For most of us who have flown since 9/11/01, there have been many changes in air travel. Taking our shoes off, longer lines, and the dreaded 3-1-1 “liquids/gels/aerosols in bags” requirement makes it that much more difficult to fly.

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a SimpliFLY program to help you get through the airport more swiftly and easily on your next trip.

I recently did the “carry on” bit, carrying only what I needed for a short overnight trip, and I found I was able to put toiletries, makeup, and other 3-1-1 stuff all in one bag. I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to fit everything in one suitcase, but I was wrong. I flew on regional jets and found that I could “gate check” the bag and get it when I exited the airplane. I’d advocate this if you’ve a short trip. It’s breathtaking what you can get into a carry-on.

Tags: 3-1-1, 9/11/01, airport security, baby boomers, travel, travel tips, TSA

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I have a programmable thermostat in my house.  It’s just outside my bedroom door.  In the morning, when I get up I turn the temperature up (or down depending on the time of the year).  I do the opposite when I go to bed or leave the house.  It is more difficult to do that easy manual function on my automated thermostat than it is on an old analog style with a twisty knob.  Programmable things are overrated.  I know I’ve been in Information Technology for 32 years.

I had one of the first cell phones in the country.  It was bolted to the floor of the trunk of my car.  I used that more 25 years ago than I use the cell phone that fits in my pocket.  I generally keep it turned off.  Why?  Because I found I really don’t want to be on call all the time.  It’s a nuisance.  The requirement to stay in constant touch with someone or a group of people shows a certain level of insecurity.

Why do cell phones have so many functions? Because they have the ability to put them on a chip.  Not because they’re useful.

 GPS, where’s the fun in that.  I used to travel 50% of the time for various companies.  Half the fun of going to a new city was finding my way around.  Sure I got lost, but I found some great people and had some wonderful times.  A GPS would never have told me how to cut through parking lots at Marina Del Ray to avoid a yacht accident on the main road off the island.  A GPS would never have sent me though the vacant lots in New York to get from the Ritz to La Guardia in half an hour at 5 PM on a Tuesday.

When it comes to speed, I love speed.  Speed is relative.  Nothing beats takeoffs and landings.  I hate watching auto racing, because I want to drive.  But, right now Milwaukee is digging out from 14 inches of new snow and nothing is moving terribly fast.  I watching the sun come up on the frosted trees in my backyard while I drink coffee and type this.  Right now this is a good speed.

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Filed under: Estates, Auctions

Louis Kahn only designed 3 major architectural homes in his career and one of them, the Escherick House (named after the woman for whom it was built, Margaret Escherick) is up for auction. Its address is in Philadelphia and according to some it’s his ideal residential creation and has “mature style” and a “warm and human quality” to the interior (and I tend to agree).

So the house will be sold, but unlike most houses its price will not only reflect the local regular real estate market but also the art market. Valued at $2 million only about half of that’s unbiased structural and land values — the rest is all artistic and historical sentiment.

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Darlene McDaniel over at Interview Chatter has found a great video about how to hire the best people for your small business.

I’ve talked to many small business owners, and they all say the same thing: Finding and keeping the best people is the most difficult part of their jobs. Good employees know how to treat customers and they know how to do their jobs; they have the optimum combination of “people skills” and “productivity skills.”

I will state that it gets easier over time. Here is an article I wrote for a chiropractic journal (Chiropractic Economics) that explains this principle in more detail.

Tags: Chiropractic Economics, employees, hiring, Interview Chatter, people skills, productivity

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United Says, up today, 20815. This zip code is in Chevy Chase, Maryland has a median price of $2,020,000 and an appreciation rate of 253% since 1990. This residential Maryland suburb offers easy access to Washington D.C. and is home to a variety of traditional homes.

Today’s home, Wirelawn was first bought from the Chevy Chase Land Company in 1905. It’s full of political history, Harry Truman’s presidential inaugural ball was held here and the home, which is now a private residence, once served as an embassy. The ten-bedoom home has a grand foyer, formal living room, formal dining room, music room (with a beautiful Egyptian-themed mural), family room and ballroom. The first floor is also home to the sunroom, kitchen, butler’s pantry and mudroom. The upper levels are home to the bedrooms including the master suite with his and hers baths and dressing area, bedroom suites with sitting rooms, and staff quarters. There is also a temperature-controlled wine cellar and a gentleman’s study. The 1.36 acre property includes a covered veranda off the ballroom, huge heated pool and spa, three-car garage, gazebo and pool house, tented terrace and deck, a circular drive, motor court and a lawn large enough to accommodate football and soccer games, or a tennis court. This home is listed at $6.9 million.

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Continue reading Most Costly Zip Codes: 20815, Estate of the Day

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I’ve recently come across a number of people who talk about starting a business.  They want to know the steps to starting a business.  I could write down the dozen or so broad topics someone should think about before starting a business, but they would be superior off reading any of the score or more of the books on the subject at their local independent bookseller. 

You need to be a student of business and particularly the business you want to get into.  A few words from a blogger or some random advice from a magazine is just enough information to be dangerous to yourself and your bank account.  Even if you buy a franchise, you better study up on the franchiser like you life depends on it.  The devil, of course, is in the vast array of details that you can plan for and some more that you’ll never think of until you get to them. 

One important thing, don’t quit you day job until your business generates enough money to handle your living style.  If it can’t or you can’t adjust your life style to match the business income, keep you current job.  For example, if you have a sick child and rely on the health insurance from your current job, you superior think long and hard about how you intend to replace that life line with your own business.

If you done all your studying and planning and you have your first paying customers in hand then you need to do the post important thing: “pull the trigger” , make the commitment.  Until you make that move, you’re not in business. 

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Darlene McDaniel over at Interview Chatter has found a great video about how to hire the ideal people for your small business.

I’ve talked to many small business owners, and they all state the same thing: Finding and keeping the ideal people is the most difficult part of their jobs. Good employees know how to treat customers and they know how to do their jobs; they have the optimum combination of “people skills” and “productivity skills.”

I’ll say that it gets easier over time. Here’s an article I wrote for a chiropractic journal (Chiropractic Economics) that explains this principle in more detail.

Tags: Chiropractic Economics, employees, hiring, Interview Chatter, people skills, productivity

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Jennifer Hofmann from My Organized Biz collects an extensive list of articles with the theme “Elegant simplicity in a sped-up world” written by b5 media Business Channel bloggers.  Go over there now to read it.  It’s a collection of 16 very useful articles for those who want to simplify their business life.

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I’ve recently encounter a number of people who talk about starting a business.  They want to know the steps to starting a business.  I could write down the dozen or so broad topics someone should think about before starting a business, but they would be superior off reading any of the score or more of the books on the subject at their local independent bookseller. 

You need to be a student of business and particularly the business you want to get into.  A few words from a blogger or some random advice from a magazine is just enough information to be hazardous to yourself and your bank account.  Even if you purchase a franchise, you superior study up on the franchiser like you life depends on it.  The devil, of course, is in the vast array of details that you can plan for and some more that you’ll never think of until you get to them. 

One important thing, don’t quit you day job until your business generates enough money to handle your living style.  If it can’t or you can’t adjust your life style to match the business income, keep you current job.  For example, if you have a sick child and rely on the health insurance from your current job, you better think long and hard about how you intend to replace that life line with your own business.

If you done all your studying and planning and you have your first paying customers in hand then you need to do the post important thing: “pull the trigger” , make the commitment.  Until you make that move, you are not in business. 

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Filed under: Estates, Auctions

Louis Kahn only designed 3 major architectural homes in his career and one of them, the Escherick House (named after the woman for whom it was built, Margaret Escherick) is up for auction. Its address is in Philadelphia and according to some it’s his best residential creation and has “mature style” and a “warm and human quality” to the interior (and I tend to agree).

So the house will be sold, but unlike most houses its price won’t only reflect the local regular real estate market but also the art market. Valued at $2 million only about half of that’s unbiased structural and land values — the rest is all artistic and historical sentiment.

%Gallery-19069%

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