Signs of Fall

Ten points for the leaf that nailed this perfectly executed landing yesterday.

First Sign of Fall

I’d planned to let it stay — because I thought it cute; unfortunately, it flew off during the drive to the Pain Cave yesterday.

Second sign of Fall coming soon was when, in my unit minding my own business, I saw the wind blow a huge object onto the patio.

Instantly recognizing the object as Next-Door Neighbor’s patio umbrella, I knocked on her door, asked if she was missing anything from her patio.

She looked over towards her patio, seemed puzzled, so I said, "Your umbrella is on my patio".

"How in the world", said she.

She came over, strapped it tightly to its pole, took it home.

It was fortunate the top part landed on my patio, rather than the metal pole that might have damaged the screen or broken the patio window because, according to what Manager told us at that boring Community Meeting, it would have been considered damage to property that either I or Next-Door Neighbor would have had to pay for repairs.

One of the items on Manager’s list of complaints at that meeting was repairs costing the company too much. That in the future, us residents will be charged for repairs to our units ……… holes in the wall, the garbage disposal breaks down, the toilet refuses to flush, a lightbulb goes out, our responsibility now.

Holes in the wall, I knew about, made holes anyway, and am prepared to one day be charged for damages or claims to be made upon my family when I die.

Inasmuch as the garbage disposal is "not a food processor", we will be charged for repairs if maintenance determines it died from misuse.

If there is a problem with the toilet, we are to first try to solve the problem with a plunger. If we do not own a plunger (I can’t imagine not owning one), we are to purchase one because, if maintenance responds and fixes the problem with a plunger, we will be charged for the visit.

As far as replacing lightbulbs …… We will be charged for the new bulb. However, if we want to "go to Walmart, purchase a bulb", we have the option of installing the new bulb ourselves or putting in a workorder for maintenance to no cost install for us.

I can already see the lawsuits if some senior takes a fall trying to replace a lightbulb. Only Manager will then lie like a rug, "I never told them to do it themselves".

Third sign of Fall was my taking advantage of the cooler weather, getting off my lazy behind, got up and out walking early this morning — logging in 2 miles, 4,468 steps while listening to a mixture of country and K-Pop on the iPod ……… Morgan Wallen, Dasha’s new song Austin/Boots Stop Working, BTS, Stray Kids.

While out walking, I spotted Manager and Head Maintenance Guy ushering around an Inspector.

It’s that time of year again, when representatives of regulatory agencies inspect "20 percent of our apartments" to verify in compliance with qualification for federal tax credit program, which enables our rents to stay below market rents for this area.

There was only one Inspector, and he was in/out and off to parts unknown in record time.

The Activity Calendar indicated "12:30 – 1:00 Social: DIY Caramel Apples ……… Come to the Community Room to create and enjoy a gourmet caramel apple".

Sounded like fun, so down I went, arriving at 12:20, only to find the Gourmet Station consisted of a small container — empty already, that previously contained sliced apple bites and little cups of caramel to dip the apple bites in.

WTF!!!

Strike One for our new Activity Director.

As for management’s piddly shiz charges ………… bullcrap. If it's not in writing, not in the lease agreement, you're blowing smoke.

Put it in writing or STFU.

KAREN: I saw the TikTok you suggested a week or so ago on John’s Going Gently blog. Loved it then, loved seeing it again and …… If only we could.