Everything old is new again.
Thank you Mr. Ellis for reacquainting me with this wonderful piece of Americana.
Showing posts with label Money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money. Show all posts
Friday, February 05, 2010
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Heavy Sigh
Frank (or one of his relatives)has decimated the flowers on the back porch.
My refrigerator just died yesterday.
This is on top of the huge vet bill AND the unemployment countdown.
Do not be surprised when the Paypal tip jar appears in the sidebar---it's coming.
My refrigerator just died yesterday.
This is on top of the huge vet bill AND the unemployment countdown.
Do not be surprised when the Paypal tip jar appears in the sidebar---it's coming.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Progress
The back property taxes have been paid and my special assessment is now a distant memory.
Getting rid of debt is painfully slow but things are getting better.
A toast to progress.
Getting rid of debt is painfully slow but things are getting better.
A toast to progress.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Teacher Teacher
I should have known what was coming when The Teacher not only knocked on my door one Thursday evening a few weeks ago, but also tried my doorknob.
I mean what’s so urgent that you have to try the knob to your neighbor’s door?
Especially during Ugly Betty.
I thought there might have been an emergency.
But by the time I got to the door no one was there.
“Odd.” I thought.
I proceeded to call my first floor neighbor while I knocked on The Teacher’s door.
I wanted to make sure everything was alright.
That’s when my neighbor, The Teacher, lost her fucking mind.
I have never---not even once----attempted to shirk my fiscal or personal responsibility to my condo association.
For her to accuse me of “being a bad neighbor” is absolutely ridiculous.
Moreover, it’s completely unfounded.
An employment and cash flow hiccup---well perhaps we can call it a burp as I was unemployed for 11 months---cannot compare to the benefits MY efforts have brought to this association and our neighborhood.
So apparently she didn’t consider that while she was bumpin her gums attempting to bully me into paying money I don’t have.
But I tend to call that the Janet Jackson consciousness---The “What Have You Done For Me Lately” attitude.
Furthermore her husband, our association treasurer, fell derelict in his duties by letting so many owners get so far behind in their assessments.
And when I say behind, I mean to the tune of almost $10,000.
That’s ten grand. Ten large. Or to put it another way, a dime to those of you who speak Soprano.
So I wonder what it was about the mounting arrearage that didn’t set off the alarms in his head.
One may never know.
But I do know that the both of them have been lobbying for some time to be paid for their efforts.
Then of course I performed my contributions to our associations while working two jobs. Never asking for, nor expecting one thin dime for my quantifiable results.
Nonetheless, I was the recipient of The Teacher’s rage that fine Thursday evening.
Despite my efforts to make this a civil conversation I was called and or told the following:
I am a bad neighbor.
I am a deadbeat.
I’m hurting the association.
But the last three comments in this bitch session were priceless.
This woman had the stones to question me about the packages that were being delivered to me. Her inference was that I had money to buy things so I must be able to pay my back assessments.
Not that it was any of her business but I did celebrate a milestone birthday in late August and decided to use some of the gift cards that I had received.
You know---the ones you can’t turn in for cash.
Oh, but she wasn’t done by a long shot.
“You know if I had a storage room full of things in the basement, I would sell them----sell anything I had not to be in debt.”
I looked at her like she had just spoken to me in Klingon.
I remember thinking that she had to have been smoking something to come up with that one.
Can you believe the audacity?
No doubt she saved the best for last.
After all of this (and missing the first 10 minutes of Ugly Betty) I asked her a simple question: “Do you think I’m the type of person who would leave my neighbors in a lurch? Do you really think that I would leave you guys holding the bag?”
Without missing a beat she said “Yes.”
Wow.
Well there it is.
All I was initially seeking was an accurate accounting of my back assessments. Instead of our treasurer sitting down with me and making me understand his numbers he left his duties up to his wife.
What more was there to say?
I bid The Teacher and her husband good night. I turned on my heel and went back to my program.
Yes there was another knock at the door and yes I saw my treasurer on my doorstep. The association’s books in his hand, but I had more pressing matters at hand.
Betty was trying to figure out who pushed her best friend down the stairs.
I was done.
Absolutely, positively done.
I mean what’s so urgent that you have to try the knob to your neighbor’s door?
Especially during Ugly Betty.
I thought there might have been an emergency.
But by the time I got to the door no one was there.
“Odd.” I thought.
I proceeded to call my first floor neighbor while I knocked on The Teacher’s door.
I wanted to make sure everything was alright.
That’s when my neighbor, The Teacher, lost her fucking mind.
I have never---not even once----attempted to shirk my fiscal or personal responsibility to my condo association.
For her to accuse me of “being a bad neighbor” is absolutely ridiculous.
Moreover, it’s completely unfounded.
An employment and cash flow hiccup---well perhaps we can call it a burp as I was unemployed for 11 months---cannot compare to the benefits MY efforts have brought to this association and our neighborhood.
So apparently she didn’t consider that while she was bumpin her gums attempting to bully me into paying money I don’t have.
But I tend to call that the Janet Jackson consciousness---The “What Have You Done For Me Lately” attitude.
Furthermore her husband, our association treasurer, fell derelict in his duties by letting so many owners get so far behind in their assessments.
And when I say behind, I mean to the tune of almost $10,000.
That’s ten grand. Ten large. Or to put it another way, a dime to those of you who speak Soprano.
So I wonder what it was about the mounting arrearage that didn’t set off the alarms in his head.
One may never know.
But I do know that the both of them have been lobbying for some time to be paid for their efforts.
Then of course I performed my contributions to our associations while working two jobs. Never asking for, nor expecting one thin dime for my quantifiable results.
Nonetheless, I was the recipient of The Teacher’s rage that fine Thursday evening.
Despite my efforts to make this a civil conversation I was called and or told the following:
I am a bad neighbor.
I am a deadbeat.
I’m hurting the association.
But the last three comments in this bitch session were priceless.
This woman had the stones to question me about the packages that were being delivered to me. Her inference was that I had money to buy things so I must be able to pay my back assessments.
Not that it was any of her business but I did celebrate a milestone birthday in late August and decided to use some of the gift cards that I had received.
You know---the ones you can’t turn in for cash.
Oh, but she wasn’t done by a long shot.
“You know if I had a storage room full of things in the basement, I would sell them----sell anything I had not to be in debt.”
I looked at her like she had just spoken to me in Klingon.
I remember thinking that she had to have been smoking something to come up with that one.
Can you believe the audacity?
No doubt she saved the best for last.
After all of this (and missing the first 10 minutes of Ugly Betty) I asked her a simple question: “Do you think I’m the type of person who would leave my neighbors in a lurch? Do you really think that I would leave you guys holding the bag?”
Without missing a beat she said “Yes.”
Wow.
Well there it is.
All I was initially seeking was an accurate accounting of my back assessments. Instead of our treasurer sitting down with me and making me understand his numbers he left his duties up to his wife.
What more was there to say?
I bid The Teacher and her husband good night. I turned on my heel and went back to my program.
Yes there was another knock at the door and yes I saw my treasurer on my doorstep. The association’s books in his hand, but I had more pressing matters at hand.
Betty was trying to figure out who pushed her best friend down the stairs.
I was done.
Absolutely, positively done.
Monday, June 30, 2008
A Perfect Ten
10 long months.
That’s how long I haven’t had corporate employment.
That’s how long I’ve been paying for my own health, life and dental insurance.
That’s how long I have been searching for a job.
And let me define job as being one that pays as much or more than I was making at my other gig. A job that doesn’t involve serving or servicing anyone, has built in sick days and vacation time.
It would be nice not to say, “Would you like that house salad to come out first?”
It’s beyond frustrating.
I’m tired of worrying about working multiple jobs, sweating making the mortgage every month.
Make no mistake the mortgage comes first; much to the detriment of everything else and my credit rating.
Almost 40 years old and having to rebuild my credit rating---great.
Shouldn’t I be alfresco dining in Paris right now? Not worrying about coordinating my three jobs so I have enough money to keep my utilities on.
Paying the utilities these days is a series of Faustian deals with Com Ed, Peoples & AT&T.
I’m tired of having my friends help either via employment or funds.
My two of my three part time jobs are with close friends. The other is in the office suite of a close friend.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything that everyone has done for me, but I’m of the mind set that no matter how much someone likes you, there comes a time you have to stand on your own two feet.
It seems like my attempts at standing have been met with a massive ass kicking.
Plus no one needs to know every last thing about your life---no matter how much you like them.
It blurs the lines of friendship and we all know how tricky that can be to negotiate.
The fact of the matter is that apparently my best job hunt efforts aren’t good enough.
I’m trying to figure out how to correct and redirect my efforts so I don’t have to choose between groceries and paying my condo assessments.
Not that those are up to date but a girl can dream can’t she?
And then to drive the unemployment point home, one of my part time jobs (yes I had four) shut down about two weeks ago.
My main part time gig at Pottery Barn on Michigan Avenue is no more.
Jesus take the wheel, I’m the great job killer.
I know I’ve done a few of these posts over the past ten months but it just seems like everything is going into a downward spiral despite my best efforts.
I seriously want my life back.
Like right now.
It really takes fortitude to get out bed these days.
But knowing that the alternative is homelessness has served as motivation enough but now even that isn’t the kick that it used to be.
Frankly the cat meowing for his breakfast is what gets me to move my ass in the morning.
And yes, I’m not feeling too confident these days but I tell myself that I have to refocus and redouble my efforts. I also try to let go of the things I can’t control and deal with the things I can control.
So to pull me out of my funk, I’ve committed myself to making my little nest as tidy as possible.
While my place is still not completely spit and polished, things were progressing nicely.
Until the grease fire that happened on Saturday.
That’s how long I haven’t had corporate employment.
That’s how long I’ve been paying for my own health, life and dental insurance.
That’s how long I have been searching for a job.
And let me define job as being one that pays as much or more than I was making at my other gig. A job that doesn’t involve serving or servicing anyone, has built in sick days and vacation time.
It would be nice not to say, “Would you like that house salad to come out first?”
It’s beyond frustrating.
I’m tired of worrying about working multiple jobs, sweating making the mortgage every month.
Make no mistake the mortgage comes first; much to the detriment of everything else and my credit rating.
Almost 40 years old and having to rebuild my credit rating---great.
Shouldn’t I be alfresco dining in Paris right now? Not worrying about coordinating my three jobs so I have enough money to keep my utilities on.
Paying the utilities these days is a series of Faustian deals with Com Ed, Peoples & AT&T.
I’m tired of having my friends help either via employment or funds.
My two of my three part time jobs are with close friends. The other is in the office suite of a close friend.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything that everyone has done for me, but I’m of the mind set that no matter how much someone likes you, there comes a time you have to stand on your own two feet.
It seems like my attempts at standing have been met with a massive ass kicking.
Plus no one needs to know every last thing about your life---no matter how much you like them.
It blurs the lines of friendship and we all know how tricky that can be to negotiate.
The fact of the matter is that apparently my best job hunt efforts aren’t good enough.
I’m trying to figure out how to correct and redirect my efforts so I don’t have to choose between groceries and paying my condo assessments.
Not that those are up to date but a girl can dream can’t she?
And then to drive the unemployment point home, one of my part time jobs (yes I had four) shut down about two weeks ago.
My main part time gig at Pottery Barn on Michigan Avenue is no more.
Jesus take the wheel, I’m the great job killer.
I know I’ve done a few of these posts over the past ten months but it just seems like everything is going into a downward spiral despite my best efforts.
I seriously want my life back.
Like right now.
It really takes fortitude to get out bed these days.
But knowing that the alternative is homelessness has served as motivation enough but now even that isn’t the kick that it used to be.
Frankly the cat meowing for his breakfast is what gets me to move my ass in the morning.
And yes, I’m not feeling too confident these days but I tell myself that I have to refocus and redouble my efforts. I also try to let go of the things I can’t control and deal with the things I can control.
So to pull me out of my funk, I’ve committed myself to making my little nest as tidy as possible.
While my place is still not completely spit and polished, things were progressing nicely.
Until the grease fire that happened on Saturday.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
An Aside
I knew it I had to go out and get a job---any job---when I couldn’t qualify for CEDA utility assistance.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the program---and frankly I wasn’t until recently----CEDA administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program pays a month’s worth of utility bills for individuals.
The trick is to qualify for the program.
One of my former co-workers told me about CEDC in a recent conversation. She applied and they paid her utility bills so she thought I should give it a shot.
The big difference in our lives is that she has a child and that I don’t.
You would think that this wouldn’t make a difference but according to “the guidelines” because I have no children my unemployment means that I make way too much money.
Yes, you read that correctly.
My unemployment---which has since ended by the way----that piddly $654 bi-weekly check meant that I made too much money.
Are you fucking kidding me?
A single person who makes a touch over $13,500 can’t qualify for almost any type of assistance.
That’s when I felt like a Detroit auto worker from the 80’s.
The funny thing is that for those of us who lived through that time, mistakenly thought that if we kept out of trouble and worked hard we wouldn’t be caught in a changing economy.
We weren’t like our some of our parents and grandparents, we went to college. We learned how to play the game.
Apparently that wasn’t (and isn’t) the case.
So to quote the film---Hi ho, Hi ho, it’s off to work I go.
Poof! I’m a server.
Talk about reinventing yourself.
Since I’ve started training and actually picking up shifts as a server (waitress) I wanted to take a few moments to let you all in on a few secrets:
Those Hyde Parkers/U of C people aren’t so bad after all. In fact, quite a few have helped a sister stack her paper.
If you come in with a group, run me ragged and then insist on splitting the check 15 different ways I won’t like you. And yes, I expect an additional tip on top of the 18% gratuity that’s added onto the check for large groups. Motherfuckers.
I so love the people who serve me at my regular watering holes. I always prided myself on being a good patron but now I truly understand their pain.
Speaking of pain, my feet feel like they don’t belong to me.
You have no idea how extremely tired I am. But I will build a bridge and get over myself.
Things will get better I’ll revisit this and write about my serving life in a few weeks. While I rarely wrote about my past employers, it might be a little different with this one.
But as you can assume, slinging drinks and food on the south side is a blog within itself. There are so many stories just begging to be told.
I’m just not sure if I’m the one to tell them at this point.
I won’t tell you where I work but if you find me and ask me if I’m the Woodlawn Wonder, I won’t lie to you.
Naturally, you’ll leave a big fat tip, right?
Speaking of people who have a story to tell and live on the south side, let me reintroduce you to the lovely Erin of Puffthechuff.wordpress.com.
She and a group of my west Woodlawn dwelling neighbors met out for drinks a few months ago and while we haven’t seen each other since, we continue to cyber stalk each other.
Her blog is quite funny and the tale of how she met her husband (Portly Jew indeed) is a modern Chicago love story.
BTW, she wants a baby and just turned 26. These are just a few facinating things you'll find out about Erin via her blog.
26? Isn't she still a damn baby herself?
She's a ballsy, stand up broad and despite the fact I barely know her I like the cut of her gib.
Sit down and stay awhile at her blog. I’m sure she’d like to see you.
Just don’t continuously ask to borrow things.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to bed to catch up on my sleep.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the program---and frankly I wasn’t until recently----CEDA administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program pays a month’s worth of utility bills for individuals.
The trick is to qualify for the program.
One of my former co-workers told me about CEDC in a recent conversation. She applied and they paid her utility bills so she thought I should give it a shot.
The big difference in our lives is that she has a child and that I don’t.
You would think that this wouldn’t make a difference but according to “the guidelines” because I have no children my unemployment means that I make way too much money.
Yes, you read that correctly.
My unemployment---which has since ended by the way----that piddly $654 bi-weekly check meant that I made too much money.
Are you fucking kidding me?
A single person who makes a touch over $13,500 can’t qualify for almost any type of assistance.
That’s when I felt like a Detroit auto worker from the 80’s.
The funny thing is that for those of us who lived through that time, mistakenly thought that if we kept out of trouble and worked hard we wouldn’t be caught in a changing economy.
We weren’t like our some of our parents and grandparents, we went to college. We learned how to play the game.
Apparently that wasn’t (and isn’t) the case.
So to quote the film---Hi ho, Hi ho, it’s off to work I go.
Poof! I’m a server.
Talk about reinventing yourself.
Since I’ve started training and actually picking up shifts as a server (waitress) I wanted to take a few moments to let you all in on a few secrets:
Those Hyde Parkers/U of C people aren’t so bad after all. In fact, quite a few have helped a sister stack her paper.
If you come in with a group, run me ragged and then insist on splitting the check 15 different ways I won’t like you. And yes, I expect an additional tip on top of the 18% gratuity that’s added onto the check for large groups. Motherfuckers.
I so love the people who serve me at my regular watering holes. I always prided myself on being a good patron but now I truly understand their pain.
Speaking of pain, my feet feel like they don’t belong to me.
You have no idea how extremely tired I am. But I will build a bridge and get over myself.
Things will get better I’ll revisit this and write about my serving life in a few weeks. While I rarely wrote about my past employers, it might be a little different with this one.
But as you can assume, slinging drinks and food on the south side is a blog within itself. There are so many stories just begging to be told.
I’m just not sure if I’m the one to tell them at this point.
I won’t tell you where I work but if you find me and ask me if I’m the Woodlawn Wonder, I won’t lie to you.
Naturally, you’ll leave a big fat tip, right?
Speaking of people who have a story to tell and live on the south side, let me reintroduce you to the lovely Erin of Puffthechuff.wordpress.com.
She and a group of my west Woodlawn dwelling neighbors met out for drinks a few months ago and while we haven’t seen each other since, we continue to cyber stalk each other.
Her blog is quite funny and the tale of how she met her husband (Portly Jew indeed) is a modern Chicago love story.
BTW, she wants a baby and just turned 26. These are just a few facinating things you'll find out about Erin via her blog.
26? Isn't she still a damn baby herself?
She's a ballsy, stand up broad and despite the fact I barely know her I like the cut of her gib.
Sit down and stay awhile at her blog. I’m sure she’d like to see you.
Just don’t continuously ask to borrow things.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to bed to catch up on my sleep.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
I’m Down With HPP
That’s Hyde Park Produce.
With six months of unemployment and semi-exhausted financial resources I have to be a tad creative with critical necessities.
Read: Food
With the Co-op closing and Peapod becoming un-affordable, I turned to the semi-new kid on the block, HPP.
HPP just moved to a new space in Kimbark Plaza on 53rd Street. I had gone in previously with friends and was duly impressed.
But be being impressed doesn’t keep money in the bank account.
So when I rolled up to them on Monday, I made sure I brought along my Peapod list and kept the receipt for a fair price comparison.
Behold the tale of the tape:
Peapod
8 oz. Package of Mushrooms $1.99
5 oz. Organic Salad Greens $3.49
5 oz. Organic Spinach $3.99*
1 Green Pepper $ .99
1 Yellow Pepper $2.49
1 Red Pepper $1.99
1 Bunch of Broccoli $1.99
4 Bananas $1.16
1 Bunch of Cauliflower $2.49
20 Head of Garlic $8.00
16 oz. Package of Strawberries $4.99
HPP
8 oz. Package of Mushrooms $1.49
5 oz. Organic Salad Greens $2.99
5 oz. Organic Spinach $2.99
1 Green Pepper $ .33
1 Yellow Pepper $ .69
1 Red Pepper $1.25
1 Bunch of Broccoli $1.10
4 Bananas $ .69
1 Bunch of Cauliflower $1.78
20 Head of Garlic $3.29
16 oz. Package of Strawberries $2.99
Totals Peapod: $33.57
HPP: $19.59
Difference: $13.98
Note: The price for the Peapod spinach is for a 6 oz package and the HPP package was 5 oz. But what’s an ounce between friends?
Obviously this is the subtotal without the ridiculous Cook County Sales tax. Naturally it won’t seem ridiculous if Mr. Stroger has his way and we’re due for another hefty tax hike---again.
Oh I’m sorry, was that out loud?
And yes, I like garlic. It keeps a sister healthy.
Savings and affordable fresh produce? Sign me up for the Christian jubilee.
With six months of unemployment and semi-exhausted financial resources I have to be a tad creative with critical necessities.
Read: Food
With the Co-op closing and Peapod becoming un-affordable, I turned to the semi-new kid on the block, HPP.
HPP just moved to a new space in Kimbark Plaza on 53rd Street. I had gone in previously with friends and was duly impressed.
But be being impressed doesn’t keep money in the bank account.
So when I rolled up to them on Monday, I made sure I brought along my Peapod list and kept the receipt for a fair price comparison.
Behold the tale of the tape:
Peapod
8 oz. Package of Mushrooms $1.99
5 oz. Organic Salad Greens $3.49
5 oz. Organic Spinach $3.99*
1 Green Pepper $ .99
1 Yellow Pepper $2.49
1 Red Pepper $1.99
1 Bunch of Broccoli $1.99
4 Bananas $1.16
1 Bunch of Cauliflower $2.49
20 Head of Garlic $8.00
16 oz. Package of Strawberries $4.99
HPP
8 oz. Package of Mushrooms $1.49
5 oz. Organic Salad Greens $2.99
5 oz. Organic Spinach $2.99
1 Green Pepper $ .33
1 Yellow Pepper $ .69
1 Red Pepper $1.25
1 Bunch of Broccoli $1.10
4 Bananas $ .69
1 Bunch of Cauliflower $1.78
20 Head of Garlic $3.29
16 oz. Package of Strawberries $2.99
Totals Peapod: $33.57
HPP: $19.59
Difference: $13.98
Note: The price for the Peapod spinach is for a 6 oz package and the HPP package was 5 oz. But what’s an ounce between friends?
Obviously this is the subtotal without the ridiculous Cook County Sales tax. Naturally it won’t seem ridiculous if Mr. Stroger has his way and we’re due for another hefty tax hike---again.
Oh I’m sorry, was that out loud?
And yes, I like garlic. It keeps a sister healthy.
Savings and affordable fresh produce? Sign me up for the Christian jubilee.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Perky
A solution for our cash woes has been found.
By now, you sharp cookies have noticed the CondoPerks logo on the left sidebar.
It’s not there by accident.
Not only am I a huge fan but I think so highly of the program that I want everyone to know about it as well.
CondoPerks allows condominium associations to earn money the easy way----by online shopping.
You go to the website, choose the building of your choice (cough**The Blackstone Condo Assoc.**cough) and start online shopping.
You can surf via the category bar on the left or you can scroll through all of the participating stores in the drop down above the category bar.
Can you believe that our condo association can make money every time I Peapod myself?
I know, it sounds dirty.
The founder of the service Blagica Stefanovski has found a practical, yet painless way for associations to supplement and potentially increase their reserves while complementing their existing fiscal measures.
In short, it’s brilliance.
So if your association could use a few more buck in the till, click on the link to the left and get the ball rolling.
At this point new building registration is free but that could change at any time.
But I have a better way for those of you who rent or own your own home to help out.
When you do your online shopping, help a sister and her hard working neighbors out----go to the CondoPerks website, find The Blackstone Condo Assoc. and shop with a purpose.
As previously mentioned., we have a potentially expensive capital project coming up later this year. We don’t wanna get caught with our financial pants down.
Frankly the thought of having to levy another special assessment makes my unemployed stomach lurch.
Now you don’t have to do it, but it’d be nice.
And there are 180 retailers of all stripes that I know you all use anyway.
Plus I’m not out on the street shaking the proverbial cup full of change in your face. I’m just gently doing it online.
It’s less noisy and I don’t have to give you the puppy dog eyes.
Whatever you want to do---Online shop with the Blackstone in mind, sign your building up or just cruise through to see what all the hubbub is about, all are welcome.
For all of you that needed a new excuse to cyber shop---here it is.
By now, you sharp cookies have noticed the CondoPerks logo on the left sidebar.
It’s not there by accident.
Not only am I a huge fan but I think so highly of the program that I want everyone to know about it as well.
CondoPerks allows condominium associations to earn money the easy way----by online shopping.
You go to the website, choose the building of your choice (cough**The Blackstone Condo Assoc.**cough) and start online shopping.
You can surf via the category bar on the left or you can scroll through all of the participating stores in the drop down above the category bar.
Can you believe that our condo association can make money every time I Peapod myself?
I know, it sounds dirty.
The founder of the service Blagica Stefanovski has found a practical, yet painless way for associations to supplement and potentially increase their reserves while complementing their existing fiscal measures.
In short, it’s brilliance.
So if your association could use a few more buck in the till, click on the link to the left and get the ball rolling.
At this point new building registration is free but that could change at any time.
But I have a better way for those of you who rent or own your own home to help out.
When you do your online shopping, help a sister and her hard working neighbors out----go to the CondoPerks website, find The Blackstone Condo Assoc. and shop with a purpose.
As previously mentioned., we have a potentially expensive capital project coming up later this year. We don’t wanna get caught with our financial pants down.
Frankly the thought of having to levy another special assessment makes my unemployed stomach lurch.
Now you don’t have to do it, but it’d be nice.
And there are 180 retailers of all stripes that I know you all use anyway.
Plus I’m not out on the street shaking the proverbial cup full of change in your face. I’m just gently doing it online.
It’s less noisy and I don’t have to give you the puppy dog eyes.
Whatever you want to do---Online shop with the Blackstone in mind, sign your building up or just cruise through to see what all the hubbub is about, all are welcome.
For all of you that needed a new excuse to cyber shop---here it is.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Randoms
If Senator Obama needs to further distance himself from Tony Rezko by giving away more money, I’m all in.
An unemployed sister could use a couple of bucks as my funds are about down to zero.
It’s expensive keeping up the house AND drying cleaning bills for interview suits.
I’ll make it for February but March is gonna be interesting.
I might get a temporary reprieve if I get a huge tax refund. It might be nice if my former employer would get off their ass and send my W-2 & 1099.
When I went to the opera on Monday I was yelled at by P.E.T.A. protesters.
I know---you’re thinking opera & fur can’t necessarily equal bleak poverty.
But let me explain, prior to my layoff I split a partial subscription with my “opera buddy.”
The resale market for opera tickets is slight but not non-existent. But if Monday night was any indication, the fierce haggling at prices way below face value was not a good sign.
I’d rather donate the tickets back and take the tax write off.
Either way I really don’t get the money that I need.
Anyway…
I was running late and dashing across the intersection of Madison & Wacker in my mother’s vintage mink collared wool coat.
It’s an absolutely stunning piece that makes me look a little smaller than Brian Urlacher.
But when the winter wind is howling in Chicago and your taking the CTA , looks go out the window.
I rounded the corner smack dab into a bunch of shabby, malnourished looking children giving me the stares of death.
When I realized they were from P.E.T.A. I started to giggle.
What are the odds of someone who’s been unemployed for five months and who’s 26 weeks of unemployment is dwindling running into P.E.T.A. protesters looking like the poster child for the idle rich?
Take the wheel Jesus.
Where dose the trash that continues to assemble against our gates come from anyway?
God I’ve picked up so much trash these past five months perhaps that should be my new occupation.
We don’t have any open trash cans anywhere near.
People can’t litter that much, can they?
Yesterday’s heat wave melted the snow and revealed so much soggy crap on the ground that all I could do is stand there and marvel.
I suppose that when the snow melts again I’ll go out and pick up the sodden crap so our little piece of paradise doesn’t look like our neighbor’s property.
Believe it or not I happen to get a few e-mails here and there from the occasional condo owning newbie with questions about their developer or neighbors.
As usual I give them the benefit of my knowledge.
But I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that a few things ring true:
1. You’re developer should have been paying monthly assessments for all unsold units from the date of the sale of the first unit. At the turnover, you should be having a war chest of cash waiting for you.
2. No matter how bootleg your developer may be, you can’t stop paying assessments because you’re upset with him or her. Trust me, in the end you’ll only be hurting yourselves. ’Cause if you don’t pay your assessments, you won’t be able to pay your association’s utility bills.
No one likes the water being turned off in the middle of their shower.
3. Get a friggin lawyer----right now. The money you spend now, will save you so much later.
4. It’s a business people. Like any other business if you don’t put some effort into it, it will fail. Your neighbors are your allies. If you don’t swim together, you’ll sink together.
I think this little article from today’s Chicago Tribune underscores that point.
This quote is particularly telling:
“Larry Hopkins was first to move onto the street, and first to see his monthly payment jump. When he learned his tax bill was the reason, Hopkins asked for more hours at his job as a school safety officer and cut spending.
But the taxes tacked hundreds of dollars on his monthly payment. His 2006 tax bill came to $5,001 for a $125,000 house, records show.
Hopkins said he made calls to local officials, his lender and Cook County offices but got the runaround. He went to his neighbors. "No one would get involved," he said. "They were afraid to speak up and didn't understand my problem because their bills weren't high. They didn't know the same thing was about to happen to them."
The people may have been in a subdivision instead of a condo building, but the basic premise still holds true.
My latest guilty pleasure is the fabulous Jen Lancaster.
Ms. Lancaster is the author of “Bitter Is The New Black” & my personal favorite “Bright Lights, Big Ass.”
I’ve started Bright Lights and was hysterically laughing within the first few pages.
I haven’t initially laughed that hard since I read Tucker Max’s blog.
When I first started reading him I couldn’t stop. He may be a complete misogynist but at least he’s a great writer.
You can’t deny talent.
You can’t deny talent in Ms. Lancaster’s case either.
She may be an unrepentant Fox News Network, Sean Hannity loving Republican but someone has to be, right?
Her book is so funny none of that seems to matter.
Besides don’t we all need a little diversity in our lives, no?
An unemployed sister could use a couple of bucks as my funds are about down to zero.
It’s expensive keeping up the house AND drying cleaning bills for interview suits.
I’ll make it for February but March is gonna be interesting.
I might get a temporary reprieve if I get a huge tax refund. It might be nice if my former employer would get off their ass and send my W-2 & 1099.
When I went to the opera on Monday I was yelled at by P.E.T.A. protesters.
I know---you’re thinking opera & fur can’t necessarily equal bleak poverty.
But let me explain, prior to my layoff I split a partial subscription with my “opera buddy.”
The resale market for opera tickets is slight but not non-existent. But if Monday night was any indication, the fierce haggling at prices way below face value was not a good sign.
I’d rather donate the tickets back and take the tax write off.
Either way I really don’t get the money that I need.
Anyway…
I was running late and dashing across the intersection of Madison & Wacker in my mother’s vintage mink collared wool coat.
It’s an absolutely stunning piece that makes me look a little smaller than Brian Urlacher.
But when the winter wind is howling in Chicago and your taking the CTA , looks go out the window.
I rounded the corner smack dab into a bunch of shabby, malnourished looking children giving me the stares of death.
When I realized they were from P.E.T.A. I started to giggle.
What are the odds of someone who’s been unemployed for five months and who’s 26 weeks of unemployment is dwindling running into P.E.T.A. protesters looking like the poster child for the idle rich?
Take the wheel Jesus.
Where dose the trash that continues to assemble against our gates come from anyway?
God I’ve picked up so much trash these past five months perhaps that should be my new occupation.
We don’t have any open trash cans anywhere near.
People can’t litter that much, can they?
Yesterday’s heat wave melted the snow and revealed so much soggy crap on the ground that all I could do is stand there and marvel.
I suppose that when the snow melts again I’ll go out and pick up the sodden crap so our little piece of paradise doesn’t look like our neighbor’s property.
Believe it or not I happen to get a few e-mails here and there from the occasional condo owning newbie with questions about their developer or neighbors.
As usual I give them the benefit of my knowledge.
But I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that a few things ring true:
1. You’re developer should have been paying monthly assessments for all unsold units from the date of the sale of the first unit. At the turnover, you should be having a war chest of cash waiting for you.
2. No matter how bootleg your developer may be, you can’t stop paying assessments because you’re upset with him or her. Trust me, in the end you’ll only be hurting yourselves. ’Cause if you don’t pay your assessments, you won’t be able to pay your association’s utility bills.
No one likes the water being turned off in the middle of their shower.
3. Get a friggin lawyer----right now. The money you spend now, will save you so much later.
4. It’s a business people. Like any other business if you don’t put some effort into it, it will fail. Your neighbors are your allies. If you don’t swim together, you’ll sink together.
I think this little article from today’s Chicago Tribune underscores that point.
This quote is particularly telling:
“Larry Hopkins was first to move onto the street, and first to see his monthly payment jump. When he learned his tax bill was the reason, Hopkins asked for more hours at his job as a school safety officer and cut spending.
But the taxes tacked hundreds of dollars on his monthly payment. His 2006 tax bill came to $5,001 for a $125,000 house, records show.
Hopkins said he made calls to local officials, his lender and Cook County offices but got the runaround. He went to his neighbors. "No one would get involved," he said. "They were afraid to speak up and didn't understand my problem because their bills weren't high. They didn't know the same thing was about to happen to them."
The people may have been in a subdivision instead of a condo building, but the basic premise still holds true.
My latest guilty pleasure is the fabulous Jen Lancaster.
Ms. Lancaster is the author of “Bitter Is The New Black” & my personal favorite “Bright Lights, Big Ass.”
I’ve started Bright Lights and was hysterically laughing within the first few pages.
I haven’t initially laughed that hard since I read Tucker Max’s blog.
When I first started reading him I couldn’t stop. He may be a complete misogynist but at least he’s a great writer.
You can’t deny talent.
You can’t deny talent in Ms. Lancaster’s case either.
She may be an unrepentant Fox News Network, Sean Hannity loving Republican but someone has to be, right?
Her book is so funny none of that seems to matter.
Besides don’t we all need a little diversity in our lives, no?
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Whistling Dixie
This is a long post but it’s worth it.
Guess who’s up to his ears in a commercial foreclosure, lawsuit and a possible sale?
That’s right, the effervescent Carlton Knight.
I recently took a trip to the Clerk of the Circuit Court records division after I discovered new legal proceedings against Mr. Knight.
I love the transparency of the legal system in my neck of the woods.
I’m just giving you the interesting parts. For those of you waiting with baited breath for a bullet point by bullet point outline of the failed summons service attempts, I’m sorry to disappoint you.
The following facts were taken from court records filed earlier this year:
A mortgage loan for $1,120,000 was taken out with Westbank in Hillside, IL by Carlton Knight and Chicago Title Land Trust Company (as successor trustee to NAB Bank) under trust number 2-107-0 on October 3, 2003. The 40 unit commercial property is located at 15144 Dixie Highway in Harvey, Illinois.
On April 19, 2007 a foreclosure suit was filed against Carlton and the above mentioned trust for the unpaid balance of the mortgage, legal fees and court costs by Inland Bank & Trust F/K/A Westbank.
On June 13, 2007 Carlton filed appearance documentation declaring his intent to represent himself (ProSe) and the answer Inland Bank’s initial complaint. His response was that there was “insufficient information with which to admit or deny paragraphs 1-3 of the complaint to foreclosure mortgage and therefore neither admit nor deny those paragraphs but demand strict proof thereof.”
Now here’s where it gets fun.
The newly engaged (and one of People Magazine’s sexiest men of 2005) Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald, jumps into the fray by filing his own answer to the complaint.
Why, might you ask?
It appears the Internal Revenue Service AND the city have an interest in the Dixie Highway property in hopes of satisfying both a tax lien AND a judgment.
So Mr. Fitzgerald representing the United States of America for the Northern District of Illinois stated on June 5, 2007 that a lien was placed on the premises “to secure a tax assessment balance of $379,530.72 as of May 18th 2007.”
Furthermore Mr. Fitzgerald had to raise his pimp hand to the mortgage company and the city by stating:
“The United States of America has insufficient knowledge to form a belief as to the priority between its lien, plaintiff’s mortgage and other liens against the subject premises.”
“The United States of America asserts its right of redemption accorded it under 28 U.S.C. 2410 and applicable state statutes.”
“…Further the United States of America prays that if the premises involved herin are sold free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, save the right of redemption vested in the United States of America by statute, the proceeds derived from said sale to be applied to the payment of the liens of the various parties in this cause…”
I wonder if it just would have been easier to quote Ludacris and just say “move, bitch get out the way.”
How hot is that shit?
But never one to take any type of legal proceedings lying down, Carlton filed a response on October 1, 2007 to the plaintiff’s petition to appoint a receiver.
Pimp hand indeed.
According to answers.com a receiver is a “person appointed by a court or secured creditor to run a company for a short period of time in a manner that will ensure as much debt is paid back to creditors as possible. Their main purpose is to use a company's assets in a way that will most effectively pay back creditors.”
In his response Carlton stated that the “plaintiff wrongfully assumes that rents are being collected and diverted for personal use. However 17 of the 40 units are currently vacant with less than $6,000 collected for September. All of the funds have been used to pay operating expenses (gas, water, waste disposal) and daily maintenance of the property.”
“The appointment of a receiver would only increase the expenses of a struggling property which is currently under a contract for sale, awaiting final approval and has a back up offer as a contingency.”
Whoo doggies!
Not to be one upped, Inland filed yet another suit---this time in the law division of the circuit court last week on November 28th.
Looks like these kids mean business.
Unfortunately the judge is holding the file in his chambers so I can’t get my hot little hands on it so I can give a good read.
But rest assured when I get a chance to read the paperwork, I’ll be sure to give you every factual relevant tidbit.
Guess who’s up to his ears in a commercial foreclosure, lawsuit and a possible sale?
That’s right, the effervescent Carlton Knight.
I recently took a trip to the Clerk of the Circuit Court records division after I discovered new legal proceedings against Mr. Knight.
I love the transparency of the legal system in my neck of the woods.
I’m just giving you the interesting parts. For those of you waiting with baited breath for a bullet point by bullet point outline of the failed summons service attempts, I’m sorry to disappoint you.
The following facts were taken from court records filed earlier this year:
A mortgage loan for $1,120,000 was taken out with Westbank in Hillside, IL by Carlton Knight and Chicago Title Land Trust Company (as successor trustee to NAB Bank) under trust number 2-107-0 on October 3, 2003. The 40 unit commercial property is located at 15144 Dixie Highway in Harvey, Illinois.
On April 19, 2007 a foreclosure suit was filed against Carlton and the above mentioned trust for the unpaid balance of the mortgage, legal fees and court costs by Inland Bank & Trust F/K/A Westbank.
On June 13, 2007 Carlton filed appearance documentation declaring his intent to represent himself (ProSe) and the answer Inland Bank’s initial complaint. His response was that there was “insufficient information with which to admit or deny paragraphs 1-3 of the complaint to foreclosure mortgage and therefore neither admit nor deny those paragraphs but demand strict proof thereof.”
Now here’s where it gets fun.
The newly engaged (and one of People Magazine’s sexiest men of 2005) Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald, jumps into the fray by filing his own answer to the complaint.
Why, might you ask?
It appears the Internal Revenue Service AND the city have an interest in the Dixie Highway property in hopes of satisfying both a tax lien AND a judgment.
So Mr. Fitzgerald representing the United States of America for the Northern District of Illinois stated on June 5, 2007 that a lien was placed on the premises “to secure a tax assessment balance of $379,530.72 as of May 18th 2007.”
Furthermore Mr. Fitzgerald had to raise his pimp hand to the mortgage company and the city by stating:
“The United States of America has insufficient knowledge to form a belief as to the priority between its lien, plaintiff’s mortgage and other liens against the subject premises.”
“The United States of America asserts its right of redemption accorded it under 28 U.S.C. 2410 and applicable state statutes.”
“…Further the United States of America prays that if the premises involved herin are sold free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, save the right of redemption vested in the United States of America by statute, the proceeds derived from said sale to be applied to the payment of the liens of the various parties in this cause…”
I wonder if it just would have been easier to quote Ludacris and just say “move, bitch get out the way.”
How hot is that shit?
But never one to take any type of legal proceedings lying down, Carlton filed a response on October 1, 2007 to the plaintiff’s petition to appoint a receiver.
Pimp hand indeed.
According to answers.com a receiver is a “person appointed by a court or secured creditor to run a company for a short period of time in a manner that will ensure as much debt is paid back to creditors as possible. Their main purpose is to use a company's assets in a way that will most effectively pay back creditors.”
In his response Carlton stated that the “plaintiff wrongfully assumes that rents are being collected and diverted for personal use. However 17 of the 40 units are currently vacant with less than $6,000 collected for September. All of the funds have been used to pay operating expenses (gas, water, waste disposal) and daily maintenance of the property.”
“The appointment of a receiver would only increase the expenses of a struggling property which is currently under a contract for sale, awaiting final approval and has a back up offer as a contingency.”
Whoo doggies!
Not to be one upped, Inland filed yet another suit---this time in the law division of the circuit court last week on November 28th.
Looks like these kids mean business.
Unfortunately the judge is holding the file in his chambers so I can’t get my hot little hands on it so I can give a good read.
But rest assured when I get a chance to read the paperwork, I’ll be sure to give you every factual relevant tidbit.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Enemy Within
If you’ve been a loyal and regular reader of this blog, you already know that I have little love for “investors” who buy into our happy home.
Plus it just burns my biscuits that someone makes our home their commercial enterprise.
As an association we’ve had trouble with “investors” before and we’ve luckily got those past issues under control.
Yet there’s always one pain in the ass. One person who has to keep it interesting and not make any attempt to be neighborly or abide by the minimal rules we have around this joint.
Ms. Realtor is that person.
Ms. Realtor is an owner of a unit that she rented out in the past and now has placed on the market
From what I understand she owes the association in excess of $1,000 in back assessments.
I get being a couple months behind---hey, we’ve all been there---but over $1,000?
Might I add she owes us this money AND she had the place rented out for a while. There was no good reason why she couldn’t of paid her assessments.
Moreover getting any type of meaningful communication out of her is like hitting your head against a brick wall.
So if her financial shit was hitting the fan, she at least could of given us a “heads up” on the assessment tip.
We understand that people have drama in the money department from time to time. No one is immune from that.
But from what I understand we couldn’t even get an odd e-mail much less the money that we’re legally owed.
So now it gets ugly.
If there’s not a lien on the property one will placed on it soon enough.
And in the interest of disclosure, one association member even threatened to go to one of the owner’s open houses and let her potential clients know about her deadbeat ways.
I personally think that’s going too far---but she already put it out there.
Why waste your time threatening someone and have a potential trespassing beef to deal with when there are so many other effective ways to get your point across?
I’m sure there’s some type of ethical violation that I’m sure the state real estate licensing board would be interested in hearing about.
But then again, maybe not; who knows? I’m sure someone is investigating that angle.
You see our bills can’t wait until the property sells in order to collect our money.
I can’t speak to Ms. Realtor’s motivation for not paying her assessments but in the past, when we’ve found ourselves in this same situation we’d often get the “We’ll pay when the property sells” line.
Well that’s all fine and well until no one has any hot water to shower with because People’s Energy hasn’t been paid.
But investor’s don’t worry about that because they don’t live here.
Past experience has also taught me that the people who try to take advantage of us usually tend to look like us.
Or at the very least they’re people of color.
Our developer, the deadbeats, Maurice Cousin---all the people who broke dirty with this association happened to be black.
Sorry to get all Bill Cosby and air out our laundry but---if you’ll excuse the pun---let’s call a spade a spade.
While I could go on forever about black on black relations, it’s easier to compare it to Don Imus getting fired for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team a bunch of nappy headed ho’s and Isaiah Thomas explaining in a deposition when a black man refers to a black woman as a bitch it may be less offensive than a white man referring to a black woman as a bitch.
We’ve swatted down a whole bunch of Isaiah’s in the past, I hope Ms. Realtor doesn’t turn out to be another.
I have seen the enemy and it is us.
Plus it just burns my biscuits that someone makes our home their commercial enterprise.
As an association we’ve had trouble with “investors” before and we’ve luckily got those past issues under control.
Yet there’s always one pain in the ass. One person who has to keep it interesting and not make any attempt to be neighborly or abide by the minimal rules we have around this joint.
Ms. Realtor is that person.
Ms. Realtor is an owner of a unit that she rented out in the past and now has placed on the market
From what I understand she owes the association in excess of $1,000 in back assessments.
I get being a couple months behind---hey, we’ve all been there---but over $1,000?
Might I add she owes us this money AND she had the place rented out for a while. There was no good reason why she couldn’t of paid her assessments.
Moreover getting any type of meaningful communication out of her is like hitting your head against a brick wall.
So if her financial shit was hitting the fan, she at least could of given us a “heads up” on the assessment tip.
We understand that people have drama in the money department from time to time. No one is immune from that.
But from what I understand we couldn’t even get an odd e-mail much less the money that we’re legally owed.
So now it gets ugly.
If there’s not a lien on the property one will placed on it soon enough.
And in the interest of disclosure, one association member even threatened to go to one of the owner’s open houses and let her potential clients know about her deadbeat ways.
I personally think that’s going too far---but she already put it out there.
Why waste your time threatening someone and have a potential trespassing beef to deal with when there are so many other effective ways to get your point across?
I’m sure there’s some type of ethical violation that I’m sure the state real estate licensing board would be interested in hearing about.
But then again, maybe not; who knows? I’m sure someone is investigating that angle.
You see our bills can’t wait until the property sells in order to collect our money.
I can’t speak to Ms. Realtor’s motivation for not paying her assessments but in the past, when we’ve found ourselves in this same situation we’d often get the “We’ll pay when the property sells” line.
Well that’s all fine and well until no one has any hot water to shower with because People’s Energy hasn’t been paid.
But investor’s don’t worry about that because they don’t live here.
Past experience has also taught me that the people who try to take advantage of us usually tend to look like us.
Or at the very least they’re people of color.
Our developer, the deadbeats, Maurice Cousin---all the people who broke dirty with this association happened to be black.
Sorry to get all Bill Cosby and air out our laundry but---if you’ll excuse the pun---let’s call a spade a spade.
While I could go on forever about black on black relations, it’s easier to compare it to Don Imus getting fired for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team a bunch of nappy headed ho’s and Isaiah Thomas explaining in a deposition when a black man refers to a black woman as a bitch it may be less offensive than a white man referring to a black woman as a bitch.
We’ve swatted down a whole bunch of Isaiah’s in the past, I hope Ms. Realtor doesn’t turn out to be another.
I have seen the enemy and it is us.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Deadbeat on Deck
I saw him across the bar and couldn’t believe my eyes.
Unless the Stoli was playing tricks on me, I saw the one and only Mr. Maurice Cousin at the opening of the Stoli Hotel in Chicago.
No there isn’t a real Stoli Hotel but rather a slick, big bucks promotion to re-brand and re-introduce Stoli to the national market.
You know the type of party that has all of the arbiters of cool. The hipper than thou.
So I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “Why was Woody there?”
Hell, I was asking myself the same question.
While I’m the eternal dork, I do have friends who aren't. They're my entrée in the club world.
Plus I stopped believing in paying cover years ago.
Anyhoo…
There I was at the bar and Mr. Cousin walks up and orders a drink across the way.
You know how someone gives you the “Don’t you look familiar?” look.
He gave me that look.
When I didn’t look away and continued giving him a stare that went from uncomfortable to downright hostile I think it might of jogged his memory.
Deadbeat motherfucker.
The only reason why I didn’t go complete sista girl on his trifflin’ ass was because my friend was at a work event.
Albeit a work event with pretty people and flavored vodka.
Despite my longing to cause a huge public scene I kept my karma mantra in mind.
The dirt he’s done will (or already has) come back to haunt him.
You don’t stiff your former neighbors for $7,000 via bankruptcy not get some type of metaphoric payback.
Unless the Stoli was playing tricks on me, I saw the one and only Mr. Maurice Cousin at the opening of the Stoli Hotel in Chicago.
No there isn’t a real Stoli Hotel but rather a slick, big bucks promotion to re-brand and re-introduce Stoli to the national market.
You know the type of party that has all of the arbiters of cool. The hipper than thou.
So I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “Why was Woody there?”
Hell, I was asking myself the same question.
While I’m the eternal dork, I do have friends who aren't. They're my entrée in the club world.
Plus I stopped believing in paying cover years ago.
Anyhoo…
There I was at the bar and Mr. Cousin walks up and orders a drink across the way.
You know how someone gives you the “Don’t you look familiar?” look.
He gave me that look.
When I didn’t look away and continued giving him a stare that went from uncomfortable to downright hostile I think it might of jogged his memory.
Deadbeat motherfucker.
The only reason why I didn’t go complete sista girl on his trifflin’ ass was because my friend was at a work event.
Albeit a work event with pretty people and flavored vodka.
Despite my longing to cause a huge public scene I kept my karma mantra in mind.
The dirt he’s done will (or already has) come back to haunt him.
You don’t stiff your former neighbors for $7,000 via bankruptcy not get some type of metaphoric payback.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Nearing The Finish Line
In July of 2005 our association leveled a special to pay for the construction of our new back porches.
Each two bedroom in the association was responsible for a $3,976.00 assessment.
Some people paid in chunks, some paid monthly---I'm in the later group.
After 28 months of payments I'm thrilled to report that I have paid $3,108.00 of my total special assessment. That leaves $868 left to pay.
I'm tempted to pay it off in one fell swoop but since I don't know when I'm going to get a job, perhaps it's just best for me to continue paying it off in addition to my monthly assessment.
I'm under $1,000. This milestone has been a long time coming.
Each two bedroom in the association was responsible for a $3,976.00 assessment.
Some people paid in chunks, some paid monthly---I'm in the later group.
After 28 months of payments I'm thrilled to report that I have paid $3,108.00 of my total special assessment. That leaves $868 left to pay.
I'm tempted to pay it off in one fell swoop but since I don't know when I'm going to get a job, perhaps it's just best for me to continue paying it off in addition to my monthly assessment.
I'm under $1,000. This milestone has been a long time coming.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Bad Sign, Getting Worse
As luck would have it, my refi dreams are down the shitter.
Apparently either due to the foreclosures in the area as well as neighbors who want a quick sale and sell cheaply, the property value in the hoody hoo has dropped over $30,000.
I’m sure inflated appraisals by bootleg appraisers might have had something to do with this as well.
All of these factors have led to a no go on the refi as the loan to value ratios don’t work.
What does this mean for me?
It means that every six months until I can actually refinance my interest rate adjusts upward.
When my rate adjusts in July I may be looking at an additional $300 tacked onto my mortgage payment.
Now as much as that sucks if I work a little bit harder at the second job and stay in one weekend a month, I can make that up with no problem.
The shit hitting the fan comes in January of 2008.
That’s when the rate adjusts again and another $300-$400 gets tacked on to the first rate adjustment.
It’s gonna get ugly real quick like.
But instead of letting this situation control me, I’m exploring some options and will report back when the workable solutions have firmed up.
Until then I have to repay personal debts and batten down the financial hatches.
It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
Apparently either due to the foreclosures in the area as well as neighbors who want a quick sale and sell cheaply, the property value in the hoody hoo has dropped over $30,000.
I’m sure inflated appraisals by bootleg appraisers might have had something to do with this as well.
All of these factors have led to a no go on the refi as the loan to value ratios don’t work.
What does this mean for me?
It means that every six months until I can actually refinance my interest rate adjusts upward.
When my rate adjusts in July I may be looking at an additional $300 tacked onto my mortgage payment.
Now as much as that sucks if I work a little bit harder at the second job and stay in one weekend a month, I can make that up with no problem.
The shit hitting the fan comes in January of 2008.
That’s when the rate adjusts again and another $300-$400 gets tacked on to the first rate adjustment.
It’s gonna get ugly real quick like.
But instead of letting this situation control me, I’m exploring some options and will report back when the workable solutions have firmed up.
Until then I have to repay personal debts and batten down the financial hatches.
It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Bad Sign
My mortgage person is missing in action.
After the appraisal flap, I take no news as bad news.
None of you have any idea how much of a serious monkey wrench has been thrown in my personal financial plans.
I anticipate my monthly mortgage payments will go up another $300-$400 dollars a month until I can find a new deal.
While I’ve started working on another lender, I’m battening down the hatches to prepare for the upcoming storm.
I should be able to ride it through for a month or two but if it’s extended for a longer period, I'll be in trouble.
Additionally, the mortgage adjusts every six months so God only knows how high that bad boy will go.
I’ll tell you one thing---I have no intentions on finding out.
Let's all keep our fingers crossed.
After the appraisal flap, I take no news as bad news.
None of you have any idea how much of a serious monkey wrench has been thrown in my personal financial plans.
I anticipate my monthly mortgage payments will go up another $300-$400 dollars a month until I can find a new deal.
While I’ve started working on another lender, I’m battening down the hatches to prepare for the upcoming storm.
I should be able to ride it through for a month or two but if it’s extended for a longer period, I'll be in trouble.
Additionally, the mortgage adjusts every six months so God only knows how high that bad boy will go.
I’ll tell you one thing---I have no intentions on finding out.
Let's all keep our fingers crossed.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Set, Match...
It took almost two years but it is finally over.
The third party judgment against the association has been vacated by the city. We are now officially not holding the bag for Carlton Knight’s responsibilities.
Well at least for this one.
Like Babe Ruth Mr. Money Bags came through and delivered on his called shot---the issue was indeed cleared up before Christmas. Specifically December 21st.
Because Mr. Money Bags is all that and a bag of chips, a handwritten thank you note was promptly put in the post.
‘Cause I’m a classy broad like that.
The third party judgment against the association has been vacated by the city. We are now officially not holding the bag for Carlton Knight’s responsibilities.
Well at least for this one.
Like Babe Ruth Mr. Money Bags came through and delivered on his called shot---the issue was indeed cleared up before Christmas. Specifically December 21st.
Because Mr. Money Bags is all that and a bag of chips, a handwritten thank you note was promptly put in the post.
‘Cause I’m a classy broad like that.
Friday, August 04, 2006
The Barbeque
Once a summer, we as an association pick a date and have a barbeque in our back courtyard.
It’s a great opportunity to sit down with the neighbors and chat.
Everyone is usually going in so many different directions that we rarely see each other.
The barbeque was discussed at our June meeting and boy were the plans grandiose.
Flyers were supposed to go up to notify everyone in our association in plenty of time. Plans were made to invite other condo associations in the neighborhood.
For whatever reason none of that happened.
So as usual, no one knew if the barbeque was still on or if it had been postponed. Different people were giving different answers.
Actually that’s not entirely true.
Our association lawyer received an e-mail letting him know that he was invited to the festivities.
The rest of us got no notification whatsoever.
Okay, fine---that’s par for the course with my condo association.
That wasn’t the kicker---the kicker was what one of the board members had to say to me.
Board Member: “You said that you’d take us out for dinner if we ever got money out of the (real estate) management companies.”
Me: “I did?”
Board Member: “Yes you did.”
This person went on to talk about how much money has come in from the real estate management/mortgage company owners of the foreclosed upon units.
Insinuating that I basically quit the board for no good reason and I had no idea what I was talking about.
I just looked at this individual like they had a third eye in the middle of their head.
I let them prattle on but managed to insert a one question:
Me: “So you’re telling me that the real estate management/mortgage company paid all of the back assessments owed for the unit(s)? Even the portion they were responsible for?”
Board Member: “No.”
Me: “Oh, I just wanted to be clear on what you’re telling me.”
Selective memory is a bitch in this heat so I’m sure this person failed to remember this little ditty I sent upon my resignation.
I never said that as an association that we weren’t going to collect any money, I said that it was unethical to attempt to stick someone with a bill that’s not rightfully theirs.
Moreover the execution of association financial business was astoundingly slow.
But don’t get me started down that road.
Instead referencing the facts and mucking up this person’s reality, I tied up the conversation in a nice neat bow by saying:
“Well I think it’s just great that we’re on firmer financial footing. Money coming in can never be a bad thing.”
Now wasn’t that so good of me? I didn’t even break a sweat.
I turned to the person next to me and engaged them in conversation. All the while sipping on the champagne I brought with me for just such an emergency.
It’s a great opportunity to sit down with the neighbors and chat.
Everyone is usually going in so many different directions that we rarely see each other.
The barbeque was discussed at our June meeting and boy were the plans grandiose.
Flyers were supposed to go up to notify everyone in our association in plenty of time. Plans were made to invite other condo associations in the neighborhood.
For whatever reason none of that happened.
So as usual, no one knew if the barbeque was still on or if it had been postponed. Different people were giving different answers.
Actually that’s not entirely true.
Our association lawyer received an e-mail letting him know that he was invited to the festivities.
The rest of us got no notification whatsoever.
Okay, fine---that’s par for the course with my condo association.
That wasn’t the kicker---the kicker was what one of the board members had to say to me.
Board Member: “You said that you’d take us out for dinner if we ever got money out of the (real estate) management companies.”
Me: “I did?”
Board Member: “Yes you did.”
This person went on to talk about how much money has come in from the real estate management/mortgage company owners of the foreclosed upon units.
Insinuating that I basically quit the board for no good reason and I had no idea what I was talking about.
I just looked at this individual like they had a third eye in the middle of their head.
I let them prattle on but managed to insert a one question:
Me: “So you’re telling me that the real estate management/mortgage company paid all of the back assessments owed for the unit(s)? Even the portion they were responsible for?”
Board Member: “No.”
Me: “Oh, I just wanted to be clear on what you’re telling me.”
Selective memory is a bitch in this heat so I’m sure this person failed to remember this little ditty I sent upon my resignation.
I never said that as an association that we weren’t going to collect any money, I said that it was unethical to attempt to stick someone with a bill that’s not rightfully theirs.
Moreover the execution of association financial business was astoundingly slow.
But don’t get me started down that road.
Instead referencing the facts and mucking up this person’s reality, I tied up the conversation in a nice neat bow by saying:
“Well I think it’s just great that we’re on firmer financial footing. Money coming in can never be a bad thing.”
Now wasn’t that so good of me? I didn’t even break a sweat.
I turned to the person next to me and engaged them in conversation. All the while sipping on the champagne I brought with me for just such an emergency.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Good Night & Good Luck
Justice is for those who can afford such luxuries.
Unfortunately while our association is in a much better position financially, we aren’t at the point where we can shell out a $7,500 retainer for a lawyer.
A lawyer who would of took the case on a contingency fee might I add.
Every lawyer or legal person I’ve spoken to has said we have an open and shut case. Slam dunk, no question.
But as I’m sure you all know because you’re up on things like that---a judgment isn’t worth the piece of paper it’s written on.
Yeah, it’s great to be able to attach it on to a credit report but we’re looking for the cash.
Cold, hard, put it in the bank account cash.
Anything less---lawsuit wise---is pointless.
I mean we just got bitch slapped by the bankruptcy trustee regarding the almost $7,000 judgment against Maurice Cousin.
While I personally like to mix it up when I know I’ve been wronged, this isn’t my call. It’s the association’s call and I can’t see those kids willing to extend more energy for the probability of a less than stellar result.
Being fair has nothing to do with justice.
Personally I don’t want to get all Bart Ross on this issue either.
I’m not trying to make light of the pain that psycho cause Judge Lefkow’s family but rather to underscore that sometime you need to know when to when to let it go.
No matter how right you may be or feel you may be.
When you make an issue your number one priority it can consume your very existence until there’s nothing left.
Carlton Knight isn’t worth my soul.
God knows, if he believes in such things, he’s going to have a hard enough time saving his own.
As I’ve said before karma is a motherfucker.
Now don’t think I won’t be persuaded to get back in the fight if a cool $10K or excellent free legal representation drops out of the sky (wouldn’t we make a great pro bono case, hint, hint) but the chances of that are remote.
It’s not that the dog isn’t hunting anymore but rather needed to take a rest after all of that hunting.
I’m sure the scent will get picked up again in the near future.
Unfortunately while our association is in a much better position financially, we aren’t at the point where we can shell out a $7,500 retainer for a lawyer.
A lawyer who would of took the case on a contingency fee might I add.
Every lawyer or legal person I’ve spoken to has said we have an open and shut case. Slam dunk, no question.
But as I’m sure you all know because you’re up on things like that---a judgment isn’t worth the piece of paper it’s written on.
Yeah, it’s great to be able to attach it on to a credit report but we’re looking for the cash.
Cold, hard, put it in the bank account cash.
Anything less---lawsuit wise---is pointless.
I mean we just got bitch slapped by the bankruptcy trustee regarding the almost $7,000 judgment against Maurice Cousin.
While I personally like to mix it up when I know I’ve been wronged, this isn’t my call. It’s the association’s call and I can’t see those kids willing to extend more energy for the probability of a less than stellar result.
Being fair has nothing to do with justice.
Personally I don’t want to get all Bart Ross on this issue either.
I’m not trying to make light of the pain that psycho cause Judge Lefkow’s family but rather to underscore that sometime you need to know when to when to let it go.
No matter how right you may be or feel you may be.
When you make an issue your number one priority it can consume your very existence until there’s nothing left.
Carlton Knight isn’t worth my soul.
God knows, if he believes in such things, he’s going to have a hard enough time saving his own.
As I’ve said before karma is a motherfucker.
Now don’t think I won’t be persuaded to get back in the fight if a cool $10K or excellent free legal representation drops out of the sky (wouldn’t we make a great pro bono case, hint, hint) but the chances of that are remote.
It’s not that the dog isn’t hunting anymore but rather needed to take a rest after all of that hunting.
I’m sure the scent will get picked up again in the near future.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Acceptance
You kind folks may have noticed that I haven’t been posting as much lately.
Well quite frankly when I resigned from the condo board, most pipelines of information dried up rather quickly.
Then of course I do have my sanity back.
Unfortunately our grass is paying the price for not having someone else helping to look after it on a regular basis but a woman’s gotta do what a woman’s gotta do.
Seriously though---the weed choked lawn is really chapping my hide.
Nonetheless, a certain form of acceptance is settling over me with regards to my bootleg developer.
I still hate him and I still would love to see him nailed to the wall legally but reality has reared its ugly head despite all of my efforts.
We just don’t have to money to pursue that bastard legally.
Brother (or sister) can you spare a dime?
Well quite frankly when I resigned from the condo board, most pipelines of information dried up rather quickly.
Then of course I do have my sanity back.
Unfortunately our grass is paying the price for not having someone else helping to look after it on a regular basis but a woman’s gotta do what a woman’s gotta do.
Seriously though---the weed choked lawn is really chapping my hide.
Nonetheless, a certain form of acceptance is settling over me with regards to my bootleg developer.
I still hate him and I still would love to see him nailed to the wall legally but reality has reared its ugly head despite all of my efforts.
We just don’t have to money to pursue that bastard legally.
Brother (or sister) can you spare a dime?
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
On The Right Road
Per our monthly association meeting last week, it seems that the green grass is now on our side of the fence.
For the first time in our history all eighteen units will be paying assessments.
We’ve paid off over $14,000 of our loan for the back porches.
We’ve fixed the façade, patched the holes in the roof and finally got the lights up.
It appears that the much needed assessment hike will pad us (*fingers crossed*) from any future special assessments. Moreover, the money will be there for us to embark upon capital improvements and maintenance.
In short, the outlook is sunny.
For the first time in a long time people weren’t on edge or snapping at each other at a meeting. It’s nice to enjoy your neighbor’s company from time to time
More importantly, the meeting was under two hours. An hour and a half if memory serves me correctly.
We even started planning our association cookout. We’re even going to try and invite other condo owners in the immediate area.
Things are going well.
It makes me think that a big cosmic kick in the ass may be coming somewhere down the line.
Sorry guys, I’m trying to control the pessimist in me but it’s so hard.
I’ll try to enjoy our vastly improved fortunes.
For the first time in our history all eighteen units will be paying assessments.
We’ve paid off over $14,000 of our loan for the back porches.
We’ve fixed the façade, patched the holes in the roof and finally got the lights up.
It appears that the much needed assessment hike will pad us (*fingers crossed*) from any future special assessments. Moreover, the money will be there for us to embark upon capital improvements and maintenance.
In short, the outlook is sunny.
For the first time in a long time people weren’t on edge or snapping at each other at a meeting. It’s nice to enjoy your neighbor’s company from time to time
More importantly, the meeting was under two hours. An hour and a half if memory serves me correctly.
We even started planning our association cookout. We’re even going to try and invite other condo owners in the immediate area.
Things are going well.
It makes me think that a big cosmic kick in the ass may be coming somewhere down the line.
Sorry guys, I’m trying to control the pessimist in me but it’s so hard.
I’ll try to enjoy our vastly improved fortunes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
