Chickenhawk Scratchings

At the Craig Proctor Superconference in Orlando, FL, myself and my fellow coaching members have been learning how to become more effective Rainmakers.  They may have taught us TOO well...

After the day's festivities, myself and two friends decided to run up the street to KFC and grab dinner. I offered to drive in my truck, a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 (very important fact) rather than taking the other available vehicle - a convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse.

It was raining cats and dogs.  Rain was going sideways.  The wind was blowing quite fiercely, lightning was crashing down, and we were enjoying the spectacle of another Florida afternoon thunderstorm.  The only problem - we had to go out in it to get to our destination.

Being the kind of person I am, I volunteered to run out to the truck and drive it up as close as possible to let the others in.  After the short run, I was soaked! I drove to the curb and the other two jumped inside (nearly literally - they both tried to get in the front door of the quad-cab). Once we were settled, we headed down the road.

On Central Florida Parkway, I noticed that the rain was starting to pool quite a lot.  Traffic slowed to a crawl.  Soon it was evident that the water was rising quickly.  I started hoping that the other drivers would get through the water - I wasn't worried about my truck, but all of the small cars around me could get washed out at any minute (and I didn't want to be stuck between them!).

First one, then another cars began getting stuck and turning on their emergency flashers. Luckily for them the water wasn't going to get any higher than their engines, but they were effectively out of submission.  We managed to get through the traffic, into the KFC parking lot, and into the restaurant with little problem. The last large body of water we drove through actually splashed up onto the hood of my truck - that one was deep! We were extremely thankful that we hadn't taken the Eclipse...

I don't know how often that much flooding happens on the roads in Orlando, but Central Florida Parkway turned into the Central Florida Lake.  Wow!

On Friday, I enjoyed a morning full of information and motivation at the Craig Proctor Superconference at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida. Even though I was worried about my Dad, who had suffered a heart attack the previous day, the day was otherwise positive.

Lunch time came about, and we headed down to a small restaurant by the pool.  I hadn't wanted to carry my wallet all day, so I had tucked a twenty dollar bill in my business card case.  After all, I reasoned, lunch couldn't POSSIBLY run any more than that.

We sat down and I checked the menu.  Now, I'm not ignorant to hotel prices, especially resort hotels where these conferences are held.  I'm used to routinely spending $12-15 on a box lunch or other fare.  When I saw that a hamburger was on the menu for $15.00, I figured it would fit nicely.  I ordered a Dr. Pepper to go with it.

My friends and I enjoyed some light conversation, and after some time, my hamburger was delivered.  It had crispy bacon, and french fries. I ate it and felt that, while it wasn't the best I'd had, it did hit the spot.

After a bit more conversation, the check was delivered.  I stared down in disbelief.  The total was $23.66!!

Many thoughts flashed through my mind, but they all collided against one, HUGE, over-riding thought.  How in the (WORLD) could a hamburger cost more than twenty dollars???

I made two observations. First, my Dr. Pepper, which was refilled twice (probably because the cup was so small), cost four dollars.  It was about the size of a McDonald's small soft drink. Second, an 18% gratuity was added to my bill automatically "for my convenience".

I was incensed. I was outraged. I was about to toss my twenty dollar bill on the table and walk off, but I couldn't quite make myself do it.

I finally borrowed the extra money from my friend Patrick and paid the bill.  The server asked if I wanted my change back, and I managed to keep a sharp retort in check as I answered in the affirmative. I was wondering where the rest of the cow was that I had paid for ;-)

I may be speaking from my middle class upbringing, or the fact that I try to live by a budget, but under NO CIRCUMSTANCES can I see a bacon cheeseburger and fries being $23.66. If I wanted to spend that much money, I'd be expecting a steak.  Needless to say, the Marriott rubbed me the wrong way completely.  When I hold my seminars and training events at hotels as I've done in the past, I may not consider the Marriott any more.  That's unfortunate, as the Marriott was my hotel of choice. It's interesting how things like that can change one's perspective, whether warranted or not.

As a side note, I went to McDonalds the next day for lunch.  I had their Angus 1/3rd pound burger with bacon. It tasted at least as good, I refilled my Dr. Pepper two times (in a large cup, thank you), and I paid about six bucks.  Balance was restored - for now.

I had a wonderful conversation with a fellow Craig Proctor coaching member from Illinois. He has just started focusing on short sales as one of his primary means of income. I have worked on some short sales before, but the techniques that he shared with me have the potential to allow me to close more short sales and increase the income I can make from them.

One of the techniques that I liked was that whenever he finds a seller who is going to need to sell their home through a short sale, he submits an offer to the bank immediately upon listing the property. The offer is from an investor, who offers an amount such as 60% of value.  It may not be close to what is owed on the house, but the point is that an offer is immediately submitted to the bank to get the ball rolling. 

Once the offer is submitted, a relationship can begin with the bank representative who will handle the short sale.  Then, when a better offer comes through, the lines of communication are already established, the necessary seller paperwork is already done, and the offer can be submitted in a much more positive manner.

Thursday morning, I got one of those calls you never want to get.  I saw on the caller ID that it was my Mom's cell phone, and in Colorado, it would have only been 6:30am. She told me my Dad had been taken to the hospital - he had had a heart attack. He was in surgery at that moment.

I admit, the phone call could have been worse. Thank the Lord it wasn't.  My parents are in Colorado.  I'm in South Carolina, 1300 miles away.  I felt helpless.  Afterall, what could I do realistically?

I told Mom to keep me updated, and I let her go.  Then I prayed. I was really shaken.  My dad is 85 years old, and I knew that people didn't live forever, but he's my Dad.  He's one of the bedrocks in my life. I think we all have people we feel like that about. 

Luckily, Dad made it out of surgery.  It turns out he had been shocked a couple times in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.  I was so happy that he had been in good hands, both here on earth, and otherwise.  He has just been moved to a regular room, out of the ICU, two days after the attack.

My biggest concern right now is finding the money to buy two tickets to get out to Colorado. I can't wait to see him again. If you read this, any extra prayers are appreciated. :)

Orlando is a great place to visit.  I'm not sure if I'd want to live here, but that's because my ideal city is a little less... busy.  Overall though, I really enjoy each time I get to venture down South to the home of Disney World and the many other attractions.

I haven't been able to really enjoy the attractions of Orlando yet, because each of my three trips here have been for business... but I'm sure that will change soon enough :)  I want to see Mickey one of these days!

I have a hotel on International Drive, partly because of the close location to my conference, partly because of the great deal I got on http://www.travelocity.com , and partly because I really like the atmosphere of I-Drive.

If you love to people watch, and I certainly do, then this is a great place to watch a huge variety of human beings go about a frenzied time.

Every restraurant I could want is within a few blocks.  There are nightclubs, family resorts, theme parks, and much more. If I feel the need to buy Harley Davidson apparell or cameras, there seems to be a store on every corner for each!

Ahh, Orlando. I will miss you when I leave, and I'll look forward to my next conference in this great city!

On Thursday I packed a few things, filled up the cooler with Dr. Pepper and plenty of ice, and hopped in my truck for an eight and a half hour fun-filled drive to Florida!  I was off for my seventh Craig Proctor Superconference, this time in Orlando, FL.

Though it was going to be a bit of a drive, I didn't mind much.  I told myself that I drove that distance dozens of times when I was in college.  The drive from Lindsborg KS was about eight hours to Thornton, CO and the drive from Manhattan, KS was only about half an hour longer. What I seemed to have forgotten is that I was over a decade younger...

The drive went well.  I listened to a book on tape (had to bring a tape player along - none in the truck). I watched the scenery change from South Carolina to Georgia to Florida. 

When I hit Jacksonville, I had to turn off the book on tape.  It was impossible to hear it over the thunderstorm I had driven into.  After an agonizing half hour of driving slowly, some due to the rain, but most due to the people driving slowly around me through the rain, I got back into beautifully clear weather. 

When I hit Orlando, it was just about seven and a half hours after I had started.  Not bad for a trip that was supposed to take an hour longer.  I won't admit to my average speed...