Real Estate

I begin with an artsy view of this morning's sunrise.

Some of today's tasks, such as preparing for tomorrow night's meeting, can be done pool side. Alas, although I enjoyed a short time there, I had agreed to be in the condo at 11:15 AM when the real estate agent was due to arrive with a prospective buyer.

We hadn't known the place was for sale so I asked the agent, Ricardo (not his real name), "Is this kind of thing going to happen often?"

"No," he said. "Just one time." I asked him this when he showed up at 11:25 AM, alone, to tell me the visit was postponed till noon. When, out of reckless curiosity, I inquired about the asking price, I unleashed the Mexican passion to do business. He pressed a card into my palm. He assured me he had many properties to show me and when I want to see them, I should call him at the number on the card. He pressed a finger onto the card so I wouldn't get lost in it. "This is the number." He said I should be sure to ask for him. By name. Ricardo. Right there. His finger was back on the card. That's it. Ricardo. No one else. Only him.

Yesterday, while we waited for a bus, a van pulled up to the curb, a stocky fellow hustled out, and tried selling me real estate also. He declared he was not actually selling real estate, he was selling happiness. I told him I was already well supplied and in fact I was active in trying to give it away for free. My notion that this might pique his curiosity was emphatically erroneous. Instead, he explained where his office was. I said I often work voluntarily to spread free happiness. He suggested I come to his office the next day to look at properties and that he'd come by to pick me up. I felt a little like a tree trying to talk to a woodpecker. Happily the bus arrival rescued me.

Meanwhile, back in the condo, since I was obliged to wait, I texted Carol who was down by the pool. Texting is very fine but I object to these mini-computers trying to think for me. You know what I mean: The person types "house" but the phone inserts "horse". And if you don't catch it the recipient is left wondering what a horse key is. It's frustrating. Carol texted me to bring down her iPad and a drink.  I came with an ibex and a shrink.

We ate supper on the balcony this evening and the scenery was graced by the smooth glide of a passing sailboat.

And so it goes.