Bangkok Taxis

I found this blog quite by accident – http://lifeinmovingvehicle.blogspot.com/

The author, Dale, regularly posts pictures of the decorations inside Bangkok taxis in which he travels. Often they are excellent quality: impressive for pictures taken in a moving vehicle,

But more interesting is that he’s spoken with the taxi driver and usually has an interesting explanation or anecdote to go with the picture.

I’ve had bad experiences with scamming Bangkok taxi drivers so I tend to avoid them unless I have no alternative. Dale posted some good advice for travelers:

Following are a few simple rules to follow to avoid getting burned by cabbies in the “City of Angels”:

1. Do not take taxis that are sitting and waiting in tourist areas.
2. Make sure the driver turns on the meter.
3. Carry a map as a guide for yourself, but don’t expect your driver to use it or look at it.
4. Bring a business card or get the address of your destination written in Thai.
5. Do not believe some recommendations or claims from your cabbie such as, “I know this great seafood restaurant” or “The Grand Palace is closed today”.

No Roof Sign

They are unlicensed and more likely to scam you.

• Make a note of the taxi’s license number if you leave something behind or have a complaint. The number is displayed on the license plates front and rear in Thai characters and is also painted on the front doors. But more conveniently inside the taxi the number is in Thai and English letters on a sign on both rear doors. Call 1644 in Bangkok if you lose something in a taxi.

Taxi Number

I was sleepy three hours ago when I told myself I’d go to bed. I lay and stare into the darkness. I raised the blinds to see if I could catch any of the meteor shower. I couldn’t. Sleep brings on another, new day, but sometimes I’d rather torture myself. Punish myself, because I am not the person I should be. That just the truth right now.

The platitudes are useless: I know everyone feels that way at some point, or even at many points, in their lives. I know it very well could be a phase. I know this pain is more than just being away from New York or feeling inadequate because of employment or school or social circles or family or bank accounts. It’ll pass; it will all work out. Of course it will.

Why do I do this to myself?

It’s raining stars in our solar system right now. Leo’s mane crackles. If I were to jump high into the sky and catch one of those stars on my tongue, it would burn. My whole soul would catch fire and be consumed instantly in the vacuum beyond our atmosphere. I am nowhere near ready for such glory – subtelestial – even that of meteors blazing in their own orbit.

What can you do when Giant Purple African Fire Ants (which you turn out to be wildly allergic to) have taken up residence in your britches and a once-comfortable tinge of the travel bug has turned into a Class IX Code Mayday infestation?  Well, a chronic sufferer of ANP (Ants ‘N Pants) Syndrome myself, I have compiled a list of five simple activities which can help relieve any uncomfortable symptoms (including difficulty concentrating, tingling in legs and arms, unhealthy amounts of time spent reading National Geographic Adventure, etc).

• Change your routine: When your enthusiasm for today comes from the promise of future plans, it is high time to hack away the crispy fry-batter that condemns the present to sluggishness in order to taste the juicy center of now.  Making little changes in your daily routine can feel like taking a pickax to the doldrums.  Instead of driving to work or school, ride the bus.  If you normally ride the bus, walk.  Try arriving everywhere an hour earlier or leaving an hour later just to catch a different cross-section of your community.  Awakening the senses to your current setting can take the edge off of that relentless urge to grab your backpack and hop on a plane to anywhere.

• Have a mini-adventure: So your next big trip is months away. Whether money is tight or not, you want to GO but can’t…yet.  Taking a weekend or an afternoon to do something even a little bit adventurous will revive the droopy sails of a traveler without a trip.  Climb a tree.  Yes, a tree.  Spend a night camping in a local state park, or even in your backyard.  Go on a photo scavenger hunt searching for the quirkiest people or objects in your neighborhood.  Climb a billboard or water tower (exercising extreme caution and avoiding the cops, of course).  Be a little bit crazy to reward yourself for bottom-line practicality.

• Reflect on a past trip: Sometimes we stay so enamored with future possibilities, we forget to process (let alone reflect upon) voyages completed.  While sifting through old travel photos may at first aggravate your longing, the process of remembering ultimately guides you back to center.  Put together a scrapbook.  Write a narrative about a stand-out moment from on the road.  Revisiting the experiences you lust after expounds inner why’s–why you are desirous to go, why particular destinations, why not where you are… Stitching together your own story will prepare you mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the day your departure date finally lumbers into view.

• Read a novel: Since this suggestion has already been beaten to death then dressed up and clobbered again by all manner of redundant folks (of which I am now one), I will simply relay Ms. Emily Dickinson’s observations on the matter: “There is no frigate like a book/ To take us lands away/ Nor any coursers like a page/ Of prancing poetry./ This traverse may the poorest take/ Without oppress of toll;/ How frugal is the chariot/ That bears a human soul!”

• Look for diversity in your own town: I know you are dreaming of strange and exotic cities with foreign smells and languages that seem to bubble softly over the lips of the natives.  But, what about the mysteries of your own town?  Visit the farmer’s market if you never have or browse that funny bookshop scarcely visible from the street.  Drive through a new development or an ancient one.  Take a ghost tour; hunt for the best chicken salad sandwich; find a local organization that promotes ethnic diversity and attend an event.  Sniffing out the intricacies on this side of the fence will distract you from the tantalizing scent of greener grass.

The time in between travels can easily manifest as a plateau of intolerable sameness…a waiting game while you waste away precious lifetime amassing funds and free time enough to escape the system once again.  OR, you can claim the reigns of the ornery meantime, harnessing every bit of of power in these dreaded lulls.

Over the next few weeks, I plan to employ the above tips myself.  I’ll keep you posted on successes, failures, and the status of my wanderlust.

How do you ward off restlessness?

1. Dress to suit the weather. If it happens to be an extremely windy day with imminent showers (like yesterday for example), DO. NOT. WEAR. A. WRAP DRESS.

2. If you absolutely, positively, DIE-DIE MUST wear a wrap dress on said windy day, make sure you have a strategically placed pin on the inside fold of the skirt so that accidental flashing can be avoided.

3. If you are pin-challenged (like I am), and you absolutely, positively DIE-DIE MUST wear a wrap dress on said windy day, then make sure your hands are not occupied carting bags of wedding invitations, rendering you helpless and unable to grab your skirt when it catches in the wind.

4. If you are an infantile risk-taker or you’re just feeling lucky, plucky & sucky and absolutely, positively DIE-DIE MUST wear your favourite wrap dress on said windy day, and would like to try that trick without a safety pin or free hands while crossing a busy street in front of the MRT in the middle of Shenton Way at PEAK hour, then you’d better be wearing really good underwear. Instead of regulation cottons whose only saving grace is being BLACK!

5. Better yet, you better hope the skirt is long enough to cover your face when it flies up. Because by now, I can safely say that my notoriety in the Lion City is hard-won and comes at tremendous cost. *sigh* And if I ever have to go for a job interview around Shenton Way, I can probably mention this incident as a mental reference. (“Yah, remember? Shenton Way? Windy day? Black undies?”)

I’m lucky I already have a fiance. Because after yesterday, I really jatuh saham sudah (“share price drop”).

And of all the tips this Bridezilla has generously shared with y’all thus far, you should circle this in RED!!

Unless you really do want the world to be your gynecologist of course. In which case you’re on the wrong blog.

No matter how hard you try, you’re never gonna see KStew looking back at you in the mirror.  It’s just gonna be you.  So buck up, Private, and stop wasting time hoping for something you’re not.  You’re not hideous.  But you are also not her.

How about that physics homework, eh?

We got zippers, trenches, and vampire shirts.

Aptly titled the “Black Bella” coat. Is this the one being show on Twilight: New Moon?

Real: Black Bella Coat by Liquid, $374.00

Steal: Embers Coat, $140.00 at www.pyramidcollection.com

Real: Vampire Love Tee by Wild Fox Couture, $77.00 at www.chickdowntown.com

Steal: True Blood Lipstick Tee, $22.00 at www.hottopic.com

 Real: Cushy Black Distressed Jeans by Diesel, $240.00 at www.chickdowntown.com

Steal: Zipper Cigarette Pant, $34.00 at www.venus.com

On Sunday Agent Scott Treimel joined a small group of writers in Princeton, NJ to discuss the elements of novel writing by going through the first ten pages and synopsis for the 15 people attending.  I wish we had made this a two-day event, since Scott is a wealth of knowledge and the day ended with so much more to kick around.  Anyone who has met Scott knows he does not pull any punches, but that is exactly what you need when you want to make your novel the best it can be.

I thought I would share two of the books, he thought we should have on our bookshelf.  The first one is THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk and White.  The book begins with eleven “Elementary Rules of Usage,” then continues with eleven more “Elementary Rules of Composition,” and eleven “Matters of Form.” Each is presented as a brief statement followed by another sentence or two of explanation and a few clarifying examples. This  compilation fills only thirty-eight pages, yet covers ninety percent of good writing fundamentals. Another nice feature of the book is an alphabetical listing of commonly misused words and expressions.  At the end of the book there is an essay on “An Approach to Style” with a list of twenty-one “Reminders.”  Well, worth the price of $7.95 for this 56 page book on Amazon.

The second book he recommended is STEERING THE CRAFT by Ursula K. LeGuin.  She likens writing to “steering a craft,” and as one reads through the book, one has the sense of floating down a river, with the waves of Le Guin’s words lapping at one’s craft. Le Guin veers sharply from the mainstream of contemporary writing manuals by challenging their very definition of story. While it is common to “conflate story with conflict,” Le Guin writes, she finds that limiting. “Story is change,” she says. While that change may be the result of conflict, it is just as likely to evolve from “relating, finding, losing, bearing, discovering, [or] parting.” Le Guin demonstrates this complexity with well-hewn excerpts from the works of such writers as Jane Austen, Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charlotte Brontë, and especially Virginia Woolf. The many aspects of fine fiction writing Le Guin addresses here include the role of the narrative sentence (its “chief duty [is] to lead to the next sentence–to keep the story going”); avoiding exposition doldrums (“break up the information, grind it fine, and make it into bricks to build the story with”); and the concept of “crowding and leaping.” While prose should be “crowded with sensations, meanings, and implications,” don’t forget that “what you leave out is infinitely more than what you leave in.”

She also includes a handful of clever writing exercises.  This 180 page book sells for $10.17.  Both books may already be on your book shelf already.  If they are, dust them off and if they aren’t, put them on your holiday wish list.

The one thing that Scott beat all of us up about, was omitting needless words.  They were everywhere.  We all hear that all the time, but apparently we need to put a big sign in our offices that screams, “OMIT USELESS WORDS!”

Of course if you are doing NaNoWriMo, wait until the end of the month to cut – then be ruthless.

Kathy

It doesn’t take a lot of searching to stumble across an “all men are dogs” post online. I have yet to meet a female that hasn’t at some point had her heart broken, including myself. I have yet to meet a female who hasn’t at some point stated that, “all men are assholes”, including myself. I have yet to meet a female that hasn’t at some point considered a single life of celibacy if it meant never having to get screwed over again. I wanted to share my story so hopefully woman will stop ripping their hair out and settling for a no-good S.O.B doesn’t know how to treat a woman.

I didn’t have any boyfriends during my teenage years. I used to think I was super picky but now I see that it was because I am a “straight to the point” type of girl that doesn’t like having her time wasted. I was a virgin until I was almost 19. This made it hell for me because as soon as a guy found out I was a virgin I became a territory that needed conquering. I can’t count how many bets I have been involved in at some point. It was pitiful. Guys went to desperate measures to sleep with me- and when I laughed at how lame they were and made fun of them for it, I was called a “tease”. I was a “snob”. I “wasn’t all that anyways”. It was hilarious. Besides that situation I was honestly too wrapped up in myself and having fun than to worry about relationship drama with a guy that almost certainly wouldn’t last long.

When I was 18 I met my son’s father. I have blogged about this so many times, told this story so many times that I can’t even go there anymore. Let’s just say it didn’t go so well. I lost my virginity to him after dating him for 11 months and ended up having his son. He’s gone, he’s been gone since a few days before I found out I was pregnant. This was a pretty crazy experience. I ended up being the bitter  female who flattened his tires then had him arrested….. being cheated on—- no…..being lied to about an entire relationship can turn someone mad. Yes, the whole time I was with him I thought he loved me, thought I was special, thought I was the only one when in fact I was one of many and our entire “relationship” was a complete lie. I was a “bet”. He won. Wow, huh? And now he is a deadbeat dad that doesn’t even know his son and I was left pregnant at 19 and to become a single mom 5 days after my 20th birthday.

I became a serial crusher. Yes, that’s a word I just made up. I found guys to develop a crush on- never to let them know. I loved it. I could watch them and imagine what a relationship would be like with them- without actually having to deal with who they really were. It was great. One of them was some asshole in a band. Another was a co-worker…..and another co-worker….. ok, they were usually co-worker. I talked to another jerk in a band that was way too popular and whorish for me to handle. I met a guy that will forever be the “rebound guy”, thinking he could help me get over my ex- oh wow….. isn’t it funny how rebound guys are usually the TOTAL opposite of the guy who screwed you over? I took it to a whole new level of weirdness. I am a beer drinking, swear like a sailor, prop my feet on the dinner table kind of girl. This guy was a collared shirt wearing, overboard on the hair gel, “I seriously listen to Maroon 5” kind of guy. LOL. He was the second of 3 guys I have ever slept with and I literally had to drink myself silly to do it. I’m all like 5’9 big boobs and stuff- and this guy looked like freaking Prince. He was petite. OMG. I can’t believe I slept with him. (trying to stop having flashbacks ew).

I was never looking for a relationship with any of these guys. I turned into a super bitch who trusted NO ONE. Guys would hit on me in the club and I would deliberately gross them out to get them away from me. I hated men.

I started exchanging numbers with quite a few guys online. Oh no- I never had any intentions of meeting them- I just enjoyed having a guy call me. It maintained my confidence and that was it. Every time they asked to meet up with me- I pulled a new excuse out of my ass. I could have written a very successful book about it; “1000 ways to get rid of a guy”.

The whole time all of this was going on, maybe 2 years, I was still crying over my ex. I went through all of the stages of grief. It was HELL. It wasn’t normal to feel that fucked up in the head. It honestly wasn’t. Especially when I didn’t have to face him, he had already moved across the country and got another girl pregnant. You would have thought that made it easier- it made it worse. Or at least I hope it couldn’t have been any worse than it was.

  So one day in 2006, I got a friend request from some random guy. He was really cute so I clicked his picture and noticed he was from around the same area I grew up in in Virginia and had recently moved to Florida. I clicked his pictures and wow. He was standing there in the middle of the freaking woods with an assault rifle. I thought to myself, “nope. no way buddy”. But after really checking out his profile I got curious and decided to send him a message. Here it is- my very first message to him.

From: kal32205
Date: May 13, 2006 1:08 PM
kevin check it out you are so damn cute but jesus you are gonna scare everyone away with that picture of you and that gun lmao i hope to God that isn’t yours…..

And his response:

hey babygirl…thanx for the comment and the advice lolz…well itz not my gun and i dont have one but it doesnt hurt to know how to use one Have a good weekend cutie and i would appreciate an add <3 ttyl

He eventually explained the gun situation and I can guarantee you, it was totally innocent. On May 19th, 2006, he came to visit me at the club I was bartending at and we have been together ever since. I fell totally head over heels for him, he honestly had every quality I wanted in a guy. We are now engaged and have a daughter together.

I could have given all of those losers a chance (why did I always attract losers anyways?) but then I wouldn’t have this wonderful life I have right now. Everything happens for a reason- don’t write anything off as chance. This is how it was supposed to be. When I cried my eyes out night after night over my ex- I never in a million years thought I could be happy with someone else. When I had our son, I didn’t think I could possibly find someone who would accept me and my son. My friends and family all tried to tell me that I was a wonderful, beautiful person who deserved to be treated with respect- and that I would find someone perfect for me if I just gave it time. They were more than right. I can’t tell you all how many nights I prayed to God that he would just send my ex back to me- and how many times I got mad at God for putting me through what I thought was unfair. I now thank God he never answered those prayers of mine, he knew what I wanted and what I needed better than I did….

The reason this one is called “Cause & Effect” is because I’m making it to touch on and review exactly WHY I told you those tips specifically, what will happen next, and how it benefits you in the future (of your revenge-getting), and WHY those tips work best!!!!  (Or at least I’ll attempt to…….)

I know it's childish to say so, but I died laughing upon seeing this.

*cracks knuckles and “shakes it off” (okay no, cracking knuckles is disgusting….but you get the point).*

I hope you all now realize why I gave you a little time to let this stuff sink in…..and give you time to actually consider it, check out the info, and realize what sort of golden ticket you have been handed IF you are successful in doing ANY of the things listed in Part I (or The Lady’s Revenge:  Helpful Hints on Dealing with an Asshole).

SO.  Once you are comfortable with the site I gave you (black book) and playing around with it a bit to find out public criminal records…….

and have also given you an idea or two on how to MANIPULATE those records and the information you may have found…….

Do you realize that you are no longer the prey, have SURPASSED the predator, and are essentially now DICTATING what crime will next appear on that very criminal record?

Let’s say you do the “anonymous tip” thing  but are worried that they person “isn’t really a drug dealer…..they just smoke a little weed and probably have some on them”.

You probably figure that the cops wouldn’t bother with a random “bigtime drug dealer” tip or two.  You would be wrong.  Sad as it is….most police departments never get to see a “big day” where they are accredited and praised for “busting a serial-killer” or “bringing down a violent rapist on the run”……because there are far more small towns then there are gigantic cities with tons of that stuff and MOST local PD’s don’t see any “action” of that caliber.

For whatever reason, police departments are given A LOT of credit for bringing down even a small-town weed dealer.  You cannot fault them for this because they need those big busts to receive more funding, more gear, more technology….etc.  You must remember that even a “small town weed dealer” usually WILL move enough product to put numbers in the millions.  Anything with “Million Dollar Drug Bust” attached to small town PD looks good.

What seems like a probably not-so-effective idea like an “anonymous tip about a drug dealer” is actually an EXCELLENT way to ensure that the tip is followed up on.  Plenty of REAL drug dealers dime out their competition this way and the tip line has no interest in the reason WHY you are calling them.  (My point is that you shouldn’t trip out and be like “omg what if they ask me WHY I’m tipping them” and are worried about getting in trouble. ) It’s legal and acceptable to call a tip line.  It’s THEIR job to decide where it’s something worth following up on.

Next, you wonder “but what will the cops do when they get there?”  Well, in many states (including PA) your “anonymous tip” alone is REASONABLE SUSPICION for the police to search the person and the home without a warrant.

Yup, that’s right.  This is a gray area but “reasonable suspicion” and actual “evidence” are two completely different things.  They don’t NEED “evidence” at this point.

So basically, you enjoyed knowing that even if your enemy DOESN’T have a “large quantity of drugs” and maybe just a bong and a dimebag…..the police are still going to beat on his door, search him, possibly search his ENTIRE HOME (including being allowed to tear it up to a reasonable degree without punishment), interrogate him, possibly arrest him (if he has a bong and a dime, that’s good enough), and definitely fine the shit out of him, make him go to court, and most importantly…..

RUIN HIS FUCKING DAY.

Commit that one to memory and use it often because it’s a quick, painless, fix to ANYONE you know who might have a little something illegal on them at any time…..

Once you have used the simple “anonymous tip” method (or for drinkers the “remove the license plate and wait happily for them to get slapped with a DUI” method) you have put yourself in the driver’s seat of their life in more ways than one.

1.  You know THEIR criminal record now, probably their current address, possibly where everyone he/she knows is located, who he/she works for, and even what charges he has pending but hasn’t been charged with YET (ie:  whatever you got your enemy busted for).

2.  You know EXACTLY what they’re GOING to be charged for because now you know how to access their criminal files whenever you want.  The site I linked (BlackBookOnline) for criminal records searches is pretty fast in updating their files and DUI’s especially usually take about 6 months before you even GO to court and officially lose your license and all that.  Meaning the site will update the records as “new shit happens” and something official is done, so as long as you check back and search them periodically, you will know EXACTLY when, what, and how much he paid due to his “new criminal charges”.

3.  You have the intimate knowledge that they are already getting charged with a crime or two SOON.  This is the time that you just randomly needle them with petty vandalism and essentially “doing shit to make them think they’re going crazy”.  All anonymously, of course.  All you need is for THEM to slip up and do something that you can call the cops about and/or get them charged with another crime that would normally be no big deal…….

but when you have a pending DUI and/or Drug charge????  NOW every little crime is a big deal for your hated offender.

YES.  Now do you see why I said “you will literally now be the dictator of their life”????

The information you KNOW and the part you played in the revenge so far is what will keep you sooooooo many steps ahead of that person that as long as you STAY PATIENT, STAY CONFIDENT, and remember that old expression:  ”You know what happens when you give someone a long enough piece of rope?”

Yes, yes we all know this…..”They hang themselves.”  If you have gotten THIS far (somewhat successfully) in the revenge, you need to settle down and just concentrate now on “doing things that would make a normal person think they’re losing their mind”.

So basically, now it’s the fun stuff.  No technicalities or legal-speak, just go back to your childhood roots where you light poop on fire on people’s doorsteps, or smashed a mailbox, or strategically placed roofing nails all over the driveway carefully concealed by the falling autumn leaves

You get the picture.  No cop on earth gives a fuck about stupid vandalism shit like this, because it’s hard to prove and not worth the effort to file, cite, and show up in court for.

This person is going to lose it and do something dumb/illegal that you can call them in for.  They now have no job, no pride (because everyone saw the criminal records you sent out) no money, and several criminal charges, fines, and possible jailtime…..they are a loose cannon emotionally and normally “just irritating” childish pranks suddenly make this person flip-out, go crazy, and fuck themselves.

Let’s not ever forget the enjoyment factor of watching the person unravel, shall we?

So for now….I shall leave you at that.  If you have implemented the tips provided in Part I, then now you understand Part II……

*Don’t be irritated with me, I know a “review” sucks but if someone is actually actively GETTING revenge on someone following along here, I totally don’t want to mess that up !!!….I’m trying to feed your creative sides and make it so you will be able to do this easily and regularly IF NEEDED like I can*

Please remember, that thus far the ONLY outwardly “illegal” thing is STILL “removing the license plate” and the small vandalism stuff.  It seems like it would be bullshit and not work unless you morphed into a criminal and broke a bunch of laws in order for it to work…..but that’s not the case.

Everything I suggest here will make me mighty unpopular amongst the Private Investigators, Cops, Lawyers, Assholes who know someone is going to do this stuff to them,…..

Yes, yes…..save it.  I know….”Lady Raine is all that is unholy and evil in this world and should be ashamed of herself…..boooooo!”.

*Duly noted.  And I offer my advance apologies for whatever my unholiness causes! *

How soon is TOO soon?

I always thought about being in a relationship and how awesome it is, how much it can seriously blow, and of course what happnens at the end. I have always tried to be a live in the moment person, but I cannot help but picture the future in all situations! If you asked me 6 months ago how I would feel if my ex had a new fling within weeks of breaking up I would say %#&@ him and probably be crying hysterically. But sometimes I realize  can be a hypocrit, yes I will admit that.

I broke up with my boyfriend, lets call him Tom* about 3 months ago after it being so ridiculous that I could not bare the arguments anymore. He actually broke up with me which I was waiting for because I could not seem to do the deed myself, pathetic I know. He was my best friend, but thats all anymore. I was no longer in love.

About a month after I broke up with Tom* I met a guy, lets call him *Mike, through a mutual friend. He went to my school and was my year, but somehow we had never met. So this happens, that happens, and we end up hooking up. At first I have never been so confused. I actually left in the middle of the night to sleep at a friends because I was so ashamed that I barely knew this guy!! ANWAYS, it has been about 2 months since and I am head over heels for this guy. I don’t think I ever would have imagined falling for someone this fast! Especially someone I met under those circumstances. We are pretty much inseperable, but it is awesome, I could not be happier.My ex still wants me back , and I tell him were just friends, but do not want to make anything official with the new guy until I feel it has been enough time. Is that bad? 

So everyone out there who thinks a hookup with a guy cannot turn into more, hey it happened to me, and when you least expect it you can find someone who is the ying to your yang without even wanting it. It is my senior year I want to be single and rage with my girls, but now I just want to be with Mike all the time. Interesting and confusing. For the first time in my life…I think I am just going to go with it.

x0

Should you date your best friend?
(polls)

Overpricing a home, especially in today’s market, can lose your best opportunity for a sale. The competition is fierce, and the supply of homes has never been larger.

Priced appropriately, you can sell for top dollar, sometimes with multiple bids, and even go over asking price.

Often times, sellers don’t know the “true” market conditions. Many agents will take an overpriced listing, only to continually request the seller to “drop the price”. Once you have “chased” the market, dropped the price several times, and not been able to sell your home, you will realize the true market conditions, at the present time.

I will not take a listing that is overpriced. I have only had three homes in twenty years that have not sold. I am often the second or even third listing agent on a property that I had tried to list at “market price”, 18 months, two and sometimes three years earlier. I presently have one of those three unsold properties, that’s been on and off “ the market, for four years. It’s not that it’s overpriced, it is just a special property, $4,900,000 – over 15,000 sqft, 8/car garage, 440 foot lake frontage, with a 2,500 sqft guest house 3/2/LR/DR/KIT built at a cost of over $10,000,000. This often takes awhile to sell. The seller has only ever been listed with me, as has come back to me after taking it off the market each time.

Have you ever seen a friend in danger and tried with all of your might to stop him/her from hurting his/herself but he/she just refuses to listen? I know I certainly have. And it sucks.

It sucks because you try to give your friend advice. You SEE the problem, you KNOW what’s happening. But your friend is just too blind to see it his/herself and too deaf to listen to you. You give him/her everything you have trying to save him/her from what he/she is running at. You give your best advice. Your best. And it’s just ran over, pushed aside, or violently opposed. And that sucks.

But you know what the worst part is? That person doesn’t know. He/she is setting him/herself up for disaster, and as you try and take the pieces away, he/she rips them out of your hands and re-assembles them. He/she builds his/herself up on un-stable sands and he/she  just can’t see why you’re trying so hard to direct him/her to the concrete!

And then the sand slips away and he/she goes with it. And you tried. You tried so hard to keep him/her safe… to keep him/her from slipping into the water. And you feel like you failed him/her. But you know what… you didn’t. He/she failed his/herself. He/she didn’t open his/her mind. And he/she didn’t want to hear the advice of ones loved by him/her.

Here’s what I say now when I try to advise my friends and my advise is pushed away… fine. If you think you can handle it yourself, I’ll trust your judgement. But when your world comes crashing down, know that I’ll still be here to put it back together. Because if you push advice away, when you want it, it won’t come to you. But I will. I won’t sit here and watch you mess up. You come find me when you need me again. I’ll be right here.

With Love,

-TheThinker57

You'll love The Seriously McMillan Show on BlogTalk Radio!

Now, she’s talking!

Yes, Seriously McMillan has written the books and those mannerly looks, but what the heck is she saying in the new Seriously McMillan Show?

I just love doing radio and podcasts, goodness forbid that I have to do a video and I am not wearing the right makeup…Oh no!

It’s not vanity for Author Seriously McMillan, it’s about practicing what she preaches about using good taste in all aspect of your life, including public appearance.

I am aware of my image and sometimes I just can’t get all the bells and whistles in the right places, but, I will not let that take away from the message.  You don’t need to see my face to hear what I am saying.

So, has Seriously retired from doing videos?

“No”, she says, “But podcasts about manners, etiquette and good taste are better because if I become inspired to do a podcast in the middle of the night, I can…Without worrying about hair and makeup.”

What is Seriously talking about in her new show called About A Few Things: The Seriously McMillan Show?

She talking about a few things that are timely and savvy.  Current events and private ones.  How to live your best life while learning and applying respect, manners, etiquette, courtesy and civility.

Seriously bite-sized podcasts are the perfect inspiration to wake up to, so catch her show LIVE in the mornings or finish your evening downloading and listening to a “Seriously inspired” podcast to make the next day a great.

I am working on keeping my podcasts under 15 minutes, some special topics I will chat about for half hour.  The messages in my podcasts are food for though.  They come quick, simple and easy to apply to life.

So take a look…rather a listen to Seriously McMillan’s blog talk radio show and enjoy.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that there are certain behaviors that one should exude in church.  Church is the house of the Lord.  You should be reverent and respectful and keep your txt messaging to a minimum. 

If you aren’t Twittering or sending txt messages to God, then you need to be paying attention to the minister, unless he’s totally boring and has no idea what the difference is between the Old Testament and the New.  Otherwise, the following behavior is permissible in church.  But you didn’t hear it from Hottywood.  Far be it from me to give you a one-way pass straight to hell (unless you piss me off, then I’m giving tickets away for free). 

*** 

The Top 10 Things NOT to do in Church

***

(1) Don’t stand up and shout “Bingo!” during service.  The clergy staff will not like it and you’ll be expected to give more money to the collection plate.  Sister Mary Louise may also be upset you didn’t invite her. 

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(2) Don’t drink 10 shots of communion wine.  This screams rehab!  The attention you’ll get from doing this is quite the opposite of a room full of drunks screaming “Chug-a-lug,” unless your church service is held in the back of the corner liquor store. 

 That is the only exception to the rule. 

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(3) Don’t bring your own bottle for communion.  Bringing your own bottle says two things about you.  (1) You’re a lush and (2) you’re selfish.  Next time, bring enough for everyone. 

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(4) Don’t hit on the preacher’s wife.  Trust me, this never ends well.  Either she’ll slap you or the preacher will do it for her…one way or another you’re getting slapped.  Carry plenty of Vaseline.  It’ll soften the blow.  

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(5) Don’t drop it like it’s hot when catching the Holy Ghost.  This is a one-way ticket straight to hell (where the party never stops…nor does the consistent sweating).   Besides, your pores are probably still open and you wreak of alcohol and cigarette smoke.  Do yourself a favor and sit your ass down. 

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                                                                                                                                                       (6) DON’T throw tomatoes at the childrens’ choir.  We know kids are cute and all, but their singing is another story.  Even though you may want to cut your ears off with the edges of your church bulletin, they are still kids.  Save the tomatoes for the parents who keep telling you how talented their untalented children are. 

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(7) Don’t change your cell phone ringtone to “Pop that Pussy” during prayer unless you just really really like that song.  I know I do.  Actually, you’d be surprised at the number of old people who have provocative ring tones on their cellies.  However, just to be safe…

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(8) Don’t snore in church, especially if you’re the preacher.  If you’re leading by example, the whole damn church will be sleeping (which might work out okay for the heathens that are just getting in from the club).   

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(9) Don’t go straight to church from the club.  Truth be told, most churches say, “Come as you are,” so why not?  I’m sure the deacons won’t mind. 

…their wives are a different story.

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(10) Don’t forget where you are when it’s time for your solo.   Church is a place for worship, not trying to score a record deal.  Don’t be a skank.  Some people may not get into it, but you can blame the heavy breathing and stripping on catching the Holy Ghost.  Just watch out for lightning bolts and paramedics as they come to administer CPR to those old folks who drop dead during your performance.  *Although what better place to have a funeral than at church, right?

___________________________________________________________

There you have it folks.  The top 10 things you should NOT do in church.  I won’t tell you how I know these things.  I told you I’m a plethera of information.  If you have a problem with it, take it up with Jesus!  

P.S.,

Is there room in your church for me?  Because once my pastor sees this, I’m getting booted out of mine! 

Until next time my little onion flavored wood chips.  Feel free to stop by and check me out anytime, as long as it’s no time before 11am.  If you knock on my door or ring my phone anytime before then, I’ll cut your ass.  If you don’t believe me, try me!   Remember - 90% of any effort is getting started. 

Quote of the week:     “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.”

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mrhollywood2009

Most of us rate our jobs and careers as a very important part of our lives. This is understandable given it is our source of income, contributes to our sense of self and self worth and provides a major platform for our ongoing learning and development.  While it is us, and us alone who is responsible for our work, this does not have to extend to our job search.  Chances are you, like most people embark on a new job search or career change as a solo project and it can be tough. Looking for a new job takes a lot of time and effort and also confidence. It can be a lonely time and one of much self doubt.   It requires dedication and tenacity to back yourself and to make the judgment call about the roles you are looking to apply for.

How do you know if you are being too cautious in the roles you apply for? Perhaps you are undervaluing yourself and your expertise. Are you applying for jobs at the right level or are you aiming too high or too low? Given there are no set rules, you have two choices; to go it alone or to enlist the help of a trusted party or parties to help you. Sometimes we need others to push us along and force us to be uncomfortable and aim a little higher. Which is why having a mentor and or past or current bosses we trust can be a great career asset. Learn more about the importance of having a mentor in Paul Stevens article “Why you need a mentor in all economic climates and how to find the right one” .

Having those you trust that you can call upon to run jobs by if you are not sure if your suited for can only benefit you, yet too many of us embark on a job or career change as a solo ordeal, which does not always have to be the case. Those who you have relationships with, are next to always willing to assist you in your ongoing development and career success. The key is to identity those around you who fit the bill, – those people whose judgment you trust, who know you well and who you are comfortable calling, emailing or meeting up with to get their advice.

Having this support when making a job or career change is invaluable and can certainly make the process a far more swift and pleasant one. These people know you, respect you and want to see you succeed. If you are professional and reasonable in your approach to them for their support they will rarely turn you away.  If you are in the process of making a job or career change, as the year winds down, now is a great time to make a list of those to contact to help you make a successful change in 2010.  In part 2 of this blog post we will look at “Identifying those who are best positioned to assist you in your job search”

I am off to once again attempt to set off soosh bombasticos with the Gentleman, but soon I will have the time to go in-depth on one of my favorite photographers and a former lovely and talented model herself, the awesome Ellen Von Unwerth. Here are pictures from her book Revenge, along with quotes from an interview with author David Bowman.

Ellen Von Unwerth: “It’s good to shock. It’s not good to always be careful. It’s good to disturb a little.”

David Bowman: Have you yourself ever been handcuffed naked to a radiator?

EVU: [Laughs.] No. In every picture there is something personal. Even in the casting — there’s something about a girl. There is always something personal. Do you mean, “Do I get tied up every day?” No. [Laughs.] That’s not the case. When I was a child we would be playing, you know, “You are the slave.” “You are the queen.” “You are mean.” You know, it’s like fairytale.

David Bowman: How did “Revenge” come about?

EVU: I wanted to tell a story almost like a movie. I wanted to do something erotic with girls I knew would have fun doing it. So I wrote this little story and then I photographed it. I booked the girls like a movie cast. Everyone had a character. The guy also. I showed them a script, little drawings. And had them play out little scenes.

David Bowman: Was it fun being so wicked?

EVU: It was very much fun, for the girls and for me.

Guys dont worry about failing.  Dont worry about getting blown out.  Woman will honestly not remember most of the time.  I have went to pick a woman up at the bar.  Failed the first time.  A week later saw her at the bar again played the exact same lines with a few changes and she was easy to pick up as can be.  The thing was she didnt remember me at all.  Woman have a ton of other things on their mind in life.  If you believe they will remember you they probably will.  If you go out with the idea that they wont remember you they wont.  The other factor is you guys gotta remember is if you carry yourself being embarrassed for what you did you will have issues.  You need to carry yourself high.  If your not thinking positive your fucked.

“People rarely make the effort to offer congratulations and praise if something is done right. If you make a great show, ten people will say you did well. But if you make one slip up, ten million people will try to burn your house down.”

We see some proper rubbish on television these days. Not a single Saturday night goes past without millions of Brits gawking into the endless annoying mannerisms of Simon Cowell. And now, with the newest round of “I’m a Z list Celebrity, and I’m only doing this because they couldn’t get anyone better,” starting tonight, it seems the days of decent programming are drawing to an end. Or are they? For it seems as if a light has been turned on at the end of the TV tunnel. A single flickering candle of honest television. A beacon for petrol and diesel heads alike. Yes ladies and gents, the wait is over. Top Gear is back!

Now let’s not beat around the proverbial bush. Top Gear is now BBC 2’s most watched programme. It is a global phenomenon. It’s shown in more than 100 countries across the globe, and the face of Jeremy Clarkson is now more recognisable to your average schoolchild than the face of that cretin in number 10. But why is it such a success? Who could honestly have foreseen that watching three middle aged men falling over and setting various bits of machinery on fire would make for good viewing? Who could have known that viewing supercars with ridiculous credentials sliding around corners way too fast could turn into a good programme? It’s all well and good. But one question remains on the lips of TG fans around the globe. Is this the Top Gear that was meant to be? Is this more a mockery of modern Britain than a motoring show? In short, is it a car programme anymore?

Well, to answer this question you have to understand just how large the audience of Top Gear is. This is no longer the same tweed-covered pokey motoring show of the 80’s. Oh no, nowadays, children, housewives, men with marigolds, vicars, even chartered accountants tune in religiously every Sunday evening. So naturally, with its fan base growing, the show’s producers had to shift their focus from cars, to comedy. They had to keep their ratings, and the main criticism of Top Gear now is that at points it seems a little staged, a little planned, like everything goes wrong a little too perfectly… But really I think the reason why they’re doing it is because they are trying to please everyone. You will never manage to satisfy every single customer, but damn they’re going to try anyway.

Take last night as an example. In just 60 minutes of programming you had factual car reviews, consumer advice, practical testing, comedy, drama, and some of the best camera work I’ve ever seen. So the three or four people who are left are naturally going to be the ones left complaining. The other point to make is that people rarely make the effort to offer congratulations and praise if something is done right. If you make a great show, ten people will say you did well. But if you make one slip up, ten million people will try to burn your house down.

People are only too quick to come charging onto internet forums with their criticisms of television. Imagine how heartbreaking that must be for whoever makes the programme. Do they come down to your workplace and tell you how to do your job? No, so what gives you the right to tell them how to do theirs? Well, mostly because 9 times out of 10, they actively encourage it. They are always keen for consumer feedback, because that is the foundation upon which they can improve. For me last nights season opener was fantastic, simply because Top Gear, having listened to the people who watch it, reverted back to doing what it does best, being a car show again. Oh sure there was laughter, there were tears, there was even uncontrollable hysterics when Jeremy broke a toilet, but beyond that the focus was on the cars. So how would I sum up how I feel now that Top Gear is once again gracing our screens? Simple, I only need 4 words. The boys are back!

Feel free to get in touch with your opinion on all things to do with Britain’s favourite motoring show. I’ll usually answer, except if it’s at 9pm on a Sunday evening. In which case I’m slumped in front of the telly.

There’s nothing quite like putting a campaign to bed knowing that all of the right outlets have been reached, that the message was on track, and initial response from the public has been positive.  Satisfying.  A feeling of accomplishment.

That is, until the client starts falling apart or cracking at the seams.

Before you start your next campaign or invest dollars in advertising, here is something to think about:

Does your organization or business have the infrastructure to handle anticipated response? How about response above anticipation?

Will customers be contacting you via phone?  Make sure:

… you have developed an answering system that is informative and helpful.  This means both human and automated systems must be ready.  Train your receptionist to answer questions or be ready to transfer the call to the appropriate department. Don’t make a caller wait through multiple messages on an automated system before they can leave a message or purchase a ticket.  If you are promoting an event, it should be the first thing mentioned in your messages and your staff should be ready to take ticket information as soon as the call is taken.

Will customers be directed to your website?  Make sure:

… you have updated your site and that it is user friendly for people accessing it from a different browsers.  Remember not everyone has a brand new PC.  Is your site work safe?  Nothing discourages worktime purchases like loud music which plays automatically as soon as the potential customer lands on your page.  If you want music on your site, display the option prominently and allow visitors to turn it on themselves.  Be sure to test your order buttons if you have a product on your site.  Always include a back up email option on each product page in case a customer can’t use your payment method.  This allows for instant feedback on any issues which might prevent sales.

Will customers be directed to your store?  Make sure:

… your ad has your hours of operation and that you are actually open during those hours.  Right after the launch of an ad campaign if NOT the time to experiment with new hours.  If you advertised enrollments for classes or are selling tickets, make sure you have your paperwork in order and that all materials are easy to find.  Make sure whoever is in your shop or office knows the procedure for filling out forms and can answer event information.

While this may sound like common sense, these are common areas of opportunity for improvement for all clients.  I once had a client fire the only employee who knew how to retrieve phone messages and change the voice message the day before the launch of their yearly enrollment.  I found out that the phones were down during a check of the phone message – routine for me – the day after the launch.  NO ONE at the organization knew the phones were down.  The phone service provider did not send someone to retrain their staff (and would not instruct anyone via phone or internet) for a full week.  How many people did not enroll when they couldn’t get through on the phone for additional information or directions?  We’ll never know.

So don’t forget this internal checklist before you launch your next advertising campaign.

With the Beta release of our website only a month away, things are pretty exciting.  I’ve spent most of the day trying to arrange meetings with influential people that would find the website extremely useful.  If I can arrange meetings with these people, I am confident that I can get them on board with what I am trying to do.

I am kind of in an awkward period right now.  I have begun to tell people what the website does on a need-to-know basis, and I am going to take that information public very soon.  To be honest, keeping my mouth shut is absolutely killing me.  The people I have spoken with agree this is a great idea, so I cannot wait to tell the rest of the world.  I am even more excited about launching the website, however, because I know how helpful it will be to so many people.

With everything happening so quickly, I created an online calendar in order to keep track of everything that I am doing.  Not that I am capable of sticking to it, but it at least provides a check-list of all of the things that I need to accomplish by the end of each day.  It also helps me to stay disciplined.

Part of me wants to fast forward to one year from now to see if my business is a success.  But in the end, it is the journey that will be most valuable to me.  I have learned a tremendous amount so far about both business and myself, and the journey has just begun.

Here are some of the things I have already learned as an entrepreneur (in no particular order):

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
2. Believe in yourself.
3. Never underestimate the importance of a great support system.
4. Do what you are passionate about.
5. Never give up.
6. Always be thinking into the future.
7. The smallest details can make the largest difference.
8. Networking is absolutely essential to succeed.  Tend to your relationships thoughtfully and often.
9. Your greatest flaws and problems are your greatest opportunities for improvement.
10. Resilience IS Recession-Proof.

Start your art-school-induced indentured servitude early! The AOC can fabricate lots of neat items digitally, allowing for a tidy profit in the online marketplace. (These images come from examples on Etsy, not from AOC-produced projects)

Laser Cutting

RachelClowes

Rapid Prototyping

nervoussystem