Doug\'s Native Review

Sky Diving — Incredible

dsutton — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:02:07 +0000

If any of you remember my New Years “To Do List”, you’ll recall that sky diving was on the list and a top priority!

Unfortunately, finding someone to do it with me was a beast! The excuses ranged from… “dude, I have kids”… to… “I totally would have three months ago but guess what… I’m pregnant”… to… “no way in a million years”.

I can understand all the reasons why you shouldn’t jump out of an airplane while 12,500 feet above the ground with only a piece of fabric catching your fall before you return to earth but I have to tell you that it is incredible.

I thought I would be nervous, I thought I would pee in my pants, I thought my mother would kill me when she found out but it was all worth it. The adrenaline rush that you have when you hit the ground compares to nothing else I have ever done. I feel like I can conquer anything!

Most people don’t know that I have a fear of heights. I never really admit to it because I never really have had to confront it except for a several horrible experiences on a ladder. BUT NO MORE!!! Jumping out of a plane 2 miles above the Earth is about as high as you can go and conquer that fear! I’m ready for anything!

Life takes crazy turns. I found myself back in California after just being here last weekend for a pretty intense and cool meeting and then decided to jump out of a plane… Today was an incredible day!

Palm Springs

dsutton — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:29:18 +0000

Anybody who knows me is well aware of the amount of hours I put in at both work and in life. I run at a 190% all the time. I love deadlines, I thrive under pressure and I’m always eager to learn more so that I can be the best at everything I do.

50+ hours at work and 30+ hours working on my house each week leaves little time to enjoy all the great things that life has to offer… so vacation days were scheduled, plane tickets were bought, a Mercedes was rented, suites at the Riveria Resort were confirmed and this kid got far far away for 7 wonderful days in the California sun.

The first three days were spent in Los Angeles visiting with friends, my brother, and getting to catch up. Lazy was my goal for three days! I left my watch, my laptop, my work cell phone, and anything else that could dictate my day at home… and just relaxed… in no hurry to get anywhere.

Friday brought a little more of a schedule because we hopped in the car and headed to Palm Springs for a good friend from high school’s wedding. The funniest part of the entire vacation was when we pulled up to the Riviera Resort (which from the motor court looked like a glitzy Las Vegas Casino) and I was on the phone with my mom checking in on Willow Bee was doing while I had been gone. Everyone else headed inside to check in and the concierge let’s me know I’ll be heading up to 8108.

I guess because the entrance to the hotel was so grand, I automatically thought there was a tower behind it and I spent 30 minutes looking for the elevator that went to the 8th floor. I asked people where the elevator was… they directed me towards it… I’d found it!!! but there was only 2 buttons “G” and “1″ so I figured this was the service elevator. So I looked some more… asked someone else… they pointed me back in the same direction… I jumped in the elevator again thinking that maybe I had missed the entire panel of other buttons that would get me to the 8th floor… but once again… only “G” and “1″ so I rode back up to “1″.

Obviously looking confused… the hostess at the restaurant said, “Mr. Sutton, is there something that you are looking for?” and I said, “Yes… I have looked around this hotel for 30 minutes looking for the elevator, I have found the wrong one twice, and all I need is someone to tell me how to get to my room on the 8th floor” …. I’m pretty sure it took every muscle in her face to not burst out laughing at me when she explained… “Mr. Sutton… The entire Riviera Resort is only two floors!”

Ignorance is bliss…

Week 9,832,096 — Bathroom Tile Goes In

dsutton — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:24:00 +0000

I had a little hiccup with the bathroom tile. Well let’s say the bathroom tile project had some major Lower GI issues brought on by the initial hiccup.

I had one guy come out and price the tile job and his estimate was 4 times the budget. The second guy, who I have used on several projects at my last house, came out and took measurements and then never called me back. This is not like him at all so I figure something must have happened. I hope he is okay.

Then I lined up another guy, who was recommended to me, but he did not seem dependable at all so I skipped him and went on to the next recommendation. Two weeks later, I finally had someone committed to the job and now I just had to stop by the tile store and tell them to order the tile that I had picked out with my designer 5 months ago.

That’s when I found out that the tile that I had chosen had been discontinued and they could only get enough to do the guest bathroom. I had literally 15 minutes before my lunch break was over so I had to make a decision fast! I must say… I did a pretty good job! Well I had some great help from the girl at Mosaic Tile on Noble Road. She was a trooper with dealing with my indecision.

After getting all of the tile delivered and my tile guy started sticking up there… we realized that the pattern that was recommended for this tile was not going to work because of a window in the guest shower. So I had to make a mad dash back to the tile store to purchase some pretty swanky glass tile mosaic that my new found friend at the tile store picked out for me.

After all that… and a much longer installation and clean up than I had expected… the job is done and looks pretty good if you ask me!

Be Sure to Check Out Election Coverage Online and Uncensored!

dsutton — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:24:48 +0000

Check out the election coverage online and uncensored tonight on MyNC.com

NBC17 invites you inside our newsroom as you make your mark on history on Election Day. On Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. log onto MyNC.com keyword “Election” to watch a live online show and interact with other voters in our chat room. As you watch the election results pour in on TV, you can also tune into some more community-based coverage on MyNC.com. Throughout the evening our web hosts will be sharing your videos and photos and taking your comments and questions in the chat room. You’ll also get a unique look at what it’s like to be inside a newsroom on one of the most hectic nights of the year – Election Day. The coverage starts at 7 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. Log on to share your views, chat live and interact with history. It’s a unique way to get community-based election coverage in the Triangle. See you on MyNC.com

Featured Homes — Remodeling Tour Storms the Triangle

dsutton — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:57:44 +0000

This past weekend, the Triangle’s Remodeling Tour drew thousands of people to the area to tour local homes. Their efforts also raised funds and awareness of one of my favorite local non-profits, Building Together Ministries.

The tour had several houses that families had spent the last year remodeling.

I have been curious for the last couple of years though if this is just a way to showcase specific remodeling companies. Every year it seems to be the same firms featured on the tour. I’d like to see the inside of homes that people have taken on massive renovations themselves. Sharing stories of the joys and heartaches of the process.

Nonetheless, there were some pretty good eye candy while browsing through including SubZero, Viking, Thermadore, custom cabinetry, exotic hardwoods and imported tile.

The Leaves are Changing and Raleigh Looks Great!

dsutton — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:06:24 +0000

As we roll into November, the leaves are finally changing color and lighting up the City of Oaks with golds, reds, purples and orange.

Share your pictures on Raleigh.MyNC.com, send me a link to your pictures and I’ll send you some MyNC.com swag!

Historic Landmark Looking at a Facelift

dsutton — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:21:58 +0000

Local Developers presented their final proposal to the East Citizen’s Advisory Council for the development of the historic Poe House property.

The Poe House is located on a secluded wooded wedge behind Wake Medical Center and several homes off of Donald Ross Drive. The Poe House was the home of Clarence Poe, the founder of a publication that later became Southern Living Magazine. Over the past several years, the property has played the host for hundreds of weddings and other special events.

The developers plans are to restore the original house (with plans of adding two wings) and constructing multi-use office spaces around the home.

Local residents and business owners requested a little more information before they signed off on ok’ing the project.

An ABC Store in the Middle of Family, Church, Golf and Shopping

dsutton — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:16:11 +0000

Does that make since to you? It is by absolute disbelief that locally owned First Citizen Bank is planning on selling one of their properties to the ABC Commission so that they can build a new store smack in the middle of a neighborhood, next door to churches, and a stones throw from multiple family businesses and the most beautiful golf course in Raleigh.

Interesting… check out the story posted on Raleigh.MyNC.com by the Longview Gardens Neighborhood… and join the fight!

Here is their video too.

By Longview Gardens, User Submitted, 1 day agoRALEIGH, N.C.
This past week, neighborhood leaders, politicians, business owners and residents have been meeting behind closed doors strategizing how they will fight the proposed construction of an ABC Store on New Bern Avenue in the Longview Gardens Shopping Center.

The ABC Commission has the vacant First Citizens building under contract which they plan to purchase, tear down, and rebuild a 4400 square foot, neon lit, liquor depot across the street from single family homes ranging in price from $250,000—$450,000, several churches, a matter of feet from small businesses, a senior daycare and within walking distance of five schools.

The ABC Commission has expressed that they do not want to build in a neighborhood they are not welcomed. Unfortunately, the deal is still on the table and planned to be executed. The community’s concerns and request to reconsider the sale were vocalized to First Citiznens Bank. John McConnell, owner of Raleigh Country Club and McConnell Golf, has advocated for the Southeast Raleigh area and has invested millions of dollars into improving his facility and the community as a whole over the last several years. McConnell also opposes the proposed ABC store.

Area residents state that such business tactics are not typical to the values of the Holding Family or First Citizens Bank. It goes against the hard work and dedication the neighborhood, the Citizen Advisory Council, the businesses, and schools have invested in this area. It is an irresponsible transaction that other businesses, including McConnell Golf, have declined when offered money for property they own in the area. “It’s adding fuel to the fire” states Christian Anastasiadis, Chief Operating Officer of RCC and Longview Gardens resident. First Citizen’s intent is to sell the building and donate the proceeds to area non-profits. The concern is that the ABC Store will cause an increase in foot traffic, crime, littering, trespassing, prostitution, and drug usage near a family oriented neighborhood, churches, schools, a hospital, and a senior day care. This will counteract First Citizen’s considerable contribution to area non-profits.

The current ABC Store on New Bern Avenue, farther down the road and closer to downtown, witnesses these activities. The property is not safe. It is supposedly monitored by its own police force, operated by the ABC Commission, but in the attached video there is no security walking the grounds. Further, the ABC Commission could not guarantee safety when asked about their security efforts. The attached video was taped over a 4 minute time span where over 25 cars entered and exited the parking lot. Loiters and pedestrians both frequented the store and beggars approached customers in the parking lot asking for money. This video was sped up 4 times its actual speed to exploit the store’s activity.

On November 6th at 7pm—residents, leaders, business owners, and politicians have scheduled and confirmed a meeting with the Wake County ABC Board at Sherrills Barber and Cosmetology School located in the Longview Gardens Shopping Center right behind the proposed ABC location. Ms. Short, who owns the school, has a space that should accommodate about 100 people. We hope that anyone who can assist us in our fight will come and show their support and offer any advice. This meeting is very important to the Raleigh area as a whole and will yield future ABC stores opening in your neighborhood. The purpose of the meeting is to allow residents, community leaders, and organizations to voice their concerns about the proposal directly to board members and the ABC security chief. Attending the meeting will be Ike Wheeler from the Wake County ABC board, the security chief for Wake County ABC, and other board members.

There will also be a protest at the First Citizens Head Quarters—Dates/Time TBD

Please voice your opinion by posting comments on this story.

I’m Back!

dsutton — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:07:39 +0000

After many weeks of my blog going through a major conversion… I am back!

Updates to Come!

My Blog Is Moving

dsutton — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:19:14 +0000

You can find me at my new address…. http://dsutton.myncblogs.com/

The Raleigh Native is moving across the web to our new MyNCBlogs Page!

Check me out there!