Relax

Happy Friday to Everyone

Yesterday I had the privilege of getting to play a round of golf with my best friend Ken.  We started the day by going and having breakfast. We had a great time just chatting about life.  Ken and I will usually try to play golf 3 times a month, but we are always paired up with some other people to fill a foursome.   Yesterday, it was Ken and I, our other playing partners were not available.

After a hearty breakfast, Ken and I decided to head out and take a look at a potential investment property that we have the inside track on.  After we did the "kicking the tires" look, we both thought it would be worth taking a shot at. So we are hopefully going to make a bid on the investment property next week.

We then headed out to Wild Horse golf course in Davis, about 15 minutes west of Sacramento.  The course was wide open, so Ken and I got to play as a two some.  Ken had one of his best rounds of the year! I asked him why he played so well and he said "I think I was more relaxed and was at ease." Ken will usually shoot in the mid to high 80s, a good score, considering he doesn't practice, but yesterday he shot an 80.   Same guy, same clubs, same weather conditions, same golf course and yet was 5-9 shots better.  I noticed he was not rushing, he was jovial, he was smiling, and he was relaxed! 

I shot a good score also, and I did feel like I wasn't rushed nor edgy.  After the round, we both said the same thing "When we golf as a two some, we play better, because we can relax, since we are such great friends...." We both need to work on taking this "relaxation" not only to every round of golf we play, but in all facets in life.  In retrospect, my best results in life seem to occur when I am relaxed and at peace with myself.  Not in a rush nor frenzy.  So let's all take a deep breath and learn how to relax and enjoy the journey.

It's July 31, 2009 and I am bullish on Sacramento

David Ohara

@dwo34

dwo34@aol.com

916-600-9495

Recent Conversations

I recently met two friends/clients on different days to see how they were doing and how life was treating them.  Although, the two people have different jobs, different circles of influence, live in different parts of Sacramento, I was amazed at how their lives paralleled one another.

I met Randy for breakfast Wednesday morning. Although I have spoken to Randy on numerous occasions, I hadn't seen him in a while.  We chatted about his golf game, his video collection, and his job.  Randy is employed by the State of California and was now facing the reality of a third furlough Friday.  Randy has done quite well for himself working his way up from an assistant to a supervisory position.  Randy told me that the net effect of the furloughs was making things a bit tight for him.  He told me that extra golf clubs, fringe movies, spur of the moment trips to Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, eating out 4 times a week, EBay shopping, and occasional nights out to the bar with friends had to be monitored.  Essentially the furlough had taken a "bite" out of Randy's lifestyle.  He told me countless stories of co-workers who relied on every single dollar they earned to make ends meet.  

Last Friday, I met with Grace at her restaurant to say hello.  Grace has a restaurant downtown that caters primarily to civil service workers.  She was telling me that the first furlough day had a minor impact on her business, but the second furlough Friday was devastating.  Her business dropped by almost 27%.  Now faced with a third furlough Friday, Grace did not even want to think about another decline in business.  Grace is advertising a "furlough" discount for state of California employees to assist her customers.  Grace told me that the decline in revenue has forced her to postpone some equipment renovations, cut some of her staff, be more price conscious, advertise specials, and cut back on her own personal budget.  She fears that further business declines will force her to sell her home.  A situation I hope does not materialize.

Although my two friends have different lives, have different friends, and have different jobs, their lives are parallel.  The State of CA budget woes effect so many.  Businesses, service providers, golf courses, EBay, etc. are all effected.  The CA legislature needs to get this budget problem fixed and implement a fiscal responsibility program, so that this current situation can be avoided in the future.

Randy and Grace, hang in there. I sense CA is going to rebound soon.  Maybe some of the law makers should have conversations with their constituents and they can gain a better idea of what's going on.   I certainly do.

July 22, 2009

David Ohara

I am "bullish" on Sacramento, CA

@dwo34

Twitter

Every time I clicked on the news, read the paper, looked at magazines, I always heard the word "Twitter" In late April, I decided to take a look at Twitter and what these 140 characters were all about.  I had a MySpace page, but never really used it as a way to stay in touch with people.  After a few days of Twitter, I became amazed at the reach of those 140 characters.  I started to meet some very nice and interesting people from all over the United States and abroad.  

In a social sense, Twitter is a powerful tool, for I can attest that lasting friendships and bonds can be formulated. I now have some new friends in Hawaii, Washington, Oceanside, San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston, Las Vegas, Texas, and Canada.  These new friends were all met through Twitter.  

In a "connecting" mode, Twitter has helped a family member get reconnected with a long lost friend.  A friend in Hawaii and I were chatting about things and it just so happens that she lost contact with one of her best friends growing up.  Through the power of the 140 characters, I was able to get the two back together after many years of separation.  Twitter has the ability to get the "Six Degrees of Separation" down to one.

Twitter for networking and business, is also a great tool.  In my couple months of Twitter, I have met some potential clients and service providers that my clients can use.  But more importantly, I have been able to call on the knowledge, experience, creativity, and common sense of my peers.  I can pose a scenario, question, or problem I am experiencing and I will get numerous replies on how to tackle my issue. Yes indeed, those 140 characters can be so beneficial.  People from all over have generously offered marketing strategies, new programs, referrals, links to sites that are beneficial to clients.

Not to brag, because I like to be modest, through the help of some great Twitter people: @ModelSupplies, @krystynchong, @webaddict, @TamaraSchilling, @prodigybullies, @SamuraiStyles, @KrazeApparel, @OliviaWilder, @AlohaArleen, @MelissaKeyes, and others, I am ranked in the top 5 in Sacramento for Twitter. Although, that's not my goal, I certainly feel proud of that accomplishment and makes me feel good that I am reaching people.

I also want to start offering reviews of businesses, restaurants, service providers, movies, cars, etc. so that people can have first hand knowledge.  The power of Twitter has so many avenues to help people.

As my profile says "I am dedicated in providing a SMOOTH real estate experience" and Twitter will help me accomplish that goal.  You may find me on twitter @dwo34. Come on in and I'll introduce you to a lot of wonderful people.  You'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish with 140 characters.

Have a great Thursday

David Ohara

@dwo34 (Twitter)