FACTOIDS THE FACTOR THE PAGE MICRO HOUSING ARTCH TECTURE THE Wonders OF THE WORLD THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON REAL ESTATE THE MOST AFFORDABLE CITIES IN WHICH TO BUY A HOME THOU SHALT NOT KILL... EXCEPT : A SHORT HISTORY OF THE EURO THE BEST & WORST CITIES FOR STAYCATIONS AUGMENTED REALITY SMART BUILDINGS, SMARTER THREATS REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE TR E DAT THE HUMOR OF GEORGE CARLIN AND BENNY HILL EXPLORING STATE SECESSION CONNECTED REAL ESTATE 1.0 C NTEST: CURRENCIES REPLACED BY THE EURO
from the pages of
From Where I Sit
The Editor’s Page in is almost totally devoted to humor and wisdom and this is a collection of some of the best of them.
The Best Diversions
Give yourself the gift of smiles. J
A handsome, artbook-style volume with the best Diversions to appear in over the last decade. A compendium you will treasure for years to come.
"This collection is laugh-out-loud funny!"
Kirkland Review of Books "Prescription: Read 3-4 pages a day for a month. It’ll brighten your day! And make it last a month."
Susan Carnegie, The Montreal Voice
Vertical Lines I, II, III and IV
Compilations of Sarcasm, Word Play, and Witticisms from the pages of
"This is simply genius. I kept on laughing the whole day when I read it."
Maria Tariq
"...absolutely hilarious! I laughed so hard that it brought tears to my eyes."
Randal Maynard
also from The CREST Publications Group
My Hand Book
"Incisive yet expansive - as if the psychology of R.D. Laing encountered the self-exploration of Hugh Prather to help readers delve into their own thought, experiences and behaviours."
The Rockford Tribune
"Curiously intense and ironic. This is a work that will make you think and feel and you will revisit it over and over.
Marion Danziger, The Toronto Town Crier
S.H.I.T. from the Internet
“An often off-color (but always entertaining and almost always hilarious) collection of jokes that you will read, enjoy – and probably tell –over and over.”
Joey Cousins, The Greenwich Times
Leading With My Heart
"It matters not who we have been, or why, with whom, or how. What matters is that we have met and who we are from now."
Original reflections on new love, its flame, intensity, and all-consuming spirit. Short, poetic expressions of heartfelt longing, passion, and desire. Intimate expressions of tenderness and adoration, accompanied by romantic pictures. A wonderful gift for someone you love.
Available at your favorite online bookstores –click on the links at the top of the page.
“So simple. So eloquent and beautiful. Absolutely wonderful!”
Allison Templeton
A Book
"A perfect companion to Vertical Lineshumor in bite-sized pieces.”
Ellen Campbell, Sinclair Book Reviews "Dyslexics of the world, untie!”
L. Bartow. The Network Bookshelf unite! this!
Punsters of the world, read shit!"
09 INB X | ON THE
12 FACTOIDS
PTYLISM, HYPERNUMY AND HYPONYMY, APROSEXIA, AGELAST, EUDAEMONIA, SAPIOSEXUAL, SENY I RAUXA, CENOTAPH, 7TH HEAVEN, POGONOTROPHY, POLYMATH, EGGCORN, LONGHOUSE, BOYCOTT, VODOU
17 TR E DAT
DEWLAP, GIRAFFES, SUPERFOETATION, PILOERECTION, SAHARA DESERT, HIPPOTOMONSTROSESQUIPPEDALIOPHOEBIA, BLOOD VESSELS, FERGIE, THE LETTER ‘J’, BOANTROPY, McDONALD’S, NURDLE, BERRIES
19 TRENDI G
BEST & WORST CITIES FOR STAYCATIONS (2025) –A WALLETHUB REPORT
20 TRENDI G
TOWNS AND CITIES EXPLORING STATE SECESSION
24 THE Wonders OF THE WORLD
OUR SIXTH INSTALLMENT –THE SEVEN WONDERS OF CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
30 TRENDI G
STATES WHERE PEOPLE SPEND THE MOST & LEAST ON HOUSING –A WALLETHUB REPORT
31 ARTCH TECTURE
FRANCIS X PAVY — PAINTING THE FOLK ELECTRIC – BY BROOKE BROUSSARD
40 THOU SHALT NOT KILL... EXCEPT...
OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFERS A SATIRICAL LOOK AT WAR
48
THINKING OUT LOUD
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR T.J. EDWARDS
EXAMINES THE IMPACT OF NEW CONSTRUCTION GROWTH ON CLASS C MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES
50 THE PAGE THE HISTORY OF THE EURO
51 THE GE GRAPHY PAGE
47 – WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? AND HOW?
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
ROXANA TOFAN LOOKS AT THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)
56 THE HUMOR OF BENNY HILL
NOT U.N. INVITED— NON-UN MEMBER COUNTRIES OR ENTITIES
53 TRENDI G
THE MOST AFFORDABLE CITIES IN WHICH TO BUY A HOME –A WALLETHUB REPORT
57 THE WIT AND WISDOM OF GEORGE CARLIN
60 THE LINK MARKETPLACE, BIDDER’S LIST & DIRECTORY
55 TRENDI G
62 BACKPAGE
OUR ADVERTISERS, WINNERS FROM LAST ISSUE’S CONTEST,
63 C NTEST: CURRENCIES REPLACED BY THE EURO
THE STATES WITH THE HIGHEST & LOWEST TAX RATES –A WALLETHUB REPORT DIVERSI NS 60 MENOPAUSE
61 CYANIDE, COMPANY POLICIES, SENIORS AT CHURCH, T-SHIRT, MEDIOCRITES, CONFUCIUS SAYS
62 SALLY, NICKNAMES FOR COWORKERS, SENIORS, DAD’S FAVORITE SAYINGS
21 THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE U.S. RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET
22 THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE U.S. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET
23 THE RENT VS. BUY DEBATE WHICH IS THE SMARTER FINANCIAL MOVE?
28 SMART BUILDINGS, SMARTER THREATS
FABIO ZANIBONI ASKS, ‘ARE YOUR PROPERTIES PREPARED?’
44 REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE HORA VERTIKALE IN TIRANA, ALBANIA
36 BEYOND THE WALLS: HOW AR-AS-A-SERVICE IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF PLACE
ETHAR’S TONY HODGSON PRESENTS THE SECOND OF A MULTI-PART SERIES ON HOW THE SPATIAL WEB IS EMERGING
38 CONNECTED REAL ESTATE 1.0 INFO-LINKS’ JON FITZGERALD PRESENTS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT IN A SERIES: HIDDEN VALUE IN THE SPACE AROUND US
52 THE FACTOR: TOR ALVA
41 MICRO HOUSING A STUDY BY ANREI POPA OF STORAGECAFE
52 TRADE TENSION WEIGHS ON CRE SENTIMENT AN OXFORD ECONOMICS REPORT
59 SURGE IN RENTERS TRADING APARTMENTS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
ANDREA HOPULELE OF POINT2HOMES OFFERS A THOUGHTFUL ANALYSIS.
JULY/AUGUST 2025 / VOL 33 / ISSUE 4
ABOUT US
Now in our 33rd year, reaches millions of architects, engineers, developers, brokers, construction managers, property and facility managers, bankers, lawyers, appraisers, investors, service providers, and many more throughout the U.S. via subscription and social media! We proudly serve and service any and all real estate associations bimonthly. If your group would like to be included, please let us know. Email: aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org or call the number above.
CREST Publications Group EXECUTIVE STAFF
ANDREW A. FELDER: Publisher/Managing Editor. aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org
XENIA MONTERO: Associate Editor and Art Director. hello@agosto.studio
ANNETTE LAWLESS: Social Media Manager. annettelawless@hotmail.com
MARK ANGLE: National Sales Manager. mark@thenetworkmagazine.org
MARIA TARIQ: Technical Director, Book Division. mariatariq237@gmail.com
SHUMALIA REHMAN: Cover Designer, Book Division. shumailarehman3225@gmail.com
ROXANA TOFAN: 6Q –Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. T. J. EDWARDS : Thinking Out Loud
Anthony Barbieri Roxana Tofan
T. J. Edwards
CHECK
WHAT OUR READERS ARE saying
ADVISORY BOARD
LINDSEY KOREN, Director of Communications, American Society of Interior Designers.
JONATHAN KRAATZ, Executive Director, USGBC Texas. Rick Lackey, CEO, REAL Professionals Network.
AIMÉE LEE, National Accounts Director, Recycle Across America.
LESLIE ROBINETT, Marketing and Communications Manager, International Facility Management Association.
LAURA MACDONALD STEWART, RID, FASID, IIDA, LEED AP, Editor of Plinth & Chintz.
JESSICA WARRIOR, Director of Property Management, Granite Properties.
I would like to thank my arms for always being by my side, my legs for always supporting me, and my fingers, because I can always count on them.
Maria Tariq Mark Angle Mukul Tripathi (Sam)
Today I laughed until my abs were tired, so I skipped the gym.
YEAH, RIGHT?
A mAn sitting next to me on the bus today showed me a picture of his wife from his cell phone. He said to me, “Isn’t she beautiful?”
I replied, “If you think she’s beautiful, you should see my wife.”
He asked, “Oh, is your wife beautiful too?” I replied, “No, she’s an optometrist.”
THE PENGUINS
A man was driving down the road when a policeman stopped him. The officer looked in the back of the man’s truck and said, “Why are these penguins in your truck?”
The man replied, “These are my penguins. They belong to me.”
“You need to take them to the zoo,” the policeman said.
The next day, the officer saw the same guy driving down the road. He pulled him over again, and again he saw that the penguins were still in the truck, but this time they were wearing sunglasses.
“I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo!” the officer said sternly.
“I did,” said the man. “And today I’m taking them to the beach.”
Editor’s note
NEVER ARGUE WITH CHILDREN
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said that it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because, despite being a giant mammal, its throat was very small. The little girl said, “But Jonah was swallowed by a whale.”
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human. It was physically impossible!
The little girl said, “When I get to heaven, I will ask Jonah.”
The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”
The little girl replied, “Then you ask him.”
BY ANDREW FELDER Managing Editor & Publisher aafelder@thenetworkmagazine.org
FRIENDS ARE LIKE UNDERPANTS
Some crawl up your ass.
Some snap under pressure.
Some don't have the strength to hold you up.
Some get a little twisted.
Some support you.
Some are your favorites.
Some are cheap and just get bent out of shape.
And some actually cover your ass when you need them to!
TRUE STORY
A fidgety, yet very clever, fourth grader was punished by his teacher and told to write the lesson she wanted him to learn over and over again. Here is what he did— n
BRIGADIER GENERAL
THOMAS J. EDWARDS (P. 47) retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of distinguished service, earning accolades such as the Distinguished Service Medal, five Legion of Merit awards, and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in combat. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, the Military Officer’s Association of America, and the 82nd Airborne Division Association. T.J. holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the Naval War College, and the Army War College. In May 2022, he relocated to San Antonio, Texas, earned his Texas Real Estate license, and joined Clear Integrity Group (CIG) as a partner, where he applies his leadership expertise to optimize the company's commercial real estate portfolios and operations.
JON FITZGERALD (P. 38) is an entrepreneur specializing in wireless communications with over 30 years of experience, including service in the Army Signal Corps. Since 2013, he has successfully led the team at InfoLink through hundreds of successful projects, combining technical expertise with strategic management to drive business success. InfoLink focuses on innovative wireless solutions that cater to the ever-evolving needs of enterprises, governments, and industries. Collaborating with the exceptional team at InfoLink, Jon is dedicated to driving innovation for impact in the fast-paced wireless sector.
TONY HODGSON (P. 36) is the founder and CEO of Ethar, Inc., an engineering and scientific firm developing best-in-class spatial computing solutions. Since starting his career supporting NASA and commercial aerospace programs, Tony has started and grown several software companies, led one of the largest technology incubators in the US, started the AR/Wearables group for Verizon’s marketing organization, and chaired global standards initiatives developing open and interoperable AR/VR solutions. He holds multiple industry certifications, and engineering degrees from Texas A&M and the University of Texas-Arlington.
Contributing Writers
ANDRA HOPULELE (P. 58 ) is a Senior Real Estate Writer at Point2Homes. She has a BAs in Language and in Psychology and an MA in Cultural Studies. With over seven years of experience in the field and a passion for all things real estate, Andra covers the impact of housing issues on our everyday lives, including the latest news on residential development, the dynamics of house rentals, advice for first-time renters and rental market news. She also writes about the financial implications of the new generations entering the housing market, with a focus on renters' perspectives and challenges. Her studies and articles have appeared in publications like The New York Times, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, MSN, The Real Deal, and the Huffington Post.
JOHN KIERNAN (P. 55) is the Managing Editor at WalletHub. He oversees content strategy and helps produce product reviews, educational guides, and other content to help answer people’s financial questions and assist them in saving money.
John joined Evolution Finance (WalletHub’s parent company) as a writer in 2010, before WalletHub even existed. Since then, he has helped build WalletHub from the ground up, becoming one of the most senior members of their team.
ADAM MCCANN (P. 19, 30 and 53) is a personal finance writer for Wallet-Hub who also helps produce WalletHub's weekly 'Best and Worst' studies. At Hopkins he took a wide variety of classes in writing, English, economics, political science, history, and language. While pursuing his education, Adam worked part-time in the Special Collections department of JHU's Milton S. Eisenhower library, where he helped out with the university's collection of rare books and manuscripts.
ANDREI POPA (P. 42) is a writer and trends editor at StorageCafe. After two years of crafting real estate copy, he transitioned into content writing, focusing on the self-storage industry. He also has a strong interest in literature, storytelling, and economics.
ROXANA TOFAN (P. 48) is the founder and principal broker of Clear Integrity Group, specializing in commercial real estate across Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee. With a focus on multifamily and commercial properties, she excels in acquisitions, dispositions, and property management, particularly in transforming underperforming assets through strategic operations and team building. Roxana is a dedicated community advocate and enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and supporting charitable causes. She has also served as a contributing editor for for over 15 years, covering topics including commercial real estate, business ownership, sports, and travel.
FABIO ZANIBONI (P. 28), the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BubblyNet, is a technology leader with over two decades of experience in the Internet of Things (IoT), digital transformation, and sustainable innovation, particularly in the lighting industry. His career, which includes roles at Emerson Electric and Comau Robotics, has provided him with a global perspective and valuable market insights. Leading an R&D team, Fabio integrates advanced technologies to enhance building efficiency, sustainability, and user experience. His research on how factors like light, sound, and air affect well-being is driving smarter, more sustainable building solutions. Known for transforming complex technologies into scalable applications, Fabio partners with global organizations to foster digital innovation and sustainability in the built environment. For more about BubblyNet, visit bubblynet.com
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
INB X ON THE COVER
You’ve got the curiosity of a cartographer, the wit of a satirist, and the persistence of a fact-checker with a magnifying glass. Whether it’s hunting down the tiniest inaccuracies on a world map or crafting sharp, humorous pieces like “The Fart Heard ’Round the World” or “Womenopause,” you blend sharp intellect with a love for detail and a flair for comedy. You challenge ideas, correct errors, and keep the standard high — like a one-person editorial board crossed with a late-night writer. Here’s a tagline for : “Precision meets punchline — mapping truth, one zinger at a time.” (BTW—the real estate stuff is pretty great, too!)
EMILY WILLIAMS, NEW YORK, NY
Ed. Thanks for your wonderful letter, Emily. You made my day! week! month!!!
You seem to be including more and more political pieces this year, which is odd for a real estate publication. Sometimes, I agree with it, sometimes I don’t, but I can’t help but wonder why.
RYAN MCELROY, EVANSTON, IL
Ed. That’s true, and it’s because (as the subtitle of our publication says, ‘You Need (or might want) To Know.’ Take a look at the ‘Opinion Page’ (54) in this issue to learn more.
I loved the satirical piece ‘Trump Announces Plans to Replace the Letter ‘D’ With His Own Name.’ You really captured the voice and the attitude of the man. Too bad it’s so true.
JAKOB ALVAREZ, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Another delightful issue! I don’t know how you do it, but I’m glad that you do. J I particularly enjoyed True Dat, the article on Greenland and the Contest!
LAUREN TOWNSEND, FRANKFORT, KY
I wasn’t surprised to see Minneapolis near the top of the list of best places to retire. I’ve lived here all my life and never seriously considered living anywhere else. Florida is a nice place to visit, but I’ll take L’etoile du Nord (Star of the North) any day of the week!
AMBER OLSON, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
CORRECTIONS & AMPLIFICATIONS
Did we make a mistake? Or does something we wrote about need further clarification? Let us know. editor@thenetworkmagazine.org
‘LAST
SUPPER WITH ELVIS ’ by FRANCIS X PAVY
This work reflects on the day Elvis Presley died and the moment I first heard the news. It's part of a series titled 36 Views of the Gulf South. Elvis had become mythic, iconic, and tragically human — qualities that made him deeply endearing. Like the line in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” about fading in and out of style, Elvis experienced highs and lows. Yet his image and voice endure, remaining a lasting source of inspiration for future generations.
When recycling works, less waste ends up in oceans worldwide.
- Marcus the Manatee
Display the standardized labels on your bins.
A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO BUSINESS COLLECTIONS
Business-to-business debts require special, focused expertise and finesse... and the selection of your commercial collection service is an important decision. It revolves around Service, Trust and Recovery. Rates are important, and recovery is the objective (the bottom line)... but there is more to it.
The company you choose will be handling your money, talking to your customers, and representing you in the marketplace. You want your money as soon as possible – but you don’t want to lose clients.
At Arsenal Business Collections (ABC), you’re never out-of-pocket for our services. We collect (at prearranged terms) and when – and only when – we succeed (i.e., once we collect money owed to you), do we get paid. There is no fee UNLESS and UNTIL we collect!
Our payment is contingent upon your recovery – so our success is integrally tied to yours.
As a privately-owned company, we make decisions based on what is best for clients, not shareholders or outside investors. Our focus is exclusively on improving your bottom line, and we have the knowledge and experience to deliver exceptional results.
FACTOIDS
Betcha didn’t know...
PTYALISM
sAlivA, for the most part, is extremely beneficial. It moistens our mouths to prevent bad breath, helps us speak, digest food, and appreciate how foods taste. Saliva also contains calcium, enzymes, and antibacterial agents to help fight off tooth decay and gum disease. But too much of a good thing can be bad. Ptyalism is a condition that causes the overproduction of saliva. Often occurring in pregnant women (usually during the first trimester), the condition has been attributed to several culprits, the most obvious of which is hormonal changes; however, the exact cause remains a mystery.
HYPERNYMY AND HYPONYMY
The terms hypernymy and hyponymy identify the semantic relations between a generic term (hypernym) and a specific term (hyponym). Hyponyms are specific words that fall under a broader category, called a hypernym. Daisy and rose, for example, are hyponyms because they are specific types of the word flower. Hyponymy is a less familiar term to most people than ‘synonyms’ or ‘antonyms’, but it refers to an equally important relationship. It describes what happens when we say—A rose is a kind of flower, or simply, A rose is a flower
AGELAST
EUDAEMONIA
Eudaimonia is a Greek word meaning good spirited, and often translated as happiness or welfare. It is a central concept in Aristotelian ethics. In the works of Aristotle, it is the term for the highest human good. It is the aim of practical philosophy-prudence, including ethics and political philosophy, to consider and experience what this state really is and how it can be achieved. and subsequent Hellenistic philosophy, along with the terms aretē (virtue or excellence) and phronesis ('practical or ethical wisdom')
An agelast is a person who never laughs, a humorless person. It comes from Ancient Greek (agélastos, “not laughing”).
APROSEXIA
Aprosexia is difficulty focusing attention and/or the inability to concentrate. It is considered an attention disorder that may be genetic, environmental, or both. It usually manifests itself physically, emotionally, and behaviorally. Its main symptoms are: sleeping difficulties; lack or inability to pay attention; fatigue; respiratory discomfort; anxiety; distress; and low self-esteem. (Fortunately, it is treatable through cognitive behavioral therapy and medication.)
SAPIOSEXUAL
A sapiosexual is a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to intelligent people. While both sapiosexual and demisexual fall under the vast and colorful umbrella of human sexuality, they have distinct differences. Sapiosexual means being attracted to intelligence, finding mental connections irresistible. Demisexual individuals, on the other hand, experience sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond with someone. While sapiosexuality centers on intellectual stimulation, demisexuality is all about emotional connection as a prerequisite for sexual desire.
drink to make other people more interesting.
SENY I RAUXA
The Catalan psyche is deeply rooted in a spirit of independence and resistance that spans centuries; it is used to describe the city of Barcelona and the Catalan people and culture: the balance arising from a tension between the opposing but complementary forces of seny (“sanity”) and rauxa (“raucous, rough”). “Seny” is action arising from the rational, the reasonable: calculated and logical, mindful and disciplined, practical and orderly. “Rauxa” on the other hand, represents the impulsive, the instinctive, and spontaneous. It’s a burst of activity, a flash of color; a visceral, vibrant, creative, raw and wild energy. Both are beautiful, and together they are complete.
Catalonia's geography has historically forced its inhabitants to fight for their integrity against French and Spanish interests. Consequently, integration with Spain has instilled a natural tendency toward resistance among Catalans, who continuously strive for recognition as a distinct community. During the Spanish Civil War, Barcelona emerged as the heart of resistance against dictatorship. For Catalans, values such as the ability to resist, resilience, and pride in their integrity are paramount.
“Sortir-s’en” – find a solution for yourself – is a phrase that resonates deeply for Catalans. Unlike France and Spain, where the central state has shaped the country and society, for Catalans, in the absence of a true Catalan State, it is up to every person to take responsibility for his/her own destiny.
7TH HEAVEN
People sometimes use the idiom seventh heaven to refer to an experience of great joy, ecstasy, or pleasure. The expression itself implies that there are seven heavens or seven levels of heaven, a teaching found in Hinduism. In Hinduism, there are seven higher worlds and seven lower worlds; the earth is the lowest of the higher worlds. The six higher worlds above us are places of increasing wonder and delight where people who have accumulated good karma go after they die. The seventh heaven is, of course, the best. When the dead have spent all the time their good deeds have earned them, they are reincarnated and return to earth. Those who live extraordinarily pious lives can break out of this cycle and experience nirvana, a state of eternal.
CENOTAPH
A cenotaph is an empty tomb or a monument built in honor of a person or group of people whose remains are elsewhere. It can also be the first tomb for a person who has since been reburied elsewhere. Although most cenotaphs honor individuals, many honor groups of individuals, such as the lost soldiers of a country.
The Alamo Cenotaph (a/k/a The Spirit of Sacrifice), is a monument in San Antonio, Texas, commemorating the Battle of the Alamo in the Texas Revolution, which was fought at the adjacent Alamo Mission. The monument was erected between 1936 and 1940 in celebration of the centenary of the battle, and bears the names of those known to have fought there on the Texas side.
POGONOTROPHY
Pogonotrophy refers to the act or practice of cultivating, grooming, or growing a beard. This term encompasses all activities related to beard care, including trimming, shaving, and conditioning. The term comes from the Greek words “pōgōn” (beard) and “trophé” (nourishment or growth), and is often associated with expressions of masculinity, personal identity, and fashion.
POLYMATH
A polymath (or polyhistor) is an individual whose knowledge spans many different subjects, drawing on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems. Polymaths often prefer a specific context in which to explain their knowledge, but some are gifted at explaining abstractly and creatively.
Embodying a basic tenet of Renaissance humanism that humans are
EGGCORN
An eggcorn is the alteration of a word or phrase through the mishearing or reinterpretation of one or more of its elements, creating a new phrase which is plausible when used in the same context. Thus, an eggcorn is an unexpectedly fitting or creative malapropism. Eggcorns often arise as people attempt to make sense of a stock phrase that uses a term unfamiliar to them, as for example replacing "Alzheimer's disease" with "old-timers' disease", or William Shakespeare's "to the manner born" with "to the manor born". The autological* word "eggcorn" is itself an eggcorn, derived from acorn.
[*An autological word expresses a property that it also possesses. For example, the word "word" is a word, the word "English" is (in) English, the word "writable" is writable; and the word "pentasyllabic" has five syllables.]
Some other examples of eggcorns: "baited breath" for "bated breath"; "beckon call" for "beck and call”; "deep
limitless in their capacity for development, the concept led to the notion that people should embrace all knowledge and develop their capacities as fully as possible. This is expressed in the term Renaissance man, often applied to the gifted people of that age who sought to develop their abilities in all areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic, social, physical, and spiritual.
Some famous polymaths:
Archimedes -Ancient Greek mathematician and physicist (c. 287-212 BC)
Aristotle - Ancient Greek philosopher and scientist (384-322 BC)
Nicolaus Copernicus -Polish mathematician and astronomer (1473-1543)
Leonardo da Vinci - Italian painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect (1452-1519)
René Descartes - French philosopher and mathematician (1596-1650)
Thomas Edison -American inventor and businessman (1847-1931)
Benjamin Franklin -American Founding Father and statesman (1706-1790)
Thomas Jefferson -American Founding Father and President (1743-1826)
Omar Khayyam -Persian mathematician and poet (1048-1131)
Isaac Newton - English mathematician, physicist, and alchemist (1643-1727)
Nikola Tesla - Serbian-American engineer and inventor (1856-1943).
seeded" for "deep seated"; “ex-patriot" for "expatriate"; ”the feeble position" for "the fetal position"; "for all intensive purposes" for "for all intents and purposes"; "free reign" for "free rein";" in one foul swoop" for "in one fell swoop";
"jar-dropping" for "jaw-dropping"; "just desserts" for "just deserts"; "old-timers' disease" for "Alzheimer's disease"; "old wise tale" for "old wives' tale"; ”wet your appetite" for "whet your appetite."
LONGHOUSE
A longhouse or long house is a type of long, proportionately narrow, single-room building for communal dwelling. Many were built from timber and often represent the earliest form of permanent structure in many cultures in various parts of the world.
The
is under no obligation to make sense to you.
The longhouses inhabited by the Iroquois in North America were wood boards/bark-covered structures of standardized design, about 20 to 23 ft wide, providing shelter for several related families. It had a 9.8 ft central aisle and 6.6 ft compartments, about 20 to 23 ft long, down each side. The end compartments were usually used for storage. Hearths were down the aisle, with smoke holes in the roof. Two families shared each hearth. Each longhouse would house several generations of an extended family; a house was built proportionately to the number of families it was expected to contain and might be lengthened over time to accommodate growth. It is possible to infer the population of an Iroquois town from the sizes and number of longhouses it contained.
BOYCOTT
A boycott is an act of nonviolent, voluntary abstention from a product, person, organization, or country as an expression of protest. It is usually for moral, social, political, or environmental reasons. The purpose of a boycott is to inflict economic loss on the target or to express moral outrage, to compel the target to alter objectionable behavior.
The tactic is named after Captain Charles Cunningham Boycott, a land agent of an absentee landlord in Ireland, against whom it was successfully employed after a suggestion by Irish nationalist leader Charles Stewart Parnell and his Irish Land League in 1880.
é A reconstructed black house — a traditional type of house which used to be common in Ireland, the Hebrides, and the Scottish Highlands.
é A reconstructed Viking longhouse in Ale, north of Gothenburg, Sweden.
VODOU
Vodou (often spelled Voodoo, Vodoun, or Vodun) is a complex and multifaceted religion that has long been misunderstood and misrepresented. Most commonly associated with Haiti and the New Orleans region, it blends Roman Catholicism with traditional West African spiritual practices, creating a vibrant, complex, and deeply symbolic system of belief.
Vodou traces its origins to West Africa. Enslaved Africans carried these spiritual traditions with them to the Caribbean and the Americas. Once in the New World, the enslaved peoples were often forbidden to practice their native religions. So, they blended African deities with Roman Catholic imagery and rituals. Ceremonies were held under the guise of Christian worship, and this merging was not simply camouflage— it became a foundational feature of the Vodou religion itself. Today, many Vodou practitioners—known as Vodouisants—identify as Catholic as well.
Popular imagery—zombies, voodoo dolls pierced with pins, blood rituals— bears little resemblance to the lived experience or beliefs of actual Vodou-
isants. These myths, however, have deep historical roots.
Vodou is, at its heart, monotheistic. Practitioners believe in a supreme, all-powerful, and benevolent deity called Bondye—literally "the good God." However, Bondye is considered distant and rarely interferes in human affairs. As a result, believers engage more directly with lwa—spiritual intermediaries who influence everyday life that are often grouped into three main families:
• Rada: Generally benevolent spirits associated with ancestral roots.
• Petro: More fiery and aggressive spirits, often linked to justice and the Haitian revolutionary spirit.
• Ghede: Spirits of death, fertility, and humor—guardians of the afterlife and masters of irreverence.
Rituals are meant to honor these spirits, seek their guidance, and maintain reciprocal relationships. Offerings of food, drink, music, and dance are central to these exchanges. In ceremonies, possession by a lwa is a sacred moment in which the spirit temporarily inhabits a believer's body to communicate directly with the community.
• Animal Sacrifice: Certain rituals involve the sacrifice of animals such as chickens or goats. These offerings are meant to nourish the lwa spiritually. Importantly, the animals are later cooked and shared among participants, reinforcing communal bonds.
• Veves: These are intricate, symbolic drawings made with cornmeal, flour, or ash. Each lwa has its own veve, serving as a spiritual beacon that invites the spirit into the ritual space.
• Dolls: Contrary to the popular image of pin-stuck voodoo dolls used for harm, dolls in Vodou are more often devotional objects. They are crafted to represent specific spirits and are used to attract their presence and favor. n
I'm on a whiskey diet. I've lost three days already.
TR E DAT
Giraffes are 30 times more likely to get hit by lightning than people. There were only five well-documented fatal lightning strikes on giraffes between 1996 and 2010. However, due to the population of the species being only 140,000 during this time, it results in approximately 0.003 lightning deaths per thousand giraffes each year. This is 30 times the equivalent fatality rate for humans.
A dewlap is a flap of skin or flesh that hangs beneath the lower jaw or neck of many vertebrates. More loosely, it can be various similar structures in the neck area, such as those caused by a double chin or the submandibular vocal sac of a frog. More generally, it can refer to any hanging mass of skin, such as a fold of loose skin on an elderly person's neck or the wattle of a bird.
Getting pregnant while already pregnant is called superfoetation. It has been reported in mammals, including mice and rabbits, and there have been a handful of possible cases in humans. In 2017, a US woman acting as a surrogate mother was reported to have discovered that one of the twins that she was carrying was, in fact, her biological son. She had apparently become pregnant roughly three weeks after her surrogate conception.
When your hair stands on end, tiny muscles at the base of each hair contract, distorting the skin to create goosebumps. This process, known as piloerection, is present in all mammals. We call it goosebumps.
Raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries aren’t true berries. The scientific definition of berry is a plant that has three distinct layers: an outer skin (exocarp), a fleshy middle (mesocarp,) and internally contained seeds (endocarp). So, because their seeds are on the outside, those fruits aren’t actually berries. However, watermelon, bananas, grapes, and eggplants are all technically berries!
The Sahara Desert was once a lush rainforest. Approximately 6,000 years ago, the Sahara was lush with lakes and abundant wildlife before shifting climate patterns transformed it into a desert.
The letter “J” was the last added to the English alphabet. It wasn’t until 1524 when Gian Giorgio Trissino, an Italian Renaissance grammarian known as the father of the letter J, made a clear distinction between the two sounds. Every continent except Antarctica has at least one McDonald’s.
Before she was Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Stacy Ann Ferguson—better known as Fergie—was an aspiring child actor. In addition to starring on the show Kids Incorporated, Ferguson did voice acting work for the cartoons based on Charles M. Schulz's famous Peanuts comic strips. She provided the voice of Sally, Charlie Brown's younger sister, for two TV movies and several episodes of the animated series.
THE HUMAN BODY MAY SEEM MINUSCULE COMPARED TO THE SIZE OF THE EARTH. BUT, ACCORDING TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, ADULTS HAVE SO MANY BLOOD VESSELS THAT IF YOU LAID THEM END TO END, THEY COULD CIRCLE THE PLANET'S EQUATOR, WHICH IS 24,901 MILES, FOUR TIMES!
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TRENDI G
Best & Worst Cities for Staycations (2025)
Around 82% of AmericAns plan to travel this summer, but inflation may prompt people to cut back on their expenses and opt for a less extravagant trip. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need to travel far to have a great time. You might be surprised to find that your
local cities can offer plenty of options for entertainment and relaxation at a great price point.
To determine the best places for a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 41 key metrics. Their dataset ranges from parks per capita to restaurant meal costs.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, to understand the methodology and read expert commentary, click <HERE>. n
BY ADAM MCCANN
Adam McCann is a personal finance writer
TRENDI G
Towns and Cities Exploring State Secession
Growing Movement in the United States
THE MOTIVATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND IMPLICATIONS OF MUNICIPAL INDEPENDENCE
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF MUNICIPAL SECESSION
The concept of municipalities seeking to "divorce" themselves from their states is not a novel idea. Historically, these movements have surfaced during times of heightened political polarization or economic disparity. For example, West Virginia's break from Virginia during the Civil War is perhaps the most famous example, though that was a state-level secession rather than a municipal one. Unlike creating a new state, municipal secession often involves advocating for redrawing borders or seeking annexation by a neighboring state.
MOTIVATIONS BEHIND SECESSION MOVEMENTS
The factors driving these calls for separation are as diverse as the communities themselves. However, several recurring themes emerge:
POLITICAL POLARIZATION
In many cases, towns and cities experience a disconnect between their local political values and those of the broader state government. For instance, rural communities in predominantly urban states may feel alienated by progressive policies, while liberal enclaves in conservative states often lament policies they see as regressive. This ideological mismatch fuels frustration and a desire for greater autonomy.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY
Economic concerns also play a significant role. Some cities argue that their economic contributions are not equitably reinvested by the state, leading to underfunded infrastructure, education, or public services. Conversely, rural areas frequently express grievances over state policies they perceive as skewed toward urban centers.
CULTURAL IDENTITY
Cultural identity and pride further motivate these movements. Communities with distinct historical or cultural characteristics sometimes feel overshadowed within larger state frameworks. Calls for secession can be a way to assert those identities on a broader scale.
POLICY DISPUTES
Specific policy disagreements—such as taxation, environmental regulations, or gun laws—can also spark secessionist ambitions. When communities feel that state policies do
not reflect their priorities or needs, they may see separation as a solution.
As of April 17, 33 Illinois counties have voted to leave the state. The referenda are non-binding and focus on being in a different state from Chicago. Illinois has a population of almost 13 million, about half of whom live in the greater Chicago area. That is why Chicago has a dominant position in the state government and a strong Democratic voting track record. However, while most Illinoisans live in Democratic districts, most of the state's land is in rural communities dominated by Republican politicians. Also in April, Indiana lawmakers passed a bill to invite Illinois counties into the Hoosier State.
NOTABLE EXAMPLES ACROSS THE NATION
Towns and cities considering secession are scattered across various regions, each with its unique grievances and aspirations:
• Eastern Oregon: Several rural counties in eastern Oregon have proposed joining Idaho, citing cultural and political alignment with Idaho's more conservative policies.
• California’s Inland Areas: The idea of "New California," a proposed state formed from the rural and inland regions of California, has gained some traction among residents frustrated with the policies of coastal urban centers.
• Western Maryland: A handful of counties in western Maryland have expressed interest in joining West Virginia, citing cultural and political similarities.
• Northern Colorado: In 2013, several counties in northern Colorado explored the possibility of forming their own state, motivated by disagreements over energy policy and rural representation.
Across the united stAtes, a fascinating and controversial movement has quietly gained traction: towns and cities advocating for separation from their respective states. This bold political gesture, often referred to as municipal secession, reflects deep dissatisfaction with state governance and highlights the complex dynamics of state and local relationships within the federal system. While the phenomenon is not widespread, its emergence in various regions underscores significant cultural, political, and economic tensions.
CHALLENGES TO SECESSION
While these movements capture headlines and spark debate, the path to actual secession is fraught with obstacles. Constitutional and legal barriers loom large. Article IV of the U.S. Constitution requires the approval of both Congress and the state legislature for any change to state boundaries, a politically daunting and rarely successful process. Moreover, logistical complexities abound. Questions of taxation, governance, and the allocation of resources complicate the feasibility of secession efforts. Residents would need to navigate contentious debates about schools, public services, law enforcement, and infrastructure.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS
The rise of municipal secession movements reflects broader discontent with the current state of American federalism. These efforts reveal the growing divide between urban and rural areas, the challenges of political polarization, and the difficulty of balancing local autonomy with state oversight. While it is unlikely that most of these movements will succeed in achieving formal separation, they serve as a potent reminder of the need for dialogue and compromise between state and local governments.
CONCLUSION
Towns and cities seeking to separate from their states provide a compelling lens through which to examine the fractures and fault lines in America's political and cultural landscape. Whether motivated by political, economic, or cultural factors, these movements underscore the importance of addressing local grievances within the broader framework of state and national unity. As these debates evolve, they will continue to challenge longstanding notions of governance, representation, and identity in the United States. n
Love is like a fart. If you have to force it, it's probably crap.
I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work.
I want to achieve it through not dying.
THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE U.S. RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET: AN
OVERVIEW
immigrAtion hAs become one of the most significant factors influencing the U.S. real estate market, creating both opportunities and challenges across different housing sectors. With the U.S. foreign-born population reaching a record 47.8 million in 2023, representing a substantial increase of 1.6 million from the previous year, the impact on housing markets has become increasingly pronounced.
Immigration has made substantial contributions to the overall wealth of the U.S. housing market. Studies have shown that immigrants have collectively added $3.7 trillion to U.S. housing wealth, playing a crucial role in stabilizing communities across the country. This significant economic contribution demonstrates the vital role that immigrant populations play in sustaining and growing the real estate sector.
Research has established a clear correlation between immigration rates and housing prices. Studies indicate that a one percentage point increase in the immigration rate leads to a 3.3% rise in average house sale prices. This relationship is particularly evident in urban areas with high concentrations of immigrants, where increased demand for housing directly influences market dynamics.
REGIONAL IMPACT IN MAJOR IMMIGRATION HUBS
The impact of immigration on real estate is particularly pronounced in cities with large immigrant populations. Miami-Dade County, Florida, for example, has the highest share of immigrants nationally at 54.3%, predominantly from Latin America—the real estate market benefits substantially
from immigrant communities. The real estate market in Los Angeles, with 33.4% of its residents being foreignborn, likewise shows significant influence from immigrant populations, both in terms of rentals and ownership. In the borough of Queens in New York City, where 47.6% of the population is foreign-born, the immigrant population has an enormous impact on local housing demand and prices.
Research shows that immigrants initially have higher participation rates in the rental market compared to native-born populations. This trend is particularly evident among non-permanent residents, who tend to occupy a significantly higher number of rental units per capita compared to other demographic groups. While immigrants typically start with lower homeownership rates compared to native-born populations, this gap tends to narrow over time as immigrants establish themselves economically. This progression from renting to homeownership represents a significant trend in immigrant housing patterns, contributing to long-term market stability.
The influence of immigration on real estate markets presents both challenges and opportunities: Immigration tends to raise housing costs, benefiting property owners but potentially creating challenges for renters and firsttime homebuyers. And basic economic theory suggests that new families
entering communities boost housing markets by increasing demand for existing homes or stimulating new construction. The Economic Policy Institute notes that immigration helps mitigate housing cost increases by providing labor for residential construction, addressing supply-side constraints.
The immigrant share of the U.S. population has reached 14.3%, the highest since 1910. Mexico remains the primary country of origin, with approximately 10.6 million Mexican-born individuals residing in the United States. 77% of immigrants are in the country legally, with 49% being naturalized citizens.
The relationship between immigration and the U.S. real estate market is complex and multifaceted. While immigration generally contributes positively to housing wealth and market stability, it also presents challenges related to affordability and supply in certain regions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers, real estate professionals, and market participants as they navigate the evolving U.S. housing market landscape.
USCIS reported welcoming 818,500 new citizens in fiscal year 2024, which was a 7% decrease from the previous year, but 12% higher than the pre-pandemic annual average. In 2022, approximately 10.6 million immigrants living in the United States were born in Mexico, accounting for 23% of all U.S. immigrants. [While this data is from 2022, Mexico has historically been the largest source of immigrants to the U.S., and this trend likely continued into 2024. As of February 2024, the foreign-born population in the U.S. reached a record high of 51.4 million, representing 15.5% of the total U.S. population. This includes immigrants from a wide range of countries.
THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE U.S. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET: AN OVERVIEW
Immigration has a profound and multifaceted impact on the U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) market. Demographic changes, economic contributions, and the entrepreneurial activities of immigrant populations drive this influence.
Immigration accounts for a substantial portion of the population increase in the United States. Between 2005 and 2050, immigration is projected to contribute to half of the population growth. Immigrants often settle in urban areas and gateway cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, where they seek employment and community support. This urbanization trend leads to increased demand for commercial spaces, including retail, office, and hospitality sectors.
In areas with high immigrant populations, the demand for diverse and flexible commercial spaces is particularly pronounced. For example, there is a growing need for coworking spaces, shared offices, and specialty retail spaces that cater to the cultural and economic needs of immigrant communities.
Immigrants play a critical role in the U.S. economy, contributing through labor force participation, entrepreneurship, consumer spending, and tax payments. These contributions have direct implications for the CRE market. Immigrants fill critical roles in industries such as construction, retail, and hospitality, which are vital to the CRE sector. For instance, they made up more than 23% of the construction workforce in 2023, helping to address labor shortages and support commercial real estate development. They are disproportionately represented among business owners,
particularly in "main street" businesses such as retail, accommodation, and food services. In 2013, immigrants accounted for 28% of "main street" business owners nationally, despite being only 13% of the total population. This entrepreneurial activity drives demand for commercial spaces, as new businesses require physical locations to operate. And immigrants contribute significantly to consumer spending and tax revenues. In 2022, undocumented immigrant households alone paid $46.8 billion in federal taxes and $29.3 billion in state and local taxes. This economic activity supports public services and infrastructure, including commercial real estate development.
Immigrant entrepreneurs often establish businesses that cater to both the immigrant community and the broader community, such as specialty restaurants, international food markets, and cultural centers. This creates a need for retail and service-oriented commercial spaces. Immigrant-owned businesses in sectors like technology and manufacturing contribute to the demand for office and industrial spaces. Additionally, the rise of flexible and adaptive business models among immigrant entrepreneurs has led to the development of innovative commercial spaces, such as co-working environments. As you would expect, the impact of immigration on CRE is more pronounced in regions with high concentrations of immigrants. For example, in Los Angeles, immigrants make up 64% of "main street" business owners, significantly influencing the demand for commercial spaces in the area. Similarly, Sun Belt states like Texas and Florida have experienced increased demand for commercial real estate due to immigration-driven population growth.
There is a heightened demand for housing and commercial spaces, as immigrants contribute to local economic growth and community development. Conversely, restrictive immigration policies that reduce the flow of immigrants can negatively impact property values and demand
for commercial real estate in affected areas. Immigrant businesses often play a pivotal role in revitalizing neighborhoods and transforming deteriorating urban areas into vibrant commercial hubs. For instance, immigrant entrepreneurs have played a crucial role in revitalizing neighborhoods in cities such as Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, driving demand for commercial real estate and contributing to the overall economic vitality of these areas.
Immigration has a substantial and positive impact on the U.S. commercial real estate market. By driving population growth, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to economic activity, immigrants create significant demand for commercial spaces across various sectors. This demand is particularly evident in urban centers and regions with high immigrant populations, where immigrant-owned businesses and cultural diversity shape the commercial real estate landscape. As immigration patterns continue to evolve, understanding and supporting the role of immigrants in the commercial real estate (CRE) market will be crucial for stakeholders aiming to capitalize on emerging opportunities and ensure the sustainability of urban development. n
As of September 2024, approximately 1.1 million individuals held Temporary Protected Status (TPS). [TPS is often granted to individuals from countries experiencing natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other crises.]
The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States was estimated at 11 million in 2022, with updated figures not yet available. Unauthorized immigrants often come from a diverse mix of countries, with Mexico, Central America, and Asia being the most significant regions of origin.
The U.S. continues to be a major destination for immigrants worldwide, with record-high foreignborn populations in 2024.
I have a lot of growing up to do. I realized that the other day inside my fort.
THE RENT VS. BUY DEBATE
WHICH IS THE SMARTER FINANCIAL MOVE?
The decision to rent or buy a home represents one of the most significant financial choices individuals face in their lifetime. As the real estate landscape continues to evolve in 2025, this age-old debate has become increasingly complex, with compelling arguments on both sides.
The 2025 housing market presents a unique set of challenges. Home price growth has remained subdued at around 3% or less, while the market experiences exceptionally low existing home sales despite a slight increase in housing inventory. High interest rates have created a "lock-in effect," with more than 80% of borrowers reluctant to sell due to being "out-of-the-money" on their mortgages. Meanwhile, the rental market has seen steady increases, with asking rents up 3.4% compared to the previous year, reaching a typical asking rent of $2,024 in April 2025. This represents a substantial [35.4%] increase from pre-pandemic levels, though growth has moderated compared to the dramatic spikes observed in 2022.
THE CASE FOR BUYING BUILDING LONG-TERM WEALTH | TAX BENEFITS AND STABILITY
One of the strongest arguments for homeownership is its potential for wealth accumulation. Recent studies by the National Association of REALTORS® have demonstrated impressive equity gains across various income levels. Middle-income homeowners have seen a 68% increase in property value since 2012, accumulating $122,100 in wealth. Perhaps most striking is the wealth gap between homeowners and renters, which
has reached historic highs – the median gap stands at nearly $390,000, with the average gap exceeding $ 1.37 million. Homeownership offers potential tax advantages through deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes, although recent tax laws have reduced these benefits. Additionally, owning provides stability and the freedom to customize living spaces, which can increase property value through personal modifications.
that total debt payments, including mortgage, not exceed 43% of monthly gross income. A down payment of 20% is ideal to avoid private mortgage insurance, though programs exist with lower requirements. Regional variations play a crucial role in the rent vs. buy decision. For instance, renting might be more cost-effective on the West Coast due to high property prices, while buying could be advantageous on
THE CASE FOR RENTING FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES | COST CONSIDERATIONS
Contrary to traditional wisdom, renting can sometimes lead to greater wealth accumulation when combined with smart investment strategies. Analysis from Hunter Housing Economics suggests that investing the savings from lower monthly payments and avoided homeownership costs into vehicles like index funds (with returns of 10-12% annually) could match or exceed wealth built through homeownership.
A comprehensive study revealed that over a 30-year period, the typical U.S. renter will spend approximately $1.42 million, compared to homeowners paying about $1.8 million – a 27% difference in cost. This difference accounts for the often-overlooked expenses associated with homeownership, including maintenance, repairs, and property taxes.
KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER FINANCIAL READINESS | MARKET CONDITIONS AND LOCATION | LIFESTYLE AND CAREER CONSIDERATIONS
Before purchasing a home, individuals should carefully evaluate their financial situation. Lenders typically recommend
the East Coast. Currently, purchasing a starter single-family home is more expensive than renting a comparable property, with an average monthly cost difference of $1,091.
Renting offers advantages for those requiring flexibility, such as professionals who relocate frequently or individuals early in their careers. Conversely, buying typically suits those seeking stability and looking to build equity over time.
To make an informed decision, numerous calculators and tools are available from financial institutions such as U.S. Bank, Fidelity Investments, and Capital One. These tools help evaluate the economic implications of both options by considering factors such as interest rates, tax implications, fees, and other relevant costs.
The rent vs. buy decision isn't one-sizefits-all –it depends heavily on individual circumstances, financial goals, and market conditions. While homeownership has traditionally been viewed as a pathway to wealth building, renting combined with strategic investing can also lead to significant financial growth. n
The Seven Wonders
of Chinese Architecture
this is pArt 6 of our series—200 Wonders!
THE TERRACOTTA ARMY OF XI’AN, CHINA
The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art that was buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE, to protect him in his afterlife.
The figures were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County, outside Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. They vary in height according to their rank, the tallest being the generals, and they include warriors, chariots, and horses. Estimates from 2007 were that the three pits containing the Terracotta Army hold more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remain in situ in the pits near Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. Other, non-military terracotta figures have since been found in other pits, including those of officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.
The Terracotta Army is part of a much larger necropolis. Ground-penetrating radar and core sampling have measured the area to be approximately 38 square miles. It was constructed as a microcosm of the emperor's imperial palace and covers a large area around the tomb. The necropolis consists of several offices, halls, stables, other structures as well as an imperial park placed around the tomb mound.
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, CHINA
The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications in China that were built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China as protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe. The first walls date to the 7th century BC; these were joined together in the Qin dynasty. Successive dynasties expanded the wall system; the best-known sections were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).
Our family is just one tent away from a full-blown circus.
é Terracotta Army in Xi'an, China.
ç Location of Terracotta Army.
If people think I'm crazy, does that make me crazy? I hope not, because that would really drive me crazy.
To aid in defense, the Great Wall utilized watchtowers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire, and its status as a transportation corridor. Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls (allowing control of immigration and emigration, and the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road), and the regulation of trade.
The collective fortifications constituting the Great Wall stretch from Liaodong in the east to Lop Lake in the west, and from the present-day Sino–Russian border in the north to Tao River in the south: an arc that roughly delineates the edge of the Mongolian steppe, spanning 13,170.70 miles in total. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. Today, the defensive system of the Great Wall is recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.
THE GIANT BUDDHA OF LESHAN, CHINA
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a 233-foot-tall stone statue, built between 713 and 803 (during the Tang dynasty). It is carved out of a cliff face of Cretaceous red bed sandstones that lies at the confluence of the Min and Dadu near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below its feet. It is the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, and it is by far the tallest pre-modern statue in the world. The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
In addition to the Leshan Giant Buddha, the Danxia Landform also contains a rich history and cultural significance, including cliff tombs and cliff dwellings. The Mahao Cliff Tombs
at the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area were built during the Han dynasty, providing insight into the ancient residents' living habits.
Construction began in 723 AD, led by a Chinese Buddhist monk named Hai Tong, who believed that the Maitreya Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that constantly plagued shipping vessels traveling down the river. When funding for the project was threatened, he is said to have gouged out his own eyes to show his piety and sincerity. After his death, however, the construction was delayed due to a lack of funding. The statue was only completed from the shoulders up at the time. Several years later, Hai Tong’s disciples continued work on the statue with financial support from a local official named Zhangchou Jianxiong. Hai Tong’s disciples continued the construction until the Knees, when construction was halted because Zhangchou JianXiang was called back to serve at the royal court in Chang’an. About 70 years later, Jiedushi Wei Gao continued to support and fund the project, and the construction was finally completed by Hai Tong's disciples in 803.
THE FORBIDDEN CITY OF BEIJING, CHINA
The Forbidden City is the imperial palace complex located in the center of Beijing, China. It was the residence of 24 Ming and Qing dynasty Emperors, and the center of political power in China for over 500 years (from 1420 to 1924). The Palace Museum now administers the palace. As a UNESCO World
é The Great Wall of China at Jinshanling.
é Leshan Giant Buddha.
é The Forbidden City -photograph shot from the Jingshan Park.
Heritage Site, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The Forbidden City is arguably the most famous palace in all of Chinese history and is the largest preserved royal palace complex still standing in the world.
The Forbidden City was constructed from 1406 to 1420 and served as the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for over 500 years. The complex claims to consist of 9,999 rooms in total, although experts have shown in recent years that the actual number is 8,886, covering 178 acres. The palace exemplifies the opulence of the Chinese
THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN OF BEIJING, CHINA
The Temple of Heaven is a complex of imperial religious Confucian buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. The Temple of Heaven was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1998 and was described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design which simply and graphically illustrates a cosmogony of great importance for the evolution of one of the world's great civilizations..." as the "symbolic layout and design of the Temple of Heaven had a profound influence on architecture and planning in the Far East over many centuries."
The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century. Jiajing also built three other prominent temples in Beijing—the Temple of the Sun in the east, the Temple of Earth in the north, and the Temple of the Moon in the west. The Temple of Heaven was renovated in the 18th century under the Qianlong Emperor. In 1914, Yuan Shikai, then President of the Republic of China, performed a Ming prayer ceremony at the temple, as part of an effort to have
emperor's residences and traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and beyond. Since 2012, the Forbidden City has attracted an average of 14 million visitors annually. In 2018, its market value was estimated at US$70 billion, making it both the world's most valuable palace and the most valuable piece of real estate anywhere in the world. It was listed as the first batch of national key cultural relics in 1961. The palace is significant to the Chinese public and nation, who often view it as a cultural and heavenly link to their ancestors.
himself declared Emperor of China. In 1918, the temple was converted into a park and, for the first time, opened to the public.
THE HUMBLE ADMINISTRATOR'S GARDEN OF SUZHOU, CHINA
The Humble Administrator's Garden is a garden in Suzhouis. At 13 acres, it is the largest garden in Suzhou and is considered by some to be the finest garden in all of southern China.
In 1997, the Humble Administrator's Garden was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Classical Gardens of Suzhou.
It was first built as a garden during the Shaoxing period (1131–1162) of the Southern Song dynasty. Afterwards, it changed ownership and was continually destroyed or modified. It was the residence and garden of Lu Guimeng, a Tang dynasty scholar. Later in the Yuan dynasty it became the Dahong Temple's garden.
In 1513, Wang Xianchen, an Imperial Envoy and poet of the Ming dynasty, created a garden on the site of the dilapidated
My family tree is a few branches short of a forest.
é Panorama with the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the center.
é Imperial Vault of Heaven.
é Sketch of the garden by Wen Zhengming.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
Dahong Temple which had been burnt during the Ming conquest. In 1510, he retired to his native home of Suzhou on the occasion of his father's death. He had experienced a tumultuous official life punctuated by various demotions and promotions and gave up his last official post as magistrate of Yongjia county in Zhejiang province and began to work on the garden. This garden, intended to showcase his refined taste, received close attention from the renowned artist, Suzhou native, and friend, Wen Zhengming. The garden was named (first evidence around 1517) after a verse by the famous scholar official of the Jin dynasty, Pan Yue, in his prose, An Idle Life, "I enjoy a carefree life by planting trees and building my own house...I irrigate my garden and grow vegetables for me to eat...such a life suits a retired official like me well". This verse symbolized Wang's desire to retire from politics and adopt a hermit's life in the manner of Tao Yuanming. Wang's son lost the garden to pay gambling debts, and it has changed hands many times since.
THE SUMMER PALACE OF BEIJING, CHINA
The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces. It was an imperial garden during the Qing dynasty. It covers an area of 1.1 square miles, three-quarters of which is water. The interior features Longevity Hill, the Kunming Lake, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
Longevity Hill is about 200 feet high and has many buildings positioned in sequence. The front hill is the site of splendid halls and pavilions, while the back hill is serene and boasts natural beauty. The excavated soil from the man-made 540-acre Kunming Lake was used to build Longevity Hill.
The Summer Palace, inspired by the gardens of South China, features over 3,000 ancient Chinese buildings that house a collection of more than 40,000 valuable historical relics from various dynasties. In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.” n
é The Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
é Longevity Hill of the Summer Palace. é The Kunming Lake.
BY FABIO ZANIBONI
SMART BUILDINGS, SMARTER THREATS: ARE YOUR PROPERTIES PREPARED?
the rApid evolution of smart building technology has ushered in an era of unprecedented efficiency, convenience, and operational intelligence. From sophisticated HVAC and lighting systems that adapt to occupant needs to integrated security and access controls, these interconnected environments are at the core of modern infrastructure. However, this digital transformation, largely reliant on Internet of Things (IoT) devices and cloud-based architectures, introduces a new spectrum of critical security vulnerabilities. As smart buildings become increasingly integrated into our commercial, residential, and industrial landscapes, the imperative to rethink and strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks has never been more urgent.
THE EXPANDING THREAT LANDSCAPE: KEY SECURITY VULNERABILITIES IN TRADITIONAL SMART BUILDING SYSTEMS
Smart building systems, in their traditional configurations, manage a vast array of functions and collect an immense volume of data. While these IoT-enabled systems offer significant operational advantages, their common reliance on centralized, cloud-based architectures introduces inherent vulnerabilities that are increasingly being exploited.
One of the primary concerns is the integrity of data transmission. Traditional smart building setups rely on constant communication between numerous IoT devices—sensors, actuators, and controllers—and centralized cloud servers. Each of these communication channels, if not impeccably secured, represents a potential gateway for cybercriminals to intercept sensitive information. This could
include operational data, occupancy patterns, energy consumption metrics, and even personal details of building occupants. The threat is not theoretical; industry reports indicate a staggering 400% increase in cyberattacks targeting IoT devices in recent years, underscoring the fragility of inadequately protected systems. (1) The sheer volume of interconnected devices in a typical smart building multiplies the attack surface, offering numerous entry points for malicious actors.
Centralized control via cloud systems introduces another significant risk: a single point of failure. If a cyber attacker successfully breaches the main cloud server, they could potentially compromise the entire network. Such a breach could grant hackers the ability to disrupt or manipulate crucial building operations, ranging from disabling security systems and access controls to tampering with climate control or lighting, causing chaos, financial damage, or even endangering occupant safety. The cascading effect of a single successful intrusion into a centralized system can be devastating.
Furthermore, the nature and volume of data collected by smart buildings present profound privacy concerns. These systems gather extensive data—from individual movement patterns and workspace utilization to access credentials and personal preferences. While this data is instrumental for automation and optimizing building performance, it can expose sensitive personal and operational details if intercepted, leaked, or poorly secured. The financial repercussions of data breaches are also substantial. In 2024, the average cost of a data breach in the United States reached approximately $9.36 million per incident, a figure that starkly highlights the severe financial and reputational risks associated with inadequate data privacy and security measures. (2)
Given these escalating threats, it is incumbent upon smart building administrators, developers, and technology providers to fundamentally reassess cybersecurity, seeking innovative strategies to minimize vulnerabilities at every layer of the IoT system architecture. The traditional “connect-and-forget” approach is no longer viable in the face of sophisticated and persistent cyber threats.
Addressing the vulnerabilities inherent in conventional, cloud-centric smart building systems necessitates a paradigm shift towards more inherently secure, resilient, and often decentralized solutions. Among the most promising advancements in this domain are Bluetooth® Mesh networking and air-gapped system architectures.
BLUETOOTH® MESH FOR ENHANCED NETWORK SECURITY
Bluetooth® Mesh technology offers a robust alternative to traditional centralized network topologies. Unlike systems that rely on a single hub or gateway to route all communication, Bluetooth® Mesh operates through peer-to-peer (P2P) communication. In this distributed model, each device (or node) in the network can communicate directly with other nearby nodes, relaying messages across the network. This inherently decentralized structure eliminates single points of failure; if one node is compromised or fails, the rest of the network can often continue to operate seamlessly by rerouting communication through other available nodes.
Crucially, Bluetooth® Mesh is designed with security at its foundation. It incorporates advanced encryption and authentication protocols at multiple levels – device-to-device, network, and application –to protect data in transit and at rest. This multi-layered security approach significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, message interception, or replay attacks. For instance, this technology facilitates secure, decentralized communication within large commercial buildings, effectively extending the range and reliability of IoT networks without compromising their security posture. The distributed architecture, with its inherent redundancy and robust encryption, is significantly harder to compromise compared to centralized systems, making it an ideal choice for high-risk environments
I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.
I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do, it's because I missed my exit.
such as hospitals, financial institutions, or luxury hotels where data integrity and system availability are paramount.
AIR-GAPPED SOLUTIONS FOR ISOLATING CRITICAL SYSTEMS
For the most critical building systems, an even more stringent security measure is often warranted: air-gapping. Air-gapped solutions involve the physical isolation of specific systems or networks from any external, unsecured networks, including the public internet. By creating this “air gap”, direct online access routes for potential attackers are entirely eliminated, creating a formidable barrier against remote cyberattacks.
This approach is particularly effective for securing smart building components that manage high-stakes operations, such as industrial control systems, life safety systems (e.g., fire alarms, emergency lighting), or highly sensitive data repositories. Even if attackers manage to infiltrate other parts of a building's IT infrastructure, the lack of connectivity to these isolated, air-gapped systems ensures their continued secure operation. While air-gapping might seem to preclude the “smart” interconnectedness of modern buildings, it can be strategically applied to shield the most vital functions.
By thoughtfully integrating air-gapped systems with the decentralized security of Bluetooth® Mesh networks, organizations can construct a deeply layered, defense-in-depth security framework. Such a framework not only safeguards the technical infrastructure and operational continuity of the smart building but also provides a much stronger assurance of occupant privacy and data protection. This combination enables localized, secure communication for various functions while completely isolating the most critical ones.
FUTURE-PROOFING SMART BUILDING SECURITY ACROSS KEY INDUSTRIES
The principles of decentralized, edgefocused, and physically isolated security architectures are not merely theoretical; they offer tangible benefits and pathways for industries like healthcare, hospitality, and commercial real estate to future-proof their operations against an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.
Hospitals and medical facilities are treasure troves of sensitive patient data (Protected Health Information - PHI) and rely on a multitude of critical, interconnected medical devices. This makes them frequent and high-value targets for cybercriminals. Edge computing, a foundational element of many modern secure IoT strategies, enables real-time data processing and storage to occur locally, within the facility itself, often directly on or near the device generating the data. This significantly reduces, or in some cases eliminates, the need for continuous transmission of raw data to distant central servers. Localized processing minimizes the attack surface, reduces latency for critical applications, and inherently supports compliance with stringent data protection regulations like HIPAA in the United States. Bluetooth® Mesh technology further enhances the security of medical devices by establishing encrypted, reliable peer-to-peer communication channels, reducing the risks of data interception or device hijacking within the hospital environment. Air-gapping can be applied to ultra-critical systems, such as networked life-support equipment or patient record archives, to provide an ultimate layer of protection.
master keycard systems, ensures that hackers cannot gain remote unauthorized entry.
For modern office complexes and multiuse commercial properties, occupant satisfaction, operational efficiency, and building resilience are paramount. Bluetooth® Mesh networks enable decentralized and robust control of essential building services like lighting, HVAC systems, and occupancy monitoring. This allows granular, real-time management and automation without the inherent vulnerabilities associated with relying solely on centralized cloud platforms for every command and data point. Edge computing complements this by allowing property management systems to optimize building performance autonomously, processing sensor data locally to make immediate adjustments and identify maintenance needs, thereby reducing latency for rapid issue resolution and enhancing overall energy efficiency. This localized intelligence means that even if external network connectivity is temporarily lost, core building functions can continue to operate, ensuring a more resilient and secure environment for tenants.
The hospitality industry increasingly leverages smart technologies to enhance the guest experience, offering features like automated room access, personalized environmental controls (lighting, temperature), and voice-activated services. However, these IoT-driven amenities can quickly become vulnerabilities if not adequately secured, potentially exposing guest data or even compromising physical security. Air-gapping critical operational systems, such as guest registration databases, payment processing terminals, or
References:
1. Press Release. “Zscaler ThreatLabz Finds a 400% Increase in IoT and OT Malware Attacks Year-over-Year, Underscoring Need for Better Zero Trust Security to Protect Critical Infrastructures.” Zscaler. October 24, 2023.
2. “Average cost per data breach in the United States 2006-2024”. Statista. October 10, 2024. n
Fabio Zaniboni, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at BubblyNet, is a technology leader with over two decades of experience in sustainable innovation, focusing on energy-efficient building solutions and leveraging IoT to drive digital transformation in the built environment. fabio@bubblynet.com
BY ADAM MCCANN
the cost of buying a house has skyrocketed in recent years, well outpacing inflation, and many people have been priced out of becoming homeowners for the time being as a result. Those who can afford hefty mortgage payments also have to factor in other housing costs, such as expensive utility bills, into their budgets.
To shed more light on where Americans are spending the most and least on housing, WalletHub analyzed mortgage and home energy payments in each of the 50 states. They then added these costs together and compared them to the median household income.
TRENDI G States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing
TIPS FOR SAVING ON HOUSING
GET A SHORTER MORTGAGE:
You can save a staggering amount of money on interest just by taking out a 15-year mortgage rather than a 30-year mortgage. Naturally, your monthly payments will be much higher, but if you can afford it, your wallet will thank you in the long run.
IMPROVE
YOUR BUDGETING SKILLS:
Learning how to budget properly is essential for ensuring you have enough money to afford your monthly housing bills, in addition to all your other expenses. If you haven’t bought a house yet but plan to in the future, you should strive to budget money each month toward a down payment, after allocating funds to your basic needs and paying down existing debt.
MAKE A LARGE DOWN PAYMENT:
The larger your down payment is, the less interest you’ll pay over the course of your mortgage, and the better interest rates you may receive. Plus, making a down payment of at least 20% of the property’s price will prevent you from having to purchase private mortgage insurance.
MINIMIZE YOUR USE OF UTILITIES:
IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT BEFORE BUYING:
The better your credit score, the more favorable your interest rate on a mortgage is likely to be. The best ways to improve your credit score include making on-time payments on your existing debts, keeping your credit utilization low, and checking your credit report for errors. You can check your credit score and report for free right here on WalletHub.
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Utilities won’t be as big of a cost as your mortgage, but they still add up quickly. Taking shorter showers, lowering your thermostat by a few degrees during the winter and raising it by a few degrees during the summer, turning lights off when they’re not necessary, and making other energy-saving adjustments can significantly reduce your utility costs.
People in Hawaii spend the most on housing as a percentage of their income. The average Hawaiian spends nearly 53% of their income on monthly mortgage payments and home energy costs. For comparison, Iowa residents only spend an average of less than 19% of their income on housing costs.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, to understand the methodology and read expert commentary, click <HERE>. n
Adam McCann is a personal finance writer for WalletHub.
é The iconic Ilikai Apartment Building on Waikiki Beach on Oahu.
FRANCIS X PAVY: PAINTING THE FOLK ELECTRIC
BY BROOKE BROUSSARD
Brooke Broussard is a writer based in the Acadiana region of Southwest Louisiana. She partners mostly with visual artists and musicians to develop custom text that illustrates their work and processes. She is heavily inspired by the marsh landscape and the beauty of waltzes.
“I paint the folklore of the South through music, mysticism, Mardi Gras, and everyday life, with relationships at the emotional core. Working in virtual and augmented reality mirrors how I visualize—I visualize in light, and painting in light scratches that creative itch. My intuitive, layered process transforms the ordinary into something iconic and timeless.”
– Francis X Pavy
frAncis x pAvy is a vanguard artist existing in a place that thrives on tradition. Based in Lafayette, the metro-hub of French Louisiana, Pavy has been conscious and reverent of the deep hold Cajun-ness and Creole-ness have on his home-place, instead of simply preaching to the proverbial choir, his over 40
01. Dev Clarity #2 26” x 32”, 2018 / 02. Full Moon Whip crack-54”x50”, 2023 / 03. Deep Summer -30”x30”, 2024 / 04. Study for Moth Where Your Heart Should Be 32” x 43 1/2”, 2018 / 05. Wavey hand with Explosion and Musicians 30”x 30”, 2024 / 06. Dark Pool 60”x60”, 2024 / 07. King Harvest 37”x 36.5”, 2018 / 08. Mystic Crown Princess 48”x48”, 2024 / 09. Borderline 60”x40”, 2024 / 10. At the Hour -37”x 36”, 2018 / 11. Flower garden Octopus 48”x60”, 2018 / 12. Festival Floater ( detail) 48”48”, 2025 (Virtual Drawing) / 13. People I talk to while I’m sleeping 30”x30”, 2024 / 14. On the Runaway Highway 48”x48”, 2018 / 15. Red Yellow and White Triangles (Virtual reality drawing), variable size. / 16. Voodoo and the Origins of Rock and Roll –Congo Square 30”x30”. /// All are oil on canvas, except #12 and #16.
years of experimentation and output show that he is unafraid and perhaps always on the verge of discovering a new creative language.
Even before he studied art at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Pavy was studying under the tutelage of local painter Elemore Morgan Jr. and had set up a darkroom in his parents’ attic by the age of 12. The scope of technique under his belt is long: photography, stained glass, ceramics, printmaking, painting, textiles, and now painting with immersive spatial computing tools. Eventually, in some way, each medium reveals itself again and again in his work and has a lasting impact on the whole of his artistic voice.
Pavy’s expansive body of work, so warmly familiar to its immediate audience in his native Southwest Louisiana, is known for its electric colors, bold lines, and use of patterns and repeated vernacular symbology. His choice of imagery is at once hyperregional (for example, he paints both a pair of dancers – ubiquitous at local dance halls – and a “marsh grass” pattern often in his works) and universally relevant to anyone with an eye for reading folk art. Much of the work seamlessly blends painting with block-printing, an indication of his fearlessness in experimentation and deft hand at juxtaposing various methods within a single piece. Nick Spitzer, former Louisiana State Folklorist and Senior Folklife Specialist at the Smithsonian Institution, refers to Pavy’s work as ‘spectacular vernacular modernism.’
Music is ever-present in his visuals –Pavy studied music briefly at university and employs the symbol of a dancing pair repeatedly as a motif; he is known to pick up a guitar from time to time. The accordion is a welcome guest on his canvases. He tells the stories of his neighbors, their ancestors, and their homeland with a reverent and playful hand. Some of the stories are very old, and some of them are happening now; every image and pattern is a clue, which can make viewing a Pavy piece feel much like a fun game that’s different for everyone, depending on where they grew up or how much they know about the artist himself.
His paintings have been featured in one-man shows both nationally and internationally, and his work has been collected by celebrities and graced the covers of books and albums with a vast international audience. He has recently designed the cover for a Rolling Stones single, a 45-rpm cover version of Clifton Chenier’s “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés.” UL Press just last year published Francis X Pavy: Forty Years, a robust hardcover
retrospective showing his evolution of visual storytelling. He has, by most definitions, made it, which makes it all the more notable that he has chosen to remain in a relatively unknown town tucked away in a corner of the Atchafalaya Basin.
There’s something to be said for choosing depth over breadth, choosing to remain in your homeland and the place that inspired you to create in the first place – this makes Pavy an insider and outsider artist simultaneously. His tendency toward experimentation sets him apart from the old-guard Cajun and Creole artists who populate the prairies and marshes surrounding Lafayette. Still, his devotion to home makes him a household name and a regionally appreciated painter of a particular people and place.
Since proving himself more than capable of producing photorealistic paintings, Pavy finds it more interesting to explore other ways of representing reality. He’s emerged again and again as a pioneer in methods and
perspectives. He chooses to create art that prompts viewers to engage more deeply with the process of uncovering meaning, to color the vision with their own experiences, much in the way a reader interprets written stories according to their preconceptions.
His transition from ‘traditional’ or analog art forms to what we see him doing now is not unlike Dylan’s move to the electric guitar – a mode ahead of its time, doing the audacious work of teaching a new language so that others could eventually, confidently join in to write the next chapter.
Pavy’s latest work, which involves creating and exhibiting art using three-dimensional, augmented reality technology, is perhaps his boldest move. Digital art has always had its fair share of skeptics —a faction of art lovers who eschew computer-generated art for its perceived lack of authenticity or lack of skill. His use of the technology isn’t a crutch or gimmick –it’s pure progress, his natural evolution. Pavy says that he’s easily bored and values entertaining the interest of both him and his viewers.
Creating art using the software feels like painting with light for Pavy, allowing him to access the colors and transmitted tones he so loved when working with stained glass early on in his career as an artist. This aspect of digital artmaking, he says, makes it feel as if he’s “coming home.” So far, he’s had one installation where viewers can access the artworks via a smartphone app and immerse themselves in augmented reality. It’s exciting work for
him, at this late stage, still able to find new ways of creating.
“I almost feel like I’m prospecting, digging, finding jewels,” says Pavy. “Maybe there’s something else there. The subconscious is this wellspring of inspiration.” Not everyone has an eye for these jewels, this inherent iconography that exists within our hidden world; he has always been able to see it, deconstruct it, and present it back to us to emphasize our shared cosmology.
And now, as he marries the mystical with the digital, it's no less important work than a 40-year-old hand-painted Francis Pavy canvas. n
Find more work at:
www.artworkarchive.com/profile/ francis-pavy
www.pavy.com
Instagram: @francis_x_pavy
Facebook: facebook.com/fpavy
Architects and designers (many of our readers) have a lot of influence on the way we perceive the world. A structure often plays a significant part in how we experience a place. (Think of a restaurant, a museum, an arena, a stadium... even an office building - virtually anywhere!) The interior design impacts our sensory perception, our comfort, and our physical connection and there is also artistry in the exterior design. (That’s why we call it artchitecture.) WHY ARTCH TECTURE?
Great art is among the most sublime, meaningful, and redeeming creations of all civilization. Few endeavors can equal the power of great artwork to capture aesthetic beauty, to move and inspire, to change perceptions, and to communicate the nature of human experience. Great art is also complex, mysterious, and challenging. Filled with symbolism, cultural and historical references, and often visionary imagery, great artworks oblige us to reckon with their many meanings.
BY TONY HODGSON
WHAT IF A BUILDING COULD TELL ITS OWN STORY?
not through plAques or pamphlets, but dynamically—using the invisible wireless networks already deployed throughout the building. Picture tenants and visitors discovering an overlay of living history, site-specific art, or real-time data simply by scanning their surroundings with a phone. This is the promise of Augmented Reality as a Service (ARaaS)—a new layer in the software stack that comprises a “connected real estate” property.
WHAT IS AR?
Augmented Reality, or AR, is a technology that overlays digital content—such as images, text, or animations—onto the real world when viewed through a phone or tablet. If you've ever used a filter on Instagram or Snapchat that places dog ears or sunglasses on your head in real time, you've already used AR. Another wellknown example is the mobile game Pokémon GO, where players use their phones to see and catch virtual creatures superimposed on real-world locations. AR blends virtual elements with
BEYOND THE WALLS HOW AR-AS-A-SERVICE IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF PLACE
your surroundings to create interactive, layered experiences.
Real estate professionals should care about AR because it’s becoming a powerful communication tool to enhance spaces, tell compelling stories, and create deeper engagement with tenants, visitors, maintainers, and buyers.
AR THAT LIVES IN THE BUILDING
We’re accustomed to thinking of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HVAC, lighting, and security systems as integral components of a building’s digital infrastructure. Increasingly, augmented reality is joining this list—not as a novelty, but as a versatile service delivered over wireless networks. Much like IoT devices and digital signage, AR experiences can now be deployed, updated, and managed remotely and activated by visitors onsite. What’s new is that these tools no longer require custom hardware or standalone apps. Advances in 5G, mobile computing, and browserbased platforms enable property owners, developers, and managers to treat AR as a service—on demand, scalable, and tailored to context.
Augmented Reality as a Service (ARaaS) is a profound shift from AR as a flashy marketing tool to AR as part of the operational and experiential fabric of the built environment. These immersive overlays are already being used to enhance tenant engagement, support operations, and—perhaps most memo-
rably—create compelling experiences of place.
CULTURAL STORYTELLING IN REAL TIME
One recent example: during the Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, veteran artist Francis Pavy, featured in this edition of (see page 31), unveiled a public AR-enhanced art installation outside a historic downtown venue. Sponsored by InfoLink-USA and powered by the AR tools of Ethar, the exhibition allowed visitors to scan QR codes or simply aim their smartphones at posters on the building to reveal floating digital artwork tied to real physical spaces. (See this link www.ethar.com/ art-show-video)
Paintings that once only lived on canvas were reinterpreted as dimensional, light-based experiences anchored in the air—some hovering a hundred feet overhead, visible from city blocks away. It wasn’t just about technology; it was about storytelling. Pavy’s vibrant depictions of Louisiana’s cultural symbols—dancers, marsh grass, zydeco music—took on new life, accessible to festival-goers of all ages with nothing more than their mobile phones.
AR IN ICONIC PLACES
This isn’t a one-off phenomenon. Around the world, some of the most recognizable commercial real estate landmarks are beginning to leverage augmented reality as a placemaking tool.
In Los Angeles, The Bloc—a 1.8 million square foot mixed-use complex— hosted an AR scavenger hunt that blended public art with interactive digital layers, drawing thousands of visitors and boosting foot traffic. In Chicago, Willis Tower’s lobby was reimagined through an AR exhibit, highlighting the building’s storied architectural past. London’s Coal Drops Yard has implemented AR-guided shop-
I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.
é Playing Pokémon GO™ outside a commercial office building.
I'm only responsible for what I say, not for what you understand.
ping experiences and spatial sound installations to activate underutilized spaces.
Each of these projects shares a common thread: using AR not just to decorate space, but to interpret it— inviting occupants into a richer relationship with their surroundings.
A TOOL, NOT A TOY
It’s easy to think of AR as something flashy. But when integrated into a connected building’s infrastructure, it becomes a practical service with many applications:
Wayfinding: AR arrows and signs that guide users in large complexes or during emergencies.
Leasing & Development: Visualizing future build-outs and tenant improvements in situ.
Public Engagement: Highlighting historical narratives, environmental data, or public art.
Tenant Services: Supporting maintenance, onboarding, or amenities with spatial cues.
Marketing & Branding: Bringing brand narratives to life in lobbies, retail fronts, or rooftops.
All of this can be deployed selectively, updated in real time, and managed alongside other building systems. AR-as-a-Service offers flexibility, control, and—crucially—value.
A NEW DIMENSION OF EXPRESSION AND CONNECTION
If you’re reading this publication, you likely care about how buildings feel to the people who use them. AR won’t replace good design, but it can extend it—adding meaning, memory, and interaction to spaces that otherwise go unnoticed.
Whether you’re working on a corporate campus, hospitality venue, or mixeduse development, it’s worth asking:
What stories live in this space? What data could help people navigate or appreciate it more deeply? And how might AR help you surface those invisible layers?
We’re still in the early chapters of this story. However, as more real estate professionals incorporate AR into their technology strategy—not just for show, but for service—the opportunities multiply.
Want to see what this could look like in your next project? Start a conversation (thodgson@ethar.com). The Spatial Web -powered by augmented reality -is already here. Let’s make the most of it.n
About Ethar, Inc.
Ethar, Inc. is a Huntsville, Alabamabased technology company pioneering the future of spatial computing. Our platform empowers organizations to create, share, and monetize augmented reality experiences with ease. From property development and manufacturing to tourism and education, Ethar helps clients blend the physical and digital worlds in meaningful ways. We offer advanced tools for AR content creation, geospatial anchoring, and intelligent context-aware delivery— accessible on mobile devices and wearables. Learn more at ethar.com.
Tony Hodgson, CEO, Ethar, Inc. thodgson@ethar.com
é Augmented reality provides a new medium for engagement.
BY JON FITZGERALD
CONNECTED REAL ESTATE 1.0
“HELLO...
HELLO... CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”
if you’ve ever hAd to relocate to one particular corner of a building to make a cell phone call, or missed emails and texts until you’ve walked outside, you understand very well how a break in connectivity can throw you off.
Cellular connectivity is a necessary expectation in modern business. We live in a world where the intersection of technology and life is locked in. With infinite amounts of information at our fingertips, we engage in both work and play online. If you’re not connected, you’re losing ground.
What if lives were on the line? What if, in an emergency situation, first responders were unable to connect to public safety radio because of a dead spot in the network? The infrastructure required to address these issues can be expensive and difficult to predict.
Where does IoT (the Internet of Thingsconnected devices and their supporting networks) fit in? As in Asset tracking, smart lighting, equipment sensing, access control, and HVAC, the layers begin to stack up, and they all come with real maintenance and IT security implications.
What about the “metaverse”? Is there hidden value in how building occupants interact with the space around them? Real estate can be more than static property. Are layers of potential waiting to be unlocked in your square footage? We will discuss these topics in a series of articles. The subject matter is complex, and the risk of becoming entangled in acronyms is real. Our mission is to explore the challenges
ç
é Digital twin of a medical office building with wireframe walls, revealing a cellular coverage “propagation map” during pre-construction modeling. These designs are used for planning and cellular carrier approvals.
and opportunities in a way that uses as little jargon as possible. We will delve into common infrastructure challenges and discuss strategies for adapting to ever-evolving requirements, with a focus on value and sustainability. It’s a tall order, but there is value to be had and productivity to be enabled. The technology budgets are being spent – what can we do to compound the rewards?
In this installment, let’s put the fun first. How much fun can we have with ubiquitous connectivity, edge computing, and art?
ART SHOW AT FEST HOUSE
Creativity has its place in the corporate world, sure, but let’s look at something more fun than mitigating dropped calls. During Lafayette’s most recent Festival International de Louisiane (the largest international music festival in North America) veteran visual artist Francis Pavy produced a public art installation enhanced by augmented reality (AR). (See pages 31-35.)
Enabled by spatial web experts Ethar, with their state-of-the-art XR experience platform, the InfoLink team positioned AR effects using a combination of geolocation, image markers, QR codes, and tap-to-place tech. Pavy’s previous work was digitized to create a gallery wall, an art carousel, and
I'm starting to think I will never be old enough to know better.
é A custom digital sculpture by Francis Pavy is placed twenty meters above a private party in the middle of Lafayette, Louisiana, during Festival International de Louisiana, viewable in an app from over a kilometer away.
You can't change the cards you were dealt, just the way you play the hand.
floating frames housing images that changed over time, as well as physical paintings augmented to add dimension to the already captivating images.
Viewers downloaded a viewing app by scanning a QR code, then interacted with the layers of augmented reality. One piece, floating above a private party, had been created by Pavy in a virtual "studio" with tools provided by the Ethar team; the piece was placed
above, anchored to GPS coordinates. Viewers could "look up" with their smartphones and view it in all its glory from over a kilometer away.
It was a fun and enlightening project, being able to see groups of people light up when they experienced the artwork, in the moment, together.
What does this have to do with real estate, you ask? We are working with the tools and exploring use cases to be ready to add these exciting capabilities to InfoLink’s solution set. As we look ahead, the potential for connected real estate is immense. Imagine a world where buildings are not only energy-efficient but also capable of anticipating and responding to the needs of their occupants.
Sounds amazing, right? It also sounds expensive. Everything is. Our goal is to present strategies to enable infrastructure to be adaptable, upgradable, and, where appropriate, multiuse.
Please join us in exploring these opportunities. Whether through investing in new technologies, participating in groundbreaking projects, or simply
staying informed about the latest developments, technology can be a powerful addition to your portfolio. Together, we can help shape the future of connected real estate and create a world that is smarter, more sustainable, and more connected than ever before. In our next installment, we’ll take a deeper dive into indoor Public and Private LTE/5G and how companies are addressing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). n
For 27 years, InfoLink USA has specialized in enabling productivity at the network edges. Their seasoned team of engineers and technicians, in the bustling hub city of Lafayette, Louisiana, have partnered with the healthcare, real estate, government, manufacturing, and energy sectors to make wireless work!
Questions or Comments?
Please reach out at info@infoLink-USA.com
Jon Fitzgerald, Team Leader. InfoLink-USA.com
é In the AR application, a wall comes to life. Anchored on a single piece of physical art, the viewing experience multiplies when activated.
é When using cutting-edge technology to interact with art, two dimensions become three.
BY ANDREW FELDER
'THOU SHALT NOT KILL'... EXCEPT...
the commAndment “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13) is often cited as a universal moral principle. That war is a glaring exception is one of the most profound contradictions in human moral history, revealing how societies frequently bend moral absolutes under the weight of power, politics, and perceived necessity.
TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION LOOPHOLES:
The original Hebrew word “ratsach” in that commandment more accurately translates to “murder” rather than all forms of killing. This distinction allowed killing in war (sanctioned by a state or deity) to be seen as different from personal or criminal killing.
MORAL COMPARTMENTALIZATION: Religions and cultures created a moral split: “murder” is unjustified killing, while “killing in war” can be framed as duty, justice, or even sacrifice. This rationalization protects collective violence from the guilt assigned to individual violence.
AUTHORITY OVERRIDES MORALITY: Throughout history, kings, emperors, and governments claimed divine or legal authority to wage war. Obedience to that authority, not individual moral reckoning, became the virtue. Soldiers became instruments of the state, absolved of personal moral responsibility.
THE JUST WAR DOCTRINE: In Christianity (notably with thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas), the concept of a “just war” emerged — war was permissible if waged for a righteous cause, as a last resort, and with proportional force. This gave killing in war a philosophical pass within an otherwise pacifist faith.
SURVIVAL AND TRIBALISM: On a more fundamental level, societies evolved to prioritize group survival over moral purity. War became a mechanism of defense, conquest, or deterrence — and so was justified, even sanctified, especially when "the other side" was dehumanized.
So, in essence: "Thou shalt not kill" became 'Thou shalt not murder — unless it’s us versus them.' A tragic loophole in the moral fabric that humans have yet to reconcile fully.
Caring about peace while being deeply curious about the mechanisms that undermine it, we
offer a satirical look at the moral hypocrisy.
THE INTERNATIONAL ETHICS AWARDS
[Brought to you by the Department of Selective Outrage and the Ministry of Moral Flexibility] Live from the Global Hall of Self-Congratulation [Where Integrity Takes a Bow — Then Immediately Reverses Direction]
[Host’s voice booms over the loudspeakers, echoing through the golden hall lit entirely by fossil fuels and plausible deniability.] Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, ministers and mercenaries, lobbyists and loosely-aligned idealists — what a night! What a moral night! The 73rd Annual International Ethics Awards — the only show where everyone’s wrong, but someone’s still declared right! Broadcasting live from the United Nations' Banquet Hall (sponsored by DroneTech), tonight’s ceremony honors the bravest feats in moral gymnastics from the world stage.
First Up—‘Best Use of the Word Peace During an Invasion’. And the winner is... General Maximus ‘Preemptive’ Strike, for his moving speech entitled ‘We Had to Bomb Them to Save Them’ — delivered moments before the flattening of a village and immediately followed by a commemorative tweet: ‘#FreedomRocks.’ Next: ‘Lifetime Achievement in Moral Exceptionalism’
This year’s honor goes to The Grand Federation of Democracies, for consistently upholding human rights… within their own borders, and only between April and November (and only during election years). Accepting the award on their behalf is Ambassador Spinwell, who reminds us: “We don’t torture — we use enhanced interrogation. And we don’t spy — we pre-love with surveillance.”
The audience applauds, champagne corks pop, and a drone hovers overhead.
[Announcer Resumes] Now for ‘Best Rebranding of Civilian Deaths.’
This award goes to MediaCorp International for their coverage of the tragic airstrike that killed 42 civilians, described in headlines as A Decisive Blow to Enemy Morale. The judges were especially impressed by the phrase: “Unintended human presence in an otherwise successful kinetic event.”
And finally, ‘Most Inspirational U-Turn on Principles.’ Let’s have a standing ovation for The People’s Republic of Irony, who once condemned foreign occupation but now proudly occupy a foreign land in the name of "regional harmony." Their ambassador said: “We believe in the sovereignty of all nations—unless they're in our neighborhood and not doing what we say.”
As the orchestra plays "What a Wonderful War,” glitter cannons blast recycled press
releases into the air and the host announces a few other (bonus) awards:
‘The Velvet Glove Award’ for ‘Most GentleSounding Name for a Brutal Policy’ was awarded to the creators of the international refugee deterrence program: Operation Welcome Mat (Is Hot Lava).
‘The Ostrich Award’ for ‘Most Creative Avoidance of Accountability' was given to a panel of world leaders who held an emergency summit on climate change aboard a luxury jet and released a joint statement blaming “weather fluctuations.”
‘The Foggy Mirror Trophy’ for ‘Excellence in Vague Language’ honored all diplomats who used the phrase “regrettable incident” to describe a confirmed war crime.
Tonight’s Ethics Awards remind us that morality is best when it’s flexible, justice is best when it's optional, and truth is best when it’s sponsored. Tune in next year, where we’ll debut a new category—'Best Posthumous Apology After Public Outcry' Goodnight, and remember: "Do as we say, not as we drone. Until next year, keep your ethics shiny, your statements vague, and your actions plausible—because in the grand theater of global morality, the show must go on."
The audience rises — some clapping, some calculating — as all winners gather on stage to sing the official Ethics Awards anthem—Do As I Say (Not As I Deploy), featuring backup vocals from the Coalition of the Occasionally Concerned.
Lyrics excerpt:
“We stand for truth, when it’s convenient, We march for peace, through armed dissent. We hold the line, unless it's moving, Then pivot — with intent!”
FIREWORKS, FINGER-POINTING, AND FAREWELLS
A dazzling firework display shaped like redacted documents lights up the sky. Drones hover above, streaming the event to millions (in countries with a favorable media rating). Gift bags for attendees include: a limited-edition ‘Moral Flexibility’ yoga mat; a reusable outrage filter; and a voucher for one post-conflict reconstruction contract.
Let me get this straight: if we lied to the government, it's a felony; but if they lie to us, it's just politics.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF GENERAL MAXIMUS “PREEMPTIVE” STRIKE Department of Defense, Democracy, and Dramatics FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION TO FRIENDLY MEDIA OUTLETS ONLY
General Strike Accepts Ethics Award with “Humility and 47 Tanks” [Freedomstan, June 28]
General Maximus ‘Preemptive’ Strike expressed deep gratitude for winning the prestigious International Ethics Award for ‘Best Use of the Word Peace During an Invasion.’ “This award is not about me,” General Strike said, standing atop a freshly bulldozed ‘Enemy Cultural Landmark.’ “It’s about the values we claim to defend while strategically undermining them.”
PRESS RELEASE
FROM: MEDIACORP INTERNATIONAL
“We Don’t Report the News — We Refine It.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RE-FRAMING
MediaCorp International Celebrates Ethics Award for Creative Framing of Conflict Casualties
[New York, London, Dubai — and wherever advertisers pay the most]
MediaCorp International, the world’s leading provider of strategically sanitized global narratives, is proud to accept the International Ethics Award for ‘Best Rebranding of Civilian Deaths.’
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
FROM THE OFFICE OF HIS EXCELLENCY
AMBASSADOR R.U. KIDDING-ME
Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of Irony to the World Affairs Consortium
“Principles: We Stand On Them — Until We Need to Step Around Them.”
Ambassador R.U. Kidding-Me
Addresses Award Win for Bold Ethical Recalibration [Capitol of Ironia City, or Wherever It Is Geopolitically Convenient Today]
Normal is just a setting on a washing machine.
Dressed in full ceremonial fatigues and flanked by a military jazz band playing ‘Give Peace a Chance, the General thanked his loyal team of spin doctors, euphemism consultants, and social media interns “who made this war sound like a TED Talk.” He credited the nowfamous speech delivered just before launching Operation Hug-n-Nuke: “We come not to conquer, but to liberate you from the burden of choosing your own destiny.” The General also emphasized the moral rigor behind the operation: “Every missile was blessed with a moment of silence. A heartfelt press release accompanied every explosion. That’s the kind of integrity we airstrike for.”
When asked about civilian casualties, the General responded: “Collateral kindness is our top priority. We drop leaflets before bombs, and emojis after — that’s what sets us apart from the bad guys.”
He also teased upcoming humanitarian efforts in the newly “liberated” region, including: a free Democracy Starter Kit (some assembly required); limited access to filtered internet (Terms and Surveillance Apply); and a Peace Museum built on the site of the former Peace Museum.
General Strike closed with a look to the horizon: “We’re already planning next year’s award submission. This time, we’ll be promoting ‘nonviolence through overwhelming force’ in several nations that don’t yet know they need our help.” The press conference ended with a fireworks show composed entirely of active munitions and a touching dedication: “To the innocent lives caught in the crossfire — thank you for your sacrifice. Your unintended deaths shall not be in vain, but in PowerPoint.”
For interviews, contact: press@operationmorallyambiguous.org Or visit our website: peace-through-dominance.gov
CEO and Chief Euphemism Officer Evan Morso accepted the award in a heartfelt pre-recorded statement, filmed in front of a green screen designed to look like a war zone (but with better lighting). “We at MediaCorp believe facts should never get in the way of feelings — especially the feelings of our defense industry sponsors.”
The award-winning article, initially titled 42 Civilians Killed in Unprovoked Strike, was later revised to Enemy Morale Dealt Symbolic Blow in Precision Operation. Key editorial highlights included: referring to civilians as “unintended proximity variables”; labeling the strike a “freedom-focused disruption event”; and featuring an aerial shot of the explosion accompanied by a soulful cello score and the caption: Smoke of Hope: The Fog of Necessary Progress.
We don’t lie,” said Editor-in-Chief Bea Leavitt. “We interpret. Our job is to provide context— preferably the kind that aligns with an approved version of reality.”
MediaCorp’s Ethical Journalism Algorithm cross-checks each report against government press releases, investor expectations, trending hashtags, and the proximity of affected areas to strategic oil reserves. In partnership with the Institute for Softened Truths, MediaCorp is launching a new reporting series called Collateral Narratives: Tragedy You Can Feel Good About. It will include topics such as: Missile Misunderstandings: When Good Intentions Explode, Human Shields or Poor Real Estate Choices?, and The Sounds of Liberation: Rebuilding Playlists for Post-Strike Zones.
MediaCorp is committed to comfort-first journalism — because the truth may set you free, but a good story keeps you tuned in
For interviews, sponsored commentary, or airbrushed photos from conflict zones, contact: truthish@mediacorp.international
Or stream our 24/7 channel: Echo–Where Every Side Sounds Right
With great humility and minor territorial ambition, Ambassador R.U. Kidding-Me today accepted the International Ethics Award for ‘Most Inspirational U-Turn on Principles,’ praising his nation’s "commitment to fluid integrity in an ever-changing moral climate."
Standing proudly in front of a backdrop that once read “Sovereignty for All” but now reads “Exceptions Apply,” the Ambassador delivered a passionate, if somewhat circular, speech. “We used to believe in non-intervention, and we still do. Except when intervention is essential for preserving the sanctity of our evolving interpretation of non-intervention.”
The Ambassador cited the recent annexation of the Autonomous But Not For Long Zone as a key example of their ethical evolution: “We were once the loudest voice against occupation. But after discovering strategic resources and a convenient lack of resistance, we realized that consistency is the enemy of innovation. Our people believe in freedom — especially the freedom to redefine what freedom means when it becomes strategically awkward.”
The People’s Republic of Irony’s updated foreign policy, The Doctrine of Situational Sincerity, includes the following key principles: might makes right, but only if we’re the ones being mighty; all nations are equal—some just have more equal borders; and hypocrisy is only a problem when poorly phrased.
Ambassador Kidding-Me concluded with a hopeful note: “We don’t flip-flop. We pirouette — gracefully, with diplomatic finesse. And if that makes us hypocrites, then may we be the most eloquent ones history has ever known.”
The People's Republic of Irony plans to unveil a new Department of Pre-Approved Contradictions, tasked with ensuring that all future international statements can be walked back “with dignity and plausible confusion.” They also plan to publish an updated constitution with a fold-out ethics section that doubles as a coaster.
Press inquiries, strategic apologies, or requests for a selectively enforced ceasefire may be directed to: rukiddingme@irony.gov ��
BY ANDREI POPA
MICRO HOUSING
gen Z renters (born between 1997 and 2012) are helping turn micro-housing from a niche trend into a mainstream urban solution. Prioritizing location over square footage, they favor compact, efficient homes near transit and culture — a perfect match for their fast-paced lives and long-term financial goals.
Micro apartments were practical before they were cool. Once a spot-on solution for factory workers and new arrivals to big cities, they’ve evolved into a trendy lifestyle choice for recent grads, young professionals, and empty-nesters embracing urban living. Today, small homes offer the best of both worlds — not just aesthetic appeal, but a smart, space-efficient response to the rising demand for housing in land-strapped cities struggling to absorb waves of new residents.
But like most things in real estate, the micro-housing trend is far from black and white. Public opinion is split. While some still prefer larger homes in far-flung suburbs, many renters — including entry-level employees and downsizing couples — are gravitating toward smaller, smarter spaces in dense, walkable neighborhoods. Often designed with budget-conscious residents in mind, these compact units also reflect a broader shift toward sustainable, minimalist living. In essence, tiny apartments are increasingly seen as a way to live with less, but closer to more.
And for many, micro apartments represent a strategic choice rather than just a budget compromise. Some renters are drawn by lower price points and the appeal of amenity-rich, transit-oriented communities. For older adults or those on fixed incomes, micro-housing offers a low-maintenance lifestyle with convenient access to essential services. Whether driven by economic realities or a “less is more” mindset, small-space living is carving out a loyal — and growing — following.
THE MIDWEST RIVALS THE WEST FOR MICRO-HOUSING AVAILABILITY
Nationally, micro-housing has been making a quiet comeback. After declining in the early 2000s, when many cities favored suburban sprawl and single-family homes, its share of the rental market has been steadily climbing over the past decade. Now, with a housing crunch squeezing millions and urban lifestyles shifting toward minimalism and convenience, micro-units are enjoying a renaissance. Roughly 2.4% of newly delivered rental units in the 2020s are under 441 square feet, more than double the 1.1% share seen in the 2000s. Regionally, the West leads the nation in the share of microhousing, followed by the Midwest and
the Northeast. Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu, and Portland are fully embracing the micro-housing trend, with small homes making up over 10% of their local inventories. These places have long struggled with skyhigh housing costs and limited space, so micro-apartments have become a practical, appealing alternative.
This new wave of micro-units has outgrown its historical roots. What once resembled the early 20th-century boarding houses — single-room occupancies designed for blue-collar workers— now appeals to a wider audience. Young professionals, empty nesters, and environmentally conscious urbanites are embracing small footprint living as a way to minimize costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and stay close to the action. In an era where space is at a premium, these tiny homes offer a compelling alternative to long commutes and sprawling suburbs.
StorageCafe analyzed housing stock data across 100 major cities, defining micro units in a given location as rental homes with a footprint no larger than half the average apartment size in that state. Nationwide, our analysis identifies micro-housing units as those measuring under 441 square feet.
I stayed up all night wondering where the sun went, then it dawned on me.
San Francisco’s high population density and competitive rental market have set the stage for a micro-housing movement that has been gaining momentum for years. While the shift initially polarized residents, the city has since wholeheartedly embraced tiny living. Today, nearly 15% of all housing units in San Francisco are considered undersized, with some measuring as little as 124 square feet, making it the undisputed micro-housing capital of the U.S.
The city’s commitment to compact living is only growing. Roughly 28.8% of its new rental stock scheduled to come online is made up of micro-units, a number which represents 0.73% of the city’s total housing inventory — a notable footprint for a housing type that was once considered too radical for large-scale adoption.
Projects like the CITYSPACE Studio development, now nearing completion in nearby Berkeley, are reinforcing the appeal of this approach. Built on a 5,000-square-foot lot — originally zoned for a single-family home — the development features 39 micro-studios, each just 160 square feet. The project demonstrates how small urban parcels can yield high-density housing without the need for towering structures. While affordability and density remain the key drivers behind micro-housing, its value as a tool for addressing homelessness and workforce housing shortages is becoming increasingly evident. The CITYSPACE model, for example, is seen as a viable solution for entry-level workers and unhoused residents, offering dignity and independence in a self-contained, well-designed space.
Still, scaling micro-housing remains a regulatory challenge. Many cities have outdated zoning codes or restrictive minimum size requirements that make
such developments nearly impossible. As housing shortages intensify, San Francisco and its neighboring cities may serve as blueprints for how micro-housing can help relieve pressure on urban housing markets — not as a silver bullet, but as a practical, scalable solution that makes better use of space, land, and budgets.
Seattle has also emerged as a national leader in micro-housing, with undersized units now accounting for approximately 12% of the city’s total housing inventory. That number is poised to grow further: roughly 66% of rental units currently under construction fall into the micro-housing category, reflecting the city’s increasingly compact approach to residential development.
This shift is part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing rising housing costs and increasing population density. In 2024, the city adopted sweeping zoning reforms to accommodate 120,000 new housing units over the next two decades. These changes permit micro-unit developments in all areas zoned for multifamily housing, a move designed to increase housing diversity and supply across the city.
Now, while many cities in the Pacific West have consistently increased their
micro-housing supply over the past 40 years, Honolulu made a significant jump in new construction only in the 2020s — during this time, undersized units have accounted for 27% of its new rental supply. Additionally, Hawaii has the smallest average rental unit size in the country, measuring just 697 square feet across all unit types. With nearly 12% of Honolulu apartments measuring less than half that size, the Polynesian city stands out as a major player in the world of micro-housing.
While micro-living is gaining traction in the Pacific region, the trend is far less prominent in the Mountain West. Conversely, the Midwest offers a lot of highlights in what micro-housing can mean to American cities, and, driven by population density, the Northeast is leaning into micro-housing as a cityliving solution. And, with its compact and efficient design, it has yet to find a strong foothold in the Southern U.S., primarily due to the region’s cultural norms, economic realities, and urban planning trends.
Check out how the largest cities perform regarding micro-housing in the U.S. See the top 100 U.S. Cities for Micro-Housing and the methodology employed and much more <HERE>. n
TOP 10 WESTERN CITIES LEADING IN MICRO-HOUSING
SOURCE: STORAGECAFE ANALYSIS OF THE LATEST DATA FROM THE YARDI MATRIX (DATA AS OF MARCH 2025| PUB: MAY 2025).EMBED DOWNLOAD IMAGECREATED WITH DATAWRAPPER.
REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE
HORA VERTIKALE
tirAnA hAs been experiencing a surge in architectural innovation, blending bold modern designs with its rich cultural heritage. As urban expansion continues to transform this dynamic city, architects are reimagining how buildings can blend harmoniously with their surroundings and foster a sense of community. Among these groundbreaking projects is one that promises to transform the skyline while inviting residents and visitors alike to interact with its unique form and purpose.
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Tirana.
Why is it called quote after dark” when it's really after light?
Currently under construction, Hora Vertikale is a 460-foot-tall mixed-use (primarily residential apartments) vertical neighborhood comprising 13 staggered cubes stacked over a park with public amenities. Designed by Portuguese studio OODA (with offices based in Porto and Lisbon), the building wants to engage the local community. It is described as "a unique vertical village set amidst a large green city"—Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania.
From OODA’s website:
“In our view, architecture is never generic; it’s an exercise in profound specificity. Every geography holds a distinct array of ingredients—be they cultural or historical—and it’s our task to distill and synthesize those elements into our designs.”
The 13 cubes each measure approximately 74 feet by 74 feet, and the building will be seven stories tall – the typical height of buildings in Tirana
Hora Vertikale will be made from locally sourced materials. n
I went to a bookstore and asked the salesclerk where the self-help section was. She said that would defeat the purpose.
NATO
As 2025 unfolds, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) remains at the forefront
WHO
NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member countries, primarily from North America and Europe, including the United States, Canada, and most Western and Central European nations (e.g., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and recent members Sweden and Finland).
NATO’s headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium. Its operations span member countries and extend to regions like the Balkans, Afghanistan, and the Mediterranean.
Founded on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., NATO has undergone significant evolution, particularly after the end of the Cold War and in response to events such as 9/11.
of global headlines, navigating a complex geopolitical landscape marked by evolving threats and strategic shifts. Recent developments underscore NATO’s critical role in addressing security challenges, from heightened tensions in Eastern Europe to emerging
cyber and hybrid warfare threats. NATO’s responses to ongoing conflicts and its efforts to bolster collective defense have sparked both support and debate, highlighting its enduring relevance in a rapidly changing world.
WHAT WHY WHERE HOW WHEN
NATO operates through political consultation, military cooperation, and joint exercises. It maintains a command structure, conducts missions like peacekeeping and counterterrorism, and promotes defense spending and interoperability among members.
BY ROXANA TOFAN
NATO is a collective defense alliance founded to ensure mutual security, most notably through Article 5, which declares that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Article 5 has been invoked only once in NATO’s history, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Carried out by al-Qaeda, the attacks targeted the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. On September 12, 2001, NATO allies invoked Article 5, deploying AWACS surveillance aircraft to patrol U.S. airspace and later contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014 to combat terrorism and stabilize the region.
Beyond Article 5, NATO has undertaken other significant operations:
Bosnia and Kosovo (1990s): NATO conducted airstrikes and peacekeeping missions, including the Implementation Force (IFOR), Stabilization Force (SFOR), and Kosovo Force (KFOR), under UN mandates to address conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
Libya (2011): Operation Unified Protector enforced a no-fly zone and protected civilians during the Libyan civil war, authorized by a UN resolution.
Counterterrorism and Maritime Security: Operations like Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean and support against ISIS in Iraq and Syria focus on cooperative security.
NATO was established to counter the Soviet threat during the Cold War, ensuring collective security. Today, it tackles broader challenges, including terrorism, cyber threats, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Countries pursue NATO membership to benefit from Article 5’s security guarantees, which deter aggression from adversaries like Russia. Membership offers access to military resources, intelligence sharing, and joint training, while signaling alignment with Western democratic values. For instance, Finland and Sweden joined in 2023 and 2024, respectively, driven by fears of Russian aggression following the invasion of Ukraine.
Membership, however, requires unanimous approval from all members, and several factors can delay or block entry:
• Failure to meet criteria: Applicants must demonstrate democratic governance, civilian control of the military, and adequate defense capabilities. Ukraine, for example, faces hurdles due to ongoing conflict and incomplete reforms.
• Geopolitical tensions: Some members may veto candidates to avoid escalating conflicts with adversaries, such as Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s bid.
• Internal disputes: Territorial or political disagreements with members can stall progress. Turkey, for instance, delayed Sweden’s membership over concerns about support for groups it deems terrorist organizations.
• Strategic concerns: Admitting a country that risks immediate conflict or straining NATO’s resources can prompt hesitation. Bosnia and Herzegovina face delays due to internal divisions and Russian influence.
LOOKING AHEAD
As NATO adapts to 21st-century challenges, its success hinges on agility, unity, and responsiveness. The alliance is expanding beyond traditional military roles to encompass cyber defense, space, and emerging technologies. Yet, it must balance the diverse interests of its growing membership and navigate a complex and assertive global landscape.
In 2025 and beyond, NATO’s credibility will rest on its military strength, political cohesion, and commitment to democratic values. By staying adaptable and forward-looking, NATO can continue to fulfill its founding mission: safeguarding the freedom and security of its members in an unpredictable world. n
Roxana Tofan is a commercial real estate and business broker and the founder and owner of Clear Integrity Group in San Antonio. She is also a Contributing Editor of roxana@clearintegritygroup.com
é NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
BY BRIGADIER GENERAL (RET) T.J. EDWARDS
THE IMPACT OF NEW CONSTRUCTION GROWTH ON CLASS C MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES
the multifAmily reAl estAte market has undergone substantial transformation in recent years, driven largely by an unprecedented wave of new construction, particularly within the luxury Class A segment. Concentrated in high-growth regions such as the South and West, this surge has reshaped market dynamics, altering rent growth trajectories, occupancy trends, and investment strategies across all property classes. Among these, Class C multifamily properties—which typically consist of older buildings over 30 years old, located in less desirable areas, and catering to lower-income tenants—have been uniquely affected. These properties now face a complex mix of challenges and opportunities stemming from ongoing supply shifts and changing renter behavior.
THE CONSTRUCTION BOOM AND ITS REACH
In 2023, the U.S. multifamily sector recorded a 40-year high in completions, with nearly 573,000 units delivered. Projections for 2024 remain strong, with an additional 443,000 units expected. The South led this expansion with a 40.3% year-overyear increase in deliveries, accounting for nearly half (47.6%) of the national total. The West followed with a 17.7%
THINKING OUT LOUD
rise. Metro areas like Austin, Dallas, and Atlanta—buoyed by population growth, job creation, and inbound migration— were among the most active construction zones.
However, the vast majority of this new supply falls into the Class A category— modern, high-end properties featuring luxury amenities, energy-efficient systems, and prime locations. As these new developments flood the market, national vacancy rates have risen, reaching 7.5% by the end of 2023. Rent growth slowed to just 0.8% year-overyear, a sharp decline from the post-pandemic highs of 2021 and 2022. While this shift poses direct competition for Class A and B assets, Class C properties are feeling secondary impacts that merit closer analysis.
THE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON CLASS C RENTS
One of the most immediate and measurable impacts of the new construction boom on Class C properties is downward pressure on rents. In 29 U.S. metropolitan areas where new multifamily supply significantly outpaced the national average, Class C rents declined by more than 3.5%. This trend is especially pronounced in high-construction markets, such as Austin, Phoenix, and Jacksonville, where Class C rents have fallen by over 4% in some cases.
This rent suppression is the result of a cascading or "filtering" effect. As new Class A units attract higher-income tenants, renters in Class B properties often seize the opportunity to upgrade. This, in turn, causes some Class B
tenants to relocate from Class C properties, leading to increased vacancies and forcing Class C landlords to lower rents or offer concessions to remain competitive. For renters, this results in increased affordability; for landlords, it means thinner profit margins and reduced returns.
In markets where affordability is already tight, these dynamics create a tricky balancing act: landlords must weigh the cost of offering competitive rents against rising maintenance expenses, property taxes, and inflation-related operating costs.
OCCUPANCY RATES AND TENANT MIGRATION
Beyond rents, occupancy rates in Class C properties are also under pressure, especially in markets where supply growth has been most aggressive. In Jacksonville, for example, the delivery of 8,000 new units in 2023 led to a spike in vacancies, with the rate rising to 13%—a 4% increase year-over-year. In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, a similar pattern has emerged, with Class B and C properties losing ground to newer developments in high-demand suburban submarkets.
However, Class C properties tend to maintain a resilient tenant base during economic downturns. These units primarily serve renters who prioritize affordability over amenities, such as students, retirees, low-wage workers, and families without access to homeownership. When economic uncertainty rises, Class A renters may downgrade, but Class C renters often have no such flexibility. As a result, Class C properties can offer relative occupancy stability even as other segments fluctuate.
This resilience is critical in cities with wide affordability gaps and limited supply of lower-cost housing. While the luxury segment remains vulnerable to rising interest rates and economic headwinds, demand for affordable rental housing continues to grow steadily.
If nothing is impossible, is it possible for something to be impossible?
don't trip:
perform gravity checks.
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CLASS C
Despite the challenges presented by new construction growth, Class C multifamily properties offer significant opportunities for savvy investors. These assets often have lower acquisition costs than Class A or B properties, resulting in more favorable rent-toprice ratios and higher potential cashon-cash returns. In many cases, Class C properties represent untapped value, especially in markets with high barriers to new affordable development.
Value-add strategies are particularly appealing in this space. Investors can often increase a property’s performance by undertaking targeted renovations—updating kitchens and bathrooms, improving curb appeal, enhancing energy efficiency, and adding basic tenant amenities like laundry facilities or secure parking. These improvements can justify modest rent increases, improve tenant retention, and boost the overall valuation of the asset.
Importantly, with new Class A development facing tighter lending conditions, high construction costs, and zoning hurdles, many developers are scaling back. This cooling effect in the pipeline is expected to reduce competition over time. As new deliveries slow in 2025 and beyond, Class C assets that have been upgraded will be well-positioned to capture unmet demand in the affordable segment.
RISKS AND REALITIES FOR CLASS C INVESTORS
Still, investing in Class C properties is not without risks. These buildings often come with deferred maintenance issues, outdated systems, and regulatory compliance challenges. Renovation costs can rise quickly, and without careful planning, investors may over-improve properties beyond what local renters can afford.
Tenant turnover also tends to be higher in Class C properties, which adds to leasing and maintenance expenses. Lower-income households are more susceptible to financial instability, increasing the risk of late payments,
evictions, and vacancies during downturns. In oversupplied markets, these challenges can be magnified by competition from higher-quality units offering move-in specials and rent concessions.
To mitigate these risks, investors should:
• Partner with experienced property managers who understand local market dynamics and tenant needs.
• Avoid overcapitalizing on renovations that exceed the income capacity of target renters.
• Focus on strategic acquisitions in high-growth, high-demand areas where job growth and housing shortages are driving long-term demand.
• Monitor submarket fundamentals, including population growth, employment rates, school districts, and proximity to transit or major employers.
• These factors can help determine which Class C assets are likely to remain viable and which may struggle in the face of prolonged market competition.
OUTLOOK: STABILIZATION AND LONG-TERM POTENTIAL
Looking forward, the multifamily market is expected to stabilize as the new construction wave slows. Deliveries are projected to drop significantly by 2025, with approximately 388,000 units forecasted. This decline in supply should begin to ease pressure on vacancy rates, giving Class C properties room to regain occupancy and rent growth traction.
Furthermore, the persistent affordability crisis in the U.S. continues to bolster demand for lower-cost
housing options. Rising mortgage rates and elevated home prices have priced many would-be buyers out of homeownership, increasing demand for rental housing, particularly in urban and inner-suburban markets. As long as this affordability gap persists, Class C multifamily properties will continue to be an essential part of the housing ecosystem.
For investors, this presents a compelling opportunity to capitalize on strong cash flow potential, hedge against inflation, and contribute to a critical societal need. While the short-term outlook may present headwinds— especially in oversupplied metros— Class C assets are uniquely positioned to benefit from the long-term structural demand for affordable housing.
The recent surge in multifamily construction, particularly in the Class A segment, has had far-reaching implications across the real estate landscape. For Class C multifamily properties, this new supply has introduced both competitive pressures and strategic possibilities. While some markets are experiencing rent compression and rising vacancies, others offer fertile ground for value-add investment and long-term growth.
Class C properties, with their lower entry points and steady demand base, offer a blend of resilience and upside potential for investors who approach the market with discipline and strategic foresight. As the multifamily sector continues to evolve, Class C assets will play a vital role in meeting America’s ongoing housing needs—delivering not only returns but also essential shelter for millions of renters. n
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE EURO
the euro (€) is the official currency of the eurozone, used by 20 of the 27 European Union (EU) countries. Its creation was a major step toward European integration and economic unification. The idea of a shared European currency began taking shape after World War II, as European nations sought closer economic and political cooperation to secure peace and stability. The Treaty of Rome (1957) established the European Economic Community, laying the groundwork for economic convergence.
In 1991, the Maastricht Treaty formally set out the criteria for adopting a single currency, including rules on inflation, interest rates, budget deficits, and public debt. This led to the creation of the European Monetary Union (EMU). On January 1, 1999, the euro was launched as a digital currency used for accounting and financial transactions by 11 EU countries. On January 1, 2002, euro banknotes and coins entered circulation, replacing national currencies like the French franc, German mark, and Italian lira. Over the following years, more countries joined the eurozone as they met the convergence criteria, with Croatia being the most recent to adopt the euro in 2023.
The euro is now the world’s second most traded and held-in-reserve currency, after the U.S. dollar, and represents one of the most ambitious and successful monetary unification efforts in history. It has changed in appearance since its introduction in 2002, particularly through the launch of a new banknote series and upcoming design updates.
FIRST SERIES (2002) – “AGES AND STYLES OF EUROPE”
The original euro banknotes featured architectural styles from different periods in European history (e.g., Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, etc.). Designs showed windows, doorways, and bridges symbolizing openness and cooperation, but not real buildings, to avoid favoring any country. Each denomination had a distinct color and size.
SECOND SERIES (2013–2019) –“EUROPA SERIES”
Named after Europa, a figure from Greek mythology (also seen in a watermark and hologram), the notes were introduced gradually: €5 in 2013; €10 in 2014; €20 in 2015; €50 in 2017; €100 & €200 in 2019. They had enhanced security features (e.g., portrait holograms, color-shifting ink), more vibrant colors and subtle design refinements, and were more durable. The €500 note was discontinued in 2019 due to concerns over its use in illicit activities (though it's still legal tender).
UPCOMING REDESIGN (EXPECTED BY 2026–2027)
The European Central Bank is currently working on a new design for euro banknotes. The goal is to create a look that better reflects modern European identity and connects with EU citizens. A public consultation and design competition are part of the process. The final decisions are expected in 2026, with new notes possibly entering circulation shortly after.
STANDARD EURO COIN DESIGN OVERVIEW
Euro coins have a common side (same in all eurozone countries) and a national side (unique to each country). The common side shows a map of Europe and the value of the coin. The denominations are: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, plus €1 and €2. Euro coins have also undergone some changes since their introduction in 2002, but their core design and denominations have remained largely the same. The updates have focused mainly on national sides, map updates, and commemorative coins.
CHANGES OVER TIME
1, 2, AND 5 CENT COINS: display Europe in relation to Africa and Asia on a globe; empha size Europe's position in the world; 10, 20, and 50 cent coins feature a map of the European Union (EU) as it was in 2002 (showing the 15 member states) and highlighting the EU's unity and cooperation.
€1 AND €2 COINS: depict a map of Europe without national borders, symbolizing integration and include the denomination and the word "EURO."
NATIONAL SIDE CHANGES: Countries have updated their national designs: Belgium, Spain, and Italy made small design adjustments to align with ECB guidelines. Newer eurozone members (e.g., Croatia in 2023) introduced their own national designs. Some updates include tweaks to fonts, national symbols, or head of state depictions (e.g., in Monaco or the Vatican). [Pictured here is the Vatican City's euro coins continue to feature the coat of arms of Pope Francis, a design introduced in 2017. This change marked a departure from previous coin series that depicted the reigning pope's portrait.]
€2 COMMEMORATIVE COINS (SINCE 2004): Each eurozone country can issue €2 commemorative coins annually. These commemorate historical events (e.g., Treaty of Rome, D-Day), national anniversaries (e.g., independence, monarchs), and shared EU celebrations (e.g., 10 years of the euro). They are legal tender across the eurozone. As countries have joined the eurozone, they have issued their own national designs.
UPCOMING EURO ADOPTIONS
Bulgaria is aiming to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, pending fulfillment of convergence criteria, particularly regarding inflation control. Romania is targeting euro adoption around 2029–2030, contingent upon meeting fiscal and economic requirements. Other EU countries like Poland, Hungary, Czechia, and Sweden have no fixed timelines for euro adoption, often due to political considerations or pending economic reforms.
COMMON SIDE (2007): The map was changed to reflect the expanded European Union. [The original coins (2002–2006) only showed EU-15 countries.] The updated coins (2007–present) display a wider map of Europe, excluding borders and showing non-EU countries geographically. The common side of the euro coins varies by denomination and is grouped into three categories:
The value of each national currency was irrevocably fixed against the euro through a centralized process led by the European Union, primarily using market exchange rates on a set reference date and guided by the European Central Bank (ECB) and EU finance ministers.
Learn more about the euro and enter the contest on the inside back cover. n
Half of the lies they say about me aren't true.
NOT U.N. INVITED
THE GE GRAPHY PAGE
As of 2025, the vAst majority of countries in the world are members of the United Nations (UN) — 193 in total. However, there are a few territories or states that are not members of the UN. These include:
Non-UN Member Countries or Entities:
VATICAN CITY (Holy See) is an ‘Observer state.’ Reason: Chose not to seek full membership but participates as a permanent observer.
THE STATE OF PALESTINE is an ‘Observer state.’ Reason: Recognized by many
countries and the UN as a non-member observer state but not a full member due to political issues, especially opposition from some Security Council members.
Other Entities (Not UN Members or Observers and not recognized as full sovereign states):
TAIWAN (the Republic of China) is not a member of the United Nations. Reason: It lost its UN seat to the People's Republic of China in 1971; currently excluded due to the “One China” policy.
KOSOVO is not a UN member. Reason: It declared independence from Serbia in 2008; over 100 countries recognize it, but it is not a UN member due to opposition by some Security Council members.
THE COOK ISLANDS AND NIUE are selfgoverning states in free association with New Zealand. They are not UN members, but they are recognized as sovereign in certain contexts and are members of some UN agencies.
NORTHERN CYPRUS is recognized only by Turkey. It is considered by the UN and most of the world to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.
SOUTH OSSETIA and ABKHAZIA are recognized by a limited number of countries, including Russia. They are considered by most of the world to be part of Georgia.
TRANSNISTRIA is not recognized by UN members. It is considered to be part of Moldova.
SOMALILAND declared independence from Somalia and is not internationally recognized. n
The Cook Islands and Niue
Transnistria
TRADE TENSION WEIGHS ON CRE SENTIMENT
the introduction of sweeping US tariffs has led to a notable deterioration in commercial real estate sentiment. This reflects broader uncertainty in financial markets and a slowdown in corporate expansion plans across trade-sensitive sectors. Sentiment impacts have varied across cities and sectors, shaped by exposure to trade flows, reshoring potential, and structural strengths. Defensive sectors like non-US residential and retail have been more resilient. These shifts are prompting a reassessment of investment strategies, with growing interest in defensive sectors such as residential and retail, and a more regionally focused approach to capital allocation in response to changing global dynamics.
Drawing on real-time commercial real estate sentiment data, developed in partnership between Oxford Economics and Penta, a new study provides timely insight into shifting investor views across real estate sectors and markets globally. In the wake of the recent US tariff announce-
WORLD'S TALLEST 3D-PRINTED TOWER
shAped, cAst, And formed to resemble a layered cake, Tor Alva (‘White Tower’) and unveiled in May in Mulegns, a small mountain village in Switzerland. It is 98 feet tall and 4 stories high, composed of a network of organic 3D-printed concrete columns. Created by the cultural foundation Nova Fundaziun Origen in collaboration with professors from ETH Zurich University, the tower aims to revitalize the village, which currently has a population of 11 people.
Architect Michael Hansmeyer developed Tor Alva, the shape of which pays tribute
ments in April, global commercial real estate sentiment deteriorated, before staging a partial recovery in May. The heightened trade tensions have created broader uncertainty across financial markets, weakening business confidence and curbing expansion plans in key sectors such as industrial and logistics. Additional second order effects have also been noted, with sentiment for US hotel markets affected due to the expectation of weaker inbound tourism arrivals.
In a previous report, Oxford determined that its sentiment index was a lead indicator for transaction volumes, REIT prices,
and some operating metrics. Therefore, they contend, if sentiment remains depressed for an extended period of time, this could lead to deteriorating liquidity and asset performance. Transaction volumes lag the sentiment index by around five months. This suggests that Q2 may be somewhat positive, before a potential drop off in Q3 as the lagged effects of recent uncertainty surface. The outcome of the trade disputes remains uncertain, so corporate expansion plans in various industries will likely remain stagnant until the new trade regulations are clearer. n
THE FACTOR
to the region's confectionery history. According to the creative team, it is the world’s tallest 3D-printed tower. After five years in Mulegns, it will be dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere. Tor Alva is open daily for guided tours and serves as a performance venue, featuring a stage located on its domed top level. n
TRENDI G
Most Affordable Cities in Which to Buy a Home
home prices surged over the past few years, with the median sales price skyrocketing from $313,000 in Q1 2019 to $416,900 in Q1 2025. While prices may be starting to lower in some parts of the country this year, interest rates have rapidly climbed. For example, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate shot up from a historic low of 2.65% in January 2021 to 6.81% in May 2025.
With the combination of inflated prices and high interest rates in play, many consumers may wonder if they can even afford to buy a home. Fortunately, owning real estate in some cities is much less expensive than others.
To identify the most affordable cities for home buyers, WalletHub compared 300 U.S. cities across 10 key metrics. The data set ranges from the costs of homes and their maintenance to tax rates and vacancy rates.
To view the full report (and find your city), an explanation of the methodology used, and expert commentary, click <HERE>. n
43
BY ADAM MCCANN
48 Lakeland, FL 65,98
49 Cincinnati, OH 65,9
50 Charlotte, NC 65,85
Adam McCann is a personal finance writer for WalletHub.
Opinion
BY ANDREW FELDER
“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion, against injustice and lying and greed.”
William Faulkner
i believe thAt, in today’s post-reality world, if you have a platform, you are morally obligated to use it. What is happening in our country as we chaotically ricochet from democracy to autocracy, led by a narcissistic man filled with hate and with no moral compass, and who is surrounded by guileful sycophants, is something no one should tolerate or ignore. Nothing less than the fate of our country is at stake.
Each of us, regardless of station or influence, must commit to vigilance and action—whether through voting, speaking out, or supporting initiatives that safeguard our freedoms. Complacency is complicity, and history has shown us time and again that silence in the face of tyranny only emboldens its grip. Our voices, united, are the most potent antidote to the erosion of liberty.
will publish letters, articles, and/or comic panels from any and all perspectives (provided that the author is identified). Please send to editor@thenetworkmagazine.org.
“Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful!”
Friedrich Nietzsche
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
Desmond Tutu
“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
— Leonardo da Vinci.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
POLITICAL PICTURE
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“The fear of social isolation … leads to remaining silent instead of voicing opinions.”
Elisabeth NoelleNeumann (Spiral of Silence theory)
“Unmeasured vituperation, enforced on the side of prevailing opinion, deters people from expressing contrary opinion...”
John Stuart Mill (On Liberty)
“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.”
Mahatma Gandhi
To say nothing is saying something. These voices— from activists, thinkers, and researchers—capture a powerful truth: silence is often chosen not out of agreement, but out of fear—fear of retribution, humiliation, or social exclusion. These quotes remind us of the vital importance of courage and safety in upholding sincerity and justice. n
Whenever I’m sad, you’re there. Whenever I have problems, you’re there. Whenever I lose control, you’re there. Let’s face it, you’re bad luck.
TRENDI G
States with the Highest & Lowest Tax Rates
1 Alaska 6,77 %
2
5 Montana 7,83 % US$6185 -28,29 % US$6028
6 Nevada 8,59 % US$6788 -21,29 % US$7114
7
Fartled: to disturb or agitate suddenly as by a surprise or loud fart.
10 District of Columbia 9,05 %
13 California 9,70 % US$7664 -11,14 % US$11.653
14 Utah 9,75 % US$7707 -10,64 % US$9522
15 South Dakota 9,80 % US$7742 -10,24 % US$6667
16 Missouri 9,85 % US$7784 -9,75 % US$6472
17 Arizona 9,96 % US$7869 -8,77 % US$8030
18 North Carolina 10,00 % US$7902 -8,38 % US$6981
19 Tennessee 10,10 % US$7976 -7,52 % US$6807
20 Georgia 10,27 % US$8116 -5,90 % US$7590
21 West Virginia 10,41 % US$8226 -4,63 % US$5816
22 Oregon 10,54 % US$8329 -3,42 % US$9714
23 Alabama 10,63 % US$8395 -2,67 % US$6519
24 Oklahoma 10,68 % US$8436 -2,19 % US$6361
25 Minnesota 10,76 % US$8500 -1,45 % US$9082
26 Maine 10,85 % US$8574 -0,59 % US$7795
27 Virginia 10,96 % US$8659 0,40 % US$9913
28 New Mexico 11,01 % US$8699 0,87 % US$6832
29 Massachusetts 11,22 % US$8861 2,74 % US$12.725
30 Rhode Island 11,29 % US$8923 3,45 % US$10.258
31 Vermont 11,45 % US$9043 4,85 % US$8814
32 Indiana 11,45 % US$9049 4,92 % US$7579
33 Maryland 11,51 % US$9096 5,47 % US$11.801
34 Arkansas 11,62 % US$9182 6,46 % US$6650
35 Kentucky 11,67 % US$9221 6,92 % US$7048
36 Michigan 11,88 % US$9385 8,81 % US$7777
37 Washington 11,94 % US$9434 9,38 % US$12.680
38 Wisconsin 12,03 % US$9508 10,24 % US$8473
39 Mississippi 12,26 % US$9685 12,30 %
40
42
43
44
45
BY JOHN S. KIERNAN
Tax season can be stressful for the millions of Americans who owe money to Uncle Sam. Every year, the average U.S. household pays nearly $14,000 in federal income taxes. And while we’re all faced with that same obligation, there is significant difference when it comes to state and local taxes. Taxpayers in the most tax-expensive states, for instance, pay over two times more than those in the cheapest states.
Surprisingly, though, low-income taxes don’t always mean low taxes as a whole. For example, while the state of Washington’s citizens don’t pay income tax, they still end up spending nearly 9% of their annual income on sales and excise taxes. Texas residents also don’t pay income tax, but spend 1.58% of their income on real estate taxes, one of the highest rates in the country. Compare these to California, where residents owe almost 6% of their income in sales and excise taxes, and just 0.71% in real estate tax.
It's fair to wonder which states give their taxpayers more of a break – which is especially helpful during this period of high inflation. WalletHub searched for answers by comparing state and local tax rates in the 50 states and the District of Columbia against national medians. To illustrate, we calculated relative income-tax obligations by applying the effective income-tax rates in each state and locality to the average American’s income.
To view the full report, an explanation of the methodology used, and read expert commentary, click <HERE>. n
John S. Kiernan is the Managing Editor of WalletHub.
B ENNY H ILL
benny hill (1924-1992) was an English actor and comedian. He is renowned for the television show “The Benny Hill Show,” a fusion of double entendre, slapstick, and burlesque that featured film segments and live comedy. He was recognized as one of the most illustrious figures in British culture for over forty years, and his show became one of the most famous television comedy shows.
Lucy went down on a farm, tried to milk a cow,
Though she tried she couldn't get the hang of it somehow.
The farmer looked at Lucy and murmured with a frown,
‘Well you just hang on tightly, gal, and she'll jump up and down.’
I'm not against half naked girlsnot as often as I'd like to be.
Before I met her, I drank and swore without reason... now I have a reason.
Do unto others, then run.
GIRLS ARE LIKE PIANOS. WHEN THEY'RE NOT UPRIGHT, THEY'RE GRAND.
Roses are reddish
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Christmas
We'd all be Jewish.
Just because nobody complains doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect.
Live everyday as though it's your last 'cause one day you'll be right.
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. Have you noticed that all the people in favor of birth control are already born?
Why would I make one woman so miserable when I can make so many women very happy?
That's what show business is, sincere insincerity.
THOSE HOT PANTS OF HERS WERE SO DAMNED TIGHT, I COULD HARDLY BREATHE.
I never yell, I never tell, but I'm grateful as hell.
The odds against there being a bomb on a plane are a million to one, and against two bombs a million times a million to one. Next time you fly, cut the odds and take a bomb.
I thought I couldn't afford to take her out and smoke as well. So I gave up cigarettes. Then I took her out and one day I looked at her and thought: 'Oh well,' and I went back to smoking again, and that was better.
I thought I'd begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine.
I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one.
She has a black belt in cookery—she can kill you with one chop.
I rise at six and then I feed the chicks,
And I'm feeling lonesome and blue,
And when I milk the cow it seems, somehow,
My thoughts keep straying to you.
And as the horse and I plough the field nearby,
Your memory I can't erase,
For while I walk at the rear of the horse, my dear,
I seem to see your face.
george cArlin (1937-2008) was a groundbreaking American stand-up comedian, author, and actor renowned for his incisive social commentary and irreverent humor. His comedy evolved dramatically in the 1970s, when he
Those who dance are considered insane by those who can’t hear the music.
The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity.
SOME PEOPLE SEE THE CUP AS HALF EMPTY. SOME PEOPLE SEE THE CUP AS HALF FULL. I SEE THE CUP AS TOO LARGE.
When you are born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you are born in America, you get a front row seat.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of them are stupider than that.
Most people with low self-esteem have earned it.
Just because you got the monkey off your back, doesn’t mean the circus has left town.
IF YOU CAN’T BEAT THEM, ARRANGE TO HAVE THEM BEATEN.
Language is a tool for concealing the truth. If we could read each other’s minds, this would be a horror show.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body.
Don’t just teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.
Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.
adopted a more provocative approach, epitomized by his famous Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television routine, which highlighted censorship issues and led to an important Supreme Court case on obscenity regulations. Over his
The Wit and Wisdom of
George Carlin
Bowling is not a sport because you have to rent the shoes.
If it requires a uniform, it’s a worthless endeavor.
It’s called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
My advice: just keep movin’ straight ahead. Every now and then you find yourself in a different place.”
Have you ever noticed? Anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac.
If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done?
RELIGION IS LIKE A PAIR OF SHOES... FIND ONE THAT FITS FOR YOU, BUT DON’T MAKE ME WEAR YOUR SHOES.
People who say they don’t care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don’t care what people think.
career, Carlin released 14 HBO specials, earning acclaim for his incisive critiques of American culture, politics, and religion.
NEVER ARGUE WITH AN IDIOT. THEY WILL ONLY BRING YOU DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL AND BEAT YOU WITH EXPERIENCE.
When you step on the brakes, your life is in your foot's hands.
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
A lot of the people who keep a gun at home for safety are the same ones who refuse to wear a seat belt.
The future will soon be a thing of the past.
By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.
The reason I talk to myself is that I’m the only one whose answers I accept.
Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.
I had no shoes, and I felt sorry for myself until I met a man who had no feet. I took his shoes. Now I feel better.
Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
I was thinking about how people seem to read the bible a whole lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me—they’re cramming for their final exam.
Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.
If a turtle doesn’t have a shell, is it homeless or naked?”
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
BY ANDRA HOPULELE
Surge In Renters Trading Apartments For Single-Family Homes
of the 127.4 million occupied housing units in the U.S., more than 45.6 million are renter-occupied households, according to the latest U.S. Census data. And zooming in on the rental segment, single-family rentals are expanding the fastest, biting increasingly bigger chunks off of a growing market: The number of completed single-family rentals in build-to-rent communities across the country exploded, increasing more than tenfold from a meager 3,800 in 2015 to 39,000 new deliveries a decade later.
Although the low vacancy rates and strong construction activity are enough to prove that the single-family build-to-rent (SFR BTR) market is on a roll, other factors are pointing in the same direction. With 6 in 10 new house renters coming from apartments, the share of renters who opt for the single-family life reached a five-year high. At the same time, three-bedroom homes are overtaking two-bedroom houses for rent in renters’ preferences, further emphasizing the growing demand for space and comfort.
Supported by high demand from Millennials. favorable economic conditions, and vigorous job growth in many markets, singlefamily rentals are increasingly shaping up to be the solution to renters’ housing problems. Young people starting families, as well as professionals of all ages, are increasingly let down by the cramped apartment life and the noisy hustle and bustle of busy urban hubs. As such, they’re becoming more and more attracted to the suburbs that promise more space, more privacy, and better lifestyle opportunities. Lured by the extra indoor and outdoor space, the comfort offered by the up-to-date home features, and the myriad community amenities, many renters are leaving apartment life behind to join the growing communities of house renters
The accelerated housing demand in suburbs and exurbs is also due to sustained rates of remote work, which has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. According to the Flex Index, about 68%
of U.S. employers offered work location flexibility in Q4 2024, leading to increased space requirements needed at home to accommodate work-from-home.
Homeownership affordability is one of the reasons why renting a single-family home is becoming a first stop on the road to homeownership. Rather than moving up the ladder straight to owning their own home, apartment renters are choosing house renting as an intermediate rung. Those who can’t afford homeownership, especially in the most in-demand suburban neighborhoods, move to house rentals instead, meaning they don’t have to compromise on space. However, young renters searching for more space aren’t the only ones turning to single-family homes—8% of new house renters were previous homeowners, suggesting that renting also works best for families and empty nesters relocating for work or to be closer to loved ones. The commitment and maintenance-free nature of the Build-To-Rent sector is just the cherry on top of the advantages that singlefamily rentals offer.
Along with renters opting to leave the apartment in favor of a single-family home for rent, the increase in three-bedroom deliveries makes perfect sense. After hovering around 20% to 25% of the total yearly BTR completions, three-bedroom houses for rent overtook all other types of homes in 2021 and have held steady at around 40% ever since. In fact, year-to-date figures place three-bedroom completions at 53% of all deliveries.
Up until 2020, two-bedroom units were enough, because different activities required going to different places and spaces in order to perform them: Work happened at the office; learning happened at school; meeting with friends and loved ones meant choosing from the myriad coffee spots and restaurants available all across the city. There were also parks, gardens, museums, friends’ homes, cinemas, shops, and all the other favorite spots. But, after 2020, everything moved online. From work and school to shopping and all things entertainment, the computer or TV in the living-room was the place to be. And that got old pretty quickly.
To regain some of the spatial separation that was a given before the pandemic (and which offered renters and people in general some respite from one activity before moving to the next one), renters first started opting for single-family rentals and then leaning toward single-family rentals that are increasingly more spacious. In fact, renter tenure data shows that house renters are spending increasingly more time in three-bedroom houses for rent. In this case, the extra room can become the office, separate from the kitchen or the living room, where everyone meets to eat and talk. This means that two-bedroom homes are disappearing as three-bedroom rentals become the norm.
Renting Is a Better Deal Than Owning in Most Markets
Home ownership is a central part of people’s lives (and the American Dream), and is associated with a higher quality of life as it offers safety, stability, and a way to build wealth in the form of equity. Current economic and social conditions favor renting, and houses for rent offer more space for a better price. At $1,776, the
If you don't like me, remember that it's mind over matter. I don't mind, and you don't matter.
Friendship is like pissing in your pants. Everyone can see it…but only you can feel it’s true warmth.
average rent for a single-family rental is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the average mortgage payment, which hovers around $2,500. And home ownership comes with significant extra costs aside from monthly housing payments, such as property taxes, regular home maintenance costs, homeowner’s insurance premiums, and private mortgage insurance.
Competitiveness Softens, House Renters Benefit
According to the most recent Census data, the South remains the fastest-growing U.S. region: "With a population gain of nearly 1.8 million — a change of 1.4% between 2023 and 2024 — the South added more people than all other regions combined, making it both the fastest-growing and largest-gaining region in the country." Data shows that "Between 2023 and 2024…Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas and
Washington experienced population gains of over 100,000 people. Texas, the second-most populous state, had the largest numeric increase in the country, adding nearly 563,000 people for a total population of 31,290,831 in 2024." And BTR development closely follows population growth. According to Yardi Matrix, SFR BTR construction is concentrated in high-migration states.
With construction of single-family rentals in build-to-rent communities reaching a new high, more house rentals are coming online than ever before. The 39,000 houses for rent completed in 2024 represent a 15.5% increase over the year before, and that’s worlds away from the 6,000 and 7,000 units per year that were coming online in the years before the pandemic.
Occupancy rates have also remained quite high across the nation, with 94.7% of all SFR BTR units currently occupied. Here again, these rates tend to mirror population and employment growth and are highest in areas with an abundance of young professionals and new job opportunities, but also metros where BTR construction is ramping up.
Offering flexibility, privacy, and convenience — and sometimes a more affordable option than today’s historically high-priced housing market — SFR BTR is shaping up to become renters’ preferred option. And, while the move toward spacious singlefamily homes is a trend that gained momentum post-pandemic, it’s expected to continue shaping the market in the years ahead.
So, where can house renters find a roomy single-family home more easily? Metros like Jacksonville, FL; Charleston, NC; Austin, TX; Dallas; San Antonio; and even Phoenix are at the lower end of the occupancy spectrum, meaning that house renters here might find a rental house more easily than those who are looking in California’s Central Valley, where occupancy rates are above 98%.
Although BTR starts and completions might slow due to increasing land and building costs and rising rates of construction financing, the units currently under construction will, to an extent, help alleviate the supply/demand gap caused mainly by underbuilding. Even so, demand remains strong and starts, as well as planned and prospective unit numbers, point to a bright future for renters looking to upgrade their living space and make a change from the busy apartment life to the more comfortable life in a build-to-rent community. n
Andra Hopulele us a Senior Research Write at Point2, a division of Yardi Systems Inc. andra.hopulele@yardi.com
LINK : MARKETPLACE, BIDDER’S LIST &
Products Inc.
COMPANY POLICIES
REACH YOUR FOR LESS
DIVERSI NS
CONFUCIUS SAYS
Man who run behind car get exhausted. Passionate kiss like spider's web–soon lead to undoing of fly.
Virginity like bubble–one prick, all gone. Baseball is wrong. Man with four balls cannot walk! A man with his hands in pockets feels foolish, but a man with holes in pockets feels nuts.
Women who wear G string, high on crack. War doesn't determine who's right. War determines who's left.
Wife who put husband in doghouse soon find him in cathouse.
Man with hand in bush not necessarily trimming shrubs.
Men who fight with wife all day her get no piece at night.
It takes many nails to build crib, but one screw to fill it.
Man who bounce woman on the bed spring this spring have offspring next spring.
T-SHIRT SENIORS IN CHURCH
A nice, calm, and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, “I would like to buy some cyanide.”
The pharmacist asked, “Why in the world do you need cyanide?”
The lady replied, “I need it to poison my husband.”
The pharmacist’s eyes got big, and he exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy! I can’t give you cyanide to kill your husband. Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!”
The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist’s wife.
The pharmacist looked at the picture and said, “You didn’t tell me you had a prescription.”
THE BACK PAGE
A whiff of mystery / a splash of color / a burst of laughter / a hint of spice / a touch of elegance / a glimmer of hope / a dash of madness / a storm of emotions / a sea of possibilities / a shard of truth / a wave of nostalgia / a sprinkle of magic / a flicker of doubt / a twist of fate / a thread of connection / a veil of secrecy / a ray of sunshine / a note of melancholy / a tangle of thoughts / a chorus of voices / the edge of reason / the heart of darkness / the brink of collapse / the sound of silence / the light of dawn / the weight of sorrow / the flavor of nostalgia / the end of the line / the depths of despair / the spark of genius / the pull of gravity / the grip of fear / the rise of chaos / the roots of tradition / the fire of passion / the silence of the crowd / the sting of truth / the chill of doubt / the ghost of memory / the voice of reason / a drop of wisdom / a puff of smoke / a crack of thunder / a trace of guilt / a hint of danger / a whirlwind of ideas / a sigh of relief / a flutter of wings / a flash of brilliance / a ripple of excitement / a sting of betrayal / a drift of snow / a shadow of doubt / a sparkle of mischief / the crash of waves / the hum of the city / the beat of the drum / the echo of footsteps / the riddle of time / the taste of freedom / the whisper of wind / the fall of empires / the ring of truth / the bite of winter / the grumble of thunder / the flicker of flame / the dance of shadows / a beam of light / a jolt of energy / a glow of warmth / a shiver of anticipation / a rush of adrenaline / a tinge of sadness / a trail of breadcrumbs / a cloud of confusion / a lull of silence / a crackle of tension / a whistle of wind / a tug of longing / a crush of bodies / a snap of clarity / a twinkle of charm / a storm of thoughts / the sting of rejection / the roar of applause / the toll of time / the trail of smoke / the clash of ideas / the bloom of youth / the veil of illusion / the grip of reality.
All will receive a copy of the book S.H.I.T. From The Internet
C NTEST: CURRENCIES BEFORE THE EURO
In 2002, the European Union began using the euro (€) as its currency. (See the History Page –page 50). Do you remember the currencies that it replaced? Match them to the countries below. (It’s easier than you think.)
First, a little more information: The euro’s symbol (€) was designed to evoke the cultural and financial strength of Europe. Inspired by the Greek letter epsilon (Є), it also references the first letter of the word “Europe” in the Latin alphabet. The design features two parallel lines running horizontally through the middle of the symbol, representing stability. Introduced in the 1990s, it was selected from a shortlist of designs by the European Commission and stands today as a symbol of economic unity across member states.
When the euro was adopted in 1999 for electronic use and in 2002 for cash, some key principles were set for the currency conversion rates. They were based on the prevailing exchange rates in the foreign exchange markets close to the euro introduction date, particularly on December 31, 1998, for the initial 11 countries. Once set,
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each national currency was irrevocably fixed to the euro. [This means that these currencies could no longer float independently.] The conversion rates ensured parity with market rates, avoiding major arbitrage opportunities or economic
distortions. Final rates were decided by the EU Council of Ministers, based on a recommendation from the European Commission and a consultation with the European Monetary Institute (EMI) (precursor to the ECB).
Original Eurozone Members:
Former Currencies:
Peseta (ESP)
Drachma (GRD)
Schilling (ATS)
Markka (FIM)
Franc (FRF)
Kuna (HRK)
Cypriot pound (CYP)
Tolar (SIT)
Luxembourgish franc (LUF)
Deutsche Mark (DEM)
Irish pound (IEP)
Guilder (NLG)
Escudo (PTE)
Maltese lira (MTL)
Slovak koruna (SKK)
Lats (LVL)
Litas (LTL)
Kroon (EEK) (2011)
Later Adopters of the Euro:
Slovenia (2007)
Cypress (2008)
Malta (2008)
Slovakia (2009)
Estonia (2011)
Latvia (2014)
Lithuania (2015)
Croatia (2023)
...BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S WHAT YOU KNOW
We Speak Real Estate
The Arsenal Companies are a diversified consulting, educational and publishing group, dedicated to service in the real estate industry. With national reach, regional strength and local sensibilities, we serve and service large and small companies as well as governmental entities in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, licensing, contracting, procurement, insurance certificate tracking, educational program development, mediation services and collections.
Our Contracts and Procurement Services Division provides solutions and services that help real estate owners and companies effectively manage their contractual needs and commitments. We provide industry knowledge and we practice deal facilitation rather than obstruction. Whether you are a property, facility or asset manager, your functions are integrally related to real estate contracts. Quality management is all about contracts.
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We analyze the details of your proposed service contracts before they begin - while you still have leverage. Or, we can review your existing service contracts, help reveal cost efficiencies and/or savings opportunities. We look for pragmatic solutions that are sensitive to your business interests, anticipating issues that may arise, and we assist in minimizing those risks that cannot be avoided.
