Roll Call

Another quiet few days gone at the speed of light.

Only 1,394 days to go.

My only sighting of a resident, since Silver Fox caught up with me on Saturday, has been TinTin, the resident who moved into Patty the Smoker’s downstairs across the quad unit after Patty was evicted in 2023.

Passing each other on the walkway yesterday, TinTin announced she'll be moving next month.

Strangely evasive when I asked, "Why are you moving", she had no problem telling me where she was moving to, even gave me the name and telephone number of the property in Redlands.

Once back in my unit, I researched the property online, and it is quite nice ……… not like little boxes inside a big box the powers that be like to house us seniors, but a large open aired community like here, two stories like here, pool like here, washer dryer in the unit, an extra we don’t have, a fitness center we don’t have, Clubhouse with free Wi-Fi we don’t have, tons of activities and good reviews of management we don’t have.

I’d definitely be interested except, my being in the gray area where I’m considered over income, I’d not have the break in rent TinTin will get. I’d have to pay the full several thousand that I can’t afford to pay.

Too bad Red Light didn’t know about this community before she got stuck in the hoity toity community, with the luxurious units, where she’s bored, lonely, unhappy.

As I understand it, the Section 8 people have a lot of flexibility …… after living one year in a spot, they can easily relocate again. So maybe Red Light will find something more suitable when her year is up.

But for the fact, Red Light is raw since all that Facebook drama over being told she can no longer attend bingo here, would for sure misread my intent, I’d text her, let her know about that Redlands community.

At any rate, will be interesting to see what kind of blog fodder the new resident will bring to the table after TinTin leaves.

TinTin has hit the jackpot. So, I hope she doesn’t blow it by continuing that ghetto thing of tin foil, cardboard, fabric, paper, sticks, et. al., she does with her window.

As far as I know, everyone else in the quad is solid.

The Nice Old Guy, living upstairs across the quad doesn’t get out much but seems to be doing the best he can, on his walker, when I do see him out on the walkway.

His next-door neighbor — the guy that moved into the upstairs corner Bad Energy Unit, seems to have beaten the curse.

After having seen whatever apparition exists there cause the lives and physicality of four residents rather quickly deteriorate and eventually fall completely apart, he’s the only one to remain hale and hardy.

After not seeing him for months, I was beginning to wonder when, a few weeks ago, I finally did catch him heading out. He was beaming, said I'd not seen him because he's generally out early and had just returned from vacationing on a cruise ship trip to Acapulco.

So, whatever apparition is up there, either likes him or has moved on, because he's doing just fine.

After yesterday’s workout, I popped into the market, where I paid a fortune for salmon and a few veggies, no eggs needed.

Heading back to the car, I was approached by an older panhandler.

When he asked for money, I shook my head "no", but then remembered I had that found money in the car’s visor, so I said, "Oh wait!", had him follow me and donated to "the next panhandler that asks for money", as I said I would when I found the $20 bill on the floor of Ralph’s market last month.

The old panhandler hit up a few more customers, was successful with two, before I saw him hurriedly cross the lot, head for the bus stop.

He appeared to be working on a schedule, a pro, knew exactly how long he had to continue panhandling before the next bus arrived, because he timed it perfectly ……… not two minutes after he got to the stop the bus pulled up.

Up Close and Personal

Got a call from the Talker late Wednesday evening. "Did you move?" she asked.

"No, but I want to" said I.

Actually, I’m over that itch I had a few months ago to move.

After researching other living options, finding they were too expensive and many had the same management issues as here, some even worse, weren’t open space units like here but instead were built like little boxes stacked inside a big box, where I’d suffocate and be bored; and taking in consideration here is affordable, I have a great view from my patio and bedroom windows, how no one really bothers me, I let go of that itch.

I’m better off where I am.

So, anyway, I said to Talker "No, but I want to. Why do you ask?".

Turns out, rumor was I’d moved and, after being asked by several residents "Did Shirley move?", she decided to give me a call, find out for herself.

After confirming I’d not moved, Talker asked "Why would they think that?".

Nearest I can figure is, when the workers came to repair the patio that morning, they’d removed the patio furniture.

During the hours they worked on the patio, residents saw there was no furniture on my patio, observed two worker types going in/out of the unit for hours, put two and two together and came up with three ……… Shirley moved.

The Grapevine worked overtime that day, but with the patio furniture now back in place, that rumor has been put to bed.

Now that the concrete damage has been repaired, Adirondack chair back in place, it’s too bad I can’t enjoy the patio. Those dreaded lizards have taken a liking to the new concrete.

I can’t even leave the patio window open for air, as I fear the little bastids will squeeze through the screen, get inside.

There’s a baby lizard that keeps parking itself on the outside steps and, when I returned from a trip to Sprouts this morning, I saw two adults on the patio.

It’s a nice warm day and I really need the patio window open, so I went online to research "How to keep lizards away from the porch".

Google said, "If you have cayenne powder, hot peppers, or hot sauce, you have the key ingredients for a lizard deterrent. Fill a bowl or measuring cup with 2 cups of warm water. Stir the mixture well, then pour it into an empty spray bottle".

I have Chinese chili pepper powder in the cupboard — don’t know how hot it is because I was afraid to try it on my sensitive gut after going through the expense of special ordering it.

I’ve mixed the powder with water, sprayed the porch, so we’ll see how it goes with keeping the lizards away, so I can open the window.

Hubba Hubba Awooga Silver Fox resurfaced earlier.

If you will recall, he’s the resident that moved in August of 2024, that the women were all gaga about. The ladies described him as mixed with First Nation Indian Blood and some other blood type, wore a ponytail, which blood mixture and ponytail made him "too handsome for words".

He quickly was labeled "really mean/antisocial" because, as a result of thirsty women around here bothering him, he’d pronounced, "I’m sick and tired of women always chasing me".

I’ve seen him around a time or two or three and each time I sensed a devilish glint in his eye and a little flirting when he looked at me.

I've been careful to keep him at a distance by presenting myself as a polite, neighborly ice maiden.

Today was the first time he's caught me off guard. I didn't see him coming, reacted without thinking to chill, instead greeted him with a warm friendly "Hey" and a smile.

I was returning to the complex from Sprouts, getting out of the car, heard a voice, looked over. He was standing the usual polite distance away, on the walkway, but when I greeted him with a smile and a warm friendly tone in my voice, it was like a magnet drew him over to where I was standing at the car door.

When he got to where I was standing, I said something like, "How are things going for you?"

Don’t recall what he said, but he asked me how I felt about all this stuff going around about social security.

"It’s going to decimate this place", said I.

He said he was trying not to worry, and what followed was a pleasant and interesting conversation about what’s going on.

I gotta tell you. It was an oddity to find someone around here whose world extended outside these gates.

He was standing so up close and personal, as he talked, that I couldn’t help but check him out. Though I wouldn’t classify him as Hubba Hubba Awooga Silver Fox, I found him easy on the eyes — tall, good body, nice eyes, nice smile.

He reads as a "player", but players are not boring and, as I prefer being alone, I can't be played, wouldn't mind getting to know him.

As our conversation ended, he prepared to continue on to his car and I to my unit, he all of a sudden said, "Let me give you a hug".

The fact that I allowed his rather lengthy warm hug and told him, “You smell nice” (he did) speaks to my flirting back and signaling to him a willingness to have further talks; but he'll have to catch me when he can.

Patio window is now open to let fresh air in, and I’m not seeing any lizards, so I guess the pepper powder spray is working.

That’s One

When I texted the Baker about bouncing out of bingo, Red Light happened to be in the Baker’s unit.

Red Light had earlier attended bingo and evidentially was hanging around Baker’s unit when my text came in.

I’d like to know what was discussed between the two of them, which prompted Red Light to text me yesterday asking if my reason for doing so was her …… that I didn’t want to come because she was attending.

Girl, please.

Super annoying that she'd think I care whether she, who relocated to a fancy luxury apartment some time ago, keeps coming back — continues to make her way over here to attend bingo, hang out.

In fact, it just recently crossed my mind, and puzzled me when I thought about how many residents I've seen move out and then, sometimes years later, put in an application. Some were successfull, moved back, others were denied.

Why return to the scene of the crime?

What's the appeal?

Are other senior living facilities that bad?

Just last week, I saw my Buddy Apache, bold as brass visiting a guy friend on the property, in violation of the restraining order management took out on him; and he was doing so during daylight hours when staff was still around to spot him.

I wanted to go down and say hey, but I was inappropriately dressed at the time.

It was just the week before when I spied Bicycle Boy lurking in the area.

People just keep coming back so, to me, Red Light is just one of many.

At any rate, That’s one, thought I to myself when Red Light texted for an explanation.

Actually, that's two because Baker also initially sought an explanation …… did someone say something to upset me.

Thinking Red Light’s question, about she being the reason, was too ridiculous to warrant a response, I brushed it off, didn’t respond.

Then today, I got to thinking …… Red Light is good at getting everyone’s personal business circulating on the grapevine. If I give her an explanation, she’ll be sure to spread it around, save the need for others to seek me out for an explanation.

So, I replied, "I like doing the flyers and web page. It's just that I don't enjoy sitting playing bingo as much as you others do and just don't want to do that part any longer".

Hopefully, that’s the end of it, but I doubt it.

In other news, I saw one of those Nazi Trucks when I was out and about yesterday.

It appeared to be undamaged, but I bet the driver is worried because folks are taking their frustrations at the maker out on the owners — Tesla’s and Nazi Trucks are being keyed, damaged with graffiti spray paint.

It’s not right, but I understand.

Trippin

The power company is tripping.

Power did indeed go out again last night, with an estimate of off from 9:30 to 7:00 this morning.

Seven a.m. came and went with no power but, as of 8:30 this morning, not 7:00, we’re good, power on.

This drip drip drip, power off/power on, is beginning to annoy.

I guess I shouldn’t complain, be grateful instead because, according to the power company, many in other areas haven’t had their power restored since that initial outage.

At any rate, with not the restored Tik Tok available on my phone last night, I gave Red Note another try and take back everything I said about not liking it.

A lot of the content creators I followed on Tik Tok are now on Red Note, so it’s beginning to feel like business as usual. Plus, the algorism is beginning to grasp what I like to see.

An additional plus are the language teachers that are not only welcoming us to the platform but, in an effort to get followers, are giving language lessons.

So far, I’ve only learned how to say hello in Mandarin (Ni hao), but it’s a start.

I can't believe I'm saying this, thinking this, feeling this but, after spending my entire life in California, I'm about ready to get the hell out of here.

The power outages, the constant threat of fire on Little Mountain, a recent maintenance issue that is traumatizing me, continuing family dramas, and other issues, are pushing me to relocate, get away from everything and everyone.

I've actually been searching, but inasmuch as I'm in that financial gray area ... too far over income to lease a unit in another income restricted complex, but not enough income to afford the high rents in other senior complexes I've researched in surrounding California cities, I'm ready to consider another state.

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.

Fresh Tea

Just when it began looking like things were going to be dull around here, nothing to post for a while, on my way to the trash receptacle earlier today, I ran into Ms Neighbor (aka mom) — mother of Compton and Gandalf. She was transferring clothes, neatly hung on hangers to her car.

"Are you moving?" asked I.

"Not until end of the year" said she.

Inasmuch as I’d already surmised she wasn’t living here full time, just checking in from time to time, the act of moving clothes out must be because she’s taking them to wherever it is she’s spending her time — a boyfriend’s place or her daughter’s home.

At any rate, I asked why she was moving end of the year and she went off on a tirade about the Complex Manager. Said she can’t get along with her, that Manager is rude, doesn’t do anything and is a liar.

Compton was sitting in his car, parked backwards, facing the walkway, watching his mom and I in conversation. When mom said, "She’s a liar", mom elaborated that the lie was about "my son" and, as mom said "my son" she turned and pointed towards Compton still sitting in his car observing.

That must have unnerved Compton. Probably though I was ratting him out to mom about leaving that note on my door to call/text him (I’m no rat. He's behaved since, so I’d never), because he got out of the car, walked over to listen to what we were talking about.

His mom said she’d gone to the office to complain about the $81 rent increase, had told manager, "FOR WHAT?! YOU DON’T DO ANYTING. I’M STILL WAITING FOR MY CEILING FAN TO BE FIXED!"

Not smart to yell at Manager. I've seen folks evicted/banned from the property in the past for that crime. Better to be calm, patient, use finesse to outwit outplay outlast.

Evidently Complex Manager is of the mindset that the best defense is an offense, so instead of addressing the complaint about the increase and her not doing her job, Manager turned the topic to mom’s son. ("Son", hahaha, because the two look so much alike I guess manager, like I did for some time, didn’t realize it’s sons, two of them).

Mom said Manager got loud and said, "I WANT YOUR SON OUT OF HERE TODAY OR I’M CALLING THE POLICE!"

Right away, I'm thinking Compton made advances towards another female resident and she had reported him. But no, Manager's beef with Compton was "HE YELLED AT MY ASSISTANT AND HER HUSAND!"

Mom says she later asked her son (Compton) about the purported incident and he said he never saw the Assistant or her husband.

Mom then went to the Assistant and her husband, asked them about the purported incident. They said it never happened.

What purpose was it for Manager to tell a bald faced lie?

I'm beginning to understand why residents and her own staff do not like her, are not comfortable around her.

This confrontation Mom had with Manager happened sometime last week/week before. Compton is still here, so I guess Manager calling the cops was an empty threat.

Mom went on to say, during the shout fest with Manager, in questioning the rent increase she’d asked what’s in the lease about these increases; whereupon Manager said, "We don’t have leases here anymore".

Well, that’s interesting, and may explain why so many residents are getting away with things I knew to be Lease Violations in the past because, if "We don’t have leases here anymore", then there are no restrictions, no Lease Violations.

Next Door Neighbor walked up on the conversation I was having with Mom — Compton standing to the side listening.

It was my cue to exit stage left when NDN and mom began talking about all the complaints they and others have about Manager and how it is "She needs to go".

With nothing to add to the conversation, as Manager has thus far been nice to me — probably nice to me because my contacts with her have been via email ... I long ago found it wise to keep a paper trail on our various managers, I finished my trek to the dumpster, headed back to my unit, logged onto the laptop to blog this latest tea while still fresh.

So as it stands, if mom and her sons are not evicted for whatever lie Manager can fabricate in the interim, it’s looking like Ms. Neighbor, Compton and Gandalf will be outta here end of the year.

The Wait is Over

According to the "30-Day Notice to Change the Terms of your Rental Agreement" posted to my door yesterday, the rent increase I’ve been dreading jumps to an additional $81 beginning September 1.

Considering the level of greed other rental communities have been experiencing, and the fact the County received a $500 increase, for those they support on the complex back in November, $81 isn’t bad.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, I can't help but wonder if that FBI Raid on Cortland Management/Real Page over algorithmic price-fixing collusion to raise rents nationwide, I blogged about last month, caused Corporate to tread carefully, keep the increase within a reasonable range.

In other news, logging onto TikTok yesterday evening, I find I’ve 38 followers.

Interesting, especially since there’s nothing to see there, nothing in my profile — no videos, no content whatsoever. I’m just a lurker.

My sick sense of humor is especially fond of watching funny scare pranks.

So, with nothing to see there and no plans to be anything other than a lurker, I cannot but wonder …… why are people following me?

To top it off, I noticed one of the 38 is White Grandma (granddaughter’s mother in law).

First of all, I’m impressed White Grandma (WG) even knows about TikTok, knew how to log on and follow.

Second of all, WG is not someone you want following you on social media, knowing anything about where you go, what you do with your life.

Not the most pleasant human being — critical, judgmental, it’s all about her privileged Karen type, WG has caused so much distress for the kids (granddaughter and grandson-in-law), that she initially got herself banned from my great-grandson’s (her grandson’s) 2-year birthday party back in May.

After an intervention where the kids explained to WG what is and what is not acceptable behavior if she wants to be a part of their life, WG was reinvited to the party where she was warm and comfortable to be around.

But I ain’t trusting the intervention to take.

You know the adages ……… can’t teach an old dog new tricks, once a snake always a snake, buyer beware; so I would block her on TikTok, as I did when, some time ago, I became aware she was following me on Instagram, but inasmuch as there’s nothing to see there on TikTok, she can continue to waste her time following me to her heart’s content.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Red Light never posted photos from her birthday party. However, that day last week when I went outside to chat with Talker, I learned Talker did go to the party, took Elvis (my buddy Apache’s remaining friend here on the complex) and one other resident with her.

It was just those three in attendance and the party was described as "okay", said in a way that translated to sad/meh.

Probably why Red Light posted nothing on Facebook.

Talker described Red Light’s new community as "boring" …… the complex itself, the way the buildings are arranged …… "boring".

Evidently, the grass is not greener on the other side.

Talker says Red Light’s unit is really spacious/luxurious inside (it should be at $2,300 a month, paid for by the County), but once you step out the door all you see are rows of one-story units across from each other with a walkway between, nothing else; which Talker compared to here, where there’s space to walk around, as "boring".

Doesn’t sound like the kind of community where Red Light can spread her activity director wings, take charge, get anything going, boss others around.

From the number of people she invited, who rsvp’d couldn't make it, I’m getting the distinct impression Red Light is already bored, missing the community she had here. I wonder if she might one-day return, as many have done in the past.

I’ve often had that thought — that should I be so fortunate as to one day be able to afford to live elsewhere, would I end up bored to tears confined in one of those wall enclosed box-like senior complexes built like hotels with long corridors, or a complex like the one described by Talker — confined in luxury, somewhat isolated, not knowing my neighbors.

Though some of the goings on right now are not ideal, I like my unit, I like my patio, I like the complex grounds, I like the options I have for contact with others, never feel lonely or bored.

Monday was cra cra. Started off with seeing Compton once again parked backwards in his parking spot, facing forward towards the walkway when I headed out for that morning’s workout.

From there, the day got weird when, returning prepared to take the long way around to my unit, I pivoted to my direct route when I saw Bicycle Boy (BB) coming through the gate this side of the complex.

BB lives way on the other side, so seeing him come through the gate on this side prompted me to take notice.

He’d been on this side shortly after Shadow passed, and a resident in Shadow’s quad said she watched as BB had angrily destroyed the shrine they’d left for Shadow — took the glass rosary candle, smashed it on the concrete, tossed the flowers.

My guess is Shadow’s not being the type to take crap had been the one person on the complex BB could not terrorize. Shadow had probably put the fear of God in BB so, now that word had gotten to him that Shadow was no longer alive, BB came all the way over here to make sure Shadow was gone, saw the shrine, took out the rage he felt toward Shadow that he didn’t dare express while Shadow was alive — a "Take That ……… I’ll Show You!" thing.

Not wanting to be targeted by BB herself, the resident who saw BB doing the destruction said nothing to him. Just hid away in her unit, watched and next day rebuilt the shrine.

I would have hidden and watched as well; but seeing BB on this side of the complex, I paused at the end of the walkway to see if he was headed in the direction of the rebuilt shrine.

He wasn’t.

Compton must have been sitting in his car watching me watch BB because, when I paused, Compton cranked the engine, started the car to make noise, draw my attention in his direction.

He did not start the car and drive away. He just turned on the engine, then turned it off when I failed to look over, did not react to the sound.

The day got weirder still when I later had to make a run to Walmart to get a memory card for the security camera I was installing in the widow. Compton, still sitting in the car, turned on the headlights when he saw me.

Upon my return, thinking Compton was probably still sitting in the car, I took the long way back to my unit.

Compton wasn’t in the car, he was inside his/his mom’s unit; but I didn’t know that until, halfway up the stairs, I heard him open the door.

I don’t think I made much noise as I started up the stairs to alert him of my presence, yet and still, I heard him open the door.

I didn’t pause to see if he came outside to say something to me; maybe ask why I'd not called/texted. I just kept on stepping. When I reached my door, I heard him close his.

Weird.

I’m not afraid of Compton. I don't read him as dangerous or threatening, more like annoying.

He’s just young and dumb, playing a silly game like the little boy in school who does things to get a particular girl to notice him, except we’re all grown now, one of us more grown and wiser than the other. Compton has no idea who he’s playing games with.

I’m trying to be nice, don’t want to stir things up with his mom or lodge a complaint with management. Besides, except for that note, Compton really hasn’t done anything that’s provable; has done nothing that can’t easily be explained away by him or denied.

So, I’m just going to hold my peace, wait for whatever phase he’s going through to pass, until I record him doing something provable, something that can’t be explained away.

If and when we get to that point, I'll have no choice but to go Anne Marie on his ass.

Happy Birthday America

Insofar as I know, there’s not a lot going on around here in terms of celebrating, and it’s going to be too hot for me to step outside, check the pool area to see if I'm wrong.

I do know the pool has been busy this week, not only with little Knock Knock’s family, but I saw a couple other groups — children accompanied by adults I've not seen around before, going to/from the pool.

So much for the new pool rule — "residents only and only two guests per resident".

No matter to me the rule is not being followed, because I don’t live over the pool to be disturbed by the hoop and holler of kids. If I did live over the pool, it still would be no matter to me, as I like the sound of kids enjoying themselves.

On Tuesday, I found an Activity Calendar for this month attached to the door.

I didn’t notice it until 10:30 a.m., glanced at it briefly and saw there was a 4th of July event scheduled for the Community Room THAT MORNING — "Social 4th of July celebration: Come celebrate 4th of July in the Community Room and enjoy a donut! 10:00 am – 11:30 am".

Really? A whole donut? Golly gee wow, management went all out, bared no expense.

With such late notice, I figured few, if any, had seen the Calendar posted to their doors: ergo, few would show up. So, I quickly threw on my summer outfit, headed down to check things out.

I was correct — few were in attendance, actually three ladies, one being the Baker.

The one box of store-bought donuts was festive though. Had red/white/blue sprinkles on them, LOL.

It was there, in the Community Room, I learned why we’d had no Activity Calendar posted to our doors last month ………… we didn’t have an Activity Director last month, she’d quit. We now have a new AD.

I do not have high hopes of the new AD getting things up and moving around here insofar as activities for us seniors, not just because though money is budgeted for activities but not always provided to the AD, but because, according to her, she has no experience, doesn’t know what is generally or usually done as an AD.

The Baker has taken it upon herself to work with this new AD, make suggestions. So, we’ll see how it goes because folks around here really need something to do with their time.

This became apparent to me when Little Knock Knock knocked knocked knocked on the door yesterday, and I went downstairs to gossip chat with Grandma Talker.

Hearing voices, Next Door Neighbor actually walked out onto her patio to listen. Didn't say anything, just looked/listened.

I don't know who lives in the upstairs unit across the quad directly adjacent to mine, because in all these years, I've never seen that person open their blinds.

However, not only did NDN come out, as Talker and I were chatting, but I saw the blinds AND window open on that unit.

When all one has is to jump up, run to the patio and/or open the window to see who's talking, what's being said, they really need something to do with their time.

The month of June has come/gone and still no sign of the usual rent increase.

It’s too much to hope that means we’ll not get an increase this year, it will come but, inasmuch as 30-days’ notice has to be given, the longer they delay the bad news is to our benefit of an additional month at the current rate.

The lady that moved into Red Light’s unit continues to get special care by the County, which makes me think she might be ill.

Looks can be deceiving, one never knows what another is challenged with, so though she doesn’t look ill, just appears very fragile, something is amiss because first there was her being personally moved in by the County, with what looked to be new furniture provided by the County and now, a day or so ago I saw a woman in a County car bring her a cart full of groceries.

Compton and I continue to avoid each other, but that means there’s no chance of my getting a photo for you to marvel at ………… him???? that scrawny kid???? all he did was bring in a box, it wasn't like he gave you a kidney, what did he think that was worth in return???

So, anyway, I'll be celebrating the 4th with my usual daily activities of needlepoint, catching up on recorded TV shows, and I'll round the day off with a Carrot Dog, maybe two.

I did, over the weekend, give myself a patriotic mani/pedi.

I leave you with Little Edie’s (Grey Gardens) tribute to the day.

I never get tired of Little Edie's dance and the story/history of Grey Gardens.

Price-Fixing Collusion to Raise Rents 😮

It appears Mistress Maddie hit the nail on the head in his response to my questioning why management would continue to raise rent, resulting in more empty units when he commented "Maybe they figure they can turn and burn you. In other words, we won't do any extras, increase the rents so people leave, and have a new people come in, they can ask for absorbent rent" because, according to today’s FBI Raid on Cortland Management over algorithmic price-fixing collusion to raise rents across the country and keep apartments empty is exactly what’s been going on.

My understanding of the way it’s been working is that say there are 10 people interested in renting 10 units. If the price is set to 1,000 a month, all 10 would rent, netting management 10,000 a month. But if the price is set at 3,500 a month, only 3 people can afford to still pay that, and management profits slightly more.

Despite filling only 3/10 units, it's better for greedy management to price units at 3,500 since instead of making 10,000 from 10 people, they make 10,500 from 3.

According to what I’ve been reading about the raid on Cortland, though that particular management company is based in Atlanta and Arizona, the criminal probe of rent increases is going nationwide as the price-fixing is being facilitated through a program called RealPage, a software and consulting firm that allegedly has been orchestrating price-fixing among property management groups nationwide, resulting in high rents, housing shortages, homelessness.

Naturally, I tried to find out if our Corporate Office/Management Team is involved with RealPage, and soon to also be investigated by the FBI.

No way to know for sure until I see the actual list of all management companies being investigated, but I did learn RealPage has offices a hop skip away, in Irvine, California. So, I’m thinking probably yes.

Will be interesting to see how this impacts what's been going on around here with empty units and rent increases.

Monday Already?

Time is flying by at warp speed.

It was busy busy busy over the weekend, as I finished the great grandbaby's 3rd Creative Memories scrapbook.

Can't say that meant I was all caught up because, with so many pics of the world’s most photographed baby, I had to start a 4th.

Then, with so many photos of the baby shower/Sprinkle and prenatal photos of the soon to be born baby sister, I decided to start a separate Bump to Baby scrapbook and began toying around with materials for the beginning title page.

Bump to Baby: We're Cooking up Something Special

I really truly need a 2nd bedroom to be used for crafts but, inasmuch as I'm already over income would not be able to effectuate such a transfer.

When residents need more space, transfer from a 1-bedroom to a 2-bedroom, they apply as a new tenant, then go on a waiting list to vie with others around here who want more space.

The fact that I am over income would disqualify me from applying as a new tenant.

In fact, the only reason I'm still able to remain living here is because I'm grandfathered in by reason of becoming over income a few years AFTER qualifying and moving in.

Assistant Manager once told me that I could win the lottery and still remain living here because of grandfathered status. That being said, it bugs me that I still have to go through the annual recertificate process where the office gets into my financials on the basis of deciding if I still qualify, then make statements such as "I don't have what you have".

I technically don't still qualify but, since I'm grandfathered in, why go through the process?

It's illogical.

So anyway, rents being so outrageous elsewhere, annoying as management can sometimes be, I feel fortunate to be in this, currently for me, affordable living situation.

Over the weekend, I also put the almost finishing touches on my Holiday shopping.

Starbucks

Two gift cards, both for Trainer … one for Thanksgiving, another for Christmas.

I passed on the usual gift card for the mail carrier because every day it’s a new face lately. I’m constantly on pins and needles as to whether the key to the lock box, where packages are stored, will get to my mailbox or be misdelivered. So, unless and until we get some consistently good service around here, I’m done with giving gift cards in appreciation, like I used to do for our former carrier.

The great grandbaby — aka Young Skywalker as I like to call him, not yet two years old, already has everything, including a spaceship.

His mom and dad, already pressed for space for the new baby — expected to be delivered soon, will now have to find space for the airplane I’ll be gifting to Young Skywalker.

Fearing the airplane would sell out if I waited closer to the holiday, I purchased it in late September.

The only holiday gift thing left to do is to purchase wrapping paper for the baby’s gift, and then I am done.

I won’t be heading to Long Beach this Thanksgiving because the family unit is now irretrievable broken, no family for me to celebrate Thanksgiving now or any time in the future with.

The grandsons have morphed into manipulative self-centered liars that think the world owes them a living. They no longer get along with their mom, tried to use me until I put the brakes on. The twins no longer have a relationship with each other or with the boys or with granddaughter.

It's just an unfixable mess.

The only folks likely to show up at granddaughter's place, should she host Thanksgiving, would be the youngest of her manipulative lying brothers, my deceased sister's husband ...... Nice man but bores me to tears and always wants to give me a sisterly hug when we meet, which I'd rather not. Also, White Grandpa and White Grandma.

White Grandpa vibes very well, is fine to be around; White Grandma flat lines, is empty, does not generate a pleasant aura at all, so I'd rather not with her.

All in all, a family Thanksgiving get-together is not for me.

I will however head to Long Beach, around Christmas to deliver the great grandbaby’s gift, see his new sister.

Since I now have the Thanksgiving holiday open to do so, I’ve been debating whether or not I want to register for the local Turkey Trot.

Even purchased a cute pair of non-thanksgiving themed leggings to wear.

Wednesday Addams … how could I resist.

At any rate, I’m leaning towards not doing the 5K. Use the day to set up patio Christmas decorations instead.

Backtracking a bit, I’m doubting the results of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Race Timing System used at the Mission Inn 5K.

No doubt I did do well, but I did say to Trainer that "I was shocked" at how well the system said I did.

Since then, I've learned a much younger client of his saw me cross the finish line AFTER her, and further stated her results did not get posted. Consequently, I’m doubting the validity of the results, that I did as well as the system calculated.

Oh well, insofar as it now officially stands, I remain a 79-year-old 5K beast — at least until next year when I participate in that race again, see if the systems says I'm less beastly.

I wasn’t planning on treating myself to anything special for Christmas, but having learned the Old Gays have published a book, even though I've not yet had time to finish The In-Between, and have My Life at Grey Gardens on the bedside table to get to, I preordered their book as a gift to myself.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Old Gays, they are a group of gay social media personalities and LGBT rights activists that I first discovered on TikTok doing cosplay including ……… what else, the Wednesday dance.

They’ve become enormously popular, and I later saw them as guests on an episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

Like I said, busy busy busy this weekend and maybe, if the weekends were longer, Mondays wouldn't come so soon, I could squeeze in some reading time.

And We’re Back

After a week’s absence from Bingo Friday, because Red Light was travelling, this afternoon it was back to Bingo Friday.

I myself wouldn’t mind if bingo ended altogether, for no reason other than I’m more and more not wanting to go anywhere, do anything, just stay in my unit, enjoy my aloneness; but Bingo Friday is important to the Usual Suspects, because it’s all they have, other than the occasional bone tossed to them by Management and Activity Director.

As for me, unlike most of the Usual Suspects, I’ve got a kazillion other things I can and would rather be doing, and it’s no one’s fault but my own that I can’t just not go because I signed on as an integral part …… design and print the flyers, take photos, manage the residents’ website.

Not seeing a way to unsign, I’ll have to grin and bear it unless and until bingo ends.

The sessions are a good way to catch up on what’s going on, but my head is already so filled with things I don’t want to see, don’t want to hear, don’t want to know, that I’d really rather not see, hear or know anything further.

Consequently, just walking from my unit to the Community Room for this afternoon’s bingo felt like I was walking the Green Mile with the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I’m not kidding.

The closer I got to the room, the heavier I felt and, when I made it inside, I plopped down on the chair and let out a heavy sigh.

"You’re tired already?" commented my tablemate Buttons.

"I got tired on the way here", said I.

I wasn’t tired at this morning’s workout. I only got tired when I headed for someplace I didn’t want to be.

So, anyway, the topic this afternoon was what was going to happen to the curly haired kid whose grandpa just past away.

"They’re not going to let him stay here" someone said.

"He’s going to live with his grandma" said another.

That’s good to know that his grandma is still alive. Hopefully she stays alive long enough for him to find his way in the world — learn a trade, get a job, etc.

I also learned the battling OG’s have been evicted .

The OG’s being the couple — him 66, her 74, married for 37+ years, that moved out just before the Pandemic hit and we went into Quarantine; returned a year or so later saying they’d been through hell, insofar as living arrangements since moving out.

Their back story, if you wish to know why I refer to them as the "battling" OG’s, can be found here.

Very much liked individually and as a couple, they were welcomed back by management and residents with open arms. However, inasmuch as they did not move out of their own accord this time, were instead evicted, they won’t be allowed back. An eviction on one's record is like the kiss of death, not only here but when trying to get a place to live elsewhere. So, this is unfortunate.

Reason for the eviction being the husband got into gambling. Gambled the rent money away.

Speaking of rent, I got a little clarification on the $500 increase.

First off, it’s exactly $518 and raises the cost of units occupied by those on the county roll closer to the same the rest of us are paying.

I had no idea those units were previously going for close to half of what those of us not on the county roll are paying.

The questions hanging in the air are whether or not the county will approve the increase and what will happen if they do not approve it.

On another note, I had an ephinay about the Silver Fox, aka 😵👀👅📣. I think he and Next-Door Neighbor would be attracted to each other. Both have a boogie vibe about them and I have a sense that, should they see each other on the walkway or in the parking area, it would be on.