Blog of Craig's Arizona » Personal Archives – Blog of Craig’s Arizona

Apple and the iMenu

Craig — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:21:35 +0000

On the heals of Apple announcing quite the incredible earnings seen in technology history and the market’s response by making it the most valuable company, I have another prediction of how Apple is going to change the future, specifically the restaurant industry now…

While I doubt Apple will actually enter this industry, I do think they will impact it. This is what I’m seeing for a visit in the near future to my favorite restaurant. I walk in and seated by a hostess at a table and each person is handed a menu, actually an iPad. The specials are first most with not only beautiful pictures, but interactive ingredient lists and nutritional information, a video by the chef talking about the dish and an easy interaction where I can select the item, make some additions or changes and the order is already sent to the kitchen.

The iPad will also allow me to send me order to my phone so I can keep track of my nutritional intake for the day and record the bill on my financial program as well as twitter, 4square and facebook about it.

My daughter will be entertained by the interactive activities just for kids and the adults can return to conversation quickly. The wait staff can be called over easily with a simple call button, not having to wait until they come by to check in and the bill can be handled with the table is ready, no waiting for someone to take your credit card and return.

From the restaurant side, this means more customers are served because there is another level of efficiency in serving, less wait staff as they can work with more tables making sure there is human interaction where it is needed but doesn’t interrupt the experience without reason.

So what does this have to do with Phoenix Real Estate, well, not much, but can you imagine the creative ordering you can do in your search for a home that this can lead to? Look for a home without an agent until you find the ones you are most interested in, than you hit the call agent button to arrange the showings and boom, your set.

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Christmas 2011 Greeting

Craig — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 02:29:57 +0000

Seasons Greetings from my family to yours. May you have a Merry Christmas with Family and Friends.

Chandler Condo Rental for $795 per MonthNear Alma School and Warner

Featured Listing

1 Bedroom with Bathroom and Loft with a it’s own Bathroom or can be considered 2 bedroom 2 bath in a quite condo community. All the appliances are included and the community has a pool. Great start for the new year. Additional Information.

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The Spirit of Chirstmas

Craig — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:02:32 +0000

Each year, my family tries to do one charitable gesture, Christmas Angel is our favorite, this year got away from us and we’ve missed that opportunity. But another one just presented itself. My wife and I agreed to grab dinner at Pita Jungle while doing some last-minute errands, but our 4-year-old daughter objected very strongly and pleaded her case for chief’s (Carrabba’s Italian for the rest of us). I usually don’t give in to her requests so easily but it sounded good and we agreed to the change. We’re doing our usual thing at the table with one of the better waiters, John when a family sits close to us. A mother and 3 young children, normally I do a good job of tuning out the rest of the world when it’s time for dinner with my family, but something about this table kept getting my attention. I got the impression it was a big deal for them to be there tonight, and I started easy dropping on it, I picked up that they were splitting meals to save money, that the mother just got paid and that Santa would only be bringing them one gift each this year because money was tight for everyone, including Santa. I looked at my daughter and realized that while I feel my life has been hard the past two years and I’m learning to start over, it was nowhere near the hardship that this mother and her 3 children were living. I knew that I have been lucky and given many opportunities to do good and be reward for that hard work. I looked at my wife and I could tell she was having several thoughts along the same line. A couple of coded discussions and some deep planning with my waiter John, their waitress and the Manager on Duty Heather, we made sure that family didn’t see the bill and had something good happen tonight. While I can’t make their lives magically better, I can for a very brief moment in their life give them something. When the waitress told the mother her meal was taken care of, she started to cry and thanked her profusely and wanted to know who to thank. I’ve long had a belief that if I do something good for the gratitude, I was doing it for the wrong reason, so I made sure it was done anonymously. And tonight, I feel good for doing something good for another and I am reminded of the Christmas Spirit and encourage you all to find one good thing to do for another person, however big or small, just make one small impact.

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Happy Birthday to Me

Craig — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:13:28 +0000

Today I celebrate my 41st Birthday. It was rather low-key compared to last year, no parties, just a nice dinner with my family, some presents, I even caught up with one of my clients that bought a second home and was visiting Phoenix today. We had a lot of laughs and remembered several stories throughout my life. It dawned on me how fortunate I am, that I’ve been lucky throughout my 41 years and how blessed I am to have so many wonderful people in my life. So for my Birthday, I want to thank all of you for the many wonderful experiences both in the past and the ones I’m about to experience.

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It’s okay Mason

Craig — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:36:26 +0000

I know you were frustrated, after all you lost your home and you needed to take your anger out on something or someone and you felt that the house was the best place to vent that anger. No one wants to lose their home and it’s even more painful when you have a family to provide for. It feels like you let them down, I get that, it’s hard, no one wants to be a disappointment. But if you will allow me to give you some advise, it would be: this too, shall pass. Don’t let it consume you, understand that you made the best decision you could make at the time for you and your family and start working hard to get into a better position again. Figure out what’s not working anymore and make a conscious decision to change it for the better today. The Phoenix Real Estate Market was one of the top 5 hardest hit in this last round of correction. You are not alone, chances are you know several people who are in the same position as you are.

When your ready to consider your next home, let me know, I’d be happy to work with you to get the plan made and implemented to move forward. That’s what I do, help people to achieve their goals, no matter how hard they seem to be, we can do it. And in the famous words of Steve Jobs:

If you look backward in this business, you’ll be crushed. You have to look forward.

Let’s both look forward to a better Phoenix Real Estate Market and future!

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Happy Recovery Day Sunday 2011

Craig — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:26:11 +0000

So we have Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, so what is the Sunday, just a day for everyone to relax and recover before the return to work on Monday. So what is the customary thing to do on Recovery Day Sunday? Whatever it takes for you to recover. For me, it’s looking at houses, making sure all my transactions are on task and spending some time with my family. So if your working with me on getting your Phoenix Dream Home, know you are still being taken care of and that I am also recovering for the last couple of days of lots of good food, running and shopping. Happy Recovery Day Sunday everyone!

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Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Craig — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:41:12 +0000

2011 has been a very interesting year in the Phoenix Real Estate World, I’ve set a new record for transaction sides, taken on a partner and strengthened new partners. But none of that wouldn’t matter without my clients and you, my one of two readers. This morning, I run in my annual 5k to support West Valley Child Crisis Center. I’m so grateful for what I have and the opportunities that I continue to come my way. I’m also grateful for the wonderful food that I will be enjoying later on and the time with family and friends today. Please take some time to enjoy your day and reflect on all that you have to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Driving in Phoenix

Craig — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:53:56 +0000

Only someone from the Phoenix area would understand and the really funny thing is that this is all so true!

1. ‘Phoenix’ actually consists of Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Sun Lakes, Surprise, Laveen, Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, and half of the Mexican border.
2. The morning rush hour is from 4:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 9:00 PM. Friday’s rush hour starts on Thursday morning.
3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered ‘Wussy’.
4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest mufflers go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in the East Valley, SUV-driving, cell phone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.
5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended.
6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It’s an offense that can get you shot.
7. Road construction is permanent in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment during the night to make the next day’s driving a bit more exciting.
8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, rabbits, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.
9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and the ‘I-10′ are the same road. SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain FWY. Dunlap and Olive are the same street too. Northern and Shea are the same street. Also Glendale Ave. becomes Lincoln Drive. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. I-17 is also called The Black Canyon Freeway as well as The Veterans Memorial Highway. The Superstition is also known as US 60. The 101, 202 and 303 remain a large mystery to most of us. It is not yet determined if there is a Red Mountain and a San Tan or just a Red/Tan Mountain. The SR51 has recently been renamed to Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy to pronounce. SR101 is also the Pima FWY except west of I-17, which is also The Black Canyon FWY, and The Veterans Memorial HWY.. Lastly, Thunderbird Rd. becomes Cactus Rd. — but, Cactus Rd. doesn’t become Thunderbird Rd. because it dead ends at a mountain.
10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it has been ‘accidentally activated.’
11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be ‘flipped off’ accordingly. If you return the flip, you’ll be shot.
12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.
13. Please note that there are many, MANY more issues to the phenomenon of driving in Phoenix– like the 4-cars-through-a-red-light rule — but these will at least get you acquainted with our unique life on the road.

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Life can change pretty quick…

Craig — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:50:47 +0000

Disclosure: Nothing about Real Estate!

I debated about writing this post for several days, not sure what is to be gained from writing it. Almost two weeks ago to the day, I suffered from, what us medical geeks call, an Acute Myacardial Infarction, in layman’s terms, a heart attack. At the ripe old age of 39. Yes, 39. Even the Paramedics, ER team and ICU Nurses were doubting that my Chest Pain was a Heart Attack, until the 12 lead EKG showed abnormalities in the AVR.

Let’s stop here a moment and disclose some background information to help you get the full picture. I was a Paramedic in Illinois and was even licensed in Arizona when I first arrived. I’ve taught CPR for several years and have treated countless Heart Attacks (MI) in my time as a paramedic. I know how the process should work and what it all means from an academic and care-giver standpoint.

Did I know I was having a Heart Attack? No, I was in denial all the way until 3 minutes after arriving at the Emergency Room. I woke up on Monday as I typically do, with the sun at 5:30 am, I felt a little off and my arms where sore, like I slept on them wrong. I brushed it off and started my day as I always do, getting ready for work and spending time with my daughter. At around 7:30, the pain intensified as I was getting ready to leave for work. I started considering something else was going on and crawled back in bed to try and rest a bit. With each passing minute the pain worsened, not only my arms hurt, my chest and jaw were screaming in pain and I felt like breathing was a problem.

There is an old adage that Paramedics don’t call 911 for themselves and I never had, but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to manage this myself, I asked my wife to call 911 (so technically I never called for myself). Enter Al, one of Phoenix FD finest Paramedic, who was just finishing his 24 hour shift and his relief wasn’t there in time to take the call. I can tell the crew had their doubts, remember I wasn’t thinking Heart Attack either. No history, no family, symptoms close, but I was too young to fit the profile and according to Al a couple of days later, I was too calm. They ran the ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) protocol as typical in Chest Pain calls. Once we got to the 12 lead, the situation changed dramatically, the ambulance was expedited, the drug box was opened and I found a new friend in the Nitro, 3 sprays of nitro took me from a pain of 9 to a pain of 3. I was loaded into the Ambulance and a hospital with a Heart Center was the destination.

Al stayed with me all the way to the ER, running the protocol as expected, Aspirin, Morphine and having the ER ready when we arrived. One other thing that was working in my favor that morning, it was early and the Cath Lab was just starting up and they were given a heads up that I may need to take priority. I hit the ER and was descended upon by 12 Doctors, Nurses and techs as they re-assessed the situation. This is where my denial was gone along with my calm, I realized I was in real trouble and was living on borrowed time. Al stuck with me and talked to me as only one Paramedic could talk to another to keep the calm.

Six minutes, thats the time from entering the doors of the Emergency Room to the Cath Lab, telling my wife that I loved her and our daughter with all my heart. The cardiologist wasn’t even in the hospital as I was being prepared for emergency procedures. He walked in, greeted me and went to work in what seemed like seconds.

When I came too again, I knew my chest pain was gone, and that my life would be very different. So, that’s how life can change pretty quick.. I went from business as usual to being grateful that I’m alive and knowing that I have been given a second chance. I had a 100% blockage on RCA Coronary Artery, they put a Stent in to keep it open. They observed that I have 70% and 80% blockage in two other arteries that will needed further evaluation. My cholesterol labs look just above normal, but nothing that would indicate the amount of plague currently in my arteries.

Since then I have been home, taking it easy, reading, enjoying my daughter as much as I can without over doing it. I’ve met with Al, the Paramedic that was there for me since, I learned that he became a Paramedic because he witnessed his father die from a Heart Attack at the age of 37, when he was still very young. He holds a special place in our family.

I’ve changed my diet to watch and limit my in take of cholesterol, sodium and fat to below USDA standards. On July 1, I will undertake a Nuclear stress test to determine the next course of action on the other partial blockages. This test will determine if I can start exercising or working again as well as definite diet changes beyond the ones I have already taken.

Stay tuned as I learn more, I keep my Facebook wall updated in more real time.

Special Note: when talking to the cardiologist, he can recall a case of an 18 year old having a heart attack and I remember transporting a 26 year old that was having one. Age isn’t the best indicator.

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Arizona SB1271 – Anti Deficiency Law Change

Arizona Spring Training Schedule 2010

Craig — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:55:01 +0000

It’s Spring Training Time, the Cactus League kicks off next week. The Giants take on the Mariners at 1:05 at the Peoria Sports Complex for the first game and then a very full first weekend schedule follows. This is the time of the year when thoughts turn to afternoons at the ballpark with friends sitting on the grass of the bleachers section. Check out the rest of the schedule.

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