November 19, 2009
The best things about Thanksgiving…
The best things about Thanksgiving are the leftovers. Here’s mine–some thoughts I collected while breaking the wishbone.
If all the material things
were worn and obsolete,
if there were no
big houses or cars or technologies,
we’d still have plenty to be thankful for…
as long as we have each other.
Because when it’s all said and done,
family is all that really matters.
Everyone may have
a slightly different definition of family.
But we’re fortunate enough to define it
in a way that transcends
wealth, desire or achievement.
For me…for us…family is the constant
that remains in an every changing world,
the unending support and affection
that exists even when we’re miles
or minutes apart.
Family means creating a home
in which the kids are so loved
they have the confidence to succeed –
and demonstrating, over and over,
that family is defined
not by where we live,
but the depth of our love.
It means everything.
Happy Holidays
July 12, 2009
Facing Reality
I created a Facebook page because I realized it was the most annoying thing I could do to my kids. Kids don’t want their parents on a social network they consider their own, and grow especially uncomfortable when their classmates send friend requests to their parents.
Since I’m too old for spring break and too tired to attend many all-night parties, I wasn’t worried about any embarrassing photos showing up on the site. So I was somewhat surprised to realize, with or without business questionable images, that Facebook could create potentially sticky issues. Keep reading →
June 2, 2009
Fear of Falling and Being Followed
Fear of Falling--Icarus
If I could have the superpower of my choice, I’d take the ability to fly. But based on my impulsivity, I’d probably fly too close to the sun, like the Greek god Icarus. So I’d be better off with my second choice…invisibility.
There’s something intriguing about wandering anonymously through the day, going wherever you want, doing whatever you want-no questions asked, no calls from the office.
And this brings me to Twitter, the impossibly popular micro-blogging service that lets users stay connected through the exchange of short status messages. It’s designed to let you answer the question “What are you doing?” -and share those updates with colleagues, family and friends. Keep reading →
May 21, 2009
The Lure of Property Auctions
In the not so distant past, hard to sell properties ended on the rental market. Now they’re more likely to endat auction. Just last month, two New York City real estate executives launched Bid on the City to auction residential and commercial properties.
The founders, Albert Feinstein and Vlad Sapozhnikov, have high hopes for the site. “It’s going to be huge,” Feinstein said. The auction process “speeds the process, makes it more convenient and accomplishes the objective of selling the property.” Keep reading →
May 14, 2009
Challenging Multifamily Stereotypes
The National Multi Housing Council is turning to technology to fight stereotypes about apartments and the people who live in them. It created this PowerPoint, based on a keynote speech NMHC President Doug Bibby made before the Federal Reserve Board of Governors last month.
The NMHC calls it a “powerful advocacy tool” designed to make four key points:
- America wants rental housing.
- America needs rental housing.
- Renters—be they affordable renters or lifestyle renters—are not second-class citizens.
- There is a growing disconnect between America’s housing needs and its current housing policy.
“A number of macro factors are converging to make rental housing not only desirable, but necessary,” the NMHC states. “ They include a projected 33 percent surge in population by 2030, a worsening affordable housing shortage and a growing desire to accommodate our population growth in a fiscally and environmentally sustainable manner.”
