Posts
Tsundere (Harsh Outside-Gentle Inside)
[x] You come off as sort of aloof to other people.
[x] In public, you intentionally refrain from showing much weakness.
[ ] You have a secret obsession with something cute.
[ ] You pretend that you hate your crush even though you really love him/her.
[x] You blush when people point out your sensitivities.
[ ] You blush when people tell sexual jokes.
Total: 3
Yandere (Gentle Outside-Harsh Inside)
[x] You’re very sweet and kind in public.
[ ] When romance becomes a topic of discussion, people say your personality changes drastically.
[x] You know some sort of martial art, swordplay, or otherwise.
[ ] You have a crush who you’d literally kill for.
[x] You have a pet peeve that makes you snap. (ONE? One isn't enough!)
[ ] Schizophrenic?
Total: 3
Meganekko (Girl/Guy-with-Glasses Character)
[x] You have glasses.
[x] You can sometimes/always be clumsy, ditzy, or absent-minded.
[ ] You are always very polite in your speech.
[x] You are fairly intelligent in some field.
[x] You take discipline seriously.
[x] You have some sort of fetish for something.
Total: 5
Tsukkomi (Angry Guy)
[x] You have a friend/s who often make dumb or embarrassing remarks.
[x] You smack/beat up this friend in some way.
[ ] You do your best to maintain a calm facade, only to be thwarted by this friend.
[ ] If you & your friend were a yin-yang, you’d be the “yin”
[ ] You swear a lot.
[ ] You try to bring out the more serious side of your ridiculous friend.
Total: 2
Boke (Dumb Guy)
[x] You often make silly or embarrassing comments.
[ ] You like annoying the heck out of your best friend/close friend.
[ ] You often get beaten up by your friend in some way, but you take it in good stride.
[ ] If you & your friend were a yin-yang, you’d be the “yang”.
[ ] You are normally very laid back and carefree.
[x] You try to bring out the happier side of your angry friend.
Total: 2
Nadeshiko (Perfect Wife)
[ ] You are always, almost overly, polite.
[x] You love traditional Japanese culture.
[ ] You often wear either a kimono, yukata (summer cotton kimono), or apron.
[ ] You’re an excellent cook.
[ ] You are hardly ever angry.
[x] You have really long hair.
Total: 2
Sexy Character
[x] Your bust/package is...formidable.
[x] You like making sexual innuendos.
[ ] You encourage trips to the beach, pool, or onsen (hot springs)
[x] There are some sexual things that you are ignorant to or need explained to you.
[ ] You’re an expert cosplayer.
[ ] You like the taste of alcohol.
Total: 3
Loli/Shota Character
[x] You like sweets or chocolate.
[x] You adore cute things and/or the word “kawaii”.
[ ] You use Japanese suffixes like “-chan,” “-tan,” “-sempai,” etc.
[ ] You add unnecessary suffixes to the ends of your sentences, like “nyo,” “nyu,” “un,” etc. (I've been told I used to do that D:)
[ ] You are considered gullible or naive.
[x] You have a tall/powerful friend who protects you.
Total: 3
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change
One of the biggest issues plaguing the political forefront right now is the matter of how our actions have and are effecting the climate. When we first began to mine coal and oil to run engines and create the electricity we now require, no one knew what the consequences would be fifty years down the road. Unfortunately, they weren't good and now the globe is in a bit of a crisis.
While I don't think it's as serious as some people claim, due to the trends of El Nino and La Nina, I do believe that there is a problem, and that we all need to do our little bit to make some changes happen. Some will have to be done at a government level, and others have to be done on a personal level.
The biggest one though is our dependency, in the United States, on oil. More specifically, the fact that our cars run on gasoline that is refined from oil. Right now we are entirely dependent on this product in order to gain transportation anywhere, be it by car or bus, and we are wasting it. The technology and ability to create a more-efficient carburetor and engine is out there, but the US does not use it. I fully believe this is due to the greed of the oil companies, look at how high gas prices went after all! And unfortunately for we, the people, the government has their fingers dipped into oil stocks and would hate to loose money because the profits dropped. And as such, we don't have gas-efficient cars.
The electric car is a novel idea, but for people like myself who live out in the mountains, they're not as wonderful as everyone thinks. It takes a lot more for cars to get up our hills, and we don't have cute little short distances to drive. Everything is generally thirty or more minutes from where we live, and there isn't any public transportation to take you there. So until an electric car is efficient enough to go 300-500 miles a day on one charge, they probably won't be a viable option for some of us.
Another issue with the electric car is the safety of our rescue squads who may have to cut us out of the vehicle in the event of an accident. There needs to be some sort of way to wire it so that those fine young men and women won't get electrocuted trying to save our lives.
Second largest issue with the US, is the fact that we have not signed the Kyoto Agreement. Doing so would put us under the same standards that many other countries have accepted, and would help us to do our part in cleaning up the environment.
On a more individual level, there are many small things that can be done that will contribute best when many are doing it.
If everyone used energy-efficient products it would help cut down on the consumption of electricity, and thus less coal would be burned. It'll also help if people learn how to most efficiently place lights and windows in their homes, so that it takes less energy to light a room. Similarly, turning lights off in rooms you aren't using will save on energy consumption as well.
Recycling what we can will cut back on the removal of trees and other natural resources to make more. Trees are vital to our environment since they scrub the carbon dioxide out of the air we breathe.
Carpooling when possible will cut down on our emissions output, and it will save us all a lot of money!
Businesses that are able to go paperless should, and save on the amount of paper products used each year.
Participation in Earth Hour, where you use no electricity for just one hour, is another really great way to help the environment. It's amazing just how much you can do by going without electricity for one hour of the year!
I think the biggest reason why people don't do things like this though, is because they're always asking "why?", and because they don't think that there is anything wrong with the environment.
What everyone has to realize is that the effects are slow to appear. However, the Earth's attempts to remedy itself aren't hard to see. Sars, Katrina, tsunamis, earth quakes, bird flu, swine flu--you name a pandemic or national disaster, and I'll bet you anything it was created by the earth to try and get rid of the problem it's having.
If we don't learn to take care of what we have, there won't be anything left to take care of tomorrow.
We already have a hole in the ozone layer, shrinking polar caps, and screwed up seasons. What more do we have to see before we start to realize that there is a problem?
Something that fascinates me though, is the fact that our polar caps are shrinking, and sea levels are rising. Looking at that, and then looking at mythology from around the world, it makes me wonder if all the end of the world myths were right--we're going to loose everything to a great flood.
I certainly hope not, and that's why I'm trying to do my part to help keep my Earth clean. Are you?
Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change
While I don't think it's as serious as some people claim, due to the trends of El Nino and La Nina, I do believe that there is a problem, and that we all need to do our little bit to make some changes happen. Some will have to be done at a government level, and others have to be done on a personal level.
The biggest one though is our dependency, in the United States, on oil. More specifically, the fact that our cars run on gasoline that is refined from oil. Right now we are entirely dependent on this product in order to gain transportation anywhere, be it by car or bus, and we are wasting it. The technology and ability to create a more-efficient carburetor and engine is out there, but the US does not use it. I fully believe this is due to the greed of the oil companies, look at how high gas prices went after all! And unfortunately for we, the people, the government has their fingers dipped into oil stocks and would hate to loose money because the profits dropped. And as such, we don't have gas-efficient cars.
The electric car is a novel idea, but for people like myself who live out in the mountains, they're not as wonderful as everyone thinks. It takes a lot more for cars to get up our hills, and we don't have cute little short distances to drive. Everything is generally thirty or more minutes from where we live, and there isn't any public transportation to take you there. So until an electric car is efficient enough to go 300-500 miles a day on one charge, they probably won't be a viable option for some of us.
Another issue with the electric car is the safety of our rescue squads who may have to cut us out of the vehicle in the event of an accident. There needs to be some sort of way to wire it so that those fine young men and women won't get electrocuted trying to save our lives.
Second largest issue with the US, is the fact that we have not signed the Kyoto Agreement. Doing so would put us under the same standards that many other countries have accepted, and would help us to do our part in cleaning up the environment.
On a more individual level, there are many small things that can be done that will contribute best when many are doing it.
If everyone used energy-efficient products it would help cut down on the consumption of electricity, and thus less coal would be burned. It'll also help if people learn how to most efficiently place lights and windows in their homes, so that it takes less energy to light a room. Similarly, turning lights off in rooms you aren't using will save on energy consumption as well.
Recycling what we can will cut back on the removal of trees and other natural resources to make more. Trees are vital to our environment since they scrub the carbon dioxide out of the air we breathe.
Carpooling when possible will cut down on our emissions output, and it will save us all a lot of money!
Businesses that are able to go paperless should, and save on the amount of paper products used each year.
Participation in Earth Hour, where you use no electricity for just one hour, is another really great way to help the environment. It's amazing just how much you can do by going without electricity for one hour of the year!
I think the biggest reason why people don't do things like this though, is because they're always asking "why?", and because they don't think that there is anything wrong with the environment.
What everyone has to realize is that the effects are slow to appear. However, the Earth's attempts to remedy itself aren't hard to see. Sars, Katrina, tsunamis, earth quakes, bird flu, swine flu--you name a pandemic or national disaster, and I'll bet you anything it was created by the earth to try and get rid of the problem it's having.
If we don't learn to take care of what we have, there won't be anything left to take care of tomorrow.
We already have a hole in the ozone layer, shrinking polar caps, and screwed up seasons. What more do we have to see before we start to realize that there is a problem?
Something that fascinates me though, is the fact that our polar caps are shrinking, and sea levels are rising. Looking at that, and then looking at mythology from around the world, it makes me wonder if all the end of the world myths were right--we're going to loose everything to a great flood.
I certainly hope not, and that's why I'm trying to do my part to help keep my Earth clean. Are you?
Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
This is why you should be an informed voter!
Let me start this off by saying that this is not meant to be a rant, but it may sound like it in parts. I also want to say that I live in a VERY small town of less than 2,000 people spread out over a lot of land (aka the middle of nowhere in the backwoods), so if anything you have to say in a comment concerns population size, please keep that in mind.
So, with those key points out of the way, let me get into my story.
In my town we have two fire stations, so that everyone is within a five-mile range of a station should their house catch on fire. We're an entirely volunteer system, and have seen a lot of changes over the past few years as management has changed. Ten years ago when my father and a friend of the family were in the department, there were always fundraisers going on, and events organized. Mostly because those two could motivate people and get stuff done. However, my father had to go out on social (means he's a part of the department but cannot respond to calls) because of his knee surgeries, and the friend of the family left because he had put in at least twenty years, and decided it was time to get more new people in. After this however, as more and more of the former generation left, everything went downhill. No one organizes fundraisers anymore, politics get in the way of everything, and certain people keep trying to stay in the upper ranks to control the show and have a power trip, not for the good of the town nor the stations. What's sad is that when the board of commissioners tries to rectify this situation, politics get in again, and nothing really gets fixed.
Over the years our fire stations have gone to waste. Maintenance and repairs haven't been done to keep them up to code, and now we're facing the fact that we can't have trucks that are up to code because they don't fit through the station doors. Someday I will snag some photos of how old these stations are, but the one is looking to be condemned soon it's so bad. No one in town is joking when they say that if you kick it, it might fall over.
Because of the disrepair that these stations are in, over the last five years the commissioners have been working on plans to not only build a new station on the land that the soon-to-be-condemned one is on, but to repair the other one since its not in as bad of shape, but it does need to be brought up to code and made to handle the newer trucks that are coming out. Yesterday evening, as everything is coming to a head, the station went up to vote. Do the townspeople want the new station, or not.
I'm sure many of you remember the Scott Murphey update, when he came and spoke at our station. He spoke there so that he could see the station that the grant was being put in for, and so he could better lobby for us to get state money to fix what we need. We're actually in the running to have the entire station built on state money, and have enough to cover the repairs to the other building as well. Meaning that no taxpayer money would be used on these buildings.
However, politics interfered, and one woman (whose name will not be mentioned, but was a part of the planning party for the new station) made it known to the people that she did not want this station anymore, and told everyone she could that it was going to raise their taxes more than was necessary, and basically just slung mud about the entire thing. It is speculated that the unsigned letter that went out slamming everything that our fire commissioners were trying to do was sent by her, based on the writing style and her animosity, but we are not sure. Either way, because of this, things went downhill. And the whole reason she did this, as far as we are aware, is because she didn't want one of the fire-fighters whom she doesn't care for to get something he wanted--the new station.
What's sad is that the new station got shot down last night, because enough voters didn't go to the informational meetings, of which two were held, to learn about everything that the commissioners were doing, and to learn of the grant. The meetings were well-publicized, but because of the mud-slinging barely anyone showed up for the meetings, and no one could be bothered to become an informed voter.
This is their safety that went up for vote, and because they shot down the new station, if and when the grant is offered, the commissioners now have to turn it down because the people said they don't want the new station. Tax payer money will now have to pay for the repairs to the old station, because it has to be brought up to code, and the second station is going to have to be condemned. However, because it's still property of the fire department, it still has to be maintained, and so it's just a money-hole. The station that is staying is over five miles from my house, and I live on the outskirts of town. It's going to probably be faster for the fire department from the next town over to get to my house than my own town, and so I will hope that my home never catches fire now because there'd be no saving it unless we did it ourselves. And this means that a good portion of people are outside that range, and for some insurance companies, that means their coverage can be dropped.
So all their worrying over taxes being raised is going to come right around to bite them, because by shooting down the new station, the grant must now be denied. The town can't accept the grant for a station that's not going to be built. And this all came about because political games won out instead of information.
It was really sad, too, because I heard that after the votes were counted, one woman who is a part of the town council went up to the president of the commissioners and said "I'm sorry, I voted no." And I'm proud to say our commissioner told her "Don't worry, I have a long memory."
How do I know some of this? My mother has been a commissioner for quite a few years. And I know exactly what was put out at those informational meetings, and I know more things that are going on but can't be said publicly. But on behalf of the townspeople, they are going to try to rectify things, but legally they may not be able to.
If you take this scenario of one small town, and then apply it to the country as a whole, is it any wonder our voting system no longer works properly? People are forced to vote based on political games because that's all our politicians play, and it's difficult to get the information they need to properly vote. Or they vote based entirely on what party they are, and don't even try to look at the information given. The majority of this country doesn't make an informed vote anymore, and that's why things are getting as bad as they are!
Politicians, while corrupt, are only as corrupt as we the people allow them to be!
So the next time you're getting ready to vote, and to exercise your right to do so, remember this one small town who may no longer have proper fire coverage because the people were not informed. And instead of just listening to one side, and to the political games, get out there, get yourself informed, and make a good decision based on the information you learn!
I have no issues with the people who were informed and voted no, they didn't want the station. But I don't think they were the majority, based on the fact that maybe ten people showed up for the informational meetings.
So now I can only hope that things can be rectified in the end, and that karma makes sure all of these people are made aware of the decision that they made.
And I truly hope that each and every one of you who lives in the United States, and who is old enough to vote, takes note of this story and never makes an uninformed vote again.
So, with those key points out of the way, let me get into my story.
In my town we have two fire stations, so that everyone is within a five-mile range of a station should their house catch on fire. We're an entirely volunteer system, and have seen a lot of changes over the past few years as management has changed. Ten years ago when my father and a friend of the family were in the department, there were always fundraisers going on, and events organized. Mostly because those two could motivate people and get stuff done. However, my father had to go out on social (means he's a part of the department but cannot respond to calls) because of his knee surgeries, and the friend of the family left because he had put in at least twenty years, and decided it was time to get more new people in. After this however, as more and more of the former generation left, everything went downhill. No one organizes fundraisers anymore, politics get in the way of everything, and certain people keep trying to stay in the upper ranks to control the show and have a power trip, not for the good of the town nor the stations. What's sad is that when the board of commissioners tries to rectify this situation, politics get in again, and nothing really gets fixed.
Over the years our fire stations have gone to waste. Maintenance and repairs haven't been done to keep them up to code, and now we're facing the fact that we can't have trucks that are up to code because they don't fit through the station doors. Someday I will snag some photos of how old these stations are, but the one is looking to be condemned soon it's so bad. No one in town is joking when they say that if you kick it, it might fall over.
Because of the disrepair that these stations are in, over the last five years the commissioners have been working on plans to not only build a new station on the land that the soon-to-be-condemned one is on, but to repair the other one since its not in as bad of shape, but it does need to be brought up to code and made to handle the newer trucks that are coming out. Yesterday evening, as everything is coming to a head, the station went up to vote. Do the townspeople want the new station, or not.
I'm sure many of you remember the Scott Murphey update, when he came and spoke at our station. He spoke there so that he could see the station that the grant was being put in for, and so he could better lobby for us to get state money to fix what we need. We're actually in the running to have the entire station built on state money, and have enough to cover the repairs to the other building as well. Meaning that no taxpayer money would be used on these buildings.
However, politics interfered, and one woman (whose name will not be mentioned, but was a part of the planning party for the new station) made it known to the people that she did not want this station anymore, and told everyone she could that it was going to raise their taxes more than was necessary, and basically just slung mud about the entire thing. It is speculated that the unsigned letter that went out slamming everything that our fire commissioners were trying to do was sent by her, based on the writing style and her animosity, but we are not sure. Either way, because of this, things went downhill. And the whole reason she did this, as far as we are aware, is because she didn't want one of the fire-fighters whom she doesn't care for to get something he wanted--the new station.
What's sad is that the new station got shot down last night, because enough voters didn't go to the informational meetings, of which two were held, to learn about everything that the commissioners were doing, and to learn of the grant. The meetings were well-publicized, but because of the mud-slinging barely anyone showed up for the meetings, and no one could be bothered to become an informed voter.
This is their safety that went up for vote, and because they shot down the new station, if and when the grant is offered, the commissioners now have to turn it down because the people said they don't want the new station. Tax payer money will now have to pay for the repairs to the old station, because it has to be brought up to code, and the second station is going to have to be condemned. However, because it's still property of the fire department, it still has to be maintained, and so it's just a money-hole. The station that is staying is over five miles from my house, and I live on the outskirts of town. It's going to probably be faster for the fire department from the next town over to get to my house than my own town, and so I will hope that my home never catches fire now because there'd be no saving it unless we did it ourselves. And this means that a good portion of people are outside that range, and for some insurance companies, that means their coverage can be dropped.
So all their worrying over taxes being raised is going to come right around to bite them, because by shooting down the new station, the grant must now be denied. The town can't accept the grant for a station that's not going to be built. And this all came about because political games won out instead of information.
It was really sad, too, because I heard that after the votes were counted, one woman who is a part of the town council went up to the president of the commissioners and said "I'm sorry, I voted no." And I'm proud to say our commissioner told her "Don't worry, I have a long memory."
How do I know some of this? My mother has been a commissioner for quite a few years. And I know exactly what was put out at those informational meetings, and I know more things that are going on but can't be said publicly. But on behalf of the townspeople, they are going to try to rectify things, but legally they may not be able to.
If you take this scenario of one small town, and then apply it to the country as a whole, is it any wonder our voting system no longer works properly? People are forced to vote based on political games because that's all our politicians play, and it's difficult to get the information they need to properly vote. Or they vote based entirely on what party they are, and don't even try to look at the information given. The majority of this country doesn't make an informed vote anymore, and that's why things are getting as bad as they are!
Politicians, while corrupt, are only as corrupt as we the people allow them to be!
So the next time you're getting ready to vote, and to exercise your right to do so, remember this one small town who may no longer have proper fire coverage because the people were not informed. And instead of just listening to one side, and to the political games, get out there, get yourself informed, and make a good decision based on the information you learn!
I have no issues with the people who were informed and voted no, they didn't want the station. But I don't think they were the majority, based on the fact that maybe ten people showed up for the informational meetings.
So now I can only hope that things can be rectified in the end, and that karma makes sure all of these people are made aware of the decision that they made.
And I truly hope that each and every one of you who lives in the United States, and who is old enough to vote, takes note of this story and never makes an uninformed vote again.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Damages: Update 1
We have the damage totals back from the contractor!
For the wall damage and painting: $2,850
For carpeting beyond cleaning: $1,484
Damaged drop ceiling panels: $80
Misc Repairs (doors, woodwork, ect): $750
Total: $5,164
Soooo...
The new grand total is about $7,464. That is a lot of money. Something tells me Bob isn't going to get off as easy anymore.
He did at least $7,464 in damages, plus stole a deadly weapon, and desecrated the American flag. Looks like he crossed a line and there's no turning back for him. :P
For the wall damage and painting: $2,850
For carpeting beyond cleaning: $1,484
Damaged drop ceiling panels: $80
Misc Repairs (doors, woodwork, ect): $750
Total: $5,164
Soooo...
The new grand total is about $7,464. That is a lot of money. Something tells me Bob isn't going to get off as easy anymore.
He did at least $7,464 in damages, plus stole a deadly weapon, and desecrated the American flag. Looks like he crossed a line and there's no turning back for him. :P
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Damages
This is a follow up to Cleaning the Aftermath, so if you haven't read what comes before, you probably won't understand what I'm talking about here. I shall summarize though.
Steve had a tenant-gone-bad (Bob, for all intent and purposes), who after being told by a judge that he was going to be evicted, totally trashed Steve's house. The cops had to be called, and Bob was taken in, but released. That aside, we then had to start cleaning the house, and get estimates for the damages. Well, the cleaning is doing pretty good, so now it's coming down to money.
/end summary
So, now you have a basic idea should you not want to read the novellas. >_>;
Anyways... on the better half of society...
This morning (about 8am to be exact), I met up with my father and a contractor at Steve's house. Steve had to work, so unfortunately he couldn't be there as well. The guy is someone my father knows through the fire service or something, so he did the consultation for free, which is nice.
He couldn't give us any exacts, but after seeing the ceilings, walls, carpets, and other damages; he said we're probably looking at over $3,000 in damages. He'll have a better idea by this weekend though, after he makes the phone calls to the guys he knows that do painting and carpeting. He just took measurements and recorded what needed to be done to let them know. And the walls are going to be a nightmare because there's crayon and spray paint on them. >_<;
All total though, we're getting close to $5,000 in damages. We have:
-Two TVs at $1,100 total
-Two Mattresses, one full and one twin, approximately $800
-One Boxspring, approximately $400
-Damages estimated by the contractor, approximately $3,000+
-Damaged foosball table, unknown (not sure if it's claimable)
This alone totals at $5,300 or more.
Plus, we require the following items:
-Slipcovers for the furniture with paint on it (un-claimable, happened before this incident)
-New dining room table
-New coffee table
-New silverware
-New bath towels (tenants were using them like toilet paper because they're gross *gag*)
-Lightbulbs (minor, but it adds up)
-New Curtains/Drapes (Bob threw Steve's out because he didn't like them.)
Of those items, I have some pots, pans, and silverware from when I was in Massachusetts that I can give Steve, but we don't know yet if it'll be enough.
Dad says we probably won't actually see any restitution from Bob, since the county will put a judgment against him, but that doesn't mean he can/will pay it. However, with all this we will be able to file a claim with Steve's home owners insurance, and he'll get the money that way. Then if Bob does make any restitution payments, Steve will see money from him. Totally messed up, but at the very least it's better than nothing at all.
So there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's just difficult to see through all the fog.
Steve had a tenant-gone-bad (Bob, for all intent and purposes), who after being told by a judge that he was going to be evicted, totally trashed Steve's house. The cops had to be called, and Bob was taken in, but released. That aside, we then had to start cleaning the house, and get estimates for the damages. Well, the cleaning is doing pretty good, so now it's coming down to money.
/end summary
So, now you have a basic idea should you not want to read the novellas. >_>;
Anyways... on the better half of society...
This morning (about 8am to be exact), I met up with my father and a contractor at Steve's house. Steve had to work, so unfortunately he couldn't be there as well. The guy is someone my father knows through the fire service or something, so he did the consultation for free, which is nice.
He couldn't give us any exacts, but after seeing the ceilings, walls, carpets, and other damages; he said we're probably looking at over $3,000 in damages. He'll have a better idea by this weekend though, after he makes the phone calls to the guys he knows that do painting and carpeting. He just took measurements and recorded what needed to be done to let them know. And the walls are going to be a nightmare because there's crayon and spray paint on them. >_<;
All total though, we're getting close to $5,000 in damages. We have:
-Two TVs at $1,100 total
-Two Mattresses, one full and one twin, approximately $800
-One Boxspring, approximately $400
-Damages estimated by the contractor, approximately $3,000+
-Damaged foosball table, unknown (not sure if it's claimable)
This alone totals at $5,300 or more.
Plus, we require the following items:
-Slipcovers for the furniture with paint on it (un-claimable, happened before this incident)
-New dining room table
-New coffee table
-New silverware
-New bath towels (tenants were using them like toilet paper because they're gross *gag*)
-Lightbulbs (minor, but it adds up)
-New Curtains/Drapes (Bob threw Steve's out because he didn't like them.)
Of those items, I have some pots, pans, and silverware from when I was in Massachusetts that I can give Steve, but we don't know yet if it'll be enough.
Dad says we probably won't actually see any restitution from Bob, since the county will put a judgment against him, but that doesn't mean he can/will pay it. However, with all this we will be able to file a claim with Steve's home owners insurance, and he'll get the money that way. Then if Bob does make any restitution payments, Steve will see money from him. Totally messed up, but at the very least it's better than nothing at all.
So there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's just difficult to see through all the fog.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cleaning the Aftermath: Update 2
So, we've gotten a lot more cleaning done since I last updated! :O
My mom and brother came over to wash the dishes, and before they could they cleaned up the counters and the stove. The stove does need to be hit again because it was so gross, but at least the majority of the nasty is gone.
They both agree with my friend though, those dishes were a life changing experience. As it is, we're going to have to throw a lot out because even after being brillowed and bleached, they didn't come fully clean. So Steve and I are going through everything, and any that have black spots on them where mold must have eaten away at the coating or something are getting tossed. Thankfully I have some silverware from when I went to college that he can have, but we'll have to buy more eventually. Add that to our list of expenses.
I guess while we were off picking up Subway for everyone though, Mom and Ethan went to start the pots, and opened a lid... and had to vacate the house because it smelled so bad. >_>; And this is after Brendan dumped out most of the contents. >_<; So gross! So they left the pots to us, and we're going to do them soon. Along with bleaching the island and small eating area. After that all we have to do is sweep up the floor and mop it with some Lysol, and the kitchen is done, aside from changing one of the florescent bulbs, but that's neither here nor there. Steve cleaned up the fridge after Mark cleaned it out, and I don't think Mark wanted to have lunch after that. >_>; So we really are close in the kitchen!
Meanwhile, Mark and Dan got all the mats in the workout room scrubbed down with Lysol, and then Steve and I swept and tidied in there. It was probably the easiest room in the house, and now we can practice martial arts there! :D Plus, Steve is going to offer private lessons out of his home to help pay the bills. Seems like a great idea to me!
We also got the living room and dining room back in order, so all the furniture is arranged. As crappy as it is to have the graffiti on the walls, it's nice to walk in and see furnished and tidy(ish) rooms. We'll be moving the furniture when it comes time to have the carpets cleaned and to paint the walls. We're actually thinking of tearing the carpet out of the dining room though, since there's hardwood below. But that's a distant project right now.
The dining room table cannot be saved though. My mom was kind enough to point out that it's laminate, and so we can't sand it down and putty it up. So we'll be taking the advice offered to us by you wonderful people, and looking into places where we can get furniture cheap!
Oh! We also have hot water now. A friend of Steve's came over and hooked up the hot water heater, and so Steve can use all his home functions again. His Dad fixed the thermostat for him, which turns out that a wire had been deliberately cut it in.
We got in contact with the cops last Saturday as well, and upon informing him of the fact that Steve's katana was missing, among a few other things, an APB was put out on Bob for him to be arrested on sight for theft of a deadly weapon. Considering Bob was the only other one living there at the time the katana went missing, and we've searched everywhere, it's safe to say he stole it. He's also getting charges for peeing on his boxspring, mattress, and floor; and because he desecrated an American flag. But the noose thing nothing will come of, because it was so poorly done the cop said they'd claim we were drawing conclusions. At least he's honest. Still, there's so much more that can be claimed. So this guy... I'll honestly loose all faith in the judicial system of this country if he doesn't do some serious time.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though! We get the estimates on the walls this Thursday, and possibly the flooring as well where it was peed on. Then it's just some minor cleaning from there, and purchasing items to replace what's ruined.
All total, here's what we need:
-Slipcovers for the furniture with paint on it (un-claimable, happened before this incident)
-Either new TVs or possibly replacement plugs, if possible
-New dining room table
-New coffee table
-New silverware
-New bath towels (tenants were using them like toilet paper because they're gross *gag*)
-Walls painted in three rooms(and it's an old house, so the ceilings are really high)
-New carpeting in one room (possibly, we think the urine might have soaked into the sub-flooring >_<;; )
-Carpets cleaned in the living and dining room
-Minor porch repairs (done before this incident)
-Reimbursement for the damaged foosball table (if we can get it)
-Lightbulbs
-New Curtains/Drapes (Bob threw Steve's out because he didn't like them.)
There's probably other stuff as well, but that's all I can remember off the top of my head.
So... we aren't quite out of the woods yet. :P
My mom and brother came over to wash the dishes, and before they could they cleaned up the counters and the stove. The stove does need to be hit again because it was so gross, but at least the majority of the nasty is gone.
They both agree with my friend though, those dishes were a life changing experience. As it is, we're going to have to throw a lot out because even after being brillowed and bleached, they didn't come fully clean. So Steve and I are going through everything, and any that have black spots on them where mold must have eaten away at the coating or something are getting tossed. Thankfully I have some silverware from when I went to college that he can have, but we'll have to buy more eventually. Add that to our list of expenses.
I guess while we were off picking up Subway for everyone though, Mom and Ethan went to start the pots, and opened a lid... and had to vacate the house because it smelled so bad. >_>; And this is after Brendan dumped out most of the contents. >_<; So gross! So they left the pots to us, and we're going to do them soon. Along with bleaching the island and small eating area. After that all we have to do is sweep up the floor and mop it with some Lysol, and the kitchen is done, aside from changing one of the florescent bulbs, but that's neither here nor there. Steve cleaned up the fridge after Mark cleaned it out, and I don't think Mark wanted to have lunch after that. >_>; So we really are close in the kitchen!
Meanwhile, Mark and Dan got all the mats in the workout room scrubbed down with Lysol, and then Steve and I swept and tidied in there. It was probably the easiest room in the house, and now we can practice martial arts there! :D Plus, Steve is going to offer private lessons out of his home to help pay the bills. Seems like a great idea to me!
We also got the living room and dining room back in order, so all the furniture is arranged. As crappy as it is to have the graffiti on the walls, it's nice to walk in and see furnished and tidy(ish) rooms. We'll be moving the furniture when it comes time to have the carpets cleaned and to paint the walls. We're actually thinking of tearing the carpet out of the dining room though, since there's hardwood below. But that's a distant project right now.
The dining room table cannot be saved though. My mom was kind enough to point out that it's laminate, and so we can't sand it down and putty it up. So we'll be taking the advice offered to us by you wonderful people, and looking into places where we can get furniture cheap!
Oh! We also have hot water now. A friend of Steve's came over and hooked up the hot water heater, and so Steve can use all his home functions again. His Dad fixed the thermostat for him, which turns out that a wire had been deliberately cut it in.
We got in contact with the cops last Saturday as well, and upon informing him of the fact that Steve's katana was missing, among a few other things, an APB was put out on Bob for him to be arrested on sight for theft of a deadly weapon. Considering Bob was the only other one living there at the time the katana went missing, and we've searched everywhere, it's safe to say he stole it. He's also getting charges for peeing on his boxspring, mattress, and floor; and because he desecrated an American flag. But the noose thing nothing will come of, because it was so poorly done the cop said they'd claim we were drawing conclusions. At least he's honest. Still, there's so much more that can be claimed. So this guy... I'll honestly loose all faith in the judicial system of this country if he doesn't do some serious time.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though! We get the estimates on the walls this Thursday, and possibly the flooring as well where it was peed on. Then it's just some minor cleaning from there, and purchasing items to replace what's ruined.
All total, here's what we need:
-Slipcovers for the furniture with paint on it (un-claimable, happened before this incident)
-Either new TVs or possibly replacement plugs, if possible
-New dining room table
-New coffee table
-New silverware
-New bath towels (tenants were using them like toilet paper because they're gross *gag*)
-Walls painted in three rooms(and it's an old house, so the ceilings are really high)
-New carpeting in one room (possibly, we think the urine might have soaked into the sub-flooring >_<;; )
-Carpets cleaned in the living and dining room
-Minor porch repairs (done before this incident)
-Reimbursement for the damaged foosball table (if we can get it)
-Lightbulbs
-New Curtains/Drapes (Bob threw Steve's out because he didn't like them.)
There's probably other stuff as well, but that's all I can remember off the top of my head.
So... we aren't quite out of the woods yet. :P
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Cleaning the Aftermath: Update 1
Today we had what I guess you could call a cleaning party. There were supposed to be four of us, but one guy couldn't make it due to vehicle issues. So it was just myself, Steve, and Brendan--a friend of mine from high school who knows Steve from karate.
Brendan is a great guy, and we were so thankful to have his help. Especially since he gave us plenty of giggles and memorable quotes.
We managed to get another bedroom under control, though not perfected, today; by working all together. It was soooooo gross too because there were used condoms on the floor. I don't think I've ever been so disgusted. And I can never look at the person who left them the same way again. In fact, if I see said person I may have to slap them... because that is just plain raunchy. Thank god for latex gloves, and no latex allergy.
After we got that room under control, we split up. Steve started scrubbing the showers, I cleaned up all the hallways (with a little help here and there from Brendan or Steve to tackle the garbage), and Brendan was a brave soul who rather than help myself or Steve exclusively, volunteered to do the kitchen.
I think he might regret it. >_>;
Aside from the bathrooms, the kitchen is by far the WORST room in the house. I don't know how many different types of mold are growing in there, but the dishes have been sitting in that sink for at least five months now. Steve's tenants didn't believe in doing the dishes until they had none left... which is gross. Really, really gross. How do I know Steve didn't dirty them? Because he was at my house or the dojo almost all the time. He wasn't home long enough to dirty anything. So... Brendan was the brave soul.
There wasn't much he could do though, since the hot water heater won't be hooked up until tomorrow. The tenants who had the hot water heater they bought to replace the one that broke knocked off their back rent payments went ahead and sold it in anger and split the money. So, my parents had an old one in our basement that we took out when we renovated, and they gave it to Steve. Just has to be hooked up.
In the mean time though, Brendan organized all the dirty dishes and threw out the trash. So that did a lot, and it doesn't smell as much.
Steve and I also walked around looking to see if we could find the missing bed frames, and instead discovered a desecrated American flag, a huge mess upstairs, realized that Bob peed all over his bed before vacating the room, and that Steve's father's antique and practically priceless 60s Sears motorcycle is gone from the back shed. In fact, most of that shed has been cleaned out. You couldn't even really walk into it before, and now it's empty. So when we're able to get in touch with the officer who is handling this report tomorrow, he's going to be getting quite the earful.
In the mean time, we have to go to the town hall and see about a dump permit, because not much more cleaning can happen until we can get rid of the accumulated trash. We're running out of places to store it, and the shed's not an option because it's all the way across the yard. For you who live in the city, it's not a small square. We're talking a good 100 yards away, and in the back yard nonetheless. It's just not worth the effort to haul them all out back there, only to have to haul them back to toss them. So, gotta dispose of the trash we have before we can throw out more.
Like I said previously though, Brendan provided us with some humorous quotes, so I shall share them now.
"It's officially the House of 1000 Stenches!"
"That kitchen was a life-altering event."
"There was powdery green mold in a pot! POWDERY!"
"I've never seen a banana rot to that point! I didn't know they could do that!"
"I smelled smells in there that I will never be able to un-smell."
And yet he offered to come back and help more. Loyal friends like him are hard to come by. So Mom has asked him to help her, since she offered to wash the dishes and the fridge, although we are responsible for cleaning the fridge out.
Please don't worry, either. We bought masks to protect ourselves from the mold.
So this is what we have left to do:
-Chunk of the Kitchen
-Workout Room
-Three and a half Bedrooms
Once we get that done, we'll begin thinking about furniture repairs and the likes.
Brendan is a great guy, and we were so thankful to have his help. Especially since he gave us plenty of giggles and memorable quotes.
We managed to get another bedroom under control, though not perfected, today; by working all together. It was soooooo gross too because there were used condoms on the floor. I don't think I've ever been so disgusted. And I can never look at the person who left them the same way again. In fact, if I see said person I may have to slap them... because that is just plain raunchy. Thank god for latex gloves, and no latex allergy.
After we got that room under control, we split up. Steve started scrubbing the showers, I cleaned up all the hallways (with a little help here and there from Brendan or Steve to tackle the garbage), and Brendan was a brave soul who rather than help myself or Steve exclusively, volunteered to do the kitchen.
I think he might regret it. >_>;
Aside from the bathrooms, the kitchen is by far the WORST room in the house. I don't know how many different types of mold are growing in there, but the dishes have been sitting in that sink for at least five months now. Steve's tenants didn't believe in doing the dishes until they had none left... which is gross. Really, really gross. How do I know Steve didn't dirty them? Because he was at my house or the dojo almost all the time. He wasn't home long enough to dirty anything. So... Brendan was the brave soul.
There wasn't much he could do though, since the hot water heater won't be hooked up until tomorrow. The tenants who had the hot water heater they bought to replace the one that broke knocked off their back rent payments went ahead and sold it in anger and split the money. So, my parents had an old one in our basement that we took out when we renovated, and they gave it to Steve. Just has to be hooked up.
In the mean time though, Brendan organized all the dirty dishes and threw out the trash. So that did a lot, and it doesn't smell as much.
Steve and I also walked around looking to see if we could find the missing bed frames, and instead discovered a desecrated American flag, a huge mess upstairs, realized that Bob peed all over his bed before vacating the room, and that Steve's father's antique and practically priceless 60s Sears motorcycle is gone from the back shed. In fact, most of that shed has been cleaned out. You couldn't even really walk into it before, and now it's empty. So when we're able to get in touch with the officer who is handling this report tomorrow, he's going to be getting quite the earful.
In the mean time, we have to go to the town hall and see about a dump permit, because not much more cleaning can happen until we can get rid of the accumulated trash. We're running out of places to store it, and the shed's not an option because it's all the way across the yard. For you who live in the city, it's not a small square. We're talking a good 100 yards away, and in the back yard nonetheless. It's just not worth the effort to haul them all out back there, only to have to haul them back to toss them. So, gotta dispose of the trash we have before we can throw out more.
Like I said previously though, Brendan provided us with some humorous quotes, so I shall share them now.
"It's officially the House of 1000 Stenches!"
"That kitchen was a life-altering event."
"There was powdery green mold in a pot! POWDERY!"
"I've never seen a banana rot to that point! I didn't know they could do that!"
"I smelled smells in there that I will never be able to un-smell."
And yet he offered to come back and help more. Loyal friends like him are hard to come by. So Mom has asked him to help her, since she offered to wash the dishes and the fridge, although we are responsible for cleaning the fridge out.
Please don't worry, either. We bought masks to protect ourselves from the mold.
So this is what we have left to do:
-Chunk of the Kitchen
-Workout Room
-Three and a half Bedrooms
Once we get that done, we'll begin thinking about furniture repairs and the likes.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Cleaning the Aftermath
This is a follow-up from Cops and Court Dates, since we arrived at the house today and found no new damage to the outside. We are, however, continuing to find damage on the inside as we clean.
We have found out where Bob is staying as well, and it is a decent distance away from where Steve's is, so that is a comforting thought.
Over the last two days we've put five and a half hours into cleaning this house. All total we have to clean:
-Living Room
-Dining Room
-Kitchen
-Workout Room
-Two Bathrooms
-Five Bedrooms
-The Hallways
All rooms are in varying states of disrepair.
So far, we have cleaned to the best of our ability both bathrooms (just gotta do the showers), the living room, dining room, and most of one bedroom.
The bathrooms were GROSS. I wouldn't help Steve with them. LOL;;; Both toilets had been used and NOT flushed since before the power went out, and were used after it had gone out as well. The power was gone from July 16th to September 10th--almost two months. It would have been back sooner had the electric company not jerked Steve around so much, he'd been working on it since about August 10th. So there was nasty sludge and the smell was horrendous. Not only that, but in both bathrooms, especially the one just for the tenants, it seemed like the trash had never been taken out, and that towels had been used for toilet paper. The tenants also never cleaned their personal bathroom... which is gross. But aside from the showers, both bathrooms are completely clean and usable again.
Steve then set to work on his bedroom, which his ex left quite a mess for him. Our reasoning is thus: Steve is going to be moving into the master bedroom (finally), and if we move him in there ASAP, then we can use his old room as the kitty room, and thus shut the cats in while we're cleaning so they aren't exposed to the chemicals and molds. While we have masks for safety, the kitties don't. So we're trying to get them that space as fast as possible. And then it'll be there space after all is said and done as well.
I cleaned up the living room and dining room, since I'm shorter and can thus run the shop vac better. There was bits of cat poop still littered around with scraps of the wall paper that the tenants ripped off the wall. I'm going to still have to go through and try to get the paint out of the carpet, but I don't know how much I'll be able to do. I also cleaned up some of the spots where Bob scuffed cat poop into the carpet (he wanted to tile both rooms and was PISSED at being told no and having his tiles hidden on him after he bought them anyways). In the end though, Steve's uncle who has a carpet cleaning business of some sort is going to come in and do what he does best, since I can't get it all out.
As we moved the furniture back into these rooms though, we discovered a slash in the couch cushions, and the dining room table has HUGE dents in it, like it was hit with something. I know there's no way we can sand it out, but Mom is gonna take a look and see if maybe she can't think of a way to repair it. The coffee table is pretty much destroyed. And everything has paint all over it from where Bob and the other tenant were careless and goofing off while probably drunk. Can't say anything about the dining room chairs though, since the cats did that damage. >_>;
At this point though, we're doing pretty well. Tomorrow we'll finish up Steve's room and get him moved, and then that afternoon we're having a cleaning party with a bunch of friends who volunteered. We probably won't touch Bob's room though, since A)It still reeks, and B)We don't want to be accused of loosing his stuff.
The trick is going to be replacing things, like the curtains and mattresses, that Bob destroyed. Steve's only just getting back into work this coming Wednesday, and my hours are hit-or-miss at the office thanks to severe computer issues. Somehow though, hopefully, we're going to make it work. The restitution payment will definitely help.
We have found out where Bob is staying as well, and it is a decent distance away from where Steve's is, so that is a comforting thought.
Over the last two days we've put five and a half hours into cleaning this house. All total we have to clean:
-Living Room
-Dining Room
-Kitchen
-Workout Room
-Two Bathrooms
-Five Bedrooms
-The Hallways
All rooms are in varying states of disrepair.
So far, we have cleaned to the best of our ability both bathrooms (just gotta do the showers), the living room, dining room, and most of one bedroom.
The bathrooms were GROSS. I wouldn't help Steve with them. LOL;;; Both toilets had been used and NOT flushed since before the power went out, and were used after it had gone out as well. The power was gone from July 16th to September 10th--almost two months. It would have been back sooner had the electric company not jerked Steve around so much, he'd been working on it since about August 10th. So there was nasty sludge and the smell was horrendous. Not only that, but in both bathrooms, especially the one just for the tenants, it seemed like the trash had never been taken out, and that towels had been used for toilet paper. The tenants also never cleaned their personal bathroom... which is gross. But aside from the showers, both bathrooms are completely clean and usable again.
Steve then set to work on his bedroom, which his ex left quite a mess for him. Our reasoning is thus: Steve is going to be moving into the master bedroom (finally), and if we move him in there ASAP, then we can use his old room as the kitty room, and thus shut the cats in while we're cleaning so they aren't exposed to the chemicals and molds. While we have masks for safety, the kitties don't. So we're trying to get them that space as fast as possible. And then it'll be there space after all is said and done as well.
I cleaned up the living room and dining room, since I'm shorter and can thus run the shop vac better. There was bits of cat poop still littered around with scraps of the wall paper that the tenants ripped off the wall. I'm going to still have to go through and try to get the paint out of the carpet, but I don't know how much I'll be able to do. I also cleaned up some of the spots where Bob scuffed cat poop into the carpet (he wanted to tile both rooms and was PISSED at being told no and having his tiles hidden on him after he bought them anyways). In the end though, Steve's uncle who has a carpet cleaning business of some sort is going to come in and do what he does best, since I can't get it all out.
As we moved the furniture back into these rooms though, we discovered a slash in the couch cushions, and the dining room table has HUGE dents in it, like it was hit with something. I know there's no way we can sand it out, but Mom is gonna take a look and see if maybe she can't think of a way to repair it. The coffee table is pretty much destroyed. And everything has paint all over it from where Bob and the other tenant were careless and goofing off while probably drunk. Can't say anything about the dining room chairs though, since the cats did that damage. >_>;
At this point though, we're doing pretty well. Tomorrow we'll finish up Steve's room and get him moved, and then that afternoon we're having a cleaning party with a bunch of friends who volunteered. We probably won't touch Bob's room though, since A)It still reeks, and B)We don't want to be accused of loosing his stuff.
The trick is going to be replacing things, like the curtains and mattresses, that Bob destroyed. Steve's only just getting back into work this coming Wednesday, and my hours are hit-or-miss at the office thanks to severe computer issues. Somehow though, hopefully, we're going to make it work. The restitution payment will definitely help.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Cops and Court Dates: Update 2
So tonight Steve and I went to get the cleaning supplies (which cost close to $100) to start working on the house. And we did start cleaning the house. We managed to get both bathrooms (minus tubs and showers), the living room, and part of a bedroom cleaned up.
As we were cleaning we noticed a few things:
1. Steve's real katana is missing.
2. Bob poured pineapples on the foosball table.
3. Somehow we missed the fact that two bedframes are gone.
So we're going to wait for the light of day tomorrow to look for some of this stuff out back, but we're pretty sure it's gone.
The biggest problem though was what we found upon arrival. There is brand new damage to the porch, in a huge chunk that appears to be smashed in on the left supporting post (when you're facing it), and on the same side one of the little rungs is broken almost in half.
What was the scariest though was the present left. There was a pile of rope not there the night before that was tied at the end like a noose. I'm not kidding.
So we called the direct line of the cops, and are waiting to hear back from them. But if it was Bob who did all this, now he's in violation of the restraining order against the house.
If it wasn't him, then it's probably the bastards across the street who he talked into watching the house constantly. They seem to be his little minions.
When is it all going to end? D:
Maybe we will take up my Aunt's idea and call the news. They'd probably have a field day with the story, and it might mean that Bob isn't let off on a plea bargain. :P
As we were cleaning we noticed a few things:
1. Steve's real katana is missing.
2. Bob poured pineapples on the foosball table.
3. Somehow we missed the fact that two bedframes are gone.
So we're going to wait for the light of day tomorrow to look for some of this stuff out back, but we're pretty sure it's gone.
The biggest problem though was what we found upon arrival. There is brand new damage to the porch, in a huge chunk that appears to be smashed in on the left supporting post (when you're facing it), and on the same side one of the little rungs is broken almost in half.
What was the scariest though was the present left. There was a pile of rope not there the night before that was tied at the end like a noose. I'm not kidding.
So we called the direct line of the cops, and are waiting to hear back from them. But if it was Bob who did all this, now he's in violation of the restraining order against the house.
If it wasn't him, then it's probably the bastards across the street who he talked into watching the house constantly. They seem to be his little minions.
When is it all going to end? D:
Maybe we will take up my Aunt's idea and call the news. They'd probably have a field day with the story, and it might mean that Bob isn't let off on a plea bargain. :P
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Cops and Court Dates: Update 1
So today we spoke to a different officer since the station felt that was the proper course of action to take, and we found a few things out.
First and foremost, the report last night lacked a few details that the station wanted, so a second report was filed, but we didn't have to go to the station to do so.
The biggest problem though, was that the judge let Bob go last night. And it was the same judge we saw at the eviction hearing. Steve and I are both pissed.
Worst of all is that there was no order of protection issued. The only thing that Bob was told was that he could not set foot on Steve's property at all, and that at a time that was convenient to Steve he could retrieve his property while being escorted by an officer of the law.
Still, that doesn't mean he can't wait across the street with his buddies and stalk us else where. And I wouldn't put it past him to do it. He's that psychotic.
So Steve now has to contact the D.A.'s office, and demand restraining orders for both of us so that he can't come near us, and while we don't have to appear at court when Bob is sentenced, it may be in our best interests.
Bob will have to pay restitution, and a judgment will be put out on him for it. The county will give Steve the money though.
It really bites though, because this is a felony offense, and the officer today told us that the most Bob is looking at is a few months in county, simply because they'll probably plea-bargain down to that. I really hope not.
All the officers are really pissed off that Bob got off as well, the officer today told us that.
So I don't even know what's going on at this point. All I know is that I don't feel totally safe anymore knowing that this bastard walked with nothing but court dates at this point, and I know he's probably gloating silently to himself.
The officer did tell us it was a good thing that we took our own photos, and that we may need them. So I'm tucking that memory card away for future usage.
So much for a fair and just system.
First and foremost, the report last night lacked a few details that the station wanted, so a second report was filed, but we didn't have to go to the station to do so.
The biggest problem though, was that the judge let Bob go last night. And it was the same judge we saw at the eviction hearing. Steve and I are both pissed.
Worst of all is that there was no order of protection issued. The only thing that Bob was told was that he could not set foot on Steve's property at all, and that at a time that was convenient to Steve he could retrieve his property while being escorted by an officer of the law.
Still, that doesn't mean he can't wait across the street with his buddies and stalk us else where. And I wouldn't put it past him to do it. He's that psychotic.
So Steve now has to contact the D.A.'s office, and demand restraining orders for both of us so that he can't come near us, and while we don't have to appear at court when Bob is sentenced, it may be in our best interests.
Bob will have to pay restitution, and a judgment will be put out on him for it. The county will give Steve the money though.
It really bites though, because this is a felony offense, and the officer today told us that the most Bob is looking at is a few months in county, simply because they'll probably plea-bargain down to that. I really hope not.
All the officers are really pissed off that Bob got off as well, the officer today told us that.
So I don't even know what's going on at this point. All I know is that I don't feel totally safe anymore knowing that this bastard walked with nothing but court dates at this point, and I know he's probably gloating silently to himself.
The officer did tell us it was a good thing that we took our own photos, and that we may need them. So I'm tucking that memory card away for future usage.
So much for a fair and just system.
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