This blog is worth taking the time to not only read but then re-read and re read it again.
Often we get so caught up in the doom and gloom that we end up becoming a victim. Why not look at it all differently, why not see how we can help to change things rather than sit by and not only participate in life but not let one precious moment pass us by.
Great job Aaron this is one of the most insightful blogs that we have read.
On Dec. 23rd, 24th & 25th, 2008, during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, I wrote The Reveal. As I was writing on the evening of the 25th (from my home office in Las Vegas, Nevada), it snowed, making it my first ever White Christmas. Looking out my window, sitting at Ground Zero of the housing meltdown, I saw just one home with lit holiday decorations (Nevada has been ranked #1 in the nation for foreclosures for two straight years per RealtyTrac). Regardless, I wrote with a fervent passion for a new era in human evolution and the future of my city, my state, my country, and my planet.
On New Years Day 2009, via the Internet, I released The Reveal - during a time that is certain to become one of the most crucial and symbolic periods in history. The Reveal was written to provoke happiness, imagination, and thought. Inspired by figures such as Maslow, Disney, and Sagan.
The Reveal was not written with political bias, it was written from an indifferent mindset much deeper than left or right - a lifestyle approach based around going with the flow and respect. The most important cause is one where we progress as a species. A cause with an awareness of which allows children of future generations to enjoy a stronger planet and mentality than we ourselves inherited.
Communication is a critical element to our chances for success. I hope my words can be read as part of a collective effort which we all must join. An effort to bring about a call to action regarding the global crisis. A reminder that we must address our past indiscretions. A cry for help regarding getting the government to find new ways of assessing home values, health care, unemployment, economic stimulation, and a better way of treating our neighbors and planet. It's time we stand up, call our government officials, teach a friend about what's happening in our cities, or anything else that can help make today's situation the catapult for a new-found attitude and approach to life.
For savvy individuals, periods of such transition signal the possibility of opportunity. I've been doing my part, working hard to raise awareness as well as to improve my person - sharing with others as I grow. Everyday, I make calls to banks, clients, the media, family, and friends. The Reveal is my effort to reach out to an arena much more powerful than one city or one crisis. The global audience that The Reveal was sent to includes plumbers, PhDs, journalists, celebrities, appraisers, teachers, CEOs, foreclosure victims, bankers, construction workers, stock brokers, nurses, politicians, real estate agents, and you. Think about the power that together (as a diverse group) we hold. Spread The Reveal with all whom you know. Spread the word that it's time for something fantastic to happen.
Throughout The Reveal, I share my thoughts on topics such as the United States, technology, explosions, better education, sustainable energy, greed, employment, a vast maglev bullet train system, love, real estate, politics, and the future. Each section is broken into parts, feel free to browse to the chapter of the story that most peaks your interest.
All Las Vegas stuff (including Aaron's Annual Thoughts - 2009, important news, and a photo of my newly-earned "Einstein Hairs") can be found at the links at the bottom. Oh, a big thanks to Mark Adams - Creator of VegasTodayAndTomorrow.com for not making our "Tunnels under Vegas" page on time. Sorry everyone, Mark was too busy attending the opening gala at Encore (must be nice!). All kidding aside, Mark promises to get the page done.
Together, let's address truths with the hopes of reminding people about the basics of life (survival), obtaining security and savings (safety), the importance of establishing a community (social), the ambition to excel (recognition), and finally, infusing communication and knowledge to create opportunity for self and others (a power obtained by those who self-actualize). At least that's how I apply Abraham Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" to my life. It's my hope that The Reveal reminds people of the instinct within themselves and what we need to do to move forward.
Funny - just as my business partner Jason and I thought we were all sophisticated by learning to become "self-actualizers", the other night, Jason shot me a message on AIM that said, "I just discovered on Wikipedia that before he died, Maslow revealed a new level of awareness called Self-Transcendence. Those who reach this final level of the hierarchy are called 'Transcenders'." - When does possibility end? I think we all know the answer.
Google "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" if you want to learn more.
No playing the victim - We got ourselves here - Let's now focus on community and solutions.
The blame game must stop. We as a human race got ourselves into this mess. Ever hear of the term "Guilty by Association"? If you're human, then you're guilty. You're even more at fault if you don't take action towards finding solutions. Negativity is contagious, currently, the world has it all over itself. How do we get it off? By accepting responsibility, stopping the blaming of others, being at peace with life, being positive, finding solutions, creating a community, and spreading good word.
In 2009, community is going to be as powerful a concept as it has ever been. It's happening with the Internet, it's happening in business, and it's even happening in politics (although politics have a long way to go). We're living in the information age, those who aren't in touch with themselves and the pulse of the new world will fail miserably. The sharing of information has become mainstream. Mankind must learn to communicate on deeper levels moving forward. We must implement a MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook mentality into our offline lives.
Give Give Give. Practice stewardship. Introduce people, shake hands, do not horde. Greed is what got the world into the place it's in now. Introduce your contacts, share your network, build your community. By sharing what you learn, you lead and create a foundation. With that mindset, we'll be well prepared as people to improve our tendencies.
This is history in the making. We need not let the current global crisis destroy who we are as a human race, but instead, let it define us. Even if we lose everything, this is a key time in human evolution where we can set better standards for future generations when it comes to acceptance of our fellow human, regardless of their color, beliefs, or upbringing. Not black and white, not Russian and American, not Wall Street and Washington - instead, humans who work together to care for their planet, which sits as a mote of dust when compared to the billions upon billions of far larger planets and stars in the universe (Watch Carl Sagan's three-minute video in the links section to remember where and who we are).
Through community, we improve our chances of fighting corruption, finding cures to diseases, ending world hunger, creating better health-care, and inventing new technologies which offer hope for a healthier, more sustainable planet for our children.
Freedom is created by those whom live life with a wider-world agenda.
Imagine this...Rather, believe.
The Earth's age is estimated at 4.5 billion years old. Dinosaurs lived on the planet for approx. 160 million years. The oldest Homo sapien fossils are said to be just approx. 200,000 years old. It was Cowboys and Indians just approx. 150 years ago. The first airplane flew approx. 100 years ago. Today, the Stealth Bomber could already be argued as old.
Currently, Intel's 3.2 Ghz Core i7 Nehelem claims to be the fastest processor in the world. Its core is 45 nanometers - thinner than a sheet of paper. In comparison, when Nasa sent the first man to the moon, the Apollo Guidance Computer's CPU was running at approx. 2 Mhz and was as thick as a stack of paper. It takes 1000 Mhz to make 1 Ghz. Essentially, today's multi-core CPUs are running thousands of times faster, yet are astronomically smaller. An example? The iPhone is more powerful than a computer that would have taken up an entire apartment building just 50 years ago.
Is anyone watching Microsoft's and Sony’s dashboard changes on XBOX and Playstation? The key words are community and interaction. The Internet is currently on what's called Web 2.0. The goal of Web 3.0 is to continue forward with interaction. Imagine an Internet where you didn't even rely on a keyboard and mouse to browse. Instead, you simply used your hands to move things around on your screen, walked through 3D stores and dragged items off the rack and rotated and zoomed (like an iPhone), dropped items into your instant messenger to see if your friend liked them, then purchased the items by sliding them into your basket and tapping the purchase button.
Could you imagine? Your 27" screen using Nanotechnology (Google it) so it goes from stiff to soft, allowing you to fold it up and throw it into your pocket. After all, how dare you shop at Macy's while you're sitting at your kids soccer game?
It's said that the next generation space telescope (Hubble's replacement) may attempt to see beyond our known universe. For those who aren't science savvy, there's currently no such thing as "beyond our universe". What will we find? Just imagine how much exciting stuff is going to happen as technology leapfrogs itself over the next decade or two.
When I imagine Las Vegas' long-term possibilities, I get goosebumps. This is a magical city. Patience is a virtue, positioning is everything.
Where do you stand? What can you imagine? In what greatness do you believe?
I've been workin on the maglev railroad, all the way into the sustainable future?
When President Roosevelt took office, the first 100 days of his presidency focused on creating a number of new programs (aimed at stimulating the economy out of the Great Depression). Are we on the verge of the biggest government stimulus action since the New Deal of 1933? While we as taxpayers first need to know there are safeguards and where our money is going, President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan (one which some say could reach one trillion dollars and be signed in his first two weeks in office) is said to be aimed at rebuilding infrastructure, creating sustainable energy, improving technology in healthcare, refurbishing schools, and also investing into mass transit. Several areas where America needs help.
Mass transit, as in sustainable bullet trains? I believe (along with many of my local colleagues) that the proposed bullet train from Anaheim to Las Vegas has the potential to create fantastic opportunity. Recently, it was revealed that the governors of California and Nevada have agreed to work towards making the train a reality (which could whisk people back and forth in approx. 90 minutes). Should the Anaheim to Vegas maglev bullet train receive funds from Obama's economic stimulus plan, it seems possible that the project could start fairly quickly, costing approx. $12-$13 billion and taking approx. 10 years to build. I talk more in depth about how this could affect Las Vegas and Nevada in my Aaron's Annual Thoughts - 2009 article (in the links section below).
Perhaps this could kick off the building of eco-friendly bullet trains all over the United States? Eventually becoming a vast system that is great for job growth, industry, and pollution solutions? New York to Malibu in less than a day by ground? Sounds fun!
Get involved - Be the Hero of Ground Zero.
Most people (likely including yourself), have been at some kind of Ground Zero. I hope that everyone who's experienced challenge can (if even for an evening with the family) put the current economic crisis aside and remember to be thankful. Rather than taking the tempting road and saying, "Easy for you to say, you didn't blah blah blah" - instead, be accountable. If you're angry at someone because you assume they don't understand your pain, ask yourself, is it possible that's an issue you could better deal with internally? If Randy Pausch could do push ups, laugh, and inspire - knowing that he had 6 months to live - your problems probably aren't worse. It's not the action, it's the reaction.
Let me tell you two quick stories:
For approx. 15 years, I watched my father battle a killer disease. On many occasions, I remember ambulances coming to my home because he couldn't breathe, me a little boy scared that his father was going to die. He passed away in 1996 as strong-minded as ever. The evening he passed away, my family and I felt at peace where this man was going. A positive reaction (as opposed to us being angry at the world).
When I was 20, I survived a 6.7-magnitude earthquake, one that was felt as far as 250 miles away and one that took many lives (I lived at Ground Zero - just 5 or so miles from the epicenter). It was pitch black outside (4:31 AM). What started with a giant roll, turned into a 30-second, vertically-pounding, freeway-collapsing nightmare. When it stopped, there was a huge gas explosion (near my house) which shot approx. 100-foot flames into the air (and burned down homes). With people screaming, power lines zapping, fires burning, and aftershocks striking, my young friends and I grabbed flashlights, ran into destroyed homes, and rescued families (including my own).
A few hours later, my friend Shawn and I stood witness to an apartment building further collapsing on top of its first floor. We heard cries as many died. The point is, many of us have faced adversity, including putting our own lives on the line. From 18-year-old war heroes to business professionals who did not fall victim to corruption and greed, many of us have something of which to be proud.
This is my 2nd time at Ground Zero of a catastrophe. Just like the first time, instead of running away, I've stayed brave for my family and my clients. I'm right here, and have no intention of going anywhere except for up. I know from experience, and what my grandmother used to tell me, "And this too shall pass".
I encourage everyone to become a Hero of Ground Zero.
Humans are the only animals on Earth who can comprehend planning for their future.
In case you didn't read the intro, I didn't write The Reveal with political bias or to say this or that is fact. I'm not a scientist nor do I have an opinion when it comes to man's impact on global warming or climate change. I do, however, believe we can improve the way we treat our planet and its inhabitants.
The other night, I watched Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary - The 11th Hour. Below is some information I learned from watching (and some stuff I just know from reading).
If Earth's existence began on the first day of the year, humans time on the planet would equate to only approx. the last 15 minutes of the last day of the year. As humans, we're the only animal on the planet that can easily communicate and think intelligently to plan for our future.
Per the time comparison in The 11th Hour, Homo sapiens have only been on the planet for approx. 15 out of 525,600 minutes. For approx. 200 thousand years, Homo sapiens simply survived off of current sunlight (ex: the growth of fields created food for the animals, then we ate the animals and made our clothing out of them. We used wood for light and warmth, etc.) A few thousands years ago, Homo sapiens started discovering pockets of ancient sunlight such as coal and oil (300-400 million years old). Prior to 1800 AD, the Homo sapien population never surpassed one billion. By 1930 AD, our population hit two billion (taking just 130 years to double what took approx. 200 thousand years to create). Our third billion only took 30 years (1960). As of 2009, our population is approx. 6.7 billion - double of what it was when John F. Kennedy was inaugurated. The population is expected to hit 9 billion by approx. 2040.
Everyday, we pump toxins into our oceans yet are over fishing the sea life population, robbing the oceans of what they need to sustain, while loading them with poisons that have been linked to many of today's health problems. Slowly, warnings that some fish contain high levels of mercury are becoming more commonplace. Recently, actor Jeremy Piven became ill after having a mercury level six times that of what's considered normal (he was eating sushi up to twice a day). According to some info from the web, mercury is finding its way into our oceans from industrial sources who've yet to upgrade to (more expensive) green technology.
Think about that, we pump toxins into our ocean, then eat the fish? Isn't it time we asked for more?
The world will only pay the rewards for which it is asked - Allow the magic to happen.
Do you prefer unemployment and a bad marriage or wealth, security, and a healthy relationship? Just remember, if you want something, go get it the first time. Don't hawk, don't stalk, just walk. Meaning, walk straight up to what you want and get it. If you don't, you'll live a life of misery and regret - What if you would have asked for that raise? What if that person in isle 9 was your soul mate? What if you could have become President?
Allow the magic to let us heal, learn, grow, love, have wealth, good health, and get the world's economy booming again.
Maslow, Disney, and Sagan said...
"I think of the self-actualizing man not as an ordinary man with something added, but rather as the ordinary man with nothing taken away. The average man is a full human being with dampened and inhibited powers and capacities". - Abraham Maslow
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - Walt Disney
"It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known." - Carl Sagan
Please feel free to share The Reveal with your community of friends and family.
- Read Aaron's Annual Thoughts - Las Vegas -2009 and much more below -
Aaron's Annual Thoughts - Las Vegas - 2009.
Are you ready for my thoughts on the 2009 Las Vegas real estate market? Are you prepared to listen to my dreams for the future of Nevada? A sustainable maglev bullet train to Anaheim CA., higher learning for our children, diversification of economy and employment, solar and wind energy creation, a new high-tech airport, cutting edge medical research, fun and healthy activities such as our own Walt Disney World? Let's get to imagining right now.I've never been happier! Why? Because I'm on the verge of losing everything - Or am I?
Material objects do not define who you are as a human being nor do they define winners. Sure, having security and shelter is important. Yes, social status is sexy and makes people comfortable that you're successful at what you do. Yet neither will ever stand stronger than inner strength and beauty. Learn how I'm not near as cool as my tagline "Hollywood's Connection to Vegas" makes me sound.Update on rumors regarding The Harmon Hotel & Tally of residential high-rise Strip condos.
It has become known that there is something going on with The Harmon. Before jumping to conclusions, out of respect to MGM MIRAGE, we will wait for them to make an official announcement. With that being said, in this blog I do talk about the continued proof that it is very difficult to build residential condos on the Strip. I share the numbers in this article.Carl Sagan's - Pale Blue Dot - Video.
"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors, so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot." - Carl Sagan.Gov. Schwarzenegger and Gov. Gibbons agree to maglev train from Anaheim CA. to Vegas.
An article from the Las Vegas Sun discussing last month's meeting between Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons and President-elect Barack Obama. Gov. Gibbons and Gov. Schwarzenegger have agreed to move ahead with a high-speed train project.Steve Wynn's Encore opens - Photos.
Check out VegasTodayAndTomorrow.com's page with photos inside the beautiful new resort. Hopefully Mark will get the darn underground tunnel page done for us now.Photo from my first press appearance - Six years old - 1979.
The Electric Mayhem Muppet's Bus. This is when I must have caught the PR bug, at six years old and in 1979 baby. Check out the pics.MGM MIRAGE to start hiring for 12 thousand new jobs. Press Release.
A press release detailing the largest employment opportunity in Vegas' history. According to the PR, hiring will begin Jan. 5th, 2009.Could Las Vegas high-rise "condotel" units end up as "hotel" rooms?
With the mortgage liquidity crisis, and banks' fear of lending on condotel, could many of these projects convert to pure hotels? In this article, I share the numbers - comparing pure Strip residential high-rise condos to (overall) condotel numbers. Did you know that just one condotel on the Strip has more units than all 5 planned, under construction, or finished residential high-rise Strip projects?Einstein Hairs.
As promised, I deliver to you my new Einstein Hairs. No joke, I did not have one visible white or grey hair prior to 2008. And these aren't just grey hairs, they are pure white, shoot weird directions, and seem to grow several inches overnight. Everyone of them stands for a lesson learned. Also in this blog, check out the photo from when I was 18 (I had much more hair and I could actually comb it). There is a link at bottom that predicts how I could look in 30 years.Cost Per Foot Comparison - Resale condotel vs. Pre-construction condotel - $476 a foot vs. $1,200+ a foot?
While it may be a unique example compared to other resale listings in the project, a high-floor, Strip-facing, one-bedroom penthouse at Signature at MGM Grand recently closed at $416,000 (or $476 a sq. ft.). This is compared to some pre-construction condotel properties sometimes selling at $1,200 a foot and more. While comparing Signature to Cosmo or Vdara isn't comparing apples to apples, this example is still thought provoking.Let in snow, let it snow, let it SHOW.
Take a photographic journey with me as I show One Queensridge Place and a home in The Ridges in Summerlin (while it was snowing). One Queensridge Place is such a nice property, spending a couple hours inside it's cozy stone halls was just what I needed. See the warmth for yourself.Videos of Steve Wynn discussing the "Unbundling of Las Vegas".
Robin Leach interviews Steve Wynn as he lays down the law on how Nevada should reexamine its gaming regulation standards. He also discusses the "Unbundling of Las Vegas" as well as the Treasure Island sale to Phil Ruffin. For years now, we've been saying the same thing about loose Special Use Permits being given to high-rise condo developers.The Journey of a Lifetime. A photographic look back at my 2008.
What started as a year that we all knew would be uncertain, ended up turning into the worst year since the Great Depression. Little did we all know just how bad things would become. Then again, little did we know how much we would all grow. Check out this photographic look back on the craziest year of my life.
I enjoy your comments,
Aaron Auxier, REALTOR®, ABR
Certified Summerlin Specialist
Certified Fine Homes International Specialist
"Hollywood's Connection to Vegas"®
Recognized on CNBC, FOX News, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and more.
Direct Cell 702-205-1818
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Prudential Americana Group, REALTORS®Copyright © 2008 Aaron Auxier. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: All information contained within Aaron Auxier's VIVA VEGAS! Luxury Real Estate Update is subject to change without notice. Subject matter: is an opinion, is not guaranteed, may be time sensitive, and may be based on information collected from several sources which may or may not be reliable at the time of sourcing.
Central heat
The Rose Village area is conveniently located near downtown Vancouver, with easy access to I-5, Highway 14 and SR500. Much of the area was previously referred to as 'Vancouver Heights'. Most homes in the area were built between 1900 and 1950. Homes range in size from 500 to upward of 4,000 square feet. In its heyday, the area was home to many prominent people and their families. Names associated with the area include L.M. Hidden, S.W. Brown, C.H. Whitney, C.W. Slocum and L.R. Sohns. Projects like the Rose Village 'Paint-a-Thon' are helping revitalize the Rose Village area, both directly and indirectly, and helping it live up to its historic past.
Old homes are great. They have character and charm that you just can't find in new homes. Patty and I have spent the last 2 years renovating an old church into our home. Recently, we started researching the property to learn more about its history. We are finding that it can be a real challenge to research a home in our area ... especially if it was built in the early 1900s or before. We've found a few great resources, though, and thought that we'd pass them along to others who may be researching an old home.
The next stop should be your local library. In our case, we went to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library 
We have also learned that the name of our street was originally New York Avenue, that our area was once referred to as 'Vancouver Heights', that there was a railroad just blocks from our property that ran between Vancouver and the Battle Ground area, that there was a street car line just blocks from our home that ran between downtown Vancouver and Sifton (past a race track at Bagley Downs). and that our area was once owned and/or inhabited by some of early Vancouver's most prominent people/familes like Arthur W. Hidden, George T. McConnell, Louis Sohns (Sohus), Samuel W. Brown, Hon. C. H. Whitney and others.
Patty recently earned her ASP® (Accredited Staging Professional) Real Estate Agent designation. ASP is the only nationally recognized designation for Home Staging. She received her designation and training from the professionals at Stagedhomes.com.
We bought a place at 
We decided to give it a shot figuring if it even lasted 1 extra season, it would be well worth the price. The siding and deck now look almost new. The cracks are gone, but the natural wood texture still shows through. We were even able to bring the old picnic table back to life! For less than $500 in materials and a couple weekends of work, we were able to completely transform our sad little shack into a welcoming weekend retreat.
Be sure to check out the Palmer/Wirfs Antique & Collectible Show this weekend, October 25 & 26, at the Portland EXPO Center. Visit more than 1,350 booths filled with everything from estate jewelry, vintage toys, furniture from early American oak to European, paper Americana, china & glass including Fenton, Cambridge, Heisey, Tiffany, enticing smalls in silver, enamel and gold, country store, decor for every room in your home, kitchenware, coin-operated items such as jukeboxes, antique tools, costume jewelry, vintage clothing, barware, men's & ladies' antique watches, Native American, quilts, textiles, clocks, phonographs, sterling flatware, holiday memorabilia, lunch boxes, board games from the '60's, pop culture items, vintage gambling 
items, sewing, dolls from the 1870's to the 1970's, Western Americana, tobacciana, price guides and more!
Get into the Halloween spirit (pun intended!) with a visit to the Bi-Zi Farms Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch. Our granddaughter went there and had a blast!
The Pumpkin Patch is open to the public each Friday (2-6p), Saturday & Sunday (10a-6p) through the end of October. Admission is $8.00 and includes all activities and one pumpkin. Children age 2 and under are free. Bring your flashlights! Group tours can be scheduled during the week by calling (360) 574-9119.
H&H Wood Recyclers
You can help put the finishing touches on the last of 15 homes that have been painted this fall as a result of the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon. There are just 2 more homes awaiting a full paint job and several waiting for finishing touches.
The Rose Village Paint-a-Thon is the brainchild of Mark & Patti Maggiora. Inspired by a southeast Portland Paint-athon that gets hundreds of volunteers each year to help improve the homes of area senior citizens, the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon will have transformed more than 15 homes in just 2 months.