I attended an economic forecasting forum yesterday, with some of the smartest people in the world.  The forum was held in one of the smaller rooms of our convention center, and the tickets cost $75 a pop.  I was at a table that accommodated 10 persons, and my table number was in the mid-teens.  Taking that information into account, I figure the cover charge was the annual income of someone that earns roughly 2.5 times the minimum wage.  Subtract the expenses, and that still would cover someones annual income in the city of Austin.

 During the three-hour session, I did manage to take away a couple interesting facts:  the average income in Austin exceeds that in New York City.  Darryl Royal was quoted by one of the panelists as having made the following comment about cock roaches:  “it’s not about what they are, it’s about what they get into.”

What else did I learn?  Almost everyone in the room agreed that toll roads were here to stay, and that that is a positive thing.  More toll roads are on the way, and that is a positive thing.  Commuter rail will be here soon, and we will need some way to move those folks from the commuter rail terminals to the places that they actually want to be.  We are years and years behind in planning the infrastructure that will be necessary to maintain our day-to-day functioning.  That is just the planning part.  This is not even including the actual construction and funding parts of that puzzle.

There was a lot of talk about the ‘quality of life’ that we all enjoy here in Austin.  I am not so sure exactly what they were talking about.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE AUSTIN and I cannot think of another place I would like to be right now, but I think a lot of the things folks are calling ‘quality of life’ are things we can no longer easily access because of al lthe other issues we face on a daily basis.  It is hard to enjoy the music scene in downtown Austin if you cannot find a place to park, or if you are concerned that your car will be broken into, or worse.

And just exactly where are we going to put all the new citizens that are expected as a result of the 30,000 new jobs that are expected to be created in the new year?  Are they all going to buy new condominiums that are being constructed?  Probably not, but maybe they will.  Someone will buy them eventually, and I really hope that I can get a little piece of that action!

And what about all the folks that want to move from the burbs to the new condominiums that are being built downtown?  They all (or at least most of them) have a house right now that they will most likely need to sell before they can buy the new condominium.

Something else I learned yesterday:  Starting now, you have to have a job (or some other assets) before you can qualify for a mortgage.  For the last several years, as long as you could fog a mirro, you most likely qualified for a mortgage.  I do not think it will be quite that easy for the next few years, anyway.

Follow the roads:  That is where the majority of the new development will be in the foreseeable future.  All the new roads that are being constructed in our area will need services and products, so bring on the big box stores to keep doing what they all know how to do.

Of course, no one can guarantee any of the predictions that were made yesterday will actually occur, and one of the panelists even said he would not be back next year, so there will be no way to track his particular results.

So, after all that stuff I learned, here is something I know.  The great majority of us LOVE AUSTIN, and are happy to be a part of it with all its’ warts and whiskers.  We will sit on MoPac travelling at zero miles per hour, and only really complain about it until we actually get to where it is we are going.  After that, all is forgiven.

Give it your best shot at everything you do every day.  Do something nice for someone that is not expecting it.  Use your turn signal every now and then.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Okay, so lots of you know that in my spare time I am a real estate Broker, which causes me to spend a lot of my day in my car listening mindlessly to the droning on-and-on of talk radio.  Sometimes (oaky, most of the time) I am just doing it to keep up with what the other side is up to.  I have to tell you, the opposition has some strange ideas, but that is their right.  And I am not going to discuss what they are opposed to, either.

Suffice it to say, I have picked up a few good bits of good information over the years, listening to everything from Dr. Laura to Sam and Bob…I think that makes me a ‘lurker’ of the air-waves.

So anyway, I was listening to that guy that basks in the glory of his football days at UT, and he had a caller that said he could solve all (or much) of our traffic problems with one good fix…everyone that works for the State, County or City governments should be required to take the bus to work. 

BRILLIANT!

Not that it could actually work, BUT I think a goodly number of folks could take the bus to work, and there would be no real issues.  They arrive for work everyday at a set time, and they leave every day at a set time, no problems.  I understand that public transportation is not possible for all the governmental employees, but many of them could do it, and happily so.

So, there was a follow-up to this idea on the radio this afternoon (okay, have you figured it out yet?).  What if all the departments in these governmental agencies just had a goal to require a certian percentage of their staff to take mass transit to and from work.  If we as a (pick one) nation, state, county and/or city are going to espouse the benefits and NEED for energy conservation, we need to put up or shut up.

Private businesses can require (or make it darn attractive) for a goodly number of their employees to use mass transit.  Microsoft® estimates that about 35% of their work force uses mass transit, and they make it attractive for their employees to do it.

I know, let’s set a goal of 35% of all the governmental employees in our county be required to use mass transit.  That should eb an achievable goal, and the reward for achieving that goal is this…you get to keep that job!

Since I do not have a job that would allow me to make use of the mass transit, you probably think it smells like a NIMBY (not in my back yard) kind of thing.  Well, I kind of like to think of myself as an energy nazi, and just because I cannot participate by taking the bus, I have chosen to commute with a vehicle that exceeds 40 miles per gallon.  I love it every time I have to fill-up the tank…all eight gallons of it!

Interestingly, trying to be a nice and courteous person seems to be the topic of conversations all over town.  I think it all started earlier this week when there was a story in our fine local newspaper about someone who tried obeying all the traffic laws for just one day.  Nope, he could not do it, and by the time he made it from his home to his office, he had racked up enough violations to spend the next several years in jail, or fines that would require nothing less than indentured servitude for several lifetimes.  Maybe it is just CAR-ma (get it?).

So, I thought I would give it a try, and I was probably even less successful than the acknowledged, professional author.  Not only was I breaking the law like a psycho-behind-the-wheel-maniac, I also found myself becoming audibly unkind to the common folk.  I have never been very good at “shooting the bird”, I just dont have the dexterity to do it.  Usually I use the wrong finger, and look really stupid.  I have always been more of a shouter (see becoming my mother), so I just go with what works best for me.

Anyway…since my daily commute is less than two miles, I was not arrested for any moving violations, but there was still time.  It is not unusual for me to rack up 40 or 50 miles daily going from one place to another.  I know, because I actually keep track of my mileage for tax purposes!  So, my offenses on the day in question included speeding (I actually got a speeding ticket in high school while I was taking my drivers education class), speeding and SPEEDING!  Did not use my turn signal (but I am getting better), failure to come to complete stops, driving with my knees down MoPac (I am not sure that is a crime, but it should be, right up there with putting on make up while driving), and I am sure I went through at least a couple red lights.

I am all for the red-light cameras.  I think if everyone else has to stop, I could do that.  As it is right now, if you actually stop at a red light, you run the risk (not the red light) of being rear-ended by someone behind you that is really not prepared for you to stop.  Defencive driving gone bad?  I think not.

So, needless to say, it is easier to be meaner, and that is really a sad commentary on our daily lives.  What we all need to learn from this is, if something is easy to obtain, it is really not that satisfying.  I appreciate what I have when I have to work for it, so I have not given up on becoming a better, more courteous and friendlier person behind the wheel.  After all, I do drive a rather politically correct vehicle, so I should be politically correct and be nice. 

We shall see.

We are constantly reminded that we are the luckiest people in the world.  A while back, I wrote that I feel like the luckiest person ever, and it is true, I am that most lucky of people!  If I were a better person than the one I am, I would remember that every day, and thank my lucky stars, but I am weak and shallow about many things, and I still have a tendency to let the little things sway my thoughts.

And some of the REALLY BIG things that are swaying my thoughts lately are causing me to think of four letter words.  Words like:

 FIRE- I can only empathize with all those persone in southern California that have been driven from their homes.  The photos on the non-stop-news are just riveting.  I have a very close friend here who lived until recently in San Diego, and he has been keeping up with friends there, ALL of whom have been affected in one way or another.

 WIND and RAIN- There are a couple four letter words for you, and any one who has lived or even visited New Orleans or the Gulf Coast from Galveston to Florida can tell you a little bit about wind and rain.  It is incredible to see the folks in southern California coping with an evacuation even larger than that in New Orleans, but all is calm.  I would think that any kind of evacuation would be a totally traumatizing event, and I just cannot understand the vast differences in order, cooperation and comraderie that is being displayed in California.

WIND- We could use a little bit less wind in California right now.  It is really not helping matters that the wind is whipping up the flames efery which way!

RAIN- I think the folks in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia would appreciate a little bit of rain right now.  Today, a city in Tennessee ran out of water, and there is no rain in sight.  THe mayor turns the water on at 6PM and turns it back off at 9PM.  You can have water for three hours per day.  What is that all about?  Why can’t we get water to these folks, with or withour rain!

WAIT - Now there is a four letter word for you, and all the folks that were affected by the hurricanes can tell you a little bit about the wait game.  The word wait brings another four letter word to mind…FEMA…okay, I know that is really not a word in the strictest sense, but it counts for this piece.  We still have folks all across Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida that have been waiting years and years for some HELP and relief, but they are still waiting.  Why is it we are not taking care of our own?  Which brings us to another four letter word…

HELP - We can all help is some way.  The most immediate thing I guess we can all do is to send some cash to the Red Cross, and designate it (if you would like to) to the California relief efforts.  Every little bit can and will make a difference for someone.  Do what you can.

CARE - Care for your fellow man or woman.  Say something nice today to someone who does not expect you to.  Be a friend to someone who does not have enough friends.  Do something NICE for someone who may be less fortunate than you.

Think about FOUR LETTER WORDS in a whole new way, and remember to count your blessings.

I am already really, REALLY tired of the campaigns going on for years ad nauseum before the actual elections.  How long has the presidential campaign been going, and the elections are not even til next year!  Don’t the broadcast media have any other catastrophes to report on?  Where are all the really good bloody gutsy stories when we really need them?  How many more ‘debates’ can there be?  I think it could be just as effective at this point for all of them to engage in a boisterous game of ‘rock/paper/scissors’ and let the best delegate win!

Today was the first day of early voting, and I was there bright and early.  Yep, just me and six (count ‘em 6) poll workers.  Their whole theory was thrown into the trash when I showed up.  They were expecting their first voter at about 9AM, and there I was at 705AM.  Not even the winter winds blowing in from somewhere could hold me back.  I am not bragging, about that, and you are the only folks I have confided in so far.

So, get out and exercise your right to make a difference.  If you don’t, don’t blame those of us who did.  It is not a perfect thing, but you do have your chance to make a difference, and that will give you just one more thing to be PROUD about.

That and the fact that you finally get to wear that new sweater for a couple days.

Sitting in my office today, minding my own business, opening the mail and processing same…and lo-and-behold I find an piece of information tucked discreetly into one of our clients Austin Energy bill.

Change a Light, Change the World.  TAKE THE PLEDGE!

 Wait a minute, I thought that was my line!  At any rate, here is what the information has to say…

“Austin Energy, in partnership with the U. S. Department of Energy, is participating in the national Change a Light, Change the World Campaign during the month of October.  Visit www.energystar.govand take the “Change a Light Pledge.”  Commit to changing out one incandescent light bulb in your home to an ENERGY STAR® Compact Fluorescnet Light (CFL) bulb.  Replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 13, 14, or 15-watt CFL.

SAVE MONEY:  A CFL uses about 75% less energy and lasts 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

HELP THE ENVIRONMENT:  Use CFLs to help reduce green-house emissions.  While you’re at it, sign up to be a Power Saver Volunteer at www.austinenergy.com!

$2.00-OFF COUPONS:  All Austin area Home Depot, H-E-B and Light Bulb Shop locations provide Austin Energy discount coupons worth $2.00 off the purchase of ENERGY STAR® CFLs.”

It is a great message, and, okay…maybe they had the ‘Take the Pledge’ thought first…I think they have to develop these information pieces months in advance to get them produced and approved.  So, I guess great minds just think alike.

Do you think like we do?  Change a Light Bulb, KEEP AUSTIN PROUD!

Yep, that’s me, the luckiest guy in the world…although I know some of you out there might dispute that, since you honestly believe that you are, indeed the luckiest folks in the world!  And maybe you are…

I don’t think that we actually take enough time out of our busy days to thank our lucky stars for all the gifts that we have had bestowed upon us.  Sometimes we overlook our gifts and concentrate only on the minor inconveniences we are experiencing. 

Take today for instance…or tomorrow…or the next day for that matter.  Time after time I let the little inconveniences of my day become wholly important and totally out of perspective of the big picture.  All those little inconveniences are really just little blips on my radar screen, but when taken together (en masse as it were) they tend to make me feel that the whole world is against me, and I begin to feel sorry for myself, and make a committment to make the next person I come into contact with feel just as badly as I am feeling at the moment.

So let’s just consider all the wonderful things I have in my life, and all the things I have to be thankful for.  Feel free to share if any of these things if it will help you with your ‘lucky quotient’.  Where shall I begin?  Okay, I live very happily in Austin, Texas…that in itself is enough to make hundreds of thousands of people happy, and millions more green with envy.  I work every day in a profession I am really happy with, and feel I can make a difference in the lives of many other people.  I am especially lucky to be in love, and I share that love on every single day of my life.  I have a wonderful home, and many, many friends.  I am warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, and…

Well, you get the picture.  I am a lucky guy.  And I’ll bet you are a lucky person too.  So, share your luck, share your happiness, and remember, by sharing with your neighbor, you are contributing to the attitude that will KEEP AUSTIN PROUD!

Well, the older I get the more I fear I will turn into my mother…not physically…just in the kinds of things that run willy-nilly through my little pea-brain!

Yesterday was the Fourth Annual Choose Austin First Fest, and I’m sorry you missed it.  I am assuming you missed it because I did not see you there.  I expect there were probably 1,500 persons thta attended the event, and it was really fun.  You paid your $10 admission (which was for the benefit of Fisher House) and then everything was free, except for those really important items like beer and water.  There were lots of local restaurants being represented, and all you could care to eat was gratis.

So, in addition to schmoozing with lots of nice folks, those who did not have time to schmooze were schmoozing with someone on their cellular telephones.  This was no easy feat…there were several bands that were entertaining the masses, and it was LOUD.  (Another instance of turning into my mother.  When the music stopped, I was awed by the quiet.)

Anyway…what the heck is so darn important?  Why are we calling everyone we know just because we can?  I got my first cell phone (back then they were called ‘mobile’ phones [I’m not sure why, because they were anything but mobile]), and it was pretty much bolted into my car, and it was really expensive to use.  That is one of the places the term ‘drinkin’ and dialin’ ‘ originated (but that is another story).  I can remember when home telephones had a limit to the numbers of calls you could make/receive in a month.

As we were leaving the festival, I determined that we are all just calling each other…”What are you doing?”  “Nothing, what are you doing?”  “Nothing.”  Ad-infinitum.

 Okay, so can we all just hang up and pay attention?  I am not sure.

And don’t even get me started talking about kids in restaurants.  “When I was a kid…”

I really, REALLY hate magazine issues that are devoted to ‘THE BEST OF’ just about anything and everything.  What that really means is, you won’t be receiving a copy of that magazine next week.  People does it with the sexiest this and that, US News does it with the best them and those…YAWN!

Okay, so last week came out with it Best Places to Retire list, and even though Austin was not in the top ten this year (some folks might be glad of that) we did get an honorable mention!  And I quote “A balmy day in Austin might be spent listening to a live music performance at one of nearly 200 venues, auditing a class at the University of Texas-Austin, attending the ballet, taking a dip in Barton Springs Pool, or watching the sunset exodus of more than 1.5 million bats from beneath Congress Avenue Bridge”.

I am not sure that brief little description (especially the bat part) will make more folks want to head this way, but I am sure they know what they are doing.

I could have probably thought of a few more things that make Austin so attractive to retirees, but then that would mean I have actually given this some thought, and I am nearing that age.   Watching the sun set at Lake Travis has always been a favorite of mine, and where better than from one of the many decks at The Oasis.  I have only been once since the big fire, but I hear it is begger and better (and more fireproof) than ever!

And what about Hippy Hollow?  I took my mother there once in the late 80’s, and her most emphatic comment was that she needed to have the prescription of her glasses checked!  ‘Nuff said!

When I first moved here in the mid 80’s, my first several weeks were spent on-or-near I-35 (okay IH-35) and what is now 183 (that was not there yet).  I had heard glowing reports of the city, but all I knew of it was the Interstate.  Finally one weekend, I got out on 2222 (when it was REALLY curvy and dangerous) and finally determined I had done the right thing!  I even remember the specific spot at which that revelation was made to me.  2222 going west, just when you make the curve close to the Design Center where you see the first bit of rock face.  I was in love, and havn’t not had any second thought since then.

I am not nearly as adventurous as I used to be, but I know that all the things I love about Austin are still there, and most likely better, and I can go visit them any time I choose!

Remember to visit the Choose Austin First Fest this Sunday!  Go to http://www.chooseaustinfirst.com for more information.

Do Your Business Here!!!  Choose Austin First (http://chooseaustinfirst.com) is an organization of locally owned businesses dedicated to fostering and promoting the unique lifestyles we all enjoy in Austin.  The members are all Austin-owned, Austin-based businesses in a wide range of industries serving both local and national customers.

We have been members of Choose Austin First for several years…not charter members, but we joined just as soon as we first heard about it.  The members are truly a dynamic group of business-persons that are specifically interested in promoting the local businesses in our fine and PROUD city.    It is understood that you may need to visit a ‘big box’ store for some things, but if you have a chance to spend some of your dollars in a locally grown establishment, that would be a good thing.

Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly (c 1970, who knows for sure?)…“Money is like manure…you have to spread it around to help little things grow”.  Streisand and costume musicals…is there anything better?

 But I digress…

 

KEEP AUSTIN PROUD joined the group recently, and we want all of you to know about the Fourth Annual Choose Austin First Fest which will be held this coming Sunday, October 14th from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Triangle (at the intersection of Guadalupe and Lamar).  The fest is a showcase for local businesses, and with your paid admission ($10 per person for adults/children under 12 are free with an adult) you will receive free food and drink samples from some of Austin’s best local restaurants, let your children play on the moonwalk and superslide, AND you will get to listen to great live local music.

 Expected musical guests include:  THE BALLS, TWO HOOTS AND A HOLLER, JOHN POINTER and JOE KING CARRASCO!

This year, the festival will be raising funds for THE FISHER HOUSE, helping injured soldiers and their families.

 AND…you can get some really cool KEEP AUSTIN PROUD gear!  Be the first on your block with your very own KEEP AUSTIN PROUD STUFF!

See you all on Sunday!