We ought to do our neighbour all the good we can. If you do good, good will be done to you; but if you do evil, the same will be measured back to you again.
- Bidpai, Dabschelim and Pilpay. Chap. i.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Walk on Words
I can't seem to get the written word floor out of my mind. Maybe I could do a easier variation with a simple, "Welcome Friends". While I don't know calligraphy, that is why we have computers and fonts (or as my friend Paul says, types).I like the Miama font because it is scripty but clean, but I'm still not convinced on what I should say.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
My To Do List
Summer has almost come and gone, but I still have 2 projects left on my to do list.
1. Finish the Floor in the Entry Way
2. Install a Brick Path
Right now the floor in the entry way is unsealed concrete. Do I stain it or just seal it? More painted concrete floor ideas from Apartment Therapy piqued my interest. I don't like the faux rug and I'm not a lacy person, but the scripted floor has potential...too bad I never learned calligraphy.
I thought that I would have to host the last Book Club meeting (deadlines help), so I was actually making progress on the brick path. The bricks are here and I'm playing around with patterns, but I haven't work on that project in awhile.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Other Real Estate Bubble
The Cloister Inn by Addison Mizner, survived the 1926 real estate bubble and the Great Miami Hurricane. Sound familiar? I guess we never learn. Nonetheless, the building survived and is now known as the Boca Raton Resort and Club.Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Poverty Jet Set in Boca
Poolside
Intercoastal
It is usually one or the other – time or money. You either have lots of time but no money (me) or lots of money but no time (me in a former life). So I’m reverting back to my poverty jet set ways. I never really left it, but now I’ve fully embraced it. Hence my summer vacation all across the state, in New York, Washington DC, Baltimore and now Boca Raton.
How do I do it? I rely on the generosity of others, credit card rebates and frequent flyer miles (in that order). One of my favorite ways to travel on a budget is to piggyback on a friend’s conference trip. Forget all of those websites and travel hints that tell you how to find a good room rate. There is no need to do any of that if you are going to bunk with a friend and stay with them for FREE.
The resort we stayed at in Boca is great. The water, palm trees and cool weather was relaxing. I did think twice about popping open a bottle of Cakebread, but boy was it worth it. I like being this person!
How do I do it? I rely on the generosity of others, credit card rebates and frequent flyer miles (in that order). One of my favorite ways to travel on a budget is to piggyback on a friend’s conference trip. Forget all of those websites and travel hints that tell you how to find a good room rate. There is no need to do any of that if you are going to bunk with a friend and stay with them for FREE.
The resort we stayed at in Boca is great. The water, palm trees and cool weather was relaxing. I did think twice about popping open a bottle of Cakebread, but boy was it worth it. I like being this person!
Monday, August 3, 2009
My Recession Car
Last week was super busy with free work, the whole car selling/buying ordeal and night classes. How did I get all of this stuff done before when I was working 40+ hours a week?
The Saab sold on ebay around noon on Thursday to the guy who test drove it on Wednesday. I got more than I would have if I traded it in, so I’m pleased with the transaction. I dropped off the Saab at his house in the ‘burbs with the agreement that he would drive me back home. In the end, he drove me to the Honda dealership that provided me with the best quote. We still had a few details to iron out, so he dropped me off at the service department - where I negotiated with the salesman on the phone all the while sitting outside on a bench. I was out the door and on my way to class by 7 PM.
The Honda CRV is perfect for me right now. I can fit my bike inside without taking off any parts and it is r-e-l-i-a-b-l-e. Yes, I miss my exotic European cars and the leather, wood trim and buttons on the steering wheel. But I have to admit that this was the first time in years that I was able to take off on a trip and not have to worry that the car would break down in the middle of nowhere.
The Saab sold on ebay around noon on Thursday to the guy who test drove it on Wednesday. I got more than I would have if I traded it in, so I’m pleased with the transaction. I dropped off the Saab at his house in the ‘burbs with the agreement that he would drive me back home. In the end, he drove me to the Honda dealership that provided me with the best quote. We still had a few details to iron out, so he dropped me off at the service department - where I negotiated with the salesman on the phone all the while sitting outside on a bench. I was out the door and on my way to class by 7 PM.
The Honda CRV is perfect for me right now. I can fit my bike inside without taking off any parts and it is r-e-l-i-a-b-l-e. Yes, I miss my exotic European cars and the leather, wood trim and buttons on the steering wheel. But I have to admit that this was the first time in years that I was able to take off on a trip and not have to worry that the car would break down in the middle of nowhere.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Doesn't it Look Pretty
I’m selling the car on ebay as we type. I sold my Alfa Romeo on ebay and was happy with the final outcome. The auction ends tomorrow and all is going well. My reserve is met. Two people called about the car and one person took it for a spin. I frantically washed and vacuumed it again before the test drive.
Car negotiations are going well. I know I’m a geek, but shouldn’t everyone do this much homework before they spend $20,000? I’m using the techniques from Roger Dawson’s Secrets of Power Negotiation and the information from Fighting Chance. Right now, between the two, proposals are running around $500 under invoice.
If I were a car dealership, I would start focusing more on Internet sales. Don’t they realize that tech savy Generation Y makes most of their purchases over the Internet? The plan is to not walk into the dealership until I have the lowest written proposal in my hand.
Car negotiations are going well. I know I’m a geek, but shouldn’t everyone do this much homework before they spend $20,000? I’m using the techniques from Roger Dawson’s Secrets of Power Negotiation and the information from Fighting Chance. Right now, between the two, proposals are running around $500 under invoice.
If I were a car dealership, I would start focusing more on Internet sales. Don’t they realize that tech savy Generation Y makes most of their purchases over the Internet? The plan is to not walk into the dealership until I have the lowest written proposal in my hand.
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