When a reunion goes right

This past weekend I attended a reunion of our high school marching band and auxiliary units in Lake Arrowhead (Rim of the World High School). True, it's not a your typical class reunion but it was so much better. It was a group of people spanning four years of high school that had all come together in the past for a similar purpose: the love of performing music and shows.

Your typical high school reunion is just people of your graduating class, you are all lumped together just because you were born in a certain year or have a certain educational qualification. You may have a lot of friends in your class, or you may have just a few with more friends in classes ahead of your behind you. In the long run, your class not by choice, therefore your class reunion may be a gathering of either a lot of people you hung out with or just a few. But band, ah, that is a different thing. We chose to be there and we all became close friends and eventually like a family after time. In band you spend a lot of time together in practice, performance, competition, and tours so you really get to know these people.

And after all the years (about 24 for me) it still felt like family. Some of the people who attended the reunion I had seen in the past couple years or so and some I had not seen since high school. Yet, it still felt so natural. It still seemed like family and we had all turned out pretty darn good. Even our band director, Brian Fox, turned up and it was like he had not aged a bit. It was an entire weekend of activities that was very enjoyable and fun. There was not the stress of "I have to look rich and hot" or "I cannot go because I gained weight". It was just old friends getting together because we enjoy each others company. There was no feeling of competition or dread you sometimes feel with class reunions.

I guess my whole point here is that, for me, joining groups is very personal and sometimes a difficult process. I do not take joining groups lightly and want to make sure I'm committing my time and energy to something that benefits myself as well as the group and that I will not tire or bore of. So I'm a bit of a group-joining-phobic because it has been difficult to rival such a group as the 82-86 Rim High Marching Scots. But I'm learning, there are groups out there and I'm slowly overcoming my mild phobia. I have learned that it is ok to shop around for the group that is just right for me and I don't have to join a group just to join a group or because "it's the right thing to do". Finding the right group, whether it be social or business, is like a courtship, and you have to go on a few "dates" before you find the right one!

What the Beagle knows: don't sneak the contraband in the airport!

PET DETECTIVES

What the Beagle Knows

Man's best friend is the smuggler's worst enemy. Here's why it's unwise to try to sneak a little chorizo—or anything else—past Snoopy at the airport.

By Brad Tuttle, Tuesday, April 20, 2010 | Subscribe to the magazine

Some 1,300 dogs work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Just how good are they at sniffing out drugs, money, food, and other items not allowed entry into our country?

"The dog's nose is very sophisticated, thousands of times better than the human nose," says Clark Larson, director of the CBP's canine program. A CBP officer working with a dog can perform a full inspection of an incoming vehicle in about five minutes. An officer working alone might need 20 minutes to conduct even a cursory review—taking significantly longer to achieve a lot less.

Beagles and other dogs are hardwired to sniff out trouble. Larson uses beef stew as an example to explain the exquisite sensitivity of a dog's nose. Most people know what beef stew smells like. But a dog that's been trained to detect spices will immediately be able to sniff out the presence of the tiniest pinch of basil and differentiate it from oregano or other spices. "That's why even when smugglers pack marijuana in several layers of cellophane, surround it with onions in sealed packages, and then immerse it in tanks full of gasoline, the dogs are still able to sniff out the drugs," he says.

The dogs usually come into the CBP's possession by way of animal shelters and humane societies in the eastern and midwestern U.S. Most of the dogs are trained at the CBP center in El Paso, Tex., where they undergo a rigorous 10-week training—punctuated, of course, with many doggie treats. The dogs specialize in detecting either organic (fruits, meat, hidden animals) or some combination of currency, firearms, narcotics, and humans trying to sneak into the U.S. illegally. They're fast learners: Within two or three days of training, a dog knows the scents it's after. The rest of the training is devoted to fine-tuning its abilities and teaching it to pursue those smells anywhere. And yes, that means anywhere. The dogs go through exercise after exercise in which they're instructed to find banned items hidden inside suitcases, fanny packs, bicycle tires, baby sippy cups, car trunks, SpongeBob SquarePants backpacks, cowboy hats, or household objects like vases with hollowed-out bottoms, just to name a few.

The CBP uses several dog breeds, including beagles, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and Belgian Malinois. So why is it that beagles are used so often at airports?

For one thing, because they're adorable. "Who doesn't love a beagle?" says Larson, describing the droopy-eared breed as "a massive nose on four little legs." Beagles are also lovers of food and are highly interested in other animals (their scents especially), making them the perfect foil for travelers toting banned meats, cheeses, and fruits, or prospective new pets like fish, birds, or snakes from abroad. Even when the offending item is stashed away in what appears to be an airtight container, the beagle's nose knows. Last fall at Chicago O'Hare airport, for example, a superstar CBP beagle named Shelby barked up a storm after sniffing the presence of live snails, which were sealed in plastic containers hidden inside a bag arriving on a flight from London.

So while you're at the airport petting or making googly eyes at the cute little pooch at your ankles, you can be sure it's busy sniffing out the mango at the bottom of the bag held by the woman behind you. Or the wheel of unpasteurized cheese you shouldn't have stowed in yours.

Virtual Assistants Can Mean Cash In Your Pocket

How Will Using A Virtual Assistant Benefit My Business?

Virtual assistants have a lot of advantages. All of them translate to dollars and cents adding up to growth and profitability for your business.

Using VAs allows you to shift the vital, repetitive yet essential tasks that you really do not have to do yourself, allowing you to focus on growing your top line via a new product or new service introduction or perhaps by diversifying into an entirely new business.

1. Ability to delegate tasks while controlling costs
2. Ability to access highly-skilled technical staff when necessary
3. Ability to increase the quality of services with new skills and technologies without internal investment
4. Ability to focus on new business strategies and critical services while satisfying current customers
5. Ability to develop new capabilities without huge investments in capital and time

Financial Benefits Of Using Virtual Assistants:

VAs are independent contractors; eliminating payroll taxes, vacation pay, sick days and employee benefits such as health and dental insurance No need to purchase additional office space or equipment No expenses or down time for employee training Using VAs offers you the ability to keep your projects on schedule without paying overtime You only pay for time spent on YOUR project Unlike traditional employees, you are NOT paying a virtual assistant for making personal phone calls, surfing the internet, chatting with co-workers or coffee/smoke breaks No agency fees as with temporary employees Using VAs gives you the ability to take on more work to generate more profits

The cost savings of using virtual assistants, depending on the size of your business, can be quite staggering. When you include payroll taxes and benefit packages for a full-time employee, their “real” cost is over twice their base pay!

Additional Advantages Of Using Virtual Assistants:

Using a VA will allow you more time to focus on strategic planning to grow your business We posses skills that you may not have, but require; i.e. graphic design, search engine optimization or creating power point presentations Our VAs use state-of-the-art software that your company may not own Using virtual assistants can help level out seasonal or cyclical fluctuations in your business No cumbersome OSHA regulation to follow We work around your schedule to provide you service whenever you need it A VA can help your business gain a competitive edge by providing value-added services Using virtual assistants lets you delegate the myriad of time consuming administrative tasks

Outsourcing work to VAs allows you to control capital costs for office furniture, computers & equipment, reduce labor costs, increase efficiency and gives you extra time to focus on your core business and start new projects quickly.

If you are looking to increase your flexibility, reduce your overhead, improve time management and grow your business, using a virtual assistant may be the right solution for you.

Luxe Personal Concierge can act as your personal or small business virtual assistant and help you increase your productivity while allowing you more time to pursue what means the most to you!

Become Influential and get Fast Company Magazine

How far does your influence spread? Do you know how well your social media is working for you? Now you can find out! For all you small businesses and independent contractors out there, I wanted to let you know about a great chance to generate some publicity! Fast Company magazine will include your photo in the November 2010 issue, as part of a project it calls the "The Influence Project."

http://fcinf.com/v/bbtv/welcome

(The magazine has a circulation of more than 538,000)

If you participate in "The Influence Project" Fast Company WILL include your photo in the November issue!

When you sign up you will get a unique URL which you can share on your blog, website and social media sites. Then you can track your influence and where you stand as one of 2010's Most Influential People online. You'll also get a welcome message from Fast Company telling you that your photo will be in the November issue.

http://fcinf.com/v/bbtv/welcome

Think of it as your own six degrees of separation and see how you are linked to others out there and how your social media is influencing your followers and customers. It's a great experiment. I know you all will be interested in this project and want to participate... what have you got to lose?!

The Valentina offers luxurious vacation rentals in Pismo Beach!

Now celebrating its first anniversary, Valentina is ideal for romantic getaways, weddings, family reunions, and business meetings. Rest, relax, and remember in this Central Coast paradise as you stay in one of our romantic one bedroom suites, spacious two bedroom suites, or stylish, three bedroom "villas." Our spacious tile balconies overlook the captivating Pacific shore. Valentina will indulge your senses as you absorb the consummate luxury experience that is Valentina. Our first-class amenities and spectacular venue will sweep you off your feet, and keep you coming back year after year.

The newly-built Valentina is nestled in the heart of Pismo Beach, just a short walk away from some of Pismo's finest world-class restaurants, and only a block and a half from the historic Pismo Beach Pier. Located along the scenic Central California Coastline, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Pismo Beach is a unique seaside community on the Pacific Ocean. The Central Coast is know for its first-rate wineries, and provides limitless entertainment for the outdoor enthusiast. Valentina is only a short ride from San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, and world renowned attractions like Hearst Castle. Or, if you prefer, leave the car in our private garage, and take a stroll on the famous Pismo Pier. Countless activities await your exploration. Our luxury accommodations include all the necessities of home, and spectacular sunsets come at no charge!

Forget those days of cramming into a small hotel room. At Valentina, our suite are large, and provide you with the freedom to move around, at a rate that is comparable to a luxurious hotel suite. Each suite also includes a gourmet kitchen with all stainless steel signature appliances, living room with state of the art entertainment center, dining area, and laundry room w/ washer/dryer. Secure garage parking and hi-speed internet are complimentary.

And paradise is only footsteps away. I don't know about you, but I know how much nicer it is to stay in a vacation rental than a cramped up hotel room. Having your own home away from home makes your trip that much more comfortable. You have the option of cooking your own meals, doing some laundry if necessary, relaxing on your own patio or balcony, using a blender for your own frozen adult beverages. It just makes the trip that much more enjoyable and you will certainly be comfortable during your stay. This is a great option for a larger family who worried about having to have multiple hotel rooms, now you can have one large sumptuous condo! And you can't go wrong with TripAdvisor reviews, check out what others are saying about Valentina! They are the #1 TA rated vacation rental in Pismo Beach! So don't wait too long on planning your trip, they have limited time specials you don't want to miss out on! Contact the Valenita today: (877) SEE-PZMO tonia@valentinapismobeach.com Valentina website at http://valentinapismobeach.com/index2.html

San Francisco: 5 best July values

Thinking of hitting San Francisco this July? Check out some awesome freebies you can take advantage of there this month:
Free admission to six top museums
An indie craft fair
Tribute to Angel Island immigrants
Pop-up shop opens at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Festival celebrating street art
Read more about all these fun things here:
San Francisco: 5 best July values

Need help finding the right hotel at the right price? Luxe can help you with that too, just contact us at info@Luxeconcierge.net

You Did What? Travelers Beware of Cultural Faux Pas

Every country has it's own customs and rituals that may not go over well in other countries. Here are a few for you to keep in mind:

United Kingdom
Don't: Make that annoying clinking sound while stirring your tea. When it comes to a cuppa, silence is the height of civility.

India
Don't: Eat with your left hand. For reasons of bathroom hygiene (and we'll leave it at that), only the right hand is considered clean.

Japan
Don't: Spear your food with your chopsticks. It's crude. If you really can't manage, ask for a fork - you gaijin.

Ireland
Don't: Order a black and tan, it's associated with Ireland's suppression. We're pretty sure you'll make better friends over a Guinness.