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Your friendly neighborhood Sardiman!

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina

   That graphic will make even more sense momentarily.

True Story:  Last night, after work, I did my typical routine.  While I love spontaneity, I'm so darn predictable.  I went to my favorite watering hole, had a couple of drinks, got food to go, and came home.  Normally before I go out, I always check my pockets 3 or 4 times to make sure I have my keys to my house.  Well, wouldn't one know it, before I left Stahley's I checked my pockets.  Uh-Oh...no keys.  Checked again, Shoot, no keys.  This isn't good!   I began my trek home none the less, hoping to the dickens....I'm not sure for what?

When I arrived at my front door, turned the knob...Locked.  Damn!  I checked my pockets again, still no keys.  Damn, damn!!  Went to the back door, it was locked as well.  Damn cubed.  It was beginning to rain, it was dark.  The brown bag I had my food in was breaking apart.  I'm hardcore but I really didn't feel like sleeping outside in the rain.  Well shoot, let's see what I can do...

As I was standing out there in the rain and dark of the night, my mind slipped back to my beginning in the Real Estate Industry.  Heck, I even thought about my beginning here in AR.  I read a lot of posts and comments today from some of the 'newbies' here in Active-Rain and in the business.  One even called me an 'oldie'.  Lol. 

What I thought about is how hard it is at the beginning.  At 40,000 members and growing here on Active-Rain, it's hard to get noticed and make a significant mark.  It's just like starting out in the Real Estate Industry.  You almost have to trudge through all situations with your head down and feet constantly moving.  You gotta work, you gotta think, you gotta be you as only you can.  At times, there you are, in the dark of a situation and the rain is following upon you, and you can forge ahead or call it quits.  Real Estate isn't easy folks, nor is trying to keep up with the dominant players & personalities on Active-Rain or any other network.  Then again, that shouldn't be new to any of us.  After all, life isn't easy and here we are....do what you want with it.

...what I did was very simple.  I looked up and saw a pretty large house and rain dripping into my eyes.  My first reaction was to take off my shirt and wrap it around my arm.  Worst case, I break a window to get in.  Next thing I know, my neighbor's dog starts spouting a very scary growl.  I look over and this is the first time I saw this dog.  New neighbors, you see.  It appeared to be Pit-bull of sorts.  Grrrrrrrreat....this is just dandy.  Then, my eyes peered up again and I thought, "Nah, there's another way."  So, I thought of my favorite Super Hero, Mr. Peter Parker, and I scaled my freaking house....hoping to the high heavens one window might be open.  It wasn't an easy climb....AT ALL.  I thought for sure I'd break my skull along the way.  A pull-up here, an extended leg there, shoot....this isn't easy.  I made it to the roof.  I scaled and perused it to try to find some way to enter.  I made it to the very front of my home and found my bedroom window.  I pulled up on it and to my personal euphoria of the moment, IT WAS OPEN.  I hopped into my bedroom, closed the window, ran down the stairs and opened the door to grab my food.  I came in and there they were.  Right there on the kitchen table....my keys.  What an idiot am I?!?

Well, I learned my lesson.  I took my spare key and placed it in a strategic location this morning, just in case I'm an idiot again.  For all you Internet stalkers out there, that strategic location is on the roof of my house.  I figure if you can get up there, the break-in is going to be quite interesting between you and I.

 

Moral of The Story - The climb isn't easy and the risk is great.  The rewards are you sleep very well at night.

 

Time to go out......now where are my keys?

 

Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Jason....  I heave learned many of times from the past to have spares. Making sure that my neighbor has a spare and that I have one around the house. What about keeping one in your car?  But I guess you would need your keys for that, unless you have one of those combo locks.  ;o)

Hey Desiree....  are you saying that your Batman dance will take out the Sardi Spider dance?

Jason.... I consider myself Superman when it comes to mortgages.... lol  Other than that, just a mild manner blogger and loan officer.  Have fun tonight...

jeff belonger

Jul 28, 2007 05:28 PM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Jason, you really are a nut!! You know, I saw a post the other day about this new lock you can get that scans your fingerprint...you might wanna check into that. And, no, don't start thinking early Christmas gift. Take care!

 

Jul 28, 2007 06:19 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Missy - Yes it was.  Turned out to be a small casuality after it was all said and done.

Stephanie - That is a fact!  The keys are found!!

Sarah - I am friends with the neighbors, with the exception of the new ones with the Pit-Bull.  I haven't met them yet.  Spare key placed just in case...

Ashley - If anything like this happens again, perhaps I should call you:-)

Desiree -  I like....BATMAN!

Cheryl - Hmmmm, beg...borrow...or steal.  I don't do the latter but I don't mind the begging if necessary:-)

Lysa - I walked, don't do the drinking and driving thing. Flatman...I like that, Lol.

Suzanne - The dog eating my food would have been a classic ending.  Luckily for me, he is fenced in. 

Carole - I'm an excellent climber:-)

Desiree - I love that song!!!!!!!!!!!  Prince is fantastic.

Sis - You hate Spidey:-(   

Jeff - "Other than that, just a mild manner blogger and loan officer."  Well put amigo!

Andrew - You read my mind, I was thinking early Christmas gift.  Damn to the 4th power!

 

Jul 28, 2007 10:49 PM
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent

Make friends with the new neighbors and place you key under the Pitbulls water dish...LOL.

Great analogy Spidey.

Jul 29, 2007 12:22 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
Bob - LMAO!  I saw the Pitbull earlier, I entered a stare down with him/her (not sure what).  It appears like we could be friends...
Jul 29, 2007 01:05 AM
Kristin Small
RE/MAX Southern Shores - Myrtle Beach, SC
REALTOR -GRI, Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Jason.   Don't you just love a happy ending?  Nice (and true) analogy.  Great post.  Very entertaining post.  Now you just have to never forget where the spare is!  Sometimes the watering hole has an affect on you that makes you forget things.  If you forget where it is, you can always call one of us here on AR, since you told us!
Jul 29, 2007 01:58 AM
Thomas Weiss
Thomas R. Weiss - West Palm Beach, FL

Jason,

I'm sorry that happened to you, but all in all you tell a great story and I enjoyed it, I have been there before, as for the moral of the story, I don't think it could of been said any better..

Tom Weiss

Jul 29, 2007 02:32 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Ever heard of the "Clapper?"
Jul 29, 2007 04:57 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

David & Kristin - Good point, though I forgot the keys way before the watering hole had any affect.  Now whose number should I put on speed dial on my cell phone?

Tom - Makes for a funny story.  It sucked at the time though:-)

Rich - That works for doors as well?  If that is the case, I'll install one.  Then again, I hope my street doesn't have a parade anytime soon if I do.

Jul 29, 2007 07:33 AM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

Ok... I am taking a break from cleaning house - where are my keys?  I have tears running down my face - I could picture you standing there in the rain with dinner in a bag... I am glad it turned out well..... thanks for reminding me of how nice it is to not lock my house...lol

Jul 29, 2007 07:40 AM
Marlene Bridges
Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA
Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate
Jason - Another fun read with a great "so what".  The climb isn't easy, it's slippery, but worth it!  Love it that you know yourself so well---loved the line, "While I love spontaneity, I'm so darn predictable."   
Jul 29, 2007 08:45 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Thesa - LMAO, literally!  I should of taken a picture.  Yet, if I did, Bob Carney would of put me in a Moo-Moo again and nobody needs to see that. 

Marlene - Thank you and the climb, at times, is slippery.  You are right!  Lends credence to one's ability on knowing how to fall....and get back up.

Jul 29, 2007 09:47 AM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL
Jason - you are too much!!  I have so many idiotic key stories that now I keep my house keys and car keys in the same key ring.  Thank God for Rick coming to my rescue in many occasions (and I'm not even going to tell you about leaving an infant locked inside a car).  Was the food still hot?
Jul 29, 2007 05:33 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
Ines - Nope, the food was cold at that point:-(  My house and car keys are on the same key ring as well, but the spare is outside....just in case.
Jul 30, 2007 12:10 AM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA
Ines:  Definitely house key and car key on the same ring for me!  But with a quick-detach thingie - in case I need to give the car key to a parking lot attendant, I don't want to risk some crook making a copy of the house key while its out of my sight.  <s>
Jul 30, 2007 01:58 AM
Rob Robinson- Lehigh Valley PA
Bertrum Settlements (Title & Abstract) - Allentown, PA

1) Your new strategic hiding place for your spare key.  Dude, under the mat just doesn't cut it.

2) You have just told the world that you leave your bedroom window unlocked. Was that a subtle hint to the babes of AR? :^)

 

Glad you didn't break your neck.  Great story.

Jul 30, 2007 02:14 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Chery - Same here.

Rob - Hadn't thought of the subtle hint.....hmmm good point!

Jul 30, 2007 03:13 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"I figure if you can get up there, the break-in is going to be quite interesting between you and I"

LOL...Same here. I pity the fool that ever tries to break into my home. Talk about screwed without a kiss :)

By the way...You can bet if anyone on AR runs into a spiderman hat they will think of you and buy it just for you :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jul 30, 2007 08:55 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
Mom - I want the Spidey Hat!  Or, perhaps I'll opt for the Spidey Suit.  I better keep in shape....
Jul 30, 2007 11:37 AM
Meleny Ramos
Working Mortgages - Pottstown, PA
Great story.  You always seem to have a little excitement in your life.  Please don't go buy a spidey suit.  Bad visuals!
Jul 31, 2007 08:44 AM