Let’s face it: real estate has been hard this year and because of this, the 2009 Realtors Conference & Expo should be a must-visit, if you are a realtor in the United States of America. No time would be better than now to invest in networking and education for your personal business and you can do so this weekend in San Diego.

From November 13 to 16, the National Association of Realtors will hold the 2009 Realtors Conference & Expo in San Diego, so get ready for the latest upturn in the industry and think about taking part today. This year’s main sessions include:

- One hour with the commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, David Stevens, who will talk about today’s primary issues such as appraisals, condominium rules, loan limits, and solutions for the insurance fund of the FHA.

- Testing your presence on-camera with the host of HGTV’s Real Estate Intervention, Sabrina Soto, through an interactively simulated home walk-through. Plus, she will share tactics that can be put to use in your personal marketing plan.
 
- A political and legislative forum by political insiders Bill Press and Michael Murphy, who will talk about the ever-evolving political landscape, as well as how this will impact the races of the House and Senate from their very own perspectives.

Plus, you’ll even get the chance to meet William Shatner on Saturday, November 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. If you happen to be a realtor who is also an avid fan of Boston Legal or Star Trek, you will not want to miss out on this opportunity to get his autograph or pose for a photo with him, would you?

Besides, San Diego in itself is worth the time to visit. If you miss the summer weather or simply need to take a break from everyday life, San Diego would be the perfect place to kick back and relax, with November being the city’s sunniest month of the year.

If you’re worried about shelling out too much cash and your budget is quite tight at the moment, here are some ways you can save money on your trip to the conference:

1. Opt for registrations that will fit your personal schedule and needs. Passes for the expo itself are $25, while passes for one whole day are going for $130 and passes for the entire conference are $330.

2. Room with somebody. (There are several low rates still available if you book now.)

3. Take the shuttle. To get to the Convention Center itself, there are complimentary shuttles from various hotels and you can even get a cheap airport shuttle from the National Association of Realtors.

San Diego meetings are always something worthwhile. Recently coined as the country’s top meetings and conventions destination, visitors enjoy exploring this urban playground. Not only will you be surrounded by fun and the sun, but there are tons of attractions that you will love in San Diego, as well. Trust me.

Is anyone else in the doldrums these days? Can the news get any lousier and outlooks get any drearier? Don’t answer that. Well, I’m taking a stand. Right now, I’m taking a stand against everyone and everything that is trying with all their might to bring me down. I was having a tremendous year, a record-breaking all-time fun year and then the economy turned to hell, terrorist attacks ensued, family members were laid off from work, and a dear family friend just passed away. I understand as well as anyone about the highs and lows in life, and I accept what is going on in the world now as a very serious but necessary low. However, there’s only so much a man (or woman) can take. And I can’t take any more…at least right now. And what’s the greatest solution the world has ever known for getting one’s spirit’s back on top? Getting out of dodge.

Penni Crabtree, staff writer for the union Tribune had an article in today’s paper discussing the surge of travel deals being offered in an effort to “pry open reluctant wallets”. Crabtree got a quote from Rick Seaney, chief executive of Farecompare, a consumer airline ticket research website, who said, “Two months ago I wasn’t expecting to see this many travel sales, and we’re seeing prices 30 to 50 percent off what they were then. It borders on the crazy. Every Monday or Tuesday there is a spate of new airline fares that expire on Thursday and Friday evening, and the next Monday you see a whole new wave coming in.” If you’re anything like me, deals on flights bring to mind thoughts of VEGAS! But again, if you’re anything like me, getting to Vegas for cheap is one thing, but being frugal with your money when you’re there is another thing. But flights aren’t the only thing that are cheap right now.

I filled up my car the other day and was overjoyed to see it didn’t even reach the $22 mark. And one of the greatest things about San Diego is being able to drive to SO many different, amazing places. Need some ideas? (Cue my best Travel Channel Voice) A two hour journey from San Diego will get you to Joshua Tree where the hiking might not be the best, but it’s other-worldly terrain and life-changing sunset and sunrises make camping, especially in the winter, a perfect getaway for barely any money at all. Or what about renting a lodge in Idyllwild for the weekend?! Also only two hours away, you’d think you’d taken a trip to Colorado. Amidst thick forests of pine and granite peaks lies the quaint little artist town offering a constant smell of birch burning fire-places and chilly mornings are met with the scent of fresh coffee and maple bacon. Mmmmm, bacon. I’m heading there this weekend.

And now, a quick list of other road trips I’ve done and will consider taking again while gas prices are low and the news keeps dragging me through the dirt: 1) I’d go to San Francisco: an EASY 7 hours if you don’t run into LA traffic, and catch a show, any show at the Filmore. 2) Mammoth Mountain, an even easier 6 and a half hours (and much more scenic), make a couple turns on the mountain, get into a hot tub, and drink whiskey and cocoa. 3) Anza Borrego desert. Take your truck and go explore this vast desert and its canyons. And you can take your truck almost anywhere and sleep in it over-night. It’s cheap and tremendously fun and adventurous. 4) Head up the 101 and just see where your travels take you. If something looks fun, stop the car and do it. Those are always the best road trips anyway.

Or if you just want to stay in San Diego, you can get away here too. Check out the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and learn about some of the amazing hikes there are around here that you had no clue even existed.  Go to the Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East near the Wild Animal Park, pack a lunch and forget your 401k’s in the toilet. I hear myself, believe me. I sound like a cheap travel writer. But if you can’t tell, I’m itchin to escape myself and writing about places I want to go is getting me excited. So let me leave you with this: I’m taking comfort in knowing that I’m far from the only one tired of hearing how “doomed” we are. I’m going to take any chance I can to go and enjoy myself. After-all we’ve still got it pretty good in this country. And even better, we live in San Diego. Safe travels.