Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Travel e-mail I sent out to friends

Hello,

I hope that the month of June has been good for you. I have been extremely busy with the move to the Keller Williams Realty Santa Monica office, and traveling all over the USA and the Bahamas looking for desirable property with Nick.

On June 5th I hopped on a plane for Miami and spent a couple of days based in South Beach looking at properties in Miami and Ft Lauderdale. From there we flew via small plane to Abaco in the Bahamas. I thought that the Bahamas would have been a bit more happening, and there was certainly evidence of hurricane damage from the hurricanes late last year. There was a few nice beaches and a great resort, but might keep exploring that part of the world before settling on a property.

It was then off to New York via Ft Lauderdale.......

Manhattan rocks.... It is actually smaller than I was expecting. The sun flows in and the central park is amazing. I managed to see a lot of property including a nice apartment in the Trump tower. It was very hot and humid, but the experience was great and I plan on getting back there soon. Found a great sushi restaurant and really had a great time.

From New York we went to Colorado and ended in Aspen for a couple of days. Aspen is amazing also, it snowed one night and was 26 degrees ( 80 F ) the next day. Aspen is a lovely town and is another place that I will visit again. Went to Vail which was not as impressive as I had expected, although Beaver Creek and Bachelors Gulch were very very nice. Saw Lionel Ritchie at the airport in Denver all dressed up in what looked like the Canadian winter olympic suit??????

From Colorado we flew on a Boeing 777 direct to Honolulu. It was nice to be back in Honolulu. I had not been thee since my 21st birthday where my sister Catherine and I managed to have plenty of fun. I took a dip in the pacific on the day of arrival and the waves were crashing onto the fantastic beach. The water was very very warm. I just kept an eye out for sharks. Found a nice property in Diamond Head.

Then it was back to LA for a day or two then off to Lake Tahoe CA via road, to close on a magnificent property in Squaw Valley.......... The home is a masterpiece and I look forwards to visiting Tahoe again soon.

Well that is me for the month of June. I have started a car blog with Aaron Bhatnagar. We go ahead and critique various automobiles and you can comment on it, so check it out. kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com I have also kept my personal blog and website up too date with some new photos, so be sure to check them and comment regularly....puntiki.blogspot.com

Let me know what you are up too.

ROB


puntiki.blogspot.com
kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com

File Maker Pro 7

I brought this database system for my computer, as most of the others, in fact all of the others that are used in the Keller Willaims office are not compatable with the Apple. I am going to have to buy a desk top computer for the office, but at this stage is there anyone out there who is an expert on file maker pro?

Monday, June 27, 2005

The political polls in NZ



There has been another poll, and this time:

Labour falls 6.9 to 36.2 per cent............ Good news for the right wing

National is up 3.9 per cent to 40.1 per cent. Puts the right wing in the power play

NZ First climbs 3.6 to 11.8 per cent......... Winston Peters pulls another one out

Greens are up 0.7 to 4 per cent.............. The power of the "Green"

Maori Party is up 0.4 to 3.1 per cent........ That is low polling for this party.

Act is down 0.6 to 1.9 per cent.............. Not good for ACT. National needs ACT

United Future is down 0.5 to 1.3 per cent.... Worse than ACT argh.........

ACT and National are natural partners. Winston is a interesting character, but is not 100% reliable... Remember what happened last time Winston and National got together? Labour are failing, and after the amount of time they have had in power it is time for a change. NZ needs to get back to work to pull up to the international standards expected. National and ACT and I guess NZ First are the team to do it.

Friday, June 24, 2005

kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com

Aaron Bhatnagar and I have started the kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com blog. It will have vehicles that he and I review and comment on. It may be interesting for you to look at it and comment if you like cars. Let me know if there are any cars you;d like reviewed.

Internet on planes

According to the NZ Herald, Air New Zealand's new planes may come with lie-flat leather seats and advanced in-flight entertainment, but anyone wanting broadband internet at 30,000 feet may have to wait until a rival upgrades.

The airline has embarked on a complete overhaul of its long-haul services, with seven of its eight Boeing 747-400s refitted with new interiors and in-flight entertainment.

The first of eight new Boeing 777-200ER is due to arrive in September this year.

But Air New Zealand has not asked Boeing to fit its new planes with the antennae needed for in-flight broadband internet access.

It seems that Singapore Airlines has access to internet and SMS etc on their planes. It does seem to be the way of the future, so I guess Air NZ should get the upgrades done now. I was searching for planes online and it seems that it is between $150,000 and $500,000US to get the internet up and running on the plane. With the amount of travelers on the plane willing to spend $10 per hour to asssec these features the investment would be payed off quickly, and the customers would have the comforts of home. Do it now Air New Zealand.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

LAX gun range

Went to the LAX gun range with Nicolas today. Hired the 9mm glocks again and got a few different targets. Nick was a pretty good shot and I am certainly improving over when I first started shooting. I even managed to get a couple of bulls eyes....

oh no.... Best I get a hydrodgen powered car.

According to CNN, oil prices hit $60 a barrel Thursday, rallying on U.S. reports showing that ballooning energy costs have yet to dent demand, but settled off record highs.

Analysts said oil was probably headed above $60 sometime soon but noted there also could be profit-taking on the way.

Light sweet crude for August settled up $1.33 at $59.42 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after briefly touching $60 a barrel, a new front-month contract record.

At $60 a barrel, the August contract broke the old intraday trading record set Tuesday at $59.70 a barrel, the highest since futures trading began in 1983.

The highest closing price for a front-month contract was $59.37 a barrel, hit last Friday.

Best that George gets the corn growers to gas it up and get the bio fuels on line. At this rate I will be paying $3 per gallon to fill up the 325i..... I wouldn't be too keen on having a petrol vehicle in Europe or NZ at this time.....

Maybe BMW will hurry up and bring out the Hydrodgen powered 7 series.....!!!!

NZ housing prices increasing fast

According to the NZ Herald today, NZ house prices are amongst the world's fastest growing



The Economist magazine's cover story this week put New Zealand at fifth place out of 20 countries on its house-price indices.

In the first quarter of this year, prices here were up 12.5 per cent compared with the same time last year, behind South Africa, up 23.6 per cent, Hong Kong 19 per cent, Spain 15.5 per cent and France 15 per cent.

The United States ranked equal to New Zealand with a 12.5 per cent rise, although in areas like NY and LA and Miami the properties have risen as much as 50% or more in the last 2 years. Then Denmark up 11.3 per cent, Sweden 10 per cent, China 9.8 per cent, Italy 9.7 per cent, Belgium 9.4 per cent, Ireland 6.5 per cent, Britain 5.5 per cent, Canada 5.2 per cent, Singapore 2 per cent, Netherlands 1.9 per cent, Switzerland 1 per cent, Australia 0.4 per cent, Germany -1.3 per cent and Japan -5.4 per cent.

"Never before have real house prices risen so fast for so long in so many countries," the magazine said, although it noted house price inflation in New Zealand, Ireland and the Netherlands has slowed significantly in the last year.

"Measured by the increase in asset values over the past five years, the global housing boom is the biggest financial bubble in history. The bigger the boom, the bigger the eventual bust."

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

BMW to take over Sauber F1 team

BMW is striking out on a new path in Formula One. After acquiring a majority shareholding in the Swiss Sauber team, a BMW managed team will be contesting the Formula One World Championship as early as 2006.

I am not sure what this means for Frank Williams and the boys. Maybe it is time for them to get some new engines?

BMW will keep the base and the employees in Switzerland. I wonder what will happen to Jacques Villeneuve next year? He might be in a position to win if they keep him on.

At home

I am back home in LA now after flying back from Reno NV yesterday. The house in Tahoe is particularly nice and I am looking forwards to visiting it when it is snowing. I guess I will need to brush up my skiing skills.......

Monday, June 20, 2005

In Tahoe

Got a new BMW X5 4.4 from Santa Monica BMW and we drove up to Olympic Valley, Tahoe, Ca. Closing on a beautiful property tomrrow, so it was a requirement to come up and make sure everything was in order. The location is beauutiful and the weather is warming up. Went to Incline Village in Nevada today for a look, very interesting.
If you ever want to come skiing in California, come to Squaw at teh Olympic Village and try it out.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Toyota on pole US Grand Prix

For an hour this afternoon, the tyre issues that have dominated the US Grand Prix weekend at Indianapolis were put to one side as the 20 drivers all completed their qualifying runs and somewhat fittingly, it was Jarno Trulli who claimed Toyota’s first Pole Position in Formula One.

Congrats to Jarno Trulli. I understand that it is the first time since 1968 that a Japanese auto maker has been on pole in a F1 Grand Prix. Below is the qualifying times.

Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points

1 16 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:10.625

2 9 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:10.694

3 3 Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1:11.277

4 6 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:11.290

5 1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:11.369

6 5 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:11.380

7 2 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1:11.431

8 4 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 1:11.497

9 7 Mark Webber Williams-BMW 1:11.527

10 12 Felipe Massa Sauber-Petronas 1:11.555

11 10 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:11.681

12 11 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-Petronas 1:11.691

13 17 Ricardo Zonta Toyota 1:11.754

14 15 Christian Klien Red Bull Racing 1:12.132

15 8 Nick Heidfeld Williams-BMW 1:12.430

16 14 David Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1:12.682

17 18 Tiago Monteiro Jordan-Toyota 1:13.462

18 21 Christijan Albers Minardi-Cosworth 1:13.632

19 19 Narain Karthikeyan Jordan-Toyota 1:13.776

20 20 Patrick Friesacher Minardi-Cosworth 1:14.494

Back in LA

Managed to get everything that need to be done in Honolulu done, so popped back to LA tonight...... Changed a photo on my website........It was a very clear evening in Los Angeles as we landed......

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

In Honolulu

Arrived in Honolulu via United airlines Boeing 777 from Denver. It was 87 degrees F or 30 degrees C when we arrived and not a cloud in the sky. I took the opportunity to go to the Waikiki beach and take a rather long swim. The water was really nice, and I am thinking of having another swim tomorrow. Have property to look at in Diamond Head and other areas tomorrow, so another busy agenda.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

In Vail

I am in Vail. Been to Aspen and it even snowed the evening I was there. Aspen ROCKS. Vail is nice too. Off to see properties in Beaver Creek and Vail today.
Back to Aspen tonight and off to Honolulu tomorrow. I managed to see a nice wee fox today at a property I was looking at. It looked like a my old and deceased Sheltie Sparky, but it was a red head and had shifty eyes..... I got a photo, so I will post it on the website when I can.

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Off to Colorado

I am off to Colorado bright and early in the morning. I have a 530am wake up call for a flight that leaves around 8am. Will need to rent a car and drive to Vail from Aspen. I am expecting a temperature change.

Mr Jenson Button on pole. Montreal F1

I am excited by the fact that Jenson Button propelled his BAR Honda to pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix tomorrow. He is followed up closely by world champion Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari. I am also impressed with Jacques Villeneuve who has managed to qualify in 8th position on the track named after his late father Gilles. It will be a great race to watch...I think I will be on an airplane to Colorado though...HMMM. Bummer

Thunder in Manhattan

It is very eeiry here right now. I am at the W checking my e-mails and it is thundering. It sounds like an out of control airplane...NOT a subject that I would bring up in conversation over here with the locals...Not trying to be unapt either...It was the first thought that came to mind.

Taxi ride...NY style.

When I as travelling around looking at properties, it became necessary to hop into a cab to get across town. Well the guy driving the taxi was from somewhere else and reminded me of the soup nazi on Seinfeld. He was randomly accelerating and braking unnecessarily. He nearly side swiped 3 cars, jumped the curb at last twice, and topped it of by yelling at another driver and telling them to "blow it out there ass", as they were trying to point out by honking that the taxi driver was driving erratically. It was very classic. Sometimes you should believe what you see in the movies.

Friday, June 10, 2005

Spoke to the pie man

I have always wanted to sell NZ style meat pies in USA. Today I spoke with Gareth who is the main man at dubpies.com. He is a Kiwi who has attracted some attention in NY by manufacturing and selling pies here. I am keen to try one or 3, but I may not have time this trip. Anyways I found out today that he'd like to work the west coast, so I will do some diligence with Mrs Gaha and see what we can come up with. Emily can be in charge of Vancouver.

The BIG Apple

Had a busy day today looking at apartments in Manhattan. They are not cheap in this part of the world, and there are a lot of vendors with high expectations. Went to the Trump Tower and that was impressive. I managed to get a photo out the front, so I will put it on the website at a later date when I get to a proper computer. Also viewed another Trump building called The Trump World Tower. It is the tallest residential apartment complex in the world. It is 90 stories high, and located opposite the UN.
Manhattan is amazing, there is certainly a buzz here. Waked through the Central Park and aong 5th ave and Madson ave... I must say, It i not as big as I thought? Maybe I am a bit jet lagged?

Thursday, June 09, 2005

In NY

I am now at the W in Lexington in Manhattan. I am updating this via internet on the tv. I went to Miami, then Abaco in the Bahamas. On way to Abaco both Nick and I got searched by customs. No rubber glove luckily. Abaco was very hot. Looked at some nice property. Some of the island was wrecked by the hurricans last year. Flew to Ft Lauderdale this morning and looked at property there too. Saw some nice ones. Arrived a JFK tonight after I got searched again at the airport.. Luckily no rubbber love again though.
Off to Trump tower tomorrow..WOO HOO

Monday, June 06, 2005

In Miami

In Miami off to Abaco tomorrow. It is really hot here.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

off to the airport

I am off to the airport soon to head to Miami. I will blog along the way and let you know what the country is like.........

Saturday, June 04, 2005

taking a carry on

I cant decide if I should take a large bag for my travels and put it in the hold of the plane, or take a carry on and not risk losing baggage? I am leaning towards the carry on.

A survey as per Aaron Bhatnagar's suggestion

I think that these things can be a bit silly, but since I actually completed it I will publish it.....

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

fishing

What is your greatest fear?

snakes

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Bo Duke... HAHA ( Dukes of Hazzard )

Which living person do you most admire?

Great Aunt Vi / Parents

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Grumpy.... Could be more efficient with my time. Could work harder. Need to push myself more.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

asking silly questions

What is your greatest extravagance?

Jack Daniels

What is your favorite journey?

To New Zealand to visit family friends

On what occasion do you lie?

Dont make a habit of lying.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

HA.....

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

WASSUP


What is your greatest regret?

There is a few of them.. But I try to be positive.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Family and dog ( dog is dead )


When and where were you happiest?

When I succeed.....Everywhere.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Singing and public speaking without embarassment or fear.
Learning a foreign language, and playing the bagpipes.


If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

That I could see them more often.


What do you consider your greatest achievement?

still being alive

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

President Good, Rock star or movie star or Formula 1 racer

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

cheetah

What is your most treasured possession?

memories


What is your favorite occupation?

real estate


What is your most marked characteristic?

a bit cheeky at times

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Not intersted in men

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Everything

What do you most value in your friends?

The get togethers and stories and watching them grow and succeed.


Who are your heroes in real life?

Parents, F1 drivers, President, Governator, Trump


What is it that you most dislike?

blatant idiocy


How would you like to die?

Happy


What is your motto?

You only live once.... Hit it.

New Job e-mail update

This is a copy of the e-mail update I send out to my friends...

Hello All

I hope you are well and prospering in 2005. I have been very very busy lately. I completed the real estate exam, got the license in the mail and I have now hung my license on the wall at Keller Williams Realty Santa Monica. Keller Williams is a rapidly expanding real estate company and the office in Santa Monica is brand new. I am really looking forwards to getting in amongst the real estate market in Los Angeles, California and the USA. Watch this space.

I am off tomorrow to Miami. I am going to meet Nick and we will be touring the country looking for WOW properties that will be suitable for a new up market property company/club that is being set up. When everything is all go I will be letting you know all about it. This is an exciting venture. We will be looking in Miami, then off to Abaco in the Bahamas, New York City, Vail Colorado, Honolulu Hawaii and Maui. I expect to be away for over two weeks.

I will be posting updates on my blog which you could check from time to time and make comments if you so choose. It is puntiki.blogspot.com The blog is like a web site but it is updated daily with info about what I have been up too. In the future when I switch the web site over to business, the blog site will take over from the website as my source of communication. I have also changed my web site again since last time I e-mailed out....... So check that and let me know what you think.

My cousin Caleb came and visited, and I have been busy organizing the Real Estate career and the property trip.....My time has been consumed more so than normal lately.

I am very interested in knowing what you have been up too, so be sure to e-mail me or leave a comment on this blog......

Have a great day.

Rob

Steak tartare

I went to the Warszawa Restaurant in Santa Monica for dinner on Friday night. It was my friend Mat's birthday, and his girlfriend Nadine had organised for us all to meet there. Raven who created the movie the Helix Loaded was there, and his work collegues Nova and Alex also showed.
I particularly like dill. Upon starting with a few courses I noticed that most everything was dill infused....... The wine was good, the food was great and then came the steak tartare. Well if I had not had a couple of glasses of wine I probably would not have tried it, but I did and it was actually quite nice.....Now I am not planning on consuming raw mince again anytime soon, but it certainly was an experience.
The raspberry crepes for desert were the best I have ever had, and the Polish Vodka which tasted like it was slightly cinnamon infused was also magnificent.
All and all a brilliant evening. I will be going back to the Warszawa Restaurant.

Warszawa Restaurant 1414 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica, CA Tel: (310) 393-8831

Friday, June 03, 2005

L.C Plum @ The Joint

I am going to the Joint in Hollywood to watch the band L.C Plum. The band is made up of previous work collegues and they are rather good. I fully expect it to be another fun night in Los Angeles... Woo Hoo.

Getting prepared for property trip.

On Sunday I am off to Miami to meet up with Nick and look at property. We are going to go to Abaco in the Bahamas, New York ( the big apple ), Colorado and Hawaii. I have not been to any of the places except Hawaii, so it will be a interesting trip and a big learning curve. I am busy deciding weather to take a big bag or a carry on, and what sort of clothes to take. It is HOT in Miami today.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

The Regent Beverly Wilshire

Went to the Regent Beverly Wilshire yesterday to meet a lady who specialises in property in Honolulu. I am going to Honolulu and Maui this month to look for some WOW property for a new proeprty company. While I was at the Beverly Wilshire, the lady from Honolulu gave me infomation on a magnificent 14,000 sq ft home in the Diamond Head area for US$17,500,000...... So if you are interested.... Let me know.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Happy wedding anniversary Mum and Dad

Happy wedding anniversary Mum and Dad. 31 years today. Married June 1st 1974.