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How does one get here from there?

By
Industry Observer with ARFCO Media

It comes up on occasion and kinda smacked me this past week. ;O) I’ve been all over the Puget Sound area all week from Seattle to Bellingham and busy enough that every time I took a minute to think about my next blog post, my brain was a total blank.

Well duh... Like I haven’t heard it before... “Life’s talking at you every waking minute of every day. Why not post what people actually ask you about.” I know, I know, obvious right? It’s too obvious someday’s yet still I blow right by those emerging thoughts. I’m obsessed it has to be something else, something better, brighter, cooler, and keep looking...

“Geez, if I only knew what to write about. There’s gotta be a topic worth crafting a few words.”

mobilecomcamp-collage4

So once in awhile, like this past week, I get asked,

“So who do you work for again? What’s your job?”

I’m an instructor for the First American Title School of Real Estate - Washington. I travel the state and teach social media, emerging technologies, web presence, brand development, farming and lead generation to real estate brokers. I love my job! On occasion the school lends me out so I’ve been blessed to also teach and attend special events in Alaska, Florida, Oregon, and California. “You call that a job?”

I know, who’d a thought.

My background is music and I have also loved technology since the days of building Heathkit shortwave radios in the 60s... Fast forward through a 20 year music career, several stints as a musical director, teacher, performer, conductor, then the world changed and I woke up one summer morning in 1984 with the sudden realization, “I need a job!” So I answered the call for one at a title company and there you have it, the rest is history.

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I started out as a doc puller printing copies of docs from the chain of title via microfiche for the title examiners. Soon I was in customer service (property information) and I loved it. In fact I got really good at it and it took me 15 years to get out of it. As chance would have technology came to the industry and I had applicable skills. I became the go to guy for everyone’s tech challenges (and there were a lot of them back in the day) then I wrote a bunch of applications (beginning with QA4, Paradox, and Microsoft Access) to analyze local real estate markets, then built some of the industry's early websites and portals.

Just after Y2K when the Web 2.0 and social media buzz was getting started my hodge podge assemblage of esoteric interests saw a great big bright flash of light over my mind’s horizon. I had to follow.

Over the past 10 years I’ve been most fortunate. I get to combine my love of teaching, art, technology, media, and real estate. It’s rewarding work and I truly enjoy that this is how I make a contribution to the real estate industry I care so very much about. The journey continues to evolve and now writing is increasingly an important part of the mix.

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As life would have it, well, at least as my life has it, there was no map, set of directions, or star chart I intentionally followed to get here from there. Only my horoscope. I'm a Pisces. I flunked Anthony Robbins. When I stop and realize that just a few short years ago my work, this job, didn’t even exist my mind goes to the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

~ Douglas Adams

Posted by

René Fabre

"Where there's conversation, there's opportunity."

Please Note - The views expressed herein reflect only the individual’s personal views and are not the views of the author’s employer.

The Blackberry Chronicles, a blog by Rene Fabre and his travels around the Greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. Connect w/ Rene Fabre on Google+. Rene Fabre on Twitter. Rene Fabre writes reviews on Yelp. Rene Fabre on Linkedin.com The Audiorium YouTube Channel by Rene Fabre. Facebook.com/renefabre Rene Fabre loves digital photography and here are his shares on Flickr. Rene Fabre is a musician and composer and shares some of his orginal music and recordings on Soundcloud. Rene Fabre shares his interests on Pinterest.
Show All Comments Sort:
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Rene' my father was a Pices, February 28th, he was always a dreamer and a doer, very sensitive but tough, Endre

Jun 24, 2016 04:44 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Rene. Who knew, I certainly didn't. That said I always felt that everything I ever did has prepared me for where I am now.

Jun 24, 2016 11:20 PM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

Great food for thought Rene Fabre "Life’s talking at you every waking minute of every day. Why not post what people actually ask you about. "

Right on target - and - Re-Blog!

Jun 24, 2016 11:38 PM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

You know Rene Fabre I just drove to Phoenix and back (total trip miles was close to 900). that gave me lots of time to comtemplate the universe as I drove over mile after mile of nothing (or apparently nothing). I was wondering "why." I guess if I ever find out it will all just disappear?

Bill Roberts

BTW There is always something to blog about if you are still alive and thinking.

Jun 25, 2016 12:57 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Rene, Very interesting post/story and these days there is certainly a huge need and demand for a tech person with skills. 

Jun 27, 2016 05:59 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

As usual, great and entertaining read - and a glimpse into your soul. It's all unfolding perfectly - now just to let go and fly with it, right? I think you're doing it well. 

Jun 28, 2016 02:13 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing some of your experience.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Jun 28, 2016 10:44 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Pat... Patricia Kennedy ... Yep, I'm a dropout ;O) ... I just got kinda burned out on all of those business motivational speakers after listening to them all through the 90s. I love what I do and go for it every day. My biggest challenge is the day goes by just too darned fast and I still have things I want to do! 

Jun 29, 2016 05:00 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Bob... Robert Vegas Bob Swetz Thanks! And thanks a lot for the feature!

Jun 29, 2016 05:01 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Dan Tabit ... Yep, it's gotta have that swing! :O)

Jun 29, 2016 05:02 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Endre... Endre Barath, Jr. ... I'm not a mystic when it comes to astrology, but there are recognizable traits. My father was a Leo, and he certainly had a way about him that at times was a polar opposite to me :O) ... Yet he was sensitive, a doer, and tough...  and way more nuts & bolts practical than I.

Jun 29, 2016 05:30 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Sheila Anderson ... Hah ;O) ... Me too and it's funny how the road of life gets us to where we need to be, even when it doesn't so... Thanks!

Jun 29, 2016 05:32 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers ... Someday's things are just too obvious ;O)

Jun 29, 2016 05:33 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Bill Roberts ... kinda like my roadtrip from Seattle to Joplin... It came up driving through Nebraska and Kansas. "There's miles and miles and miles of miles and miles and miles." I do love roadtrips though. It's a great way for me to think about life, the universe, and everything. And, agreed... there is always something to blog about! Thanks again!

Jun 29, 2016 05:45 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Robert (Bob) Gilbert ... Indeed, we certainly live in an age where tech skills are always in demand! Thanks again...

Jun 29, 2016 05:47 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Debb... Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD ...  That's the key, right? Let go and fly with it! Agreed! Thanks!

Jun 29, 2016 05:48 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Roy Kelley ... Kinda like an old story from the 19th century... stopping by the Inn and swapping stories with the locals... Thanks and you too! Enjoy the week and may it be outstanding!

Jun 29, 2016 05:51 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Your very welcome Rene ...

Jun 29, 2016 09:52 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Rene

Life is good . . . . and it turns out about the way we make it.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jul 04, 2016 01:09 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

So true Lou Ludwig !! So true! Have a great weekend!

Feb 17, 2017 11:49 AM