Best 2009 USA High School Track & Field Performances Feature 10 New Records – Part 1

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

Ten new records were set this season when the automatic timers finally stopped and the best 2009 USA high school track and field competitive performances were in the books.

The only double record-setter was not an individual, but the Track East Carolina relay team made up of New Bern High School sprinters from Raleigh (NC). Their 3:19.58 effort in the 1,600 sprint medley relay swept away the old mark of 3:21.1 with Fuquawn Greene’s 21.5 and Miles Sparks’ 21.8 in the 200, Andrew Hendrix’s 46.6 in the 400 and brother Anthony Hendrix’s 1:49.7 in the 800.

Track East Carolina also set the 800 sprint medley relay record with a 1:28.20 clocking that erased the old mark of 1:28.43. The absolute dominance of the Track East Carolina team was shown as they also ran the nation’s fastest times in the 4×200 relay and the 4×400 relay.

Albemarle High School’s 4×800 relay team also got into the act by setting a new standard of 7:30.67, wiping out the old mark of 7:32.89. Albemarle’s 800 runners were fast and deep—Garrett Bradley went 1:55.43, Zach Vrhovac 1:50.57, Luke Noble 1:55.34 and Anthony Kostelac 1:49.33.

The other 7 new USA high school records were set by Reggie Wyatt in the 300 hurdles (35.02), Marquise Goodwin in the long jump (26-10), Mason Finley in the discus (236-06), Curtis Beach in the decathlon (7,466), Shelby Greany in the 2,000 steeplechase (6:33.7), Toni Young in the high jump (6-04), and Anna Jelmini in the discus (190-03).

Last year the two dominant athletes were German Fernandez and Jordan Hasay. Fernandez set new records in the 3,000 and 3,200 and led all comers in the 1,500, 1,600 and mile. Hasay set a new record in the 1,500 and led all comers in the 3,000, 3,200 and 2 mile.

This year college recruiters saw more quality athletes emerge. Among of the boys were Andrew Springer who led everyone in the 1,500, 1,600 and mile; Trevor Dunbar who was first in the 3,000 and 2 mile; Lucas Verzbickas, a freshman who led the 3,200 and 2 mile; and Marquise Goodwin in the long jump.

Among the girls were Chelsey Sveinsson, a sophomore who led the nation in the 3,000 and 2 mile; Kori Carter who swept the 100 and 300 hurdles; and Ciarra Brewer, a sophomore in the triple jump.

Two of last year’s outstanding graduates—German Fernandez and Christine Babcock—continued to perform at a national caliber level as college freshmen. Fernandez went to Oklahoma State and promptly became the NCAA Division 1 champion in the 1,500, running 3:39.00 compared to his high school best of 3:44.8.

Babcock went to the University of Washington and, combined with incoming freshman and Canadian junior national cross-country champion Kendra Schaaf, led the Huskies to their first ever NCAA Division 1 Cross-Country Championship. Babcock finished 5th in 20:02 in team competition at the 2008 NCAA Championship meet and Schaaf finished 9th.

Babcock ran 4:33.82 last year to set the new national high school record for the 1600-meter run and clocked 4:35.41 in the mile, the 2nd best high school time ever (the national record is 4:35.24).

Here are the current United States high school track and field records through 2008 followed by the best performances by high school competitors during 2009:

USA Boys High School Track and Field Records and Best 2009 Performances:

100 Meters: – 10.01 – 10.30 by Randall Carroll of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles (CA).

200 – 20.13 – 20.58 by Dentarius Locke of Chamberlain HS in Tampa (FL).

400 – 44.69 – 45.48 by Tavaris Tate of Starkville (MS) HS.

Other elite prep sprinters include Andre Carter, Kenneth Gilstrap, Prezel Hardy, Blake Heriot, Qunicy McDuffie, Ryan Milus and Clayton Parros.

800 – 1:46.45 – 1:48.66 by Robby Andrews of Manalapan (NJ) HS.

1,500 – 3:38.26 – 3:45.46 by Andrew Springer of Westerly (RI) HS.

1,600 – 3:53.43 – 4:01.06 by Andrew Springer of Westerly (RI) HS.

Mile – 3:53.43 – 4:02.70 by Andrew Springer of Westerly (RI) HS.

3,000 – 7:59.83 – 8:14.11 by Trevor Dunbar of Kodiak (AK) HS.

3,200 – 8:36.30 – 8:50.70 by Lucas Verzbickas of Lincoln-Way Central HS in New Lenox (IL).

2 Mile – 8:34.40 – 8:49.79 by Trevor Dunbar of Kodiak (AK) HS.

Other elite prep distance runners include Mac Fleet, Elijah Greer, Patrick McGregor, Zachary Mellon, Chris Stogsdill and Zachary Wills.

2,000 Steeplechase – 5:43.90 – 5:53.13 by Alex Dier of Honeoye Falls (NY) HS.

3,000 Steeplechase – 8:50.01 – 9:09.97 by Joe Whelen of Hamburg (NY) HS.

5,000 – 13:37.91 – 14:18.42 by Lucas Verzbickas of Lincoln-Way Central HS in New Lenox (IL).

10,000 – 28:32.7 – 31:18.13 by Parker Stinson of Cedar Park (TX) HS. 110 Hurdles – 13.30 – 13.31 by Wayne Davis of Southeast HS in Raleigh (NC).

300 Hurdles – 35.28 – 35.02 by Reggie Wyatt of La Sierra HS in Riverside (CA). New USA High School Record.

400 Hurdles – 49.38 – 49.78 by Reggie Wyatt of La Sierra HS in Riverside (CA).

Other elite prep hurdlers include Kelby Dias, Kendall Hayes, Camern LaCour, Dale Morgan, Cody Riggs, Jordan Rispress, Tyler Stephenson and Neamen Wise.

4×100 Relay – 39.76 – 40.54 by Monsignor Pace HS in Miami (FL).

4×200 Relay – 1:23.31 – 1:24.80 by Track East Carolina of New Bern (NC) HS.

4×400 Relay – 3:07.40 – 3:08.05 by Track East Carolina of New Bern (NC) HS. 4×800 Relay – 7:32.89 – 7:30.67 by Albemarle HS of Charlottesville (VA). New USA High School Record.

4×1 Mile Relay – 17:06.06 – 17:17.21 by The Woodlands (TX) HS.

800 Sprint Medley Relay – 1:28.43 – 1:28.20 by Track East Carolina of New Bern (NC) HS. New USA High School Record. 1,600 Sprint Medley Relay – 3:21.10 – 3:19.58 by Track East Carolina of New Bern (NC) HS. New USA High School Record. 4,000 Distance Medley Relay – 9:49.78 – 9:55.17 by The Woodlands (TX) HS.

High Jump – 7-07 – 7-05.75 by James White of Grandview (MO) HS.

Pole Vault – 18-03 – 18-00.25 by Jack Whitt of Norman North HS in Norman (OK).

Long Jump – 26-09.25 – 26-10 by Marquise Goodwin of Rowlett (TX) HS. New USA High School Record.

Triple Jump – 54-10.25 – 52-06.25 by Bryce Lamb of Chandler (AZ) HS.

Other elite prep jumpers include Chase Cooper, Damar Forbes, Ricardo Jaquite, Erik Kynard, Ricky Robertson and Hammed Suleman.

Shot Put – 81-03.50 – 72-08 by Nick Vena of Morristown (NJ) HS.

Discus – 234-03 – 236-06 by Mason Finley of Buena Vista (CO) HS. New USA High School Record.

Javelin – 241-11 – 239-00 by Sam Crouser of Gresham (OR) HS.

Hammer – 260-00 – 256-09 by Conor McCullough of Chaminade HS in West Hills (CA).

Other elite prep throwers include Hayden Baillio, Devin Bogert, Matt Kosecki, Stephen Saenz, Justin Shirk and Cameron Tabor.

Decathlon – 7,359 – 7,466 by Curtis Beach of Academy HS in Albuquerque (NM). New USA High School Record Using International Implements and Hurdles.

(This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Series.)

Introduction to Commercial Leases – Part 2

In our last article we discussed: lease objectives, the common types of leases, what makes a lease enforceable, cash flow, expense stops, common area maintenance as well as the tax benefits of improvements.

As we move on in this article, we’ll discuss additional lease types and become familiar with lease additional clause, strategies and identify common terms used in commercial leases.

Ground Lease

A ground lease is as lease for land alone, and is typically a long-term net lease. Ground leases are where land ownership is retained by the owner of the land and improvements are owned by the tenant.

These leases can typically be found in areas with a shortage in highly desirable land, and may be traditional in other areas. Following the end of the lease term of a ground lease, title to the land and improvements reverts to the lessor/property owner.

Step Leases

Step Leases allow contracted rents on long-term leases to change by preset amounts or percentages which will occur on predetermined dates. These preset amounts or percentages are called escalations.

While the lease payments vary over time and the term of the lease, the actual payments are calculated and disclosed prior to the signing of the lease agreement.

The most common types of costs involving escalations may relate to real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, operations, and maintenance.

Real estate professionals representing the tenant can provide historical trend information regarding these types of escalation so that increases can be predicted and informed decisions can be made prior to a lease signing

Indexed Leases

Indexed leases are those where the contracted rent is tied to movements of a pre-specified financial index; such as the consumer price index (CPI). Here’s an example: If the current year’s consumer price index increases by 3 percent, then the next years lease payment will increase by 3 percent.

Additional lease clauses

Several other options and clauses are designed to protect the needs and concerns of the owner and tenants and should be negotiated carefully and with diligence.

Lease Renewal Options

Commercial leases often grant a tenant the ability to renew a lease for a pre-specified period of time following the initial lease expiration. However, the rate at which the lease may be renewed is specified in the initial lease contract. A renewal option is often of value as it eliminates the need for a tenant a new location for the business prior to the expiration of the current lease. Even though the tenant is not obligated to renew the lease, hence the term ‘option’, the tenant is not bound by the lease to remain and may decide to find another location for the business if either the business requires it or the tenant so desires.

Expansion and Relocation Options

As businesses grow, it is essential to that growth commercial leases provide a tenant the right to occupy additional space in the commercial structure.

The rental rate and specified period of this space should be negotiated prior to the initial lease signing. Often, the owner will agree to give a tenant the right of first refusal as space becomes available in the building. If additional contiguous space cannot be provided in a reasonable time frame for the tenant, an owner may agree to relocate the tenant within the building or shopping center within a specified time period. These additional lease clauses should be negotiated and worded carefully.

Financial impact of lease clauses

After a decision has been made to lease commercial space a commercial real estate specialist may be enlisted to prepare a financial report which quantifies the potential tenant’s lease costs and which compares and contrasts alternative leases.

As outlined previously, the final lease terms will be dependent on current local market conditions and the negotiation skills of all parties involved.

Before analyzing the financial implications that a lease imposes on a tenant we need to upgrade our vocabulary to include commonly used terms. These terms and definitions may vary from market to market.

Base (contract) rent: This is the specified, pre-defined contract dollar amount for periodic rent (monthly payments). Escalations are based on this amount.

Total effective rent: This is the base rent once it has been adjusted to include concessions, allowances and costs that will become the responsibility of the tenant (such as operating expense pass-through).

Total effective rate: This is simply the total effective rent divided by the square footage.

Average annual effective rent: This is the total effective rent divided by the total years of the lease term.

Average annual effective rate: This is the average annual effective rent divided by the square footage.

Cost analysis

Now that we have defined some common terms we are able to understand how to analyze the financial impact and actual cost of a lease:

From the tenants perspective

In many commercial leases, the base rent does not necessarily equal the effective rent. An in-depth analysis of this will include all costs to the tenant such as concessions, allowances and other additional costs.

Here then is a basic formula for calculating a tenant’s effective rent:

The base (contract) rent + (Additional Costs – Concessions and/or allowances) = The Total effective rent paid which will be paid by the tenant.

From the owner’s perspective

This same analysis is covered from the owner’s perspective and will also include all costs to the owner:

Here then is a basic formula for calculating effective rent from the owner’s perspective:

Base (contract) rent – (Net additional costs – Concessions and/or allowances) = The owner’s Total effective rent as income.

Alternative Strategies

We’ve seen how the negotiation of a commercial lease can not only affect a prospective tenants’ and owner’s cash flow but also how complicated the process may be. When a prospective site located and analyzed correctly, the site may or may not satisfy the financial requirements of a prospective tenant.

With that in mind, let’s look at some alternative strategies for commercial leasing:

Sublease

A sublease is a separate lease in which the tenant may lease all or part of the leasehold interest to another tenant while retaining liability for the property and primary lease to the owner.

There are however risks to subleasing which an owner may not be willing to accept. These risks include:

Re-lease risk: The length of time it will take to find a sublease is unknown. Rental rate risk: It may be necessary to sublease at below-contract rent. Tenant quality risk: It may not be possible to find a high-quality tenant. Lease-term risk: A sub-lessee may want a shorter or longer lease than that of the primary lease. Lease agreement risk: A sub-lessee may want concessions, allowances, and other features that are not provided in the primary lease. Tenant improvement risk: The sub-lessor may have to pay build out costs for the sub-lessee.

Assignment

An assignment of lease is where all of a tenant’s leasehold interests in a property are transferred to a third party. In general this will release the original tenant from any and all responsibility of the remaining terms of the lease at the time of assignment.

Build to Suit

Build-to-suit development as those in which an owner agrees to develop or finish a property built to the specifications of the prospective tenant.

The costs for the improvements may in part be assumed by the prospective tenant and may be in the form of an increased effective rent.

A build-to-suit strategy will most likely involve a prospective tenant with significant financial capacity and strong creditworthiness.

Sale-Leaseback

A sale-leaseback is a strategy in which an owner purchases land, builds a structure on the land for their own use and in turn sells the entire property to an investor, and retains a long-term net lease.

Many companies use this strategy to convert their equity in real estate to working capital where it hopefully can generate a higher return from the operation and cash flow of the business.

Summary

While this article, appropriate title Introduction to Commercial leases does not encompass every aspect of all commercial leasing implications, it hopefully has provided those with a less then working understanding of commercial leases the knowledge and information needed when dealing with a commercial lease entity.

There are many different ways to structure lease transactions, clauses and financial implications in commercial real estate leasing.

An important item to remember is that many lease clauses will be applied to a cost to either the prospective tenant or the owner.

Commercial leases should be reviewed carefully by trained professionals or others fully qualified to negotiate and analyze both the short and long term implications of the lease and the financial responsibilities of all parties concerned.

Careful and diligent lease negotiations and analysis will provide both a prospective tenant as well as an owner the ability to profit and be successful in their individual endeavors.

© Copyright 2008 Jennifer MacKay. All Rights Reserved.

Songs of Summer- Part Two

As we continue our look at songs with the word ‘summer’ or ‘summer time’ in the title, let’s explore some timeless classics.

In 1958, nineteen year-old Eddie Cochran recorded a song that he and his manager Jerry Capehart penned about the trials and tribulations of teenage life in America. Initially recorded as a B side, the cut “Summertime Blues” peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958.

Capehart explained the inspiration for this song in Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 500 songs issue: “There had been a lot of songs about summer, but none about the hardships of summer.” So with that idea and a seminal guitar lick from Cochran, the two were able to write the song in 45 minutes. This was supposed to be the B-side of the ballad “Love Again,” a song that was written by 17-year-old Sharon Sheeley, who eventually became Cochran’s girlfriend. She was also in the car crash that led to his untimely death in April of 1960.

The handclapping was performed by Sharon Sheeley, who apparently had trouble getting the rhythm, so Cochran helped her out by showing her how to clap. The deep vocals at the end of each verse were done by Cochran. Part of the lyrics addressed the controversy surrounding the voting age, which at the time was 21, and the song became very popular among his teenage fans who could relate to the lyrics about being held back by society (and parents).

Sadly, while on tour in the UK, 21-year-old Cochran died in a traffic accident in a taxi which crashed into a lamp post. Songwriter Sharon Sheeley (she and Cochran were reported as being “unofficially engaged”) and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash, Vincent sustaining such severe injuries that would shorten his career and affect him for the rest of his life. Following the accident Sheeley returned to the United States, where she collaborated with musician/songwriter, Jackie DeShannon on a string of hits. She died on May 17, 2002 at the age of 62.

The song helped define Cochran’s career, but there is much more to the story. His influence on music is very profound and sometimes understated. Eddie was largely credited for introducing rock ‘n’ roll to the Beatles. In fact, George Harrison and John Lennon were both motivated and moved after attending Eddie’s concerts in England before the Beatles formed. Cochran was a prolific performer and unfortunately more of his music has been released posthumously than had been released during his life. His pioneering contribution to the genre of rockabilly has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Countless other musicians loved the cut and the song has been covered by an array of superstar musicians, including Buddy Holly, who tore through the song on his tour of England in 1958. Some say that early rock and roll in the UK was influenced more by Holly and Cochran than the music of Elvis Presley, who never set foot on UK ground.

Let’s look at others who have covered this groundbreaking single. In 1968, the band Blue Cheer covered the song for their LP Vincebus Eruptum. Their version omits all of the response lyrics heard in Cochran’s version in favor of instrumental responses by each member of the band and the cut peaked at #14 on the Billboard Top 40 and spent an impressive 13 weeks on the charts. A follow-up single barely topped the Top 100, making Blue Cheer’s version their only true American hit single. However, their version was featured as one of the first heavy metal recordings in the 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey.

”Summertime Blues” was also recorded by the Who, although their version was done in a more aggressive (and louder) style than the original. They peaked at #27 on the Billboard charts in 1970 and the cut was a staple in concerts from 1967-1976, however they have not played the song since the death of John Entwistle. Their version of the song featured John Entwistle singing the vocal parts of the boss, the father, and the congressman in his trademark baritone growl, in addition to playing the bass guitar and doubling Roger Daltrey’s lead vocal on the verses in his normal register.

Others who have covered this iconic song include Country star Alan Jackson, who recorded it on his 1994 album “Who I Am.” Alan Jackson’s version reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. When Canadian-rockers Rush perform the song in concert, the crowd sings the lines “No dice son, you gotta work late,” “You can’t use the car ’cause you didn’t work a lick,” and “I’d like to help you son, but you’re too young to vote.” Other acts who have recorded a cover version include the Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Bobby Fuller, Clash, George Thorogood, Guess Who, Ventures, Black Keys, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Van Halen, Humble Pie, T. Rex, White Stripes; why even soft-pop songstress Olivia Newton-John, just to name a few. Jimi Hendrix used to perform “Summertime Blues” early in his career as well.

In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at #77 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks and the song is ranked #73 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s also in the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not bad for a B side.

Part of the British invasion, Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde (as the folk-singing duo Chad and Jeremy), hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964 with the cut “A Summer Song.” The melody bears some resemblance to Buddy Holly’s “Words of Love,” which was covered by The Beatles the same year. Chad and Jeremy had seven U.S. Top 40 hits during 1964-66.

Some may remember the duo from their many TV appearances in the mid 1960s. Chad and Jeremy appeared as themselves in the episodes of the television series Batman, played a fictional duo called ‘The Redcoats’ on an episode of the TV sitcom Dick Van Dyke Show that satirized Beatlemania and they also had a guest appearance on the Patty Duke Show.

Additionally, Stuart (Chad) voiced Flaps the vulture in Disney’s 1967 film The Jungle Book. Clyde (Jeremy) appeared as a bachelor contestant on the The Dating Game, where he won. In 2003, PBS reunited Chad and Jeremy with a 1960s Pop Reunion Special which also prompted a tour. They also performed at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January 2009 and are still actively touring.

In 1984 Don Henley reached # 5 on the Billboard charts with the summer cut “The Boys of Summer.” It was the lead track and first single from Henley’s album “Building the Perfect Beast.” The song was written by Henley and Mike Campbell (guitarist and record producer, best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). In fact, Campbell offered it to Petty, but he turned it down and the song went to Henley, who wrote the lyrics (Campbell also played guitar and produced the cut). The title comes from a baseball book by Roger Kahn called “Boys Of Summer,” which is about The Brooklyn Dodgers, who broke the hearts of their fans when they moved to Los Angeles.

According to Campbell: “I used to have a 4-track machine in my house and I had just gotten a drum machine – it’s when the Roger Linn drum machine first came out. I was playing around with that and came up with a rhythm. I made the demo on my little 4-track and I showed it to Tom, but at the time, the record we were working on, Southern Accents, it didn’t really sound like anything that would fit into the album. The producer we were working with at the time, Jimmy Iovine, called me up one day and said he had spoken with Don, who I’d never met, and said that he was looking for songs. He gave me his number and I called him up and played it for him and he called me the next day and said he put it on in his car and had written these words and wanted to record it. That’s kind of how it started.”

The opening lyrics (“Nobody on the roads, nobody on the beach”) may be in reference to the California coast as summer turns into fall. It becomes a much quieter place when the weather gets cold. Lyrically, the song appears to be about the passing of youth and entering middle age, with the obvious theme of ‘summer love’ apparent in the choruses, and of reminiscence of a past relationship. In a 1987 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Henley explained that the song “is more about aging and questioning the past,” a recurring theme in Henley’s lyrics.

The song’s most famous lyric: “Out on the road today I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac” is rumored to be inspired by Henley- who saw Joe Walsh driving a Cadillac Hearse with a Grateful Dead sticker on it while on Sunset Boulevard. Henley was well-known to be a rabid fan of the psychedelic icons, and was often seen backstage hanging out with Jerry Garcia and other band members.

The music video for the song was a French New Wave-influenced piece directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino and shot in black-and-white. It depicts the main character of the song at three different stages of life (as a young boy, a young adult and middle-aged), in each case reminiscing about the past relationship. This is shown during the line “A little voice inside my head said don’t look back, you can never look back” at which point, each of the three people look back in turn.

The song was also a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching #12 on the UK Singles Chart. A re-release of the single in 1998 also reached #12. Hardcore college radio darlings Codeseven did a cover of the song and in 2003, the rock band The Ataris covered “The Boys of Summer” for their album “So Long, Astoria.” DJ Sammy (with vocals performed by Loona) covered the song in 2002. Henley won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song. “The Boys of Summer” was ranked #416 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Introduction to Commercial Leases -part 1

This is a multi part article which will focus on Commercial leases.

Negotiating commercial leases often times is not for the faint of heart. It is with this in mind, that we will attempt to shed light on the various aspects of commercial leasing. In this article we will examine topics including: terms, clauses, negotiating and requirements for these types of leases.

There are many aspects of a commercial lease that to the layman or inexperienced, often are confusing, and when read aloud sounds like “garble-garble-warble-goo-be-goo?”

Understanding the terms used in commercial leases and the position of those holding the lease will help when negotiating the lease. If you are not an experienced commercial real estate negotiator, it is suggested that you contact a professional commercial real estate agent and/or legal advisor prior to entering into any commercial real estate lease.

Let’s start with a few basic concepts…

There are always two sides involved in a lease: The tenant and the owner. While the owner may be represented by a Management Company or law firm who draw up the lease, often tenants are self represented.

Each side in a lease has objectives for obtaining leased space:

A tenant’s objectives may include:

Obtaining a lease with a reasonable rent payment Maximizing their exposure to the consumers Calculable and expected operating costs Ability to Expand for future needs and growth

An owner on the other hand has significantly different objectives which may include:

Obtaining and keeping high quality tenants Maximizing the return on their investment Protecting their investment property through risk shifting And the ability to regain possession of the property should the tenant default

While both sides of a lease have differing objectives, there are some commonalities as well. Items such as:

Establishing a clearly worded, binding contract Protection of the financial investment both sides will/have incurred And the ability for both sides to be profitable

Types of leases

There are many types of leases that are employed in leasing commercial property. Let’s examine a few common lease types such as:

· Gross lease – This type of lease is where the owner will pay all the expenses associated with the operation and maintenance of the property. The tenant pays the owner a gross or fixed amount for rent. From this rent, the owner will pay the operating expenses (property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, janitorial and security costs) for the property.

· Net Lease – In this lease type, the tenant pays all or some of the operating expenses as expressed in the Gross lease. This type of lease provides the owner with the ability to pass on as much responsibility for operating expenses to tenants as possible. This type of lease varies based on location and the local market as well as the bargaining or negotiation ability of the two parties (owner and tenant).

Absolute net lease – This lease type requires the tenant pay all operating expenses related to the operation and maintenance of the property. Percentage lease – A lease of property in which the rental amount is based on a percentage of the volume of sales made by the lessee (the tenant). Usually this type of lease will stipulate a minimum or base rental plus a commission on the volume of sales and is regularly used for retailers

Considering the complexity of the various types of leases, you might conclude that entering into a commercial lease unprepared is comparable to stepping off a cliff. And you’d be correct!

Prior to entering into a contractual agreement to lease a commercial property, it is of paramount importance to your business success that you understand the terms, type and financial implications of the lease.

What makes a lease valid and enforceable?

Valid leases are similar to valid contracts. Aside from variations in length, complexity and financial considerations, enforceable leases typically contain the following:

· Identification of the owners and tenant: Each party to the lease should sign the document. It is also recommended that each page of the document contain the initials and date of each party.

· A Description of the property to be leased: Descriptions of the property will include the street address (including the unit or store number if applicable), any recorded plats as applicable, the government rectangular survey system as well as the metes and bounds in a rural area. Any property improvements should also be included in the description of the property for lease.

· Financial consideration: This requirement is often met by the tenant’s promise to pay rent and the owner’s inability to occupy the property during the lease term. Often times, the first step in leasing a commercial property is by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) and is some times accompanied by financial statements outlying the intended tenants ability to pay or liquidity (access to cash or funds).

· The legality of the objective: When leasing a commercial property, the objective or proposed use of the property or lease must not violate any federal, state, or local laws.

· Offer and acceptance: Basically, these statements identify that the owners agree to lease the property for a specific period of time and that the tenant agrees to pay am agreed upon amount of rent periodically to occupy the property as identified in the lease.

· The written lease: In most states, leases for longer than one year must be in writing. It is highly advised that all leases be in a clearly worded, easily identifiable document.

The lease and your Cash Flow

Some lease clauses have the ability to affect the lessees’ cash flow. These clauses contain alternatives for the owner to pass some operating expenses on to the tenant. Some clauses may limit the payment of operating costs (called Expense stops), while others provide the ability for the owner to continually pass on some of the current or increasing operating costs of the property (Expense pass through) to the tenant.

Before we examine these items, let’s understand the simple calculation of the rent. Typically, commercial rents are expressed in price per square foot (ppsf) and are calculated annually. Those new to commercial leasing are often surprised by the initial price of this type of property. What they fail to realize is that the total price is then divided by 12 (the number of months in a year). Example: a 1000 sf space is being leased at $18.00 per square foot or $18,000 per year ($18×1000). The actual amount of rent per month then is $1500.00 ($18,000/12).

As mentioned previously, operating expenses such as real estate taxes, maintenance, repairs, trash removal, salaries of the landlord’s employees, and costs of building improvements frequently are paid by the owner and often passed-through to the tenants. This is typically true in multi-tenant office buildings and shopping centers. In retail properties, a tenant’s share of these pass-through expenses is based on the gross leasable area (GLA) of the tenant’s store.

Expense Stops

Expense stops allow the owner to pay a portion of the operating expenses up to a specified amount, usually based on a price per square foot (psf). Excesses of the expense stop are then passed through to the tenant based on the amount of rentable building space the tenant is occupying.

Here’s an example: A lease for an office may contain a clause that states the tenant will pay $18 per square foot per year in rent and that the owner will pay all operating expenses associated with the property – as long as the expenses do not exceed $4 per square foot of the rentable area.

If the building has 50,000 square feet of rentable area, with this clause the owner is required to pay the first $200,000 in annual operating expenses ($4 per square foot X 50,000 square feet). If there are any additional expenses required to operate the building that exceed $200,000, the tenant will be charged the overage based on the percentage of the building’s rentable area or the square footage that the tenant occupies.

This then limits – or stops – the owner’s operating expenses at $200,000. To further illustrate this: if the operating costs of this property are $220,000 annually, using the example above you could expect the rent to be an extra $.40 per sq ft ($20,000/50,000). The adjusted monthly rent then becomes $1533.33 ($.40×1000 sf / 12) since the owner is paying the initial $200,000.

Expense stops typically benefit owners by limiting their risk exposure to operating expenses being greater then expected. These stops also allow owners to forecast operating costs based on predictable expenses. Often, owners will in turn offer tenants something of value in exchange for the expense stop clause such as a lower contracted rental rate if other leases in the local market do not contain expense stops.

Common Area Maintenance

The common area maintenance (CAM) charge is a common expense pass-through in shopping center leases and other multi-tenant situations. These are the costs associated with maintaining all common areas of a property, such as: hallways, lobbies, grounds and parking lots. These costs usually are calculated and based on the percentage of rentable space that the tenant is occupying. CAM clauses benefit owners by passing through increases in costs of these expenses to the tenants.

Tenants also benefit, from CAM costs in that monies collected for CAM expenses are not driven by other property expenses, a standard of upkeep and general maintenance will ensure the property remains in satisfactory condition and alleviates the tenants from paying for the maintenance of the common areas.

Tenant Improvements or build out costs

Owners will often incur expenses when leases expire and vacant office and retail space must be made ready for new occupancy. These additional expenses are known as build out costs. As an example, the re-leasing of commercial space may require substantial changes be made to the interior, such as removing or adding walls, raising ceilings, and altering electrical capacity. Many commercial property leases provide a tenant with an improvement allowance. Some leases may require plans for the alterations been submitted by a general contractor with any and all work to be performed by a contractor employed by the owner. This lease term/clause obligates the owner to incur a pre-specified dollar amount in expenses to improve the space to the new tenant’s specifications.

Tenant Improvements may provide tax benefits

The responsibility for payment of these improvements may provide tax benefits to the owner or the tenant. If the owner pays for improvements, these costs may be expensed over a number years. When the tenant vacates and the improvements are removed, the owner may write off the remaining amount at that time.

Likewise, if a tenant pays for improvements, and the alterations maintain the value of the property, the tenant may write off the costs in the year the improvements are done. If the improvements increase the value of the property, the tenant may write off the cost over a given number of years or when the tenant vacates the property. Always confirm any tax incentives and benefits with a qualified tax professional before incurring extra costs.

Summary

As you can see, leasing commercial space can be very complicated. To potential new commercial lessees’ understanding these complexities is imperative for a successful business to prosper.

Obtaining professional guidance in both negotiations and the legalities of a lease may save a commercial tenant not only short and long term monies that may be re-invested into the business, but also provide them with protection by obtaining an enforceable lease.

© Copyright 2008 Jennifer MacKay. All Rights Reserved.

Atkins & Low-Carb – Part 2

In our last article we talked about the low-carb diet, and whether or not we can stick with it for life. In this installment we’re still going to talk about carb control, but from a slightly different perspective. Let’s take a look at who is endorsing which diet plan, and what is their motivation?

Without a doubt, the most popular low-carb plan is the Atkins diet. Atkins is the fuel in the rocket, so to speak, that has put the low-carb phenomenon into orbit. Prior to Atkins, few (if any) of us had considered low-carbing as a weight loss plan. Of course, carb control as a concept existed long before Atkins; we called it the glycemic index!

Since the birth of the Atkins plan, many have followed. The South Beach Diet is probably the most successful derivative of Atkins. South Beach teaches a more balanced approach to carb-control eating, pointing out the difference between “good” carbs and “bad” carbs. Yes, there is a difference! South Beach doesn’t advocate eliminating ALL carbohydrates from your diet, just some.

Along with these two low-carb heavy-hitters, there are hundreds (even thousands?) of companies out there making a living off the low-carb mania. There’s even a new magazine dedicated to low-carb living. Should we believe what they say? Why or why not?

What do all of these people and/or organizations have in common? Well, most of them are trying to sell us something. Atkins, of course, has books and a growing line of food products. The South Beach folks are following that retail receipe for success as quickly as they can. Just because they’re making money off the low-carb diet, does that automatically discredit what they’re saying? Of course not! But, it should be enough to make us dig a little deeper, to seek out more facts.

How about the federal government…..one of the reasons we have a government is to protect us from fraudulent claims and give us the truth. Right? Well, hold on a minute: for decades the government has told us that a high-carbohydrate diet is the sure road to weight management (remember the food pyramid?). Now, all of a sudden, we’re not so sure about that.

So in whom do we place our trust? On the one hand, most of us DO trust the FDA to give us the straight-scoop about health and nutrition, so we should have 6-11 servings of carbohydrates per day. On the other hand, most of us know someone who has lost 25-50 pounds on a low-carb diet. Who’s right? Who do we trust?

We join other fitness experts in encouraging you to trust the most unbiased source available: your doctor. Not only will your doctor have the most knowledge to answer your questions, but perhaps more importantly your doctor has no vested interest in pushing any particular diet plan.

Think about it. If you’re planning to buy a new car, who’s word are you going to trust more: the car salesman or the automotive expert at Consumer Reports? The car salesman has a vested interest in what you hear, while the Consumer Reports expert (probably) doesn’t care what kind of car you buy!

Many of us seek out fair, impartial resources when we’re making a major purchase (car, boat, house, etc.). Shouldn’t we do the same when we’re investing in our own body?

Please understand that we’re not saying you should ignore everything from low-carb promoters. We’re not saying that at all. Companies and corporations play an important role in educating the public. What we are saying, however, is that it’s critical to consult with your physician before starting on the low-carb diet…..or on any diet for that matter. As we discussed in the last article in this series, low-carb plans are not right for everyone. Your doctor is in the best position to tell if it’s right for you.

Once again, we must include a reminder to exercise! No matter what nutritional approach you take, all of the experts recommend that you exercise on a regular basis. Think about it: there are hundreds of diet plans out there in the world today, and many of them offer conflicting information, but the one thing they all have in common is that they all encourage you to exercise. So although the experts may disagree on what you should eat, they do agree on what you should do: exercise!

Dwvc’s Top 5 Holiday Vacation Spots for the Christmas Season – Part I

To know more of DWVC, a revolutionary new idea launched in 2000 as Dream Works Vacation Club, later becoming Designer Way Vacation Club when it was discovered that a very large film making company existed in the USA with a similar name; Designer Way Vacation Club is an exclusive holiday and consumer discount members club that has been growing rapidly throughout the early part of the new millennium. In that time it has established a very enviable reputation for both outstanding performance and trustworthiness.

Everybody’s busy nowadays since the Christmas Season is fast approaching and many are now planning where to spend a well deserved holiday vacation with their families and loved ones.

To help you out, some of our DWVC members have contributed their most exciting Christmas vacation experiences and here are the TOP 10 vacation spots that they have recommended that our clients can choose from:

I. BAHAMAS – By Keith Martin

As a member of Designer Way Vacation Club (DWVC), you can have an unforgettable Christmas by booking a week’s holiday starting Monday 24th of December in Nassau either online at dwvc or by phoning your account manager at Timelinx’s reservation office. Even in December you can expect temperatures from 26°C during the day to 18°C at night and under 2” of rain throughout the whole month.

For absolute luxury the Hilton British Colonial Hotel is hard to beat. DWVC can offer a week’s bed and breakfast for two adults and two children in a Colonial room for £847. Booking through an online agent South Travel, you would be paying £1,571 for the same room and dates but excludes breakfast. DWVC is £724 or more than 45% cheaper.

The hotel may look familiar to any James Bond fans reading this, as it appeared in both “Thunderball” and “Never say never again”.

It is ideally located on a beautiful private beach and is situated within 5 minutes walk of Nassau’s shopping and financial centre.

The hotel offers an array of recreational facilities, including a private beach, freshwater swimming pool overlooking the ocean, full fitness centre, lush tropical gardens, non-motorized water sports, snorkelling and scuba facilities and shops. Golf is also available nearby.

The hotel also offers various bars which include, the Blue Note Club which offers a unique flavour of Jazz and other contemporary music, The Palm Court Lounge is the perfect spot within the hotel to enjoy our their famous “Time 4 Tea” in a relaxed atmosphere, Portofino is a casual restaurant located on the first floor, serves Italian favourites with a Caribbean flare, The Patio Grill And Pool Bar, whether you’re sampling one of the many tropical mixtures, or diving into a tantalizing sandwich, there couldn’t be a better place to be.

The rooms are decorated in tasteful Caribbean style furnishings and feature an en-suite bathroom, mini bar, oversized desk and safe.

Due to its close proximity to Florida, if you have a young family, you could combine your visit to the Bahamas with a trip to Orlando to partake in the Christmas build up at Disney and the likes. After a week or two in Orlando, most people would need a week to unwind. Again you can get net cost accommodation with DWVC and have your account manager at Timelinx book/tie in all your flights and activities.

From Nassau, cross the bridge to Paradise Island where beaches are first- class and the resort selection is excellent — from upscale chic on stately estate grounds, to a yoga retreat, condo facilities (great for family vacations), and large luxury properties (one with a glass tunnel for viewing marine life and a low-key water park). Activity abounds at every turn. Paradise Island has an excellent golf course and its own small airport.

Grand Bahamas, with resort development at both Freeport and Lucaya, has the same features on a smaller scale. Golf, tennis, water sports and duty-free shopping are popular and plentiful. And the island moves at a leisurely pace.

II. KOS ISLAND – Sandra Patterson

Kos sits bang in the middle of the Dodecanese chain of Greek islands that hug the Turkish coast. Kos Island is about 45km long while its width varies from 2km to 11km.

This is a hugely popular resort with the British and it is a Greek island that has gone for mass market tourism is a very big way. Kos has its own airport and ferry connections.

Kos is a popular island with all nationalities, with some beautiful sandy beaches and good tavernas it’s well worth a visit.

The coast of Kos is swept by magnificent sandy beaches and the island has some of the most interesting archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

The combination of sand and sightseeing give Kos a uniquely broad appeal, though most visitors will probably prefer island beaches to Greek history and, for an all in beach holiday, Kos must be considered one of the best of the Greek islands.

There are many empty coastal areas to be enjoyed by those who prefer to get away from the holiday crowds.

Members of DWVC (Designer Way Vacation Club) have access to net cost accommodation at numerous resorts in Kos. One such resort is the Alexandra Hotel, a weeks bed and breakfast for two in Nov would cost just £311 to members. To put that price into perspective it would cost a non member £599.90 booking through an online operator. DWVC is £288.90 or around 48% cheaper!

The hotel is an upgraded A class town hotel with high standards. The interior has recently been enlarged and redecorated in order to offer luxury and comfort to the guests. It has a conference room with 140 person capacity, pool, three modern lifts, comfortable and luxurious bar and a reception.

The Hotel Alexandra has 62 guest rooms. All rooms are equipped with a balcony, air conditioning, mini bar, coffee machine, satellite TV, safety deposit box, music, telephone and internet, WC and a hair dryer.

Breakfast is served in a buffet style. The hotel’s bar is the perfect venue to enjoy a cocktail and unwind or the place to meet for a pre-dinner drink. The hotel features a fully equipped fitness centre with the best gym equipment which is complemented by a separate sauna and Jacuzzi.

III. GOLF DEL SUR – Keith Martin

Ever since it’s 1987 inaugural event, a competition for professionals, the 27 greens and fairways of Golf del Sur have provided the backdrop for various international tournaments.

In 1989 they bore witness to Jose Maria Olazabal´s victory in the Open de Tenerife, a feat he repeated in 1992. The following year they watched as David Gilford won the event, as did Mark James in 1994. In 1995, Golf del Sur hosted the Shell Wonderful World of Golf tournament and its head to head battle between Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.

Golf del Sur has also been the setting for two golf driving distance records, both of which were set by Britain’s Karl Woodward. First he set a new record of 398 yards and then, a few months later, he managed to break the legendary 400-yard barrier with a huge stroke, which sent the ball flying 408 yards.

This Tenerife golf course, designed by Pepe Gancedo, is a thoroughly enjoyable layout in which one’s attention is immediately caught by the black volcanic sand in the bunkers. The wide fairways are lined with such a wide variety of indigenous plants that, with it’s palm trees and giant cactus plants, this 800 square meter course beside the Atlantic Ocean is like a veritable oasis.

Particularly difficult is the 3rd hole of the course. To the right of the wide fairway is a water hazard, behind which lies an impressive ravine with an ochre-coloured rock face, while to the left is a gaping bunker of black sand.

You can dine in the Buffet El Patio which provides a selection of meals, all served buffet style. There is also a snack bar on site, La Corbeta and a number of other bars and restaurants including Legends Bar, The Sundowner Pub and the Caddyshack. You have a choice of three swimming pools, a main pool, a smaller pool (which is heated in winter) and a children’s pool. There is also a large sunbathing deck equipped with free sunbeds for you to relax. For the more energetic there is a tennis court or table tennis.

The apartments are good sized and bright, tastefully furnished and comfortable. They have a kitchenette which comprises of hob, fridge/ freezer, cooking utensils, bathroom with bath and shower. A TV and safety deposit box can be hired at an additional cost, also cots or highchairs can be hired. All apartments have a large private balcony or terrace.

This charming resort is situated on the southern coastline and is not only a golfers paradise but is also ideal for family holidays and couples looking for a relaxing break. You can spend your days relaxing and soaking up the sun on the new pebble beach and when the sun gets too hot you can cool down with a drink from the beach bar.

There is an excellent selection of restaurants and bars here but if you are looking for something a little more lively then Playa De La Americas and Los Cristianos are a short distance away where you will find a vibrant atmosphere with everything you need for your entertainment.

IV. ALGARVE, SOUTHERN PORTUGAL – Keith Martin

The Algarve, in Southern Portugal, with its year-round sunshine, miles of golden sand beaches, and picturesque villages, has become one of Europe’s most popular golfing destinations. But while there are many courses suiting all abilities, the Algarve is also perfect for non golfers, especially the eastern region around Tavira, with its stunning nature walks. At the other end of the scale, resorts such as Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo are mega destinations with all the golfing and sporting options you could want. Then, in Western Algarve, around the bustling holiday destination of Albufeira, you can holiday 24/7, combining championship golf with a hectic nightlife.

Golf holidaymakers should check out the renowned Pinta, one of the best courses in the Algarve, designed to retain natural valleys and undulations.

Vale do Lobo, Portugal’s biggest luxury golf and beach resort, around 20 minutes from the airport at Faro, is one of Europe’s finest. Its two golf courses, the Royal and Ocean, provide stunning views of the coast, and its 5 km-long sandy beach, with dramatic red sandstone cliffs, provides non-golfers with seriously good beach and swimming options. The resort also offers tennis courts, a gymnasium and health and beauty centre, as well as restaurants and shops.

Members of DWVC (Designer Way Vacation Club) can get a weeks accommodation at Barringtons Golf and Health Spa for two from now until 31st of March 2008 for just £105.

Barringtons Golf and Health Spa is centrally located within the Vale do Lobo 1,000 acre estate, Barringtons provides the complete holiday experience. The hotel is only a short walk from the pristine golden beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and some of the best golf courses in Europe.

The hotel offers fabulous year round facilities set amidst pine trees and beautifully landscaped sub tropical gardens. Whether you want a short golfing break or a two-week holiday in the sunshine, Barringtons can tailor make your holiday to suit you, giving you a complete flexibility. When the sun goes you can relax in the Beat Bar. The Eagles Café Bar at the Barringtons Golf Academy is open for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

The accommodation combines both style and comfort. The superb décor and thoughtful design create a peaceful ambience in which guests can truly unwind. The rooms are furnished to the highest standards with its own private terrace. The bathrooms feature large showers and double sinks. Other amenities include a telephone, air conditioning, satellite TV and a private sun terrace. Plus when guests stay in the hotel’s accommodation, guests have club membership which includes use of all the clubs facilities.

Unwind in the lap of luxury in the tranquil spa area featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and solarium. The Barringtons Golf Academy is a great place to fine tune and to improve all aspects of your game. The covered floodlit driving range has target greens and bunkers, which add realism to practice sessions. The highly equipped gym features the latest Matrix cardio-vascular and weights equipment to cater for all training needs. The hotel also offers add-on courses such as pilates, yoga, ballroom dancing and kick boxing.

Members of DWVC also receive a 50% discount at the Royal Vale Do Lobo golf course and a 50% discount on tennis sessions.

V. BINTAN HOTEL, INDONESIA – Allan Bond

To put all this to the test I choose one of the further flung resorts they have available and searched online to try to find like for like accommodation at a lower cost.

The resort I choose was the Bintan Lagoon Resort in Indonesia. It is a four star hotel on the north western shores of Bintan island.

Quality wise the resort is very nice, set in landscaped gardens and close to the beach, it offers golf courses, leisure centre, numerous bars, cafes and restaurants.

The rooms are tastefully decorated and equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar/fridge, safe and phone.

The cost for a weeks bed and breakfast in March for two as a member of DWVC is £441 all in.

Conducting an extensive search online, the lowest cost I could find offering the same accommodation and dates was £574 through either asia-hotels. com or hotelclub. net. DWVC is £133 or around 23% cheaper.

The savings are there as claimed and regardless of where and how often you go on holiday, everyone likes to save money. For more information on the company you can look on their website.

About DWVC (Designer’s Way Vacation Club)

A revolutionary new idea launched in 2000 as Dream Works Vacation Club, later becoming Designer Way Vacation Club when it was discovered that a very large film making company existed in the USA with a similar name; Designer Way Vacation Club is an exclusive holiday and consumer discount members club that has been growing rapidly throughout the early part of the new millennium. In that time it has established a very enviable reputation for both outstanding performance and trustworthiness.

Most Popular Promotional Clothing in the Market Part 2

Before you read this, don’t forget to read the Part 1 of the most popular promotional clothing in the market. You can do a search from this site and find “Most Popular Promotional Clothing in the Market Part 1″

On the previous article, we talked about the following Promotional Apparel categories: Promotional Youth Apparel, Promotional Baby Apparel, Promotional Dress Shirts, Promotional Polo Shirts (Long Sleeve) and Promotional Polo Shirts (Short Sleeve). The first article was more of introducing the importance of using promotional apparel to promote your business.

Let’s continue.

Promotional Sweaters and Sweater Vests.

These promotional apparel is very useful especially if you are promoting a product in the colder areas. People who will receive promotional sweaters will surely wear them right away. The most popular are: Sweater by Port Authority Signature Fine Guage V Neck and Sweatshirt by Hanes.

Promotional Sweatshirts.

These are almost the same as sweaters and it too, works perfectly for events in colder areas. The most popular sweatshirts are Men’s Signature Flatback Rib Pullover and Sweatshirt Gildan Hooded Sweatshirt Cotton Polyester.

Promotional Long Sleeve T-shirts

Much thinner and lighter than sweaters, long sleeve t shirts are also good promotional items for trade shows. The most popular products are Gildan Ultra Cotton Long Sleeve and Champion Long Sleeve Cotton Jersey.

Promotional Short sleeve T-shirts

This is the most popular promotional apparel in the market. This is the most widely used and most bought than all the rest. The most popular short sleeve t shirts are plain white t shirts by Fruit of the Loom and colored t-shirts by Gildan Ultra. Another popular t-shirt are pet apparel like the Dog Tee Baby Rib.

Promotional Tank Tops

This is very popular on beaches and most bought by customers aiming to market potential customers in the beach and sunny places where most people are usually wearing light clothes. The most popular tank tops are: Great Republic Talk Top and District Threads Ladies 2×1 Tank.

Promotional Uniforms for Work and Teams.

These promotional products are very popular for new teams like cooking school, construction and sports like basketball, volleyball, baseball etc. The most popular promotional uniforms are Full Length Adjustable Apron and Baseball Jersey by Champion.

I Want To Move From L. A.,ca To Austin, Tx. I’d Like To Buy A Home For About 250,000. What Part Is Best?

I’m 32 and would be moving with my boyfriend and pet poodle. I’m a middle school teacher (English) and my boyfriend is a graphic designer.
I love indie/hipster music scene and try to live “green”
With horrible housing prices in L.A. I want a change from my 300,000 condo…I live next to, how do I put it “low class” people (blasting oompa pa music all hours, many people living in one apartment, throwing baby diapers in the street, the corn man coming around, serving disgusting mayonnaise and chili corn while honking a clown horn, young drug dealers…This is Long Beach, ca. I call the cops that my neighbors are drinking in the street at 12a.m. and I literally watch the cops drive by and not get out of their car! I am tired of living near these creeps that seem to be the growing majority here!
I feel like it isn’t fair that I’ve got a Master’s degree and can only afford to buy near these jerks.
I want to live in an area that is clean and safe and maybe raise a family.

Experiences From the Flow (21) – Farang: It’s Songkran: Hide Your Wallet! Part 1

By Carl “J.C.” Pantejo, Copyright April 2008

(Author “My Friend Yu – The Prosperity Mentor,” Copyright August 2007. Pantejo – Y.N. Vurce Publishing.)

“Prosperity: The eternal flow of all that’s good in life…”

*Below is the twentieth episode based on a series of real life events experienced by the author. The only deviations from the truth may be the names of people and places. These stories are also incorporated in “My Friend Yu – the Prosperity Mentor: Book II,” Pantejo – Y.N. Vurce Publishing. Release Date: 2008.

This is my second Songkran in Thailand. And the same thing is happening. Ex-girlfriends, women who have contacted me once or twice in the whole previous year, call me up with stories of crisis and emergencies.

It started during Songkran 2007…

Three weeks before Songkran 2007, I broke up with my first “real” girlfriend in Thailand.

- Noot -

She told me her name was Noot when we met. Months after we broke up, I learned that wasn’t her real name. We had been living together for about six months in an upper class condominium complex in Rangsit.

It was clean, had two aircon units, two balconies, a living room, a bedroom, a mini-mart and restaurant in the lobby, cable TV, internet café, manicured grounds, a good security staff, washers/dryers, adequate parking, and friendly management.

And, of course, it was expensive.

While we lived together, I taught English at the nearby, prestigious government High School Monday through Friday. Monday through Thursday nights, I taught adult English classes at Future Park (in one of the many Language schools located throughout the mall). On Saturdays, I taught another adult English class at a local International school. The pay was too good to turn down.

Why was I working so much?

Three reasons.

First, I didn’t want to spend any of my military pension while I was actually “living” in Thailand. For vacation? Yes. While living here? No. I wanted to see if a foreigner could, indeed, live comfortably in Thailand with only the money earned in Thailand.

Second, I love teaching and the novelty of teaching English in Thailand had not worn off yet. Granted, the High School students were pretty lame and unmotivated, but the adult students were great to teach.

Lastly, as this was my first girlfriend in Thailand, I was totally unaware of how much support (and gifts) I was responsible for. Consequently, I gave her outrageous amounts of money and some very expensive gifts.

- The Beginning of the End -

At about the four month mark in our relationship, I was beginning to wonder if it was doomed. I was just beginning to learn Thai and she did not speak English (even at the rudimentary level).

The lack of communication was strike number one.

During the next two months, I noticed other things happening. She played the head games that I’ve come to realize are the norm for so many young girls in the LOS.

She was a spendthrift, totally reckless with the money I gave her. She spent enormous amounts of money on all things trendy and feminine. She never saved any money. I guess she thought I was a limitless ATM machine.

Her lack of money skills was strike number two.

She was also a slob. Oftentimes, after coming home from my THIRD job, I would end up cleaning the condo, washing the dishes, or doing laundry.

She spent endless hours on the phone while the TV was on, both aircon units blasting at max levels, and playing on her PSP.

Why did I ask her to move in? Well, she was beautiful, caring, and sexy. I suffered from the common Thailand Rookie Syndrome: I let myself get blinded by beauty and sex.

Of course, her nymphomania was cured soon after moving in. The sex became less and less as the months went by.

(Granted, when it [sex] did happen, it was great, but I had this nagging feeling that it just wasn’t worth the rest of the bull$hi+.)

- Strike number three, she’s out! -

As I grew more and more fatigued from overwork and irritated by her antics, she became more and more demanding. The dreaded Family Emergency and guilt trip stories became more frequent.

The last straw came when she and her female friend (from two floors up) were watching TV in the living room and it was approaching 1:00AM. Their chatter and the TV’s loud volume were keeping me awake in the bed room.

Why is silence so deafening to Thai people?

I politely asked her friend to leave and explained that I was working early and needed some sleep. The truth was that I also wanted some sanook, sanook.

After the visitor left, I turned off the TV. My girlfriend looked shocked, as if I had just shot her mother! She began pouting.

Looking at the blank TV screen for a minute, she let out a loud exhale. Then, while doing a pretty good “about face” (for a civilian), she gave me a fake salute and went into the shower.

In spite of the sarcastic gesture about my military background, I thought, “Great, she’s getting ready for me.”

I waited for her to finish showering and wondered if I was, indeed, being too militaristic and controlling in our relationship. Even after five years of retirement from the U.S. Military, I still had vestiges of the lifestyle manifest now and then (usually when I was angry or stressed out).

But after assessing our live-in history, I brushed any thoughts of being a tyrant aside. I gave her much, much more freedom than most partners (Farang or Thai). I didn’t pry into anything I considered none of my business – although, in hindsight, I should have!

I provided her with an “allowance” that was larger than all her friends in the same situation. In fact, her monthly expenses were more than the monthly expenses of two average-sized, middle class Thai families put together!

I was always respectful, responsible, and affectionate.

All I asked from her was companionship when I was home, friendship (i.e., to have fun together – anywhere: at home, at restaurants, malls, cinemas, etc.), partnership in daily living (meaning: to share in the housework and daily errands), a little financial responsibility (e.g., no squandering of money), and a healthy, regular sex life.

What did she do while I was working so much? I don’t know. All I know is that the longer we stayed together, the more I felt that she was not willing to do (or possibly, not capable of performing) the most routine tasks. It was disappointing and frustrating.

I heard the shower stop.

Anticipating a nice romp in the sack, my mood changed instantly. She was always one of the best women in bed that I’ve ever met.

The combination of her young, curvaceous body; smooth, fair skin; shiny, jet black hair that cascaded down her back; exotic face; and angelic smile, was hard to beat.

I had never seen a woman with such a full, firm bust and butt, on an otherwise fat-free body, before. Her waist-to-hip ratio blew my mind. I have always described her bust as “unbelievably Hide-n-Seekable” and her waist as “tiny, just three palms wide” to my Farang friends.

As the bathroom door opened, I saw her step out with a towel wrapped around her waist. Her upper body was fully exposed and still glistening from the shower water. The cool air from the air conditioner had the desired effect (pencil erasers standing at rigid attention – Woo-Hoo! Thank you God.). The light behind her produced a full-body halo that made her look like an angel sent from above – just for me! Jeez! She was so beautiful!

I leapt off the bed, grabbed a bath towel and hung it on myself (guys, you know what I mean). Doing a “drive-by” sniff kiss on her neck, I skipped into the bathroom like a little kid.

True to convention, it was now my turn to bathe. I had already showered. But, for the girlfriend’s peace of mind and comfort level, I quickly showered again.

But when I came back to bed, she didn’t acknowledge my presence, rolled further away, and pretended to fall asleep.

I was having none of this! I pulled her to me and said I wanted some. She acquiesced, but instead of the usual raucous, loud, playful, and raunchy sex – the unbridled sex that made me feel decades younger when we met, she did the starfish routine on me. Uncharacteristically, she lay there motionless – like a beached starfish. I was so pissed-off that I didn’t even finish!

Thinking things over, maybe I was asking too much from her, especially after throwing her friend out of the condo?

Oh well, I decided to forget it and try to go to sleep. I moved to kiss her goodnight, but she copped an attitude and turned away.

Mai bpen arai (whatever, no problem), I whispered – to her and to myself.

But I could not go to sleep. The totally lopsidedness of the relationship was making me feel like a fool. I couldn’t see any way to turn this lose/win relationship into a win/win.

- Tossing and Turning -

I thought about all the things that I had been trying to forget. I thought about her extended trips home (supposedly to Cambodia). I thought about all the money I was throwing away on her. I thought about her late night calls to her “brother.” I thought about our continual state of miscommunication. I thought about her sloppiness. I thought about her attitudinal changes about me and about sex. I thought about being tired all the time from my multiple jobs. I thought about how she threw away money on stupid things and on her friends. Then I thought about how little I asked of her.

How dare she cop an attitude on me!

At 4:00AM, after tossing and turning for almost three hours, I sprung out of bed, grabbed a large, black (clean) trash bag, and began to throw her clothes in it.

Apparently, the girlfriend was not asleep either. Without a word, she got up, took the trash bag from me, and continued packing her clothes. I went to the balcony and watched her pack her belongings while I smoked outside.

She called and woke up her friend. Ten minutes later, both of them were packing up the soon-to-be ex’s remaining knick knacks, toiletries, and stuffed animals. She packed up the PSP and her Nokia N72 cell phone (gifts I bought her for her birthday). Then she picked up the Sony camcorder I bought for the both of us for Christmas, put it down, and looked at me. I nodded a “yes” and she quickly packed the camcorder into her brand name, oversized shoulder bag too.

Then, without a fuss, they left. Amazing.

It was about 5:15AM – too late/early to go to sleep. I had to get up at 6:00AM anyway. So, I just made a cup of coffee, smoked, and thought about what had just happened.

I knew it would be rough. I was so used to her being around. I knew I would miss her, but I couldn’t live like this. I’d had enough. It was for the best. And with that thought, I actually felt relieved.

The next day, she and her friend came down to my room. She motioned that she left her toothbrush in the bathroom and immediately stepped in and went to go get it. I watched her. She went into the bathroom for maybe three seconds. For the next ten minutes she poked around the rest of the condo, supposedly looking for her toothbrush.

I knew what she was doing. She was looking for another woman (or evidence of another woman). She couldn’t believe that a man would break-up with her just to be alone. In her mind, it JUST HAD to be another woman.

Search unsuccessful, she started to leave my condo sullen. Clearly, she had prepared herself for a cat fight and now there was no one to fight.

I touched her shoulder and said “Kao tot na kraap, tee rak (Sorry, darling). Lar gone (Good bye). Choke dee (Take care).”

Saying, “Mai bpen arai,” she left with her friend.

(Continued in “Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (21): Farang: It’s Songkran. Hide your wallet! Part 2.” – They NEVER go away for good…)

“Until next time, find ‘The Flow’ and jump in!”

Your Friend in this Intrepid Journey called Life,

Carl “J.C.” Pantejo

Farang, Thailand, Songkran, call, SMS, girlfriend, ex, sexy, cruelty.

Note: If you want to read more about Asian and Western cultural differences, finding unconditional love, exorcising past personal demons, Universal Laws, and the Illusive Secret of Happiness, please read the following articles:

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’: From Heartbreak to Happiness”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (2): Coincidence or Synchronicity: FROM RELAPSE TO MIRACLES…”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (3): LOST AND FOUND – Kindred Spirits and Mistakes made in Haste.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (4): LOST AND FOUND – Meant to Be?”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (5): “The Stray”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (6): “New Beginnings, Old Endings”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (7) – Living Well? Farangs and Finance: The Myth”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (8) Living Well? Farangs and Finance: The Reality, Stupidity, and Hard Knocks.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (9): New Girlfriend, New Life.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (10): Farangs and Asians – Polarized Views.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (11) – Farangs: In (or considering) a long-term Western/Asian Relationship? Read This Now!

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (12) – Farang: Square Peg, Round Hole? Compatibility Issues.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (13) – Farang: Compatibility Issues II”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (14) – Farang: Tipping the Scales. Good or Bad?”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (15) – Farang: Interpretation of Your Results.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (16) – Farang: Make Your Scale Sway or Walk Away.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (17) – Farang: Further Interpretation. Lopsided Scales.”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (18): A Good Tilt with a Bar Girl?”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (19): Another Good Tilt with a Bar Girl?”

“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (20): The Good Tilt – Enhancing your Compatible Relationship.”

“Alternative Notions of Life, a Different Path: Guardian Angels and Universal Laws.”

“Alternative Notions of Life, a Different Path (2): Trying too hard?”

“Alternative Notions of Life, a Different Path (3): First, Be Effective.”

“Alternative Notions of Life, a Different Path (4): Intend. Be Certain.”

“Alternative Notions of Life, a Different Path (5): Why me or why not me? Your choice.”

“Alternative Notions of Life, a Different Path (6): Gratitude – What’s Your Perspective?”

“How Dare She! Out of Desperation I Learned How to Forgive”

“Remember Who You Are!”

“Need to Heal Your Broken Heart? Read on. Overcome Heartbreak and Learn the Illusive Secret of Happiness.”

“Simple (and Priceless) Life Lessons from the Most Influential Prosperity Mentor in My Life – My Father”

And much more!

(By Carl “J.C.” Pantejo and published internet-wide, keyword: [title of article] or “Carl Pantejo”)

Enjoy them, my friend.

Pantejo@ynvurcepublishing.com

Coast to Coast One Day World Championship – My Part in it

After my first Coast to Coast, which I did as a team with my brother Keith, I entered the following two years as a two day individual. I was a bit more up to it by then as my kayaking had improved, I was spending more time on the bike and was running off road a fair bit. At the time, to enter the One day race you had to better a qualifying time of 15hours on a two day campaign. It took me the two tries to attain this time and in doing so gained more experience with the race itself.

So in 1994 I entered for the One Day, World Championship Event with trepidation and was accepted. This was a much more involved side of the race. Different fitness levels were required and more in depth training would be needed. I made up a training schedule and attended a seminar, held by a well known nutritionist, on how to eat and drink for the training and the race itself. This was a massive eye opener for me, the amount of calories needed, the constant in take of the right fluids, and the right mix of amino acid replacements was scary stuff. It took a while to find the right product for me. There are a lot of them out there and many did not agree with me one way or another. Though finally I did find one which sat in my stomach and did not react as laxative, so I stayed with that one.

Now began an eight month training campaign, which turned out to be a great time for me and I am sure by the time the race came around I was as fit as I had ever been and I was now 47 years old. I started slowly, building up my running, cycling and kayaking distances, since it was a while since the end of the last race. I was also doing a weights programme I had designed as a sort of circuit training session which could be done while I was on shift at the Fire Station in their gym. I was still looking after my children on my days off from the service though they were now growing up a bit and were almost 15, 13 and 10 years old. Within the fire service shift system, I worked two days of ten hours and two nights of fourteen hours and had four days off. My days shifts started at 0700hrs through till 1800hrs and my night shifts started at 1800hrs through till 0800hrs.

I cycled to work on the first day, leaving home about 0545hrs and arriving at work about 0730hrs in time to shower before my shift. In the afternoon we had an hour aside to do gym training, so I spent this time and more on my weight circuits. That first night at the end of the shift I would run home along the river and up to the local plantation. I would run the blue track of about ten kilometres and then on to home. The next day I would run to work and bike home that night. I did a similar pattern with my night shifts. I just varied the distances to fit in with schedule. On my days off I had to see the kids off to school then start my training. These days each of my disciplines were extended to suit the timetable the day offered me.

Often on a Wednesday I would meet up with my brother Keith. We would cycle about 25 kilometres to either Sumner or Kennedy’s Bush, run up the hill to the crater rim track and continue through to the Sign of the Kiwi then back to the bikes and home. These often took about five hours to complete. On my other days I would cycle with other people or by myself and also paddle the local river. I put in a lot of hard training for the next five months.

About the beginning of December I started doing a mini Coast to Coast ever Friday. This was my way of seeing how well I was doing. I would get up, do a cycle of about 65kms over the Port Hills to Sumner, park my bike at a friends place, change my shoes and run up the hill and out to end bay and back along the seaward side to Sumner., this was about a two hour run. I changed back to my bike shoes and rode home from there. Once home I would take my boat to the river, which was just across the road and paddle for an hour or more till I was level with the fire station in town. I would turn around and paddle back down stream to home once more. Back there I would get back onto the bike and cycle about 35kms around the Brooklands block and home. A good warm down then a nice hot shower, these days were about seven to eight hours in duration and I always felt good after them. Three weeks out from race day I wound down my training to a holding amount in each discipline and started to do small sprints to get ready for the start of the race.

Finally race day came around. I was feeling fit enough and got my support team together. This consisted of my eldest son James who was about 14 at the time and a very good friend Scott. My brother Keith was doing the two day individual this same year. As this was now our fourth year doing the Coast to Coast, we had things down to a fine art. We had booked a motel, better than a tent and everyone knew what was expected from them on the day. As long as I could stay out of trouble I hoped to have a good day. We had the usual great feed at the Kumara Community Hall and laughed, as always, at the antics of Juddy on the pre race talk. As serious as it is, he always made it fun.

The next morning was the start of the two day event and we saw Keith off and headed to Klondyke Corner to await his arrival. Keith did really well on the first day and arrived out of the mountain run in good time. We wished him luck for the following day and headed back to our motel.

Next morning was my turn, what all the training had come down to. I was dropped off with my bike and my support team headed off to the Deception transition point. Once again I lined up on the beach, the big difference this year was there was only 100 of us at the start, Juddy gave us the start with the air horn and we were on our way. Top athletes from around the world headed up the track on the run to the bikes. I was a little slow, not enough training on the three kilometre runs, make a note. Finally made it to the bikes and took off. Not many around and finding it hard to get into a bunch. Team up with one other guy and we stick together till the finish of the cycle leg.

One of the last to enter the mountain run, though once into the run I felt a lot better, all of the training starting to come to the fore. On my way up to Goats Pass I pass many other competitors, some I know, others I don’t, but say hi to them all along the way. A few pass me as well, feeling good now. At Goats Pass and now down the Mingha side of the mountain. Still passing the odd person and running well. Now at Dudley’s Knob which is a sharp rise on the downward side, on the other side of the Knob we head into the tree roots section. Very near the bottom of this area I make a very bad mistake. I catch my foot in one of the roots and go over twisting my left ankle on the way down and let out a large scream. Two or three people stop to make sure I am all right and have not broken my leg. Luckily it’s just a very bad strain, but still very painful. After about five minutes or more I picked myself up and hobbled on down to the next water crossing where I stopped in mid stream to soak my ankle. Luckily the water comes from up high and is very cold, just what the doctor ordered. I stay there till my ankle feels a lot better and set off on the run again. Every time I came to water I stopped and soaked my ankle again and this way I made it to the end of the run, even though quite a few people had taken me over on the way.

On the way out some of the officials wanted me to stop as they could see I was in pain. I just hobbled on to the bike and cycled the next 15 kms to the top of the walkway to Mt. Whites bridge. It was here that I started to have misgivings, as I walked down to the water with support from my son I came to the conclusion I could not go on. I told James this and his reply was. “Dad, I know you, you will never forgive yourself if you don’t get into the boat” I started to argue with him but he insisted I carry on and just see what happens. He helped me into my gear and then the boat and with his stubbornness and support I paddled off from there thinking I had better live up to his expectations. I was pleased with my kayaking leg, my ability had improved over the years and the paddle was mostly uneventful, though still painful. At the end of the paddle Scott had to lift me out of the boat as could not push with my ankle.

I struggled up to the bike area, changed into my biking gear and by this time my ankle was black and about the size of a boys football. It still hurt real bad and as I cycled away on the 70 kms to Sumner I received a lot of emotional support from my crew. As usual it was a head wind all the way to Sumner and I could only push at a slow speed as any faster really hurt. My support crew followed me all the way and edged me on when they aw me slowing. Later rather than sooner I reached Sumner, made it to the bike drop area and then, amazingly, managed a slow jog into the finish line. My son, Keith, Scott, lots of other family and friends were there to cheer me over the line and I was so pleased to see the finish and Juddy still waiting there to welcome me home.

It’s just amazing what you can achieve with the right support. My son was right, I would never have forgiven myself if I had pulled out. As it was it took a long time for me to forgive myself for the trip and the slow time I recorded on the day. Never mind, maybe another day. Oh and by the way, I did get my beer. Thanks Juddy.

 

 

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