper route fro almost 10 years, I was in high school still delivering the new York Post!  If I wanted something and I was a little short she always made up the difference, usually with some consternation, but she always gave in.

I saw how some of my other friend's lived and how less strict their parents were, I always was jealous of that, because my Mom was a little strict.  But as I see how they turned out, my Mom did the right thing, that's all I will say about that.

So as I sit here on my couch next to the spot where she seemingly sat everyday for the last several years, I sit here with a heavy heart and wish that she was here right now.

So I decided to switch offices again, this does not make me happy, since we all hate starting all over.  Luckily I have a great book of business so I'm not starting from the bottom up, but still it's tough breaking in a new office.

I am now with Realty Express LaBarbera, this office I am proud to say is loaded with in house listings--I am so psyched to have stuff that only our office has access to.  My previous office didn't have any exclusive listings, so this will be a pretty great things for business this year. 

I am sad to leave since my previous broker was a really nice guy, I looked forward to his 'antics' in the office, but unfortunately I didn't care for the 'antics' of some of the agents.  But, this is not meant to be a dumping session on my previous office.

Here's to a GREAT NEW YEAR and PLENTY OF BUSINESS NEXT YEAR!

Thois past summer I went out and bought a scooter after seeing the TOm HAnks/Julia Roberts opus Larry Crowne.  Since then I have discovered a whole sub-culture of scooterists.  I have fun on the weekends riding around like a miniature motorcyclt gang, although the most people we have had on a ride has been around 8!

Here's some video of us going to Rutt's Hut for an annual ride from what I understand

For the uninitiated, Rutt's Hut is a place that's literally been around for 60 or 70 years, you know how bad hot dogs are for you right?  Well this place DEEP FRIES them!  But they are legendary in the NY/NJ area.

One of the highlights of my year was my ride through Egypt:  www.crossegyptchallenge.com

We rode across the entire country, not only was it a fun ride, we also saw pretty much every touristic thing you would go to see in Egypt and we had unprecedented access to a lot of things many Egyptians and visitors don't get access to!

This trip so inspired me that in conjunction with the organizer there I am planning the www.crossnychallenge.com, which is a ride from NYC to Niagara Falls and back.  I hope we can emulate the wonderful ride we did in Egypt only a few months ago.  If anyone is interested in riding with us, please go to the website and fill out an application.

I did a deal with a great agent this weekend, I am little embarrassed, because I did make fun of her voicemail--it was way too excited.  Anyway as many of you may or may not know the Hoboken market is booming and any listing agent with a really great listing usually keeps it for themself and won't share it.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I called the agent and she shared a really terrific listing with us.  She said, 'sure show it--good luck.'  I showed it and my clients took it immediately, which I told them they were crazy if they didn't take it!

The Hoboken rental market is just crazy right now!  Well, it has been for a while but it's crazy; a lot f people didn't work this past weekend, but I ended up writing up three rentals, and I would have had a sale also, if only my customers had sold their place in Basking Ridge!

People who come out the week before Christmas are really motivated to say the least, you might think it would be a waste of time, but I had some MOTIVATED people this weekend.  I am writing up another deal tomorrow morning, for my $1100 studio loft downtown.

Thanks again to Raquel Sharper from Liberty Realty for being an UBER professional.

A TRULY RARE LUXURY CONDO IN DOWNTOWN HOBOKEN. THIS TOP FLOOR 1300+ sf HOME BOASTS GLEAMING HARDWOOD FLOORS, GRANITE COUNTERTOPS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. THIS PRIVATE, 8 UNIT COMPLEX ALSO INCLUDES A LARGE COMMON COURTYARD FOR RESIDENTS TO ENJOY. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, ONE SHARED DEEDED DOUBLE PARKING SPOT INCLUDED.

http://www.crossegyptchallenge.com/the_team.html

I am going to Egypt!  As I told you before I bought a scooter over the summer and have been enjoying it immensely.  I was sent a link to do this ride, and I filled out the application, and to my surprise they called me!  Being a New Yorker I am curious what the selection criteria was, which I will surely pester my hosts when I get there!

  We will be riding from Alexandria Egypt to Abu Simbel by SCOOTER!  What a great way to see Egypt, this is being sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism to show the beauty of Egypt and also promote scooters as an alternate means of transportation. 

Wish me luck, I'll be leaving on October 10, 2011 until October 24 2011.