Living on Euler's Line

Google Voice and Wave invites

For those that would like to play in Google's playground...

I have a Google Voice invite to share - Google voice is a tool that allows you to make phone calls without long distance (or minutes) charges.  You can read about the details and sign up for a number through their site.  

I also have a few Google Wave invites to pass along.  Wave is the equivalent of email, chat, commenting, picture sharing all in one place.  A bit more complex so the adoption curve might be a bit longer but it could truly change how we communicate.  You can read all about it and sign up for an invite at the Google Wave site.  

If you would like an invite to one or both, add a comment and I will share until they are gone.  

A new tradition on the Outer Banks - at least it could be...

It has been a long dry spell but I saw something today that I could not resist commenting on.  Living in Cary with infrequent trips to the Outer Banks limits my Real Estate postings - but I still frequently think about friends and relatives on the Outer Banks.  

A frequent topic for many on the OBX is how to make the place a bit more stable with opportunities for all.  I have posted my thoughts in the past - but now I have a sure thing.

The Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Championships gave me the idea - watch for yourself to plant the seed...

Now if you are a fan of the Outer Banks and you have been to Jockey's Ridge - you start to get the picture.  For those that have not been - Jockey's Ridge is a huge sand dune in Nags Head.  I think Jockey's Ridge and skim boards are the main revenue source for the OBX Hospital but I digress (been there).  

So here is the plan - the Town of Nags Head creates a festival during spring break season.  They follow the lead of the crazies in Gloucester - send invitations to universities and watch the dollars come in.  I don't think sand and cheese go well together so maybe the sport could be to catch a keg (empty of course).  

On second thought - I am not sure the hotels, rental cottages or owners would be excited to have the crowd above staying in their homes.  But the local bars and OBX hospital would probably not mind too much.  

New Outer Banks Blog - Harris' Hawk Blog

I have been out of the loop lately - this is championship season for swimming so the meets are long and frequent this time of year.  I still use my Evelyn Wood speed reading skills to keep up with the local happenings at the beach through local blogs. 

I found a new local blog a few weeks ago - Harris' Hawk Blog.  Many locals know him as "The Bird Man".  Younger locals know him as a cool teacher.  Many parents know him as a great teacher.  You all can probably remember a teacher that inspired you, the one that made learning fun and engaging.  This is the guy.  Add this to your favorite reading list.  I hope you enjoy reading his posts and learning about his hobby as much as I do.

A new blog journal on the Outer Banks

Russ Lay has joined the ranks of Outer Banks blog authors.  Russ and a blog are like peas and carrots - this will be one to watch.  My guess is that Russ will cover it all and maybe even get into a debate or two with my favorite Ex-Mayor.  I wish I were there to chime in - but the beauty of the internet is that I can participate as an outsider from the wonderful world of Cary.  Good luck Russ. 

Outer Banks Foreclosure site up and running

OBXforeclosures.info is live.  There are about 100 properties in Dare County that are in some stage of foreclosure - we currently have the first 25 listed.  The information is free - you can even sign up for free email updates by completing the form.  The goal is to list 5 a day until we have every property listed and updated.  We will also be adding Currituck County to the mix.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.

Here is a sample of what information is currently offered:

321 Duck Road - Southern Shores NC

Southern Shores, NC - 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

File number 08-SP-787

File Date:  11/20/2008

Hearing Date: 12/22/08

Foreclosure Sale Date: 1/12/09  - Opening Bid:

Assessed Value:  $ 446,500
Principal Sum Owed:  $ 390,000

If you would like more information on this property or if you would like to place a bid, please feel free to contact us. 

Southern Shores, NC - 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

File number 08-SP-787

File Date:  11/20/2008

Hearing Date: 12/22/08

Foreclosure Sale Date: 1/12/09  - Opening Bid:

Assessed Value:  $ 446,500
Principal Sum Owed:  $ 390,000

If you would like more information on this property or if you would like to place a bid, please feel free to contact us. 

Tweets for Business

I have been working with Twitter and considering using it for business application.  Twitter is basically a micro blogging tool - 140 character posts which keeps the fluff to a minimum.  Our customers have wanted a quick and easy way to post updates on a site and twitter might be a cool alternative. 

You can set up a twitter account and then have a widget with your posts on another site.  How could this be used for business? 

• A city could use this to post current information - street closures or holiday trash pickup changes.   
• A Real Estate Rental Agency on the Outer Banks could use it to announce new available properties with links back to the listing.
• A mortgage lender could quote some current rates.

The final outcome could be something like this:

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday.

This dude can make a Ukulele sing

Found this on Boing Boing which was from an NPR piece done in 2006.  Jake Shimabukuro playing While my guitar gently weeps in Central Park. It is worth the time if you appreciate George Harrison and master musicians. 

My goal over the holidays - keep up with the former Mayor in quantity of posts...

Mayo of the year

This is not the norm.  I don't usually promote food or wine like Monty or Bob.  But this was one food group that I had to write about.  I just finished my first jar with an egg sandwich this morning.  For those about to indulge in a food coma this week - I have a solution to add some spice to your leftover turkey sandwiches. 

This Mayo is awesome!  Being a boy from the south, mayo is a part of life.  Dukes Mayo was a food group in our home.  You think Reagan was wrong about ketchup???  Mayonnaise was used to cover up the flavor in many samiches.  Many kids today have no idea what bologna or lunchmeat is (I don't either but I ate about 300 pounds per year of it as a young child).   If I would have had this mayo as a kid, I would probably still eat the stuff - not really but is sounds good. 

If you find this in your local grocery store - buy two.  You will definatley enjoy it.  If you can't find it local - you should be able to pick up some online. 

Astronomy discovery - and it's a pretty big deal

We truly live in amazing times. 

For the first time, we have an optical image of another planet orbiting a star.  The picture above is from Astronomy Picture of the Day.  You can read all of the details on the Discover blog.  All the nerds in the house say YE-AH! 

No politics tonight - just a cool video.

Have you had enough of the political scene?  This will take your mind off the banter - at least for two minutes. 

I saw this video on Random Good Stuff and still can't believe it.  It breaks every pool safety rule that has been pounded in our head since we were young.  It is well worth the break.  First rule - don't run around the pool and then goes quickly downhill after that.

Don't forget to vote!