Baseball in Colorado!

Hey the Rockies are on the map now they won the N.L. Championship. Its a great reminder how lucky Boulder, CO is to be hidden snugly into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and still be a 30 minute drive to a major US City with great sport team, like the Rockies, Avalanche, Nuggets, and more. All contenders on the National scene, all hosting top sport entertainment close by.

We took advantage of the Coke promotion tonight and watched the Rockies lead most of the eve, yet still lose to the hardy Phillies. Shame yes, as the song goes, but fun as being in any other city in America watching a hard fought top game. My kids will remember it forever, and I again give thanks for being able to 'have it all' here in this corner of the world, called 'Boulder.'

Hello Potential Landlord, I want to rip you off

Every time we post an available unit on CraigsList, we get a familiar spam. Here is one I got today. The critical thing is the 'pre payment'. The scam is they over pay, and ask you to mail the overage to a bank account. Your bank can take 2 weeks to let you know the 'Certified Check' or 'Bank Check' you were sent has bounced, which it will. The long story verbiage is another dead ringer they are scammers.

Regular checks for your deposit amount, or paypal/visa, and wait for the check to clear. NEVER, my dear landlords, mail overage to a stranger:

From 'Jane Anderson' to Alpine Corporate Accommodations today, 2/22/08:

Hello Potential Landlord,

I am extremely interested in your advert abt the space available for rent,
Please I will like to have answers to the following questions below:

1) I will like to have the description of the space, size, and the
equipments in there.
2) I will like to have the rent fee per month plus the utilities.
3) Also I will like to know if there is any garage or parking space cos I
will have my own car come over there.
4) I will also be coming with some of my furniture, that is if it is
allowed, like bed, book shelf cos I read a lot, shoe rank etc
5) I will also like to know if I can make an advance payment ahead my
arrival that will be stand as a kind of commitment that I am truly coming
over and for you to hold the room down for me.
6) If the #5 questions is YES, I will like to know the total cost for the
initial move as in first month rent and if you accept deposit.
7) I will like to know the major intersection nearest your neighborhood.
Like shopping mall, bus line e.t.c
Lastly, I will like to know more about you and also I will like to have your
pics as for me to know how you look like.

Here is all I can say about my self for now.

I am 27 years old and I work full time, Monday through Friday and have
weekends off except for once a month. I was born United state and raised in
europe, but presently in R I on a business trip for more than 2 years..

I am a professional, A Computer Consultant and I deal in various kinds of
computer applications and soft wares. I graduated in the Queen's University
Belfas, Europe, 8 years ago and I have my B.sc in Computer Science... I am
not really a sports person, BUT I do love Hockey Games, I am a very out
going person and fun to be with. I do play the organ and piano,, and I do
have BOTH piano and organ here at my house. I am not a drinker and I don't
smoke and I don't do drugs. YES I would like to go out with you on weekends
and weeknights when I am free. I like going to movies, concerts, plays, I
like camping, hiking, bike ridding, swimming, and I love to travel.

I am a very dedicated individual who is totally committed to human
development, friendly, very trustworthy and value relationship above
anything. I am a laid back person, I love travelling, sporting and enjoy
meeting people around the world. I am an easy going person and like to have
an apartment/roommate that is very responsible and understanding, someone I
can really get along with. I will take my time to get you one of my pics in
two days time for you to know how I look like, I am sure you will like me.

I am presently in Tucson, Arizona and I will be moving to your city fully to
live for the rest of my life and start a new life and get my own business as
a Computer Consultant ( I have my resume). I will be Staying in your space
for a A YEAR or More.

I should be arriving the state soon......

I need answers to my 8 questions above as soon as possible so as to arrange
for you to get the money prior for my arrival to retain and consider the
room mine.. I will be making this advance payment ahead my arrival so that
you can be rest assured that this is real since I am not in you location
presently. If you think I will be a good to you and you are interested in
renting the space to me
Thanks and have a good time.
Warmest Regards,
JANE ANDERSON

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Image from Young Writers Blog

Little things guests never know about, but affect their stay.

When I stay in any accommodation by myself or with my family, I make notes about 'little' things they do to make the stay more pleasant. When I walk around the properties I help manage, I try to think of myself as the guest, and what is important in their daily living there.

Here is a little thing example: Carpeting the garage pillars.

Pretty boring huh? Not smart to say in our marketing "We Carpet our Garage Pillars!" Not terribly sexy. Many of our units have secured, underground parking. Most spaces are 1.5 car widths wide, so they are easy to park in. Still, between each space is a concrete pillar both separating the spaces and helping to hold up the buildings.

I noticed over the years other owners wrapping these pillars with protective carpeting to avoid car scratches. So we are doing it. Not to sell our suites. Not to raise prices. Just to avoid a guest accidently scratching their car. The guest would probably not tell me anyway. But their experience would go down a scratch. We would be forever 'the place I got that car scratch.'

Little things add up to sum experience. Work to make it a good one for your guests, and you will succeed in the hospitality business.