***It's not a receding hairline, it's a growing forehead: think positive.
     Facebook affords me the opportunity to jot down random thoughts without people judging your train of thought.  Mine is actually not so much a train as a parade: ya, it's contiguous, but one second it's clowns, the next second it's the National Guard, then a band, then horses, a jacuzzi on wheels, a tractor, poop-picker-uppers, a giant chicken...you get the idea.  You keep watching though, because you never know what's coming next.  That, and they keep throwing candy to the kids and you got a Black Cow that none of the little kids wanted.

***Everyone seems to have a favorite pen or kind of pen, but nobody ever talks about it.  What's yours?
     On Xanga, most folks do their best to chronicle the day's happenings, or write about some burning issue they have.  For every paragraph I write, there are 3 more that go unsaid.  Facebook, by contrast, gives you the opportunity to express individual thoughts and still maintain the attention span of a gnat.

***Lots of people like Friday the best.  I like Thursday, because I get to look forward to Friday.  Plus, I never really do anything exciting on Fridays anyways.
***When someone asks how you're doing, and you're not sure how to answer, just say, "Unbelievable!"  That could be good, bad, or anything in between.  Seemingly specific, but oddly generic.
***Why do we work so hard to resist the urge to laugh when someone cuts one?  You can't tell me that God created that sound with no thought of how amusing it would be, especially in certain situations.  We laugh at it when we are little kids.  Nobody even has to teach us too.
***Is bottled water any safer than tap water?  And why does it cost as much as soda, but has no added ingredients??
***Words that can be nouns AND verbs are fun.  "Please file that file."  "We've slated the slate for replacement."  "Pin the pin on your shirt."  "He nailed that nail."  "Check the check for errors."  "If you answer with the right answer..."  You get the idea.
***Are the Pittsburgh Stealers metal workers or thieves?  And why isn't the "gh" in "Pittsburgh" silent like in "bought, caught, taught, and sigh"?
***Why couldn't they come up with a more creative word for "lights?"  Try "brighteners" or "anti-darks" or "darkness dispellers."
***What do they call the guy who folds folders?  What if they used them to keep records on sheep enclosures?  Would he be a "fold folder folder?"
***Is the guy who makes coffee mugs a "mugger?"
***Can I count pickles as my vegetable for the day?
***If someone tipped the cops that a scuba guide was selling drugs, would it be a reefing reefer referral?  What if the guy was a roofer?
***I can't stand the fact that paragraphs are no longer indented.  I think it's much more relaxing to read indented paragraphs.  Unindented paragraphs stress me out.  Lists are different, they can just be "bulleted." (see above)
***The letter "X" is completely unnecessary.  "Q" is questionable (or should I say kweschunubl)?
***Somebody tell me why the French use so many vowels?  I'd hate to play Wheel of Fortune in France!  "Well, at the end of round three, the score is: Franciouse -$350, Jeanne -$125, and Jacques -$475."

Here's a good story, illustrating that "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart."

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out old Bible.

The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.

As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. 'Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.' The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, 'I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.'

'I did,' replied the old cowboy.

'If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshipping in here?' asked the preacher.

'Well, sir, God told me that he didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church.'

   Got a phone call from a friend today who is selling a home in another state.  They got an offer and wanted a second opinion on how to handle some of what the offer entailed.  They have a real estate agent who is representing them in another state, but wanted a second opinion from a trusted friend who is also an agent...me .  I also have an out-of-state family member selling some property with whom I speak regularly about their transaction.

   So if you have a friend or relative who is a Realtor, can they give you advice and help, even if they are not licensed in the state where your transaction is taking place???

   Yes, and no.  It depends on the kind of advice you want.  There are certain skills and laws that are nationwide.  To get a real estate license, we learn both our state and federal real estate laws and practices.  Your trusted friend may help you come up with general advice, as well more questions that you should be asking, even if they can't answer those questions for you.  They may give you questions to take back to your local real estate agent.  There are a few things a good Realtor will NOT presume to know when advizing you:

1) How real estate laws differ in your state.

2) What the value and market conditions are for your property and its neighborhood.

3) Customary practices for expenses, title conveyence, contract presentation, closings, and many other practices that change from one town to the next. (I once sold a home in Pueblo--just 30 minutes away--and the closing took place totally different from how we close here in Colorado Springs.)

   I love getting phone calls from friends and family for real estate advice (719) 232-4059 .  It shows a certain amount of trust.  Plus, it never hurts to get a second opinion.  Just be sure that you ask the right questions of the right person.  A good Realtor is not afraid to say, "I don't know," and refer you back to your local professional, rather than giving presumptuous advice.