Col_Puff_Puff_Rules

New Photos!!!

From Christmas 2009 and Agility With Puffers!

Take a look on the Right for the Link.

Cats are NOT better than dogs.

But this makes them look a lot more fun than I have ever given them credit for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPzNl6NKAG0

Looking for Work? Read this...

Job Hunting Isn't What It Used To Be

I found my current job on Craigslist.

Yuniverse! This is Fun!

Water Everywhere!

It's Saturday Morning and I have called the Maintenance Group (after hours support) twice and have been called once by the Maintenance Manager who asked me if it is indeed an emergency.

I told him that I think it is one. You help me decide. Here's a little video.

Proposition 98 Reaction

This week California voted on Proposition 98 which by and large would have restricted Gov'ts right to seize property and phased out legislation that protects Tenants. With all the renting I have done in the US and in the UK, I have a pretty good undertanding of where a lot of the painpoints are for Tenants.

The Proposition would have probably passed had they not included the hidden legislation to remove rent control.

California (the most expensive state in the country save one and I would still argue that it is the most expensive because we HAVE to have cars) has legislation to protect landlords and tenants because emotions run high when you start messing with the idea of HOME.

Landlords must respect that when you enter a contract with the tenant you can't abuse it.

Tenants need to understand that when they rent a place it isn't theirs and Landlords have the right to put reasonable percentage increase to ensure a return on their investment.

This includes:
1. Returning Deposits and providing receipts to prove what amount was used for what repair.

Deposits are not apart of a Landlord's income. I feel if 98 passed then the clause that Landlords have to pay that back would have been removed. This language is not specifically itemized in the bill and is included in Rent Control which would have been phased out by the bill passing. A lot of Tenants have been burned by selfish landlords.

2. Landlords have the right to raise the rent a percentage based on legitimate cost of living in the area; perhaps an increase based on a CPI should be encourage to help define it..

Landlord's need to recognize that their business is based on people. People whom, for whatever reasons, may not get the increase in their salary that could support the kind of increase you want to charge. Wake up. You'll lose great tenants this way if you abuse it. There is ALWAYS somewhere better to move.

3. Tenants must understand: Get out if you don't like it. Landlords can't hold you hostage if you don't let them. Remember you're attached to the apartment and not the other way around.

Emotionally distance yourself from the space. Start growing a small savings account that you don't touch. Even the poorest of us can save pennies. Let it grow slowly but ensure that it's there for deposits on a new place when you need it. And then leave that apartment when you can.

Would you keep shopping at a store if they treated you badly? Heck no. Renting a space is no different.

Landlords: You have to understand that you're in a business that you can't abuse your client. If you keep trying to abuse your tenants, laws will be passed to restrict your rights. You know it will happen. Why make it worse for yourself by inviting it? Be honest and treat your tenant like a client in your store. You WANT them to respect the merchandise. You WANT them to pay on time. You WANT good clients.

Like attracts like. Be respectful and your Tenants will respect you. If all Tenants and Landlords respected the real cost of this business we wouldn't need rent control.

It is a  huge disappointment that gone and forgotten is the code: The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil.

Puff has a Boyfriend

Our neighbors, whom Puff and I will miss immensely when they move, have a dog that Puff adores and he in turn adores her.

Domino is adorable; I may be biased but the two of them make a lovely couple. They play kiss-chase and tug and all those delightful games little dogs play. They are very happy to spend time with one another.

You would never know that they suffer the indignity of 'no yard'. They bring the outside rough-housing indoors and it is so much fun to watch.

Puff and Domino Link

Seattle Photos

Yeah..I've gotten them uploaded!

Seattle Photo Album

Captain Dave and Captain Jack's Dolphin Safari

This was the best experience ever. As I'm currently downloading pictures from my camera I've noticed that none of them capture the experience at all.

It's hard when the ocean's surface looks like one way glass that you're on the wrong side of. There was a giant pod of Common Dolphins that we came across.

Captain Jack made me cry and I've never been more grateful. Everyone has a top ten list and many of mine include being in the presence of creatures such as these in their natural environment.

I was struggling with some sea-sickness but I needn't have worried for as soon as these dolphins came in to view all of that concern disappeared. There were 100's and they surrounded the boat. I had to force myself to look up from the front of the boat where I was staring for at any point the water was thick with dolphins riding the pressure wave at the bow.

Even grown men growled when Captain Jack apologized to us as he turned the boat around. This was a dream come true. I recommend this experience to everyone.

Dolphin Safari! Dana Pont California

RAINING!

God is Peeing on me!

The rain here in Los Angeles is bad which means the fires next season will probably be worse.

In any case, my dog is miserable. I had to drag her through the lobby and down the steps where she then proceeded to nearly drown herself in a puddle. All, probably, to spite me!

Everyone knows I HATE it when people call Puff 'RAT DOG' but last night, after walking 200 yards in rain that felt like God was aiming at me, even I had to admit that she looked more like a drowned rat than a pure breed dog.

To add insult to injury, my garage door opener decided to fail on me. How irritated was I that there was no where to park and I had to use the bathroom. I called in to the main office who had to patch me through after hours support. Poor guy had to walk out in to the rain and open the garage door for me.

This morning I got a new clicker and my Property Manager, who is awesome, fixed my old one. So now I have a garage door opener on my key chain and another in my car. (*sigh*) Guess it was worth it.

I started laughing while I was on the phone with the lady at the after hours support because not only did I have to use the restroom, for some reason I couldn't get her to understand that I was unable to get in to the garage. In the course of five minutes she thougth that I was 1) complaining that someone was parked in my space, 2) The garage door was broken 3) That no one was taking my calls and 4) my bathroom was flooded.  I was finally able to get her to understand that 1) My garage door opener was busted and 2) I had to pee. I said to her, "I really can't make it any more clear than that!"