Real Estate News, Views & Schmooze!
Just Schmoozin
My Personal Journey- Living With Breast Cancer
Apr 28th
My Personal Journey-
I’m 33. I’ve lived with breast cancer. I’ve seen its face, felt its anger, tasted its frustration and heard its terror. At age 15, we were introduced. While others my age biggest concerns revolved around first kisses and driving school, I shook hands with breast cancer. The words: Mastectomy, Radiation and Chemotherapy became everyday vocabulary in my class.
At age 16, remission and hope poked its face around the corner and danced and sang with me for 3 full years until pain and anguish wielded its swagger back into my world. College exams, independence and thought provoking chatter was smothered by round after round of poisonous chemo and radiation therapy, daily doses of pharmacological cocktails, a handful of bone marrow transplants and endless nausea and pain.
At age 21 the journey evolved. Advanced Care Directives, Estate Planning and Hospice Care were on the grocery store list. What-ifs, soul searching and reflection were now the day-to-day agenda. Diving into others’ lives tended to mute the pain and reality that spread from breast to lymph nodes to lungs to brain. Clarity and content had come on a star filled evening when my mother lost her battle. I was there. I saw death. I saw it take away grandmother-hood and the dusk of life. But I also saw something else… Hope.
My mother took her struggles, internalized the pain and externalized her commitment to help others. She showed her children what it truly meant to “make your mark” in this world. She expelled every ounce of energy she had left to teach us just that. She pioneered Women’s Hair Replacement as the founder of the specialty at Fantasia Salon in Crystal, MN. She also created “An Evening to Remember” – A Breast Cancer Survivor Fashion Show and Silent Auction as well as sat on multiple committees annually for The Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
No MBA, doctorate or degree can prepare you for the test I have taken. I’m 33 years old, but blessed and truly fortunate to have had a mother who taught me how to live and give life. Yet, my journey continues…
In loving memory of my mother Judy Salloway Ladin – Mother of 3, Family of 10’s, True Friend of 100’s.
Share Your Story Also @ http://www.togetherforthecure.org/ & http://www.facebook.com/komenminnesota
Ladin Ventures Is Now Hiring!
Oct 7th
We Are Looking For The Right Candidates To Expand Our Company!
Why? We are building something very exciting and now’s your chance to get in on the ground level of this huge Minnesota expansion!
Tired of the traditional commercial real estate brokerage? Do you love real estate, technology, business and helping people? Then, Ladin Ventures is the place for you!
Ladin Ventures, LLC provides high-level expertise in commercial and investment real estate in the state of Minnesota. Our primary focus is our Commercial Corporate Tenant & Buyer Representation Division which provides services for new and growing businesses, as well as, investors.
We are looking for:
Professional Commercial Real Estate Advisors
• Highly Productive And Extremely Organized Commercial Real Estate Agent With Outstanding Professionalism
• Agents Who Live In Minnesota And Understand The Local Commercial Real Estate Market
• Internet Savvy And Demonstrates Efficiency With Marketing Mediums Such As Blogs And Social Media
• Enthusiasm To Learn New Approaches And Become Successful Using These Methods
• This Is Full-Time Employment Only
You will need:
• Laptop, Cell Phone (with PDA/Email/Calendar) And Reliable Transportation
• Active Minnesota State Real Estate License
• Entrepreneur’s Mindset, Ideas, Energetic And A Great Personality
We will be filling these positions quickly. Please email your resume to info@ladinventures.com
Thank you!
- Location: Twin Cities
- Compensation: Realistic $80k+ First year
Clean Your House, Cleanse Your Soul!
May 18th
It’s finally getting warm out and we all know those “honey-do” lists are piling up on your dresser again. It’s time go through those piles and piles of clothes and stuff you were supposed to donate to Goodwill or The Salvation Army last year. Now you have an alternative resource to donate all your unwanted stuff. Because “One Person’s Trash Is Another Person’s Treasure.”
A friend of mine opened a store called “The Garage Sale.” They are affiliated with The Children’s Hospital of Minnesota as well as local school programs.
They accept all the following as donations:
- Clothing of all types and sizes
- Accessories and Handbags
- Shoes & Boots
- Luggage & Totes
- Children’s Toys, Clothes & Baby Items
- Kitchenware, Housewares, Glassware, etc.
- Books, Puzzles, Craft Items, Picture Frames & Artwork
- Bedding, Linens, Towels & Curtains
- Small Appliances, TV’s and Electronics in Working Order
- Usable Furniture and Rugs
- Bikes, Outdoor Toys, Yard and Garden Tools
- Exercise Equipment and Sporting Goods
- Costumes and Holiday Decorations
- And Much More!
**Bonus Points**
- FREE Pick-Up At Your House or Drop It Off At The Store…No Long Lines!
- Tax Donation Receipts Provided
- Shop In-Store For Fantastic Deals
You Must Check Them Out…
THE GARAGE SALE
126 Blake Rd N
Hopkins, MN 55343
612-599-0859 or sh@612recycle.com
No Sleep Till… Baby? Part #2
May 1st
I am now the proud father of my 2nd child a 7.4 pound baby girl and since I haven’t slept a full night in 13 days, I thought this article is timely.
From Dailymail.co.uk
Man Attempts 11 Days Without Sleep For World Record.
Bleary-eyed Tony Wright is tomorrow set to beat the world record for sleep deprivation – after staying awake for more than 11 days.The 43-year-old has gone without kip since 6am on May 14, and will break the existing record of 264 hours at 6.01am tomorrow.
Tony, a father-of-three, has held his entire record-waking attempt in the Studio Bar in Penzance, Cornwall.
Carefully monitored by six CCTV cameras and a live web cam, he has spent his time playing pool, listening to music, drinking tea and talking to his supporters.
Tony Wright insists that a person can stay awake for massive amounts of time with no adverse reaction.
If he is still awake at 6.01am he will have been awake for 264 hours 1 mins – breaking the existing world record set in 1964 by 17-year-old Randy Gardner.
But Tony, of Penzance, will try and stay up until 8am – setting a new record of 266 hours. He said: “I do feel very strange – everything around me has become more intense and after a while and colours seem brighter.
“My eyes have become very sensitive. I had to start wearing sunglasses after 70 hours because looking at a laptop was sending me into a trance.
“There were a couple of tricky moments where I could feel my body wanting to shut down and I had to act quickly to stimulate it.
“I’ve played so much pool that I actually hurt my back and my arm. My playing has definitely improved.”
He added: “I’ve had to be careful of ’sleep ambushes’ which happen when you’re not on guard and get yourself into a comfortable position.
“Suddenly I would realise I was relaxing and the urge to sleep was dragging me down – I had to jump up, eat or drink something and occupy myself.
“It was tricky striking a balance between being active but not wearing myself out. My voice is very hoarse and I’m sure I look a right state.”
Tony, a writer and researcher, launched his bizarre record attempt in order to study the effects of a lack of sleep has on the human brain.
Tony will pass the world record milestone tomorrow morning at 6am
He believes that each side of the brain requires a different amount of sleep and with preparation it is possible to stay awake and remain functional for long periods.
To prepare for his bid he ate a strict diet of raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds and took regular exercise.
Although the Guinness Book of Records officially recognised Randy Gardner’s record in 1964, the organisation has since withdrawn its backing of a sleep deprivation class because of the associated health risks.
But Tony plans to keep a full video record of the entire 11 days as proof he is a world beater. He said: “I might not make it into Guinness but I have set a world record and it is there to be beaten by anyone who wants to try.
“This is my life project and I’m very happy to prove you can stay awake for long periods of time without suffering adverse reactions.
“I am now looking forward to getting under a duvet.”
Scientists say depriving the body of sleep for long periods can result in depression, dizziness, hallucinations, irritability, nausea and loss of memory.
Dr Robin Rodd, a lecturer in anthropology at the James Cook University in Australia, said Tony’s record-breaking project was an “exciting new breakthrough” for sleep studies.
He said: “His sleep deprivation research project, which combines a long-term raw foods diet replicating that of early modern humans with the collection of data on cognition and physiological functioning, promises to yield exciting new breakthroughs in our understanding of the limits of human consciousness.”
Randy Gardner stayed awake for 264 hours in San Diego, USA, as part of or a high school science project into sleep patterns.
Finger Length = Financial Success?
Jan 12th
Finger length may predict financial success
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP Science Write
WASHINGTON (AP) —
The length of a man’s ring finger may predict his success as a financial trader. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England report that men with longer ring fingers, compared to their index fingers, tended to be more successful in the frantic high-frequency trading in the London financial district.
Indeed, the impact of biology on success was about equal to years of experience at the job, the team led by physiologist John M. Coates reports in Monday’s edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The same ring-to-index finger ratio has previously been associated with success in competitive sports such as soccer and basketball, the researchers noted.
The length ratio between those two fingers is determined during the development of the fetus and the relatively longer ring finger indicates greater exposure to the male hormone androgen, the researchers noted.
Previous studies have found that such exposure can lead to increased confidence, risk preferences, search persistence, heightened vigilance and quickened reaction times.
In a separate study last year, Coates and colleagues reported that the hormone that drives male aggression and sexual interest also seemed able to boost short term success at finance.
They studied male financial traders in London, taking saliva samples in the morning and evening. They found that those with higher levels of testosterone in the morning were more likely to make an unusually big profit that day. Testosterone, best known as the male sex hormone, affects aggression, confidence and risk-taking.
In the new study, the researchers measured the right hands of 44 male stock traders who were engaged in a type of trade that involved rapid decision-making and quick physical reactions.
Over 20 months those with longer ring fingers compared to their index fingers made 11 times more money than those with the shortest ring fingers. Over the same time the most experienced traders made about 9 times more than the least experienced ones.
Looking only at experienced traders, the long-ring-finger folks earned 5 times more than those with short ring fingers.
While the finger ratio, showing fetal exposure to male hormones, appears to signal likely success in high-actively trading that calls for risk-taking and quick reactions, it may not indicate people who would do well at other sorts of financial activities, the researchers said.
Some traders require additional skills on dealing with clients and sales workers.
And the advantage may even reverse for some, Coates team said, such as traders taking a more analytical and long-term approach to the markets.
One study, which looked at average finger ratios in university departments found that faculty from math, science and engineering exhibited longer index finger ratio, rather than ring finger, they noted.
Tales Of The Property Manager…The Story Of The Clogged Sink
Nov 20th
I love hearing stories about apartment tenants and their issues. Let’s just say it’s my version of great reality TV. Here’s one from Robert Kramer- Owner of Kramer/Saxl Group, LLC , a client of mine who sent me this as an email yesterday.
Subject Line: Resident says– “My sink is clogged and I don’t know why”
Repair guy says– “The drain is filled with wax!”
Landlord says — “What!?!?
Tenant says– “Well I did spill a little wax, but I thought I got it all.”
Landlord thinks to self–”Oy Vey”!
Pictures Shown Below:
PS wax plug available for inspection on my desk!
Please, if you have other landlord stories you’d like to share, let me know as I will be featuring them in the annual Schmoozer recap.
Help Put Al Franken On The Street…
Nov 4th
I’m a big proponent in NOT mixing business and politics. Sometimes casual political conversation can steer clients closer to you if they agree with your opinions or leave a sour resin in their mouth, if you are on the opposite axis of the political spectrum. Therefore, I choose to casually stay clear of such banter. It’s just not worth losing business over.
However, there are some who use political headpieces as marketing material in search of gaining attention of their product or service. You don’t see it much in real estate but I did get an email today that did catch my attention. They used ” Help Put Al Franken On The Street…” in the subject line and posted the following flyer in the email.
help-put-al-franken-out-on-the-street.pdf
It certainly is attention getting, but is it worth politically pigeonholing yourself in the process? You be the judge.
The 2008 Great Depression…How Our Generation Will Handle It
Oct 10th
I received this comic as an email from my Financial Adviser friend, Erle Savage with Regan Investments. Although it is meant to be a satirical view on our current economic crisis, there is some absolute truth associated with it’s underlying meaning.
Unfortunately for all of us, our generation’s financial priorities are fundamentally upside-down and are in absolute opposition from our humbled grandparents’ generation which lived in the 1920’s. How did we get here? Did we fail to listen to our fiscally responsible elders as they told us stories of when they saw first hand the agony of their own financial crisis?
I remember for a high school project, I interviewed my grandfather on what it was like to live in those times. He said after the crash, “People finally realized the actual Value of money and this in-turn, made us fiscally responsible adults.”
In the past, I personally have had my youthful exuberance in irrational habits with money. However, today as a responsible adult I very much respect and understand my grandfather’s school of thought. I’m very grateful that this had been instilled in me as a child and will also use these methods in order to teach my children the same.
I can only hope others of my generation will utilize this current “cleansing period” as an awakening and finally “get it” so we may help teach future generations the ACTUAL VALUE of a dollar.