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Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Sparky

As it turns out, there is more money to pour into my condo. When the electrician came to look at the fuse box we want to replace, Monster had him look at the connections in the ceiling where we're putting in new fixtures. Checking the wire, they both saw inappropriate sparks. After going up into the attic crawl space, where is was the discovered that the housings were rusted out and the wires in the ceiling have a lot of the insulation burned off. Our electrician said it's amazing we haven't had a fire yet in the building. Some of this might just be due to the age of the building. The condos were original apartments built in 1960. It might also be due to the roof leaks that I have battled with the condominium association for years to fix. Now I'm having all of the wiring above my unit replaced. I can't do anything about the rest of the building but I can at least try to ensure that if there is a fire, it will not start at my space. All changes and repairs that go beyond the interior walls of each unit are supposed to be the associations' responsibility, so I'm probably over-stepping my limits by having everything above my unit replaced but I know from experience that the condominium owners association will do nothing for the building as a whole. The new owners just don't know, and thus, don't care. The old owners have their units paid for and are only sitting on them in the hope that the building will be snatched up by developers some day to be replaced by a high-rise. They've been waiting for that winning offer on the building for decades.

New refridgerator = $400.00
Hardwood Floor repair and refinishing = 800.00
Bathroom pipe snapped in two = 750.00
Electrical work = 500.00

Monster paid for the painting and cleaning materials and supplies.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

stress

At least I did things in the right order today. First stress, then relief and consolation with good company, then food and chilling out at home.

Monster and I started the day going to the condo, where I was supposed to help him set in the frame and sheet rock for the new closet doors to fit in the bedroom. We ended up getting in a huge fight over everything, like we always do when discussing anything and everything related to the condo. He asks my opinion and then either ignores what I say like he doesn't hear me or tells me that I'm wrong. I told him that, while I appreciate him taking time to make repairs, paint walls, and oversee service people coming to the condo; I don't think we should have these discussions or go there together again. He can just surprise me rather than fight about it every time. Then he thought I didn't appreciate him. Then I try to explain that by telling him to take over without me, I am saying that I trust him completely.
I Just Don't Want To Fight Anymore.
There is no way to be around or discuss the condo or anything in it without fighting.

Just when I'm ready to jump off a bridge, I decided to get out and meet friends for brunch. Going to brunch with friends was an excellent choice. I got to see very pleasant, clever people and hear about what they've been doing and planning while having good eats (which included a nice slab of tuna) and look at wedding photos and hear about someone elses' home renovation that was actually working out quite well despite AC failure and fire.

Came back home and watched foodTV and cartoons.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

The price just keeps going up.

Still working on the restoration of the condo. So many things are going on monday that Monster is going to take the day off work to be there all day. The floor refinishing starts next week and half of the money is due before they begin work. An electrician is coming by to look at the ancient fuse box that was also screwed up by the tenant and will now be replaced with a new breaker box. The new refridgerator is also supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning and the kitchen floor still needs to be scraped and cleaned before the fridge goes in the spot same spot as the old one they're hauling off. I can't be there and I just have to trust Monster to make sure all of these things are done.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Please send Home Depot gift certificates.

We haven't had much time or money for anything this month or last because we're still in the midst of restoring my condo from the last tenant. I knew bachelors were bad but Josh has far surpassed all of my worst expectations/fears.

The nasty, stained moist carpet and pad have been removed from the bed room and Moonlight will be up to refinish the hardwood floors in the living room and bedroom in a couple of weeks, as soon as Monster is finished repainting everything and replacing all of the cracked outlet covers and broken fixtures, as well as replacing the broken doorson the bedroom closet.

I spent six hundred dollars at Home Depot today alone buying, among other things, a new refridgerator. And we still haven't scheduled an electrician to come by yet to fix the fuse box. I was able to chisel the thick crust of glass and what looks like burned chili and ramen off the stove but I haven't been able to inspect and tackle the oven and cabinetry until after I have light in the kitchen again (fuse box problem) again.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

in vino veritas

The wine tasting at Babette's Cafe was good tonight despite it being all white wines of Burgundy because of the excellent food pairing. Afterwards Chaz, Sandy and Moi went to Vino Librosfor more wine and snax.

Friday, September 08, 2006

You Are Creepy

Serial killers would run away from you in a flash.
The Movie Of Your Life Is A Black Comedy

In your life, things are so twisted that you just have to laugh.
You may end up insane, but you'll have fun on the way to the asylum.

Your best movie matches: Being John Malkovich, The Royal Tenenbaums, American Psycho
You Are From Uranus

You shine with brilliant creativity, and you're more than a little eccentric.
You love everything unusual and shocking. You're one far-out chick or dude.
Anything unconventional excites you - and you have genius potential.
Just don't let your rebel side get the best of you, or else you'll alienate everyone.
Your original thinking and funky attitude is all you need to be you.