Miscellany
Simms Team is Splattered for Chihuli
June 7th, 2010 categories: Miscellany
Simms Team splattered for Chihuly
The Simms Team is now splattered for Chihuli! Following the Morean Arts Center’s shoe painting event, ilovetheburg has been splattering photos. So – now The Simms Team is splattered in anticipation of the new Chihuly Collection opening in July just a block and a half from us. We’re using this splattered photo on our ALVA International facebook page for the next month or so.
Welcome, Chihuly!
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It’s hurricane season in Florida – Ana is the first named storm for 2009
August 15th, 2009 categories: Miscellany, News and Views
Hurricane season here is from June 1 to November 30 but we don’t really start thinking about it until there’s a named storm. Today we have the first named storm of the 2009 season, Ana. Rather than watch the hype on weather stations, I prefer to check the advisories on the web at the National Hurricane Center.
Not sure how to prepare for a hurricane? Check out the 2009 Hurricane Guide at the St Pete Times. My husband, George, likes to track each named storm and hurricane on a tracking chart, with points from each advisory. You can download a tracking chart from this site if you want to do the same.
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Egmont Passage
July 25th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany
Egmont Passage Tale of the Dreamcatcher is now out. Antonino Fabiano’s latest book is even better than his first, Egmont Passage, Tale of the Seventh Mystery. I like the combination of the local setting, which is Tierra Verde and the Bayway Islands, and the history intertwined with a current plot. Fabiano brings together elements of his interesting life as background, and has created a tale that is interesting to both youth and the no-longer-so-young. Zeke, JJ and Izzy are familiar from his first book, and though the second is a continuation, it stands on its own. From the first chapter on I couldn’t put the book down until I finished reading it. I might not have found this book if Nino wasn’t a friend and client, so I’m glad I had that introduction, and pass it on to you as well. Hopefully we’ll ve having a book signing here at the ALVA International office. Until then – follow your dreams, and read Egmont Passage. Yo Creo!
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It’s the rainy season
July 9th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany
It’s summer in Florida, and mid to late afternoon means rain, almost every day. Sometimes it’s a steady downpour, and sometimes it feels like the heavens have broken open and torrential windblown rain plummets us. I think we should rename the rainy season to The Green Season, which Costa Rica has done. It sounds so much better and reminds us to be grateful that the rain is keeping everything green and also replenishing our water supplies.
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Pinellas County has a coffee industry
June 17th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany
Pinellas County Florida seems an odd place to be affecting coffee around the country and the world. When you sip your morning coffee at a local coffee shop, you may not think about where the beans are roasted, and for that matter, where the roasting machines are made! Here in Pinellas County. What about the filters that affect the taste, or the flavorings Read the rest of this entry »
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Ikea gives new meaning to “Rooms To Go”
May 22nd, 2009 categories: Miscellany
I did a double-take when I passed this room parking near BayWalk. So I drove around the block, parked and then took a few photos. This certainly gives new meaning to “Rooms To Go”.
Ikea recently opened a new store in Tampa. What a great way for Ikea to advertise with this mobile showroom.
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Lifestyle Liquidation
May 19th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany, Terms and Abbreviations
Lifestyle Liquidation is a term I first saw Robert Frank use this morning in his Wall St Journal article. He gives lots of specifics on the auctions and firesales of homes, vehicles, and collections. Yes, some of this is wealth related, or the loss of wealth related as half of all millionaires have lost 30% of more of their fortunes in this economy. It’s also becoming gauche to flaunt your wealth. Some just feel it’s time for a minimalist lifestyle rather than excessive buying and collecting. It takes time and money to care for everything that you buy! It’s time to simplify – whether it’s a cabin in the mountains or a condo in Costa Rica or taking off for a world cruise in your 40 ft sailboat.
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New Scansnap S1500 scanner
May 7th, 2009 categories: Miscellany
Fujitsu Scansnap S1500 scanner, closed
Fujitsu Scansnap S1500 scanner, open
Fujitsu just came out with a new scanner, and techie that I am, I had to have one right away. Our team loves the Scansnap – they went from a “Why did you buy another scanner, and where are we going to put it?” when I bought the first one Read the rest of this entry »
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Blogging
May 5th, 2009 categories: Miscellany
Notes from Rob:
My boss (mother) has been after me for a year to start blogging. Does everyone have a mother like that?
She had her first web site before I even owned my first computer. I love gadgets, but she is light years ahead of me in all of them. So now, I follow her down the blogging path. The key will be can I blog regularly as she does? I will do my best.
Today, I start with rambling, tomorrow I will discuss my closing on a bank owned property (knock on wood), and then I will move on to my experiences in showing properties out on the beaches lately.
See you tomorrow!
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Southwest Airlines and Tampa International Airport are Computer Friendly
April 28th, 2009 categories: Miscellany
Tampa International Airport has been computer friendly for years by offering free wireless internet access. Not too long ago Southwest Airlines started providing computer “bars” where you could plug in and recharge your computer, and the small flat surface everyone shared was certainly better than balancing on your knees. What a pleasant surprise when I arrived at the Southwest Terminal at Tampa International Airport today to find in the main lobby and at the gates were these banks of computer stations – a flat private surface of probably 2 ft x 3 ft where you can spread out your papers, your coffee or sandwich, as well as your computer, and use the two plugs for working and recharging. Plus the free internet access. Kudos and thanks to both Southwest Airlines and to Tampa International Airport!
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