Prevent Swine Flu ~ Take Action NOW !!! - 04/30/09 10:29 PM
An announcement on the spread of this latest illness
TAKE IMMEDIATE CAUTION
that this doesn't happen to you or your loved ones...
P.S. Remember this is humor here. Use common sense to always take care of your health.
… (35 comments)
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If You Can't Stand The Heat Get Out Of The Kitchen - 04/30/09 04:22 PM
The old maxim applies in times of tenseness among buyers and sellers and Realtors between parties in tough negotiations.
If You Can't Stand The Heat Get Out Of The Kitchen.
Mainly meaning that to get things done cool heads need to prevail. Sometimes to make one step forward you have to back away from the heat and take two steps back to regroup. We should not avoid confrontation (discussion) to make headway in a negotiation. But we should also not add fuel to the fire by losing our composure, raising our voice, or resorting to name calling. The unflappable ones usually put … (26 comments)
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Embrace Change To Fit In - 04/29/09 05:58 PM
For someone who grew up in the pre calculator days of high school with logarithm tables in Trigonometry class, to visit today's schools where some students are issued laptops and passes to carry cell phones, it illustrates how you must
Embrace Change To Fit In.
It doesn't matter if you were the school slide rule champion. Today is the day of Podcasts, USB memory sticks, and Twitter. We must adjust to the times, to best communicate with all those using the latest tools. Particularly the upcoming generations.
I had read that the 20 something generation was very much texting over … (37 comments)
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Life Is This Great Big Wonderful Multiple Choice Test - 04/28/09 04:01 PM
When it comes to plodding your way through life from early on in school, to later on in college if you had that experience, to all sorts of on the job training, and even formalized continuing education classes like in Real Estate, have you ever observed that
Life Is This Great Big Wonderful Multiple Choice Test?
Think of why a buyer might want to choose YOU as their REALTOR? a) you sell the most homes in town b) you advertise everywhere that you are the the ONE! c) you're their Uncle Fred or Aunt Sally d) you're the babe on … (66 comments)
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Test Drive Your Realtor - 04/27/09 11:02 PM
I'm reading many stories lately of Realtors complaining that they are not getting buyer representation agreements with their clients. Apparently the clients go down the street and find someone else that will act without the paper. How about
Test Drive Your Realtor?
I believe in Win-Win and Realtors do want to serve but they do want to be paid. How about one free day out with the Realtor before signing an agreement? Identify the properties shown.
Most buyers aren't so worried about the payment, as the commissionis usually are paid by the seller. They are worried about the chemistry, the … (32 comments)
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Perfect Practice Makes You The Best - 04/27/09 12:54 PM
A professional tip we can all learn from the music world whether it be from a band member or a child just starting out on an instrument:
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.
Yes we should practice, practice, practice in our work endeavors. But in practicing put good effort into making sure you are practicing well. Put your mind into it and with each practice get better. Don't be a slouch with your practice.
In practicing, the next perfomance is even better than the previous one. People will be coming to you to hear that sweet music.
You are the Maestro.
… (29 comments)
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Make Your Own Kind Of Music Even If Nobody Else Sings Along... - 04/26/09 01:00 PM
I read and see so much with Realtors and others in life of redefining themselves. Going through an identity crisis and emerging as something else. Divorced women with children making a go of it in real estate. Adding a new business focus complementing real estate. Trying different blogging formats. Living life to the fullest at mid life. Picking up the pieces years after a broken relationship and thriving the second time around. Discovering who we are, what we want to be when we grow up is invigorating. It reminds us to
Make Your Own Kind of Music Even If Nobody Else … (33 comments)
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The Push Pull Technique Of Good Contact Followup - 04/25/09 11:07 PM
Being nosy is something that is good in follow up with your database of contacts. Of course if you think about it in life perhaps in business we have a database, but in the world we have much more loosely attached friends all over, whether informal or formal friends. Heck, on FACEBOOK everyone is your friend. Geez. But there is a certain element of organization to following up with your sphere or just your friends in whatever pasture you may find them. Follow
The Push Pull Technique Of Good Contact Followup.
On the push side stick your nose in their face. … (26 comments)
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The Universe Is Telling You Something But You're Not Listening - 04/25/09 01:18 AM
There is a communication technique that might be a little on the "deep" side but if anyone can portray deep here it is me. The thought is
The Universe Is Telling You Something But You're Not Listening.
It has to do with tuning into what is happening in your life. Lessons you need to learn, where if you don't learn them you will keep making the same mistakes over and over again or stay in the same situations without change. It involves carefully listening with all senses, head and heart, about what is going on in your career, family, friends, all … (37 comments)
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Show Me The Money Often Means It Is The Seller's Own - 04/24/09 03:55 PM
With the tight credit even starting at FICO scores of 620 nowadays Sellers itching to get the heck out of Dodge with their house, talk with real estate professionals and often learn that
Show Me The Money Often Means It Is The Seller's Own.
Yes, we are talking Seller Financing here. Not done obviously as typical as commercial lenders but definitely a doable deal. For the buyer oftentimes renting is a better option depending on the payments. For the Seller if the Buyer defaults too early on a home the house comes back to them. If they default ten years down the road … (30 comments)
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Sneak Preview - The New Dallas Cowboys Stadium - 8th Wonder of the World - 04/23/09 08:37 PM
I recently was fortunate enough to preview the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium under construction. If one thing Dallas is known worldwide for is the Dallas Cowboys. The old Texas Stadium will soon be demolished from its' site in Irving having been constructed in 1971. This new stadium in Arlington, TX, another Dallas suburb midway between Dallas and Ft. Worth, sits just to the west of the baseball stadium of the Texas Rangers and near Six Flags over Texas, an amusement park with roller coasters and a nearby convention center. The first event for the new Cowboys Stadium will be a concert June … (35 comments)
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Be The Woody Woodpecker Of Real Estate - 04/23/09 03:46 PM
It is amazing what you can learn from just observing nature. Especially now that Spring has sprung. You need to
Be The Woody Woodpecker Of Real Estate.
The woodpeckers that are coming out to eat know which trees to go to, and which insects and worms taste good to them.
In Real Estate you can't be all things to all people. Target and niche marketing leads to focused sales. Who do you work with? What are you good at?
Category: Residential, Commercial, Land, Farm and Ranch, Luxury, Lakefront, Retirement?
Area: What cities, towns, developments, miles radius out from where you live … (85 comments)
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Understanding Clients That Are Yoda Dogs - 04/22/09 05:20 PM
In Real Estate, professionals of every category often have to play armchair psychologist to "understand" what is going on in the minds and hearts of their clients. What is behind their wanting to buy or sell a house? Are they telling you the straight scoop or holding something back from you? Have you spent enough time with them to build up that rapport and trust or do you have a way to go? Is their mouth buttoned shut with them just feeding you piecemeal information or are they a blabbermouth with you? There comes a time in the relationship with real … (37 comments)
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Do NOT Write This As Your Life Story - 04/21/09 11:12 PM
Do NOT Write This As Your Life Story
First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to get married and have children. And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work. And then I was dying to retire. And now, I'm dying...and suddenly I realize I forgot to live ~Anonymous
Live life now. Don't be waiting for somedays. Live in the present moment with every fiber of your being. You can't … (45 comments)
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The Day The World Changed In An Instant - 04/21/09 09:59 AM
I can remember the day clearly.
The Day The World Changed In An Instant.
One day the mall music store had LP vinyl records in the store which you could take home and play on a record player with speeds of 33, 45, and 78 rpm. The next day they were all gone replaced by Compact Discs. All gone. You had to go out and by a new player and LP's were history. It wasn't that long ago at 1982, but those under 25 years old may not know what a record player even is. Great covers on those albums too … (33 comments)
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Online Or Offline? That Is The Question - 04/20/09 05:55 PM
There are many areas in real estate that could be debated as
Online or Offline? That is the question.
Like the best ways to find buyers, network, market and brand yourself etc. But working with some REALTORS who are definitely in one camp or the other, what about FINDING A MORTGAGE or loan program to buy a house?
Online has advantages of self data entry, not driving around, comparing easily programs. Offline you build a relationship and have a local face to work with.
So what do you think? Your clients come to you with an online approval. Is this good? … (37 comments)
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Having A Little Pirate In You Is A Good Thing - 04/19/09 04:33 PM
Much has been on the news lately of Pirates. They were extremely active in the 19th century and now here in the 21st century again. When we think of pirates we may think of Pittsburgh baseball teams, Tampa Bay football teams, or your son's favorite Halloween costume. But despite their obvious criminal activity on the high seas there is an allure for the adventurer in all of us to go about getting the treasure in the most efficient manner. Basically to get things done. Granted, in a civilized world we want to be a pirate and do it in an ethical … (39 comments)
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You Have The Answers Not The Magic 8 Ball - 04/18/09 10:32 PM
In 1946 a favorite children's toy arrived on the scene in the Magic 8 ball. Yes dear friends toys were much simpler back in the pre-Internet days. Basically with the ball right side up you'd ask a yes/no question, shake the ball, turn it over and get your answer. Some answers are non-committal like Maybe. Lots of fun. But in real estate clients are counting on that
You Have The Answers Not The Magic Eight Ball.
This takes discipline on your part to gain experience, stay up with the industry, attend classes, read and network on Active Rain, and stay perpetually curious. … (65 comments)
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Are You A Porcupine Head? - 04/18/09 11:03 AM
I have observed this over time and it remains in effect in some offices with REALTORS with I guess it is just there style of operating. So I'll ask you to check yourself in the mirror today and ask,
Are You A Porcupine Head?
What I mean by that is some REALTORS, particularly the Rainmakers, and the heads of teams are unapproachable. It doesn't have to be the heads of teams but can be anywhere from the superstar local agent with the face on the billboard to just an agent who has a very powerful ego and delegates seemingly EVERYTHING … (39 comments)
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People Come To You And Hire Your Learning - 04/17/09 12:33 PM
No two life journeys and individuals are even closely alike. We take our life experiences and learning from all areas and apply it to the task at hand. As consumers
People Come To You And Hire Your Learning.
Formal Real Estate Courses, Staging Courses, on the job training at Mortgage companies. Bachelor's, Masters, Ph.D schooling. Much school of hard knocks. Communication and nurturing skills. Technology savviness. Your relationships. Your connections. The whole ball of wax. The whole enchilada.
What makes you strong is you have enrolled in the classroom that is life.
You're not a slacker. This form of higher learning … (39 comments)
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The Advent Of Your Umbrella People - 04/16/09 05:27 PM
I think in life as REALTORS, Stagers, Mortgage Professionals, and others working in the housing industry oftentimes we are called to act as "umbrella people." These are those who handle problems, take care of messes, solve problems, bring their knowledge and experience to bear to work through a situation, and basically to metaphorically speaking make sure you stay dry on a very rainy and cold day.
But what about this topic in all of your life? Have you noticed
The Advent Of Your Umbrella People?
People come to you it seems when you exactly need them. When the student is ready, … (41 comments)
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Can A Zebra Change Its Stripes? - 04/15/09 09:36 PM
In working with clients, Associates, friends, family, acquaintances, people from every walk of of life I have always wondered
Can A Zebra Change Its Stripes?
Namely, how much influence do any of us have on another to change? I have felt that lead a horse to water but can't make them drink in failing at selling an idea at times, trying to get someone to stop smoking or give up a bad habit or take up exercise. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes I feel I am not getting through to them.
What do you think? How much influence or impact do … (40 comments)
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A Stable Foundation Is A Beautiful Thing - 04/14/09 05:10 PM
Your home's foundation ought to be something you take for granted that it supports the weight of your house. However with time just like a roof or painting or other home maintenance things tend to shift.
A few of the basics with regard to foundation repair:
Foundation problems are caused by too much water or not enough water in the soil causing a shift. Signs to detect a problem include sheetrock cracks, doors out of square, doors stick, cracks in the brick, nail pops, and cracked tile. Evaluate foundation problems with a visual inspection and an elevation survey. While there are … (17 comments)
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The Sun Shining From Within - 04/14/09 08:13 AM
In seeing all sorts of people on your journey in life you do run across many gems. I have found many of them to be children under ten years old, people in all their middle years going through great struggles and hanging in there, people supporting others going through struggles, and those in the last ten years or so of their lives who are very much coming to grips with their mortality.
I have always liked this quotation related to those gems of people you find in life. It has great imagery. It came from an author who wrote … (31 comments)
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People Are Just Like A Bunch Of Carrots - 04/13/09 03:47 PM
Many of us that aren't real farmers or backyard vegetable gardners are not experts on carrots. But I wonder what the early cave man or woman must of thought when weeding around the cave one day. They pulled up on that green top and low and behold below the ground were these orange vegetable thingys.
People Are Just Like Carrots.
In working with people in a real estate business or in interacting with them in life, what appears on the surface is so almost never what people are truly all about. I think in the not judging the book by its cover, your best … (31 comments)
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Active Rain Is A "GOOD" Addiction - 04/12/09 04:56 PM
Addiction is loosely defined as the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Is a real estate based social network like Active Rain addicting?
Oh, But It Is A "GOOD" Addiction.
For those of us that have just started reading and posting a few month's worth of blogs and are new to the whole blogging scene they can feel the pull. For those on one, two, or more years at this place, they know the effect.
I once chided myself … (51 comments)
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The Message Of The Empty Tomb - 04/12/09 01:10 AM
As Christians around the world celebrate Easter I am reminded it is the pinnacle of faith and
The Message Of The Empty Tomb.
That is the message of HOPE.
That in dying as the faithful, we have the HOPE of eternal life.
If we were there that day at the empty tomb we would have heard
He is not here.. for He is risen.
In the weeks that followed Christ who was dead would be alive again.
The happiness of the followers from seeing death followed by life must have been intense. I like stories with happy endings. Tears turned … (41 comments)
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What A Little Girl And An Upside Down Dog Teach Us About Connection - 04/11/09 05:09 PM
You will see this all the time in real estate, social media, friends and in life. You need to know
What A Little Girl An An Upside Down Dog Teach Us About Connection.
It is observing "kindred spirits." Some agents click with some clients. Some little girls have the time of their lives with a favorite upside down dog in the backyard. Some blog readers have their favorite blog posters.
If others are NOT a kindred spirit for you, that is ok too, due to dissimilar interests or viewpoint.
But recognize the chemistry of those kindred spirit moments when they occur whether … (25 comments)
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All I Need to Know About Life I Learned From the Easter Bunny - 04/10/09 04:35 PM
All I Need to Know About Life I Learned From the Easter Bunny
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket
Walk softly & carry a big carrot
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears
There's no such thing as too much candy
All work and no play can make you a basket case
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits
The grass always looks greener in someone else's basket
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey
… (39 comments)
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A Carpenter's Gift - 04/10/09 12:13 PM
A Carpenter's Gift
Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a … (29 comments)
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Follow Me With Two Tips From This Twitter Bluebird - 04/09/09 03:37 PM
I love this whole Twitter momentum that is gathering with this new form of Social Media. Friends? Like we need more of them, right? But stay with me and,
Follow Me With Two Tips From This Twitter Bluebird.
That would be the Bluebird of Happiness. We all want to be happy despite life's circumstances so here are two tips for everyone to give it your best shot on this journey we call Life.
1. Be grateful. A happy heart is a grateful heart. We hear this message of count your blessings each Thanksgiving but it bears repeating every day when you … (42 comments)
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Sometimes You Have To Win The Race With Your Shoe Untied - 04/09/09 10:53 AM
Sometimes You Have To Win The Race With Your Shoe Untied.
You see buyers of real estate sitting on the fence. You see people who won't take their business to the next level gripped in analysis paralysis. Wanting everything to be "perfect" before venturing forward and making a decision. The military and NASA I think try to make do with what they have and get on with the mission at hand the best. Why do the rest of us sit and do nothing?
AP photo
I think it has to do with comfort level. We are all waiting for ALL … (22 comments)
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Being A Dinosaur Is Hazardous To Your Health - 04/08/09 01:03 PM
The adoption of new technology by consumers and business professionals like REALTORS can definitely be stressful at times with the accelerating pace of change. The alternative in sticking your head in the sand and ignoring it is even worse.
Being A Dinosaur Is Hazardous To Your Health.
Do we have to tweet with the first of the Twitterers? Do we have to run out to the Electronics store every six months and refresh our laptops to have built in Webcams? Our neighbor has GPS built into the dashboard of their minivan. We're still driving a run down mid 1990's Buick.
We … (36 comments)
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Another New Year For You That Is Spring Fresh - 04/07/09 09:47 PM
I am a big believer in paying attention in life and to life. Do you know that you have just come upon such a moment?
Another New Year For You That Is Spring Fresh?
We come out of the winter months and the daffodils and tulips poke through the cold ground. Temperatures warm up gradually. The calendar turns to Spring and the holidays of Easter and Passover are upon us. But Spring is more than a date. It is a fresh start. Say you didn't get that New Year's resolution thing quite right. You're not too deep into the year for … (39 comments)
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The Dog Ate My Homework And Other Things To Stop To Grow Up - 04/07/09 12:33 PM
Looking around the world at Real Estate associates, clients, and just people in general, it seems we all need to abandon our childhood impulses like
The Dog Ate My Homework
and just grow up. This elementary school excuse was to shirk personal responsibility for doing something you were supposed to do anyway. We need to accept responsibility for our actions good or bad.
Other ways to grow up. Have some self-control. Do not act on every impulse, but think first.
How about listening without interrupting? How can you learn if you don't stop talking?
Focus. Do not run all around … (40 comments)
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Let Technology Lead You To Success But Be Careful With It With The Two E's - 04/06/09 05:10 PM
I think with the fast pace of the business world these days we all have a love hate relationship with technology. What we really need with technology is "focus."
Let Technology Lead You To Success But Be Careful With It.
Technology can help us in life or be a HUGE waste of our time and money. Focus on the two E's.
Technology should be a better method of doing something you need to do, either more effectively or more efficiently than before. Do not just be a "Techno Head" and take technology at face value. Sometimes an old way might be … (39 comments)
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Buzzword Bingo And Other Word Fun - 04/05/09 11:12 AM
Every once in awhile in this blog writing world it is most fun to go off a little ways from anything that even resembles real estate just to take a break. Today's topic
Buzzword Bingo And Other Word Fun.
In corporate speak, in many presentations we attend from management and leaders of all sorts they tend to all talk and sound alike at times. We are all made up of the words that come out of our mouths but with them it is like this canned pablum they say. As a humorous game, the audience humorously creates bingo cards with these … (26 comments)
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Getting To That Next Step Shouldn't Be All That Difficult - 04/04/09 07:45 PM
You can learn a lot about life if you just watch children. When they are stressed they just shrug it off, run out and have some fun, and just "hang on" until the situation changes. That is how life ALWAYS has been, constant change.
Then there's that quote that says, "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." You know who said that? Thomas Jefferson. He knew a thing or two about building a country from scratch with lots of early problems.
So sometimes in your business or your life when you don't have … (32 comments)
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Are You Battling The Green Eyed Monster? - 04/04/09 11:13 AM
I see this happen all the time lately. In some of the larger Real Estate franchises one agent pits themself over the other with higher production. Does that make them necessarily a better agent? Well it does mean they sell more houses during the year compared to another agent/team/group. Then the rankings go up on the board. Susie is #1 for the city, John #2, Cynthia #3, and so on. While raw numbers and rankings are good from knowing what is happening in an area and provides friendly competition, it draws out an ugly side of life as well.
Are … (43 comments)
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What Is On The Outside Is What Is On The Inside - 04/03/09 05:55 PM
It always amazes me with REALTORS with their presentation to Associates and clients they fail to understand that
What Is On The Outside Is What Is On the Inside.
Our outer selves are such a complete reflection of what is going on with the inside of our being.
That is why when you see dishonest, mean, rude, unorganized, or overly serious people for example, there are some rudimentary problems going on within themselves. It all does start with our thoughts and then moves outward to our words. So if you want to get better control of negativity or thoughts you shouldn't … (85 comments)
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Why Wild And Crazy Is Good For You - 04/02/09 10:36 AM
In the very early days of the TV comedy Saturday Night Live (I'm dating myself now), Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd had this routine where they were these two fun loving guys. I'm here to tell you
Why Wild And Crazy Is Good For You.
The pair would just laugh and belt out, "We're just two wild and crazy guys." It spoke of times in your life you need to act carefree. With today's real estate market and in life, financial stress out there, we need some wild and crazy to
REFRESH!!!
You just have to put it into your … (53 comments)
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I Can't Watch The World Fast Enough - 04/01/09 06:44 PM
I and many others operate in a VERY fast paced world. The thought occurred to me that
I Can't Watch The World Fast Enough.
What are the limits to how much more speed of information we can take? You have a desk phone in one ear, a cell phone in the other. A laptop screen with web and email pulled up in front of you. People around you are talking. Some twittering, some texting. I read that now Twitter may be part of OnStar in your car. It is as if I am a parrot on a perch and whoosh the strong wind … (43 comments)
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