Name Change

Destination Unknown signifies my lack of direction on a few levels:
a. Life options – figuring out which direction to face after losing Butch
b. Drink it in – trying to do it all after deaths of a number of family members and friends in the last couple years
c. Oooh, shiny! – my boss’ perception of how easily I’m distracted (I still say she’s missing all the good stuff!)
d. Plenty of travel – all these schools for all these classes!
e. My experiment with real estate education – I never expected it to lead here

Election Day Approaches - Tsk, tsk, tsk

It’s that time of year again. I’m receiving “Suffragists Fought For This” and “Soldiers Died For This” emails. Posters encouraging voting are all over campus. Registration opportunities are everywhere. People are gearing up for the guilt trips; we've all heard them from those who think it's wrong not to vote.
I’m not a proponent of voting just for the sake of voting. I don’t see it as a mere right; to me, it’s a responsibility. If you don’t know or care what’s on the ballot, why risk voting the wrong way? Just to say that you vote?
I know people whose philosophies and lifestyles mark them clearly along party lines, yet they’re voting the opposite, without even recognizing their unwitting hypocrisy. Usually, they follow their parents’ or spouse’s voting practices.
I think it’s just fine to postpone voting until you develop a civic interest and take your rights seriously, instead of simply taking your right. I never voted until I was in my mid-20’s. It seems to me that no vote at all is preferable to an uneducated vote.
Instead of encouraging young people to vote, introduce them to the political process. Spark their interest. Show them how they can have an impact.

University of Cincinnati

I held my best class to date at the University of Cincinnati Saturday. I'm still learning to balance having people engaged enough to participate with having them over-engaged and taking up too much time. This was one of my biggest classes and we ran perfectly on time.
This campus is quite old and very pretty. I really enjoy the academic environment, so bouncing around to all these different schools is a lot of fun for me. Hmm, maybe a Hawaii version of the class is in order?

Woolson Spice Company

********This building was constructed in Toledo in 1864 as a coffee-roasting and spice-grinding business. The Lion Coffee brand was roasted here. It was eventually bought out by Alvin Woolson, who was an advertising genius.
He increased sales by offering gifts that could be purchased with pictures cut from the coffee label. He also included greeting cards in his coffee and spice packages. Today, the beautiful Victorian cards are highly collectible. Here are a few offerings currently on eBay:



In the 1980’s a gentleman operating in Hawai’i fell in love with an old Lion Coffee poster. Because he purchased the rights of the bankrupt Woolson Spice Company, you can still buy Lion Coffee today.

River Raisin Studios

Sarge has a studio! My sister has wanted a place specifically to work on her art for about 10 years, and it has finally happened!
She paints, often on canvases as large as 4’ x 4’, and the supplies can take over living space pretty quickly. When she lived in her house, it was always difficult to find a place to sit. When she moved to Mom’s, two entire households were combined; she still has stuff stored here and there. It leaves no space for her to work on paintings.
She just got a great deal on a gigantic space in a neighboring town. It’s a two-story brick Main Street-style building. It was constructed in 1914 as a Masonic Lodge, so it has double doors opening to what could have been a banquet hall, meeting rooms, a dance hall and a kitchen area. The ceiling is tin, with the Mason’s insignia in it.


Even my pack-rat sister can’t fill up this much space . . .
It’s pretty neat that this old building is being used as a grocery store downstairs and now an artist’s studio upstairs. The building is steps from the banks of the Raisin River, so I nick named it River Raisin Studios.
I’m so proud of my sissy!

Dash Solutions

In the midst of the sailing trip, I checked my email and learned that my class has been approved by the State of Ohio as continuing ed credits for real estate license renewals. Ohio's regs are stricter than Michigan's, so I wasn't expecting this.
Although still in development, I think the web site was instrumental in this approval. It gives a more professional perspective to the application and makes it clear that another state has already approved me. Check it out at: http://www.dashsolutions.us/
I HAVE to get the classes online! Until that's done, I'm just losing money.

Vacations

I spent a couple days off the boat, playing around in the beautiful town of Luquillo, with its rip-tide laden surfers' beach.
Xavira and I made a night trip to kayak the biolumescent bay and I hung out on the beach watching the wind surfers.
Visiting somewhere new is good for the soul. I like to see what I learn that I want to incorporate into my life. From Puerto Rico, I gained a deeper appreciation for looking past appearances, a genuine love for people, and the importance of incorporating outdoor spaces into daily life.

I will definitely go back to sail at Isleta Marina again. I can't wait for the ferry!