On a local internet forum, a conversation has been brought up about whether a REALTOR is necessary or not, and why wouldn't someone just sell their home For Sale By Owner (FSBO). It is an interesting question and one worthy of addressing, as I'm finding a lot of misconceptions about real estate.
First of all, let's consider what a real estate agent does.
Not all sales people in real estate are REALTORS. To be called a Realtor, with a capital "R," you need to not only be licensed in your state, you have to be a member of the National Associate of Realtors. As such, we pay dues and fees to be members of the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in order to provide immediate access to all properties listed in your area. This helps expedite the sale of your home or your future purchase. More on the MLS later.
Also with Realtor, you have a highly trained individual at your beckon call, ready to answer any questions that may come up from you or your buyer. Inspections, Surveys, Title Policies, Disclosure Statements are all items that should and will be discussed, but not everyone knows what these are or the value of them. A Realtor does.
Most importantly, a Realtor is an Agent. An Agent is a person who is authorized to represent you and your best interests. Buyers need agents just as much as Sellers do. For years, professionals in the field have seen every manner of problem come up in the sale of a property that many people would never give a second thought. Contracts are written in such a way as to leave no question about: what fixtures stay with a property after the sale, who is responsible for the taxes on the property and up until what time, does the buyer have the right to walk away from a contract even after it has been signed, and what happens if the Buyer can't get financing in time?
So many legal ramifications take place during the sale of any property. REALTORS are no attorneys and can not give legal advice. But we do have excellent advice on how, when and why you can sell your property and for how much.
In a fast-paced market, like we see across the United States today, houses are selling every day and often are going under contract the day they are listed for sale. One might think that in such a market, Joe Public could just list his own property in the local paper and sell it themselves. Well, that's easier said than done.
Today, loans can be gotten over the telephone, fax, internet or from a local bank, credit union or mortgage company. Companies are created and offering loans so quickly, Title Companies who help ensure the proper transfer of ownership, do not even know who is offering the money! And when they do receive the paperwork, they see high interest rates or closing fees that far surpass the norm. An agent can help advise on this subject, keeping their clients out of bad deals with scrupulous lenders.
Disclosure statements are also provided, among hundreds of other documents, to Realtors so their clients can let buyers know everything there is to know about a property. This protects both buyers and sellers alike, so that after the deal is done and the new buyers go to move in, they don't walk into a home with no light fixtures or find the satellite dish and stove have been taken out.
So much can be taken for granted in the world of Real Estate. I, and thousands of others, have taken courses, seminars, watch videos, have meetings and consult members of the legal profession all in order to protect YOU. We spend hundreds of dollars to become members of an elite association, an association that serves to set high standards in quality and integrity among its members.
How much are you willing to pay for a trained professional to take care of you? You would never consider paying a stranger to clean your teeth or hand you medication if they were not trained and licensed as a doctor, would you? If you ask your neighbor for legal advice, do you really think you could win in the court of law? It would be nice to think that you can sell your house, you HOME, on your own. But how well do you know the sales market in your area? Do you study it everyday? Do you negotiate deals and know what people are willing to pay or not pay for what your home has to offer?
It is not an insult to think to yourself," I don't know what to do " when it comes to buying and selling a home. It seems simple at first, but once you are in the deal, it really can get complicated. REALTORS take the complications out of it and make your life easier. Like the commercials say,"We let you live your life. Real Estate is our life."
I hope this answers a few questions. Should anyone have others, feel free to e-mail me anytime. I'm here to help. It's what I do.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
FutureGen : Future home in West Texas?
Getting back to the subject of economic development and Midland, let's talk about FutureGen.
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/futuregentexas/
What is FutureGen? It is a revolutionary "facility that is capable of producing hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). " In laymans terms, it works like this:
Coal is burned to produce electricity. This is a common practice around the world, but the downside has always been pollution. However, with FutureGen, the CO2 that is created in the burning process is contained and redistributed for use in other ways. Oil companies, for example, can use that CO2 to push oil closer to the surface where oil wells can reach and thus, tap into oil supplies that heretofore were unreachable. Thus... we have more oil and gas.
Also produced through the burning of coal is Hydrogen. With automakers looking into automobiles that run on hydrogen, a cleaner energy source than gasoline, we now have a steady supply of hydrogen through such a plant.
So, in summary, FutureGen is an energy producing plant that has very little, if any, pollution, while at the same time is producing electricity, CO2 for resale purposes and further energy production, and hydrogen for even more energy.
Midland-Odessa are two cities that togetther are the home of over 200,000+ people. Though Odessa specifically is being considered as a sight for FutureGen, Midland would benefit in that we are the home of many oil companies and have been for generations. The building of such a plant as this would bring in billions of dollars through construction and operation, and create thousands of jobs for the Permian Basin. The ramifications of this plant are nearly unending.
In an article published by the Midland Reporter Telegram, delegates charged with selecting a possible location for the new FutureGen plant visited West Texas: http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16020995&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6 It is my hope that they will see the benefits of bringing this plant to West Texas. Midland-Odessa have been the oil capital of the U.S. for many years past. Now, with this and other initiatives taking place nearby, Midland-Odessa could soon become not just the Permian Basin, but could better be called the Energy Basin.
So many possiblities exist in our region. I encourage everyone to read up on FutureGen and similar prospects for energy. They will become a new way to the future... and I'm looking forward to seeing it all come to life!
Take care!
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/futuregentexas/
What is FutureGen? It is a revolutionary "facility that is capable of producing hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). " In laymans terms, it works like this:
Coal is burned to produce electricity. This is a common practice around the world, but the downside has always been pollution. However, with FutureGen, the CO2 that is created in the burning process is contained and redistributed for use in other ways. Oil companies, for example, can use that CO2 to push oil closer to the surface where oil wells can reach and thus, tap into oil supplies that heretofore were unreachable. Thus... we have more oil and gas.
Also produced through the burning of coal is Hydrogen. With automakers looking into automobiles that run on hydrogen, a cleaner energy source than gasoline, we now have a steady supply of hydrogen through such a plant.
So, in summary, FutureGen is an energy producing plant that has very little, if any, pollution, while at the same time is producing electricity, CO2 for resale purposes and further energy production, and hydrogen for even more energy.
Midland-Odessa are two cities that togetther are the home of over 200,000+ people. Though Odessa specifically is being considered as a sight for FutureGen, Midland would benefit in that we are the home of many oil companies and have been for generations. The building of such a plant as this would bring in billions of dollars through construction and operation, and create thousands of jobs for the Permian Basin. The ramifications of this plant are nearly unending.
In an article published by the Midland Reporter Telegram, delegates charged with selecting a possible location for the new FutureGen plant visited West Texas: http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16020995&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6 It is my hope that they will see the benefits of bringing this plant to West Texas. Midland-Odessa have been the oil capital of the U.S. for many years past. Now, with this and other initiatives taking place nearby, Midland-Odessa could soon become not just the Permian Basin, but could better be called the Energy Basin.
So many possiblities exist in our region. I encourage everyone to read up on FutureGen and similar prospects for energy. They will become a new way to the future... and I'm looking forward to seeing it all come to life!
Take care!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Baby Update
Due to the diligent effort and love from Aunt Stephanie, we now have a website for little baby Aiden:
http://www.geocities.com/aiden11806/
If I were a little more computer literate, I'd post pictures myself. But, given the fact that I'm not... and I'm running on very little sleep like "Mommy" is, I think I'll just let y'all click this link instead. How about that!?
Enjoy!
http://www.geocities.com/aiden11806/
If I were a little more computer literate, I'd post pictures myself. But, given the fact that I'm not... and I'm running on very little sleep like "Mommy" is, I think I'll just let y'all click this link instead. How about that!?
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Brand New Baby Boy !!
As if things weren't busy enough... Aiden Boswell has come into the world of the living! Weighing in at 7 lbs., 4.5 ounces, he's the cutest bundle of joy you ever did see. (Not that I'm predjudice or anything. ;)
Wife and baby are both healthy and happy and doing very well. She will be coming home tomorrow or Saturday and will soon be off on the journey of a lifetime.
It really is one thing to see a pregnant woman grow with the life of a baby inside her. It is quite another for doctors and nurses to run around, doing what they do best, and then suddenly someone says,"Here you go, Daddy. Catch!" And there he is.
Leslie often jokingly says,"Did we really think about this before hand?" or some other derivation thereof. I would shake my head no and then laugh. But... I knew. I knew what any good uncle knows. But now I know what any good Dad knows.
Life is a good thing!
Our thanks go out to Dr. Charles Lively of Odessa, Texas! He and his staff are nothing short of the best and we never doubted a single moment in his care. Also, thanks go out to the staff of Odessa Regional Hospital for taking such good care of Mom and Baby. And of course, never the last and certainly not the least: our Family. Not plural, mind you. When Leslie and I got married, the Brewer family and Boswell family became one, for better or worse. And we would be nowhere with out the love and support of all our brothers and sisters, Moms and Dads and cousins, nephews, neices and all in between.
Thank you!!
Life IS a good thing!
Wife and baby are both healthy and happy and doing very well. She will be coming home tomorrow or Saturday and will soon be off on the journey of a lifetime.
It really is one thing to see a pregnant woman grow with the life of a baby inside her. It is quite another for doctors and nurses to run around, doing what they do best, and then suddenly someone says,"Here you go, Daddy. Catch!" And there he is.
Leslie often jokingly says,"Did we really think about this before hand?" or some other derivation thereof. I would shake my head no and then laugh. But... I knew. I knew what any good uncle knows. But now I know what any good Dad knows.
Life is a good thing!
Our thanks go out to Dr. Charles Lively of Odessa, Texas! He and his staff are nothing short of the best and we never doubted a single moment in his care. Also, thanks go out to the staff of Odessa Regional Hospital for taking such good care of Mom and Baby. And of course, never the last and certainly not the least: our Family. Not plural, mind you. When Leslie and I got married, the Brewer family and Boswell family became one, for better or worse. And we would be nowhere with out the love and support of all our brothers and sisters, Moms and Dads and cousins, nephews, neices and all in between.
Thank you!!
Life IS a good thing!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Welcome to the New Year, Midland!
Oh my... what a year this has been:
Personally, my wife and I purchused our first house, have a baby on the way, we have a mutt named Chet who is funny as all get-out, family life has had it's ups and downs... and there are no signs of things slowing down for 2006, because BABY is on the WAY!
Work-wise, changes are in the air. Real estate is booming unlike anything Midland has EVER seen. The number of builders in Midland has doubled since last year and now all the sub-contractors need more help. Hell! We need more sub-contractors! Employment in Midland is at an all time high and that is with more and more people moving into Midland. The rent market is maxed out and shows no signs of slowing down at all.
As for Midland itself, check this out. A big push was made to get petroleum engineers to move to Houston or Dallas... instead, they formed their own business and stayed right here in Midland, stronger than ever! The gulf coast was hit not by one but two huge hurricanes? Midland boxed up truckload after truckload of food and water and shipped it down to the people in need. And the owner of the Hilton downtown? He took in 17 FAMILIES from the coast and put them up until they could find aid and get life going again. Well done!
And development? Kohl's opened, Acadamy opened, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wal-Mart on I-20, another Starbucks and shopping center right next door. Roads have been improved: Rankin Hwy., Midland Drive (North and South), Andrews Hwy... all over really. The old safeway on Midkiff and Andrews Hwy that was an Advanced Auto Parts store was torn down and re-built so that Hollywood Video could come in along with Complex Community FCU and a Quiznos' is due to arrive there soon as well. Across the street Hollander Chiro opened a newly remodeled/rebuilt building as well.
Now if we could only get Albertsons OUT and HEB or another grocery store IN... Midland will be set.
Progress was made on other fronts. An effort is being made to bring the George W. Bush Library to west Texas; FutureGen (a CO2 energy plant hybrid) is seriously considering Midland/Odessa as a home; Andrews, TX may become the home of a new breed of nuclear reactor that is safer and more efficent than old reactors have been; the oil patch is booming like never before and people from across the nation are moving to Midland to join in the work... with oil sitting at record levels... with no sign of slowing down; Texas Health departments are establishing new "Call Centers" across the state with one of the largest ones coming to Midland at the old Texas Instruments building on I-20. La Enterada el Pacifico is making serious enough progress in Texas, that a new Rail Yard is going to be built so that trains can off-load cargo here in Midland... making Midland/Odessa a MEGA shipping hub in the future! (Mark my words on this. This alone is going to change the face of Midland/Odessa!
Folks, the list goes on and on. If you know people looking for a new life, it's right here in Midland, TX. Business is booming, jobs are here to be had, residences are being built faster than the mind can fathom, schools are being updated and renovated... life is GREAT in Midland !!!
So... here's wishing you and yours a VERY Happy and Safe New Year! And if you want to buy a house, call me. ;) hehehe
Personally, my wife and I purchused our first house, have a baby on the way, we have a mutt named Chet who is funny as all get-out, family life has had it's ups and downs... and there are no signs of things slowing down for 2006, because BABY is on the WAY!
Work-wise, changes are in the air. Real estate is booming unlike anything Midland has EVER seen. The number of builders in Midland has doubled since last year and now all the sub-contractors need more help. Hell! We need more sub-contractors! Employment in Midland is at an all time high and that is with more and more people moving into Midland. The rent market is maxed out and shows no signs of slowing down at all.
As for Midland itself, check this out. A big push was made to get petroleum engineers to move to Houston or Dallas... instead, they formed their own business and stayed right here in Midland, stronger than ever! The gulf coast was hit not by one but two huge hurricanes? Midland boxed up truckload after truckload of food and water and shipped it down to the people in need. And the owner of the Hilton downtown? He took in 17 FAMILIES from the coast and put them up until they could find aid and get life going again. Well done!
And development? Kohl's opened, Acadamy opened, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wal-Mart on I-20, another Starbucks and shopping center right next door. Roads have been improved: Rankin Hwy., Midland Drive (North and South), Andrews Hwy... all over really. The old safeway on Midkiff and Andrews Hwy that was an Advanced Auto Parts store was torn down and re-built so that Hollywood Video could come in along with Complex Community FCU and a Quiznos' is due to arrive there soon as well. Across the street Hollander Chiro opened a newly remodeled/rebuilt building as well.
Now if we could only get Albertsons OUT and HEB or another grocery store IN... Midland will be set.
Progress was made on other fronts. An effort is being made to bring the George W. Bush Library to west Texas; FutureGen (a CO2 energy plant hybrid) is seriously considering Midland/Odessa as a home; Andrews, TX may become the home of a new breed of nuclear reactor that is safer and more efficent than old reactors have been; the oil patch is booming like never before and people from across the nation are moving to Midland to join in the work... with oil sitting at record levels... with no sign of slowing down; Texas Health departments are establishing new "Call Centers" across the state with one of the largest ones coming to Midland at the old Texas Instruments building on I-20. La Enterada el Pacifico is making serious enough progress in Texas, that a new Rail Yard is going to be built so that trains can off-load cargo here in Midland... making Midland/Odessa a MEGA shipping hub in the future! (Mark my words on this. This alone is going to change the face of Midland/Odessa!
Folks, the list goes on and on. If you know people looking for a new life, it's right here in Midland, TX. Business is booming, jobs are here to be had, residences are being built faster than the mind can fathom, schools are being updated and renovated... life is GREAT in Midland !!!
So... here's wishing you and yours a VERY Happy and Safe New Year! And if you want to buy a house, call me. ;) hehehe
Monday, November 28, 2005
Thanksgiving in the Hill Country
As much as I love the "Big Sky Country" of the Permian Basin, it is nice to get out once in a while and see how the rest of Texas enjoys the holiday season. And so, with our bags packed and our dog tucked in to the backseat of the car, my wife Leslie and I hit the road for Comfort, Texas!
A little over four hours driving, depending on what road you take, speed limit, who's driving, weather conditions, etc... you can leave Midland and arrive at Interstate Exit #520 - Cypress Creek Road. Follow directions properly and you'll find yourself in the heart of the hill country!
From the rolling hills, red, yellow and green leafed oak trees all around, fresh air and the peace and quiet... you can't help but be swept away by your surroundings.
We stayed three nights at the "Feathered Horse Ranch, Bed & Breakfast" http://www.featheredhorseranch.com/ courtesy of my brother Tom. (Thanks, TOM!) The first morning there, you can't help but wake up at the crack of dawn... and for a person like me, that's a miracle. But thank God for miracles because the sunrise was breath... taking! Gone! I literally hurried my wife out the door so she wouldn't miss a moment of this sunrise. (hope that picture comes out, too!)
Thanksgiving dinner was GREAT! Turkey, ham, squash, green beans, mash potatos, stuffing, cranberry dressing, fresh rolls, pumkin pie, pumkin bread, pecan pie (which I assume is good, though I'm no fan of pecans)... not to mention all the stuff I couldn't eat, there was just so much. All our families were there: parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters... the whole clan. We even brought our dogs! (But that is another story. ;)
The weather was pretty nice. The last night we were there, we got four inches of rain, which was badly needed. The hill country has been needing rain lately and they got a good dose. It also made for a wonderful day in the city of Comfort itself!
For those of you who haven't been there, the city of Comfort is well worth a trip itself. Every year, they have a christmas parade on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Arts & Crafts vendors from all over make the trip and share their goods with the people... everything you can imagine. Antique stores line High Street with beautiful works that are years old and worth seeing. "High's Cafe" is now open there and has the best coffee, tea, sandwiches, cookies, muffins you'll find for miles.
All in all it was definitly a holiday for the books! Not to mention the FACT that the Texas Longhorns beat the pants off of A&M this year... but that is yet another story for another time.
Here's hoping you and your families had a wonderful holiday! May the blessings of the season see you through into another year and have a very Merry Christmas!
A little over four hours driving, depending on what road you take, speed limit, who's driving, weather conditions, etc... you can leave Midland and arrive at Interstate Exit #520 - Cypress Creek Road. Follow directions properly and you'll find yourself in the heart of the hill country!
From the rolling hills, red, yellow and green leafed oak trees all around, fresh air and the peace and quiet... you can't help but be swept away by your surroundings.
We stayed three nights at the "Feathered Horse Ranch, Bed & Breakfast" http://www.featheredhorseranch.com/ courtesy of my brother Tom. (Thanks, TOM!) The first morning there, you can't help but wake up at the crack of dawn... and for a person like me, that's a miracle. But thank God for miracles because the sunrise was breath... taking! Gone! I literally hurried my wife out the door so she wouldn't miss a moment of this sunrise. (hope that picture comes out, too!)
Thanksgiving dinner was GREAT! Turkey, ham, squash, green beans, mash potatos, stuffing, cranberry dressing, fresh rolls, pumkin pie, pumkin bread, pecan pie (which I assume is good, though I'm no fan of pecans)... not to mention all the stuff I couldn't eat, there was just so much. All our families were there: parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters... the whole clan. We even brought our dogs! (But that is another story. ;)
The weather was pretty nice. The last night we were there, we got four inches of rain, which was badly needed. The hill country has been needing rain lately and they got a good dose. It also made for a wonderful day in the city of Comfort itself!
For those of you who haven't been there, the city of Comfort is well worth a trip itself. Every year, they have a christmas parade on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Arts & Crafts vendors from all over make the trip and share their goods with the people... everything you can imagine. Antique stores line High Street with beautiful works that are years old and worth seeing. "High's Cafe" is now open there and has the best coffee, tea, sandwiches, cookies, muffins you'll find for miles.
All in all it was definitly a holiday for the books! Not to mention the FACT that the Texas Longhorns beat the pants off of A&M this year... but that is yet another story for another time.
Here's hoping you and your families had a wonderful holiday! May the blessings of the season see you through into another year and have a very Merry Christmas!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Aikido of Midland goes to Houston!
Over the past weekend, John Riggs Sensei, John Couch, Lan Powers, Corey Madrid, Brandon and myself all went to Houston, Texas to visit Jorge Garcia at his dojo and to see and work with Hiroshi Kato, Shihan. A "Shihan" is a master instructor in the martial arts, and boy... is he ever!
At the ripe young age of 72, Kato Shihan is well known for climbing Mt. Fuji twice every year, traveling the globe teaching aikido and for picking up and throwing people around like ragdolls. It's incredible! Very much unlike anything I have ever seen, this man will very calmly and in a relaxed manner re-direct an attacker in such a way as to throw them upwards of six to eight feet away.
For those of you unfamiliar with aikido, I'm sure this is all boring as hell and unbelievable. But then again, that is the purpose of my little bullhorn (blog): to make you aware!
Aikido is the Way of Harmony. Harmony with many different things and on various different levels. It is something that needs to be seen and experienced in order for it to be understood.
Aikido is self defense. Aikido is problem solving. Aikido is a means to resolve conflict, both physical and psychological. Once you have delved into the finer points of the philosophy behind aikido, it can really open your eyes to the world around you and give you a confidence unlike anything you've known before. I've been training in this art for almost four years now and it never ceases to amaze me.
Check out www.aikiweb.com or my instructor's website at: http://members.cox.net/aikidoc1/home.htm
Men, women and children of all age groups stand to learn a lot about something that is more than "self defense." It truly is a way of life.
At the ripe young age of 72, Kato Shihan is well known for climbing Mt. Fuji twice every year, traveling the globe teaching aikido and for picking up and throwing people around like ragdolls. It's incredible! Very much unlike anything I have ever seen, this man will very calmly and in a relaxed manner re-direct an attacker in such a way as to throw them upwards of six to eight feet away.
For those of you unfamiliar with aikido, I'm sure this is all boring as hell and unbelievable. But then again, that is the purpose of my little bullhorn (blog): to make you aware!
Aikido is the Way of Harmony. Harmony with many different things and on various different levels. It is something that needs to be seen and experienced in order for it to be understood.
Aikido is self defense. Aikido is problem solving. Aikido is a means to resolve conflict, both physical and psychological. Once you have delved into the finer points of the philosophy behind aikido, it can really open your eyes to the world around you and give you a confidence unlike anything you've known before. I've been training in this art for almost four years now and it never ceases to amaze me.
Check out www.aikiweb.com or my instructor's website at: http://members.cox.net/aikidoc1/home.htm
Men, women and children of all age groups stand to learn a lot about something that is more than "self defense." It truly is a way of life.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Busy in Midland, Texas!
I gotta be honest with you: it wasn't just the spammers that kept me away from my blog here: I've been down right busy!
In the past two months, Williams and Associates has been building, selling and renting like never before. We can't keep up! The demand for rentals in Midland is through the roof right now and buyers are coming out of the woodwork.
So much has been going on, that my wife and I bought our very first home together! As if that wasn't enough, the move... UGH! Never doing that again. Next time, we pack a weeks worth of clothes, hold an estate sale, sell everything and start all over! (I should be so lucky!) But it's been great, we love the new house, our dog loves his new big yard and things are slowly getting back to normal.
In the meantime: Buyers for new duplex properties are lining up! We literally have clients and agents on a waiting list, hoping Mr. Williams won't slow down. So much for "retirement," J.W.! HA! Get back to work! ;)
Also in the meantime: Midland is STILL growing! Our second Wal-mart Super Center opens TOMORROW! Many people frown on Wal-mart, and that's fine. They aren't exactlly on my "christmas list" either, but hey! It's growth for Midland, and that's key.
What else? Midland is the proud home of a drive-in theater! Two screens out at Hwy. 80 and Loop 250 West. More details to follow.
I really have so much more to discuss, but no time right now! I'll try to do better tomorrow. But, before I leave you, I have to mention one more thing: Aikido of Mildand is doing great! Riggs Sensei has an average of 8 students a night these days with the hope of starting a CHILDREN's classes by Novermber 1st. Now THAT is going to be something! The renovations are moving along at a good rate, much has been done and it's looking very nice. Before you know it, all the work will be done, the new mat will be in and we'll be throwing each other around like ragdolls... which is also a good thing, believe it or not. ;)
Take care and I'll be back tomorrow with a little more details on Midland and the "haps" about what is going on around here.
Ciao !
In the past two months, Williams and Associates has been building, selling and renting like never before. We can't keep up! The demand for rentals in Midland is through the roof right now and buyers are coming out of the woodwork.
So much has been going on, that my wife and I bought our very first home together! As if that wasn't enough, the move... UGH! Never doing that again. Next time, we pack a weeks worth of clothes, hold an estate sale, sell everything and start all over! (I should be so lucky!) But it's been great, we love the new house, our dog loves his new big yard and things are slowly getting back to normal.
In the meantime: Buyers for new duplex properties are lining up! We literally have clients and agents on a waiting list, hoping Mr. Williams won't slow down. So much for "retirement," J.W.! HA! Get back to work! ;)
Also in the meantime: Midland is STILL growing! Our second Wal-mart Super Center opens TOMORROW! Many people frown on Wal-mart, and that's fine. They aren't exactlly on my "christmas list" either, but hey! It's growth for Midland, and that's key.
What else? Midland is the proud home of a drive-in theater! Two screens out at Hwy. 80 and Loop 250 West. More details to follow.
I really have so much more to discuss, but no time right now! I'll try to do better tomorrow. But, before I leave you, I have to mention one more thing: Aikido of Mildand is doing great! Riggs Sensei has an average of 8 students a night these days with the hope of starting a CHILDREN's classes by Novermber 1st. Now THAT is going to be something! The renovations are moving along at a good rate, much has been done and it's looking very nice. Before you know it, all the work will be done, the new mat will be in and we'll be throwing each other around like ragdolls... which is also a good thing, believe it or not. ;)
Take care and I'll be back tomorrow with a little more details on Midland and the "haps" about what is going on around here.
Ciao !
Back on the air !
Greetings and salutations!
My apologies for being gone so long, but I have a good excuse: spam.
For those wonderful fans of mine who so enjoy my little blog, and want me to come "visit" their website... the answer is NO. I don't want to know about your "credit refinance" solutions and how to date (because I'm married, happily, thank you) or any of the other funky things I've been invited to go "check out" when I have time.
Due to spammers, I will no longer allow comments on my blog. People are invited to contact me via e-mail, and spammers will be labeled and discarded more easily.
Otherwise, there is MUCH to talk about so... I'll be back later today to post about: West Texas Writers new website, Jobs coming to Midland and the new businesses already here, Real Estate in Midland, Texas, Aikido of Midland's new location and the progress made on the renovations, a new Brazilian JuJitsu group in Midland and so much more...
DO STAY TUNED! I'M BACK !!
My apologies for being gone so long, but I have a good excuse: spam.
For those wonderful fans of mine who so enjoy my little blog, and want me to come "visit" their website... the answer is NO. I don't want to know about your "credit refinance" solutions and how to date (because I'm married, happily, thank you) or any of the other funky things I've been invited to go "check out" when I have time.
Due to spammers, I will no longer allow comments on my blog. People are invited to contact me via e-mail, and spammers will be labeled and discarded more easily.
Otherwise, there is MUCH to talk about so... I'll be back later today to post about: West Texas Writers new website, Jobs coming to Midland and the new businesses already here, Real Estate in Midland, Texas, Aikido of Midland's new location and the progress made on the renovations, a new Brazilian JuJitsu group in Midland and so much more...
DO STAY TUNED! I'M BACK !!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Alternative Chiropractic: New office and Dojo !
Months ago, I had talked about my martial arts instructor, John Riggs, being a chiropractor by day and teacher by night. Well, after months of hard labor and stress... his new office and martial arts studio are now up and running.
ALTERNATIVE CHIROPRACTIC SOLUTIONS has a new location, 2608 Loma Drive, at the corner of Loma and Pine. Located next door to John Williams L.M.T., Dr. John Riggs' new facility has been customized by himself personally to bring to life a new, functional and beautiful environment for his clients, patients and friends.
The new office features a warm, welcoming lobby with his wonderful wife and associate, Marti Riggs on hand to assist you with your needs. They have a large therapy bay on site and two treatment rooms with state-of-the-art computer technology on hand to bring you the best care possible. Dr. Riggs is a certified chiropractor and has been practicing in Midland for over five years. You can learn more about Dr. Riggs at his website: http://aikidocriggs.chiroweb.com/
In addition to the new office space downstairs, Dr. Riggs is a 4th degree black belt in the art of Aikido. Though work is still in progress, classes will be starting at the new studio today! Monday through Thursday, from 7pm to 9pm and Friday nights from 7pm to 8:30pm, Riggs Sensei will be teaching the "art of harmony" or Aikido. He is a direct student of 8th degree black belt master Hiroshi Kato, Shihan. Kato Shihan is a direct student of the founder of aikido, and it is Midland's great honor to associated directly with Japan through such a well respected martial arts master.
Classes will be starting tonight. For those interested in coming by and seeing some aikido in action, you are invited to come by and watch. You can also go to Riggs Sensei's aikido website at http://members.cox.net/aikidoc1/ to learn more about the art and the values we teach and learn from this art.
Congratulations Dr. Riggs! And may your new office and studio serve you and all Midlanders well for many years to come!
ALTERNATIVE CHIROPRACTIC SOLUTIONS has a new location, 2608 Loma Drive, at the corner of Loma and Pine. Located next door to John Williams L.M.T., Dr. John Riggs' new facility has been customized by himself personally to bring to life a new, functional and beautiful environment for his clients, patients and friends.
The new office features a warm, welcoming lobby with his wonderful wife and associate, Marti Riggs on hand to assist you with your needs. They have a large therapy bay on site and two treatment rooms with state-of-the-art computer technology on hand to bring you the best care possible. Dr. Riggs is a certified chiropractor and has been practicing in Midland for over five years. You can learn more about Dr. Riggs at his website: http://aikidocriggs.chiroweb.com/
In addition to the new office space downstairs, Dr. Riggs is a 4th degree black belt in the art of Aikido. Though work is still in progress, classes will be starting at the new studio today! Monday through Thursday, from 7pm to 9pm and Friday nights from 7pm to 8:30pm, Riggs Sensei will be teaching the "art of harmony" or Aikido. He is a direct student of 8th degree black belt master Hiroshi Kato, Shihan. Kato Shihan is a direct student of the founder of aikido, and it is Midland's great honor to associated directly with Japan through such a well respected martial arts master.
Classes will be starting tonight. For those interested in coming by and seeing some aikido in action, you are invited to come by and watch. You can also go to Riggs Sensei's aikido website at http://members.cox.net/aikidoc1/ to learn more about the art and the values we teach and learn from this art.
Congratulations Dr. Riggs! And may your new office and studio serve you and all Midlanders well for many years to come!
Monday, August 15, 2005
What's all this wet stuff?
Ya know... the other day, I was outside mowing the yard and all of the sudden... this "wet stuff" started falling down and getting on me, the grass... everywhere! What is that stuff?
Listen, we live in a desert. A desert doesn't get rain, so it must be something else. Any thoughts? Anyways, glad I got the grass mowed. It was getting why the hell up there and my wife woulda killeded me if I hadn't mowed it before this wet stuff started to fall.
PS: Make it stop now! It was fun while it lasted... but I don't want to have to take a boat home tonight or anything... sheesh!
Listen, we live in a desert. A desert doesn't get rain, so it must be something else. Any thoughts? Anyways, glad I got the grass mowed. It was getting why the hell up there and my wife woulda killeded me if I hadn't mowed it before this wet stuff started to fall.
PS: Make it stop now! It was fun while it lasted... but I don't want to have to take a boat home tonight or anything... sheesh!
Saturday, August 13, 2005
YOU FLATTER ME !!
Hey Gang!
Sorry I've been away... again! Work has been crazy! I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger here lately, but I'm getting caught up, slowly but surely.
Now listen, here lately, I've been plastered with posts from people who are definitely not fans of George W. Bush... and that's okay! I'm all for feedback. Feedback is a good thing. I especially love the attention of monocelled individuals who buy into every editorial cartoon and liberally biased mass media production on the planet. You guys are my favorite!
Just for the record: if you think by gratuitously spamming my little blog here with quasi-humorous anonymous postings about what a "tool" I am and what a stooge our President is, well... you'd be barking up the wrong tree.
Guess what? I don't like everything Bush has done as President. I think he's made mistakes and has taken steps that I would advise against. But hey... we're all entitled to opinions. And I for one am of the opinion that he's better than Bill "Tubby" Clinton any day of the week.
So come on down! Give me your worst, I can take it! You got any more names for me? Any more sarcastic remarks? I'm a BIG fan of Sarcasm! Sarcasm is great fun!
Sorry I've been away... again! Work has been crazy! I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger here lately, but I'm getting caught up, slowly but surely.
Now listen, here lately, I've been plastered with posts from people who are definitely not fans of George W. Bush... and that's okay! I'm all for feedback. Feedback is a good thing. I especially love the attention of monocelled individuals who buy into every editorial cartoon and liberally biased mass media production on the planet. You guys are my favorite!
Just for the record: if you think by gratuitously spamming my little blog here with quasi-humorous anonymous postings about what a "tool" I am and what a stooge our President is, well... you'd be barking up the wrong tree.
Guess what? I don't like everything Bush has done as President. I think he's made mistakes and has taken steps that I would advise against. But hey... we're all entitled to opinions. And I for one am of the opinion that he's better than Bill "Tubby" Clinton any day of the week.
So come on down! Give me your worst, I can take it! You got any more names for me? Any more sarcastic remarks? I'm a BIG fan of Sarcasm! Sarcasm is great fun!
Monday, July 25, 2005
George W. Bush Presidential Museum: Did you know?
Greetings, friends!
I'm coming to you today to let you in on the "worst kept secret" going around Midland today:
the possibility of Midland College being the future site of the George W. Bush Presidential Museum.
Big news, right? Well, now you tell me... have YOU heard about this? There is a good chance you might have heard the "rumor" of it, but the sad thing is... it really hasn't become much more than that!
What I'm asking is for people to write in to the Midland Reporter Telegram at 201 E. Illinois Ave., Midland, TX. 79701 and tell them that YOU WANT TO KNOW!
According to the Dallas Morning News last week, there are six (6) sites on the short list for the museum: Southern Methodist University, Yale, Texas A & M, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University and... Midland College. How cool is that? BUT... we have GOT to get people on board!
1) Letters to the Editor: these are effective. Write in!
2) City Council meetings: speak up to the Mayor and other members
3) County Commissioners: very effective and influential Midlanders, we need them on-board!
4) Tell everyone you know! The more people behind this the better
5) Lay politics aside: People in Austin have written in to their editors saying they don't want the museum for political reasons. Hey! That's fine! But, did you know that the William Jefferson Clinton Museum was the catalyst for hundreds of millions of dollars in development and diversification in Arkansas? Sources I have read have speculated the numbers in the billions, but I don't want to DARE hope on that! But who knows?
Now, Midland has been in sore need of a fine arts facility for things such as ballet, symphony orchestra, traveling shows such as musicals, dance presentations, etc. Therefore, I think we should further strengthen our proposal by also building the "Laura Welch Bush Center for the Arts and Education." This could be a secondary facility for the fine arts as well as further education such as school "field trips" on various subjects near and dear to the First Lady. Classrooms, Theaters for documentary films, a vast stage for performances such as musicals, ballet, "Lord of the Dance" that recently came to the Permian Basin and others could have a fine home. Granted this is only my idea, but I think it is a good one and one that both the First Lady and the President both would appreciate and enjoy.
PLEASE... spread the word, get talking, send ideas to the MRT... do anything and everything you can think of to help this along. Midland has NEVER looked a better "gift horse" in the mouth and the thought of passing on this because 'we're not a university and don't have a chance' blah, blah, blah... is just nonsense. We would NOT have been named if there was no chance.
... PLEASE HELP!
I'm coming to you today to let you in on the "worst kept secret" going around Midland today:
the possibility of Midland College being the future site of the George W. Bush Presidential Museum.
Big news, right? Well, now you tell me... have YOU heard about this? There is a good chance you might have heard the "rumor" of it, but the sad thing is... it really hasn't become much more than that!
What I'm asking is for people to write in to the Midland Reporter Telegram at 201 E. Illinois Ave., Midland, TX. 79701 and tell them that YOU WANT TO KNOW!
According to the Dallas Morning News last week, there are six (6) sites on the short list for the museum: Southern Methodist University, Yale, Texas A & M, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University and... Midland College. How cool is that? BUT... we have GOT to get people on board!
1) Letters to the Editor: these are effective. Write in!
2) City Council meetings: speak up to the Mayor and other members
3) County Commissioners: very effective and influential Midlanders, we need them on-board!
4) Tell everyone you know! The more people behind this the better
5) Lay politics aside: People in Austin have written in to their editors saying they don't want the museum for political reasons. Hey! That's fine! But, did you know that the William Jefferson Clinton Museum was the catalyst for hundreds of millions of dollars in development and diversification in Arkansas? Sources I have read have speculated the numbers in the billions, but I don't want to DARE hope on that! But who knows?
Now, Midland has been in sore need of a fine arts facility for things such as ballet, symphony orchestra, traveling shows such as musicals, dance presentations, etc. Therefore, I think we should further strengthen our proposal by also building the "Laura Welch Bush Center for the Arts and Education." This could be a secondary facility for the fine arts as well as further education such as school "field trips" on various subjects near and dear to the First Lady. Classrooms, Theaters for documentary films, a vast stage for performances such as musicals, ballet, "Lord of the Dance" that recently came to the Permian Basin and others could have a fine home. Granted this is only my idea, but I think it is a good one and one that both the First Lady and the President both would appreciate and enjoy.
PLEASE... spread the word, get talking, send ideas to the MRT... do anything and everything you can think of to help this along. Midland has NEVER looked a better "gift horse" in the mouth and the thought of passing on this because 'we're not a university and don't have a chance' blah, blah, blah... is just nonsense. We would NOT have been named if there was no chance.
... PLEASE HELP!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Midland: Growing like never before
Greetings friends!
My apologies for not posting as much as I used to, but boy... have I been busy! The real estate market is growing in ways I never even dreamed of in the world of Midland, Texas! The housing market is absolutely maxed out right now, with builders putting up houses as fast as humanly possible. Contractors are hiring personnel as fast as possible and putting them to work. People are moving to Midland in droves from as far away as California, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Georgia... and these are just the people that "I" know about!
To compound this situation, the State of Texas is going through some consolidation and will be creating a new Call Center in Midland for the state health department. 700 jobs will be either transferring to Midland or be newly created. Additionally, the Texas Land Office is planning on setting up shop in Midland. Originally there was talk of transferring up to 16 families to Midland, but rumor has it the idea of a transfer may not be appealing? I guess life in Austin is just that good!
Well, life in Midland is too! "Rock the Desert" is getting ready to kick of with some big name Christian rock bands... it is always a big event. Music festivals have been taking place downtown and at the Museum of the Southwest, a country artist just held a concert at the local Grande Communications Stadium and that was a huge success!
Now to toot my own horn, or better yet... the horn of Aikido: Sensei John Riggs will be opening up his new chiropractic office on Loma Street next door to John Williams, LMT. That is set to happen Sept. 1st. At that time, the aikido studio for Aikido of Midland will be open and is going to be HUGE! Plans for over 1,000 sq.ft. of mat space are happening right now! If you don't know what aikido is, you really should look into it. It is the best, safest, beautiful and creative martial art I have ever seen or had the pleasure to participate in. I'm due to be testing for 1st kyu (one step away from black belt) in September, so I will one of the very first students to test in the new studio. Very exciting!
What else? Well, Wal-Mart is moving along quickly on their I-20 location. That store is due to open early next year. Across the street from them and right along the interstate is going to be a Starbucks Coffee, a new sandwich shop and others. ALSO... Midland is getting not one but a TWO SCREEN DRIVE-IN THEATER! Right on BI-20 and Loop 250. Can't miss it! How many cities do you know that can claim that?
ClearW're wireless internet just set up shop in Midland. They are set up for wireless service at Midland International Airport and now also Downtown Midland. Friends who have already signed up for it are raving over the speed of the service it provides for them: as fast as cable! (so they say, I'll keep you posted.)
UGH! I can't breath! I can't breath! So much is happening in Midland... are you in on it? Call me! E-mail me! What can I do for you? A lot. Just try me.
Have a good one!
My apologies for not posting as much as I used to, but boy... have I been busy! The real estate market is growing in ways I never even dreamed of in the world of Midland, Texas! The housing market is absolutely maxed out right now, with builders putting up houses as fast as humanly possible. Contractors are hiring personnel as fast as possible and putting them to work. People are moving to Midland in droves from as far away as California, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Georgia... and these are just the people that "I" know about!
To compound this situation, the State of Texas is going through some consolidation and will be creating a new Call Center in Midland for the state health department. 700 jobs will be either transferring to Midland or be newly created. Additionally, the Texas Land Office is planning on setting up shop in Midland. Originally there was talk of transferring up to 16 families to Midland, but rumor has it the idea of a transfer may not be appealing? I guess life in Austin is just that good!
Well, life in Midland is too! "Rock the Desert" is getting ready to kick of with some big name Christian rock bands... it is always a big event. Music festivals have been taking place downtown and at the Museum of the Southwest, a country artist just held a concert at the local Grande Communications Stadium and that was a huge success!
Now to toot my own horn, or better yet... the horn of Aikido: Sensei John Riggs will be opening up his new chiropractic office on Loma Street next door to John Williams, LMT. That is set to happen Sept. 1st. At that time, the aikido studio for Aikido of Midland will be open and is going to be HUGE! Plans for over 1,000 sq.ft. of mat space are happening right now! If you don't know what aikido is, you really should look into it. It is the best, safest, beautiful and creative martial art I have ever seen or had the pleasure to participate in. I'm due to be testing for 1st kyu (one step away from black belt) in September, so I will one of the very first students to test in the new studio. Very exciting!
What else? Well, Wal-Mart is moving along quickly on their I-20 location. That store is due to open early next year. Across the street from them and right along the interstate is going to be a Starbucks Coffee, a new sandwich shop and others. ALSO... Midland is getting not one but a TWO SCREEN DRIVE-IN THEATER! Right on BI-20 and Loop 250. Can't miss it! How many cities do you know that can claim that?
ClearW're wireless internet just set up shop in Midland. They are set up for wireless service at Midland International Airport and now also Downtown Midland. Friends who have already signed up for it are raving over the speed of the service it provides for them: as fast as cable! (so they say, I'll keep you posted.)
UGH! I can't breath! I can't breath! So much is happening in Midland... are you in on it? Call me! E-mail me! What can I do for you? A lot. Just try me.
Have a good one!
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Freedom under attack? RE: London terrorist bombing
Well, every other blogger in the world is throwing their 2 bits into the ring regarding the terrorist bombing in London... so why should I be any different?
I remember on 9/11 when the towers were hit. I saw it. Live. On t.v.
It was sickening.
And now today, normal, average and easy going people are going about their lives, coming to and from work or shopping, what have you. They were on their way to continue to live their lives in peace. That is... until a radical terrorist thought he could change the world in his favor by blowing him/her self up and everyone around them in the process.
How much more WRONG could they be? And they just don't see it.
In the process of thinking of what to say at this moment, I turned to my trusty, rusty google search and came up with a GEM of a quote for all this:
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. Soren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855)
Such is the case today. "Islamic" fundamentalists are speaking out through violence when they have neither educated themselves or "infidels" on just what it is they are trying to achieve. Sure we "know" but the mere thought of talking to us, debating us, negotiating with us is just no good in their minds. They are right, we are wrong... end of discussion.
Seldom using thought? Try NO thought going on at all. Whoever said "ignorance is bliss" was only kidding himself.
Kierkegaard must be an interesting person. I've heard good and bad about this author, perhaps it's time to think a little harder on his words.
I remember on 9/11 when the towers were hit. I saw it. Live. On t.v.
It was sickening.
And now today, normal, average and easy going people are going about their lives, coming to and from work or shopping, what have you. They were on their way to continue to live their lives in peace. That is... until a radical terrorist thought he could change the world in his favor by blowing him/her self up and everyone around them in the process.
How much more WRONG could they be? And they just don't see it.
In the process of thinking of what to say at this moment, I turned to my trusty, rusty google search and came up with a GEM of a quote for all this:
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. Soren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855)
Such is the case today. "Islamic" fundamentalists are speaking out through violence when they have neither educated themselves or "infidels" on just what it is they are trying to achieve. Sure we "know" but the mere thought of talking to us, debating us, negotiating with us is just no good in their minds. They are right, we are wrong... end of discussion.
Seldom using thought? Try NO thought going on at all. Whoever said "ignorance is bliss" was only kidding himself.
Kierkegaard must be an interesting person. I've heard good and bad about this author, perhaps it's time to think a little harder on his words.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Sandra Day O'Connor: Supreme Court Justice
Justice O'Connor announced her resignation from the Supreme Court this morning. It is a sad day for America that this is the case. Though she has been labeled by some as a "swing vote," I would rather remember her as the "common sense" vote. She speaks her mind, says what she means and means what she says. I had the distinct pleasure of hearing her speak at Midland College one night, along with hundreds of others. My wife and I attended and we couldn't help but enjoy ourselves.
She was nominated by President Reagan and was the first woman ever to serve on the high court. She has done an outstanding job as Supreme Court Justice and finding someone to fill her shoes will be a daunting task. Well, they can find SOMEONE to fill that spot, but as for living up to her legacy? I doubt it highly.
One of her more famous quotes is the follow, and most profound:
Ouch! Sad thing is that it's true. Women have come a long way since the late 1800's. Hell! They've come a long way in the last 50 years! And yet, even today, women are still paid less, treated differently, etc. It is one thing to act as a "gentleman" and such, but to condescend in the process is wrong, and believe it or not such things still take place.
Anyhow, I for one am sorry to see Justice O'Connor go. I do hope she enjoys what retirement time she has coming and I thank her for her service to the United States. I firmly believe we are a better country for having had her service and am grateful.
She was nominated by President Reagan and was the first woman ever to serve on the high court. She has done an outstanding job as Supreme Court Justice and finding someone to fill her shoes will be a daunting task. Well, they can find SOMEONE to fill that spot, but as for living up to her legacy? I doubt it highly.
One of her more famous quotes is the follow, and most profound:
"The more education a woman has, the wider the gap between men's and
women's earnings for the same work."
Ouch! Sad thing is that it's true. Women have come a long way since the late 1800's. Hell! They've come a long way in the last 50 years! And yet, even today, women are still paid less, treated differently, etc. It is one thing to act as a "gentleman" and such, but to condescend in the process is wrong, and believe it or not such things still take place.
Anyhow, I for one am sorry to see Justice O'Connor go. I do hope she enjoys what retirement time she has coming and I thank her for her service to the United States. I firmly believe we are a better country for having had her service and am grateful.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Thoughts worth thinking about: John F. Kennedy
America is seeing some troubling times these days: Oil is reaching unheard of prices, crime is previalent on network television, along with smut and cheesy "reality" shows. One can't help but be a cynic these days with so much lying and betrail... and all that is from our Peers and Elected officials!
Well, as much terrible change there is in the world, there is also good change. I have seen friends with cancer, SERIOUS cancer, come out the other side alive and kicking. I have seen nephews grow up from babies to become true Thinkers and Doers for themselves.
Change of all kind is happening all around us, and yet... we could stand a little more. And that, my friends, is what brings me to todays quote from former President John F. Kennedy.
So... ponder this: burning the flag is against the Constitution, according to congress. Also, government entities can seize your home if it is to the benefit of all in the community. And then there is the subdivision in Lubbock that is building a "child molestor" free zone. When do the walls go up? When do the attack dogs start roaming the streets? When do we start implanting computer chips in peoples hands for "true" identification checks?
Ponder these things... and then think about this, that JFK had to say:
Well, as much terrible change there is in the world, there is also good change. I have seen friends with cancer, SERIOUS cancer, come out the other side alive and kicking. I have seen nephews grow up from babies to become true Thinkers and Doers for themselves.
Change of all kind is happening all around us, and yet... we could stand a little more. And that, my friends, is what brings me to todays quote from former President John F. Kennedy.
So... ponder this: burning the flag is against the Constitution, according to congress. Also, government entities can seize your home if it is to the benefit of all in the community. And then there is the subdivision in Lubbock that is building a "child molestor" free zone. When do the walls go up? When do the attack dogs start roaming the streets? When do we start implanting computer chips in peoples hands for "true" identification checks?
Ponder these things... and then think about this, that JFK had to say:
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Greetings to friends far and wide!
For those of you who have not formed up a "blog" or "web log" where the term actually came from, I just thought I would post on how you are missing out!
Since forming up this blog, I have had the pleasure of meeting an editor form the local paper, the Executive Directors of Keep Midland Beautiful http://www.keepmidlandbeautiful.org/ and of Downtown Midland, Inc. I have attended meetings, given feedback, and I have even been written of in the local paper! And not just that letter to the editor either, though I was particularly proud of that piece.
Yes, since I started blogging for Midland, my life has changed and I've met many good people. Just the other day, I met Miriam Parker http://www.miriamparker.com/ (Hi Miriam!) who I found to be a far superior and entertaining writer than... well, even me! (It's not easy to admit that, people. After all, I'm darn good! Admit it!) *grin*
Anyway, through the internet and this journal-like medium which has seen hundreds of visitors and thousands of visits, I have met wonderful people and I'm learning a lot about the world. I have seen how much an impact my words can have on others. I have gotten a good perspective and seen just how small of an ant I am, even in a little place like Midland. And I have learned the importance of communication, and the bonds communication creates.
So... Greetings to my friends both near and far. Thank you for coming around and know that I think of you all often and more importantly... wonder who you are? (Those of you who are reading and don't write back, that is. ;)
Have a great day and tomorrow, I hope to resume my series on thoughts to think about... or whatever I called it.
...I promise to be more literary tomorrow. I'm just enjoying a day with no phone ringing off the wall! *sigh*
Since forming up this blog, I have had the pleasure of meeting an editor form the local paper, the Executive Directors of Keep Midland Beautiful http://www.keepmidlandbeautiful.org/ and of Downtown Midland, Inc. I have attended meetings, given feedback, and I have even been written of in the local paper! And not just that letter to the editor either, though I was particularly proud of that piece.
Yes, since I started blogging for Midland, my life has changed and I've met many good people. Just the other day, I met Miriam Parker http://www.miriamparker.com/ (Hi Miriam!) who I found to be a far superior and entertaining writer than... well, even me! (It's not easy to admit that, people. After all, I'm darn good! Admit it!) *grin*
Anyway, through the internet and this journal-like medium which has seen hundreds of visitors and thousands of visits, I have met wonderful people and I'm learning a lot about the world. I have seen how much an impact my words can have on others. I have gotten a good perspective and seen just how small of an ant I am, even in a little place like Midland. And I have learned the importance of communication, and the bonds communication creates.
So... Greetings to my friends both near and far. Thank you for coming around and know that I think of you all often and more importantly... wonder who you are? (Those of you who are reading and don't write back, that is. ;)
Have a great day and tomorrow, I hope to resume my series on thoughts to think about... or whatever I called it.
...I promise to be more literary tomorrow. I'm just enjoying a day with no phone ringing off the wall! *sigh*
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Cleaning up Downtown: The Reality
Hello again everyone! How's things? You know, you could talk to me if you wanted to.
Drop a line anytime: snowshadower33@yahoo.com
Thanks!
So! I had the pleasure of meeting Doreen Richardson, Executive Director of Keep Midland Beautiful. She is a wonderfully upbeat and energized person working harder than any of us know at getting and keeping Midland looking as good as it possibly can.
Doreen and I discussed the possibility of getting a volunteer rally of sorts together and working on downtown Midland: cleaning, sweeping, painting, etc. She is, thankfully, familiar with downtown Fort Worth and knows where I am coming from when I explain my ideas. We were in complete agreement that simple "cleaning house" is the place to begin and that we could then move on from there. But, (and you knew this was coming, didn't you?) the reality of getting something like this to happen is contingent upon getting the downtown business owners involved.
The Midland Municiple Management District (MMMD) is an entity composed of all the business owners downtown, and they have been and are taking steps to market their territory. The bad news is, while looking at the big picture, downtown is falling apart on a "Right Now" basis. Basic upkeep needs to be done, but wouldn't it be great to kick that off in a big way? Yes.
SO... if any of you reading this are members of the MMMD or know someone that is, or has a business in downtown Midland, CONTACT ME! My e-mail is up above and I check it multiple times a day. We have a lot of really easy work that needs to be done, but it is going to take some coordination and TEAMWORK. I don't have all the contacts in the world, but we all know someone. With a little help, we can coordinate a clean-up effort that will make Midlanders realize that Yes: We can ALL have an impact and improve out city!
And in the end, isn't that what Midland is all about? Doing better. Making an impact.
Drop me a line... TODAY!
Thank you!
John A.E. Boswell
Midlander since 1973
Drop a line anytime: snowshadower33@yahoo.com
Thanks!
So! I had the pleasure of meeting Doreen Richardson, Executive Director of Keep Midland Beautiful. She is a wonderfully upbeat and energized person working harder than any of us know at getting and keeping Midland looking as good as it possibly can.
Doreen and I discussed the possibility of getting a volunteer rally of sorts together and working on downtown Midland: cleaning, sweeping, painting, etc. She is, thankfully, familiar with downtown Fort Worth and knows where I am coming from when I explain my ideas. We were in complete agreement that simple "cleaning house" is the place to begin and that we could then move on from there. But, (and you knew this was coming, didn't you?) the reality of getting something like this to happen is contingent upon getting the downtown business owners involved.
The Midland Municiple Management District (MMMD) is an entity composed of all the business owners downtown, and they have been and are taking steps to market their territory. The bad news is, while looking at the big picture, downtown is falling apart on a "Right Now" basis. Basic upkeep needs to be done, but wouldn't it be great to kick that off in a big way? Yes.
SO... if any of you reading this are members of the MMMD or know someone that is, or has a business in downtown Midland, CONTACT ME! My e-mail is up above and I check it multiple times a day. We have a lot of really easy work that needs to be done, but it is going to take some coordination and TEAMWORK. I don't have all the contacts in the world, but we all know someone. With a little help, we can coordinate a clean-up effort that will make Midlanders realize that Yes: We can ALL have an impact and improve out city!
And in the end, isn't that what Midland is all about? Doing better. Making an impact.
Drop me a line... TODAY!
Thank you!
John A.E. Boswell
Midlander since 1973
Thursday, June 09, 2005
It's time to clean up this town!
Greetings everyone! Just a quick note here... wanted to "drop a bug" in your ear and see what you thought about this idea.
Talking to people on the Midland Forum (link is to the left), I came up with the idea of getting volunteers together to do genuine and actual CLEANING of downtown Midland. Novel idea, huh?
Anyhow, I have a meeting set up next week with Doreen Richardson of Keep Midland Beautiful to share with her my ideas and examples and ... well, thought I'd toss the idea out on this here blog and look for feedback.
Is this something that might interest you?
Are you concerned with downtown Midland and would like to help clean it up?
Are you capable of washing windows? picking up trash? painting curbs? telling someone else to do all that?
Well, put down that darn mouse and drop me a line! Okay, you can pick up the mouse now, but click on "Comments" and tell me who you are or e-mail me and let me know if you'd be interested in this or have ideas on it. snowshadower33@yahoo.com
It's time to Clean Up This Town! Grab a rag, broom or paint brush and follow me...
Talking to people on the Midland Forum (link is to the left), I came up with the idea of getting volunteers together to do genuine and actual CLEANING of downtown Midland. Novel idea, huh?
Anyhow, I have a meeting set up next week with Doreen Richardson of Keep Midland Beautiful to share with her my ideas and examples and ... well, thought I'd toss the idea out on this here blog and look for feedback.
Is this something that might interest you?
Are you concerned with downtown Midland and would like to help clean it up?
Are you capable of washing windows? picking up trash? painting curbs? telling someone else to do all that?
Well, put down that darn mouse and drop me a line! Okay, you can pick up the mouse now, but click on "Comments" and tell me who you are or e-mail me and let me know if you'd be interested in this or have ideas on it. snowshadower33@yahoo.com
It's time to Clean Up This Town! Grab a rag, broom or paint brush and follow me...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)