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Writing, Real Estate, Globalization and New Business Ideas

I’ve officially been published on Associated Content and I’ve sold a few articles on a service called Writer’s Access. If you haven’t heard, I’m working to develop my skills as a freelance writer. There are a few reasons for this. First, I want to build my skills so that I can confidently move forward with the two books that I’ve started and not finished. It’s one thing to have some great ideas for a book the world needs along with chapter outlines and a good plan but it’s another to actually sit down and write it. By writing every day I’m exercising my writing muscles and gaining the experience I need to make sure my book projects are a success. Second, I really can’t stand the mortgage business and want to make a living another way. The only thing I like about doing mortgages is payday and most days that’s just not good enough, particularly when the paydays are getting so few and far between.
I still love real estate more than any sane person should. Every house I see has potential and inspires me to want to both fix up and/or live in. Every house has a story and every floor plan is fascinating in how it dictates the way people live and interact within its walls. When we get back to OC, I still plan to lease/sell real estate part time but I have no love for mortgages, banks or title companies and all the garbage that go along with them.
Recently I’ve signed up as a provider on eLance and bid on a few projects. I’ve been researching these Internet freelance services and it’s very interesting how we American’s are competing with folks from all over the world. It’s necessary to establish myself as an expert real estate writer because there’s no other way I can win bids against writers from places like India and Thailand who are happy to make $10 a day. I’m just glad I have something to designate myself as an expert in a subject. I’ve bid on about 8 projects and I know I’m among the most expensive bidders so we’ll see how it goes. It’s also interesting to see that using the services of people from all over the world has become really easy. Globalization is having a huge impact on professionals at every level and I’m a bit concerned what it will mean for our economy as it progresses. Personally I think the edge that my boys will need to compete in the future will be centered on their creativity and imagination (yay for homeschooling).
I couldn’t help but see an opportunity in selling business writing services locally and getting those services at a fraction of the cost from India and acting as an editor. It would allow the people here to provide a lot of services in a fraction of the time and make decent money in the process. Hit me up if you’re interested in teaming up on such an endeavor. I know where we can get our website set-up and SEO content done super cheap! Seriously!

Angel Island

Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay is really a gem. It has quite a history and was used similar to Ellis Island in New York Harbor. In addition to bring immigrants through they quarantined sick people here and also used it as a detainee camp. There are several historic buildings on the island and many of them have fallen to ruins.

I love ruins just as much as I love historic homes and properties. It's always so interesting to see buildings going back to nature. There is a beauty in it and it also makes me feel a little like a voyeur in that I get to catch a glimpse of how the people who used to live in or use the building used to live. In my own home I often try to figure out what it was like before the remodel. I know the floor plan was quite different and knowing what it was like would give me a better appreciation for how people use to live here. Whatever the ruin or old building, it's always a mystery waiting to be pieced back together.

There are also the possibilities of rebuilding, restoration and repair. It always seem a little sad to really let them go. I always picture what would need to be done to make them livable or useful again.

Angel Island is intriguing because there are no cars on the island so the bike trails are really relaxing to be on with the boys. I can relax and enjoy the scenery and not worry about traffic. It is a trek to get to the main road that goes around the island as it's pretty high up. There was definitely some whining from my youngest who was not feeling up to making the climb on his very heavy bike. After you get to more level ground, it gets fun for everyone.

The ferry leaves several times a day (weekends only until Spring) from Tiburon which is a cute little area that warrants some exploration on it's own. The ferry welcomes bikes and is a nice quick jaunt across the channel. If you're lucky you'll see some sea lions and be able to watch the sailboats. It was a cold day when we went and we should have gone earlier in the day because we didn't feel we had enough time to explore. I'm looking forward to going back when the days are longer and it's a bit warmer.

The Family List

We've come to the conclusion that we should treat every free day as if it's a mini-vacation. Since there are things we want to do and places we want to see while we're in the Bay Area and we're not sure how long we'll be here, we've decided to make a list. My family gets into our groove and when left to our own devices. We visit the same restaurants, hike the same trails, go to the same places and do the same things over an over. It's always those places that we've enjoyed again and again. Knowing this about ourselves, we've made a working list of things to do and places we want to visit. When the weekend comes around or if we can get away for a few days, we break out the list and decide what adventure we're going to go on as a family.

The List (so far)

1. Explore Wine Country (English Muffins in Napa, Wine Tasting and Good Food)
   
2. Visit Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Jack (we're closer than we've been in a while)
3. Mt. Diablo (incl. Black Diamond Mine Tour and hopefully see a tarantula in the wild)
4. Find and Explore a Ghost Town
5. Explore San Francisco (Fisherman's Warf, Streetcar ride, Gharadeli, Tea House, Science Center)
6. Angel Island
7. Alcatraz Tour
8. China Camp
9. Cave Exploring
10. Boat Shows (whenever they happen)
    
11. Prospect for Gold
12. Explore some Caves
13. Visit Lake Tahoe
14. Jack London State Park and ruins of his home
15. Bolinas
16. Olive Oil Tasting in Healdsberg
    

I would encourage everyone to make a list and be on a mini-vacation at every opportunity. Many of the items on our list are free or don't cost much. I will do my best to blog about our adventures from the list.

Yosemite is a Magical Place

In the last few years we've created a new family tradition. Twice each year, once in the summer and once in the winter we head to Yosemite. This year's winter trip was amazing. We stayed at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp for the second time and loved it. There's always something fun to do there and I really enjoy swimming in a nice warm pool when it's snowing outside.

This year we decided to give cross country skiing a try. We rented our equipment and had a lesson. It's like hiking but in the snow. I think it's definitely more our speed these days than downhill skiing. Downhill skiing just costs too darned much and I'm really not a fan of lift lines. Plus the ride down never lasts long enough. Sure the cross country skiing is a bit of hard work, but well worth the effort. Most groomed trails are free to use so it's way more cost effective. Badger Pass was a nice, low key ski area and although we didn't get that far on our first time out, I can't wait until next time when we'll pack a lunch, thermos full of hot coco and make a day of it on the trails.

Sledding as always was great fun. If only I could avoid screaming, it's kind of embarrassing screeching like a girl. Although it's not nearly as embarrassing as when Honey screeches like a girl (haha). I have to say that a day of sledding and playing in the snow makes a pizza dinner taste especially good.

Visiting Yosemite Valley on the way home was a highlight. The roads are a bit scary with the black ice and all the people driving like they just don't care. I'm the slow one on those mountain roads that gets a line of cars behind me and stresses about where the next passing lane is (yes, I always look to let everyone pass). So aside from my old lady driving style, Yosemite is like a totally different place in the winter. It's so quiet and has an eerie quality to it. It's still very beautiful and fascinating just how different it is. We did see people tent camping in the snow... kudos to them. Honey and the boys are up for that but I don't think it sounds like any fun at all. After all, I think the Bay Area in Summer is too darned cold.

Dear Derby

I think we need to call it quits. It’s not me, it’s you. You used to be fun, accepting and really made me feel good about myself even though I’ve never been a skating goddess. It was about bonding with others, pushing our limits together, making a difference and having the time of our lives. We wanted the same things once. In fact, I totally supported you in your desire to be taken as a serious sport. I didn’t know you were going to become no fun at all in the process. I’ve noticed you’ve also gotten a mean streak and become judgy. In trying to be taken seriously, you’ve lost some of your most endearing qualities, namely your ability to give recognition to all those who support you, appreciate others talents no matter what they are (i.e. not always athleticism) and your ability to have fun.

Perhaps this is just a stage you’re going through. I hope that sometime soon we can be friends. I know that right now you are only interested in a full-on, full-time commitment verging on obsession and I’m not up for that. Perhaps as we spend time apart, we’ll find a way to be together again in a way that works for us both. In the mean time, try to stay away from those who will exploit you.