Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Questions to HELP me Understand the Situation

Eugene Gene Conti owner of Palo Verde Resort PLEASE answer a few questions... pretty PLEASE.

I heard it through the grapevine Eugene 'Gene' Conti is amused by this blog. Cool. Now, if Gene Conti would be so kind as to return the favor and amuse me for a bit, I'd appreciate it. I just have a few questions. Some, I think I know the answers too, some I don't, and pardon the STUPID ones, when you're out of the LOOP, sometimes things just don't make sense, so I may need HELP connecting the dots and filling in the blanks.

Here goes, in no particular order:

1) With the exception of selling 'land' which Palo Verde owned in back of the resort, have you EVER made money from ACTUALLY managing Palo Verde Resort, you know, from the tourist dollar? Has Larry Bernstein? If not, why?

2) Palo Verde Resort has been in existence for 6 or so years, how long did it take before you realized Palo Verde was a losing proposition.... on paper anyway?

3) You wrote me an email back in March of '08 which stated Palo Verde owed you over $100,000.00 (this was when you were working on the bank loan to infuse Palo Verde with CASH ) and if I'm not mistaken, Palo Verde owes Larry Bernstein a considerable sum as well (or did anyway), I'm sorry, why did you continue to sink "YOUR OWN" as well as other peoples money into a bottomless pit with seemingly no apparent benefit or positive outcome for anyone? *wink* AND then procure a bank loan to do MORE of the same when the writing had been on the WALL for such a long time?

4) You obviously got the loan because your last email to me (2 weeks ago) said you "hadn't paid the bank since May of '09", what happened, if you got a loan in March/April/or May of '08 how in the HELL did you GO through so much money (not sure how much).... perhaps didn't budget correctly? Damn Gene are you really that BAD with money or are their a few things I don't know? Why did so many people say that Palo Verde rooms 'were' run down (even on TripAdvisor) and overall maintenance was lacking if said bank loan was for upgrades, maintenance, repairs and marketing and only a year has passed, why did Bobby Blair have to come in and 'remodel'?

5) Was the loan actually to pay you OFF because you were using your own money for the above reasons... just asking?

6) When you built the big ass pool, did you realize you wouldn't actually be able to swim in it?

7) Did you and Larry tell me you would pay monies owed me ($6,394.00) when land was SOLD which Palo Verde owned?

8) Did you or did you not SELL said land? What happened to my money?

9) How could Palo Verde Resort's foreclosure be imminent if Bobby Blair came to the rescue, I'm assuming he put up a deposit? He wouldn't actually take over a property that owes the bank and could be foreclosed on would he? Wouldn't the deposit be used to pay off the bank? Does Palo Verde Resort still owe you $100,000.00... or more? I think I deserve (as part owner) to know the terms of the DEAL between YOU and Bobby Blair of Arenal Bungalows.

10) How much will you and/or Larry receive off the top if Bobby Blair is successful in his bid to FLIP Arenal Bungalows aka Palo Verde Resort before we actually split the money between the Palo Verde partners? and what about the 'bank not being paid' since May of '09, if in fact it hasn't been paid?

So let me get this straight, Palo Verde Resort has NOT made money for 6 years, and over those years you USE your own money, and that of investors such as Larry and myself merely to keep Palo Verde AFLOAT? Then you get a bank loan because Palo Verde needs a transfusion yet again and in the mean time you build a house of your own (I here it's nice), take various trips around the United States with various 'boyfriends' over the years, stay at luxury suites such as the Bellagio in Vegas AND your general manager drives around in a really NICE vehicle that he could NEVER afford on his own...... HEY, it true..... just sayin, and now you tell me "foreclosure is imminent" and of course, Palo Verde owes YOU money? Please, I'm beggin, tell me where I'm wrong, help me connect the dots in logical fashion... if I'm wrong, please, EDUCATE ME.. fill in the blanks. I'll apologize on this blog for any speculation or opinions I may have wrong.

It almost sounds like you may have inter-mingled Palo Verde money with Gene Conti money, "No, that can't be true, can it?

Oh, and the most AMUSING question of all, so I saved it for last, "Does Arenal Bungalows use the same 'filing' system Palo Verde utilized when customers PAY for their STAY?" Cause REALLY,,, it makes everything seem so INACCURATE, don't you think? Did I write that out LOUD?

Feel FREE to answer and set me straight- I won't EDIT a thing.

Here's Pt 2 of 'Moving to Costa Rica- My STORY':



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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Owners Gene and Bobby FEELING the HEAT?

The folks at Robert 'Bobby' Blair Real Estate and Arenal Bungalows in La Fortuna must be feeling the HEAT about now.

Bobby Blair, Eugene 'Gene' Conti and Nico Pisani have a few decisions to make in regards on how to deal with me but if Eugene Conti's second email to me is any indication as to their plan of DEFENSE, well lets just say this isn't going to be resolved anytime soon.

I would imagine collectively, they're pissed at me, but I'll bet a million bucks there's been some 'in fighting' as to how to proceed against me.... well, I'd like to think so anyway. Before I get to Mr. Conti's second email, I would speculate that the following are pretty much their only options:

* Ignore me and HOPE for the BEST.

* Take me to court for 'whatever'

* Deal with me in business like fashion.

* Do something underhanded, sneaky, and/or illegal.... it's an option... just sayin.

* Proceed as they've BEEN, telling me 'just enough' in hopes of shutting me up.

If there's others, I can't think of any. Luckily, before I started, 'Arenal Bungalows- MY STORY' I carefully considered ALL possible angles and outcomes (well, most anyway) and I realized one thing- It's ALL good, I'm comfortable with whatever. I've actually become quite INVIGORATED over this entire ordeal and I can tell you, it's not about WINNING, because honesty, I don't think I will, it's merely the satisfaction of knowing I stood up for yourself ... finally, after years of them thinking I believed their SHIT... but I digress.

So Eugene Conti sends me another email after the very short, cryptic first email which said: "Tortious Interference with Contract or Business Expectancy" *that's a link to the actual post as well, if you're interested.

I won't cut and paste the second email,,but it wasn't much longer, here's the gist:

1. He told me, "foreclosure is imminent".

2. He said that Larry Bernstein (30% owner of Palo Verde Resort) won't HELP monetarily because of what I've written, actually it was more like this, "...which I attribute to your slanderous campaign against your own interests."

3. A contract has been signed to purchase 'the hotel' in 1 year, with a lease/option. The sale would depend on finding a potential buyer.

He then told me if I continued on this track, their would be 'no money' to SPLIT and then closed by asking me how anyone could ever, "do such things against their own interest?"

If this email was meant to either appease me, scare me or.... HELL, I don't know what it was meant to do. But I do know this:

Eugene Conti has ignored me for a long, LONG time and if this was suppose to bring me up to SNUFF... it's not only LAUGHABLE on so many levels... but OFFENSIVE to say the least.

Gene must have told the 'others' he'd take 'care of this', as he does consider himself somewhat of a problem solver of sorts (actually he's more like a politician trying to get re-elected), but if this is how they've decided to DEAL with me... all I can say is, "WOW!"

TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 Oh, and we also have all the INFO about GAY Travel in Costa Rica. ENjoY!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Eugene Conti & Larry Bernstein Birds of a Feather?

Larry Bernstein of Florida is a 30% owner of Palo Verde Resort. I'm not sure how involved he is with the SALE of Palo Verde and the dealings with Robert 'Bobby' Blair and Arenal Bungalows or if he's letting Gene call all the shots, but I would assume Larry's protecting his interest, he's a business man and apparently a successful one.

Honestly, I can't really be upset with Larry since we DIDN'T and DON'T really care for each other either, so I'm sure he doesn't give a rats ass if I'm in the 'LOOP' or not (although you'd think he'd CARE a little about me NOW...just sayin).

I do however, know a few things about Larry Bernstein. First, he was what most people would consider 'rich'. If he is now, after the recession, couldn't tell you, but I know he was. I can also tell you I was hoping to ride Larry's coattails so to speak, if anyone had the 'money' to keep Gene Conti in 'CHECK' it was Larry, so in my mind, if Larry ever called Gene OUT on his Palo Verde shenanigans, I thought I could ride along in the lawsuit as a 10% owner. *My real estate NAIVETY knew no bounds.

*But now, I believe Gene has Larry right where he wants him- in his back pocket, but Larry's ALWAYS been there whether he knows it or not. Personally, I believe the back pocket skews the VIEW of things, but Larry seems as comfortable there as Gene feels having him there. *Purely speculative on my part.


I didn't like Larry from almost the first time I met him. He's loud and a bit obnoxious, but only because he has MONEY, so people put up with him because he's FUN at a party and ALWAYS picks up the tab. I'm fairly certain he's not 'self made', I think he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and I'll tell you why,

Larry is a closeted gay man with his family, don't know if he still is or not, nor do I care, but the 'gay' thing is one of the reasons I don't care for him, but I'll get to that in a second. In my experience, 'self made' men usually don't give a 'rip' how others may view them, but men who may inherit 'Daddy's money', well, let's just say that's ample motivation for some folks to keep their homosexual practices in the CLOSET. Here's what happened:

When I was finally OUT, I promised myself I would NEVER, EVER deny who I was again- for ANY reason, for ANYONE.... which includes my own family. In my mind, you're either with me or you're NOT. I was made to feel bad about myself for too long, so I swore, NEVER again. Anyway, Larry's family was coming to visit him at Palo Verde Resort and Larry actually had the audacity to 'TELL' me and D'Angelo we had to leave the resort for about a month while his family was there because we were gay (don't remember if he said, "too gay" or just "gay", I believe it was the former) and he didn't want his family making any connection between our gayness and him. I was about 46 at the time, can you imagine? But when you're RICH and usually get what you want, in his mind it was a plausible demand.

Pretty much went WAy downhill from there, although Larry did tell me after D'Angelo and myself left Palo Verde that we should get a lawyer as soon as possible to protect our interests.

In the beginning, Larry stayed and managed Palo Verde fairly regularly. Gone for a few months, then returning and managing the place for a month or so and then leaving again. And he was always GREAT with the staff, buying them lunch or dinner or BOTH, helping out monetarily when he saw fit and would often spend his own money to keep Palo Verde afloat and once even sponsored a Palo Verde employee's soccer team- WAY COOL! But even Larry knew Gene Conti was a TERRIBLE manager in general, but a bad manager of money in particular, but since he was RICH, he didn't really appear bothered by Gene's everyday pinching of the dimes and nickles. But he was also in a bit of denial about Gene and his ways- in Dec. 2005, Gene was going to have a 'shareholders' meeting and ban Larry from Palo Verde, or should I say, he could come to the place but couldn't sleep there (or manage the place)... but that's when Gene thought he had me to watch his 'monetary' back. Hey Larry, don't believe me? Ask him and watch him squirm.

I guess I've just been surprised at just how much Larry has put up with from Gene, I mean he invested in Palo Verde and appeared to want it to be successful, but yet seemed to have gotten more 'hands-off' over the last couple years, and really, pretty much has let Gene do whatever he's wanted. I asked Larry about 3 years ago how long he would put up with Palo Verde not making any money before he would ask Gene to cut the Palo Verde losses and SELL, he said, "One year."

Ummmm,,,,,interesting. Don't forget, I'VE NEVER, EVER seen my 10% of any monthly Palo Verde profits generated from the tourist dollar, so apparently it was NEVER profitable... to me anyway.

I've got TONS of questions for Larry Bernstein..... one of my questions: "HOW MUCH are YOU and GENE getting off the TOP from the SALE of Palo Verde... you know, cause you guys SUNK so much of your own money (with receipts of course) into this 'losing proposition",...so really, how much are you guys taking before we ALL split the proceeds?" Shouldn't we already know?

I'm sure Larry has his investment secure and maybe even making a little money, not sure. Hell, maybe he's washed his hands of Palo Verde and Costa Rica, you never know.

"Does this recipe really call for skimming off the top?"

I can't help but feel Larry has to be a little disappointed he EVER got in bed with Gene Conti, he really seemed to like the IDEA of having a little place of paradise.....

"Nah...... with folks like Larry Bernstein and Eugene Conti, it's all about the money.......... and the KILL."

"Damn, I can't remember how's it goes...'birds of a feather....' something like that."

*For those of you asking about Nico Pisani, don't worry, of all the people I mention in this blog, I've been the most intimate with HIM. He's almost an entirely different BLOG all together, and the fact Craig Nicholas 'Nico' Pisani owes me more than $20,000.00, well, that's not even the half of it.

**Truthfully, I don't know the relationship status of Eugene Gene Conti and Larry Bernstein. The above is mostly speculation based on MY: experiences w/ Larry and/or Gene, observances, lack of communication, prior conversations... I'm merely connecting the dots in logical fashion. If I'm wrong, it's because I am out of the LOOP, and that begs questions, which I have many.

TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 Oh, and we also have all the INFO about GAY Travel in Costa Rica. ENjoY!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Palo Verde owner RESPONDS- how timely

Eugene 'Gene' Conti, the principle share holder of what WAS Palo Verde Resort, FINALLY responds to me. After IGNORING me and keeping me out of the LOOP as to the goings-on of Palo Verde the last couple of years or SO, including its recent SALE, Gene Conti, the 'peddler of paradise', shoots me, 'Mr. non-ENTITY', an e-mail.... just last night.

What's your guess as to what he said?

Does he want to sit down for coffee and discuss business in a mature manner? Maybe he wants to pay me, as promised by himself and the other 30% owner of Palo Verde, Larry Bernstein, the $6,394.00 I personally put into the place.. which he promised to give me after Palo Verde SOLD one of it's LOTS in back of the Resort. (I'm thinking 'NO' on this one, since they've already SOLD at least 1 LOT I know of, possibly and probably MORE, and I haven't seen a fuck'n DIME.)


*"A little proof PLEASE", Here's a 'SNIPPET' from another e-mail Gene sent me back in March of '08 when I asked him about giving me the $6,394. owed me. Truthfully, D'Angelo and myself had very little funds when we were first putting together our websites,,, it would have come in VERY handy.

this is an EXACT quote of the 'cut and paste' variety:

"Your money that is owed will come out of the land sale, when that happens, as agreed."

"Yeah right, glad I didn't hold my breath on that one."

Maybe he wants to 'get me up to speed' on what's been going on the last little while with the SALE of Palo Verde Resort to the the 'real estate flipper' and motivational speaker of sorts, Robert 'Bobby' Blair?

Maybe it's a BIG JOKE on 'ME' and Gene's got my CHECK for 6 grand plus the 10% of whatever... and my reaction is going to be secretly videotaped for an episode of Punk'd, and then Gene, Bobby, Larry Bernstein and myself will all have a good laugh over some beers. *Actually, I think they've BEEN laughing.... more like AT me than WITH me no doubt.

Could it be an Email of apology..... Gene's getting old, maybe it's TIME to make amends..... Hey, just sayin.

No, No, NO and NOPE.

Here's the email from Mr. Conti:

"Tortious Interference with Contract or Business Expectancy"

that's it.....all it said..... Wow, so cryptic.

I say, SWEET! Let's all go to court and REALLY open the books on Interference, 'cause the TRUTH will set you FREE..... ...........BITCHES!

TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 Oh, and we also have all the INFO about GAY Travel in Costa Rica. ENjoY!

Arenal Bungalows DECEPTIVE Ad on Craigslist

Is Arenal Bungalows in La Fortuna Costa Rica using DECEPTIVE ads to lure Backpackers?

If this ad on Craigslist promoting Arenal Bungalows as the "#1 Ranked Hostel Hotel in the WORLD" (no doubt) wasn't so FUNNY, it would be sad...... very, VERY Sad.

It's this EASY- Arenal Bungalows was the Palo Verde Resort just a couple months ago. They just finished renovating a few short weeks ago and have re-opened under it's NEW name Arenal Bungalows. (I could be wrong by a few days, but I think their GRAND opening party was New Years Eve).

Palo Verde was NEVER a hostel...... EVER. Room rates were anywhere from about $35-$125 a night depending on the room and the season. Hostels are more like $3-$10. a night. So it's not like Arenal Bungalows can hang-on Palo Verde's coattails of being the "#1 Ranked Hostel Hotel in the World" Normally, you need some TIME to establish a #1 Ranking in 'anything', but it appears Arenal Bungalows did it about a week.

So, if Arenal Bungalows JUST opened, how in GOD's name could it be the "#1 Ranked Hostel Hotel in the WORLD?" Sorry, but I'm going to have to ask for a 'name' of the person or organization who did THAT ranking so I could laugh at them too.

There is NO way the owner and 'real estate flipper', Robert 'Bobby' Blair could have signed-off on this ad, he can't be this dumb, this is just TOO laughable. But, he is the owner of Arenal Bungalows and ultimately responsible. I should note, it's possible this ad was randomly placed by someone not associated with Arenal Bungalows, but not probable since MOST ads and correspondence having to do with Arenal Bungalows seems to go to: ruff4638@aol.com....hmmmm wonder who that is? If Bobby Blair knows of this ad, he's using deception, if it was placed by an employee or associate of Arenal Bungalows unbeknownst to Mr. Blair, well, I would say at the very least he needs to get his 'house in order'.



"Please, I'm dieing to know Bobby Blair, please tell me you didn't know ANYTHING about this ad."


*I should say, the ad is enticing without the stupid claim of being #1, the rooms are DEFINITELY worth it...... only problem,,,,the backpackers and people traveling on a budget don't normally like to be a $6.-$7. cab ride (one way) from the center of La Fortuna, especially when there's about 20 hostels and cheap places to stay IN TOWN..... just sayin.

Oh, and if Bobby Blair, associates/employees or friends of Arenal Bungalows can PROVE they didn't place this ad on Craigslist, I will apologize and write a complete retraction- fair is fair.

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Monday, January 11, 2010

Should I Watch my Back?

Truthfully, I don't know what Robert 'Bobby' Blair and Eugene 'Gene' Conti of Arenal Bungalows and Palo Verde Resort are capable of, if anything, but I'd be lying if I told you I haven't thought about it very CAREFULLY.

Even if I hadn't thought of it, the e-mails I receive would definitely remind me of the precarious position I have put myself into:

"Hang in there my friend. Time always has a way of sorting out the truth, just be careful and watch your back. Maybe ten percent isn't worth dying for? I hope it isn't like that there. So is Bobby Blair and...."

and another example:

"I wish the principle guy in this would give you the respect of a sit down for coffee to discuss this like business professionals because this is having a very unhealthy effect on you. Brother I have been in your shoes, been ignored, disrespected, and even my partner and my lives were threatened."


Obviously it's not FAIR to assume anything and REALLY, I don't mean to suggest any attempt at 'foul play' by the likes of anyone I've mentioned in this blog. I would love to think we could settle our differences 'sitting down for coffee' as the second email suggests, but when you've basically been IGNORED for a couple years, it just doesn't seem to be going in that direction. I can't HELP think certain THINGS.... just sayin.

I'm sure if you asked Gene Conti or Larry Bernstein how it ALL went wrong with me, they'd probably liken me to a 'disgruntled employee' or somebody MAD that things didn't go MY way.... not sure, I'm speculating here.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm not even mad, I moved ON and took RESPONSIBILITY for getting involved in land deals and business partnerships without doing the appropriate 'homework' which is demanded when making a move such as the one D'Angelo and myself made in the first place.

The fact I moved on has actually been another BIG mistake made by me. Eugene Conti took advantage (because I let him) of my hands-off attitude and basically conducted Palo Verde business without even so much as an email to the goings-on of the place. So, over the last couple years, I've become a non-entity so to speak.

So, for me, the reason for this blog is more for justice than any type of REVENGE or 'get back' behavior... but as to the possible consequences of me writing this blog..... that's anybody's guess.

Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do.... and what happens, HAPPENS.

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Sunday, January 10, 2010

NEW owner Bobby Blair MAY have PROBLEMS


Robert Bobby Blair owner of Arenal Bungalows has a few problems and ONE of them is ME, but I'll get to that in a minute. Robert Bobby Blair is a real estate 'flipper' and he will TEACH you his SECRETS on how to 'flip' property to make money in his Seminars. Nothing wrong with 'flipping'- made some money doing it myself, NOT sure you need Bobby Blair's SECRETS in order to do it, but whatever. So I'm assuming, with strong evidence of course, Bobby Blair is attempting to 'flip' his newly acquired purchase of the Palo Verde Resort, which he smartly and quickly re-named, Arenal Bungalows. *I know he's at least attempting to 'flip' Arenal Bungalows because he has already advertised the property on Craigslist.

*If you're just joining us, I am (or was) a 10% owner of Palo Verde Resort in La Fortuna Costa Rica. Eugene Conti (60% owner of Palo Verde) and Larry Bernstein (30%) have SOLD Palo Verde Resort to this NEW guy Bobby Blair without me knowing it, nor have a received a DIME, nor have I signed ANYTHING in regards to the SALE of Palo Verde (still not sure how they did this without my signature), Got it?

So, Bobby Blair buys Palo Verde Resort, but in order to flip it, he would (and has) had to CLEAN up the place. Eugene Conti basically let Palo Verde 'go' in the last few years and it became fairly run down and needed a LOT of work. Bobby knows paint can go a LONG way.

Here's a couple of Robert 'Bobby' Blair's problems. First, anyone with half a brain who was even considering laying down about a million bucks would want to SEE the BOOKS. Palo Verde Resort has been 'operating' for the last 5-6 years but was it a money maker? According to conversations with Gene Conti, Palo Verde has NEVER made any money by the tourist dollar... and guess what, if it HAS, I have NEVER, EVER seen my 10% of the PROFITS. Let's do the math, I've NEVER seen 10%, wouldn't that mean there ISN'T any PROFITS, because the only other plausible answer would be that Gene Conti WAS making money but NOT paying me.... and Gene just wouldn't do that, would he? And Palo Verde was 'run down', it's not like money was pouring into the up-KEEP of the place... just sayin.

I alluded in the last post that I've been somewhat of a 'dumbass' in this MESS... and it's TRUE, I have. I've always been one to believe Karma could be more of a BITCH than I could ever be, BUT, now my name is, 'Karma'-'Hurricane Karma' to be precise.

I will have a lawyer within 2 weeks... Bobby Blair, I think, will WISH he would have SOLD the place before I throw my hat into the RING.

Oh, if I'm WRONG and he's not 'flipping' merely 'fishing' to see if he could possibly SELL the place.... doesn't really change a THING does it?

SOON: My letter to Bobby Blair.

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Palo Verde Resort- SOLD! WTF

Palo Verde Resort became Arenal Bungalows without me knowing..... which OBVIOUSLY begs the question,
"Mike, how in the HELL did you let that happen... DUMBASS?"
The short answer is I didn't and don't have the neverending funds to keep a lawyer on retainer. If did, this may be an entirely different matter, but Gene Conti, Larry Bernstein and maybe (not sure) Bobby Blair unfortunately know this. And really, even if I did, good, efficient lawyers are sometimes difficult to come by, especially when you're going AGAINST gringo's with a little money behind them.

Here's the longer answer.

* Bought land and 10% of Palo Verde Resort from Eugene Conti back in 2005.

* Packed it up and came to Costa Rica with visions of paradise dancing in my head Nov. '05.

* By about March of '06 realized I made a HUGE mistake.

I wish it were this EASY to ERASE my MISTAKES

* Wanted NOTHING to do with Gene Conti as I have no respect nor trust him on ANY level.

* Still owned 10% of Palo Verde and about 1/4 acre lot in back of Palo Verde. I still believed my investment was a SOUND and SECURE one. But it was just too difficult to watch Gene run down Palo Verde, so I just wanted to be a 'silent partner' with hopes that in the future I would maybe make a buck or two if Palo Verde somehow became a money maker, but really I was wishing he would just SELL the place and give me my 10%.

* I basically allowed Gene to do whatever he wanted with Palo Verde, but as we LOVED Costa Rica, we moved to downtown La Fortuna and pondered our options.

* Also at the time, I believed the other partner, Larry Bernstein (30%), would somehow keep Eugene Conti in CHECK since he's RICH (or at least was, don't know how the recession has treated him) and supposedly, a pretty savvy business man. This proved to be another BIG mistake, I'll explain that story in another post.

* Subsequently got in bed with Nico Pisani .... he had a GREAT idea about starting a YouTube type website pertaining ONLY to Costa Rica and although I realized he had a bad aura, bad karma and was/is an 'angry person', I actually believed at the time we could make it work.... that we would pull him to SUCCESS whether he wanted it or NOT, by sheer hard work if nothing else. *Nico Pisani will also be a major subject of mine in future posts but NOT *just because he owes me more than $20,000.00

* I took responsibility for making some bad decisions concerning doing business with the likes of Gene Conti, put things in perspective and refused to look back. Gene and I have had little interaction in the last few years.

* We had a dislike for one another but business is business and personal is personal. He couldn't stand the fact I told him I didn't respect him nor like him and it made no difference what he thought of me, I could still talk to him and treat him well on a strictly professional, business level. He on the other hand, couldn't.

* He has conducted Palo Verde business behind my back for the last 2 years, finally culminating in whatever is happening NOW with Palo Verde becoming Arenal Bungalows, which I'm not privy to. So there it is.

I will fill in the 'blanks' and the between stories with people such as Nico Pisani, Larry Bernstein in later posts. Just wanted to try to make semblance of how it all got out of my GRASP so I don't sound like a COMPLETE dumbass.

TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 Oh, and we also have all the INFO about GAY Travel in Costa Rica. ENjoY!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Arenal Bungalows, Bobby, Gene and ME


Arenal Bungalows WAS Palo Verde Resort not more than a month or so ago. Check out Trip Advisor and the REVIEWS of Palo Verde may be part of the REASON they switched names, who knows? I am, as far as I know a 10% owner of Palo Verde Resort. Now, I'm not so sure what I own, or DON'T. Maybe nothing, maybe 10% of Arenal Bungalows, maybe I own 10% of 'paper'...... did I mention, Eugene Conti was a real estate lawyer in Florida?

Gene Conti and I don't care for each other. Personally, I have no respect for the man and it only took me 4 months to realize I was somewhat 'deceived' by this 'slick politician'. BUT, I should mention, I take FULL responsibility for not doing my homework before moving to Costa Rica. Gene Conti was my 1-STOP source of INFO about Costa Rica. I was EASY...too easy. I believed Gene was a friend. I was mistaken. At first, I was actually HURT when the dots weren't connecting and I realized I was merely 'money' to Gene, a short term solution to his Palo Verde money woes. But again, my fault. Can't help it, I'm a handshake kinda guy.......nice guys don't do well in purchasing real estate from friends.

Here's the breakdown: Palo Verde Resort was (is) owned by Eugene 'Gene' Conti (60%), Larry Bernstein (30%) and myself, Michael Skofield (10%),

Now, ENTER a new guy to the mix, Bobby Blair. It appears that Robert 'Bobby' Blair a 'get Rich with REal Estate kinda guy' is either an owner, OR at least in BED with Eugene Conti, thus establishing Arenal Bungalows. I've met Bobby Blair, but don't really know him, ONLY 'of him'.

But here's Bobby Blair doing his thing. I gotta say, kinda CHEEZEEE. The guy INTERVIEWING him is actually his business partner, Steve Tacher but they don't REALLY tell you that. But I'm sure they can tell you HOW to make BIG money.... flipping Real Estate for a little fee of course. Here, he's promoting a SEMINAR he's going to have.....guess WHERE? That's right, Arenal Bungalows...... in La Fortuna, Costa Rica formally Palo Verde Resort... I wonder if I'll get my 10%?



OMG! I just listened CAREFULLY to this VIDEO, he said, "We bought a resort over in Costa Rica". He fuckin bought something I owned without me knowing.....HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Now, here's my FIRST VIDEO of how I came to meet Eugene Conti, owner of Palo Verde Resort in La Fortuna Costa Rica, and packed it ALL up and made the move from Las Vegas to Paradise.....



Don't MISS part 2 where I BREAK DOWN the cast of characters I went to bed with when I became part owner of Palo Verde Resort: Nico Pisani (who's actually putting this little seminar together w/ Bobby Blair and owes me $20,000 as well as owing a few other people money who LIVE in the La Fortuna area), Larry Bernstein, a CLOSETED (or was, not sure NOW) gay man from Florida and 30% shareholder of Palo Verde and of course the GOD FATHER of Palo Verde and possibly Arenal Bungalows (not sure), Eugene, 'Gene' Conti.

TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 Oh, and we also have all the INFO about GAY Travel in Costa Rica. ENjoY!