Kelly's Gallery Opening!

My wife is an artist here in Seattle, and this month marks one of the biggest show openings as of yet. I'm doing my due diligence as a proud papa bear.

Here is a video from the first opening last Thursday during Seattle's: First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square.

Some pics and such at her Facebook page: UmberDove

You can check out her blog at: umberdove.blogspot.com. She is doing a give away this week, so get over there and see about winning one of her pieces!

Edit: Yes, that really is my wife. ;)

Why your apartment manager thinks you're crazy

This is an actual email conversation I had with a tenant today. I know it loses some context because you don't know the pre-story with her, but basically, she's crazy. 'Nough said.

From Apartment manager to Resident. Enjoy
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 9:51 AM, [Resident] wrote:
Sorry to be a nuisance; however, these laws were set for a purpose.

The temperatures last night were far below 58 degrees Fahrenheit and it is merely 59 in my flat right now and I am cold to the point of wearing thermals. You may want to update your radiators.

http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Washstate/seattle.html
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 10:04 AM, [Resident] wrote:
Also, I would like to add that living at The [Apartment Building] is not the equivalent to the television sitcom Melrose Place. I am a customer of your services, as are our neighbors. Keeping this place clean, providing adequate heat, etc benefits every single one of us. This is why people sign contracts and we, as a collective of renters, pay your company to provide a service.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:28 PM, The[Apartment Building] wrote:
[Resident]

Thank you for your input. Surprisingly, we are completely comfortable here on the "cold, less desirable" side of the building. The side without a view. I would have imagined your apartment to be warmer than ours as it is in more direct sunlight (as you have pointed out in the past when you were too hot) and also on the top floor where heat travels. I will check with the maintenance company tomorrow about "updating the radiators".

Warmly,
B & K
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:30 PM, [Resident] wrote:
Sorry, just because my unit has view.. does not mean it does not get cold. I can take a picture of the thermostat tomorrow at the same time. If you have an issue that I have a unit with a view, perhaps you should move to a unit with a view.

Yes, it does get too hot with the sun. Maintaining a building is hard work.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:33 PM, [Resident] wrote:
Again, I don't live at Melrose Place. And I would appreciate the same consideration you afford those that believe in your Melrose Place philosophy.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM, [Resident] wrote:
actually, i will be more than happy to hire an independent company, with your expense in mind, to evaluate the temperatures of my "view" unit.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:37 PM, [Resident] wrote:
sorry you have an issue with where you live. Projecting your issues and insecurity onto me is very undesirable.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:47 PM, The[Apartment Building] wrote:
[Resident],

I'm not really sure what your fascination with Melrose Place is. I did enjoy the show a decade ago, as I think Heather Locklear is an amusing actress, but I'm not sure how it's relevant.

In stating we don't have a view apartment, it was merely repeating what you have told us time and time again, that it is difficult to predict the temperatures in your apartment. Thank you for keeping us abreast of the temperature situation up there.

I don't feel hiring an independent company to read the thermometer in your unit is completely necessary, but if you feel that you are unable to do so accurately, please proceed.

As a matter of statement, we love our unit and find it to be most accommodating. I do not care for the unit you have specifically because, as you have experienced, it is difficult to maintain a consistent temperature. Thank you for your evaluations.

Warmly,
B & K
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:51 PM, [Resident] wrote:
Well, K and B, I hope that you can do your job in maintaining the building and repairing the radiator situation. As I have noted the laws in Seattle; it was way too cold last night. I am a customer.

Again, I don't live at your Melrose Place, I rent a unit from a company that is managed by people whom cannot or unable to care for laws and the decency of diplomacy due to their own insecurities.

Thank you very much.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 12:58 PM, The[Apartment Building] wrote:
I don't believe the radiator is in need of repair, simply in need of time control adjusting. As stated previously, I will have the maintenance company look into it tomorrow. Thank you for continuing to be a "customer."

As I'm still not sure what the reference to "Melrose Place" is, I'll just assume that you are a Heather Locklear fan like me. As such, I think we should just throw out the entire series of "LAX" because I don't feel it really met her potential. I did enjoy her in "Spin City" though as it really captured her comedic side.

Warmly,
B & K
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:00 PM, [Resident] wrote:
Sorry, I don't watch TV. In fact, I am such a nerd, I just returned from from Mountain View for my birthday. It would be great to adjust the timing for temperature. And this is all I am asking. I don't want to be cold.
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:13 PM, [Resident] wrote:
What I meant to say is that I don't enjoy the discomfort of being cold and this is why there are laws. With the Melrose reference... it had everything to do with how you all treat me and others here. People are people.

BTW Mountain View was lovely. Had a great private tour of Google and got a chance to see old friends and new friends from Switzerland.

My cup of tea, Miss K, still stands. Life is good and people are people; however, considering how you both have been treating me in the halls, etc... the airs you both project... it's just awful when encountered by you in the halls. I enjoy honest happy people in my life and tend to select and surround myself such. So, Melrose Place is quite fitting.... I justifiably so only want a customer based relationship at this point.

Thank you!
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:25 PM, The[Apartment Building] wrote:
Mountain View is quite lovely isn't it. We enjoyed living there. Next time you're in the area you should spend a little time in Los Altos; it's a charming town set in the foothills. Glad to hear you had a good birthday.

Oh, my apologies, I believe that crosses the "customer" based relationship line you are drawing.

Professionally,
B & K
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:27 PM, [Resident] wrote:
I like you. I think, or would like to believe you both are good people. I am a little odd; I understand this.

But don't... stay hard...
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:29 PM, The[Apartment Building] wrote:


B & K
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:31 PM, [Resident] wrote:
I am odd, I sit at home studying M.I.T. courses...

Life is good.

I just don't want to be cold and our bodies at below a certain temperature tend to select... It's rather uncomfortable and I know that you both can solve it. I apologize for my approach; however, I've been shown the impression... that, well...

I hope you both, well, yeah... smile faces are good

;) with a wink
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On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 1:41 PM, [Resident] wrote:
PS. Lovely People:

Isn't Seattle marvelous... after returning, I always find that Seattle is the best place to live.... people... not so much. But what it offers as a city and the lovely geography and climate.
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Exciting day yesterday-

So, a couple of exciting things happened yesterday on the Apartment Manager front.

I'll go light hearted first:

BAM! NEW VACUUM BABY!

I give you the Eureka Capture. So I know it's not that exciting, but seriously, this thing is awesome. It's got a POWER PAW BITCH! Oh yeah, stairs beware. And let's not forget about the self cleaning duster. One of the tenants in the building has a house cleaning service, so I took it up to his place to show it off. He was mildly impressed. "It's no Dyson" Well, yeah, the management company isn't going to sport for a $500 vacuum. I'm lucky I got them to give me this one. If it wasn't for the fact that I had been using one from like 1954, I don't think they would have gone for it.

On a less exciting note, one of my tenants tried to off himself yesterday afternoon. A bunch of cops, ambulance, and fire truck pulled up in front of the building at around 2pm. "Are they coming here?" Yep. No one would say anything to me at first but as soon as they realized I was the manager they started to talk. Apparently, the tenant had taken a bunch of pills and a had drank a shit load of alcohol, called his boyfriend and the boyfriend called it in. When the cops showed up, they found that he had also bought a small portable bbq and had lit a bunch of briquettes in the bathtub, then sealed off the bathroom with tape to try and carbon monoxide himself out. (Just for those contemplating this - it doesn't really work, briquettes don't really give off much CO, at least that's what the firemen told me). But needless to say, they rushed him off to the hospital.

Surprisingly enough, he knocked on my door this morning at 10am. He had already been released?! How does that happen? My only guess is that he didn't have medical coverage to pay for it. How incredibly lame is that. "Well, you seem to be in dire mental health, but since you can't really pay for your visit here, I guess we will let you go. Please don't do that again." So who knows. One of the other unfortunate things is that his partner (that is gay companion for all you red state people) wasn't able to get any information from the cops, the hospital, anyone. The cops didn't even call him after I gave them all the contact info. So unbelievable.

But, that was my excitement for the day yesterday. I'm still excited about the vacuum, can't wait to give it a spin this afternoon. I'm sure once I hit the second floor the excitement will have worn off, but hey, that first floor is going to rock!

Oh yeah, and don't forget to go buy a calendar (or awesome pillow) from my wife's shop - see the below post. The more she sells, the more I'm garaunteed to get some Christmas presents.

The All New 2009 Umberdove Calendar!

Wait, let me explain first. What is an Umberdove? That is my wife's online handle. She sells some of her things through a shop called: Etsy 

But the latest and greatest is her all new 2009 Calendar. I know that there are often people who I don't really know but am obligated to buy things for, and what better to get them than a hand made calendar for the new year. You know they want to think about you everytime they look at it. 

The Calendar is prints of her own watercolors with the dates and text over the top.  Here are some pictures of their awesomeness:

And there are more pics in her Etsy Shop. So go check it out and buy some calendars. They are great gifts and there are other cool things to check out.

The Cluster F#&K Continues

Wow, the new job is freaking chaos. I have been going non-stop since Monday.  And unfortunately, the lack of support from the management company is apparent. We (Kelly and I) posted notes on the doors of all the units telling them about the change over, and honestly, every single email I have gotten back from current tenants has something along the lines of, "Looking forward to meeting you and having competent managers in the building!" That was a cut and paste from the latest email.

We are in a building of 38 units and right now there are 9 vacancies. Well, on Wednesday our boss had his weekly meeting discussing the vacancy rate in buildings and our building was top of the list. So I'm guessing he got his ass reamed, and no doubt blamed us (since we had anything at all to do with it - couldn't have been the fuck up they hired before us). Well, he comes over to the building and walks the vacancies with us. That went really well, he was not afraid to spend some money to replace fridges, new flooring, etc. So he writes down all these work orders to put into the maintenance company. Tells us he will take care of submitting all the stuff.  This was Wednesday at like 3pm.  It's now Friday, I call the maintenance company, no work orders submitted. What the fucking, FUCK? Call boss, his reply, "I'll follow up with them." Bitch, I'm going to come down there and punch you in the fucking throat!

I have been showing apartments non-stop for the past 3 days and you can't do me a favor and DO YOUR JOB?!  Needless to say, I'm keeping detailed notes on everything we are doing, appoints for showing apartments, and doing everything through email so there is a valid paper trail of work. Just try to throw me under the bus bitch, I'll pimp slap you.

The saga continues...