power
In simplicity
An architectural style that emerged in the mid-20s is based in brute and unadorned use of concrete.
Named by the French term béton brut, or brute concrete, Brutalism became popular in the post-WWII era, when the need for affordable housing and public buildings led to the widespread use of concrete.
This story is about concrete of another kind
Between their clubhouse clock-lock with a mind of its own, buying my own coffee cups so they can go green, and the multiple times I found the restrooms locked during the day: A product of forgetfulness from locking them at night (a policy cavalierly put in place without notification or explanation of any kind).
There’s only so much love I could take!
The operative part of management is “manage”: “to handle or direct with a degree of skill.” Since RPM Living bought Broadstone in the summer of 2024, what I witnessed ranks with the worst management I’ve ever seen (and I’ve been around). I lived there for 7 years (peacefully and happily for the first 6). Then this new crew comes waltzing in here touting their superiority over the old staff — showing their true colors from the start (and compromise wasn’t one of ’em).
Neither was any notion of this . . .
Right in tune with the times
Some circles are not burdened by squaring their walk with their talk. They seem to think that advertising virtue equates to embodying it. “Let’s do better by being better” is in the trash room right where it belongs: Next to the chute stamped with “RUBBISH.” That same emptiness applies to glossy overtures on “Go Green” — “encouraging” us to use our own coffee cups (even after they stopped providing any).
The manner in which in they pulled that stunt pissed me off almost as much as eliminating the cups. Platitudes about “protecting the planet” do not make you worldly any more than slogans about “being better” (never learning anything while acting as bastions of virtue on everything):
A lot of that goin’ around!
“Trash Rules”:
How Fitting for Our Crap-is-King Culture
And it sure as hell reigns supreme in this place. The sheer slop in your service was staggering (perfectly depicted in the shoddy supplies below your precious proclamation). To be fair, you improved on that front over time (including returning to our prior coffee creamer at my request). Fairness is at the heart of what this is all about: To not operate in absolutes — where you see things only through the prism of your pursuits (thereby doing cosmic damage to them in the long run).
A lot of that goin’ around too!
Look around!
“Small acts” like “Eliminate Waste & Protect the Planet” are all the rage. But small acts like being forthright about your intentions are not so en vouge. For “small acts” to be more than a slogan — it has to be reflected in the manner in which you carry yourself. For instance:
It took me all of 10 seconds to see there was something special about this kid when I walked into U-Storage (thanks to you and you crew’s habit of thoughtlessness that put me there). At a glance from the across the room and without a word — I instantly recognized he was worlds away from my accuser who never managed to muster up a smile. As she doesn’t even pretend to care — that makes her the most authentic one of ’em all.
You’d think this guy was having a banner day, but all I needed was one roll of packing tape.
When I walked up to the checkout desk, I commented on his welcoming spirit. In so doing, I spotted what was on his T-shirt and talk about fitting! But the writing on the wall was even better. You couldn’t see it unless you were looking for it, but since I inspired him to point it out — I guess in some ways I was. Gone was the gloss that brought me here: As these words were advertised in actions — reinforced with Scotch tape on paper as plain as can be.
Welcome to the genuine article!
A.K.A — the Exact Opposite of U
You could have compromised on the cups but you just had to have it all — like locking the restrooms and neglecting to tell anybody about it. Small acts like leaving some cups out as a modicum of courtesy for guests and the occasional need — would have been acceptable in my eyes. I offered such suggestions in writing (to which I was repeatedly blown off with your sanctimonious attitude). And while you congratulate yourselves on cost savings that won’t put a pinprick in the problem:
The concept of unintended consequences seems to entirely escape you.
“Small acts” can conceal the galactic waste from looking at multi-dimensional problems in a one-dimensional manner (which is how you handled this mess of your own making).
Nevertheless, your encouragement inspired change — as it formed a habit of always using my own mug instead of occasionally. My objection was not about making some sacrifice, but rather that you eliminated the cups entirely (in your cavalier approach I would come to know all too well). “Let’s do better by being better” is demanding — none of which is reflected by anything in your company since you came here.
Contrary to what your prized KPIs say on paper — your record is riddled with piss-poor leadership falling far short of even the most baseline fundamentals of MGMT 101:
- Woefully inadequate communication
- Haphazard decision-making
- Prioritizing cosmetic improvements over security concerns still unknown
- Being utterly oblivious to patently obvious patterns of behavior by an employee who doesn’t care about her job or the customers that provide it
- And wait till we get to mailroom theft (which perfectly portrays the monument to ineptitude this company caters to)
Take note of this illuminating exchange (14 days before the collision that was coming):
Me: With my concerns on the bathroom and clubhouse and such — I don’t see you getting that package
My friend: It didn’t say it had to be a POSITIVE review!
Me: WELL PLAYED!
About that collision . . .
“I’ll be right there!” you said so proudly in court.
Yeah, to do what you do best — look at things in the most myopic manner imaginable and call it day. Had you encouraged your office to diligently do your jobs as much you encouraged us on coffee cups: I’d still be waking up to my wall of windows in a brand-new day of opportunity. That same spirit remains and always will — it’s just a different view right now and will be again.
Had you listened & learned instead of pretending to: You’d be amazed at how you would have broadened your own view.
I would have made her better:
You made her worse!
Insulting people’s intelligence with a disingenuous sign is a surefire way to sow discontent into your tenants. But so loving of your residents — it took me going over your head to get a new sign (something closer to what you should have started with in the first place).
RPM put out some new & improved gloss, but it was one step in the right direction — so thanks for that, anyway!
I bought my own cups and creamers for that occasional need. Even brought along my reusable stirrer sticks to chip in for the cause. I compromised — you didn’t! Cutting out 90% would seem like pretty good progress in your purpose, but that just doesn’t compute with your kind:
Brutalists are celebrated FOR their cemented minds formed from concrete “convictions” THAT CANNOT SURVIVE SCRUTINY
So I’m taking some liberties with this theme called “Brute” — so fabulously fitting for a nation that no longer has any sense of itself. With a slight change in “Strength in Simplicity” in the opening image, I’m pointing out the power of systematic oversimplification. The outcome of this façade is all around you in a cold and calculated mass of emptiness:
A structure calibrated for you to find comfort in chaos.
All for the glory of the powers that be — who couldn’t care less about you (even as they express their love for you):
Just like these people
7. Amenities. Your permission for use of all common areas, amenities, and recreational facilities (collectively “Amenities”) . . . is a license granted by us. . . . . We have the right to set the days and hours of use for all Amenities and to change those or close any of the Amenities based upon our needs. We may make changes to the rules for the use of the Amenities at any time.
While you have that right: Shouldn’t exercising those rights be based on a reasonable need (and require explanation to establish that)? Even if not required, wouldn’t keeping your tenants properly informed be the “courteous and reasonable” thing to do (particularly on security concerns)?
You have no such notion!
You wield your rights willy-nilly and whether it’s right or not doesn’t factor into it. Not to mention you didn’t bother to mention it. Apparently, I was the only tenant in the building who knows anything about that ever-elusive app for unlocking doors. Having seen enough of your M.O. already, I should have not been so stunned to come out of the pool one night to find the restroom was locked.
But I was — as it seemed so bizarre (even by your standards).
I wouldn’t give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn’t have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness and a — a little lookin’ out for the other fella, too.
When I politely inquired about the bathrooms, the manager cited “security concerns” and that they were implementing an app to auto-unlock all common areas. I opted to be flexible in light of their new initiative being only a few months away. That came and went without a word. And yet so concerned with security — you prioritized painting doors over locking them. You broadcasted “BREAKING NEWS” about lining the hallways with new carpeting and a paint job (along with other cosmetic items coming our way):
While all along I was wondering what happened to that app I’d been so patiently awaiting (despite my objections to barring access to bathrooms). If there’s a security problem and you wanna solve it with a new system, have at it — but in the meantime, I’m willing to risk it (like we all do in facing the inherent risks that come with living). And lo and behold, guess what agrees with me:
The lease you love to cite when it serves you and ignore when it doesn’t.
Neither Owner nor any Owner’s Representatives is responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury which might sustain as a result of the use of common area & common area equipment. Resident agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Owner and Owner’s Representatives and assigns from and against any and all claims or demands, costs or expenses, arising out of or in any way related to the use of common areas including, but not limited to, any personal injuries damages, or other losses which may be sustained as a result of use. . . . .
What gives?
Not you — not ever! . . .
Right in tune with the times! For 6 years before you showed up with your attitude of superiority over the previous place, we braved it by entering the bathrooms. In hindsight, I found your commentary on the old outfit to be classless and totally unnecessary (and I regret not sticking up for those who deserved better). While I don’t approve of your posturing, if you’re gonna advertise yourselves as something special — you damn well better deliver (especially on what matters most):
My rent = services rendered:
that’s the deal!
In the moment of meeting the new crew, I appreciated their bluntness. But then I thought, “Wait a minute, I liked that cleaning lady.” And the old office wasn’t that bad — but I chuckled along and I’m still kicking myself for it. I don’t like anybody being treated unfairly. That’s a great gift I’ve been given from a lifetime of knowing how it feels. It bugged me that I didn’t stand up for her — and had I known she was gonna get the boot, I would have gotten her a gift card. Still would if I could! Just as I would have liked to say goodbye to the old staff and send them off with a pizza party or something.
Good lord, after all the get-togethers and goodies they gave us — they more than earned it! They deserved better: At the very least, a kind word to counter your scoffing of their service. And with what I have witnessed in your self-righteous ways, sloppiness in service, and unconscionably indiscriminate thinking: You’re in no position to judge your predecessors!
Rights or not . . .
If ya just gotta have it your way on everything — was it really too much to ask that you make sure the doors are unlocked during the day? And if the severity of the security concern somehow superseded the lease — that would all the more warrant informing us of the situation and how you plan to address it. Doing so would raise the bar for employees to do their part while we await your app to relieve them of it. And to make the mandate official: Why not post operating hours outside the restrooms (like all other amenities with closing times)?
But then your prospective loved ones might wonder what the hell is going on here. Can’t have that now, can we! After all, you’re the . . .
“TOP COMMUNITY IN THE GALLERIA”
Continuing to set the standard, meeting all five key performance indicators set by RPM Living. Our commitment to excellence keeps us a top property, delivering the best in service, experience, and community living.
Unbelievable!
All that jazz and I just wanted to use the restrooms. Pretty easy to please for someone so demanding. While I appreciate their efforts in sprucing up the place — it’s the little things that have always meant more to me.
I’m old-fashioned that way — and well, almost every way in a world that’s gone out of its mind.
Imagine if today they just decided to close all amenities after business hours (without notice or explanation of any kind). After all, if they have the right to do that with one, why not all? But at what point are you no longer providing the services you sold? And therein lies the larger question I was asking all along with no one listening.
Just like the leasing agent wasn’t listening when I tried to tell her:
This is not about you and I’m not upset with you!
Human nature has a habit of injecting the atmosphere of the world around you — thereby clouding the picture of what’s right in front of you. To ascertain the truth on any topic: If you’ve got something concrete to go on — that’s your point of entry. By all means, keep the door open in every direction. But by nailing down the definitive first, it paves a clearer path to all the rest. This country does the exact opposite on everything:
Lumping it all together and never even approaching where you should have started in the first place.
Which is exactly what happened in the fiasco that follows. By automatons completely without conscience: I was evicted for accidentally brushing up against a girl’s jacket (which in the world of woke — equates to “aggressively grabbing her arm and causing her pain”). As I didn’t grab the leasing agent at all, that’s one helluva leap to get to aggressively. And the only “pain” involved here is how painfully obvious it is that they retrofitted my reaction to being falsely accused — to manufacture a moment that didn’t happen.
My fight for justice was no match for a façade of “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” As the “whole truth” had nothin’ to do with it — that oath amounts to a fortune cookie calling on you to “Do Better by Being Better.” Given that the witness was standing right behind her and couldn’t corroborate that I touched the agent at all (not even the brushing by her jacket): I would have thought the “whole truth” would weigh the importance of an employee falsely accusing a tenant of assault . . .
Not to mention that minor matter of a filing a false police report.
But why consider a criminal offense when it’s so much simpler to seize on the offense of my profanity in the face of this f#@king bullshit: “Emphasis on the ‘F‘” — as their beloved witness loved to say! She went out of her way to emphasize anything that painted me in the worst possible light (while not giving an atom of weight to critical facts that don’t comport with their claims). Ya know, like this little gem:
“You’re a witness to this!”
What guy in the world would eagerly point to the female standing by her side and say that — if anything like “aggressively grabbed” and “pain” took place? The witness even acknowledged I said it: Just as she acknowledged “This is not about you and I’m not upset with you!” — right along with the fact that I backed up a few feet after the agent acted like I assaulted her.
In light of all that and the witness not seeing me touch her at all: Just what would it take for these people to wonder whether this “assault” actually happened?
By nailing down the definitive first, it paves a clearer path to all the rest.
In what parallel universe is a person about to assault someone while simultaneously saying, “This is not about you and I’m not I’m not upset with you!” Does it make any sense that someone not even upset with you (and is trying to tell you that) — would “grab” your arm (to the point of pain, no less)? But that’s precisely the point — as it doesn’t have to make any sense at all.
Right on cue with #MeToo — if the complaint comes from a girl and you’re a guy, you’re guilty as hell. Even for politely asking a colleague for some patience: If a female takes offense and storms off to cry about it, surely the man made her.
Pay no mind to her state of mind
With a patently obvious history of hypersensitivity and erratic behavior.
Put a feather in your cap for empowering women (never mind you’re doing the exact opposite when you wanna right the wrongs of the past with new wrongs in the present). A lot of that goin’ around as well!
Say what you will about my own failings in allowing my past to flash before my eyes when I saw that look in hers. But I’m not the one who filed a false police report. As much as I’m disgusted by the leasing agent and her lies: I don’t fault her nearly as much as those who are really doing her harm by wrapping their warped reality around hers: The same charade that created the conditions for this clusterf#@k in the first place.
Nevertheless, had she simply done her job — none of this would have happened. But while she’s at fault for failing to unlock the restrooms again, I don’t care about some low-level employee in this half-assed operation. I would add that a customer-facing person should not be responsible for something more in line with maintenance (as a leasing agent could easily get distracted and forget to unlock the doors).
Hence the operative words:
This is not about you and I’m not upset with you!
At that exact moment — I put out my hands to put her mind at ease. I hardly invented this “don’t get me wrong” gesture as an overture in the interest of understanding and averting offense. It’s bad enough that she made a mountain out of a molehill. But it’s despicable that the envelop around her has as much interest in these virtues as she does:
Einstein borrowed from the one below
The worth of man lies not in the truth which he possesses, or believes that he possesses, but in the honest endeavor which he puts forth to secure that truth; for not by the possession of, but by the search after, truth, are his powers enlarged, wherein, alone, consists his ever-increasing perfection.
Possession fosters content, indolence, and pride.
— Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
That last line embodies everything that happened here — the same possession that poisons pretty much everything you see in the world around you. So when the witness testified that the agent was a “total professional” simply by virtue of being “calm”: That possession flagrantly fails to account for a pattern of behavior that’s plain as day for anyone paying attention.
Contrary to increasingly popular opinion: A professional (or anyone interested in the truth) — listens AND takes information into account as they do. So that when you hear, “This is not about you and I’m not upset with you”: That information coupled with simultaneous contact would amount to a misunderstanding at most. Professionals own up to their mistakes (or at the very least — make a mental note of them). Speaking of which — it’s bad enough she forgot to unlock the restrooms by the gym, but right outside the office too:
By 2:00 in the afternoon, no less!?
A professional would have defused what was about to blow. But this utterly uncaring “professional” so “calm” created a storm.
From the first moment I met her she was cold as ice. Same goes for my handful of interactions that followed. So that “calm” is a completely unfeeling employee — devoid of empathy or any concern about her responsibility. That became abundantly clear the day my care package went missing in the mailroom:
A friend sent me some homemade toffee that was delivered, but disappeared due to some keys being stolen out of boxes. The Post Office lady was what a REAL PROFESSIONAL looks like (going above and beyond to open every single box looking for what went missing). With the passion in her purpose: You’d think it was her friend who sent that toffee.
Instead of being inspired by excellence at its finest (like I was uplifted as I stood there in awe of this magnificent sight):
Your “Professional” Couldn’t Have Cared Less!
Standing there with that burdened look on her face that’s burned into my memory. Now imagine someone seeing that look without ever having laid eyes on her. Knowing nothing about that agent (and just from seconds of hearing her voice over the speaker phone): My friend who sent the package said:
“She doesn’t care!”
And this crew doesn’t either:
UNBELIEVABLE! . . .
Take note of the 36-day delay in their “discovery”
From: rmemmer@att.net
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 10:26 AM
Subject: RE: Important Notice: USPS Mailbox Security
I’ve known about this since February 3rd — and so has [Assistant Manager] as well as [Leasing Agent] (who came to the mailroom at the Post Office lady’s request regarding my missing package). With the utmost professionalism and concern, the Post Office lady went out of her way to open every single box in the room.
[Assistant Manager] didn’t seem remotely interested in the problem (nor did [Leasing Agent]).
Just thought you should know
Thank you,
Rick
Speaking of warped reality
Does that Assistant Manager strike you as someone interested in the whole truth (or any truth, for that matter)? In the face of exactly zero evidence that I “aggressively grabbed” the girl and “caused her pain”) — one of her mindless advocates stood outside with a soulless sign and a smug smile: Self-satisfied in defending the indefensible (right in tune with the times).
Blurring out her face is a courtesy for those who showed me none.
As much as I’d love to expose these frauds in full view for what they deserve — I don’t roll that way. On all my sites I mask the identities of those whose behavior I bring to light (the only exception being public figures). My aim isn’t to make people look bad — it’s for them to stop looking bad!
Never mind looking for what went missing — these “professionals” didn’t even bother looking at what was in plain sight.
A ton of that goin’ around!
If it were up to that lady looking at her phone with pride in peddling her poison — I’d be behind bars by now: While these savages celebrated victory in that cold and calculated mass of emptiness. As I’d tell this story to the entire world if I could: I find it amusing that she thinks I’d been scared off by her childish antics on a sidewalk.
Nowhere within the walls of their force field of fallacy — would she find room for a molecule of consideration for facts that fly in the face of “convictions” that cannot survive scrutiny:
Complainant was assaulted by suspect complainant stated. Suspect grabbed her left arm and she felt pain.
— Police Report Summary
If anything in the same galaxy of that poppycock had taken place — I would have been arrested (or at the very least – cited with something). Since their witness was standing right behind her, I’d have to be The Flash in the flesh to inflict all this trauma without her seeing it. Speaking of flesh. In that kangaroo court my accuser was asked if she sought medical attention (or if anyone suggested she should). “No” on both counts (which speaks volumes for people consumed with covering their own ass).
But even more telling was what she said about having no bruise (but with a contorted twist):
She testified that she didn’t have a “visible bruise,” but “maybe a bruise on the bone.” I don’t have the words, but for the scolding she had comin’ to her — this guy does:
Tough love used to be timeless
Now everything’s an assault on increasingly fragile egos. As I stand with Shakespeare, I’m in good company in keeping with timeless truths America made outdated. But in my mind, his words would be equally true no matter who wrote them: Just as this bit below by another famous figure no longer with us. At the time — they pounced on him for thinking for himself, but that’s all been washed away. Now he’s forever celebrated for his skills, inspiration, and impact he made on the world of sport.
And now we’ll never know how he could have changed the world — had they been inspired when it mattered most.
I won’t react to something just because I’m supposed to, because I’m a [does it matter?]. That argument doesn’t make any sense to me. So we want to advance as a society and a culture, but, say, if something happens to a [does it matter?], we immediately come to his defense? Yet you want to talk about how far we’ve progressed as a society?
Well, then don’t jump to somebody’s defense just because they’re [does it matter?].
If the cops show up at your door in the wake of woke, I assure you — you’re gonna hope it doesn’t matter. When it hits home, you’ll come to know how critical it is to see things as they are, not as you imagine them to be. Like everything else these days, things that once meant something — now mean nothing.
I didn’t get the memo — as I come from a different place, a different time, and a different way of life: Where your record is who you are — not what you believe . . .
Don’t tell me what you believe in. I’ll observe how you behave and I will make my own determination.
— Alex Trebek
“Unparalleled Luxury Living”!?
We have different definitions of “unparalleled”: Mine is based on the universally understood demands required to warrant such a claim. Same goes for actual professionalism (as opposed to appearances in the eyes of those who don’t have the full picture but are perfectly satisfied with one pixel). Incredibly, the witness thinks that what you perceive when standing behind someone has all the weight in the world: While the person standing face to face (seeing facial expressions consistent with her history) — has no weight at all.
I don’t think the witness is a liar, but she’s intellectually dishonest at best. To act like witnesses are infallible simply by virtue of being on your side is preposterous. When she won’t even account for things that wildly conflict with what she believes she saw:
Just how clear-headed could she be?
And once again . . .
Human nature has a habit of injecting the atmosphere of the world around you — thereby clouding the picture of what’s right in front of you.
The agent testified that she didn’t remember me bringing this problem to her attention once before (as politely as humanly possible, I would add).
That I believe . . .
As right in tune with the times, every exchange is entirely transactional to her. It would be unthinkable for me to make a mistake and not at least say, “Sorry about that” (on even the smallest of missteps). But to a mentality like hers — all that matters is moving on from the moment:
Just unlock the doors and forget about it.
Anyone with a work ethic and any notion of accountability — would have conscience kick in at some point. Simply saying “Sorry, I got wrapped up with some customers and it slipped my mind!” would go a long way to soothing things over. And the bolder version of “Sorry about that, won’t happen again!” — would work wonders: Not only by building character, but also sending a message of caring for your customers.
But if ya really wanna be bold and go for gold:
Look, I’m sorry I forgot to unlock the restrooms — it won’t happen again. And while I know what you were trying to do (and I understand it was an accident): Please don’t touch me again. But I will follow up with the office on Monday about your concerns and see about the status on the app implementation.
Got it! We’re good — have a nice day!
There was a time when we did!
While the witness miserably failed to consider what matters most (and has no insight into the girl she blindly defended): There’s one thing she saw that I didn’t. She testified that the agent moved toward the door to unlock it early on in the exchange. That dovetails right into the transactional thinking I just mentioned.
Instead of seizing on the opportunity to learn how to handle conflict created by her superiors’ policy (showing them up in the process): She just wanted to unlock the door and get it over with (as if going to the bathroom was my primary concern here). As the accidental contact took place within a minute or two at most, it’s quite possible she moved toward the door at the same time I put out my hands (coincidentally closing the distance between us). I don’t know if that’s what happened — I’m simply saying it’s worthy of consideration.
But it should speak volumes that I’m the only one in this story who has any notion of nuance in how you weigh information. Not even the judge himself thought along these lines (as in — doing his job):
Let’s take two pieces of testimony and try to put them together
And don’t even get me started on the egregious lack of seriousness of a video call as a courtroom — piling it on with the casualness in which he denied my Constitutional right to a jury trial.
I had him sized up in about 60 seconds and was spot-on. Catering to their unconscionable lawyer who conveniently neglected to do his court-ordered duty to inform us of the trial date (until it was just a few days away): He robbed me of my right to a jury trial and rubber-stamped his judgment without anything reflecting judgment. In lockstep with this utterly ridiculous idea of a “landlord-friendly state” — he could never comprehend the convictions of a man who wouldn’t want a state to be tenant-friendly either.
Incredibly, we were penalized for failing to file for a jury trial in time for court coming up on Monday when we just found out Thursday. If you believe these lying [$#%^^>)* _ #!*&%-@+$] just happened to find out the trial date when it was too late to matter (giving us no time to prepare or file any exhibits):
You might as well believe I yanked her arm right out the socket.
Why do you think the plaintiff’s lawyer did everything possible to avoid a jury trial? Could it be because 12 people might look at the totality of the situation instead of one man resting on the letter of the law (with no weighing of the lies that led us here)? Not to mention the disgraceful behavior by a company in breach of the lease long before they claimed I was.
There’s something wildly out of whack with being more concerned about my reaction to be falsely accused — than an unstable person who’d put you in prison over nothing and not lose a second of sleep over it. I’d like to think that any code-of-conduct policy would frown on falsely accusing a tenant of assault.
If you’re gonna play with people’s lives like that — you have waived your right to courtesy!
I guess your employee handbook doesn’t frown on criminal offenses like filing a false police report either. But with the utmost Pride & Prejudice — your kind is always at the ready to roll out whatever you can use to engineer the outcome in your favor (truth be damned):
11. Conduct. You agree to communicate and conduct yourself in a lawful, courteous and reasonable manner at all times when interacting with us, our representatives and other residents or occupants. Any acts of unlawful, discourteous or unreasonable communication or conduct by you, your occupants or guests is a breach of this Lease.
Just like the judge in tipping the scales in your favor: You have not a notion of balance in your approach, and instead of listening and learning: You turned right around pulled the same shit again on locking the restrooms for “needs” unknown. I patiently awaited your precious app for that, and then you never mentioned it again: Squandering my patience and my trust right along with it!
And because I dropped the hammer on you when you had it comin’ last summer — right on cue:
You came rolling in here with baggage in tow: Racing into the office fueled by your “I’ll be right there!” attitude to circle the wagons around her. You weren’t coming to ascertain the truth! Your mind was made up without any interest in hearing my side of the story: As in the one that actually makes sense (with the specificity to match).
She’s lying about the assault and no rational person would argue otherwise. Just as any objective observer could see that this whole thing is predominantly your doing.
There was another way
- Broadstone could have accepted some responsibility for this mess of their own making
- Fired her for falsely accusing a tenant of assault and filing a false police report
- Gotten rid of me without an eviction — and subtract $10,000 from the 14 grand these animals are after: Including $4,478 for failing to give a 60-day notice to people who railroaded me right out the door.
However unfair I would still find it — I could at least respect the attempt at something in the spirit of accountability and fairness.
As in — not this!
“Emphasis on the ‘F‘”
A Relet Fee of $1903, really? And $2844 for Eviction & Jury Preparation (was part of that “preparation” for f#cking me over on getting a jury trial)? Jesus Christ — there’s not a bone of integrity in your body, is there! And on that note:
I did f#@k up the floor by my chair taking its toll over time. There’s no denying evidence right in front of your face (well, except for people like you and damn near all of America on a daily basis). I feel bad about my blunder (a feeling of guilt not found in any form with your kind — and increasingly difficult to find anywhere these days). My regret is not simply because of the unconscionable fee for it, but that I didn’t know it was happening until it was too late. I don’t like to ruin anything (especially something I hold in high regard).
But that was part of the problem — I just loved the sound of the rollers on the wood. That and I was too caught up in my goals to look down (as you’re too consumed by yours to look around).
A mat would have ruined the look and feel (or so I thought). I had no idea they made glass mats, and while it’s not the same — it’s close enough. Unlike your crowd, I learn from my mistakes. Just once — could ya put your customers first by informing them of my costly error and the exquisite remedy available to them?
Here’s the problem with what’s happened to our culture: You’re not required to be ethical — as long as you’re legal.
I found those words 14 years ago when watching James Woods talk about playing the CEO of Lehman Brothers in Too Big To Fail. I was floored that somebody could so perfectly capture the essence of that story and mine in so few words. And lo and behold, it is now as it was then — as I said on another site so long ago:
We need to realize that something very wrong is going on here, and it goes much deeper than Bank of America and 5 guys on a sign.
Abigail and I go way back
You cannot be, I know, nor do I wish to see you an inactive Spectator, but if the Sword be drawn I bid adieu to all domestick felicity, and look forward to that Country where there is neither wars nor rumors of War in a firm belief that thro the mercy of its King we shall both rejoice there together.
I greatly fear that the arm of treachery and violence is lifted over us as a Scourge and heavy punishment from heaven for our numerous offences, and for the misimprovement of our great advantages.
If we expect to inherit the blessings of our Fathers, we should return a little more to their primitive Simplicity of Manners, and not sink into inglorious ease.
We have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.
— Abigail Adams, 16 October 1774
“When the machine has taken the soul from the man”
It’s time to leave something behind . . .
Oh, wisdom is lost in the trees somewhere
Oh, you’re not gonna find it in some mental gray hair
It’s locked up from those who hurry ahead
“And I’m just trying to leave something behind”
Sounds of Silence
The Deafening Noise of a Nation Decades in Decline
As in what it takes to understand . . .
Every single story, slide, image, title, caption, quote, and how it’s all connected in the video above (which captures the essence of what I’m out to say and do).
