Today was my first full day in Spokane and it has been wonderful. Okay so I have gotten lost a few times, but I got a map and things are looking up. However, I have one tiny comment…what’s with the one way streets? I mean really, how much more effective can they be?
Let me back up and explain. The senior center where the Boot Camp is being held is no where near any of the hotels. This means that I had to rent a car, which in turn means that I have to drive from point A to point B, in a strange city. Now let me remind you, I get lost in not so strange cities like Vegas and Reno and at least there I have a general idea of where things are. Here, I am out of control. I finally found the senior center and when I got in my car to leave I figured I would just go back the way I came, right? WRONG! Why, because apparently the way I came no longer exists for me.
But, there is an up side. I looked on my map and confirmed there is no La Flaminia in Spokane! :)
Monday, July 25, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Proud To Be An EXIT Agent
I spent a large part of last week back in Reno for the Women's Council of REALTORS® (WCR)regional conference and I discovered something, I have yet to post about my new career. So we just need to change that.
As some of you may know, I am now officially licensed to sell real estate in the state of Nevada. I can also proudly say that I am a REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, (NAR) the Nevada Association of REALTORS®, (NVAR) the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR) and WCR. (Well, technically this will be official in September!) Most importantly, I am an EXIT agent.
What's EXIT you ask?
EXIT is real estate re-invented. What I mean by this sentence is this, EXIT agents have access to some of the best training around. They have trainers that will teach you, step by step, how to be successful. EXIT agents also have a mentor, someone who will take the time to show them the ropes. You see, what often happens is you are recruited into a real estate company, which can often be the only time you actually see your broker, you watch a few tapes and are then sent out into the world to either make or break it. Now at EXIT, we have a residual program. These residuals mean that for every agent you recruit to the EXIT company, you receive 10% of their gross commission up to $10,000 per year! Anybody can recruit, it doesn't have to be the broker. Your license could be 1 day old, you can still recruit!
Pretty cool huh?
It gets better. So say you were recruited into the company by another agent. This agent has just become you sponsor/mentor. This person is going to be there for you, making sure that you make at least $100,000 every year so they can get their maximum $10,000.
How great is that! You get to reap all the benefits of their knowledge. On the flip side, you train this person to be a successful agent, you're going to be making $10,000 a year by simply waking up.
Additionally, EXIT is not all about the paycheck. True they want you to be the best agent that you can be, but they also want you to be the best person you can be. This means that you have to be a well-rounded person. You can't just focus on the business, but you have to be even throughout business, family, spiritual, mental, physical, contributions. They recognize that with out balance in life, things can begin to implode.
This is important to me. Who wants to work for a company that only measures success through $. Success can simply mean your even in all areas of life.
As some of you may know, I am now officially licensed to sell real estate in the state of Nevada. I can also proudly say that I am a REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, (NAR) the Nevada Association of REALTORS®, (NVAR) the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR) and WCR. (Well, technically this will be official in September!) Most importantly, I am an EXIT agent.
What's EXIT you ask?
EXIT is real estate re-invented. What I mean by this sentence is this, EXIT agents have access to some of the best training around. They have trainers that will teach you, step by step, how to be successful. EXIT agents also have a mentor, someone who will take the time to show them the ropes. You see, what often happens is you are recruited into a real estate company, which can often be the only time you actually see your broker, you watch a few tapes and are then sent out into the world to either make or break it. Now at EXIT, we have a residual program. These residuals mean that for every agent you recruit to the EXIT company, you receive 10% of their gross commission up to $10,000 per year! Anybody can recruit, it doesn't have to be the broker. Your license could be 1 day old, you can still recruit!
Pretty cool huh?
It gets better. So say you were recruited into the company by another agent. This agent has just become you sponsor/mentor. This person is going to be there for you, making sure that you make at least $100,000 every year so they can get their maximum $10,000.
How great is that! You get to reap all the benefits of their knowledge. On the flip side, you train this person to be a successful agent, you're going to be making $10,000 a year by simply waking up.
Additionally, EXIT is not all about the paycheck. True they want you to be the best agent that you can be, but they also want you to be the best person you can be. This means that you have to be a well-rounded person. You can't just focus on the business, but you have to be even throughout business, family, spiritual, mental, physical, contributions. They recognize that with out balance in life, things can begin to implode.
This is important to me. Who wants to work for a company that only measures success through $. Success can simply mean your even in all areas of life.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
The Never Ending Story
As I have said many times before, I am a huge fan of TV on DVD. To me this is a way to watch my favorite shows, even those that are now long cancelled, whenever I want, over and over again. The other day I was yet again watching Dark Angel and I found myself wondering why such a fantastic series was cancelled. As a result, I found myself googling Dark Angel and what I found was amazing.
Did you know that there are sites out there where the series never ended? Some very talented writers, with apparently too much time on their hands, have continued to write the series into a fourth season, a virtual season.
Virtual Seasons!
You know those cancelled shows that were always just a bit ahead of their times or had a kind of cult following? They all live on in these Virtual Seasons. I was completely amazed with this new kind of reality that I spent hours reading the various episodes. All my favorites were there; Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dark Angel, Sports Night and even SeaQuest DSV/2032.
I know, I know, you all are shaking your heads and secretly calling me a dork, (well Uncle Sheddy is calling me a dork out loud) but I felt the need to share. Mostly, because while I know you think I am a dork, I often feel the same about most of you. (I mean that in the most loving way) Besides, I often feel it's my job to occasionally educate you with useless knowledge, you never know when you're going to need an icebreaker!
Did you know that there are sites out there where the series never ended? Some very talented writers, with apparently too much time on their hands, have continued to write the series into a fourth season, a virtual season.
Virtual Seasons!
You know those cancelled shows that were always just a bit ahead of their times or had a kind of cult following? They all live on in these Virtual Seasons. I was completely amazed with this new kind of reality that I spent hours reading the various episodes. All my favorites were there; Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dark Angel, Sports Night and even SeaQuest DSV/2032.
I know, I know, you all are shaking your heads and secretly calling me a dork, (well Uncle Sheddy is calling me a dork out loud) but I felt the need to share. Mostly, because while I know you think I am a dork, I often feel the same about most of you. (I mean that in the most loving way) Besides, I often feel it's my job to occasionally educate you with useless knowledge, you never know when you're going to need an icebreaker!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Intention
While Watching Dr. Wayne Dyer’s PBS special on his book, The Power of Intention, I was already formulating in my mind what I was going to write. I had originally planned was to write about the Seven Faces of Intention; (Creativity, Kindness, Love, Beauty, Expansiveness, Abundance and Receptivity) in fact, I took four pages of notes on everything I would write about, and then the most amazing happened. Dr. Dyer’s daughter came on stage and sang a song that I haven’t heard in a long time and haven’t sung in an even longer time. She sang the Prayer of St. Francis. I love this song. I love the words, I love the melody, but mostly I love the way it always makes me feel. It just has such life to it that every time I hear it of sing it I feel open. Open to everything; to God, to possibilities and opportunities, to the people around me. Open. Like I really am what the songs says I am, a channel.
While she was singing the camera panned the audience. What an awe-inspiring thing. Here was this woman being a channel for these words while those around her opened themselves to receive them. Without being asked to, without it being habit or ritual; this room full of strangers joined hands and together let the music and the power behind it, move them. This alone gave me chills. I in turn felt their presence and their power.
I have not really though about this song in a while. Every once in a great while, the song will pop into my head for no reason and refuse to leave. In the past I have though nothing of it, but after observing what the power of those words, that melody, made that audience full of strangers feel, I have begun to wonder.
Was my subconscious trying to tell me to become more open? Or was it trying to tell me at that moment, on that day when that song popped into my head, I already was?
While she was singing the camera panned the audience. What an awe-inspiring thing. Here was this woman being a channel for these words while those around her opened themselves to receive them. Without being asked to, without it being habit or ritual; this room full of strangers joined hands and together let the music and the power behind it, move them. This alone gave me chills. I in turn felt their presence and their power.
I have not really though about this song in a while. Every once in a great while, the song will pop into my head for no reason and refuse to leave. In the past I have though nothing of it, but after observing what the power of those words, that melody, made that audience full of strangers feel, I have begun to wonder.
Was my subconscious trying to tell me to become more open? Or was it trying to tell me at that moment, on that day when that song popped into my head, I already was?
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
I Am Still Alive!
I have been having major issues with the whole internet thing here in Las Vegas. However, I made the move just fine (Miranda's a stud) and hope to be back shortly. Talk to you later!
Friday, June 10, 2005
Land of the Living
I think I have finally recovered from my marathon workday. I did nothing but sleep and relax on Wednesday, which means that I have had to throw myself into my packing these last two days.
On Thursday, I realized that I had move to pack then I had originally thought. The good news is that as I pack, I am discovering lots of things that I never use and can throw out! Less to pack. This and this alone would be a good reason to move about every 3-5 years. In between my packing, I called to change over my different utilities. (Had a little incident with AT&T to which I will say that I will never be a customer of theirs again.) My little incident with AT&T meant that I had to find another phone company in Vegas, preferably one that will do both my local and long distance. (Streamline the process) I found this in Sprint and want to know the best part? I didn't even have to talk to anyone, I did it all on the internet. How awesome, and convenient, is that?
Today, I sold some of my furniture to a couple of friends from the books store. They, like me, love to read, so they bought almost all my bookshelves from me! I also tackled my kitchen. I have this cabinet above my stove that I can't really reach without a chair (or Bryna) that I finally cleaned out today. You know, for someone who only drinks on very few occasions, I have an awful lot of alcohol. (Of course most of it is unopened, I wonder what that means)
Anyway, Dad and Geneva arrive tomorrow morning, then it'll be moving day! I can't wait!
On Thursday, I realized that I had move to pack then I had originally thought. The good news is that as I pack, I am discovering lots of things that I never use and can throw out! Less to pack. This and this alone would be a good reason to move about every 3-5 years. In between my packing, I called to change over my different utilities. (Had a little incident with AT&T to which I will say that I will never be a customer of theirs again.) My little incident with AT&T meant that I had to find another phone company in Vegas, preferably one that will do both my local and long distance. (Streamline the process) I found this in Sprint and want to know the best part? I didn't even have to talk to anyone, I did it all on the internet. How awesome, and convenient, is that?
Today, I sold some of my furniture to a couple of friends from the books store. They, like me, love to read, so they bought almost all my bookshelves from me! I also tackled my kitchen. I have this cabinet above my stove that I can't really reach without a chair (or Bryna) that I finally cleaned out today. You know, for someone who only drinks on very few occasions, I have an awful lot of alcohol. (Of course most of it is unopened, I wonder what that means)
Anyway, Dad and Geneva arrive tomorrow morning, then it'll be moving day! I can't wait!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
The Morning After
I'm still alive, in case any of you were wondering, although I have yet to get out of bed. My brain is still very fuzzy, but I have noticed some interesting things.
The big 3 Nevada papers are buzzing with the news of the special session and what was on the agenda and I think that once everyone actually has time to sit down and read the bills they passed out, perceptions might change a bit. Things were going so fast there, copies of the bills and time was limited, that I'm sure mistakes were made. We'll have to wait and see what happens over the next biennium.
In the meantime, I have one little bit of legislative trivia left. Each Senator serves a 4 year term, elected during the even years. (Each term has 2 regular sessions in it) The Assembly, on the other hand, is only elected for a 2 year term or 1 regular session.
The big 3 Nevada papers are buzzing with the news of the special session and what was on the agenda and I think that once everyone actually has time to sit down and read the bills they passed out, perceptions might change a bit. Things were going so fast there, copies of the bills and time was limited, that I'm sure mistakes were made. We'll have to wait and see what happens over the next biennium.
In the meantime, I have one little bit of legislative trivia left. Each Senator serves a 4 year term, elected during the even years. (Each term has 2 regular sessions in it) The Assembly, on the other hand, is only elected for a 2 year term or 1 regular session.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
I Survived...
my second legislative session and my very first special session.
Now it is time to go to bed; I have been awake for over 31 hours (with a 20 minute catnap around 7am) and I'm exhausted.
Hope you have enjoyed my breakdown of sine die!
Good Night!
Now it is time to go to bed; I have been awake for over 31 hours (with a 20 minute catnap around 7am) and I'm exhausted.
Hope you have enjoyed my breakdown of sine die!
Good Night!
More Games
Well, the fun has begun again. They have 12 bills given to them by the Governor for them to pass by 10am. The 1 minute recesses have begun along with the moving of bills around the agendas. (ie: holding bills hostage)
Ahh...the fun begins again.
Ahh...the fun begins again.
Good Morning!
Well, we've made a Starbucks run and I have had my coffee transfusion. Now let me update you on what happened overnight.
2am, various legislators were playing the blame game; trying lay the blame of the special session on anyone else.
230am, the Governor called for a special session to begin at 3am, June 7th.
4am, the 22nd special session began.
430am, recess until the bills were finished being printed.
6am, the Senate introduces the first 4 bills of the special session. These bills are two Senate appropriations bill, security enhancements for the capitol grounds and the Millennium Scholarship bill.
The bills they absolutely need to pass are the appropriations bill, the Millennium Scholarship and the bill on all-day kindergarten.
Well, that's all for now!
2am, various legislators were playing the blame game; trying lay the blame of the special session on anyone else.
230am, the Governor called for a special session to begin at 3am, June 7th.
4am, the 22nd special session began.
430am, recess until the bills were finished being printed.
6am, the Senate introduces the first 4 bills of the special session. These bills are two Senate appropriations bill, security enhancements for the capitol grounds and the Millennium Scholarship bill.
The bills they absolutely need to pass are the appropriations bill, the Millennium Scholarship and the bill on all-day kindergarten.
Well, that's all for now!
The 22nd Special Session
Well, the special session has begun. (then they recessed because the printer needs to play catch-up).
Just letting you know, we're all still hanging in here.
Just letting you know, we're all still hanging in here.
Legislative Update
It's now 2:30am on June 7.
We are all still here.
We will be going into a special session in a half hour.
Stay tuned.
We are all still here.
We will be going into a special session in a half hour.
Stay tuned.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Now We're Moving
The deadline is a little over three hours away and things are definitely starting to pick up. The Senate has gone into a 30 minute recess while the Assembly works through some of their business. Games are once again being played.
The big issues left to be resolved...
The tax rebate...we want our money back!
Canadian Drug Importation...the lobbyists have agreed to send our stash in the lobbyist room to Canada so they don't run out.
The Kenny C. Guinn millennium Scholarship Fund...a very hot button, no one can agree on anything relating to this fund.
Well, be back soon!
The big issues left to be resolved...
The tax rebate...we want our money back!
Canadian Drug Importation...the lobbyists have agreed to send our stash in the lobbyist room to Canada so they don't run out.
The Kenny C. Guinn millennium Scholarship Fund...a very hot button, no one can agree on anything relating to this fund.
Well, be back soon!
The Fun Has Begun
Boy...oh...boy!
Things are really fired up now. There are a few "trailer" bills floating around now. These are bills that amend all the bills that have already had hearings and been agreed upon. This makes sure that all the bills conform with each other. In others words, making sure the right hand knows what the left is doing. This can often throw lobbyists into a tailspin because this bill can quickly become a "Christmas tree" bill. (A bill where dead bills are often added into as an amendment)
In other Senate news, Senator Titus just tried to add her senior citizen bill into a tax bill and lost. Her amendment would have given a property tax rebate to Nevada's senior citizens. When it was a bill, it passed out of the Senate with flying colors; however, we are now in the 11th hour and all the money (except the DMV/gas rebate) has been spent. This bill has a HUGE fiscal note and there is no money left in the General Fund. The amendment died, 9-12, right down those party lines.
More news later!
Things are really fired up now. There are a few "trailer" bills floating around now. These are bills that amend all the bills that have already had hearings and been agreed upon. This makes sure that all the bills conform with each other. In others words, making sure the right hand knows what the left is doing. This can often throw lobbyists into a tailspin because this bill can quickly become a "Christmas tree" bill. (A bill where dead bills are often added into as an amendment)
In other Senate news, Senator Titus just tried to add her senior citizen bill into a tax bill and lost. Her amendment would have given a property tax rebate to Nevada's senior citizens. When it was a bill, it passed out of the Senate with flying colors; however, we are now in the 11th hour and all the money (except the DMV/gas rebate) has been spent. This bill has a HUGE fiscal note and there is no money left in the General Fund. The amendment died, 9-12, right down those party lines.
More news later!
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