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I just read that the olympics opening ceremony was viewed by 4 billion people. Could that be true? Aren’t there only 6 billion in the whole world? 2 out of 3 in the entire world? Wow.

I must admit that the massive display of power made me a bit intimidated by China. Makes the whole urbanization of America thing seem insignificant compared to the scale of issues that China deals with.

Levi

Success goes not to the one with the biggest checkbook but the one with the strongest link between their passion and plan.

I miss something, something that used to be here in the room but has been slowly creeping out the cracks in the walls as time wears on. I don’t think I knew it was even here before but now I am certain that it was and I can’t seem to decide if it was all that good in the first place. All this missing would be easier if I knew what it were that left, but I can not be sure of much when it comes to things like this. I think what I miss has something to do with the fact that we are all humans and all of us feel the pull to move together in one big harmonious song. Which don’t get me wrong is a good thing, all the moving, and singing, and dancing. I like dancing…

But the problem comes when we all think that it’s time to dance the same step on the same spot in the same room. We even start to think that there is something special about that spot and some begin to think its worth paying more just to be there. Which leads to still more who will pay for the spot simply because there are going to be others who will pay more still. Then, after the dancing starts to wear on us and we all seem to notice that the air is getting too stuffy and the space too cramped for us, we all leave. But mind you, we still have that same pull to move together so the leaving never goes well either, we all make a move for the same door at the same time, because all the other doors are not being used and we can only assume that those doors have something wrong with them.

I think what I miss is the feeling that real estate is fun and exciting that buying houses is the latest trend. It’s puzzling though when you think of it, we all still live in houses. Its not like any of us decided that we need to move outside and live in tents. But we all decided to stop dancing at the same time and then instead of things becoming more normal like you would think, we all hold our breath for a while and wait for someone to say its time to start dancing again.

I guess the truth is I like dancing but it would be a whole lot more fun to dance if we did not all think we had to dance the same step in the same place. Can’t we spread out and enjoy dancing when we feel like it or when we each have a real reason to dance?

My dearest Lawn,

Let me start by saying that this letter is going to be a bit hard for me to write. You are just going have to bear with me as I pour my heart out for you here.

You and I have had a lot of memories together, some good, like when I first moved in and you looked all nice and pretty for a few weeks and some not so good, like when I backed over the cord to my electric mower, several times.

But I have something to tell you…Something you may not want to hear, but I think that I better get it out now before you start to pick up on things. We have decided to move…And I need to be honest with you that you are a big part of the reason we are leaving. I know its a hard thing to hear but I am just tired of the Saturday dates you demand that we have and the brown spots you always seem to sprout up after I don’t spend enough time with you. Quite frankly I think that you are an emotional wreck and I just can’t handle you in my life anymore. You need someone who is willing to spend the time and money it takes to make you happy and I am not it.

Then there are the other things about you that I have started to learn like that Americans pour as much as 238 gallons of water per person, per day on you to keep you healthy. Or that there are a total of 40 million acres of land dedicated to you (not you personally but you and your friends). The other thing I heard was that 800 million gallons of gas gets burned in lawnmowers every year just to make sure that your hair is cut and you look all pretty. And the worst by far is when I heard that your clippings make up the single largest crop in this country. That is simply unacceptable.

For me I have to admit that I never really cared for the time we spent together. After doing some soul searching I can see that I took care of you because of what my neighbors thought about me, and the self help books I got at the library say that caring for someone because of what others think of you is not healthy.

So I am taking a step in my life for me. I am finally doing what I should have done a long time ago. I am moving away from you and going to a place where I do not have to take care of you (or any of your friends).

So this is goodbye. I don’t want to sound mean but just writing this letter is making me feel more free from your chains and emotional baggage.

I wish the best for you and hope that you are more kind to the next unfortunate individual who is responsible for taking care of you…

Sincerely,

Levi Benkert

Last week I was frustrated with our voicemail system and decided that I was going to fix it no matter how long it took me.  3 hours later we had a new message, simpler extensions and well… some good music for those who just need to take a break from their busy day.  But here is the funny thing, I did not think that anyone would actually listen to it.  But you want to know something funny?  I checked our stats today and people are calling in all the time and listening to the music.  And sometimes its for a long time, like 20 minutes at a time.  How fun is that?   I guess people like my music choices

Want to hear some good music?   Call 916.930.9400 and press 5.

Levi

I have been trying to do more blogging and less linking here so that you actually get something of value when you come here to the LJ Urban blog.  But look at this jacket, how could I possibly resist posting about it?

Levi

It might look a lot like this.

This month has been crunch time for us. We are nearing completion of the first home in the Good project and getting it ready for the sneak preview event.

Each day seems to come with new challenges and decisions that seem too large for the time allotted to make them. We set out not just to build houses but change the way houses are built and in the wake of that goal comes logistical trials and often, moral turmoil. What should be a small decision such as what windows to use or what tile to choose, instead challenges your commitment and personal belief system, making you ask yourself who you really are and why you believe the way you do.

The lesson we have learned through all that we have faced is: unless you are looking at things from the big picture perspective you are inherently going to be tossed by the weather. You have to get above the clouds and see your day or your task as part of a larger mission or you will be thrown around in the wind. Strong foundations don’t happen by chance; they are built over time through force of will and fierce adherence to values.

I am not even going to try and pretend that I am as good a writer as Seth Godin is, but before I send you over to an awesome post he wrote recently I want to put in my two cents.

The topic is measuring sustainability.

Its something we have written about a lot over the years and I think now more than ever its becoming important that we develop accurate ways to measure our choices. Without monetary increments of some sort we are left in the dark, we are left to guess if an effort is truly sustainable or just more green washing of a bad thing. I believe we will start to see accurate reliable systems to measure nearly every aspect of what we buy. Because without them all we can quantify is price and that is simply not enough. So without any further introduction…. You can read Seth’s post here.

I know I am doing a lot of thanking today but I also want to thank Tara Hunt for her terrific advice on our upcoming project.

She always seems to have a good understanding of the way things should be.

Thanks Tara!

Levi