Club Chaos Agents - All Things Hollish, Wacked, and Jacked

The Autistic Photography of Noah E. Starr: Holy Cow Playground From The Eyes Of A Child

TLW, this is for you. Your grand-minions send their love, hugs and kisses. We hope to see you in February. I gave Noah my Nikon today and let the boys play TomTom and Photographer. We didn't have far to go. They made a bee line for one of their fave spots and I had a wonderful time watching Noah explore with the camera. He's going to make a wonderful photographer. Stephen was a pip. He kept shooting the ground (LOL). I took some cell phone videos of him working with the camera and will post my thoughts about that later.

Here is some wee people eye candy. Holy Cow Playground from the eyes of a child...

Kids doing Localism. I bet you didn't see that one coming (LOL). ;-)

I have a small landing page that does incredibly well because I link back to most of my AR holdings from there. It was created to be a bounce page to what I want you to see and where I want you to go. People can find my websites and calculators there or check out RSS feeds to Real Estate News and my blogs.

It sometimes pops up pretty high in the search engines depending upon what you are looking for based upon the embedded RSS feeds. Recently, I have noticed an increase of requests to exchange links. Please stop asking. The answer is, "No. No Thank You."

I don't exchange links with people I do not know. I don't exchange links with businesses that I do not use. I don't exchange links to increase my rankings in the search engines. I will add a link if I like something. I will add a link in support of my friends. I have a small group of advertisers and that is all that I need to support my blogging habits. I don't understand why people get angry at writers who do not wish to exchange links. I do not understand why people get upset if we decide to not respond to unsolicited e-mail.

I routinely do not respond to unsolicited e-mail that annoys me. It's nothing against you. It is simply me not wanting to go in a direction I believe I do not wish to go. If I have a few large pictures from Yotveta on my TannStarr.com landing page it is only because I am truly impressed with their food and service and I like talking about them on my blog. They did not pay for those Outside Blog Minion Report covers. I created them because I went hyper-local there, blogged about my thoughts on the subject and it is a fave place to eat while in Fresh Meadows, Queens County, New York. I am a regular... Quit bugging me about my eating habbits. I get invitations to go places all of the time. I have wee people. I have to pick and choose who, where, when and how to spend our time. It's not an insult if I don't come. it's simply a scheduling conflict. I am involved in a lot of projects and am falling behind in my blogging because I routinely work from 8 AM to 8PM or beyond. If I don't answer your e-mail the same day, don't e-mail me the next day about not answering you. It might flip my b*tch switch.

The Outside Blog Minion Report is about what we did today and not who pays me. This is a very important distinction readers need to know about me and bloggers in general. We will let you know if we are doing paid advertising. Seriously... Don't assume... You are doing the writer and businesses we enjoy a disservice when you do. I simply write about what I like and dislike during my day. Nothing more. I am not as complicated as a few of you assume. Haven't you noticed that I am very easily amused? I high-jack blogs for Pete's sake (LOL). My websites relax me and are fun. The business is a plus, but there is more to life than business. All writers don't want the same thing. We each have a plan for our work and only we can decide what to do with our original content.

These Covers represent parts of my daily life. They have personal and emotional value to me and I do not need a third party link exchange to bring value into my cyberlife, my websites or my blogs. Interacting with my friends, family, peers and readers do that just fine.

My life is not fodder for your link exchange programs. Advertising? Sometimes we can talk about that but it's not the reason I created my blogs. I created them to share what I see, do and to talk... :-)

Yotveta for ice cream is one of my fave things to do. Sometimes when my day gets a little strange I go find something really tasty to eat. I am thinking that I really do need a vacation. A few days off would be lovely. I am overdue for an ActiveRain Road Trip and I need to relax my brain with a little fun. I've been thinking way too much lately and not giving myself time to play.

I have new film on the wee people that I need to go edit. I have slide shows to animate and post. It's raining outside and I am thinking that I need to spend some time between appointments splashing in the rain and stomping puddles with my kids. Might even use them as an excuse to get more ice cream (LOL).

Last time I had ice cream Jeannette Neerpat was with me. I have got to finish those two interviews I promised to post for you guys, however, I am thinking I should go drag a few friends out for some Israeli coffee and I've gotta go get Noah and pick out a treat with Stephen the Minion Blur. Mmm yummy. :-)

Neerpat and Yotveta: Gotta Have An Israeli Coffee With A Banana Split For Breakfast

YOTVETA

187-20 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (718) 454-1636/37

I love food. Eating is one of my favorite pastimes. I have said it before and I will say it again: Gotta go here if you are in Fresh Meadows, Queens County, NY. Seriously!!! The food is Spanking-A tasty. Ever have an Israeli salad? They dice it very fine. Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley dressed in olive oil and lemon juice. Ever have an Israeli Coffee? I am not a coffee drinker but I crave that (LOL). It takes a lot to get me away from drinking my daily tea. I drink tea off and on all day. ;-)

Life is short, so have desert first. Preferably with a friend that you love and definitely for breakfast.

Took a tour of a few of my fave spots in Queens County with Jeannette Neerpat. Yup. 'Tis true. We went on an eye candy hunt together for a few hours and have lots of pictures, but I have to post my time with Erik at the Hard Rock Cafe first. That blog post is waaaaaay overdue so I am gonna have some fun during late night tonight (if I ever get back into the house at a decent hour). Got a little slide show planned. Will tease you all about it  later... Alas, I have to get back to work. Got a hot buyer waiting and I need to go pick her up.

Wordy C will return with two interviews from a couple of wonderful Rainers. In the meantime I am distracted by the fact we have not recently high-jacked a blog. Hmm... methinks we're overdue for a virtual par-tay. Wonder what we're gonna talk about tonight...  Hmm...  I think I have an answer (LOL). The topic will be up to you. While I am gone go find me a fun post to jack. Send me a link so I can check it between assignments and touring homes.

One last thought before I go run the streets tonight: Jeannette Neerpat has a gorgeous soul. She is mad fun to spend quality time with and if you are looking for a FL Realtor give sweetie pie a call.The FL crew in Club Chaos are the bomb diggity! Will hook you up with buying and selling property so go check the membership roll and say hello.

I love my bay-bays! Who else would let me talk them into having desert first for breakfast (not to mention jacking a blog)? That b-split was gooooood. We each had our own banana split by the way. Did I mention I love food? I really, really do. Yotveta is mad cool. Is that a seriously huge portion or what? That's why I keep coming back there. They really know how to treat you to a fine dining experience. ;-)

So, I'm walking out of the shower thinking I need to take the little minions to Yotveta so we can have a stellar breakfast when I spy the shortie in the window dancing. I go to kiss the wee one good morning and discover he's raided the freezer. Most mommies would have taken the treat away, but I'm a blogger addicted to eye candy. What better way to start your morning than having a chuckle over your PDD-NOS son?

Three year olds. Ya' gotta love them... I'm crazy for the Blur Minion. That's my Guy Pie. :-)

The Outside Blog Minion Report

YOTVETA

187-20 Union Turnpike  Fresh Meadows, NY 11365  (718) 454-1636/37

I love food. Eating is one of my favorite pastimes. Ever have an Israeli salad? They dice it very fine. Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley dressed in olive oil and lemon juice. Sweet potatoe soup goes very nice with that. It's creamy in texture and they serve it with potato squares. Mmm...

Like Pasta? An excellent appetizer would be their Jumbo Ravioli. It's cheese ravioli with hot salsa and Parmesan cream. My fave dinner dish is the Rose Sauce Cheese Ravioli. You seriously have to try it. It's cream and tomato sauce, chili garlic and Parmarella cheese. I have my eye on six pasta dishes I need to work my way through them all. This was the first one I tried at Yotveta. It made quite an impression on my taste buds. Absolutely lovely. :-)

Fish is a favorite. You can do so much with it. Sana and I really enjoyed their Tilapia dish. They have a spicy one with Moroccan pepper, chickpeas and coriander. Tonight, I am going to try the Sea Bass. Their sea bass fillet is served on eggplant with tehina and sillan with cheese ravioli on top. Did I mention how much I like their ravioli? I think I did (LOL). We'll be popping by after we do our evening work out at the New York Sports Club. Can't eat the way we do and not work out (LOL).

Will tell you about desert later. Gotta get the kids to school. ;-)

The Outside Blog Minion Report

ClubChaosAgents.com

Carolyn Tann-Starr

http://www.bigapplecircus.org/

From May 16th until May 31 the Big Apple Circus will be performing in Queens County, NY. The little minions had a blast with Mike and I. I haven't been to the circus in a long time and it was quite a treat. If you can't make the dates, their next gig will be close by. The show will be migrating to Long Island from June 5th to July 5th. That should give you plenty of time to take the kids (or borrow a few if you think you need an excuse to go because someone had the nerve to insinuate you may be a wee bit too old - LOL).

Wanna buy tickets? Click this link.

Accessibility information can be found here. You do not have to leave a loved one's wheel chair at home. There are services for people with mobility impairments and they even have an FM assistive system in the Big Top for the hearing impaired. Braille is available for the blind so they will have an idea regarding what they are listening to and sign language interpreters can be arranged if you make arrangements in advance. Don't forget to tell the ticket takers you reserved a headset for a hearing impaired loved one.

No excuse. Go have some fun. Pack a picnic for later. Scope the neighborhood restaurants. Lots of foodie paradise spots to choose from when you run up and down Union Turnpike. BTW, we had BBQ with the neighbors in the park so feel free to pack your cooler and the grill for the ones who don't want the Big Top. They can deliver it and meet up with you when the show is over. (Big Hint: text them during the 15 minute intermission so they know to start heading over with those ribs, hot-dogs and hamburgers - LOL) Make it an all day affair. Sunshine and giggling is good for the soul. :-)

Here's a little minion eye candy. Enjoy. :-)

The Outside Blog Minion Report

TannStarr.com    ClubChaosAgents.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Carolyn Tann-Starr on IDJ Now

http://www.idjnow.com

Little Minion TV is shopping for pro audio video equipment and have found the perfect neighborhood vendor: IDJ Now. What a cool store. I had to run an errand for a friend in AZ and it turned out to be quite a treat. I am such a techno-geek. I love the smell of new equipment the same way some guys love that new car smell.

BTW, I'm a Sony, Korg, Roland, JBL kinda gal and this store has a wide variety of products to select from.

They have two locations open 7 days a week:

1015 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

181-24 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

I'm wondering what would happen if I let my little dudes have a strobe and mirrored ball for their room. Gigglefest will never be the same again (LOL). Of course, I'll have to run that by Kathy Passarette, after all, I am on the waiting list for an interior design makeover by my favorite stager. Until April, it's look but don't touch the sexy noise making merchandise. Of course, you have no such restriction. Check out their website and go shopping. Betcha have lots of fun on-line and even more if you actually show up at one of the stores. The sales staff are very knowledgeable and quite engaging.

I enjoyed my Fresh Meadows visit a lot and am looking forward to doing business with this firm. I might just stop by to say hello. They are just that nice. :-)

The Outside Blog Minion Report

Carolyn Tann-Starr on Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Creative Home Expressions. This firm provides Interior Decorating, Redesign, Home Staging, Color Consultations and Shopping Services. The best part is you get an incredibly talented person who will go the extra mile to make sure a client receives everything that client needs. I'm on the waiting list and am very happily anticipating a crack at getting the boys room done. My 7 and 2 year old could use "a boy's room." Seriously. There's lots of clutter under foot but no real personality, so my wee people have lots of attitude about making that room their own. I have the drawings and scrawls on the walls to prove it, so it's time to get it done. When I say that "The Wiggles" and "The Lion King" have been scrawled in technicolor on every available surface at least once, it is an understatement. Think I'm finally getting the hint? You betcha' and in Autism/PDD-NOS spades (LOL). 

If you click on the above link you will be pleasantly surprised that Kathy P's firm has a program "for every reasonable budget." Not being independently wealthy, that means a lot to someone like me. I need help. That room is a disaster. Yes, I know, I know, bad minion mommy, but what's a busy gal to do? Besides, they really do enjoy trashing it as only little boys with lots of energy can do. I must confess there was a time or two I helped them make a mess (LOL). When your speech delayed little boy invites you to play a game, you play the game and you play it by wee people rules...  :-)

What can I possibly say about Kathy Passarette? Besides the fact that she's going to save me? That she is a close personal friend of the little minions and we absolutely adore her? That KP is awesome? That in our book she put the "A" in AWESOME? Hmm... I could say a lot, but I'm biased (LMAO). She happens to be my favorite Stager and I am very happy to report that my gal pal is all that and a bag of chips. Have you seen her Localism Blog? It's Spanking-A. Need I say more?

I love stagers because they make my life so much more interesting as a Realtor. They help me to encourage my clients to  use their imagination and see the potential in pursuing the intangible. They make our homes and commercial spaces  beautiful. They redefine the concept of comfortable living space. They make you crave comfortable things. They have a way of making you feel like you are really worth it and absolutely deserve this.

I like that.

If you're like me and have busy little minions, you totally get the need for comfort, the redefinition of space and personal boundaries (LOL). The emotional and physical space that we place between ourselves and others not only help define who we are but doing so also feeds our personal needs. In a nutshell: Setting proper boundaries is important to our mental health and when a person can embrace that fact, then that same person will also be able to embrace the fact that they would really like their home to reflect more of their personalities. Sometimes people realize they are not completely satisfied with what they have, yet they have no idea where to (or even how to) start upgrading their living and recreational spaces.

I can raise my hand here on that last point of order. I'm 43 years old and it has been hit or miss with me and mine for a while now. My kids break something, we replace something. People give us something, we stick it somewhere. Start running out of room, we throw something out and/or give it away. Pretty soon the place doesn't match but you don't notice because every item tells a story and represents a point in your life, so you let it stay. After all, what if that friend or relative visits and their "gift" is missing? (LOL)

As an artist, you'd think I'd at least have the color thing down (LMAO). I am probably the only artist in New York who leans all of her paintings against the wall rather than hang them throughout her apartment. (Ahhh, the things we are prone to confess when blogging - LMAO) Yes, it is true, there is only one painting hanging and I am standing in front of it in my profile picture.

May I suggest starting by making your home more comfortable, a better sanctuary for you to "get away to" rather than come home and "tolerate"? This isn't a girlie-girlie thing by the way, so don't be too quick to pooh-pooh the idea. Everyone would love to be more comfortable and relax, that's why we spend so much time planning our vacations. Why not plan to create a vacation at home? ;-)

Why not do a new thing with your life and slowly turn your home into your favorite mini-vacation spot where comfort and relaxation is the name of the game? I bet most of you never thought about hiring an interior decorator. I certainly didn't and we've been friends for a while before I got that epiphany (LOL). I bet you thought you couldn't afford a personal shopper, either. My mouth dropped open when I discovered just how reasonable her rates were. I bet you've watched HGTV and thought about trying it out but didn't and went back to your normal routine because it's "a fantasy" or "treat"  that you will get to "one day."

Well, your "one day" is here. You, my friend, need a Stager. A reasonably priced interior decorator that investors, builders and families love to work with. You will not be disappointed if you dare to take a chance and retain this particular one. She is very good at what she does and you will never be able to escape the simple fact that Stagers help you make your living space beautiful. They know where to find the gorgeous stuff you haven't thought of. They will teach you how to maximize an effect with the budget that you have. Sometimes it is just a matter of rearranging the furniture and applying new paint. You may already have most of what you need and don't know it. A consultation may be in order...

KP is my fave Stager and she knows New York. She is a Shopping Diva. I have a thing for eye candy and chicka has a beautiful mind. Kathy P can take a house and rock it sideways with her decorating skills. She has a photographer's eye. I do not know where you live, so you will have to find your own fave if you live out of state (or consult on-line swapping digital photographs). Of course, if you want my gal pal to travel out of state, the price is negotiable, but I must say she has a full schedule so you may have to pay a premium for the extra travel. If you do, it would be well worth your effort and design budget because girlfriend is uber cool and has impeccable taste. Check out how she staged a million dollar home that sat on the market for a while. It went to full contract after she added a few personal touches to the home. You can read all about it  here. If you are thinking about selling your home, you definitely want to consult with a Stager to give you an edge over the competition.

If you do not subscribe to her blog, you may want to reconsider. Her pointers will inspire you to try things on your own. You may find yourself in the same position I did (e.g. wanting to know more, not knowing where to start, reading KP like crazy until the light-bulb went off and I decided the little minions needed a makeover to keep them in their room entertained rather than wrecking the rest of my apartment for entertainment). Here are a few of my fave staging blog posts from the "It's Time To Come Home" Series: (1) Flooring (2) Window Treatments (3) Window Treatments (Part 2) 

My fave KP Outside Blog Posts: (1) New Year, New Room (2) Creating A Relaxing, Uncluttered Bedroom (3) Bringing The Indoors Out (Part 1)  (4) Bringing The Indoors Out (Part 2)

Did you know that Kathy has been involved in Interior Decorating for over 20 years? I am very happy that a few years ago she decided to open a business named Creative Home Expressions. I was lucky enough to stumble across her commenting on a blog post, we started chatting and we became fast friends ever since. She has a very interesting Active Rain profile. I am going to quote a little of it here: Kathy Passarette is "a Certified Interior Decorator, Interior Design Society Affiliate, and Window Fashions Certified Professionals Associate. She has established herself as an expert in her field with her tips and articles being published in such newspapers as: Newsday, Newday's How To Guide, New York Resident Magazine, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Denver Post and the Miami Herald, among others. Kathy recently initiated the formation of the Suffolk County Long Island Chapter of the Interior Design Society, and holds the office of Vice President. Kathy also conducts Adult Education programs on various aspects of interior decorating at the Mount Sinai High School."

How cool is that? Very. :-)