Thursday, February 28, 2008

I'm not running for President, but...

I have struggled with the current political debates and people asking one another, "Who are you voting for?" Mainly, my discomfort is due to the fact that I don't want to vote for Mc Cain, Obama, or Clinton. I would have a difficult time choosing any of them. That answer is a difficult for some in a city that's teeming with die hard Obama fans, and I am left feeling out of the loop, and quite lonely.

I've poked my nose into an article here and there to see what's going on, but I just can't bring myself to watch the debates and the news with all of these "projected" wins, and political analysts bickering back and forth on a split screen.

It's been years since I've really embraced anyone in politics and if anything, I completely reject our political and social system as I think it's faulty and I can't see how anything is going to improve without major changes.

Last night I read an article in the NY Times written by Mayor Bloomberg. I can't believe how refreshing it was to read his words and think to myself, wow, for the first time, here's a man who's saying things that I've been saying for a long time.

He writes, " The changes needed in this country are straightforward enough, but there are always partisan reasons to take an easy way out. There are always special interests that will fight against any challenge to the status quo. And there are always those who will worry more about their next election than the health of our country. These forces that prevent meaningful progress are powerful, and they exist in both parties."

This article also made me so depressed, because Michael Bloomberg is not going to run in this election... and it's such a shame, because we really need something or someone to stop the giant machine that we have holding us back while other global economies thrive and move towards more progressive environmental standards. This country is a mess.

In other words, mayor Bloomberg's words have filled me with hope and despair all at once.

I like this =)



Thanks Di!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

confused

So, I always hear about these expensive training courses that people take in order to become a licensed real estate broker. I don't know if that requirement is based on selling properties or what, but these are a few of the photos that I've seen while looking for an apartment for rent, and I can't believe that anyone with training could take these and post them. The first thing that I have to ask myself is, don't these people actually want to rent the property out? Isn't that how they make their money? How do these photos entice those in search of new digs to hop on the subway and race to be the first to "snatch up" this deal that "won't last" because it's a "one of a kind" and "below market value".... scratches head*



Is that wallpaper?!




........?


Dungeon for rent?
By the way, the heading on this one was "upscale".




Wow, can't you see yourself having a BBQ off to the left,
and maybe a patio table somewhere in the over growth?



I don't even have to think of something to say about this.


dump



Have you ever looked for an apartment on craigslist? Realtor lingo always carries this exciting tone, "Extravagant 300 sq. ft. studio in Canarsie", "Fabulous Gem!", "Will not last!!", "Deal of a lifetime!", Sun-drenched"....

By now I know that cozy refers to a small room with an efficiency kitchen and shared bathroom, and charming describes that the apartment is totally in need of renovations.. oh, and it's small too.

So, I went to see a place tonight. Here's the ad along with some of my own words:



MAGNIFICENT 1 BEDROOM APT (2 BDRM RAILROAD STYLE) (Meaning if you sleep on a futon in the living room area, you now have a 2 bedroom?) LOCATED IN A 6 FAMILY HOUSE ON THE THIRD FLOOR.

"A SMILE IS CONTAGIOUS"
ok.. wtf is this and why is it here?

WE HAVE FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL TENANTS ONLY!!! (riiiight, like the guy I saw walking around the halls without his shirt on who went into the apt that had piles of beer bottles stacked outside the door? Or are they referring to the downstairs neighbor who has a giant skull hanging on his front door?)

OK, in my defense, I looked at this picture and I thought, so what if there's some crap around, these people are moving out.... and besides, other than the clothes and boxes, it looks relatively clean.... Well YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I SAW. The place stank like old, stale cigarettes. There were plates all over the "kitchen" full of rotten food with flies on it. Some sort of "hamburger" looking thing was hanging off the side of the stove... the bathtub.. omg... I would rather shower with a garden hose. Not to mention the gaping hole in the ceiling in the lobby area, the poorly plastered sections of the apartment where there had been water damage, and to finish the experience off, on my way out I noticed a sticker on the door that said, "HEY CHEESE DICK"

THIS AMAZING APARTMENT INCLUDES:

  • Shiny polished floors. lie
  • Freshly painted. lie
  • Apartment recently renovated. big fat lie
  • Wood kitchen. what?
  • Close to lots of great stores. I don't care if it was in the west village, I wouldn't live there.
  • Close to laundromat.
COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE L TRAIN @ MONTROSE (lie... 5 is not a couple) & G TRAIN BY UNION
WHICH IS 10 MINUTES FROM THE CITY!!
Lie- the G train doesn't go to the city
CALL JOE "IMMEDIATELY" BEFORE THIS IS GONE
I have no idea what kind of person would pay to live in that place. I needed a shower after I left.

The following items are required in order to get an appointment for viewing the apartment:
Good credit score & Proof of income
Sorry no programs accepted.
LOCATED BY MONTROSE &LORIMER.

31 Montrose is a filthy, stinking, heap of shit.



word association

I like to title my blog posts with as little words as possible. Often, when I write something, there's a key word that comes to mind that sums it all up.
Here's an example of how I use word association.
today= lazy
dinner= full
apartment I went to see=dump
my cat= smelly

....et voila.



Friday, February 15, 2008