looks like i'll be purchasing a car the beginning of next month, that is if i pass my driving test. of course, like almost everyone else, i'll have to take a loan out...already have one secured but my bro will be with me and is a charming haggler. he's a man's man...he played baseball in college and professionally in a minor league in PR and he even took part in the Pan Am games..played for PR. he's a really good man and everyone likes him. so... i'm sure he'll be able to get me a decent interest rate at the dealership...but i have a back-up plan already and waiting. next is insurance. i tried to comparison shop but it's kind of difficult to do that when A. you don't have a car and B. you don't have a license or record. i fear the worse. but whatever, i'll do what i have to do. it'll get done.
i might have a huge problem with regards to my landlady and security deposit. this past thursday, i was fed up with the noise coming from the lady upstairs and her tv set. the volume was too freakin' high. this was the first time i actually knocked on her door regarding the volume and she couldn't even hear me. i had to bang on her door and she wouldn't open it...i spent 5 minutes repeating who i was and why i was knocking on her door. she finally heard me and said that the tv wasn't on loud. i said i wasn't feeling well and that it was indeed loud and that i couldn't get to sleep. then i mentioned that i was told the tv would be moved to her livingroom but that obviously it hadn't been. she then hurled out statements that bordered on the ridiculous, "you're harasssing me, i'm getting a lawyer, i'm suing you" okay. i told her i'd call the landlady about this and went back downstairs. i had to cool off first because by this time, i had had it. months of wearing earplugs, falling asleep with the walkman on and not being able to sit in my livingroom on a sunday morning without listening to the guy downstair's hiphop so loud that the bass could actually interfere with a heart patients pacemaker... i'd had it...
while i was cooling down, the neighbor upstairs decides to knock on my door, proceeds to shout at me through the door and demand that i open the door...to which i replied, "oh, the way you opened the door for me a few minutes ago?" this sufficiently shut her up for a few seconds to actually consider that she had not afforded me the same courtesy. i opened the door and again, she was with the, "lawyer, sue, harrass, blah, blah, blah" there is no reasoning with a person in that kind of state, so i simply told her, "you do that." and shut the door. i still am perplexed as to why she had string...i cut her off before she could get into that insane story as i'm sure it was...i have to wonder, i'm a sucker for amusement.
i called the landlady, who has loosened up quite a bit with her civility since i've given her my 2 months notice. i let her know it too. i also let her know that as a tenant, i have the right to involve the police on persons disturbing the peace at an unreasonable hour. now she knows i'm doing tenant rights research. also, i have a right to enjoy my apartment...which is tough to do when every night i worry if i'll be able to get to sleep and often plan the best time (the most quiet time). i understand she can't control other people's behavior but dammit if i'm paying more rent and can't get to sleep because some idiot is not being mindful...especially when said person doesn't work and has all day to putz around. she tried to make it look like i'm the only person with complaints. i said, "oh like Sonia and Samantha?" names have been changed...
then i followed that up by mentioning the heat problem (basically no heat during that winter storm) and rodent problem. for good measure, i also let her know that it is a very irresponsible thing to do to suggest that tenants adopt cats to take care of a problem that she needs to take care of. that really hit a nerve...she responded with, "i won't let you talk to me that way"..what way is that? honest-alk? i didn't have a loud tone, said it matter-of-factly so the truth was what hurt her. she also mentioned that she was going to ask me to leave (before i gave notice) which strikes me as suspicious. did she put the neighbors up to making my life difficult so much so that i'd move? and what particular reason would she have to evict me anyhow? all the complaints i've had i've gone to her first. the dryer not working, heat, rodenticide use with regards to my cats, and noise...seems to me these issues are all valid and typical of a tenant to question or complain about.
anyhow, all i have to say at this point is...F*CK her. i'll fight it if she tries to keep my security. but a bad review will seem silly to anyone who finds out i've lived here for 5 years...they'll only question her why i was allowed to live there so long if i was such a rotten person...
this apartment when i moved in was horrendous. it's since been painted (i did half and paid for the primer and painting supplies) i've changed the deadbolt cartridge, i've added a chain lock, i've repaired the towel rack fixture in the bathroom, i clean and maintain it in good condition. if she keeps any money, well, all i have to say is that i can go to bed at night with no problem, can she?
i'm sure the neighbors above and below me will be joyous the day i'm finally gone. and what a prize they get...to pay a lazy-unreasonable landlady ridiculous amount of rent to house mice, a homeless man in winter, and soon enough their security deposits because she'll lose that civility when it's their time to move. good job champs and good luck.~~~~
i found a wonderful entry by sezrah, "audience of one" and it was a good thing to read for me today. let me know if this is not okay sezrah and i'll delete it
this is how it reads,
"this is my desire, my prayer, my cry that i live my life in the presence of others wreathed in kindness, that i walk before them and with them clothed in grace, integrity, love transparent, uncluttered, uncomplicated simplicity, unashamedly raw, that i remain true to myself and my personal calling, my own unique life journey, my intrinsic "vibe" that i fail not to be single-minded, that i keep my motives pure and guard my heart, that i love with everything i have, that i am named a true friend, trusted but above all, may i live life before an audience of one, seeking to please him alone, for to please another apart from him is childish folly, beating the air, boxing shadows, let it be more of You, less of me, step by step by step"
AMEN.