We went to an opening on Saturday. It was very interesting. Friends of friends bought a parcel of land with old 60′s bungalows and renovated them. Actually, extensively renovated them. You can see more at Better Shelter.

What I liked about it was the idea and concept. How great it is to see enthusiastic people renovating old homes and bringing them out to the market at a good price. The theme was very 60s. Different designers got to show their talents and there were so very good ideas.

Our next door neighbor, Andrew Virtue is a great interior designer and showed us what he could do with one of the corner units. It was beautifully themed with blues and turquoise shades in a 60′s surf environment.

Surfing environment was really the key point. Both developers were actively involved with the community, one with Quicksilver, the other founded the Alva Skates.

It was fun because it felt like those LA parties in the 60s except 40 years later with a different crowd.

I haven’t had it confirmed yet but heard plenty of time before. It never hurts to be careful anyway. Most of it is common sense.

New California Laws effective 7/1/07 – New Driving Fines for 2007

1. Carpool lane – 1st time $1068.50 starting 7/1/07 (The $271 posted on the highway is old). Don’t do it again because 2nd time is going to be double. 3rd time triple, and 4th time license suspended.

2. Incorrect lane change – $380. Don’t cross the lane on solid lines or intersections. That one will be a killer…

3. Block intersection – $485.

4. Driving on the shoulder – $450. That’s annoying to see anyway.

5. Cell phone use in the construction zone. – Double fine as of 07/01/07. Cell phone use must be “hands free” while driving. There will be money made there for the state.

6. Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts – both passengers and drivers get tickets .

7. Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit. (no more 10% of posted speed limit grace). That’s going to be interesting considering no one drives the speed limit, not even the police.

8. DUI = JAIL (Stays on your driving record for 10 years!)

9. As of 07/01/07 cell phone use must be “hands free” while driving. Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy – easy money for police department. Been doing this for a while now.

It just proves to show that if no one self regulates, the state will enforce laws and make a bundle.

Sometimes it’s not wonder why some companies fare so badly. Sprint was losing something like 10,000 clients a month after buying out Nextel.

Now that Sprint has successfully killed Nextel, I still get regular reminders that they owe me money for the past 8 months, a paltry 7 cents. And to think they make us pay for late fees when we’re late.

So I feel that after having them waste more than 7 cents, it would be a good time to have them stop sending these nuisances. After talking to a clueless finance person, I get switched to another clueless person who puts me on hold until I get disconnected. I call back and try to get someone at the finance department again. The phone disconnects me. Just to remind you, we are talking about a huge global telecommunication leader here.

Finally I just hit the first customer representative button (#6), a charming lady who unfortunately had to transfer me to the dreaded finance dept. There I speak to another person. I get disconnected again. Remember about this being a telecommunication company. Third time is the lucky charm and she is going to bat for me. Of course, they offered to wipe out the balance in their favor. I should have asked for late fees.

If you consider the stamping to remind me that they owe me money, having spoken to 5 people, the cost for their calls, not withstanding my time and loss of productivity, you can’t help but understand why people have little faith in those marketing pitches when it takes me 30mn to reach someone who is competent. Now does this make any business sense to anyone? Thank you Sprint, but no thanks.