Apartment Complexes Are Thieves - Part 1

Why do apartments charge you for not cleaning an apartment when you move out?

They have to clean it anyway. They have to replace the carpet, paint the walls, and clean everything top to bottom before the next tenant moves in.

I once hired the same company the apartment complex hired to clean the apartments, and the complex actually had the gaul to tell me that the apartment wasn't cleaned to their satisfaction and they'd be witholding my move-in deposit as a result. I had to have a huge argument with them to even get a portion of my deposit back.

So, why do apartment complexes charge the tenants who are moving out if they don't clean the apartment? I think it's just another way they gouge people for more money.

Apartment Living Sucks

I arrived home on Thursday (11/1) to find two letters from my apartment complex management office in my door. Both were dated 10/31, and delivered a day late. This seems to be their habit, delivering letters 1-2 days after they are dated. It is also their habit to deliver letters after the office closes for the day so that you can't contact them right away.

The first letter was unexpected. They are hassling me about the pet deposit again. I've lived here for 7.5 years. I have a cat. I had a cat when I moved in. They never collected a pet deposit when I moved in. Several times since they they have claimed to "discover" that I own a cat, and demand that I pay a pet deposit since I didn't pay one in April 2005. I patiently, and politely, explain to them each time how they can give up on that notion as they can't decide to collect a deposit now for something that wasn't done in 2005. This time the notice states that I have 24 hours to remove my pet from the premises or be in default of my lease agreement. Oh, joy. JUST how I want to spent my Friday, dealing with the people in the office who deal with most complaints by saying "We don't make the decisions, we just work here."

The second letter was expected since it was the notice that my lease expires at the end of December. What was unexpected is that they are raising my rent by $90 each month! $90! That's just crazy. I am sorry, but this place isn't worth $1,000 a month.

I seriously need to start house-hunting. I am seriously tired of all the grief these people put me through.

I'm open to recommendations for trust-worthy, reliable, buyer's agents who can work in the Brandon, Seffner, Mango, Dover, Thonotossassa, Plant City area.

Southern Media Convention Guidebook is Live!

Southern Media Convention Has Gone Mobile! Dear Attendees, This e-mail is to inform you that Southern Media Convention has gone mobile using Guidebook! We strongly encourage you to download our mobile guide to enhance your experience at Southern Media Convention. You'll be able to plan your day with a personalized schedule and browse exhibitors, maps and general show info. The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches and Android devices. Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry users can access the same information via our mobile site at m.guidebook.com. The link to the mobile site also works with any browser on any computer to view the guide online, in case you don't have a mobile device. To get the guide, choose one of the methods below: Download 'Guidebook' from the Apple App Store or the Android Marketplace Visit http://guidebook.com/getit from your phone's browser Scan the following image with your mobile phone (QR-Code reader required, e.g. 'Red Laser', 'Barcode Scanner') The guide will be listed under the "download guides" section of the application. See you at the event! - Southern Media Convention Team  Follow Guidebook on Twitter | Like Guidebook on Facebook

Why Not Ask Why?

Earlier today someone I am acquainted with via Doctor Who fandom posted a link on FaceBook to a group asking for money on Kickstarter to perform a Harry Potter-based musical.

I replied asking several questions, since that info wasn't included on the Kickstarter solicitation page. I thought the FB poster might know since s/he shared the link. I also mentioned that the group met their initial ask and was now asking for more money, and I pondered whether this was an authorized performance of JK Rowling's material.

I was told I was being inappropriate to ask questions, and that I was being negative.

Huh? Why? If you are on Kickstarter asking for my money, I get to ask relevant questions! If you are being friendly and sharing someone's search for project funding, you shouldn't be offended when people ask questions.

I'm not giving someone my hard-earned money for a project that seems inappropriate, illegal, or just plain bone-headed. Not that I am saying this particular group fits under any of those descriptions. But if I'm not allowed to ask any questions, then how would I know if it does or not?

Micro Fiction Monday: The Visit

I lie in bed on my right side, under the covers, halfway between awake and asleep. I feel the bedcovers lift behind me as he slides quietly into bed, pressing his chest to my back, our naked bodies spooning. I feel his hands brush the hair from my neck, his lips softly touching my left shoulder as he kisses it. I feel his warm skin touching mine down the length of my body, and my heart races. I hear him whisper “I love you” in my ear, and I giggle slightly as his breath tickles my ear.

I awake with a start, heart still racing, skin still tingling. I am alone in my bed, as always. As I drift back to sleep, I wonder who paid me a visit in my dreams.



Story written on 15 April 2012

John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer

The following people have been nominated this year for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer:

• Mur Lafferty
• Stina Leicht
• Karen Lord
• Brad R. Torgersen
• E. Lily Yu

My first thought when I saw the list of nominees for this year's award was: should this award be judged solely on the quality of writing, or should you factor in the People Quotient?

People Quotient: how friendly that writer is toward his/her fans.

A couple of years ago at a Worldcon I tried to tell one of the people on this year's nominee list how much I liked their writing, but the person couldn't even be bothered to be polite to me. Before you go making mental excuses for this person's rude dismissive behavior, I did not approach in an inappropriate place, it was at the end of a panel as people were slowly making their way out of the room, and this person didn't seem to be in a hurry. I did not interrupt their conversation with someone else, either.

It takes fans nominating a writer for them to get onto the ballot for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. It also takes fans voting for them to win. So, to be worthy of winning the award do you need to only be an awesome writer, fan appreciation be damned, or do you need to be an awesome writer and treat your fans with at least a minimum amount of politeness?

I do not want to vote for the rude one, regardless of how much I enjoy what the person writes. It seems wrong to reward rude treatment of the fans that got them where they are. Yes, the fans. It doesn't matter how awesome a writer you are if nobody is reading what you wrote.

All opinions and comments welcome.

Micro Fiction Monday: It Starts Tomorrow At Noon

When I was under 30 I wrote short stories quite frequently. I even had one published in my Junior College's quarterly literary magazine. The story below is the first one I've written in a very long time, and it's very short. I discovered there is a term for these now: Micro Fiction. While exact numbers vary, the generally accepted definition of Micro Fiction is any story that is 300 words or less. Any amount less is acceptable There are even collections established for stories of specific word lengths.

Since I have felt like writing again lately, I thought I might give "Micro Fiction Monday" a try, and post one story a week.

This is my first effort in that goal. It was originally published in "Be Careful What You Wish For" Issue #4, which was my zine for Stipple APA #257, in September 2010.

It Starts Tomorrow At Noon

“It starts tomorrow at noon.”

That was the text message I got on my mobile phone this morning. I have no idea who it came from. The sender's number was only zeroes.

I asked around, and nobody else I know got that message, so it must not have been a marketing message from a local store.

I wish I knew what to do about it.

It could be nothing.

On the other hand, it could be that I've intercepted a message with nefarious origins. Maybe someone is planning a robbery. Maybe a bank robbery. Or maybe that's when the Alien Invasion begins.

Eh, it's probably nothing.