Finger paint more

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Completing and Remembering

Every year at this time I pull out my old goals, journals and visions and take account of where I'm at compared to where I'd like to be in many categories of my life. It's a rich time and I always walk away grateful and inspired.

This is a link to some questions I use every year to help remember the past year and look into the next year. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Kasey & Skye: Anytime

This weekend I got to dust off the ol' camera and take some pics of my sister Kasey and her fiance Skye. I had a blast shooting them and they are just so into each other it's ridiculous. I totally *tried* to copy Jasmine Star's style because I think she's probably the best wedding/portrait photographer I've ever known.

Been working on fun stuff

It's been a really busy and fun season these last few months. The most gratifying thing on my schedule is this sweet little peanut (thanks Kelli for the amazing shots!).On the business side, I've been having a BLAST. My partner and I have temporarily changed our focus to distressed residential, and we've made some phenomenal purchases lately. We've also been having a lot of success raising capital from investors who are enabling us to play in this arena.

On another note, our office incubator/self storage concept is leasing up quickly. Here are some recent photos of the facility:



This used to be a vacant K-Mart.

Beaming with Pride

As much pride as I had in my wife before, it doesn't compare to how I think of her after childbirth. She delivered a 10 lb 6 oz baby naturally (no painkillers). She wanted me to be close to her for her entire labor, so I had the privilege of holding her in my arms through every breath, moan and grunt, up until when Summer was born. I wept several times (before the birth) just watching her bravery and presence in all the pain.Then last night about 45 minutes before Nite Moves starts, she decides she wants to compete in the 1 kilometer ocean swim. She did phenomenal. I'm so proud of her.
I got to take Summer on her first event (5k) in the jogger. She's a heavy baby so I like the added challenge!

Higher Energy Use

Giving my baby the name Summer makes for some funny and ironic references in print advertisements.
How does my electricity company know so much about the effort we're expending raising our new child?

Between a rock and a hard place...

Opportunity is coming

I've been doing a lot of reading and market research these last few days.

With more than $1.8 trillion of commercial real estate debt maturing in the next four years, and the limited the amount of capital available to refinance this debt mountain because of the financial crisis, this should give well-capitalized investors a very attractive entry point.

Now the trick is getting well-capitalized. Maybe I'll do a garage sale this weekend :)