Jul 23

Day 13: A Presidential Escort in Columbus

Posted by joker 5 Comments »

July 13, 2007: We had parked for the night in Goodale Park in Columbus, Ohio. We woke early and headed to the North Market on Spruce Street to get a light breakfast. Established in 1876, the North Market is the only remaining public market in central Ohio. The indoor market is an epicurian delight.

While in the Market, we came upon the Flower Man at the famous Market Blooms.

So, we decided to get a bunch to surprise Maureen McCabe (Discover Columbus, f/k/a Columbus Best Blog, Sellsius Founding Member #1), who had helped plan the Real Living sponsor hosted event— a cook-out.

When we arrived at the downtown Columbus office of Real Living, we were surprised to find no one there. Hmm…was this some kind of surprise party? Well, the surprise was we were at the wrong location. We were supposed to be in Worthington. Luckily, Bill Evans, President of HER Real Living was there and he volunteered to escort us to the event. It was our first Presidential escort.

Bill Evans, Joe, Rudy, Tom Holcombe

Her Real Living, Worthington office

When we arrived, we were greeted by Maureen and Tom Holcombe, manager of the Worthington office. There were about 30 or so present to devour weenies, potato salad, beans and homemade desert pastries. Little did the group realize they had to bear our blog blathering for about 15 minutes— you know what they say— there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Blog pontification wows the crowd

Those in attendance included Elaine Reese (Reeses Pieces of Real Estate), Sondra Johnson (Columbus Real Estate Voice), Teri Lussier (The Brick Ranch), Toby & Sadie Boyce (Sadie’s Take on Delaware Ohio), Jonathan Danylko (DCS-Media), Joe Peffer, Eric & Nikki Ransom (Real Estate Laundry– which reminded us we had to do ours).

Sadie’s take on Rudy

Soraya’s take on hot dogs

She prefers them bunless

Elaine & Rudy

Hot dog grillers - The Ladies of Real Living Title

Ohio Blogoholics - Joe, Bill, Teri, Rudy, Sondra, Toby, Sadie, Maureen, Eric and Elaine

Does it?

Her Real Living Office

Elaine is prepared for anything

Maureen busy blogging

Blogger directions

Sondra, Joe and Eric

After the event, we went to Amano’s for drinks with Tom, Maureen and others. There we sampled a spicy hot pizza and the local brew. We learned about the Buckeye’s rivalry with the University of Michigan. (The town is nuts about college football).

Rudy w/ the ladies of Real Living Title

Teri and Tom’s Sister

We rolled out of Columbus with great memories and two pints of Graeter’s irresistible ice cream, courtesy of Eric and Nikki

.
Elaine ’s Plates

Thanks again to Her Real Living, Real Living Title, Maureen, Bill, Tom and everyone who attended.

Blog Tour USA, Journal Entry, Ohio

Jul 20

Blog Tour USA - A Beautiful Day

Posted by blogtourusa 1 Comment »

Blog Tour USA South Beach video part II

By Peter Santiago of Santiago Labs

Blog Tour USA, SOBE

Jul 20

Day 12: Georgia Outlaws and the Kentucky Water Show

Posted by joker No Comments »

July 12, 2007. Today was a travel day. A nine hour haul from Atlanta to Columbus, Ohio. It was a beautiful day for traveling—sunny, 75 degrees, with no humidity. The countryside was especially beautiful through Tennessee and Kentucky.

There were 2 noteworthy events. The first was at an old gas station somewhere in Appalachia, Tennessee. We were gassing up when 8 members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Georgia Chapter, pulled up next to us to do the same. Dressed in black leather from head to toe, they looked menacing. So, naturally, Rudy asked me to talk to them. Heck, this might prove to be an interesing interview. I made small talk with them but they refused to be photographed or talk on camera to bloggers. I guess they were concerned about their online reputation.

Water spigot design

The next event took place in Kentucky. We were starting to ripen and in need of a shower. But we were bone dry on fresh water. So we pulled into a gas station that offered Air & Water. Yes!

Rudy pulled up and I connected our hose to the spigot. I tried to turn on the water. Nothing. I noticed a little screw in the mechanism. Hmm… this must have something to do with opening the valve. So I turned it with my hand but it was stuck. Luckily, I brought some tools along. I reached for the adjustable wrench and gave the screw a few turns. Suddenly I had water— a mad gush of it. I quickly stuck the hose into the RV and filled that thirsty puppy up. Ahh… successs. But wait a minute—-

How do I turn off this gushing fountain? Oh yeah, that little screw—but damn, where is it? I banged on the RV to get Rudy out to help. Neither of us could turn the water off. When we found the screw, it would not go back in. We called the women who manned the station and they couldn’t stem the torrent either. And no one knew where the master shut-off valve was located. Oh, my goodness!

What followed cannot be adequately explained here— you had to “see” it. Luckily, Rudy reached for the camera to capture the debacle.

Finally, the woman stood with the hose crimped and told us to go. I said “But that’s our hose.” With a disgusted look, she handed it to me to unscrew from the faucet. As the water continued to flow, we fled.

As she stood in the rising tide of water, I saw the upset woman jotting down the names on the RV. Brad, if you get a water bill from Kentucky, we deny everything.

To be continued, on the road…

Blog Tour USA, Journal Entry, Kentucky, Tennessee

Jul 20

Day 11: Chime Breaks the Darkness in Atlanta

Posted by joker No Comments »

Day 11: July 11, 2007. We reached Atlanta, Georgia around 10:00 p.m.

We cruised the city and were surprised by the number of homeless people. We spoke to one woman who goes by the name of “Chime”. She chose the name because of it’s association with harmony and peace. Chime would not tell us where she was from or where she was headed. She shared her story about life on the streets of Atlanta. Food, she said was never a problem but she did not care much for the shelters. Chime lives in “cat holes“, makeshift hovels, usually in abandoned buildings. Despite her lack of the comforts we all take for granted, she was hopeful and positive of spirit — a heroe of faith.

Perhaps the idea for Good Samaritan Realtor could offer something to people like Chime. All it takes is a desire to help, creativity and caritas.

Technorati Tags: Atlanta, homeless, Good Samaritan Realtor

Atlanta, Blog Tour USA, Good Samaritan Realtor, Journal Entry

Jul 19

San Diego Area Meet Up - Del Mar Race Track - Friday June 20 2007

Posted by sellsius 6 Comments »

Thanks to Brian Brady for organizing our San Diego area leg of the tour.

When:

Friday, July 20, 2007, 2:00 PM 20070720T210000Z

Where:

Del Mar Race Track-Infield Pavilion
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar , CA 92014

Description:

The Real Estate Soiree is Back!

In July, we welcome Sellsius Real Estate Enhanced Classifieds to San Diego as they stop in for the Tour USA.

www.sellsiusrealestate.com

Our meetup will start at 2PM at the Del Mar Race Track. Stop by and visit the Sellsius RV before we head into the World Famous Del Mar Race Track for the first “Four O’ Clock Friday” of the season.

www.dmtc.com

There is a Handicapping Seminar at 3PM outside the Plaza de Mexico.

The races start at 4PM.

There is no set program this week other than to meet the founders of Sellsius Real Estate and to enjoy each other’s company at the races. Infield Pavilion Tickets are tickets are $10.00 and the ticket gains admission to the concert after the last race. We will reserve seats in the infield pavilion and have an opportunity to network with other San Diego Realtors and friends.

Blog Tour USA

Jul 19

Day 11: Tampa, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia: Risque

Posted by joker 3 Comments »

July 11, 2007. The rain was falling as we left the Simms’ home in St. Petersburg, FL. Our next stop– Atlanta, Georgia. 480 miles of highway lay ahead.

When we hit Tampa, we decided to hit the iHop (a change from our Waffle House routine). Rudy got pancakes, I went with the scrambled eggs.

While we were eating, we got a call from broker Marc Vitorilla of condoleaf.com., a boutique Tampa brokerage. He drove to the restaurant to meet with us. What an interesting fellow. We talked internet marketing and leads. Marc’s website looks like a search engine and incorporates his blog, as well as an “Ask Mr. Condo, Condo Lawyer and Condo Lender” feature to engage visitors (get leads). The site is very clean and easy to use.

Marc is a mobile techie

Marc uses all the tech tools for one purpose— quick customer response. His lead conversion rate is excellent he says because he gives the internet client what they want– information FAST. Having that information at his fingertips while MOBILE impresses clients.

[Marc shared one of his secret weapons, a video email service that we believe will get wide adoption. (more on that later).] We took some photos in the sweltering heat with my ancient tripod and said our goodbyes.

Our hot time in Florida ends…almost

Naked Lunch? Cafe Risque

While driving toward Gainsville, we saw a lot of bilboards advertising an unusual twist to highway food—a cafe where clothes are shed for the diners’ pleasure (does that make you eat more?). A cross between a strip club and roadside diner, Club Risque piqued our blogger attention. So we pulled up to see what we could see.

Here are some views from the outside.

Seems harmless

Enter at your own risk

Waitress staff

Know your market

We spoke to the manager who told us we could not film inside, but that we were still welcome to come in. We declined. If we did we might have to use this billboard: