The View From "The Projects"

[DaveM]

And no, I don't mean the self-storage units I can see from my window.

During the past 24 hours I have dealt with:

2 internet outages of more than one hour.

An unannounced visit from the maintenance guy to start fixing the ceiling which my noisy upstairs neighbors flooded. They have, mercifully, moved.

A visit from a sheriff's deputy looking for the person who used to live here.

A notice that the water would be shut off all day today. And sure enough, it is.

It is at least quiet and no one is living over my shoulder any more. But it is strange making the transition from one of the "haves" to one of the "have nots". The odd thing is that all that changed was that I was thrown out of the home I located, purchased, and maintained by an insane woman acting on a whim. I am the same person with the same economic standing I have maintained for decades. But the change of address has had some curious side-effects.

Oh yes....I had an appointment with my attorney, but yesterday his secretary called saying that "something had come up" and that he would call me to reschedule. He has not.

[DaveM]

About half an hour after the deputy stopped by, I received a call from the manager's office (an odd occurrence in and of itself, since my number is unlisted and I have not provided it to the office). I was informed that this building has a "three strikes policy" regarding police visits and that I was being written up. I explained that the deputy had been looking for the previous tenant (and frankly was a rather nice guy--honestly) and had said that he was "obviously" at the wrong place. To which the twiddlebug replied that "well, he stopped here and asked where he could find your apartment number so our policy is that it goes in the book".

Gosh. Thanks. Ain't policy a wonderful substitute for thinking?

We have been graciously provided with running water for four hours this eve, but the problem, whatever it is, has not been fixed. So the water will be off tomorrow as well.

I moved here in utter innocence, with no intention but to be a quiet tenant and a good neighbor. My resolve on both points, however, is wavering.

I really don't want to play any more. Can I go home now?

[hoops]

let's get the pirates together and get ready to plunder...rudie style...with no evidence. you all know who you are and i know your up for it.
peace
hoops- spreading out my rudie hit wear
:)

[RedjackRyan]

run out the cannon, and hard over hoops.


Sorry you've been going through so much Dave, unfortunately the world is full of nitwits and likely always will be. Keep the faith and if you need it, Eva is real good at persuasion techniques..:D

[DaveM]

Is this by any chance your eBay listing, Cap'n?

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANNON-24-Black-Powder-Pirate-Cannon_W0QQitemZ300344986292QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45edf4cab4

Remember, folks, according the management my lease does not bar me from having a cannon in my apartment.

[hoops]

that's something i will never forget Dave
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Today they shut the water off for the third time in one week, the reason being "repairs to the main line". There is indeed a backhoe going at it full blast some distance from this building, just as it was on the other two occasions.

Questions: why couldn't they fix it the first time? And how often does this have to happen before management is not complying with the part of their lease which requires that they provide "habitable dwelling space"?

[hoops]

Dave, i can't answer with any certainty but I think as long as they are working diligently on the "problem" that is all they need to provide.
good luck with the water Dave, hope it is fixed soon
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

They did fix the problem....for the moment at least.

I was out much of the afternoon and returned to find a neighbor wondering if I had any idea "what all the fuss was about". It seems that during my absence, three sheriff's cars arrived in the parking lot and at least four deputies rushed into this end of the building. As there are only six apartments accessible from that entrance, I am rather wondering myself.

Honestly, I haven't bought the cannon yet....really....

[RedjackRyan]

Is this by any chance your eBay listing, Cap'n?

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANNON-24-Black-Powder-Pirate-Cannon_W0QQitemZ300344986292QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45edf4cab4



NICE! that would look great mounted on my Jeep. :D

[DaveM]

So....yesterday the cable company decided it did not need to provide service to this area. That includes, in my case at least, cable TV, Internet, and telephone service. All were completely disconnected for at least six hours. When I inquired at the apartment office I was informed that this apartment complex as well as another one nearby (which rents only to senior citizens) were both completely cut off. As per the apartment manager, the company was aware of the outage but "did not know what the problem was". Obviously, service was restored and after a couple of brief outages last night, it now appears to be working properly.

Cable TV is not exactly a must-have item--in fact, I have had the TV on exactly twice since it was hooked up. I can live without Internet access too, and understand that interruptions in service do occur. No phone means no emergency communications, however, potentially a serious problem for me due to medical issues (I hate to even think about the three buildings full of seniors).

Before I learned that the loss of service was the fault of the cable company, I went over all of my equipment thoroughly to make sure there was no problem here. In the process I discovered that the telephone never has been connected as promised by the company and that the Internet service wasn't connected properly either. The remote control for the cable box has never worked (it has power, it just doesn't do anything) and a call to Customer Service brought a suggestion that I "see the instructions you were given by the installer for details on how to reprogram your remote" and nothing more. I have a broadcasting license (granted, from a long time ago) and some education in electronics....I think I KNOW how to program a remote control.

Wither simple competence? The billing office seems able to deliver on time and as promised. What about the service for which I am being billed and have a one year contract?

Perhaps I am making too much of a small thing. But it is very strange, after 15 years as a homeowner during which I developed a certain confidence in basic services, to find that in the peculiar world in which I now live, nothing works as advertised or as planned. I cannot even be certain that water will come out of the tap, though after an all-day outage last Thursday, I believe they may have finally fixed the problem. It will be entertaining in the extreme when the lights and the heat go out....

You still willing to help me haul a cannon up the stairs, Cap'n? I believe the cable company could be shelled with ease from here.

[TwinLori]

Do you have Comcast for cable? Think I'd glady pay for a cannonball or two to be shelled at them!! Arghhh...

[razal]

Dave,

Sorry you're going through all this....do you think you could make three anonymous phone calls to the police to pay your manager a personal visit?

I mean, three strikes, are three strikes. Write it down in your book. ;)

[DaveM]

Believe me, I am having some lovely thoughts....none of which I will ever act on, of course.

My cable company is Mediacom. They have had a rotten reputation for a long time, but I never imagined their service would be as bad as it has been thus far. Given that they are offering telephone service (in partnership with Sprint, they claim), don't they have some sort of responsibility to the FCC or the like?

[hoops]

you could always have a long conversation with someone from Mediacom and tell them you will not be billed for any time you are without service. Of course i have no idea who they are and how they work. but i got three days taken off of my bill. just be your friendly self
peace
hoops

[RedjackRyan]

You still willing to help me haul a cannon up the stairs, Cap'n? I believe the cable company could be shelled with ease from here.


There are few things i despise more than Comcast Cable, you betcha i'll help ya shell the hell outta them.

[DaveM]

For the moment I am going to write some letters (phone calls are never good practice for complaints, especially to the phone company) and will see what happens.

Meanwhile, I got an e-mail today offering a free bottle of "colon cleanser" and I believe I just might ship them a case. They probably wouldn't get it, but I can't think of a better way of telling someone that they are full of you know what.

Might have to ship some around to some ex-girlfriends, too. For the record, folks, I do not presently have a girlfriend like that. Or of any other variety for that matter.

[lucille]

I am having an ongoing problem with our largest phone and i/net provider whereby I cancelled both in February. I am still getting accounts! After struggling with them via email and phone, I finally sent them a registered letter. Yesterday I got a letter in reply to say that they could not deal with the problem by letter:confused: So in effect they have sent me a letter to say they cannot send me a letter. They say I should pursue the problem by email or phone. Of course if I send and email (as I have - frequently) they send me an email with a request to phone them. I ain't goin' there - I'm too old now to spend days on the phone to idiots.:p

[hoops]

Wendy, these people are the ones the AMA pays to keep the psychiatrists busy...with us after dealing with them
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

A very nice quiet person moved in upstairs, and I have been so delighted. Yesterday, however, Mr. I Love My Big Speakers moved in downstairs. He alternately plays video games and listens to music (I think that's what it is called at least) at sufficient volume to make the floor vibrate and dishes rattle in the cupboards. The building is actually shaking and I cannot believe that no one else appears to have said anything--or done anything about it.

This went on until 2 a.m. last night and started all over again at 9 this morning. I have called management six times and not gotten so much as a return call. So tonight....I will be bringing in the PO-leece if the volume is not lowered by one minute after 10. Let this guy collect a few "strikes".

Creative suggestions as to an appropriate quid pro quo will be welcome. I was thinking of a speaker aimed downwards and playing a crying baby all night. Surely they can't give me a noise violation over a baby? There have got to be some delightfully evil Rudie imaginations out there though....let fly. Mind, I have no intention of trying any of them. I just need a smile right now.

[Wildflower Fever]

I've always felt people in apartments need to cooperate more. It's not nice to be too loud, especially at odd hours, but it also sucks to have to live like a mouse walking on broken glass. I live in a condo and am generally respectful most every day, but when my friends and I gather on Friday nights prior to hitting the town, let's just say I let loose. If they want to complain about loud music from like 8-11pm one day a week, I will begin to complain about everything they do. Like slamming doors, stomping up and down the stairs, etc. I used to live in an apartment years ago beneath a psychotic invalid. She would call management to complain she could hear me urinating in my toilet at night!!! I think a lot of these types of people are basically walking around dead, and they can't stand to hear the sound of life. Someone off me if that ever becomes me...

[DaveM]

Quite agree with you there--it is far too easy to go too far in the other direction. Especially if someone has kids....I mean, kids make noise and that's the way it is. But this guy is old enough to know better. Just at the moment sitting here is like being stuck at a stoplight next to one of those "boom cars" that always seem to be playing the same song.

[Wildflower Fever]

Quite agree with you there--it is far too easy to go too far in the other direction. Especially if someone has kids....I mean, kids make noise and that's the way it is. But this guy is old enough to know better. Just at the moment sitting here is like being stuck at a stoplight next to one of those "boom cars" that always seem to be playing the same song.

Yeah, I hear ya, he probably is a "do-nothing" and the reason you're hearing the noise until late and then starting early is he's one of these knobs who's addicted to video games. It probably controls his life, I've seen people like that, and they don't live much differently than meth addicts.

[hoops]

Dave, I've been thinking and thinking but besides showing up outside his door in a french maid's outfit and asking him to "keep it down, the baby's sleeping" i can't think of a thing
peace
hoops

[Wildflower Fever]

It could be worse! ;)

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mly/lowres/mlyn635l.jpg

[Marcia Drummergal]

WFF, that is TOO funny! Reminds me a bit of an apartment I lived in in California....we were right next to Highway 101. No sound barriers! And then there was that couple who lived upstairs....... ;)

Marcia :)

[DaveM]

My brother had one of those couples upstairs....that, I can really live without.

Whoever is downstairs is utterly silent today. There was some activity down there around midnight last night and the noise abruptly stopped. Since I didn't call anyone (though I was about to), I suspect that someone else in the building got tired of the floor vibrating as well.

At any rate, all is presently quiet on the Western front.

[DaveM]

Several people (none from this board and I wouldn't say who anyway) have given me some creative suggestions for responding to this person should the racket continue. My personal favorite was aiming the stereo speakers at the floor and playing a loud recording of a crying baby. After all, they can't throw me out of here for having a noisy baby, can they? And a baby isn't a "tenant" for purposes of my lease, so I could have one and still claim to be a single person household (social commentary presumably unintended).

Another fellow suggested that I install my subwoofer (which I have not) and get a long and repeatable recording of a heartbeat. This would of course be especially effective if the person drinks, at around 6 a.m.

I did by chance get a good look at the new tenants this afternoon. They are a couple of an age that I think they may have had to get their parents' permission to get married and resemble each other so strongly that I wonder if they passed the blood test (I presume they are a couple as the apartment has one bedroom). They moved here from the state of Virginia, amazing when Appalachia is so much closer and has better weather besides. When I saw them, they had returned from a shopping trip and were carrying at least two large bags stuffed with bags of popped popcorn. The better to eat while playing videogames, I suppose.

Just over a month of living here has provided enough material for a book. A year may well stock a future library.

[TiminOhio]

I'm sorry to ad to your woes, but can you really afford the attorney, especially when he or she will probably not get you any results that will benefit you tangently - in a timely manner? You may need the resources for your next deposit. If your neighbors don't like you all they have to do is call the police, i.e. make a phony noise complaint, etc. and you will be evicted again. And again you will deliberate contacting an attorney who most likely will not get you any timely tangible results, but the hole in your pocket will continue to grow!
Tim in Ohio:cool:
P.S. Have you read Janis's autobiography? It took years for her attorney to make any headway with the IRS!

[DaveM]

That is on my mind, I will say. What I'd like to get is some sort of opinion from an attorney as to whether it is worth taking any action. Unfortunately, that has been difficult if not impossible to acquire. Since I am regarded by default as a domestic abuser, about half of my story is heard and I get a "let me get back to you".

If there is any action at all that I can pursue, I intend to do it, if for no other reason than to see if I can rid myself of the label.

[DaveM]

If your neighbors don't like you all they have to do is call the police, i.e. make a phony noise complaint, etc. and you will be evicted again.

A curious comment--was it intended as a friendly warning or as some sort of a threat? Why would I have any more reason than any other human being to live in fear of a false accusation? Granted, they do seem to be a popular currency at present, but I do find it interesting that someone should question my present work with an attorney and associate it with a completely unrelated "set up" involving my neighbors.

Perhaps I am reading too much into your post, but I have some questions about you, Tim. Especially since you showed up on the board less than a week after my ex pulled her last stunt. She knows I use this board and I self-censor much of what I say on here as a result. If by some chance she is using a third party to communicate with me, that is a violation of a court order and all involved are liable to criminal prosecution.

Just a word to the wise, and of course if I am wrong, my apologies in advance.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Whoa! Let me jump in here Dave. I believe you ARE reading more into this! And I get it. Tim hasn't been here that long and he doesn't know about your ex and all of the garbage she put you through over the years.

I hope to meet Tim next month if things go according to plan. Relax!!!!

{{{{Dave}}}

[DaveM]

Thanks Marcia--my apologies for the outburst. Some "odd" things have been going on lately which I believe to be the work of the ex, but cannot verify sufficiently to do anything about it. Add to that the fact that she used to go on and on about someone she talked with online who lived in Ohio and....well, I went off less than-half cocked. I am sorry--you folks have never let me down and I ought to know better by now.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Not a problem Dave. I thought a little "time out" would be helpful! We're all with ya here!!

Marcia :)