Peter A. Klein's Blog, page 6

What Should you Expect During a Remodel?

Many people I have talked to over the years have no idea what to expect when the remodel of their home starts. Here are some things to consider and some precautions.

Your home will be in turmoil, at least during the day when the workers are there. Your normal routine will become extinct.

Induction Cooktops and Convection Ovens May Be in Your Future

A week ago, our microwave oven gave up the ghost. It was at least 25-years old, as are the oven and cooktop. We decided it was time to replace all three. Did our research and ordered all three.

The microwave oven replacement was a like-for-like type of replacement. We just picked one that would fit the space and had the same capacity. The oven and cooktop replacements were a bit more involved. Looking to cut down our energy consumption and hopefully lower our electric bill, we decided to look at an induction cooktop and a convection oven.

15 Steps - Feng Shui: It Is Not All About a Red Front Door

If you have seen homes with red front doors, you have probably seen a household that is attempting to bring Feng Shui into their lives. Is a red front door all there is to feng shui?

No, there is a lot more to feng shui than the color of a door. Feng Shui dates back more than 3,000 years. To quote Mind Body Green, “The words "feng shui" are Chinese and translate to "wind" and "water." Wind is our breath, and humans are almost 60 percent water. Wind and water are vital elements for life, as is feng shui!”

On the Road Again – It Is Time to Hit the Road for Real

In December I needed to take care of some business at the local Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) office. I do not remember the reason for the visit. However, I was given a book that is a history of the Automobile Club of Southern California. The title is The Road Ahead: The Automobile Club of Southern California 1900 – 2000.

I just started reading it and was struck by how far automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles, as well as roads have come in 120 years. The book describes the extremely poor state of roads in 1900.

On the Road Again – Writing Your Travel Log Years Later

In my last blog I mentioned that I would attempt to write a travel log about a trip we took ten years ago. It has been a challenge. Here is the back story and some of the things that have helped me piece the timeline together.

Let’s start with the back story. One of my sons went to college at UCLA. Through a program many colleges belong to, he was able to do his junior year at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. That seemed like a good reason for us to take a trip to the British Islands to visit him.

On the Road Again – Tips for Writing Your Travel Log

One thing about travel that I like is the memories. As I get older, my memory isn’t as good as it used to be. Big shock! That is where photographs are great. You look at one or more photos from a trip and memories usually come flooding back.

Another option is logging your trip. Between the two, you will be able to remember many memories of each trip. What do you write about and how do you format it?

Good Behavior - What Goes Around Comes Around

There is an old saying: Karma is mean. Yes, I cleaned it up a bit, but you get the idea. Lots of philosophical phrases, from many points of view, reiterate this feeling over and over.

If we look at this concept, that what we do comes back to us, in terms of manners and courtesy.

What do you lose by holding the door for someone or saying thank you? Nothing! What do you gain? You may never know what the direct impact is. Many feel that helping others makes you a better person. Many times, the recipient may acknowledge your act of kindness. Sometimes it may not be. In a few cases, the recipient may return the favor many times over.

When driving, what will it cost us to let someone merge into the lane we are in, in front of us? Nothing. And it may make their day, or at least that part of their drive. I like to let other drivers know that they may have a taillight or brake light that is not working, if I pull up beside them at a stop sign or traffic light. It could save them from getting a ticket or being in a crash.

There is a television commercial I hate. In part of it, the man is walking on a sidewalk, and keeps going as he steps into a crosswalk, the whole time concentrating on his cell phone. He almost gets hit by a car. He plays the victim. When you are in public, such as on a sidewalk, it is your responsibility to watch out for others.

Be polite. Use please, thank you, and you are welcome frequently. Do not assume anything about someone you see with a physical disability. They may not want or may not need the assistance you think they need. Hold doors for them, as you should with anyone.

On public transportation, say a bus or trolley, stand and offer your seat to someone who looks like they could use a seat. Do not pile your stuff in an empty seat when things are crowded. Keep music and cell phone conversations to yourself. Nobody else cares nor wants to be bothered by your noise.

Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t work. Years ago, I was driving back to San Diego at night on I-5. I came up on a car with its headlights and taillights off. I pulled behind this car and flashed my high beams at the driver several times. I tried turning my headlights off and on while I was behind him. Nothing got the driver’s attention, or he did not act on them. But the effort was made.

I can only think of one instance where doing someone a good turn has cost me anything. Years ago, I boarded a TWA flight in San Diego for a business trip to St. Louis. For some reason, there was a problem getting one of the engines started on an L1011 airliner. After a while we asked to get off the plane while the mechanics worked on the engine. Almost as soon as we deplaned, the reluctant engine started. We reboarded and off we went.

It was the early days of cell phones, and the plane was equipped with cell phones in the seatbacks. Swipe your credit card and make a call. I made a couple calls to rearrange my schedule in St. Louis since we were now a couple of hours late. A young Martine was sitting next to me. He did not have a credit card. So, I let him call his family using my card. I told him I did not need to be repaid. It buoyed his spirits, which was payback enough.

A few thoughts on behavior for your travels:

Do not hog the armrests on planes
Do not recline your seat all the way back on a plane
Do not kick the seat in front of you
When standing, try not to pull back on the seat in front of you
Seat in the seat that matches your ticket and do not complain about it
Keep your children under control
Be quiet in your room
Do not cut in line
Be patient

In general, “Do unto others as they would do unto themselves.”

Peter A. Klein is the author of 15 Steps to a Successful Remodel and Can’t Travel? Go Virtual!.

On the Road Again – On the Mississippi: Heart of the Delta

We are home from our Mississippi River cruise, Viking’s Heart of the Delta. We were aboard the Viking Mississippi. It is a shame that Viking started a new route with a new ship in a year in which the Mississippi’s water level is the lowest in years. So low in fact that the wreck of a wooden ship from the 1800s was exposed near Baton Rouge, LA.

Here is a quick rundown of the cruise.

15 Steps – Keep Your Home Smelling Clean and Fresh

With the holidays rapidly approaching, there is the possibility that you may have guests in your future, or you will be going to another’s home. Nobody likes going to another person’s home, or coming home, and it stinks. There are a few easy ways to eliminate the odors and make the home smell inviting.

We have noticed, on occasion, that our kitchen smells bad. Turns out something we put in the kitchen wastebasket has started to decompose. Easy solution: take out the trash. While you are at it, empty all the wastebaskets. A good chore for kids.

On the Road Again – Where Oh Where Is My Luggage?

Flying can have its challenges. Your flights might be late or cancelled. Some airports are notorious for long wait times, especially Toronto Pearson Airport. A third challenge could be having your luggage mishandled.

I have had a couple instances of losing a bag. Coming back from the east coast after Thanksgiving, with a change of planes in Minneapolis, my luggage did not arrive when I did. I contacted the airline. I gave them my information and went home. The next day I went to a seminar, and then stopped by my office on the way home. My luggage was there, but it took me a few minutes to find it. My co-workers had hidden my bags, and put trash bags my luggage tags in my cubicle.