"Statistics..."

The Census Bureau has determined that Florida is currently the 4th most populated state in the U.S..   Even though its population rate of growth has declined in the last two years, it is still expected to grow by another 400,000 residents to overtake New York that is currently in third position.

Nevertheless, it has experienced the worst real estate year in recorded history.  It has very limited available developable land...

Real estate values have dropped another 12% average this year and each year for the last four years, but most real estate tax bills have increased each of these years. Its homeowners' insurance rates have just gone up between 12 and 40% this year, too.

One in six residents are on food stamps.

It is ranked 50th in the number of government employees per person...one per one hundred residents.

It is ranked 47th in the quality of its education, and that is after it has "improved" its position in the last few years.

It has the oldest average age population.

Medical care is ranked one of the lowest in the U.S.

Disney World, Orlando, is the number one destination for foreign visitors to the U.S..

What do these, and other statistics really mean?

"Modern Families..."

Twenty-nine years ago, and new to West Palm Beach, Florida, from Princeton, I was one of the first residents to move into one of 100 newly-constructed contemporary Cubist Deco townhouses.  I chose a unit that overlooked the pool and lake (after all it is Florida).  The first day there was sunny, and I heard splashing, so I looked out and saw a couple with their seven year old daughter and four year old son playing in the pool. I went out, introduced myself, and told them that they were a beautiful family..."We are newly divorced, but want to remain good friends for the kids!"...We laughed and became great friends thru the years and their life relationships...

One football game, the woman was there with her ex husband, their kids, her ex live-in, her current live-in, and his mother and his ex-wife and his children...and her ex husband's next ex-wife and their children, and his current live-in, all attendance to watch the game!

Years later, we found ourselves living in the same community again.  At this time, in their four bedroom two bath home, she lived with her elderly mother, her two teenage children, her current live-in, his elderly mother, and his two teenage children, and their two dogs and cat!  It was quite a household.

Last weekend, her now 36 year old daughter, her husband and her 4-year old daughter celebrated a second birthday for their son.  The 32 year old son was there without his live-in twin who was with her mother at a bridal shower. My friend's latest live-in for the last 19 years was now her current husband.  His mother, now 92 who just moved-in with another 92 year old, and their son, his live-in, and their newly born daughter were there to celebrate with other close friends! 

Modern families branching out as time marches on...

"Horoscopes"

I check my horoscopes in our local newspaper nearly daily...and sometimes they are "right on"!  That was the case yesterday with this, my Leo entry...

"You are highly involved in life, and the level of attention you give your interests can sometimes be downright inconvenient.  But the joy you feel being in the mix of things makes it all worthwhile."

"The "Shingles" Vaccine"

Since a number of my family members have gotten cases of "shingles" , I decided to get a vaccine for the disease...

I called my General Practitioner Doctor to see if he would administer the shot.  He said that he would refer me to one of the local hospitals, and that I should call for an appointment.  I did, and was told that the cost would be $100.  When I called my medical insurance provider to see if it would be covered, I was told that it would be, only if administered in my doctor's office. At a hospital,l there would be a $200 co-pay.

My doctor does not offer it because of the cost to obtain it, and  due to the cold temperature maintenance that is required during its transport and storage.  When I called back to the insurance company to explain this "catch 22", I was told that a pharmacy under contract with them, would deliver it to the doctor, and then it would be covered at no cost to me. This would be the third thing (a $10 flu shot, and the cost of the annual physical) covered by my $7,200 CURRENT annual premium!  He just had to fax a prescription request, and this would be done.  When it had not arrived two weeks after the request, I visited (because as usual calls to the office were never answered) my doctor to check on the order. I was told that it was faxed on October 15, and that his office had no way of tracing it.  So,  I called my provider to trace the delivery.  I was told that even though there is only one shingles vaccine, they would not trace it unless I provided its medical name.   I called my doctor brother who provided this...Varicella Zoster Vaccine...and then I provided it to customer service.  I was told that they had received a faxed request on October 22, and that it was scheduled to arrive at the doctor's office on Wednesday, November 16.  When it didn't arrive by Friday, November 18, I tried calling back to no avail.

Meanwhile, I heard that the vaccine is not guaranteed to prevent shingles, and in fact in some case, it causes them!  If the vaccine arrives next week, then I may get shingles from it right before a Holiday!  If I cancel the non-arriving order, I will not be able to reorder it and still have it covered!

As an aside,  recently an acquaintance had fallen and needed to go to the hospital for a fractured back vertebrae.   A procedure was done, but during it, the patient got Mrsa Staph Infection (still all too common in our hospitals).  The infection went to the heart, and caused its failure that resulted in the patient ending up in Hospice in a terminal state.  His "Living Will" resulted in no life support, and his family and friends awaiting his passing...

"Life Lessons..."

As I've mentioned, I was fortunate to know both sets of my grandparents and their brothers and sisters (my aunts and uncles), and to have parents who devoted their lives to their children.  All related their life histories, life experiences and advice.  Some of these follow...

My paternal grandfather, international vice president of GE, who had South and Central America as his "territory", complied his in an autobiography, and left copies for all of us.  He played golf, and his fiddle, and had his cocktail  hour scotch on the rocks, nearly daily...

My paternal grandmother greeted us with "spit kisses", gathered us around the piano to sing, and in front of one of the first TVs to watch "Lawrence Welk", and prepared her pot roasts and creamed chicken on white toast...

My maternal grandfather, a surgeon and president of the New Jersey Medical Association, had graduated early from college and always took financial care of all extents of his family; and he started his practice during the 1930 Depression.  He taught us how to save and how to work for a living, and for all chores that needed to be done...

My maternal grandmother had a father who was the best friend and right hand man of Eastman Kodak.  She was truly a renaissance woman...she raised her family, was an educated nurse, was an accomplished oils, charcoal, and water color, and sculpting artist, was the president of the Woman's Auxiliary to the New Jersey Medical Association, an incredible cook, and a traveler.  In her latter years she told me "never lose your spirit of the child within you".

Dad tried everything and maintained his positive attitude thru 30+ years of a progressive disease.  "Never write down what you don't want to retract." "When you are mad at someone or something, sleep on it, before lashing out." "Even if you don't know an answer, answer anyway with an aire that you are correct."  "Ultimately cheaters never prosper!"

Mom lived "The family always comes first!  Watch out if anyone doesn't treat her children as they deserve to be treated.  Never let anyone know family issues.  Strive for excellence!  Immediately show your appreciation for someones' good acts..."

I am a product of all of them...

"Education?"

What are we thinking?

During the 1960's, while I was in high school, we started dropping academic requirements (for example the foreign language requirements) in the interest of personal expression and "free choice".

In more recent years, costs cut backs have removed the arts, physical fitness, clubs, and vocational training from the schools.

Teachers salaries have been cut.  Teachers become responsible for buying their own class supplies from these reduced salaries. Meanwhile, administrative facilities, numbers and salaries have increased.

Last week, the news reported that in one south Florida county, final exams have been made "optional" because of the undue stress placed on the students to study for them.  A few weeks before that, another south Florida county decided to remove printing and cursive instruction from the elementary schools because it interfered with the thought processes for "texting"!

Go to most restaurants and retail establishments, and ask for change or a basic addition or percentage calculation and see what happens!

Compare our US educations with those overseas...we need to reevaluate our educational priorities...

"Best Laid Plans..."

Despite planning, you never really know how a day will unfold...

Yesterday, as usual I awoke, read the paper, responded to e-mails, and listened to the news while eating breakfast.  It was going to be  a full day!  I left for a tennis round robin cancer-support fund-raiser, to discover lots of participants, no parking left in the adjacent lot, and over an hour delay in beginning.   Since it started late, I left before its luncheon because I had so much to do...

My first stop was blocks away (I should have walked!), and after stopping, and going in, when I left, my 2-year old "car of the year" wouldn't start.  Thinking it was the battery (even though it had recently been replaced!), I tried to see if anyone around had jumper cables to get it started so that I could take it to the dealership, two miles down the road.  I then called the dealership to see if they could send someone down, but they were preparing to close (early Saturday hours), so they had no one to spare, and told me they'd check it if I could get it towed there in 30 minutes.  They reminded of the car's 5-year free road service towing, and I called..."We can have someone there in 40 minutes"...too late, but at least I could have the car taken there for a Monday check.  Meanwhile, conveniently I noticed a car rental agency two doors away...it was preparing to close...but they had a car...$70 plus fees til Monday...instead I decided to call Mom to borrow her car later.

After fifty minutes, two men pulled up in a blazer.  They asked for my driver's license for identification, and then attempted to "jump start" the battery to no avail, told me to call back to the road "service" to get a tow truck, and left.  "It will take 90 more minutes for the tow truck to arrive"...After 2 hours with no arrival (and nearly giving up on the dealer's service), I called another club membership road service out and requested a tow truck again. From them, another mechanic arrived that once again tried to jump the battery and after also failing, said the starter must be defective, and that the vehicle would have to be towed!  I called back to the first group that informed that their requested truck was running behind and would arrive in yet another forty minutes!  With each periodic automated calls would come to question if I still wanted "service"...but then my new cell phone battery ( I had three new cell phones in the last few months in an attempt to get one with a battery that would hold a charge!) was dying!  So as it had been determined that the car battery was still working, I sat in the hot car with the phone plugged into the car receptacle.  Then, I realized that my driver's license was missing!  The first mechanics left with it!  I was able to track down the guys who didn't remember taking it, so it was gone, so I had no license for the weekend, while possible my identity was being stolen, and nothing could be done until Monday!  I called the County police to report the theft, and they informed that after 911 they no longer were dealing with stolen licenses!

After 6 hours the tow truck arrived!  I asked why they had taken so long and they said that they had been sent about an hour north for another car, and that they were "slammed" with cars that needed towing!"..."For $100 we can take your car down to the lake, dump it in, and give you a form for insurance to get a new one, Bud!"  They loaded the car and took it the two miles to the closed dealership.  The key deposit box had no pen to fill in my information...

A friend picked me up and drove me to get Mom's car to use for the rest of the weekend.  I drove home, parked out front (I had the garage door opener in the other car), plugged in the phone to continue charging it, showered, had  a quick salad, and as the day of chores had been  a "wash", I decided to go the outdoor "Italian Fest" concert.  As soon as I opened the front door, it started to POUR, and my umbrellas were in the other car too!  So that idea was literally "washed out" and was not going to happen!  After the rain slowed, I decided to try to salvage the day with some chores!  I left to fill Mom's car with gas and the pump was broken.  I went to the grocery store, and got food for the week.  I drove home to a dark house...the exterior bulbs had burned out!  I got out and dropped the dozen eggs on the concrete!  I went inside to get replacement bulbs and when I unscrewed the fixture lenses, I broke the plastic fixture covers!  I went inside and started to boil some water with spaghetti, and the pot "boiled over"!

Then I REALLY gave up..."best laid plans can't always occur when fate has alternatives!"

"Good Customer Service...Is It Coming Back?"

As mentioned previously, for the last few years I have been writing chapters of "Customer Disservice...24-7"...a sign of our contemporary times...

Last week, I experienced many examples of a possible return of the concept of customer service...

With the onslaught of cooler weather, one early morning my Hyundai "low tire pressure" warning light illuminated.   It was 8 am and I was passing the dealership, and I pulled into the service entrance.  A mechanic and manager approached, and when I explained the reason for the stop, they said that they had been resetting those for many owners over the last two days, caused by the temperature drop, and my car was immediately serviced to correct the problem.

My 4-month old new cell phone battery was not holding a charge, and my first 4 months of "bundled service" cell and land phone, hi-speed Internet, and cable TV bills were $50 per month higher than promised they would be.   Through the manager level of the provider, by phone to customer service, I had been told that I had been given the wrong price when I signed up, that the lower quote wouldn't be honored, and that even after 30 years with the same company, since I had signed a "one-year contract", so that I couldn't make any changes without paying a penalty!  Mid-day, I was passing one of the provider branch stores and dropped in.  A salesman approached, welcomed me, and when I explained the above, he said that he would handle the corrections.  "You have not been treated properly by our company, and I apologize...my goal is to make you satisfied!"  He called the provider "inside management", and spent about an hour in negotiations until the $50 mistake was corrected, and then he ordered a replacement battery that arrived parcel post in two days. "Here's my card with my personal cell number and e-mail...call me if you ever have a problem again!"   A few days later, I took Mom to see the same salesman, about her incorrect bills that also were not be corrected over the phone.  One half later, he had corrected hers and gave a company rebate to make up for her inconvenience!

That afternoon at the gym, four young men were talking (not on cell phones, but directly!) while they were working out..."Isn't it great about the customer satisfaction training that we are being given at our grocery store chain?  It is our responsibility to realize that we have our jobs, because of our customers..."

I called my credit card to report that a cruise company had not given a proper rebate on a recent reservation.   Within minutes I was connected to an agent.  "I see that you have been one of our customers for a long time...we will credit your credit card account, and follow-up with the cruise company to correct the situation!" 

Similar examples of "customer service" have been occurring all week...is the concept coming back?

"Economy Comfort!"

Today's paper related that one of the major airlines has started selling an upgraded class..."Economy Comfort"...for $19 to $99, if available, you can buy a seat with three inches more legroom!

Years ago, when the air travel became consecutively more and more "pleasurable", I came up with another class that would have really been economical comfort...

Booking online is problematic...checking in at the kiosks is problematic...flights are late or canceled or switched, overbooked, weather-delayed, security concerned,  not equipment-serviced, and consequently mechanically not functioning, filthy, air quality contaminated, with no food, one small beverage, no leg room, no seat room, with rude flight attendants, filled with extra costs, and overused carry on luggage racks, and as a result have passengers that might exhibit "flight rage"!

To carry more passengers, and be further price-competitive, with more "economical comfort", the passengers could be "gased" to fall asleep when they check in and then they could be stacked on stretchers horizontally about 8 high in the cabin, and then awakened when they reach their destination!

"The Debit Card"

And the everyday changes continue...

To purchase a health drink supplement at  a discount for my mother and myself, I enrolled as a distributor in the company's "network marketing" sales distribution system.  This allows the purchase of four bottles of the product for $152 or $38 per bottle with shipping, instead of the retail price of $53 per bottle.  To be an "active" distributor, you are required to pay $25 per year ($2 per month).  In the "network marketing" way, if you sign up distributors below you, the company pays tabulated monthly commission.  In order to be paid this commission you are required to have at least four bottles per month "auto-shipped" and "auto-billed" to you, for the monthly investment of $154 with the factored annual fee.   A team of two enthusiastic individuals signed up below me, and they have a line of fourteen distributors below them.  The result of this minimum of $2,464 per month sales volume of my team, is a monthly commission of $12 to $15!  I certainly will not retire on this income, but the receipt of the check lowered my per bottle cost to S37.75!   

I paid my annual renewal $25,  and then I went to the mailbox and received a thick envelope.  Inside was a debit/credit card  from the supplement company.  I was about to throw it out, but instead I read the enclosed materials...From now on the monthly commission was to be "loaded" into this card that could be theoretically used for cash or merchandise.  My $13.75 commission for that month was now loaded in this card.  Further reading showed that the card had a $3 per month associated "maintenance" fee if not used.  I e-mailed the company to say that this did not make sense and that I didn't want this card....I wanted the check to be mailed, but this was no longer an option.  Instead, I could go online and switch my commission payment for the next, and consecutive months, to "automatic deposit" into my checking account by providing that institution's routing number.  I did this, and asked how to cancel the card so as to avoid the $3 per month fee plus interest on the "inactive" debit card.  In order cancel it after taking out my $13.75, I was told that I could go to Bank of America, and avoid a $5 "card activation" charge!

I drove to a local branch at lunch on a workday, and was told to first call the card 800-number to  "activate" it.  This took 10 minutes with the post press "1" for English, "prompts" phone answering "merry go round"!  Per the instructions, I then pressed another number to be given an available balance of $13.75.  When the bank tried to cash out the card for the $13.75, it was rejected.  The bank instructed me to call the card's "Customer (Dis)Service" Number.  For the next 20 minutes, I was on this now, eight-option "press around", with no prompt that took me to a person!  Not even the old standby of "pressing zero" multiple times worked!  I called back again and got a person by following the lost or stolen card path!  She got me to another person who said the card rejected the transaction because the balance had been reduced to $8.75 due to the activation charge! 

So I stood in the teller line (with the lunch crowd) to withdrawal the $8.75.  The manager approached and said that since the card had been rejected, bank policy would not allow it to be used as a debit card again!  

Infuriated, I called the 800 number again, and quickly went to lost or stolen cards!  I said that this whole experience was ridiculous, and that all I wanted to do now was get the cash out and cancel the card before I got more card charges,  to which she replied that I sounded unpleasant while she was trying to be polite, and that she would hang up!  Prior to that she informed that my only option now was to go to  a Walmart (another 15 minutes away) and use the checks that were mailed with the card to withdrawal the $8.75 without an additional transaction fee!

So during the next day's lunch I drove to Walmart with my checks, and went to the customer service desk.  They informed that they could not cash the check unless I had obtained a card issuing company authorization number and a balance confirmation.  I related that this was not a phone "press around option", and that I gave up!  The manager said to try to swipe the card and enter my card pin number...I did and success, the register showed $8.75, and I was given the cash!

From the car, I called the card company lost or stolen division again, and they routed me to a card cancellation agent.  She reported that after removing the $8.75 from the $8.75 balance, there was now $1.75 remaining in the account.   The card would not be able to be canceled for 120 days from the request!  Sooooo...I continued..."Four months at $3 per month unused service charges, plus overdraft interest because of the $12 trying to be taken from the now $1.75 balance...and four months of card over drafting would then be a report of "bad credit risk" to the three credit agencies, on a here-to-fore unblemished credit record...I'm ruined because the supplement company decided that they could save postage by not mailing commission checks...am I understanding this correctly????"..."Of course not, we the debit card company are here for you...we wouldn't think of doing that!!!"

"In the Gym..."

Daily, I go to one of the branches of our local gym chain.   These are opening up about every 10 miles throughout South Florida, and your membership allows access to all of them, so they are extremely accessible.   Indoors, they offer a large free weight and selectorized machine open exercise area, a large cardiovascular area, a regulation basketball court, racquetball courts, a large aerobics/classroom area, a "spin" cycling room, a 25 meter pool, a large spa, saunas, a kid's supervised area, and beautiful locker rooms, and a fitness snack bar.  The architecture and interior design of the facilities are excellent, and the equipment is plentiful.

At the $34.95 per month rate, and  as mentioned being used daily, it was quite a good deal.  I "lift" alternating body parts and do cardiovascular exercise four days, and distance swim three days per week. Three months ago,  the manager of our real estate office negotiated a corporate rate, that lowered the cost to $29.95 per month (with no initiation fee).   We were told to pick up a voucher to give to the  gym manager, and the new rate would be set up for us.  Unfortunately, today was the eighth time  that I was told that this had been processed, and it has not been since it was set up...

Many of the members have no honesty, common courtesy, gym etiquette, or even any appearance of being coherent (see "Tuned In...Tuned out" in this blog)! If they take a paper towel, they drop it on the floor...they never replace weights (in their labeled locations!)...they "hog" equipment by doing multiple sets without allowing anyone to alternate usage with them...they steal the sets of 5-pound increment dumbbells from 10 to 30 pounds...they steal the selectorized pins and equipment attachments...they hardly ever wash their hands after using the restrooms..and .they urinate on the restroom floors and toilet seats, and they stuff up the toilets.  A janitorial service is in continual operation but can not keep up with the actions of the members...I spend a third of my workout time trying to find missing items and put them back in their correct location...

Aesthetically wonderful and well-equipped facilities with fairly lucrative demographics...and then these kind of behaviors...I ask "why"???  

"Keep doing..."

"Keep moving..."

"Use it or lose it!"

If we are fortunate enough to advance in age, we can reduce its effect by following the old Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' slogan of "just do it!"

Our world IS a beautiful place from the morning sunrises to the shimmering of the evening stars...experience as much as you can...

Direct yourselves to do everything that you dream about...

Physically, exercise daily from a morning stretch to some cardiovascular and resistance training...

Mentally, exercise daily from morning meditation to taking in one of the all-present sources of news...

Spiritually, keep updating your beliefs and keeping them close to your heart as guiding directions...

Appreciate your life gifts...thank others, and let them know how much they mean to you...

The world is changing daily at an accelerated rate...but there is another slogan..."the more they change the more they stay the same"...and as our founding fathers said..."we hold these truths to be self-evident..."

"Follow Your Dreams..."

Last night, I had the pleasure of going to a presentation by Frank McKinney, a former tennis pro turned builder and author and his good friend and mentor, Marshall Ulrich.  Both, in their 50's, have competed in the "Badwater", Death Valley 135 mile, at 125 degrees temperature race.  Frank did his 6th time (only 30 people in the world have done it this much) and Marshall did his 17th! After running cross country from San Francisco to New York City in 52 days, Marshall is now training for a 700 mile circumventing run around Death Valley.  They gave a motivating seminar of determining your dreams of extreme life adventures, and against whatever "odds" exist, with "small steps", work toward accomplishing them. 

I returned home to the news of Apple's founder's Steve Job's passing.  He had an amazingly full life from humble beginings in his 56 years.  He spoke of undeterred by the opinions and negavtive reactions of others, to have the courage to follow your heart and vision to lead the life of your dreams! 

"Pizza"

For the last few weeks, every day there has been a woman that stands in the traffic median on U.S. One in front of a takeout/delivery pizza shop, with her arms outstretched, and holding a banner.  The banner says "Special...one topping medium pizza...$4.99...takeaway only."  One evening I disregarded my "life diet" and stopped in.  Two ladies were behind a bullet proof glass wall with a revolving, lockable change tray.  "May I help you?"..."Your banner worked...Ill have a medium pizza with chicken as the topping for the $4.99 special"..."The topping included for the special is cheese.  Other toppings are $2.00 extra so that will be $7.35"..."No, I just want to have the $4.99 "special".  So (sarcastically!) can I order pizza with tomato sauce and chicken?"..."We don't have chicken as a topping!"...(as I read that the pizzas are individually prepared with the finest of ingredients)..."You have a chicken fajita pizza on the menu, so where is the chicken for that?"..."The chicken fajita pizzas are pre-made!"... "Ah well, I guess I'll have the cheese pizza for $5.23!"

"Video Store"

So while waiting for the pizza to be made, i walked into the adjoining video store.  "Welcome to BBVideo...Can I help  you find  a particular title?"..."No thank you.  I'm just waiting for a pizza and haven't been in a video store for years.  What is the rental cost to check one out?"..."$1.00 per day, and we don't increase your costs after 5 days anymore."..."Wow, that's a good price.  Maybe I'll take one out for $1.06 then."  I searched thru some new releases and selected one and proceeded to the checkout.  "That will be $5.30"..."But the price is $1.00 per day, and I'm planning to return it tomorrow, so with tax for the one day rental it should be the $1.06."..."There is a five-day minimum checkout!"..."So why don't you say that it is $5.30 to rent a video?"..."Because it is only $1.00 per day with our "special"!"

"Free "Sliders"..."

Yesterday, I moved an e-mail from one of our popular local restaurants from the "spam file" to my "inbox", and then I opened it...

"In appreciation of your repeat business, and to introduce our new menu offering, we have "loaded" your "frequent dining card" with a free, $7.99 value of three "sliders."  You can choose three, buffalo chicken, pulled pork, or Italian meatball sliders.  The lobster sliders will be an up charge of $5.00"

Tonight I stopped by a downtown location of this restaurant chain, and sat at the bar to take advantage of the offer.

"I received a three free sliders on my frequent dining card offering, e-mail yesterday.  Are you honoring the promotion?"..."Let me check with my manager...Yes, we are, but you can only have the beef burger sliders free. There is a $5.00 up charge for the buffalo chicken, pulled pork, or Italian meatball ones, and a $10 charge for the lobster ones!"..."Well then the offer is hardly free!  I guess I'll have the free beef burger ones then."..."What type of cheese would you like?"..."I'll have Swiss."..."There will be an up charge for the cheese!"..."Then, I'll have the plain ones!"

"Sliders" have become popular offerings at many restaurants lately. They are named because like the old White Castle burgers were in the 1960's, they are small enough to slide down your throat, I guess!  They give you a feeling that you are eating less by consuming three smaller sandwiches in this diet consciousness time of our lives..."The whole would be greater than the sum of its parts!"

I noticed a kiosk with the e-mail announcement on the counter, while the gentleman beside me related that he got the same e-mail for his card and wanted to use it too.  As the kiosk showed that the three other sliders are free, and only the lobster ones have the $5.00 up charge, I called the waitress back to read it.  She checked with her manager and said that I was correct.  so I ordered the pulled pork ones.

The pork sliders had a bq sauce and a thin layer of coleslaw and were delicious!  And as I drank water with lemon, the bill came...$0.00 charge!  I thanked the waitress, and left a  tip based on the normal $8.00 cost, and proceeded to leave...

At the exit the two hostesses and the manager, thanked me for the business and hoped that I would return again soon! 

"Hospital Check-in"

Yesterday morning, I dropped a friend off at one of our local hospitals for her 1:30 knee repair surgery.

At 8:00 that evening, during visiting hours, I stopped by to see how she was doing...I gave my name and identification at the welcome desk, and said I was there to see my friend.  "I don't have that name in this hospital."   "But I dropped her here this morning for a 1:30 surgery"  "What is her name again?  Wait...I do see that she had surgery today, but she doesn't have a room here!"  "Yes she does...she told me that she has a private room on the third floor."   "Oh, here it is...room #... She is not there because she is still in the recovery room, but you can go up and leave a note for her..." 

I went up to the third floor an the room didn't exist...but as I wandered through the halls, by the second staff station, I found the room.  And it was a beautiful one for a hospital...more like a suite in a luxury cruise ship!  And it should...for what price?  Maybe $10,000 per night?   As visiting hours were ending, I left evidence of my visit, and left...

When I stopped by the following the evening, the receptionist said that she remembered me from the night before, and said that my friend should be in her room!  Better!

"Thr Beijing Olympics Coverage...Reflections..."

8:08 PM, August 8, 2008...808080808...Eight an important number in Chinese culture associated with prosperity and confidence...

I was awe-struck from filmmaker Ahang Yimou's Opening to Closing Ceremonies...I have "goose bumps"...not Chinese duck bumps from watching the coverage...what a veritable visual "buffet"...human, not totally computerized art in motion...unified effort...an interesting comparison is my fortunate 1986 to 2005 visits to Xian, China's Terra Cotta Warriors excavations to Brendan Frasier's movie, "The Mummy, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"...

In spite of all of the chaos and trivialities of everyday life, this coverage gave a sense of hope for humanity...it showed the power of the motivated effort and unified inspiration for accomplishment.  The memories from China during these two weeks of Olympics should provide motivating inspiration for change and advancement, here, at home...

For contradiction, the following two weeks showed non-motivating discourse during the Democratic and Republican overly-funded Conventions...

"Lessons For The Next Generation..."

Harvey Oyer, a fifth generation native Floridian attorney and recent author acquaintance of mine, gave a talk sponsored by our local historical society recently.  He introduced his second book for children (but great for adults too) "The Last Egret" that night, during his talk that brought Florida's important history to life.  It followed his "The American Jungle...The adventures of Charlie Pierce".  Both are collections of true stories that were passed down from generation to generation in his family.  In one part of the book Charlie Pierce, Harvey's great grand uncle as a child reached out to befriend a young Native-Indian boy, and begin to bring peace during the Seminole War, the longest war in American histrory. 

The books taught lessons...History should be passed and kept alive to enrich our present and future times.  One family can make a big difference in our world.  The openness of children can bridge cultural boundaries.  One person can change history, and more.

I loved listening to the stories of my grandparents and uncles and aunts and parents.  I absorbed the numerous ones that showed how much a part of world history our family has been.  I recall many...My maternal great great grandmother was a tutor to the Hapsburgs.  My maternal great grandparents had been sent to America separately for an arranged wedding (and we went to their 60th anniversary!).  A relative signed the "Declaration of Independence".  Another grandfather was in the California Goldrush, and was Eastman Kodak's best friend. My maternal grandmother was a friend of Ameila Earhart, and later a freind of many renowned artists and politicians.  One grandfather was president of the New Jersey Medical Society.  Another grandfather was International Vice President of General Electric (he left copies of his autobiography for his grandchildren that outlined his life philosophies and his international travel destinations (that I've been visiting 80+ years later)), and on and on!  My mother is a "wealth of information" on these...and she loves to reflect and share these stories...

Often with today's hectic "live for the momment pace" we forget how important passing lessons from one generation to the next is...It would be ashame if this trend is not reversed...

"The Registration Ticket"

"Customer Disservice, 24-7", contined...

Late in the evening in mid-July, I was driving home tired in a rain storm from visiting my brother in Fort Lauderdale...then flashing lights were noticed in the rear view mirror!  Darn, I'm being pulled over!

The officer sauntered over.  "Good evening.  Do you know why I pulled you over?" "No." "You were going ten miles over the speed limit.  May I have your registration and driver's license? ...You'll thank me...This is a warning for the speed, but I'm giving you a ticket for the "cut" registration (I had cut the blank trim off of the 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 inch card so that it would fit in my wallet)...You can go to your local Courthouse and pay the ten dollar fee...Nothing will appear on your driver's record."

The next day, July 13, I went to the Courthouse Clerk of the Court office.  The line was long, with an expected waiting time of an hour.  A clerk informed that if I was here to pay a ticket, I could avoid the line by putting a check attached to a signed copy of the ticket in the mailbox at the side of the waiting room, which I did.

Friday, August 22, in the mail was an official looking letter from Palm Beach County.  "Your driver's license is being indefinitely REVOKED for the State of Florida due to non-payment of a ticket."..."Drat, the office would be closed until Monday!"  I checked my credit union statement to discover that the check to the County had been cashed.  "What happened?  Could this be a government clerical error?  Why should I expect any different?" ...And an over-reaction to a trivial issue...attention paid to this in lieu of dealing with important issues...

I returned to the Courthouse on Monday morning, and surprisingly there was no line!  I approached the attending clerk and handed my ticket and evidence of its payment.  I was told that my revocation had been processed through Tallahassee, and that it would take a while with the manager to clear up the situation.  Fifteen minutes later the manager approached with the clerk to relate that there would be a $7 fee to clear up the revocation with Tallahassee after a $12 "late payment fee"!  I reiterated  that the payment had been made four days after the ticket was issued, and therefore was not late.  I was told that did not matter..."You needed to have cleared this up before Palm Beach County had sent the non-payment case to the Court system!"...As far as Palm Beach County was concerned I was late and needed to be fined..."GOOD GRIEF, Charlie Brown, you can't fight City Hall!"

"Dieting..."

Dieting...it's really life-adjusting...

Adjust your metabolic rate, your metabolism, to make changes.It sounds contradictory, but a way to speed up your metabolism to lose weight,  is to eat more! 

At age 36, I dropped 109 pounds in one year!  I was eating a large bacon and egg breakfast, a buffet lunch, and a "Happy Hour" dinner buffet, along with a half gallon of whole (chocolate usually!) milk daily.  I was proud that I had gotten up to 278 pounds with a 48 inch waist and 39% bodyfat.  a year later, I entered my first bodybuilding contest at 169 pounds with a 29 inch waist and 1.5% bodyfat!  How was this done?

First, I increased my meals from three to six per day.  These were very high protein, with limited complex carbohydrates and minimal fats.  The largest meal was the first in the morning, and the smallest was the evening one that contained virtually no carbohydrates or fats. I gave up alcohol with the initial exception of some red wine, juices, and all sodas.  If I drank milk, it was skim (and really tasted just as good as whole) , and I consumed LOTS of water all day long!  As I would reach a weight loss plateau, I would add another daily small meal, until at the end of the weight loss program I was eating 12 times per day!  Ingesting more, with limited fats, caused the body to burn body fat by the process of nearly continual digestion.  This, along with the addition of increasing amounts of cardiovascular (get the heart rate going) and resistance-training (weight-lifting) exercise, increased the fat-burning metabolism.

While I went "overboard" to train for and enter bodybuilding contests at middle age, the basic principals remain, and worked when applied, by many friends and and business associates.

The following is a representative lose-weight day's meal plan:

Meal # 1, Breakfast:

(4) egg whites,  (3)fresh strawberries, 1/2 grapefruit (if you aren't taking a contradictory medicine), a small cup of oatmeal, and a cup of green tea.

Meal # 2:

1/2 chicken breast and 1/2 sweet potato and 8 oz water.

Meal # 3, Lunch:

albacore tuna or salmon over spinach, and fresh vegetables, with vinegar dressing, a multi-grain cracker,  and iced green tea.

Meal # 5:

1/2 chicken breast and 1/2 sweet potato and 8 oz water.

Meal #6, Dinner:

6 oz orange roughy (fish) and brocolli and 8 oz water.

Initial cardio session:  start with as little as a 1/2 hour nicely-paced walk.

Questions...e-mail me at EHS3Life@gmail.com .

"Meal Deals!"

Affordable eating out is possible!  Over the years, I've become fairly ept at this too!  South Florida really makes this easy!

In the "Fabulous 80's" lots of our restaurants would try to outdo each other with their "Happy Hour" complimentary buffets...if your purchased even an iced tea, you could help yourself to a meal.

Restaurants make lots of profit on alcoholic beverage sales!  Filtered water with lemon, and cranberry juice, club soda and lime are good substitutions if hydration with your meal is your goal!

"Dollar Menus" exist in most of the "fast food" restaurants...and with some creative ordering you can even get a "healthy" feeding!

Check your receipts after you pay your dining bills.  As part of their quality control monitoring, it's popular for many restaurants to give you discounts and/or "free stuff" by going to their follow-up web pages, entering your receipt code, and answering online questions about your dining experience.  One chain gives you a free meal every time you do this, even when your receipt shows a previous free meal!

Check the ads in your local paper or go online to resturant web sites to check menus and prices to get discount coupons before you venture out for a meal!  "Two for ones" or "Buy one, get the second for half price" are common!  In our present economy, even the most elegant restaurants are offering "price fixe" three to four course meals with beverages included.

Just like the "Sienfelds" would do in "Boca Del Vista", the  "Early Birds" can get more than the worms!  Eating before 6:30 in many restaurants, you can get substantial discounts on multi-course meals.

Eating at the restaurant bars or at their hi-tops in the bar areas often provide inexpensive tapas-sized appetizers or full meals for big discounts during certain hours.  "Five Dollar" offerings are common.  One of our local Italian chains offers $2.95 meals from 4 to 7pm and 9pm to closing, Mondays thru Fridays.

Greeks are known for providing economical menus!  Chinese buffets are economical too (and many have limited or stopped thier MSG usage).

Happy economical eating!

"The Motion of the Ocean..."

Travel Tip No. 3

With exceptions, you don't typically feel any motion in today's modern, large ships that cruise most of the more common routes like the Caribbean and Mediterranean.  Northern Atlantic crossings and the South American Cape are two of the exceptions.

Your cabin location affects the amount of motion that may be felt.  According to the pendulum theory, the higher you  are located from the sea level, the more motion may occur.  But the lowest locations may experience vibration from the engines; and if you sleep late, the lowering of the anchors when you arrive at a destination may cause an  early awakening!  Aft locations can also experience vibration.  Central cabin locations in the ship are the most stable.

In the event that you begin to feel nausea, in addition to taking oral medications and wearing behind the ear patches, there are other solutions available.  Get some fresh air on a deck. Get in a swimming pool and roll with the rolls. Don't stare at any waves.   Drink ginger ale and eat some green apples. and don't hop on a top level fitness center elliptical cardio machine!

"Going to Hollywood..."

My family loved to relate this story about a me, a young (dramatic) Leo at age five...

As an "older" aged five young man, I was upset about something for which I was being disciplined.  I went upstairs and packed a small bag, wet into the kitchen to get some snacks, put on my "movie star cap" and dark sunglasses and headed toward the front door..."The stork must have delivered me to the wrong family, and I'm leaving for Hollywood to start the life that I was meant to live!"

My parents said goodbye, be safe, and  that they hoped I would come back home soon!

I proceeded to walk a few blocks to the local police station and then crawled behind the hedge to hide.  I was in a safe spot, with good visibility of anyone coming by.  My next brother bicycled by, looking for me, and I called out to him..."I'm in here...I'm going to teach mom and dad a lesson by making them worry a little longer, but I'm hungry so please get me some more snacks!"

A short while longer, I walked home after deciding to give my family another chance!

You do not always outgrow your childhood personality (in fact as you age it reappears even more!)...and after undergraduate and graduate schools, and after my internship and consecutive jobs, I continued to try to "run away to California"...with a large degree of success  (to be continued)!

"The Newspaper Hold"

"Customer Disservice 24-7", continued...

In additional preparation for a vacation, I called the local newspaper office to place service on hold.  I gave my phone number, and the request was processed.  "Do you want to donate the undelivered papers to a local school?"  I replied to extend my subscription period.  I returned from vacation to find a water-infiltrated rotting pile of delivered papers by the front door.  I called to register a complaint, and received an apology.  The next day I did not receive a paper. I called back to say that the papers were delivered while away, and not after I returned home, to which the embarrassed agent apologized, and did not know how that could happen!  He said that a copy would be sent out.  I returned home to find a copy of the previous day's paper in lieu of the present day!  The following day, the paper was not delivered again!  When I called to say that the day before, I received a paper from the day before that, another agent apologized again, and sent out two copies of the wrong days' papers!  On the third day, normal delivery resumed!

"The Mail Hold"

"Customer Disservice 24-7", continued...

In preparation to go on a two-week vacation, I called my local post office to place my mail on vacation hold.  I was told that "to better serve the customers", a national processing office is handling mail holds and I was given the 800 contact number.  After the typical "dial around", I received the new "automated" vacation hold service.  After reciting my name, phone number, and address, the computer voice related that there was no such person at that address!  An operator would pick up  After finding that I did live in my home, I was given the computer voice again.  After entering my hold dates, i was given a confirmation number to make changes to the hold order.  I returned from vacation 2 weeks later to discover a 24-inch high pile of daily delivered mail!  ...And now when I do this, I "flag down" my mail deliverer, and relate the "hold" personally!

"Tuned-In...Tuned Out"

Using the glad to be alive positive attitude of the popular book to CD, "The Secret", I arrived at my local health club for my daily workout. While attempting to turn into the parking lot, I got "cut-off" by a driver on a cellular phone who accelerated into my "blind spot" without using a turning signal.  I walked in beside  the driver, smiled and said "Hi, how are you?" He made eye contact and said nothing!  The front desk attendant at the club was ending a phone call.  I entered, smiled again, and said "Hi, how are you?" No response!  As I walked to the locker room, I passed sixteen other people before I got a response to my smile and greeting. Most had their I-Pod wires dangling from their ears, and a "zombie" lifeless expression!  With disdain, I mentioned this to the seventeenth individual after he smiled and acknowledged my presence!  The following day it took eleven greetings to get a response!

A few weeks before, I went to the beach in the Hamptons.  Groups of young people were lying on their towels facing each other with their fingers in continual motion, "texting" each other in lieu of talking to (or about) each other...

The human race is inherently "social", but the inhabitants of our contemporary world are losing their ability to communicate.  They are "tuned-in, but tuned out"!

"Work...Just a Job, or Your Passion?"

Our local paper featured a story about the first and current jobs of a number of local individuals.  Since it fell on Labor Day Weekend, it also asked what Labor Day meant to those featured. A friend of mine responded to the last question with the following quotation:

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, and his education and his recreation.  He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his passions".

This close friend has accomplished this with her life.

Yesterday, I attended a very spirited interior designer and architect hospitality design conference in the very "alive" city of Miami Beach.  In spite of our "down" world economy, this conference featured a series of speakers that are designing and managing incredible resorts, boutique hotels, restaurants, and spas all over the world!  Two sisters were running the world firm that had been started by their father 40 years prior.  The 48 year old keynote speaker was introduced as having current projects in every continent except Antarctica! He commenced by discussing his youth in a poor family a poor section of New York City.  He "lit up" when he talked about his life experiences in his professional career.  All of them shared a love of their career choice...they work very hard, but they love the work!

I knew that I wanted to be an architect at age 5!  I wrote this in a little essay on a big piece of 1-inch high lined paper. With the help of my parents, I designed a replica of a Japanese home and garden, and then I wrote a poetic description of it in Japanese Haiku format.

During my elementary school days, I always wanted my parents to move to new homes (and we had moved five times by age 5!)  They would take me to see models and homes for sale (later my mom entered real estate).  We would visit friends' and relatives' homes.  I would leave and go home and from memory draw the floor plans of what I had seen!  I would build furnished dollhouses for my sister and her friends (and myself!).  I would build whole cities in the basement!  Dad and my brothers would add the train tracks and model car systems....

My small (1,200 students from 7th to 12th grade) Westchester County, New York, high school, along with its high academic standards, also went out of its way to encourage students directed passions.  For me, they developed an architectural additional program and provided me with a local architect mentor.  They also allowed the development of true Renaissance individuals by providing access to great cultural events, music and arts enrichment, clubs of every sort, language laboratories, wood and metal shops, national honor societies, student leadership groups, competitive and club athletics, field trips to New York City's museums, theatres, and restaurants, travel, Jr. Achievement business clubs, religious education, etc., in addition to the academic curriculum!  ...I was involved in it all that enriched my background, while allowing me to develop  my passions!...my school years resume included swim team, tennis team, cross country, winter track, bowling team captain, spring track, ski club, ice skating club, Varsity Club president,  Football Half Time Charleston Dance Shows, Barclay's Dance Class, general and madrigal choirs, Sock and Buskin Theatre Club (stage design), Manor Club Christmas show performances, Asano Enterprises Jr. Achievement Company president, NYC Jesuit Center religious studies, Spanish Honor and National Honor Societies, Knight and Lamp Student Tutoring Club, American Foreign Student Exchange Club, Interim Student Government, Drafting and Shop Club, Pelican Yearbook art staff, "Pel Mel" school paper,  "Four star Extra" local newspaper editor, Cub Scout den leader and Boyscout Patrol Leader, Camp Siwanoy Boyscout and Durland Sailing Camps, chess club, lifeguard, and Water Safety Instructor, and took occasional piano and guitar lessons!

I started a business where I would interview people to determine their lifestyle, meet their moving vans, send them away, and direct the placement of all of their belongings! I got a chance to do this with my parents a few times too.  An to this day, I'll go to a dinner party at a home, and at the end after asking the hosts if they'd mind, I rearrange their rooms!

My family and school experiences and performance allowed me to write excellent college architectural school application essays, that resulted in my undergraduate acceptance to University of Virginia Architectural School.  I EXCELLED there!  The undergraduate architecture school curriculum was purported to be the most rigorously time demanding so that extracurriculars were supposed to be minimal.  I managed to maintain an "A" Design GPA while also taking business electives, while also working the equivalent many hours a week in the architecture library, as a lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor, and as manager of the Memorial Gymnasium staffing, to assist with financing this education.  Simultaneously, I pledged and was secretary and alumni chairman of Sigma Phi Epsilon National Fraternity, I founded and was president of the Downhill Ski Club; I played club water polo, I worked to have lighting installed on the tennis courts for night play, was a resident advisor in the new apartment dormitory complex, was head of the Architecture Lecture Series; was on the Architecture Dean's Advisory Board, was a member of the Honor Society, was president of the Architecture School, was a member of the school newspaper staff,  and ultimately was rewarded with Room # 11 West Lawn, one of Thomas Jefferson's original 50 student rooms during my 4th year (not called senior year at the University!), and the Bicentennial of our Country!  The experience was made even more special, because my two brothers and sister joined me at the University of Virginia for their undergraduate and graduate years, in what at the time was a record for out of state same-time family attendance!

My experiences thru graduate and internship education will be discussed in a later chapter of this blog...

Another chapter  will discuss my directed yet diversified career path...

But to conclude for now, on the topic at hand, suffice to say that I was blessed with an early career selection that has been a passion, and have led an incredibly rich in experiences life, that truly allows me to feel that I am following the direction of the quotation in the second paragraph of this chapter! My work and my life are entwined!

A wish would be that as many of you as possible are fortunate to experience this too...

"Purchasing A Pair Of Sandals"

"Customer Disservice 24-7", continued...

In anticipation of doing a lot of walking on my South America trip to Uruguay and Brazil, I decided to purchase a pair of sandals.  I checked the paper to discover that a popular brand was having a sale at a local independent, outstanding reputation store.  I called to verify that the sale was on and then drove to the store.  I approached the sandals area and noticed that they had one pair of that brand on display, reduced to $49 and they looked cheaply made.  a salesman approached and he asked my size, and I asked if that was the only type of sandals of that brand on sale? He replied yes, and that they didn't have my size!

He asked what I was hoping to get in a sandal, and I replied casual comfort, with a high arch support, and ideally something to deal with my heel sur, for a reasonable price.  He rechecked my size, and noted that I have a wide foot.  He then brought out a pair to try...they were $79...and they really didn't look good and weren't comfortable.  He brought out another pair, and they were $99 and were better, but still not great.  He then brought the next pair in a larger size for $119...they were better yet, but my size wouldn't be in stock until after my trip!

I was the only male client in the room and the ladies were getting a laugh out of my shoe modeling search and sarcastic comments!  The salesman then brought out a pair that cost $159, and were very comfortable!  I said that it seemed more than I wanted to spend, but then the ladies started..."They look great.  How many times will you go to South America? You should consider your comfort and pampering yourself.  Go ahead and buy them!"  And so I did, and they are comfortable, and six months later they still haven't fallen apart despite lots of use!

"Frequent Cruise Loyalty Clubs"

Travel Tip No. 2:

When you cruise, be sure to sign up for the frequent cruise club for the line.  After one good cruise, many people become "hooked" on the method of travel!  It doesn't take many cruises to start receiving benefits from the line for your loyalty.  If your schedule is flexible, and you can depart with a short notice, you can sometimes get good deals.  So sign up for the line's e-mail notices of deals!

"Stock Ownership with Stock Purchase"

In response to friends' requests, periodically I'll add some travel tips to this blob...

Travel Tip No 1:

If you cruise regularly there are ways to get discounts that save you money.  When you own 100 or more shares of Royal Caribbean stock, you can obtain Onboard Credit on cruises on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Cruise Lines according to the following schedule:

Cruise Length                                Credit
14 or more nights                           $250
10 to 13 nights                                $200
6 to 9 nights                                    $100
5 or less night                                 $50

Contact Royal Caribbean Investor Relations for more information.

"The FAST Food Restaurant"

This is a chapter of what was going to be my book "Customer Disservice 24-7".  As always, the specific entity is not divulged! 

I love a  "deal", and I practice "grazing" through the day, so the idea of being able to pull into a fast food restaurant and purchase a chicken sandwich from a "dollar menu" appeals to me!

Yesterday, I needed mid-afternoon "fuel" so I stopped at one of our national franchised fast food restaurants.  As there were about 10 cars idling while  expending about $3.75 per gallon gas in the drive-thru line, I decided to go inside.  There were only 2 people in line so I knew that it was the correct decision!  There were 2 employees standing at 1 counter register, 2 employees  at the drive-thru area, 2 employees at the food prep area, 1 sitting on the curb smoking, 1 standing outside on a cell phone, 1 sitting in the dining area on a cell phone, 2 more at the counter talking to a friend, and 2 more wandering around the kitchen area...

The orders were taken for the 2 individuals in front of me, and then it was my turn to order..."For here, I'll have a dollar menu chicken sandwich without mayonnaise and a tap ice water."  "Is that for here, or to go?" "For here..."  "Do you want bottled water?" "No, tap water with ice!"   "So it's one grilled chicken sandwich for $3.79?"  "No,  it's the breaded chicken breast for $1!"   With the correct buttons pushed, the register showed $1.06 with tax.  I handed the cashier $5.06...I received $3.94 in change ($5.06 minus $1.06 equals $3.94?  It must be new math!

I looked toward the drive thru area, and an SUV family at the window was giving their order to a similar list of questions, while the 2 employees seemed more interested in their conversation of the last night's activities!  The floor was covered with french fries and other trash...

My order came up, was bagged, and I asked for some honey mustard sauce while I checked the sandwich to notice no lettuce, but mayonnaise!  The employee apologized and reordered.  Meanwhile, I went through the dining area with litter scattered on the floor and overflowing waste receptacles to the men's room.  There were no towels or toilet paper, the toilets were not flushed, the urinal was "out of order", and the room was generally a mess!

I passed the employees in the dining area still not working, and went back to the counter to pick up my order...meanwhile, the SUV family was at the inside counter correcting their order, and the same cars were in the drive-thru line, with their occupants talking on their cell phones, and with their engines idling...

"Welcome to my life..."

Wow...is this contemporary for a" non-tech", "fight-change", individual!

Like all of my ventures into our modern cyber world, I'm entering"gingerly"...The turning point came two weeks ago when my youngest brother, Dr. Bill, after publishing three books, "My Patients' say the Darndest Things", I, II & III, showed me how he has switched to this format(http://patientssaythedarndestthings.blogspot.com/), and urged me to try it.  So two weeks later, here goes...

For a number of years before going to bed, I'd write a chapter in a book that I was planning to publish, titled by my middle brother, Jack, "Customer Disservice 24/7"...observations of our everyday experiences written with a comic twist...  In yet another attempt to be modern and go paperless, I wrote it on-line, but I didn't "save" it, and when my computer was stolen, so was a good part of it!  My sister is a psychiatrist and she has told me that writing down frustrations can be therapeutic!

As an architect, I'm visual, and I seem to notice a lot of the good and not-so-good of our world and think that this offers a way to share some of these observations.  Meanwhile, friends have consistently been amazed at the "full" life that I lead, and are always asking how they can add to theirs'. I philosophize..."Rest occurs ultimately"... "Don't end a day without some type of accomplishment"..."Balance (religion, family, friends, work, fitness, giving back, hobbies and interests) even if EXTREME is good"..."Think of Thomas Jefferson (and for a University of Virginia family this is easy to do) as a true Renaissance Man"..."While grounded, live while having a diversity of life-experiences"..."Relate to the Seinfeld "Even-Steven" episode...whenever anything negative confronts, a positive thing should be just around the corner"....and more...

Finally, as a child we were fortunate that our parents put the four of us in the back of a Ford Country Squire and took us on family trips.  Then I left New York for undergraduate and graduate college in Virginia,  with a short exchange to University College, Dublin, Ireland (our roots!).  After internship in Princeton, I settled in Palm Beach County, Florida. Ingrained is the European notion of five weeks (not the US two weeks) vacation.  Coupled with my experience life philosophy, I have been fortunate to travel and see a lot.  Most recently I have used cruises as the travel method (84 in 20 years +/-).  With grandparents of "The Great Depression", a dad with a 30+ year progressive illness, a mother that knew how to stretch a tight budget, and on an architect's income, I've learned how to "find the travel deals" too.  And so in response to other friends' urging, I'll use this format for travel tips!

I hope that you enjoy our commencing adventure...  Ed