The Reconstruction: May 2007

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Busy bee

I had a very long memorial day weekend - 4 days, due to my Friday off. I got to see the lovely Miss Rebecca - even without electricity, her hospitality was fabulous. Plus, I got a bunch of home stuff done. I painted my front door (4 freakin' coats!), mulched my flower beds, met my new next door neighbors (poor unknowing people - they have no idea what kind of shape their building is in), fought over a package and won (rescued my potatoes from the GA Ave. post office), did innumerable loads of laundry, and knit a special gift for someone.

I did hit a bit of a snafu on Sunday when I got stuck in rolling thunder traffic. But you gotta love it. Memorial day weekend - all the DC-ites leave town, and all the bikers come into town. Quite a switch!

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Show unit

I am so going to get porn junk mail comments with a title like that. But seriously - I haven't told you guys about this little situation just yet. I must be somewhat purposefully vague, but.... Someone in my building is selling their apartment. Said person is a little high strung about it. The building needs some work done. Outside work. Work that would involve people, tools, metal contraptions, etc. in front of the building. Well, said seller requested that this work not be done while their unit (apt! get your mind out of the gutter) was on the market.

Now, a few years ago, this wouldn't have mattered, the place would have sold in 2 days, and all would be well. But this is no 2004, people! This is 2007 in Washington, DC, in a transitional neighborhood, in a somewhat
slumpy housing market. This place could sit on the market for months! Some folks in the building raised this issue, and were willing to try and get the work done before the place went on the market. The seller, knowing that the people in my building are slug-like, and don't get anything done, responded with this - I do not want construction going on while my place is for sale. My sale will affect everyone else in the building because I have the "show unit." Well, la-de-da! I'll tell ya what you can do with your show unit! I think someone fed right into their realtor's publicity talk.

Well, Mr./Ms. Show Unit has been
spazzy ever since. They complain in an exasperated voice - I am trying to sell a house, here! They leave nasty notes complaining about stuff viewable by potential buyers. They must have mistaken me for someone who cares. (Remember - Here's a quarter. Call someone who cares!"? Ahhh, the 80's.)

Perhaps the show unit needs some Slayer being played during open houses. Who doesn't love Slayer? Truly, if you want to sell the show unit, you should pair it with the show unit of thrasher bands, don't you think? Or, I can park a junk car on the front lawn. That would really enhance the atmosphere of the "show unit."

Okay - I'll try to behave, but this kind of arrogance really bugs me.
Arg!

I'll just continue renovating my little hovel, and hope for good neighbors.