Michele

And what about Head over Heels In Love... Aren't you always head over heels, unless you're skydiving??? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I make up words all the time....but I haven't invested one regarding skydiving. There is one I've used to describe how I feel standing at the plane door - "twizzled" - but it's not onomonopoetic. It's just accurate. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um, sure....I can find that for you, no problem....ready to spend the buckeroos??? This kept me up until about 1 am, and then I was up again at 5 running numbers, chewing the pencil, and considering the ramifications.... Wingi, I will take you up on that ramen case if it doesn't work, but if it does, I'll be able to buy you a jump or two - as long as we can get JT to funnel it for us!!! BTw, the lead which came in at 9ish last night was an investment property worth +/- 700K, and I already have a buyer for something like that in that neighborhood. And that's from the cheap zip. John, you really are right. I need to get a decent medical plan in place. The issue is right now the "pre-existing conditions", and their non-coverage. I will be looking at how to get protected and covered, I promise, just as soon as I can financially swing it. Thanks, all... Any more opinions about this???? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

She's not crazy - she has very strong beliefs and a personal code of what is acceptable for her and what is not. I have very personally strong beliefs, too. For example, you may not smoke marijuana at my house, end of discussion. Do it, or give me an issue about it, and you're out the door - and in one case, out of my life. However, if I'm at someone else's house, and they smoke pot, and I don't like it, I don't make an issue of it, I just leave. That's just the way I am. Apply that here. For her, there is something sinful or detrimental about a picture of someone in a bikini. Her judgment is that it means XXX, and for you, it doesn't mean that at all. Don't worry about justifying it. It's your home, you get to hang what you want in it. Coming from a fundamental christian perspective, she may have some of the theology skewed....some folk believe that the "temptation" should not ever be seen, as in this case. But what is temptation for? To strengthen faith, and to strengthen self control, and to create an appreciation for what one has right now. All things are positive - if one see it. I'm surrounded by glorious houses every day, and return to my wee small home. I've made the best I can with what I have; despite the "temptation" of million dollar mansions, I don't resent what I have - I love it; it's what's mine right now. She's not crazy - she's been scared silly by the "evils" of the world, not realizing that there is benefit to them, as well. But what was she doing in your bedroom, anyway? That's the sacred santum, and it's generally is not included on my nickle tour. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

{quote]Two LA-sized commissions to get square? I'd see how the one is doing first. That's some serious cheddar.[ /quote] Yeppers, it is. But don't forget to include the fact that I have a franchise fee off the top (corporate $$), and then I need to split the balance at my commission split level with the office itself, and insurance, and TA fees...so it really isn't all that much all told. More like one whole one (medium sized, at 2.5%), if I were able to keep the whole wheel of cheese...and that's for both zips, not just the one... As for your test daet, let me know how I can help you, and I'd do almost anything (that Corrine agreed to...) to see you succeed... Sigh. Torn between two options, not knowing what to choose.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That is what it boils down to. If it doesn't work, well, then I'm out a chunk of cash, but not the write off... If it only produces 2 deals, it will pay for itself and the interest on the credit card. if it produces 3 or more deals, then I have profited. If it produces 4 deals, then I can do it again, if I decide to. If it produces 5-7 deals, I can pay my Dr. for any additional procedures. If it produces 8 or more deals, then I get to go on vacation.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. 12 leads per month, which means in a 6 month period, it would bring in 72 leads guaranteed. The promise is if the leads do not come, then that month is divided by the numbers of leads you do get v. the dollars spent, and the cost is adjusted downwards. Two came in today, so I haven't got a good feel for them just yet. From other 7, I have a "good feeling" about 4 of them, and two are simply I dunno. One was someone who said "thanks, leave me alone now", which will happen. As for the two today, they are decent leads, inasmuch as the location and home. We'll see... From the 9, again, one (the last one just received) has not been developed (my brother is handling that tonight), and only one other was from someone I could not determine if they were the legal owner. The other 7 all check out via the tax rolls and a quick title check (all which can be done at home...yay, internet!!) I like this kind of questioning. It really helps me think critically about the opportunity. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am an excellent realtor. But I do need help. In my town, there are nearly 400 realtors working it (over 80 in my office alone). It's a tough market here, as the sellers are not selling, and we have hoards of buyers (interest rates and whatnot). As for marketing, there are so many marketing campaigns going on - postcards, newsletters, doorknocks, that homeowners are not paying any attention to it, and have been very loud about the "do not call" (which we respected far earlier than it was a law), and so cold/warm calling is out. I need to develop a name recognition, a face/friend aspect, rather than spending something on the order of $350 mailer per month for a 500 home farm, with a .25% return. I did that for several months, and ran out of money with nothing to show. I can't compete yet with guys like you who have 23 years in the biz...don't have the contacts and don't have the capital... I am not sure about ASC - can you give me info on it please? - but my brother checked out the company, and it has a great credit rating, a great reputation, and the references checked out (and they were my selections of references, not shills...I got their names from the "forum" area of the webbie, and got their phone numbers there and called...). It's been established for several years (6?), and has no investigations pending that we could determine. I think it's on the up-an-up, but I've been wrong before. Thanks for the cautions, though...they are taken to heart. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

gmanpilot... The timetable is actually self imposed, in a way. The area is open, and I've got it "on hold" until tomorrow at 5. No promises to buy, but they've promised to not sell it to someone else until I can make my decision. There is a "rush", as you say, because there are only 5 zips in my community, and three (including mine) have already been locked in. The 5th one is not a good area at all...lots of government supported housing, and lots of rentals. not a good area for prospecting. I am struggling with the 18 days eval time, as well...but I also know the area will not be available for very long. There is a distinct possibility that I can negotiate the price, but it will still be an owie for a bit. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jerry, that's my thought...priming the pump is the hardest thing in RE, and with the market anticipated to tighten up next year, I need to look forward to that, and get ready now. Jib, Great questions. They are paying for banner ads, but I don't know about key words. It's an established company back east, and is emerging on the west coast. I've seen a handful of spots on the tv for it, as well, during prime time. What they promise the consumer is that they will receive a competitve market analysis from a licensed, in-good-standing realtor from their community, if available, or the closet realtor to their area which they have. In other words, if they are outside my zipcode, and they need a CMA and I'm the closest realtor, I get the lead. The time guarantee is simply within 3 business days of the request, they will receive, via e-mail, a "mini cma", with the disclosure that the price range is based on comparables in the 'hood but no visual inspection, which may change the price. As to the cost question, it is a 6 month guarantee, and I suspect that they will up the prices if the areas produce listings....but I don't know that, only that the next 6 months are at a set price. And just for the record, as I was typing the original post, I received another lead...which makes it 9 in 18 days. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes...it would. I don't have many of those, so it will help quite a bit. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have a serious question to pose, and I need to make a decision by tomorrow at 5 pm... I am a realtor. One of the hardest things is to find people who are willing to sell their house. There is a website which recently came out to my area, and offered protected zip code leads (protected meaning that only one person can "own" that area, and receives all the leads from the site). I thought it would be interesting to see, and bought an entire zip code 18 days ago. The idea is that someone goes to the website, enters their property information, requests an evaluation of their property, and it is "assigned" to the realtor in that zip code. Terms of agreement are simple - pay XX and get a guarantee of YY leads. The zip code I bought was guaranteed to produce 2 leads per calendar month. In the 18 days I've been using the system, I've received 8 leads (4x the amount promised). They do not promise that the leads will lead anywhere - that's my job... I have an opportunity to buy an additional entire zip code, which will effectively lock up nearly 40% or so of my usual community. The lead guarantee is 12 per month. The cost seems reasonable, and if there are only two deals which get produced in the next 6 months, it will pay for itself and buy the next 6 months' subscription to the same area. Here's my dilemma. Because I haven't got med insurance, and due to recent medical issues, I've got no ready cash. I've managed to get most of the way out of credit card debt, but to buy this additional zip code, I would have to use the credit card and go back into debt. Keep in mind that the market is red-hot in my area, even with the holidays approaching. Also remember that each home listed and sold will also result in the purchase of a replacement property (a second commission check), or a referral to another agent in another area (which will result in passive income). So, in your opinion, should I spend the $$ or not? Elaborate should you choose... Thanks!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Lots of periodicals (monthlies, weeklies, etc.) date things ahead for some reason I never understood. Recently, there was that big stink about the Jessica Lynch "nudie" photos that Larry Flynt was going to publish in the February issue of (which mag does he publish, anyway??), but the mag will be out in January. I dunno why - maybe Jessica (not the nudie Jessica, our own favorite editor Jessica) can explain it better than that most ambiguous attempt I just offered...but it's a normal and usual publishing thing. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

ROFLMAO! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

For those who are link-challeneged... DoD PR "News reports that the Defense Department recently confirmed new information with respect to contacts between al-Qaida and Iraq in a letter to the Senate Intelligence Committee are inaccurate. A letter was sent to the Senate Intelligence Committee on October 27, 2003 from Douglas J. Feith, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, in response to follow-up questions from his July 10 testimony. One of the questions posed by the committee asked the Department to provide the reports from the Intelligence Community to which he referred in his testimony before the Committee. These reports dealt with the relationship between Iraq and al-Qaida. The letter to the committee included a classified annex containing a list and description of the requested reports, so that the Committee could obtain the reports from the relevant members of the Intelligence Community. The items listed in the classified annex were either raw reports or products of the CIA, the NSA, or, in one case, the DIA. The provision of the classified annex to the Intelligence Committee was cleared by other agencies and done with the permission of the Intelligence Community. The selection of the documents was made by DOD to respond to the Committee’s question. The classified annex was not an analysis of the substantive issue of the relationship between Iraq and al Qaida, and it drew no conclusions. Individuals who leak or purport to leak classified information are doing serious harm to national security; such activity is deplorable and may be illegal." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (emphasis added) I don't read doublespeak really well, but it would seem that what the DoD is denying are the news reports which state that the DoD has confirmed "new" information. A brief reading of the article in question really doesn't bring anything new to the table - Salmon Pak, the terrorist training, and the link between OBL and SH are all "old", i.e. known prior to this year. There is at least one connection between AQ and Iraq, regarding the attack on the TWC in 93. However tenuous it may be, it does seem to be there... From what I can tell, and lord knows I could be wrong, this PR was issued and it actually confirms the existence of the raw reports of products of the CIA, NSA, DIA. The release of the reports were cleared by the IC. "The classified annex was not an analysis of the substantive issue of the relationship between Iraq and al Qaida, and it drew no conclusions." So in the denial, what they are really saying is "there's nothing new". It doesn't say there are "no" ties between AQ/OBL and SH. However, the last statement is interesting...why include the statement "Individuals who leak or purport to leak classified information are doing serious harm to national security; such activity is deplorable and may be illegal." if there isn't something to this? This is a warning, as far as I can see, and cautionary to anyone else who may want to follow in Feith's footsteps. So what do I think about the article and the DoD statement? A close reading of both indicate there is nothing "new"... what I find funny is a whole lot of this stuff has been available on the 'net for several years....I think that there is a distinct possibility that there are connections between them - but I don't have much to back it up other than what I've posted here before. Other links are, to me, clear. Are there clear ties with 9/11? I haven't found any. But then, I am not privy to secret documents and classified info. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Then please don't. If I wanted your opinion, I'd ask for it, or open it to the boards, like I do most of my posts (i.e. not addressing it to someone specifically). But I asked Kallend. And if he is able to adequately defend himself, then shouldn't he do so? And I might also add that I asked Kallend for an explanation as to his position that the article was garbage, not why he thought the poster was garbage. I don't care about that. Wow. How about asking me if I had read the posts, instead of assuming that I hadn't and that I should "open my eyes"? You have no idea what I've read, when I read it. Making that sort of comment does nothing to endear you to me, and in fact demonstrates your rapidity to assume things which are "not in evidence", and cannot be even accurately inferred. One would suggest you not assume things like that, please. LOL, you're funny. So because he didn't editorialize, offer his opinion, or meet some unwritten rule of conduct, you think he should be slammed? Admittedly, his comment about red meat for the LLC (I'm not sure what the LLC is, btw), was a tad, um, trollish, but if the information contained in the article isn't "spun" by the opinion of the poster, then it's not credible? That makes no sense to me at all. That's another assumption you are making, and a glaringly bad error in judgment, in my opinion, to not assess data on it's own merit, but rather use the opinion of a poster as the sole determinant of it's veracity. Agreed. So how come my asking the Professor for his opinion about why something is garbage is not acceptable? I didn't say anyone was right/left/LLC/RRC/ABCDEFG or whatever. I asked for someone's opinion. How did that merit your post in any way, shape or form? Ciels- Michele (Edited to add: To clarify, because I just went back and re-read the post by Kallend and then my response (both of which can be easily misconstrued), I was understanding Kallend's term "garbage" to be directed at the article, and not the poster. ) ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, Professor, I'm curious. Why not elaborate on why you consider it "garbage", and let your position speak for itself instead of whaling on the poster? I'm interested in why you think it garbage. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Just because I like to see things postively...here's my version. Be big in what you ask for, you just might get it! How fun would that be? DOn't ask for a little, ask for a lot. Why not? Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life. What you speak about, you can bring about. If you keep saying you love your job, you will fall in love with it; at the very least, it will be fun and energizing. If you keep saying you love your body, your body will become more healthy. If you keep saying you really like your car, your car will generally work for you; and if it doesn't, it will be fixed easily and cheaply. If you keep saying you're weathly, guess what? You'll always be wealthy. If you judge wealth by something more important than money, you will always be able to create more wealth, and create more value. If you keep saying you can trust and love a man or a woman, you will always find someone in your life to trust and love. If you keep saying you can find a job,you will become employed, or create a better opportunity if already employed. If you keep saying you will find someone to love and believe in you, your very thoughts will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs. Always have conversations that are positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action. Allow yourself to believe that you can have what you want and deserve. Know that you deserve the best, and then create the best for yourself. Create good "Thoughts," as they become words. Create good "Words," as they become actions. Create good "Actions," as they become habits. Create good "Habits," as they become character. Create good "Character," for it becomes your "Destiny." Live from a position of "there is enough", rather than "there will never be enough". Live in a place of love, rather than lack. Live from a peaceful place, rather than one which is angry, hurt, or abject. Find the gift in everything, for it is there, and while it is harder to find sometimes, it will eventually be found. Pay attention to the world around you...and it will pay attention to you. Know there will be enough - of whatever - for you to survive. And move from a place of survival to a place of living. Take a moment every day to count your blessings. They are there, whether you count them or not, but it's easier to be happy when you recognize them. Be open. Nothing can hurt you more than your closing off of people around you. And love. Love lots. Love everything. Love everyone. It's far less stressful to love than it is to hate or to protect self from hurt. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jen, you just made me cry. Please hug your mom for me, and tell her thanks. And yes, we will meet. But we've already met, you know? It will be more like old friends seeing each other again. Much love to you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes. And expect to have days where you can't function, and wonder what happened, you had been doing so well. It is like a pingpong ball, mourning is. Anger, acceptance, hatred, isolation, grief, bargaining, and so forth. Know that whatever you are feeling at that particular moment is exactly right for you to feel - it's how you feel, and that's just the way it is. Don't get mad at yourself for feelings...they are transitory, and part of the mourning process. Of course you have been. You'd be robotic if you hadn't been. You would be less than human. Is everyone eating? Sleeping? Keeping their bodies clean? If yes, then you're doing as well as can be expected. Give yourself time to get your head around this...it's not something that can be easily absorbed, nor rapidly accomodated into your perspective. Allow yourself to take it in in pieces, you know? I call it the "today decisions, tomorrow decisions". Those things which must be done today, get done. Everything else can wait until tomorrow. Normal thinking will be hard for a bit...don't freak out if you forget simple little things. If it's too hard to go to the market, as long as there is enough to eat and drink today, then that's a decision for tomorrow. Isn't that the worst part, too; when you're told it's your fault when someone else makes a choice. I think that maybe they are grieving in their way - looking for an answer, and not seeing the right one. It was Randy's choice to do this, you didn't do anything to make him make that choice. They can't see that right yet - and that's all right. People like to find blame for things - even here on this board you can see that. What made so-and-so die? What happened? It was drunk driving. It was the terrorists/Bush/Gubmint/Caspar the Friendly Ghost, et cetera. What that is, to me, is simply a way of making sure they are not responsible for it, and a way to defend themselves from any perceived guilt they may feel. People, when faced with a suicide, often say "what could *I* have done differently? How could I have changed the course of that person's life, and alter the outcome? They blame self for a decision made wholly and utterly from one single person - the one who suicided. By not allowing the suicider to be responsible, then there could've been a change - and if there was a change, then maybe it wouldn't have happened. And if they are not able to understand that if they didn't contribute, then you didn't, either, then of course you're blamed. The good news is, Jenn, it will lessen in time. They are as devastated as you are, as angry as you are, as hurt and confused as you are. And they need time to wrap their heads around it, too. My only advice is to recognize their greiving like you recognize yours, and give them time to move through it to a more compatible position. And don't stop loving them. They haven't stopped loving you, dear one. They are grieving too. You failed at nothing, Love. You did your best. If you could've done better, you would have, right? Everyone does their best. It's how we are. I know you loved him, and you still do. I know you tried to help him. I'll bet even after he ran you tried. But know this, Jenn. He wasn't running from you or Dakota. He was running from himself. If someone is depressed, changing everything all at once - no warning, just boom - is something that is an indicator. The problem is, as I see it (and lord knows I could be wrong), is that unless one is getting help from professionals, then the problem continues and in fact worsens to such a point as we saw with Randy. You did everything you could. Know that, be sure in that. Rest in that understanding. He was the one who could've made the difference, and he was incapable of making it. None of what happened means he loved you less, or that you were not worth it. Nothing of the sort. You did not fail.. I promise you that. And again, all of that is normal and expected. I am not a counsellor, but I am available for you if you need to talk. And perhaps you might look into going to a real counsellor for a bit, just to help you over this first, roughest part. Again, much love to you. My heart is yours. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jen, love, I know you are very angry. Surprised, upset, and downright angry. You feel abandoned and furious as to what to do next - especially about your little girl. Yes, I know. I've walked both sides of this path - both as the one who thought seriously about suicide and also there when friends do kill themselves. You are very right to feel the way that you do. I know none of the facts, but that's not important. What is important is that you know what you feel is usual in these circumstances. (I am not saying "normal", because I don't think that's a good choice of words). Oh, honey, if there was a way for me to explain what it's like...the endless recriminations, the feelings like it would be better - yes, better!! - if I weren't there. That I was keeping you from reaching your goals and dreams. That I know I am nothing better than a slug, and an accident and a horrible person. That if I weren't here, the problem wouldn't be, either. Look at my life. It's one big mistake after another. That's all...failure. Total failure. Everything around me always reminds me of my failure. And I can't take it anymore...let alone for the rest of my life. Years of this feeling - years on end, another 30 years like this....30 more years of failure, of fucking up people's lives.... Because, you see, I *am* the problem. I am nothing but a fuck up. Everything I touch in my life has been a failure...nothing ever goes right, and man, I just can't take that kind of constant battering. I just can't handle screwing up anyone else's life who is unfortunate enough to know me, let alone love me. Because what is there to love? Nothing. Blackness. Emptiness. Loathing. Nothing valuable here, move along, the show is over... And so yes, death.... I've been hanging on to the knot in the end of my rope for so long, and I am just too tired. I can't climb up, I can't get swinging. I'm stuck. The only option is to let go...if I let go, if I disaapear, then it will all be all right for those who survive me. I will not be a problem to them anymore, I won't be a burden, embarrassment to them. I will not fail again.... Jennifer, I wish I could wrap my arms around you and let you know I understand. And how hard it is for you right now. How horribly difficult, and how terribly you hurt. And just let you rest here for a minute, knowing you were safe. And that it can be good again, and that you did nothing wrong, and your daughter is beautiful and special. Know, Jenn, that while I am not there, I am there in spirit. And as my heart holds yours, know you will be all right - not now, not today, and maybe not for a while, but you will be all right. And until you are, my heart will wrap itself around yours, and hold you close. You, dear one, are loved. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

More vibes coming your way, Merrick. Please let us know if there's anything you need - lots of folks are ready to help however they can. And hug Pammi and the kids...even if things turn out all right, it's a really scary time. best to you all! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Guess what happened? Yeppers. Right about 3ish I found myself at Barnes and Noble, clutching a Starbucks coffee and chatting to the book-looker-upper-guy about the Da Vinci Code and the sacred feminine concept. Tooled around the store, and picked up my copy. I also added Jesus and the Lost Goddess, which may talk about the origins of the scared feminine. Dunno, it sounded good, looked interesting, so I bought it. I've already read The Gnostic Gospels, and am very familiar with the concepts of the Councils of Nicea...so this should be rather interesting. BTW, I have been looking at the Catholic religion, and maybe it's just me, but I don't really find it too mysogynistic. At least, in it's pure form, and in it's presentation. ... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

See, now, that's what I like hear about. A group of international enablers! O.K., while I sit here and drool over the memories of Belgian chocolate, I think I'll get some warm clothes on and go get a Mocha latte. Steaming. Hot. Rich. Delectible. Delightful. With whipped cream and maybe a dash of cinnamon...or hazelnut. Yeah. Hazelnut. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......my sole release. Or even my soul's release. Either way, I betcha I sleep well tonight! Talk to you all later! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hah. Wimp. You're no chocolate fiend. You're a chocolate fiend wanna-be. You *try* to dress like us chocoholics, you *try* to consume it like we can, you *try* to understand it's effects life we do, but no, you just can't hang with the big girls. Poor Wolf. I'm a chocolate fiend. Here's the connoseur's rules for chocolate tasting. ~Take a small, silver, chocolate knife, and slice the merest morsel from the chocolate you are tasting. ~ Lift the morsel to your nose. Sniff deeply. Close your eyes, and savor the scent of heaven as it creeps into your nasal passages. ~ Wipe the tear of anticipation away. ~ Gently - no sudden moves, please - place the small silver knife between your lips, and let the chocolate morsel fall onto the tip of your tongue. ~ Let it lay there until it's warm. Tase it gently but thoroughly, detecting the smallest, slightest overlapping of flavors. ~Identify the butterfat, the cocoa, the sugar. Breathe in deeply, and then swalllow. See? You're a wimp. You just bite and chew. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~