I just moved back to Chicago, and the Greek riots have been on my mind.  My life resembled the troubles of Greece the last few months, when I was dealing with the Omaha properties on Howard Street.  Facing the bankruptcy and foreclosures made me realize what is most important in my/… Read full post »

I’ve been waiting for Qwest all morning to come and install the internet at my place.  I started writing the post today on a word document, just in case they arrived, and I wanted to be ready for them, as I have no internet, and I do not wish to miss/… Read full post »

Star Wars was the very first movie I ever saw at the movie theatre.  I was not even six years old when it came out.  It was also my first memory of a bonding moment between my father and myself.  My father, who at the time was a successful businessman and/… Read full post »

Tax day.  I heard from someone a long time ago that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes.  I think there are a lot more things in life that are certain, one of them being we all live our lives the way we choose, and that everything happens for/… Read full post »

Being a gay Greek boy in the middle of nowhere, is a bit like a bear crapping in the woods.  If you live in a big city like New York or Chicago, you don’t care what the bear does, because your interaction with that animal is non-existent.  Unless you smell the/… Read full post »

I am currently sitting at Panera Bread in Sioux City, enjoying my cup of coffee and the internet.  Ever since I moved, I haven’t had the chance to connect the DSL at my place, and I need now more than ever write in my blog as many changes are coming into/… Read full post »

Moving time. I moved all my crap last week, and other than my cell phone, I have not been online, which explains my absence from Open Salon. Moving during Holy Week, is really not the best week to move according to the Greek Orthodox religion.  Actually, moving is never a good/… Read full post »

The more I think about it, the more analytical and reflective I am becoming, considering I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life.  I am thirty-nine years old and to be in a position where I still don't know what I want to be… Read full post »

Day 2 of me having sold the properties.  I feel great.  Even my horoscope from facebook reads:

"You may have important financial matters to attend to, Capricorn, but there is also an important message coming to you in a very odd way. This could be something that triggers… Read full post »

After feeling crappy about the sale yesterday to the Indian fellow who is still staying at my place while we wait for my favorite banker to finish the paperwork, I feel a lot better today.  Listening to the John Assaraf and Tony Litster CDs on personal development and meditating the la… Read full post »

Over the last few days, I’ve been negotiating the sale of my properties with a real estate investor from Minnesota. It’s been an interesting few days in my household.  After I drove my father back to Chicago last weekend, a childhood friend and cousin through marriage came back with/… Read full post »

I love my banker.  I learned so much from him the last few months, I don’t even know what to do with myself.  I learned to not take his word or anything that comes out of his mouth seriously.  Many times I went into the bank branch thinking I was going/… Read full post »

As I arrived in Chicago last night, it felt great to finally be back at the home of my high school years.  Even though I had a horrible time in high school, all while being a good student and never really able to fit in, I did enjoy the experience overall.  I/… Read full post »

Spring is in the air! The sun was out yesterday on St. Patrick's Day, which was a relief, after this long, cold winter, with more than 62 inches of snow accumulation. I am happy and grateful now that I can start running again and lose the 10 or 12 pounds of fat I gained… Read full post »

As I look back on the events of the first week of January 2009, I cannot forget this feeling of devastation that came over me.  The moment I found out about the betrayal and the theft, I instantly went from being a generous, self-confident & and loving man to a needy… Read full post »

I had to figure out a way to get in touch with Jen.  I knew she still could send and receive texts, so I called Verizon to ask them to turn her line back on. I didn’t care about Stu.  In a calm and professional demeanor I explained to Jen that… Read full post »

Back to Monday, after what seemed to be a long relaxing weekend.

As I reflect on the events leading to the imminent foreclosure of my properties, I feel this sense of relief that I took a stand with my banker, and did not allow the sale of all my properties to go… Read full post »

Finally, on January 3^rd, the road conditions improved and it was finally safe enough to drive to Omaha. My brother and myself were horrified the moment we walked into the manager house because the stench was so rancid, we were ready to vomit. 

“You hired ‘em and that’s the than… Read full post »

I now felt more confident than ever to fire Stu and Jen, considering they left my properties unattended and some dude named Larry, who I did not even know, was in charge.  I finally called Helga who was frantic, which is actually normal for her. 

“Where the hell have you been? … Read full post »

At the stroke of midnight, on January 1, 2009, I was at my cousin’s house in Chicago, partying with various friends and family, happy as can be, ringing in the New Year.  I promised myself that 2009 was going to be the best year ever! With a little wine and whiskey, I am… Read full post »

One of my good friends is visiting from out of town, working with me on a real estate project here in Sioux City.  I decided to make him my personal trainer, since he has a phenomenal body with good muscle tone.  He’s really into health and wellness and we both started/… Read full post »

After watching the Oscars last night and getting inspired by all the people who are the best at their craft, I made the decision to change the venue of my blog from blogger.com to salon.com. Julie Powell’s success story as depicted in the film “Julie & Julia” has stimulat… Read full post »