Heading to St Maarten..........

Well, tomorrow morning I head off to SXM (St Maarten)...............should be a fun trip. Maria is taking an earlier flight down there since my flight is full. She's been dying to go to St Maarten, so I hope she's not disappointed. I'm ready to pack my bags and move there. I LOVE that place. I guess the good thing about her going there is that I don't have to buy her a refrigerator magnet. The cheese I buy in SXM is exquisite. Smoked Gouda (pronounced "gowda", NOT "goo-da" like I thought), is one of my favorites. And it's no problem bringing it back since it's been pasturized. Hopefully the sun stays out so I can get some nice photos of planes coming in for my website. This little white Islander (pictured) that I captured landing sure was high coming across the beach. Maybe he thought 7500 feet of runway wasn't enough........just kidding, and besides, it makes for a nice photo. I hope Maria enjoys this little "paradise island" as much as I do. I wonder if United Van Lines will deliver my stuff down there?????

LEFT, RIGHT or WHO CARES?

One thing I've noticed about Florida drivers is their total reluctance to use a turn signal. Either that or my car is one of the only cars in my part of the state that has operable signals. Are these things an option on vehicles now? I really have to wonder since they seem to be such a "novelty" down here. I did see a car going down I-95 today with his emergency flashers on, so I figured he wasn't sure whether he wanted to go left or right so he just covered all the bases as he proceeded merrily down the middle lane at 48 mph. My girlfriend knows how much this "signal thing" bothers me, so tonight she really did her best to impress me. We drove the 25 miles from my house to hers, without her using her signal until we were pulling into her parking space at her condo.........andnot a single soul was there to observe this historic moment, but ME. Thanks Maria!!!

Karl Novak

http://www.photosbykarl.net/

WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE BEACH?

Here's a good reason to carry a camera. Some people take their families to the beach, others their pets, and some..........um, well, just make up your own conclusion............

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY, THAT IS THE QUESTION.

I've been looking at making a "dream home" investment the past few weeks. Real estate here in Florida has taken a dive, and now seems like just as good a time as any to make a "bargain" purchase. I've been looking at an INCREDIBLE oceanfront condo on the 5th floor, not far from where I live. The dilemma? The condo fee is approximately $650 a month. The fee includes building insurance, cable, and water. It is a gorgeous building and the condo I'm looking at was recently upgraded with over $50,000 worth of improvements. Great views, beautiful interior, and ready to move in..............all for around $250,000......with a nice ocean and inland waterway view. Hmmmmmm..............what a time to be stretched thin on money. I keep thinking though that the initial outlay might be well worth it, despite the hefty maintenance fee.......... IF the market rebounds. This could well be a great investment opportunity. Decisions, decisions..............I'll keep you posted. (And NO, I won't tell anyone where it is............until I've made my decision. :-) )

BACK HOME SWEET HOME

Home again! Finally back home in Hollywood, FL, for a few days. My best friend and his wife, Pat and Debbie Mooney from Albuquerque, NM, paid me a visit and not only cleaned my condo, but left me two gift cards for dinner at my favorite local restaurants just for letting them stay at my place for a few days. Thanks guys, you are always welcome, FREE of charge. Had breakfast at my local hangout (Coral Rose) and then went home to print up some photos. One of the agents at the airport stopped me this morning and asked if I'd make him up some airplane photos that I took at the Ft Lauderdale airport. They will be used as gifts for retiring agents. It's always nice to have people ask for your "art". I guess that's what keeps me taking photos of planes, iguanas, sunsets, beaches, and just about anything else that catches my eye. I'll post a shot or two of my girlfriend's kids one day. THEY are impressive! You'll see.

http://www.photosbykarl.net/