Opps ~ Late Morning Thoughts

Last night ~ at the last minute, there was dinner and a meeting with the boss which went on far too long. I'm sorry I didn't post, but I'll make it up tonight!!!

The Beginning -Complex Tales ~ Early Evening Thoughts

I had promised a number of posts ago, to start telling the "complex tales" about where I'm working. I've found my life once again full of delightful (and some not-so-delightful) people who can make my day more interesting than I ever thought possible.

Several weeks ago, when I hired on ~ one of the problems was maintenance...or rather the lack of it. We tried Toby in the job - and that didn't work out. I did have someone that lived at the complex who was versed in some of the skills that were needed, so it was decided to give him a try.

One of the first things anyone managing or doing anything at an apartment complex learns is how to drill a lock. Yes, sometimes you have to change locks for legal reasons (usually having to do with an eviction) and there is no key. It is not difficult to do - unless you don't do it correctly.

It was the end of the day, and R said that he would drill the lock for me - we were taking possession of an apartment that someone had vacated before the police were going to arrive. As he had never done this before, I showed him where to drill (there are two places) and how deep to drill (drilling for oil will only complicate the process). He repeated the where and the what for ~ and I started on my way home. I had to walk to the train to had downtown and then wait for a bus to carry me home. I had no sooner gotten to the train station when the first call came from R. Disaster evidently had struck.

I turned around and headed back to work. I arrived to find a very frustrated newbie maintenance man, metal shavings all over the porch - and a lock that looked as if it had been hit completely in the middle by a meteorite...there was a one and one half inch crater in the center of a three inch lock.

Now we are in a mess. The purpose of drilling in two places is to get the pins to loosen and eventually drop off and the lock gently, quietly and sweetly comes open. If not, you have to continue drilling in a circular pattern around the lock hoping that the screws from the inside will eventually drop out and you can twist the lock open.

Literally 12 ~ yes ~ twelve holes later, one of the screws drops - but the lock pins are holding strong. I now have a newbie maintenance man with steam coming out of his ears and if not-gentle conversation from him could have melted the lock ~ it would have.

I decided that the time for direct action had finally arrived. I really didn't think the second screw was going to drop, the pins were there for the duration and I really didn't have anymore time to mess with it. Since the drill was made of metal - I delivered several strong blows with the side of the drill to the lock casing ~ and the second screw dropped. And we were home free...except for the 2nd lock. Looking at R I asked if he was OK doing he next one. He assured me he was and with a quick motion of the drill, he began. It was success!!

I took out the sword of management and dubbed him "no longer newbie" on the spot...and again wended my way home. I also would never admit to him that the first lock I ever drilled on a vacant apartment ~ we ended up kicking the door in because I made such a mess of it. I have SOME pride left after all!!!

---more to follow

All That Glitters ~ Early Evening Thoughts

The decision to move was not an easy one to make. I had accepted a new job with a company that rents apartments by the week. While an interesting concept, and one that seemed to have validity, I was concerned about the number of managers the property had been through in the last period of time. In "digging" into the situation, I decided that it was something I would be able to handle and something that I could make work.

Any position with short term rentals, be it apartments or hotels, the speed at which things happen can really overwhelm managers. In the weekly rental "game" - you will do in one week what apartment managers do in four weeks. There is little or no room for "sliding" on revenue ~ there is not place to easily work with someone when they become behind on their rent. This was one of my major concerns. I have always been a manager that was concerned about revenue protection. To me, it is much more profitable to work with someone to get the money owed than to immediately do an eviction and have the lost revenue while an apartment sits empty and the process of eviction wends it course.

The decision was made that the process would work, and that I could make a "go" of what was in front of me. Fortunately, time has proved me correct (so far) and my collections and revenue are where they need to be.

The push was to have me move on-site. This is a situation fraught with peril. Once tenants know you live on-site, they have a tendency to call you for any situation minor or major. Of course, the major situations are important. The fact that the door of the cupboard over the sink isn't closing tightly isn't.

I have a friend who managed a very large complex and lived on-site. She actually issued to tenants a "blood, flood, fire" memo. She told them that if they knocked on her door after 8pm in the evening - it had better involve blood, a flood or a fire. Otherwise, it was going to involve blood...and very quickly.

The move itself to the complex should have been quite simple, however ~ being me ~ it was anything but simple. The first load was on Saturday, and all seemed well. Then the skies opened up and the deluge began. (Maybe the heavens were trying to tell me something!) It was decided that the rest of the move would occur on Sunday. This was a good thing - as it gave me a little more time to prepare.

As one of the loads was heading down the highway, one of my craft bags opened up and there was a trail of glitter flowing from the bed of the pick-up truck. I informed the people helping me move, that the first person who made a comment about fairy dust was going to be hurt ~ badly!!
Then came the saga of the dresser. It was too large to be lifted over the obstacles in the way and appeared too large to fit though the doors (which seemed to be designed for those hiding doors you see in old movies). Finally, with much swearing and sweating it was ensconced in its place and all was well.

Unfortunately, my apartment now looks as if it is the remnants of a garage sale - and I have much to dig through and sort through. I think that by Friday I will be able to find some clothes to wear and maybe even some dishes to eat off of!!

Dare I Say Disheveled!!! ~ early evening thoughts

I don't know how accurate this is ~ but I was told yesterday that it has rained for 41 days in Houston. I would believe it. Yesterday, I was trying to get all my "stuff" from one place to another. The first load went without a problem ... until about half way there, the sky opened and we had another deluge. So much for moving anything else!

Today, it took four trips (20 miles round trip each) and a lot of huffing and puffing - but everything is IN the new apartmet. Unfortunately, I look like a storage shed and will be spending the next couple of days unpacking and finding things. I did try and keep things somewhat collected where they belonged. I will admit that the word is "somewhat."

However ~ it is wonderful to be this close to work AND to all my friends. This also means that it will be MUCH easier to keep you posted about what's going on in my life and the lives of those around me.

Until I get my own internet, I'm unable to to much with pictures, so bear with me as far as having text only.

---more tomorrow

And So It Begins ~ Moving Thoughts

It is official - today I am starting to move. I will be living in the complex I am managing, and that will be a wonderful blessing of no travel time (from the living room to the office is 4 steps)...and being able to handle and observe more of what's going on around.

Unfortunately, I will be unavailable today (07.07.07) until late Sunday (07.08.07). And the move also means I will have more time to blog and spill the beans share the stories of what is going on in my life and the lives of those around me!!

And Your Little Dog Too! ~ Early Morning Thoughts

One of my daily read favorite blogs is called "Don't MAKE Me Get My Flying Monkeys!" I have to admit that the very first time I saw the title, I had to repress an enormous urge to shout: "I'll get you and your little dog too!!!" As I have followed the blog over time, I have have found out just what a delightful person Laurie is and those connected to her as well.

Laurie ~ you have kept all of us so updated on your life, and then you began the series involving Dale and ALL that he has been going through in the hospital (to say nothing of your (1) hysterically (2) described (3) trip (4) - well, the drive (5) anyway - to get there). While convincing me all the more, that a hospital is not exactly the place to get well ... at least Dale has been surrounded by love, care, concern, hope and a decided lack of fear. (If anyone hasn't read it - now would be a good time to click on the link above ~ or the one -->RIGHT HERE<-- )

Now, you are faced with the wrenching problem of having to leave for a time.

As much as I hate to leave Dale in this condition, I have work duties that have to be taken care of. Making the decision to go is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I don't see any way out of it and it is breaking my heart.

I know just how difficult that decision has been and is for you. There is such a sense of feeling that you will not be there -- and not be there for Dale. However (comma) I want you to assure Dale:

I may not be physically present,
but my spirit remain.
My hope
is ringing
the hospital bed
on which
you
lie.

I may not be physically present,
but my concern
and love remain.
That love
has seeped
into the walls
around
the hospital bed
on which
you
lie.


I may not be physically present,
but my thoughts
and belief remain.
They will shine
from the corners above
the hospital bed
on which
you
lie.

I may not be physically present,
but I will see you
at every turn,
I will see you
in a stranger's smile,
a word of greeting,
a moment of silence.
I will hear your voice
as I look out over
the valley,
as the cats play
terminator with
their cat pole,
and
as the wind comes across
my face
in the mornings.

No, I may not be
physically present ~
but I'll be (insert favorite "cuss" here)>)
if you're going to
be
rid
of
me ~ yet!
---wd

(An aside to Wolf:)

As you know, I play a character on World of Warcraft ... allow him to imbue your armor with +25 stamina, your chest plate with +16 Int, +5 Crit. I'm going to add +22 healing to your armbands and +16 healing to your ring of defense. Go forth young Warrior!!

--picture of the flying monkey was labeled as a Mattel toy. I'm sorry I don't know the date of manufacture.
--seeping light picture from www.theleggett.com/index.php?tag=art

I'm Confused ~ Early Morning Thoughts

I have been working on a post - and for some reason, parts of it keep "vanishing" when I save or try to publish.....It's a little late (early?) and I'll get the problem solved later this morning ...

Male Or Female ~ Only The Gender Genie Knows For Sure

Calling All Bloggers/Writers:

Is your writing masculine or feminine? Did you ever wonder? Does it really matter?

Here's a quick assessment tool that really is quite fun. I had a great chuckle at the results.

Find something you have written (it's best if it's over 500 words in length - supposedly it will be more accurate!) and click --->HERE<---. There is a box to paste what you've written - then ask for the analysis - and the first screen looks like this (click on the image to see larger picture):

Which is followed by a detailed analysis of the words used:


Makes for some interesting thinking....

Oh Wow! PB & J In Japanese ~

Here is the original post (from Valentine's Day)~



And here is the translated version ~



That brought a huge smile to my face ~ I don't know how accurate the translation is,but it looks great!!!

Blogging Is Better Then ~

A number of years ago (in a galaxy far away) a dessert called "better than sex" became very, very popular. Of course, that lead to so many things being called better then sex.

Yesterday I ran across this delightful post by Engtech and I laughed and chuckled for quite some time (even at the party last night I was still chuckling about it).

5 Reasons Why Blogging Is Better Than Sex (With Me)
(Please don't call the SPCA)

1. Reason number one

• Blogging: I can connect anonymously with thousands of strangers a day.
• Sex: I can connect anonymously with thousands of strangers a day *IF* I move to New York City.
  

2. Reason number two

• Blogging: Technorati will show all the people who are linked to me and it doesn’t make me look like a big slut.
• Sex: Six degrees of Paris Hilton. (as one of his comments said: that's enough to make me celibate)

3 Reason number three

• Blogging: I can get the cat involved without the horribly judging eyes of friends and strangers.
• Sex: Fur is hard to clean

4. Reason number four

• Blogging: Increased visibility means more page views and a larger audience.
• Sex: Increased visibility means someone is going to call the cops

5. Reason number five

• Blogging: Googlebot will crawl your pages quite often and share them with the world.
• Sex: Googlebot never calls you back.