Robin's Blog

I want what I want

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:34:33 -0700

I want what I wantAre needs wrong or rightWill I call off the hunt,Or stay in the fight Flight is a sirenShe appeals to my fearsHer song so seductiveSalty sweet like my tearsOr is she a seraphimSent to break chainsBetrayed by my guardianThe will waxes and wanes My daemons and angelsCry out through the nightAnd days are a tangleNo peace is in sightTo unlock my futureWhich door shall I chooseWhat new worlds await meHow much more might I lose?Through deafening dinI strain to hear truthAm I out, Is he inHave I surrendered my youth?Will I stand and fightWill I heed the siren songI want what I wantAre needs right or wrong? Photo and words, Copyright (C) 2009, Robin Kurtz

Happy New Year everyone!

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:37:51 -0800

Please click on the “play” button to see my New Years message…enjoy! ................ . ..................................................................................................................................................................... This is one of the cleverest marketing tools I've seen in a long time! Someone at Disney was using their thinking cap.

Thanks a lot...Starbucks

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:38:52 -0800

As real estate professionals, we can appreciate the impact and importance of relationship building. With this in mind...I thought I'd share with you, my recent correspondence with a national coffee retailer. So...I've been a Starbucks fan and loyal customer for decades. Ask anyone who knows me. So...mostly for convenience and expediency, I've used a Starbucks card to make my purchases for several years now. Last year, upon becoming aware of the perks associated with registering my card, I did so and happily added one pump of syrup to my usual double tall at no-charge (at least on the occasions that I took the time to clarify with the personnel that my card was registered and it was my understanding that syrup would be no extra charge.) So...when it was explained to me that I could receive an additional 10% off if I ponied up $25 cash to purchase your extra-special black and gold card, I did the math and figured, it's not a huge savings but probably worth it. The pitch was..with 10% savings, I should recoup my initial investment in about 60 drinks... with a twice-weekly purchase I'd break even in a little over half a year. Almost a no-brainer, right? However, this new math did not take into account one little bit of information. That being that once I had handed over my $25, Starbucks promptly revoked my free syrup reward! Even though I dutifully registered my shiny new black and gold card and transferred my Automatic Reload instructions to the new card...sorry, they say...you get 10% discount INSTEAD of the syrup. "But it's better...right?" Sure, a whole 12 cents better. Now, math was not my best subject in school but I did OK and even a 5th grader could calculate the difference between a 42-cent savings and a 12-cent savings. At this new and unimproved rate, I would need to drink no fewer than 203 lattes just to break even! So...thanks a lot Starbucks! You got me. I trusted you. I thought you cared about me. I thought our relationship was ...you know, special. I decided to let it go and move on....but you couldn't let it rest, could you? Today you had the chutzpah to suggest I might wish to purchase one of those $25 shiny black and gold cards for a friend. Betrayal...the gift that keeps on giving. No thanks Starbucks.

The Legend of Bagger Vance, Golf and the Game of Life

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:49:00 -0800

I just viewed the film "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and I was struck by the profound insights to be found in the context of this screenplay. A quick sojourn to Google reveals that Steven Pressfield's novel is actually a modern retelling of one of the greatest classics of Hinduism, the Sanskrit poem, Bhagavad-Gita. Bagger Vance is based on Bhagavan (the supreme Hindu god)Rannulph Junah (R. Junah) is Arjuna (the mortal whom Bhagavan assists in the Bhagavad Gita).This simple sporting tale reveals truths that many a sportsman, business and political leader know from their own personal experience. Our thoughts and our attitudes determine the results of our actions. Mind is the determinant of our successes and our failures.In the film, Junah failed when he concentrated his attention on himself and worried about the prospects of failure. He succeeded when he forgot about himself and concentrated totally on doing the work as well as he possibly could, by totally identifying himself with the field in which he was acting, and seeking a harmony with that field. The field is the universal life of which we are an inseparable part. The field is work or action (karma). The ego divides us from the world around us and creates the false sense of separateness. It makes us view even our own thoughts and actions as something different from ourselves. To be in harmony with the field is to overcome that sense of separation and see the oneness of all existence and live in the harmony of that universal play. Success arises from shifting our reliance from the outer world around us to our own inner being, relying on right attitudes, rather than on external sources of support and assistance. In the words of Bagger Vance...Bagger Vance: What I'm talkin about is a game... A game that can't be won only played...Rannulph Junuh: You don't understand...Bagger Vance: I don't need to understand... Ain't a soul on this entire earth ain't got a burden to carry he don't understand, you ain't alone in that... But you been carryin' this one long enough... Time to go on... lay it down...Rannulph Junuh: I don't know how...Bagger Vance: You got a choice... You can stop... Or you can start...Rannulph Junuh: Start?Bagger Vance: Walkin...Rannulph Junuh: Where?Bagger Vance: Right back to where you always been... and then stand there... Still... real still... And remember...Rannulph Junuh: It's too long ago...Bagger Vance: Oh no sir it was just a moment ago... Time for you to come on out the shadows Junuh... Time for you to choose...Rannulph Junuh: I can't...Bagger Vance: Yes you can... but you ain't alone... I"m right here with ya... I've been here all along... Now play the game... Your game... The one that only you was meant to play... The one that was given to you when you come into this world... You ready?... Sttike that ball Junuh don't hold nothin back give it everything... Now's the time... Let yourself remember... Remember YOUR swing... That's right Junuh, settle yourself... Let's go... Now is the time, Junuh... ++++ Golfers understand the parallels between this game we love and life itself.Bagger Vance: Yep... Inside each and every one of us is one true authentic swing... Somethin' we was born with... Somethin' that's ours and ours alone... Somethin' that can't be taught to ya or learned... Somethin' that got to be remembered... Over time the world can, rob us of that swing... It get buried inside us under all our wouldas and couldas and shouldas... Some folk even forget what their swing was like... "The Legend of Bagger Vance" isn’t just about golf. It’s about life. It reminds us of how golf is a metaphor for the search for identity. In the film, when Junah shifts his concentration and reliance from the outside to the inside, from his acts to his true inner being. He forgets his past suffering and present humiliation; rejects thoughts of success and failure, gain and loss. He reverses his attitude once again. He makes a conscious choice to live and act in the moment as a free and true being. Just as golf is a game played without an opponent, and every shot is a moment unto itself...at every moment we face the very same choice: to live for ourselves, meaning the selfish falsehood of the ego...or to live for Truth.

The Search

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:23:31 -0800

Are there any answers I think not One man’s God is another man’s rot We search and search from tender youth To find what we consider truth But even if we’re open minded How shall we know when we find it For everything learned limits our thought And who’s to say what’s to be taught Perhaps the best searchers are children and fools They have yet to be jaded By knowing the rules Photo and words, Copyright (C) 1983, Robin Kurtz Published in "Introspects"

A Tribute to Glory

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:30:53 -0800

Onward rides the soldierYoung and braveSwiftly to battleEager to save“Why,” whispers the wind, “Do you ride so hard?”“For my love” cries the boy, “So she may not suffer.”“Whist, whist” says the wind.“And when you lie cold On the blood-wet ground,While scarlet banners danceAnd bugles scream with sound, ThenWill she not suffer?”Onward he marchesTowards glory and fame,To fight for his people,To honor his name.“Why,” asks the wind,“Do you march so far?”“For my dear mother, so she May be proud.”“Whist, whist” says the wind.“And when you fall boldlyAmong the best,While gallant bullets ripAnd the amber flame dies To the West, ThenWill she be proud?” Photo and words, Copyright (C) 1983, Robin Kurtz Originally published in "Introspects"

Rest in Peace Chevy Chase Bank

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:14:52 -0800

It's a sad day in Maryland. Chevy Chase Bank is closing its doors. Capital One to Buy Local Banking Icon Chevy Chase The writing was on the wall. The vultures circled, and this fine banking institution and member of our community has sold out to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, the high bid also comes from one of the lowest representatives of the banking world. Capital One. With a reputation of preying on those of limited means, this disrepuatable credit card pusher is continuing its practice of snatching up local banks to feast on their deposits as a means to the end. The bank to which I have been loyal for 25 years is no longer. I recall depositing my first paycheck in my new account. The relationship is ended. I can not stomach Capital One...their smug image, their reputed predatory practices, nor their annoying advertising campaigns. With a heavy heart, I will now go shopping for a new financial institution. Rest in Peace, Chevy Chase Bank.

First Golf Lesson

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:40:21 -0800

This is my first golf lesson The schoolteacher was taking her first golfing lesson. "Is the word spelt p-u-t or p-u-t-t?'' she asked the instructor. "P-u-t-t is correct,'' he replied. "Put means to place a thing where you want it. Putt means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing."

Unspoken Love

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:11:59 -0800

unspoken love The course of this unspoken love may never run so sweet Even as we try to halt history's repeat You meet your kindred in a place you never thought you'd go Yin to your Yang, they see a side you never meant to show You learn that love's not right nor wrong honest or untrue It's the spice that gives life substance paints our world a brighter hue Actions say what words can not Whispers seem to shout Yet our love remains clothed in silence lest we speak and remove all doubt The hours turn to days and nights go by so fast When all is said and done, this love will be written in our past Photo and words, Copyright (C) 2008, Robin Kurtz

All Hallow's Eve

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:27:11 -0700

All Hallow's Evedarkest night, starry skieslet me look into your eyespools of wisdom, simplicity veillovely orbs that tell a taleof loneliness and solemn cravingsand just a little misbehavinga tender spirit that yearns to sharewith one bright soul invited theremasks are lifted, hearts laid barewe shed the costumes we sometimes weara kiss so sweet, a pain so keenmemories of the days we've seen like moth to flame I can not leavemy love is true this Hallow's Eve Photo and words, Copyright (C) 2008, Robin Kurtz

On Their Backs

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:49:20 -0700

on their backsthey die for the causebut so soon forgottentheir namestheir facestheir livesexisting only in the memories of their owntheir bones the brickstheir blood the mortar foundation of a reformed nation in a corner of the worldmost of their countrymen will never seethey died for a causethey wished to serve their countrybut they gave their lives for strangers half way round the worldnot knowing why or what for or what ofor howtheir ultimate contributionwould be wornproudly as gold-threaded robesor as scraps on the backs of beggars Photo and words, Copyright (C) 2008, Robin Kurtz

On Their Backs

Robin Kurtz (Long and Foster Real Estate) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:23:45 -0700