Tucson Kent's World

Hopefully these are the first photos posted from RainCamp Prescott - Mike Jones & I met up about 4 AM today for the easy drive up to northern Arizona together.

As we pulled into Prescott, we spied quite a few intriguing photo opportunities - and took a short detour to take advantage of them.  I'll let Mike share the best shots - since he had the luxury of the passenger seat!

The location for RainCamp is the Prescott Resort & Conference Center situated on a ridge high up above the Prescott Valley:

Prescott is known for its wide-open spaces and spectacular views.

Registration isn't even finished yet & look at all the people attending!

Why attend conferences like this?  Learning new techniques and best practices to better help our business and our clients in more efficient ways.

Another benefit is connecting in human-to-human fashion with friends we've gotten to know online and meeting new friends & business associates to develop in the future.

RainCamp is more than just about technology - it is about the people behind it and the people we engage by using it...in the neverending quest to provide better service to the consumer in a manner that is best understood clearly.

...well, maybe not the world, but it sure did save the day for my contractor today!

It all started with a simple call to the City of Tucson Planning & Zoning Department to set an appointment for final inspection on some work done to remedy some violations found at a property my clients want to buy.  Permits were issued, plans approved, lot surveyed (because City records weren't complete), work finished & the request was called in or Friday, with the appointment for the inspection on Monday.  When on Monday?  "Whenever he gets there," was the answer my contractor got.  Geez - even the cable guy can tell you whether he'll saunter by in the morning or the afternoon!

A little background here:  Tucson's Planning & Zoning Department is not known for their commitment to providing service, in fact, their level of service is more like:  "If we feel like it & you're nice to me...and I'm not having a bad day."  According to that rationale, there seems to be an inordinate amount of "bad days" going around the P&Z dept.  For years.

Well, it may not be written anywhere in any policy manual, but common knowledge among contractors in Tucson says that if you're not at the property when the inspector shows up - you'll either have to reschedule or your inspection will fail & you'll have to reschedule.  There are no "courtesy calls" to say the inspector is 30 minutes out or an hour away - nothing.  God help you if you call to see where they might be in their busy schedule too!

Best thing to do is make sure a supervisor, foreman or the company owner is on property from 8 AM until the inspector deigns to show up (that little item added at the bottom of the bill...the one for an unexpected $150 or so...that's because they had pay someone by the hour to wait all day for inspection - or they have to eat that unnecessary expense).

This morning, my contractor had someone there before 8 - just in case the building inspector showed up early, and took turns rotating with that employee so that work could be properly supervised on other sites.  I showed up around 12:30 since I hadn't heard anything yet.

Long story short - by 3:30, the inspector still hadn't shown up yet...so the foreman called again to see what the problem was, and was told "maybe we can get someone there tomorrow, but probably Wednesday."

That's when I hit the roof at the arrogance & inanity of the situation...and posted my grumbling on Facebook & Twitter.

45 minutes later, I got a call from Planning & Zoning saying that "the Mayor's Office called us & wants us to get this cleared up."  Our inspection happened 30 minutes later - with a clean, clear approval!  Sure am glad that someone in Mayor Bob Walkup's office monitors social media!

Can't help but wonder though...the P & Z Dept has been talked about quite often as one in need of a "culture change" by candidates for city council...election's tomorrow...stunt or sign of leadership realizing that a change is needed?

Stranger things have happened - like getting results from the city via a Facebook post! LOL

On this day when we take a moment to thank our fathers (and perhaps unearth the ugliest tie in the world to give as a present), I would do something a little different than I've done in the past...take my thanks public.

Tom Simpson, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is my Dad.  Beyond being thankful, I am also proud to be his son.  He has been, and is still a role model for me.  His ethic of hard work, love of learning new things and being honorable in all that you do remain goals for me to attain.

Some of the lessons that he taught me early on are instilled into the core of my being, the benchmarks upon which decisions are made, values judged and paths are chosen.  Though I attempted at times to stray from that core, the foundation he laid for me as a child kept me from going too far off the mark, allowing me to test the limits without trashing the base.

Dad lives as he talks.  When he says something, you can guarantee it is the truth - and if he finds that it is not, he will let you know he has made an error.  His honesty and earnestness are admirable...qualities handed down from his father and grandfather as well.  When times were tough, he found a way to get through them honorably, and improve the situation in the process.

Tom's faith and goodwill towards others are also qualities I aspire to do better with.  While I was directionless and changing geography instead of myself, his example gave me an anchor to find my way.  Rather than go on endlessly about point after point, take a look at this collage to get a feel for the man.

Happy Father's Day, Dad - I love you, and am proud to be your son.

Thanks!

One of the benefits of participating on ActiveRain is the opportunity to develop relationships with people in far-off places without the expense & time required to travel.  Nevertheless, the chance to meet someone face-to-face brings something extra to the equation that just can't be beat.

Recently, I traveled to the Hill Country of Texas, the heart & soul of which is Austin - Jason Crouch's stomping grounds.  Luckily, he had a free spot in his schedule to meet up for lunch (which was good, despite Jason's travails with getting the wrong dish delivered!).

Austin is a beautiful city, dynamic, full of style, culture & a character that is truly unique!  This is a belated "Thank You" to Jason, and I would like to celebrate by showing a few photos from my few days in Austin, Texas.

If you're new to AR (or even been around forever), take some time to get to know some of the members...and if you're in their neck of the woods sometime, give 'em a call (or Tweet, message on Facebook, LinkedIn or whatever) in advance & try to meet them in person.  You might just have more in common than real estate...and new friends are always welcome in my book!

Visiting Jason's Blog is always a good idea, too.  He's a wealth of knowledge, fun and sincerity.

The one, the only Chuy's Fine Tex-Mex Restaurant & Elvis Memorabilia Museum (ok - its a chain...sue me)

Umlauf Sculpture Garden is but one of many incredible places to relax & enjoy some art.

While Austin is a fantastic city, if Tucson is more your style, I'll be glad to help you with your real estate needs.  To search for your possibilities in the easiest, most informative way (so far): click here.

In a stunning announcement this morning, Billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates announced that a consortium of ultra-wealthy U.S. citizens will begin buying 3- and 10-year bonds as a show of "belief in the American system" and "to do their part" in stabilizing the U.S. economy.

First reported in the A.F.G. newsfeed, the joint news conference gave notice that the consortium will be named the "Billionaire Bailout Club (BBC)" and each member has pledged to invest all of their assets over the next 6 months into U.S. Treasury Bonds.

Quoted by reporter Loof Lirpa, Gates reasoned, "Even if I lose a huge sum, I don't care.  It isn't like I'll be eating ramen noodles every meal.  My house is paid for, my kids will go to college and my company will still make money."

Buffett added, "sure it sounds crazy, but if we sit around waiting for Washington to do something constructive, I'll be an old man before we see something positive happen in the market."  Reminded that he already is an old man, the Omaha billionaire remarked, "Thanks for pointing out the obvious - get a grip, you twit."

When first I heard about this topic for a short essay, it intrigued me greatly:

The opportunity to write about something that I am passionate about is a great gift, and possible subjects whirled instantly through my mind…the farmland my family still holds, NMSU Aggie Basketball, good coffee, chocolate, the desire to succeed, capitalism, responsibility to one’s community, etc, etc, etc.  All worthy subjects, but none struck me as my true passion.

I filed the topic in the back of my mind to let it churn and develop on its own, without conscious interference from me.  Passion is described as a powerful feeling or emotion equivalent to love or hate.  None of the previous thoughts qualified under that definition!

Yesterday, I was fortunate to hear a man speak of his recent experiences in a small village in Liberia, West Africa.  His message was that of Hope.  Hope that springs from deep within, nurtured with care and shared with others.  While I listened to his account of the incredible, unfathomable hardships endured by the people of this village and how Hope allowed them to not only survive a 14-year civil war, but to thrive as human beings, the realization that Hope itself is truly what I am passionate about began to dawn on me.  Hope.

I rely on Hope.  It is something that has gotten me through the darkest of times.  It accompanies me wherever I go, sometimes beneath the surface, yet strengthening me always.  It makes me feel good when I get to give a little of mine to someone who needs a boost.  Hope grows stronger and is more powerful when shared with others.  It gets abused and tossed around carelessly in ad campaigns, politics and other ways…yet it does not lose its strength.  It persists.  Hope is more powerful than any individual, calamity or nightmare – real or imagined.

Hope is ingrained in the human spirit.  Perhaps it is in all conscious beings, as without it, life itself does not seem possible.  Without Hope, we cannot endure even the smallest of all difficulties; we cannot begin to seek solutions or dream of greater things.  A sports team cannot strive for a championship, a child cannot wish for a puppy or to grow towards the next mark on the kitchen wall.  It provides delight, enhances the spirit, strengthens character and sparks, creativity and progress.

Last year, seeing the need for Hope in this time of economic challenge, I urged other professionals in this industry to focus on helping people in their own communities.  Even though there weren’t any responses on the website created for people to share what they are doing, the belief that my colleagues are doing just that puts a smile on my face and a good feeling in my soul.  Homes4Hope was created, not with the thought that it was anything other than a place for people to tell of their good deeds, share the good feeling and inspire others with their ideas and thoughts.

Hope.  That, Dear Diary, is what I am passionate about.  Something we all carry within us, depend on and by sharing, it is stronger and more useful for everyone.  Alone, it is the last knot at the end of the rope…coupled with other qualities, it is a springboard to rejoice over.

Here's to Hope - let it flourish with our collective passion.

About 2 weeks ago, my broker forwarded me an email asking for volunteers to help with construction when the TV show, "Extreme Home Makeover" comes to Tucson.  Seeing that as something that doesn't come around every day, I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer!

Earlier this week, when a call for volunteers came out from the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, I was a little chagrined, since I hadn't heard back yet from the people choosing who could help out--so I went back online & put my hat in the ring again.

Well, this morning I got an email announcing that I was one of the gazillion or so people chosen to work on the project!  Saturday morning, I'll be there to do whatever they need me to do.  It feels great to get a chance to do something good for someone else, and probably learn something at the same time.  What will be interesting is to find out who the family is & why they were chosen out of all of the deserving candidates to have their home remodeled.  I'm sure they are some special people...and the chance to meet other neat people from Tucson who are donating their time to make this dream come true.

No, I'm not going to try to get Ty Pennington's autograph (one girl I know wanted me to try to kiss him for her - she has no shame!), it isn't about that, nor is trying to mug for the cameras LOL.  Its just something fun & interesting to get a chance to do.

Janice Brewer, the Governor of Arizona, is stepping into challenging circumstances in her new position.  Handed the reins of leadership when Janet Napolitano resigned in order to join President Obama's cabinet as Secretary of Homeland Security, Brewer is immediately faced with a state budget crisis. 

Arizona's constitution forbids deficit spending by the state, yet faces a $4 billion revenue shortage in the next 2 years.  Axes are being sharpened and self-preservation arguments are being honed in every corner as the legislature gets set to modify the state's spending plan.

Governor Brewer made a brief stop in Tucson Friday afternoon to celebrate her inauguration and touch base with constituents at the historic Manning House.  Roughly 700 people showed up to the "invitation-only, but we aren't asking you for money....this time" political event.

During her speech, she referred to the budget deficit by stating that she didn't want to raise taxes but that the budget is her first priority-with a plan to be ready next week.  Brewer spoke of high hopes and a positive attitude while dealing with harsh realities.  Before the Governor arrived, as I wandered around the room meeting new people, the budget was a frequent topic of discussion...or rather new fees and fines were being discussed. 

One example mentioned was the new "license plate holder" ticket.  Anyone driving a car with a license plate holder that covers up the name of the state on the top is subject to a $165 ticket.  That's one way to generate revenue.  Silly & petty, but it will put a few dollars here & there in the coffers.  Another measure mentioned was an increase in fees to access public lands for recreational purposes--the consensus around the room was generally accepting of a reasonable hike.

We are all going to have to tighten our belts a little bit, government too.  Local governments are going to have to find ways to generate money also, and real property is going to be examined 6 ways to Sunday as one way to do so (Arizona just voted in a constitutional amendment prohibiting transfer taxes on real estate).  I just hope that the new state administration is able to pursue the agenda of improving lives in Arizona now & planning for the future by spending wisely, planning judiciously, cutting waste & improving efficiency without resorting to pettiness & silliness to fill holes that smarter action could have averted. 

In Arizona, as well as around the nation, elected officials are going to have to deal with tough decisions and a populace that is less enthralled with rhetoric than it will be with results.  Could be an interesting few years in politics to come - thank God the comedians will have lots of fodder to make us laugh along the way!

Photo of Jan Brewer from Arizona State Government website

A few weeks ago, I wrote (video'd) about how giving can help change one's mood & outlook:  GUARANTEED: How To Feel Great During The Holidays & Beyond.  In it, there's a challenge to all to give of themselves to local charities.

Today, I got to write my first donation check as a result of the pledge I made via Homes4Hope - boy did that feel good!  It has been a stressful week, and didn't even really get to enjoy the closing I had, due to one crisis popping up after another...but taking a moment to go by my newly adopted local charity to give my donation helped wash the stress away.

It doesn't matter whether it is only a few bucks or a few thousand...our local charities are in severe need this year and next.  Due to the economy, corporate and large donations are way off while needs are way up.  If enough of us "little people" can give just a little bit more it will make a big difference - to the charities, the lives they help and to each of us individually.

Here's to a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or whatever you choose to celebrate - the Merry part is yours to make...and the happiness is yours to share!

Laser Show Clipart from International Laser Productions