I noticed something the other day.
Nothing was growing on the numerous vacant lots in my neighborhood.
Not a weed, not a blade of grass---absolutely nothing was green.
And when I say nothing was green, the grass had been cut a few weeks ago and the remaining stubble was brown.
On its face and in the short term, that might be seen as a good thing. But natural things just don’t stop growing for no reason.
They definitely don’t all stop growing only on the vacant lots in Woodlawn at the same time.
Is it possible to save money on labor, gas and the wear and tear of equipment that the city may have literally salted the earth?
While I hate weeds and overgrown lots, the possibility that some type of chemical was applied to the ground makes me incredibly uneasy.
If this is what’s going on is this a new city policy? Is it safe for the ground and the water table? Hell, are we even by the water table?
What happens if a (reputable) developer someday builds on those vacant lots? If a chemical was applied will it retard any other vegetation growing?
Could you dig and put in a vegetable garden?
Note: Due to the high concentrations of lead paint in older buildings, it’s normally recommended to not use the grounds around the site of an older building or former building for vegetable planting.
I just find it extremely odd and the timing too close to be a coincidence.
Has anyone else noticed new “brown fields” popping up on city owned or vacant lots in their ‘hood?
Showing posts with label Creepy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Creepy. Show all posts
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Just Planted
Despite the fact that I live two blocks away from the urban garden, I'm still getting the hang of turning on the water supply from the golf course, ducking flying balls and not watering the veg so late that it's dark by the time you put the hose away and lock up.
I love our little patch of heaven but I ain't trying to get caught in a secluded grove of trees off a non-fenced golf course that's in a Chicago public park.
That's a recipe for a really bad time.
In fact, when I was watering last Tuesday about a 1/2 hour before the sun went down I noticed that random men were popping up on the golf course---without golf clubs and on the path surrounding the garden.
Creepy.
Unfortunately my time to water is limited as early in the morning isn't an option while I still have a job.
And no, there's nothing new to report on that front. Once I have news, I'll let you know.
Why do you think I'm trying to grow my own tomatoes, bell peppers and collard greens?
Anyhoo...
The potential for something very bad to happen back there is a real possibility so I always carry my cell phone and look for other people either jogging or on the golf course. So I try to very much stay aware of my surroundings while indulging my urban gardening steez.
Keep good gardening vibes coming my way. Keep your fingers crossed that a bounty is only a few months away.
Enjoy the pictures below.
I love our little patch of heaven but I ain't trying to get caught in a secluded grove of trees off a non-fenced golf course that's in a Chicago public park.
That's a recipe for a really bad time.
In fact, when I was watering last Tuesday about a 1/2 hour before the sun went down I noticed that random men were popping up on the golf course---without golf clubs and on the path surrounding the garden.
Creepy.
Unfortunately my time to water is limited as early in the morning isn't an option while I still have a job.
And no, there's nothing new to report on that front. Once I have news, I'll let you know.
Why do you think I'm trying to grow my own tomatoes, bell peppers and collard greens?
Anyhoo...
The potential for something very bad to happen back there is a real possibility so I always carry my cell phone and look for other people either jogging or on the golf course. So I try to very much stay aware of my surroundings while indulging my urban gardening steez.
Keep good gardening vibes coming my way. Keep your fingers crossed that a bounty is only a few months away.
Enjoy the pictures below.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Question Mark
I haven't personally seen any work being done on any of these buildings in several months. In the case of the trio of buildings on 65th place I haven't seen workers on the premesis since early 2008.
It goes without saying that the Living Green Lofts were never built. That's the picture of the huge vacant lot and the pile of wood that used to be the sign annoucing the development.
The question is can the 'hood (and the city for that matter) survive another round of broken promises and broken buildings?
This building's residents have been MIA. I suspected that this was going to be converted to condos but nothing has hapened to indicate which course the current owner will take.
Brand new development on 65th Place that sits empty. It's only a matter of time before squatters or a bad element take hold.
The sign for Living Green Lofts sits in pieces after the development was never built.
The vacant lot where the Living Green Lofts were supposed to be built.
It goes without saying that the Living Green Lofts were never built. That's the picture of the huge vacant lot and the pile of wood that used to be the sign annoucing the development.
The question is can the 'hood (and the city for that matter) survive another round of broken promises and broken buildings?
This building's residents have been MIA. I suspected that this was going to be converted to condos but nothing has hapened to indicate which course the current owner will take.
Brand new development on 65th Place that sits empty. It's only a matter of time before squatters or a bad element take hold.
The sign for Living Green Lofts sits in pieces after the development was never built.
The vacant lot where the Living Green Lofts were supposed to be built.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
King Charles and the Concealed Carry
Pride is a dangerous thing.
In a way, pride is just the ultimate setup for disappointment.
That’s the way it goes in life and that’s the way it’s going in the ‘hood.
Why? You ask?
Walking from the bus stop on Sunday night, I saw two things---one a more common place occurrence and the other is something I’ve never seen in Woodlawn: A young white woman walking a Cavalier King Charles.
That's a breed of dog you don't see too much around these parts.
As more people discover our gem in the rough known as Woodlawn, white neighbors are not that rare of an occurrence anymore.
A Cavalier King Charles on the other hand, is a reason to celebrate.
You see my friends, when you live in an emerging neighborhood; it’s the little things that make a difference.
I hate to say it, but image is everything.
Whether its shoes on a wire, the Jenkins Boys on the corner, trash on the parkway or a woman (regardless of race) walking her Cavalier King Charles.
In the dead of night, might I add.
These are the non-verbal clues that help people shape their perceptions of your neighborhood.
And for some people, perception is reality.
So there I was feeling the upward trajectory of the ‘hood when I got a text Monday night.
“I just heard about the muggings at your Metra Station on WGN. Please be careful.”
Apparently King Charles Cavilers don’t mean shit to a knife wielding lunatic.
Naturally, this was the talk of the train stop on Tuesday morning.
All of the ladies were putting together the bits and pieces of what we heard vs. fact vs. what was on the news.
More importantly, we all talked about how to stay safe.
I recounted the story of my aunt who lived in (and still lives in ) Gary, Indiana in the 1970’s.
As a nurse, she would have a rotating shift that sometimes put her waiting on public transportation after dark.
She had already anticipated that some jagoff was going to screw with her so she took my grandfather’s .38 along as a traveling companion.
Imagine that the nurse who’s caring for you during your convalesce is packing heat in her locker at the hospital.
Hot.
One night while waiting for her bus, someone tried to mug her.
She shot him---lit him up like a Christmas tree.
Then on another night in a separate incident, another idiot tried to mug her.
She shot him too.
After that, she didn’t have any more problems.
To this day, we don’t just pop over to her house. We phone first. We always let her know that we’re coming.
Knocking on her door or entering her house unannounced is not a wise thing.
But this little story serves as a good lesson.
I have a saying, “The sharks go where the fish are.”
Apparently the fish have moved to Woodlawn.
That station is super creepy and is the perfect place to snatch up a sister if you have sinister intentions.
You see my friends; this dumbass just hasn’t met the right woman yet.
Trust me, I’m not her.
I’m not walking around with my chest poked out with an “S” on my sweater.
But you all must understand that sisters are doin’ it for themselves.
You can’t wait on the police to come and rescue you; especially when some bumblefuck decides that because he’s a little short on cash that any random woman walking down the street is going to be his personal ATM.
Because when he runs into the woman who doesn’t give a fig about the illegality of handguns in the City of Chicago and he makes his play, let’s suffice it to say that he’ll see the lightning flashing.
And I, for one, will cheer.
In a way, pride is just the ultimate setup for disappointment.
That’s the way it goes in life and that’s the way it’s going in the ‘hood.
Why? You ask?
Walking from the bus stop on Sunday night, I saw two things---one a more common place occurrence and the other is something I’ve never seen in Woodlawn: A young white woman walking a Cavalier King Charles.
That's a breed of dog you don't see too much around these parts.
As more people discover our gem in the rough known as Woodlawn, white neighbors are not that rare of an occurrence anymore.
A Cavalier King Charles on the other hand, is a reason to celebrate.
You see my friends, when you live in an emerging neighborhood; it’s the little things that make a difference.
I hate to say it, but image is everything.
Whether its shoes on a wire, the Jenkins Boys on the corner, trash on the parkway or a woman (regardless of race) walking her Cavalier King Charles.
In the dead of night, might I add.
These are the non-verbal clues that help people shape their perceptions of your neighborhood.
And for some people, perception is reality.
So there I was feeling the upward trajectory of the ‘hood when I got a text Monday night.
“I just heard about the muggings at your Metra Station on WGN. Please be careful.”
Apparently King Charles Cavilers don’t mean shit to a knife wielding lunatic.
Naturally, this was the talk of the train stop on Tuesday morning.
All of the ladies were putting together the bits and pieces of what we heard vs. fact vs. what was on the news.
More importantly, we all talked about how to stay safe.
I recounted the story of my aunt who lived in (and still lives in ) Gary, Indiana in the 1970’s.
As a nurse, she would have a rotating shift that sometimes put her waiting on public transportation after dark.
She had already anticipated that some jagoff was going to screw with her so she took my grandfather’s .38 along as a traveling companion.
Imagine that the nurse who’s caring for you during your convalesce is packing heat in her locker at the hospital.
Hot.
One night while waiting for her bus, someone tried to mug her.
She shot him---lit him up like a Christmas tree.
Then on another night in a separate incident, another idiot tried to mug her.
She shot him too.
After that, she didn’t have any more problems.
To this day, we don’t just pop over to her house. We phone first. We always let her know that we’re coming.
Knocking on her door or entering her house unannounced is not a wise thing.
But this little story serves as a good lesson.
I have a saying, “The sharks go where the fish are.”
Apparently the fish have moved to Woodlawn.
That station is super creepy and is the perfect place to snatch up a sister if you have sinister intentions.
You see my friends; this dumbass just hasn’t met the right woman yet.
Trust me, I’m not her.
I’m not walking around with my chest poked out with an “S” on my sweater.
But you all must understand that sisters are doin’ it for themselves.
You can’t wait on the police to come and rescue you; especially when some bumblefuck decides that because he’s a little short on cash that any random woman walking down the street is going to be his personal ATM.
Because when he runs into the woman who doesn’t give a fig about the illegality of handguns in the City of Chicago and he makes his play, let’s suffice it to say that he’ll see the lightning flashing.
And I, for one, will cheer.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Trying To Do Right
I regularly check the stats for I Hate My Developer.
While I wrote a post some time ago about Mike Holmes, I continue to get traffic to the blog based on a Mike Holmes search string. You’d be surprised at how many people search to see if Mike Holmes is married.
He is a tasty piece. Trust me, I get the interest
Roughly two weeks ago I was checking the stats for the blog when I ran across the following search string in the visitor activity log:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=i hate my school i want every kid there dead
It stopped me cold.
My mind went in a million different places. What should I do? Should I notify the authorities? Am I paranoid?
With all the school shootings at both Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech, I think the red flag goes up when anyone starts shooting off their mouth about----well----shooting.
I wrestled with what to do for two days. If I can prevent someone else from mourning for their child, I'm all in.
In the end, I didn’t want to have any deaths on my conscious. I decided to notify the school district of the city and state where the query originated.
You guys aren’t completely anonymous when you come in to check out my little blog.
This is what I sent:
Good Morning,
In light of the recent campus shootings at Northern Illinois University, I thought it might be wise to make you aware of a recent hit I saw in the visitor activity log of my blog. Frankly I was a little disturbed when I saw the search string. While wrestling if I should or should not send this e-mail, I reasoned that it's better to be over cautious than ignore a possible sign.
The following entry was received on 2/25:
VISITOR ANALYSIS
Referring Link http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=i hate my school i want every kid there dead
Host Name
IP Address xxx.xx.xxx.xx
Country United States
Region New York
City xxxxxx
ISP xxxxx
Returning Visits 0
Visit Length 0 seconds
VISITOR SYSTEM SPECS
Browser MSIE 7.0
Operating System Windows XP
Resolution 1024x768
Javascript Enabled
Navigation Path
Date Time WebPage
25th February 2008 14:25:26 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=i hate my school i want every kid there dead
www.ihatemydeveloper.blogspot.com/
I'm not sure if the sender is even a school aged child or if they even attend a public school in your school district. My intent is not to cause unnecessary worry but if the IP address can be traced, hopefully the author of this string, if a student, can receive the help that he or she may need.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
The Woodlawn Wonder
Ooooh Whee…
Did I anticipate them shutting down the entire school system of this little hamlet in New York state? Did they do it? You bet your ass they did.
Not only did two Chicago Police show up on my doorstep to ask me a few questions but I received e-mails from the hamlet’s police AND the New York State police.
I just wanted to make sure that a disaster was averted. I didn’t mean to rattle everyone’s cage.
Moreover, if a young person could get the help that they needed all’s the better.
Shit, if I shot everyone in junior high and high school that was mean to me I’d be under the jail.
Hell for that matter, if I went off the deep end every time drama popped off during the last two years I’d be sitting on death row.
Blogging, gardening and normal coping mechanisms help me relieve stress.
Unfortunately some people in our society think that the business end of gun will put an end to all of their problems. When in fact, it simply creates so many others.
Luckily, the young person was located and explained that the search string was a result of a very bad day at school. The officer who explained the situation stated that the young person gets bullied and isn’t very social.
It should also serve as a warning to those who bully. One day an ill placed gesture or deed may result in someone being very upset with you.
And when I say very upset, I mean get a gun upset.
Not only are manners a good thing to practice but one day they very well may save your life.
Thank God the young person is getting the help they need.
And I can sleep at night.
While I wrote a post some time ago about Mike Holmes, I continue to get traffic to the blog based on a Mike Holmes search string. You’d be surprised at how many people search to see if Mike Holmes is married.
He is a tasty piece. Trust me, I get the interest
Roughly two weeks ago I was checking the stats for the blog when I ran across the following search string in the visitor activity log:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=i hate my school i want every kid there dead
It stopped me cold.
My mind went in a million different places. What should I do? Should I notify the authorities? Am I paranoid?
With all the school shootings at both Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech, I think the red flag goes up when anyone starts shooting off their mouth about----well----shooting.
I wrestled with what to do for two days. If I can prevent someone else from mourning for their child, I'm all in.
In the end, I didn’t want to have any deaths on my conscious. I decided to notify the school district of the city and state where the query originated.
You guys aren’t completely anonymous when you come in to check out my little blog.
This is what I sent:
Good Morning,
In light of the recent campus shootings at Northern Illinois University, I thought it might be wise to make you aware of a recent hit I saw in the visitor activity log of my blog. Frankly I was a little disturbed when I saw the search string. While wrestling if I should or should not send this e-mail, I reasoned that it's better to be over cautious than ignore a possible sign.
The following entry was received on 2/25:
VISITOR ANALYSIS
Referring Link http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=i hate my school i want every kid there dead
Host Name
IP Address xxx.xx.xxx.xx
Country United States
Region New York
City xxxxxx
ISP xxxxx
Returning Visits 0
Visit Length 0 seconds
VISITOR SYSTEM SPECS
Browser MSIE 7.0
Operating System Windows XP
Resolution 1024x768
Javascript Enabled
Navigation Path
Date Time WebPage
25th February 2008 14:25:26 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=i hate my school i want every kid there dead
www.ihatemydeveloper.blogspot.com/
I'm not sure if the sender is even a school aged child or if they even attend a public school in your school district. My intent is not to cause unnecessary worry but if the IP address can be traced, hopefully the author of this string, if a student, can receive the help that he or she may need.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
The Woodlawn Wonder
Ooooh Whee…
Did I anticipate them shutting down the entire school system of this little hamlet in New York state? Did they do it? You bet your ass they did.
Not only did two Chicago Police show up on my doorstep to ask me a few questions but I received e-mails from the hamlet’s police AND the New York State police.
I just wanted to make sure that a disaster was averted. I didn’t mean to rattle everyone’s cage.
Moreover, if a young person could get the help that they needed all’s the better.
Shit, if I shot everyone in junior high and high school that was mean to me I’d be under the jail.
Hell for that matter, if I went off the deep end every time drama popped off during the last two years I’d be sitting on death row.
Blogging, gardening and normal coping mechanisms help me relieve stress.
Unfortunately some people in our society think that the business end of gun will put an end to all of their problems. When in fact, it simply creates so many others.
Luckily, the young person was located and explained that the search string was a result of a very bad day at school. The officer who explained the situation stated that the young person gets bullied and isn’t very social.
It should also serve as a warning to those who bully. One day an ill placed gesture or deed may result in someone being very upset with you.
And when I say very upset, I mean get a gun upset.
Not only are manners a good thing to practice but one day they very well may save your life.
Thank God the young person is getting the help they need.
And I can sleep at night.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Boundaries
He’s at it again.
Our handyman has continued to store his personal belongings in one of our basements.
I also strongly suspect he’s the one who’s leaving one of our many basement doors unlocked. Who in Christ’s name would leave a door unlocked in Woodlawn?
Where does common sense come into play?
I was taking my trash out a few days ago and happened to check a few basement doors just as a precaution when I discovered that one was left open.
I walked in to the overwhelming smell of urine, various mechanical parts strewn all over a table, a shopping cart full of crap AND various condoms.
At least the condoms were unused.
Clearly our handyman did not learn anything from having his personal belongings thrown out the first time. He’s back up to his old tricks.
Apparently he’s taken up to living in the basement and can’t distinguish between his living and working situation.
Hopefully at our next board only meeting we’ll be able to make the distinction for him.
This is getting too creepy.
Our handyman has continued to store his personal belongings in one of our basements.
I also strongly suspect he’s the one who’s leaving one of our many basement doors unlocked. Who in Christ’s name would leave a door unlocked in Woodlawn?
Where does common sense come into play?
I was taking my trash out a few days ago and happened to check a few basement doors just as a precaution when I discovered that one was left open.
I walked in to the overwhelming smell of urine, various mechanical parts strewn all over a table, a shopping cart full of crap AND various condoms.
At least the condoms were unused.
Clearly our handyman did not learn anything from having his personal belongings thrown out the first time. He’s back up to his old tricks.
Apparently he’s taken up to living in the basement and can’t distinguish between his living and working situation.
Hopefully at our next board only meeting we’ll be able to make the distinction for him.
This is getting too creepy.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Indecision '07
Trying to get my fellow condo board members to run this association like an actual business is like pulling teeth.
I am so sick and tired of reactionary governing but then I’m putting the cart before the horse.
For those of you who’ve been reading this blog, my woes with my past and present board members should come as no surprise.
In my opinion there’s been questionable dealings and of course the mainstay of any condo association---infighting.
I don’t mind people that don’t take my point of view but you have to be a bit more of a critical thinker when dealing with the homes of those around you.
More importantly you also need to effectively communicate with not only the general membership but with your fellow board members.
Apparently this seems to be a problem with our association.
But to the matter at hand.
Ladies and Gentlemen we have a handyman who gives practically every last woman in this association a severe case of the creeps.
And when I say severe---I mean severe. The great thing about growing older and more secure in your womanhood is that you give that “inner voice” way more play in the decisions you make.
Men tend to want to quantify their feelings---if it doesn’t make sense then they tend to ignore it.
Women just know---you know?
He does a great job cleaning but it came to quite a few owners’ attention that he was hanging around at inappropriate hours (read: Late at night) and was also storing personal items in our basement.
Naturally this wasn’t going to fly.
This topic came up informally between a few of us but nothing formal was decided.
He continued to skulk around; bringing “things” in and out late at night and during the day when he thought no one was around.
But the straw that broke the camel’s back happened about a week and a half ago.
I was returning home late one night when I happened upon our handyman.
It appeared to me that he was bringing two dismantled bike frames up to our building.
When I confronted him about the storage of his personal items at our home, he said that the bike frames that he had just arrived with were actually being taken from the building.
Yeah, right.
I let him know that we were starting the process of cleaning out the basement and that if his items happened to be down there when we started that he shouldn’t be upset if his things got thrown out.
He just looked at me said that he was aware of the risk, I said “ok” and went inside.
Now I believe that was on a Wednesday. When I still saw his items junking up our basement late last week the cleaning bug hit.
Round #1 went out to the trash last Thursday.
Round #2 went out yesterday.
While I don’t necessary fault our handyman for his assumptions---after all people will continue to take advantage of you until you stop them---I fault the fact that we as an association never established proper boundaries and procedures.
Attempting to correct these oversights with a group of people who react to emergencies instead of anticipating and planning for the unexpected.
Like I said, it’s like pulling teeth.
I am so sick and tired of reactionary governing but then I’m putting the cart before the horse.
For those of you who’ve been reading this blog, my woes with my past and present board members should come as no surprise.
In my opinion there’s been questionable dealings and of course the mainstay of any condo association---infighting.
I don’t mind people that don’t take my point of view but you have to be a bit more of a critical thinker when dealing with the homes of those around you.
More importantly you also need to effectively communicate with not only the general membership but with your fellow board members.
Apparently this seems to be a problem with our association.
But to the matter at hand.
Ladies and Gentlemen we have a handyman who gives practically every last woman in this association a severe case of the creeps.
And when I say severe---I mean severe. The great thing about growing older and more secure in your womanhood is that you give that “inner voice” way more play in the decisions you make.
Men tend to want to quantify their feelings---if it doesn’t make sense then they tend to ignore it.
Women just know---you know?
He does a great job cleaning but it came to quite a few owners’ attention that he was hanging around at inappropriate hours (read: Late at night) and was also storing personal items in our basement.
Naturally this wasn’t going to fly.
This topic came up informally between a few of us but nothing formal was decided.
He continued to skulk around; bringing “things” in and out late at night and during the day when he thought no one was around.
But the straw that broke the camel’s back happened about a week and a half ago.
I was returning home late one night when I happened upon our handyman.
It appeared to me that he was bringing two dismantled bike frames up to our building.
When I confronted him about the storage of his personal items at our home, he said that the bike frames that he had just arrived with were actually being taken from the building.
Yeah, right.
I let him know that we were starting the process of cleaning out the basement and that if his items happened to be down there when we started that he shouldn’t be upset if his things got thrown out.
He just looked at me said that he was aware of the risk, I said “ok” and went inside.
Now I believe that was on a Wednesday. When I still saw his items junking up our basement late last week the cleaning bug hit.
Round #1 went out to the trash last Thursday.
Round #2 went out yesterday.
While I don’t necessary fault our handyman for his assumptions---after all people will continue to take advantage of you until you stop them---I fault the fact that we as an association never established proper boundaries and procedures.
Attempting to correct these oversights with a group of people who react to emergencies instead of anticipating and planning for the unexpected.
Like I said, it’s like pulling teeth.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Stupid
I’m all about being proactive.
Nipping a problem in the bud before it becomes a problem is usually a good thing.
Keeping that philosophy in mind, I decided to get a jump on the potential mortgage debacle by posting an internet ad for a roommate.
I knew that the chances of me getting a roommate right away were remote---south side rentals are challenging at best---so I placed the ad early.
While I’ve gotten a couple of nibbles, the interesting part is that I think that every last response has been from a scammer.
The first respondent asked me for my exact address of my home---and in the first e-mail no less.
While that didn’t immediately set off any red flags, I did think that he was moving awful quickly. Kind of like the guy on the first date that starts picking out baby names and planning your life together.
Just a little creepy.
I forgot what I sent back in my e-mail to him but I’m sure it included me asking him something about himself and his thoughts on an ideal living situation.
His ad was vague and had a lot of pictures of him bare chested with his tattoos.
I was already feeling that this wasn’t exactly going to be a match.
He replied by asking again for my exact home address and included his personal e-mail address and his phone number.
No replies to my queries about him. He didn’t answer any of my questions.
That’s when I knew he was full of crap.
My ad also has pictures of my bathroom, the back porch and the front exterior of the building.
I don’t know if he was trying to case my place so he could rob me or if he was trying to set me up for the old Nigerian 419 scam. Either way I wasn’t having any of that foolishness.
I promptly deleted his e-mails.
About a week later another individual who also offered too much information right away set the alarms off in my head.
Pushy people who are involved in “getting to know you” situations are never good.
Luckily the roommate service that I’ve posted on is aggressively monitoring and deleting accounts that are suspicious.
But even if they weren’t I have my own roommate vetting process that is a little less detailed than a formal FBI background check.
Do these morons think I’m stupid? That I’d just let any jackass in my home?
Nipping a problem in the bud before it becomes a problem is usually a good thing.
Keeping that philosophy in mind, I decided to get a jump on the potential mortgage debacle by posting an internet ad for a roommate.
I knew that the chances of me getting a roommate right away were remote---south side rentals are challenging at best---so I placed the ad early.
While I’ve gotten a couple of nibbles, the interesting part is that I think that every last response has been from a scammer.
The first respondent asked me for my exact address of my home---and in the first e-mail no less.
While that didn’t immediately set off any red flags, I did think that he was moving awful quickly. Kind of like the guy on the first date that starts picking out baby names and planning your life together.
Just a little creepy.
I forgot what I sent back in my e-mail to him but I’m sure it included me asking him something about himself and his thoughts on an ideal living situation.
His ad was vague and had a lot of pictures of him bare chested with his tattoos.
I was already feeling that this wasn’t exactly going to be a match.
He replied by asking again for my exact home address and included his personal e-mail address and his phone number.
No replies to my queries about him. He didn’t answer any of my questions.
That’s when I knew he was full of crap.
My ad also has pictures of my bathroom, the back porch and the front exterior of the building.
I don’t know if he was trying to case my place so he could rob me or if he was trying to set me up for the old Nigerian 419 scam. Either way I wasn’t having any of that foolishness.
I promptly deleted his e-mails.
About a week later another individual who also offered too much information right away set the alarms off in my head.
Pushy people who are involved in “getting to know you” situations are never good.
Luckily the roommate service that I’ve posted on is aggressively monitoring and deleting accounts that are suspicious.
But even if they weren’t I have my own roommate vetting process that is a little less detailed than a formal FBI background check.
Do these morons think I’m stupid? That I’d just let any jackass in my home?
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