Happy New Year everyone. In the New Year I might take the approach of Seth Godin and just “ship it.” Use this blog as a free form writing platform without rules.

What do you think?

Here are some of my top goals with this blog in 2023:

– Write on a regular basis

– Inform readers about things that interest me and hopefully interest the audience

– Increase the randomness of posts

– Get better at writing through repetition

– Continue writing about stories keeping to the blog’s core tech. themes

– Getting visitor feedback thus improving the blog

Please return soon. More blog posts to come!

Ever wonder exactly what exactly “Spanish/Mediterranean” and other home descriptions mean? What does a builder mean when he talks about “Tudor detailing?” What do the homes look like in the neighborhood in which you plan to build? Are they Country or French? Your search through a sea of home plans to find the right one for you and your family will be easier if you have a clear understanding of what kinds of house styles are available, what kind you prefer and how the outside look of the house influences the inside layout.

If you’re like me you’ve probably turned on HGTV and heard people saying real estate buzz words and have no idea what they are talking about. May be you’re in the market for a home so you generally have an idea of real estate catch phrases, but we would like to break it down once and for all on a few housing terms. Here are details on house styles with specific examples that refer to actual home plans offered from London Elite Trades, a building service offering the full spectrum of options and building caveats.

European style romance

“European or Euro styling” covers many different types of house styles developed over the centuries in varied countries of Europe. Many of today’s “European” styled homes do not completely replicate the original designs, but instead are loose interpretations highlighting selected elements. The advantage is that you can have an attractive home that reflects the flavor of a period or country, without it looking so extreme or different from other homes in your neighborhood that it looks out of place. Here are details on how to spot three of the most popular European styles

French: If you like formal, but graceful decorative details, a French style home may be the one for you. Exteriors of these home often incorporate: wedge-shaped keystone details above the windows; quoins– a detail that looks like interlocking blocks-in the left and right side corners of the facade; arched and multi-paned windows; copper-topped window bays; and shutters. The exterior surface of the French style home is usually made with brick or stucco. Inside, the layout of the rooms is usually formal, with distinct living and dining rooms.

Spanish/Mediterranean: If you like open, sprawling interiors, look into building a Spanish/Mediterranean style home. The exteriors are usually surfaced in stucco, with lots of arches and columns. The most distinctive feature is a low-pitched, reddish tiled roof. Modern interpretations of the Spanish/Mediterranean style are flowing inside and out, with simple lines and airy spaces. This style is most popular in the Southern states and California.

Tudor: If you are an Anglophile and everything British is your cup of tea, think Tudor! The styling is based loosely on English homes of the late Medieval period. The distinctive exterior is made with half timbers-angled planks painted brown or other darkish colors. These mock beams–for they are only decorative and not true structural beams– complement these other elements commonly used on the exterior: stucco, stone and wood. Many Tudors also have massive chimneys or steep gables. Inside, the interiors can be formal with distinct divisions between rooms, arched entryways, and tall, narrow windows.

So there you have it folks tell your friends, partner, or real estate agent confidently about French, Spanish/Mediterranean, and Tudor architecture. May be it will even help you in your next home purchase or re-model.

Here are my top 5 podcasts for 2017. I listen to these weekly.

1) Tim Ferris Podcast http://tim.blog/podcast/

2) Lewis Howes The School of Greatness Podcast http://lewishowes.com/category/podcast/

3) Joe Rogan http://podcasts.joerogan.net/

4) The #ASKGARYVEE Show Podcast https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/the-askgaryvee-show-podcast/

5) Bulletproof Radio by Dave Asprey Podcast https://blog.bulletproof.com/category/podcasts/

Let me know if you think anything else should be on the list! I think in life you’re limited by time, can’t listen to everything. I’ve learned a ton from listening to the above Podcasts weekly.

Happy Thanksgiving 2014 Everyone

To all my readers I want to wish everyone a Happy Thangsgiving. I hope whatever you do on Thanksgiving gives you minimal stress and maximum enjoyment. I think this time of year it’s important to reflect on what the true nature of the holidays are. It’s not about the presents, the decorations, or the perfect party it’s about re-connecting with family and friends.

Once again Happy Thanksgiving 2014 Everyone!

– CashSherpa.com 

Nostalgic Look At Olympic Ski Ballet

Did you know at one time there was an Olympic event called Ski Ballet? Take a look at these epic videos showing just how amazing the ski ballet actually was.

These videos are the best of the best:

1985 Breckenridge Ski Ballet

Hermann Reitberger – Men’s ballet final, Calgary Olympic Games 1988

Ski ballet – Rune Kristiansen – Ballet event from the 1993 World Cup

MENS BALLET SKI – Alberville Olympic Winter Game 1992

Bring Ski Ballet back!

Yahoo Acquires Ptch: What You Need To Know

Yahoo made a surprising move recently that it has acquired the mobile photo & video editing mobile app Ptch. The mobile app Ptch was backed by DreamWorks Animation spinoff DWA Investments and unveiled a year ago.

Here’s what you need to know:

– Yahoo paid 6.5 million of Ptch

– The Ptch app will shut down on Jan. 2nd 2013

– 3 employees at Ptch ended up joining Yahoo according to Business Insider. At peak development Ptch had 32 employees.

– According to Business Insider no founder or employee got a piece of the $6.5 million, only job offers. All of the cash went to Dream Works.

Yahoo’s been a very interesting company to watch lately with the large number of acquisitions they have made.