Something very unusual…

[rgraham666]

Has happened to me.

I'm am angry. Not the furious, blood red anger that rises fast and fades quickly. My anger is that arctic cold anger, focused and quite literally deadly.

Here's the deal.

My landlord recently decided, after twelve years, that things can no longer be stored in the basement. By next Wednesday all items in the basement must be removed or my landlord will toss them in the garbage.

That means they've claimed the right to destroy my books.

That needless to say, pisses me off.

So I went into the landlord's office today to arrange a meeting to discus this. He was 'not available' and has a 'busy schedule'. Quelle surprise.

So I told my housing worker my campaign to fight this. Landlord/tenant association, a lawyer and I'll be talking to a reporter. I made it very clear that if they touch my books I will not be looking for resolution but restitution. And that restitution will come with a fair number of zeroes at the end.

I don't like being the way I am now. But I'm not going to stop until my books are safe.

I'm going to have to be very careful not to maim anybody. Because if people aren't careful around me for the next little while, I will maim somebody. I'm very close to the edge.

 

[millennium_bard]

Wanna borrow a morningstar mace?
I don't blame you for being furious. I would be too in your situation.

 

[rgraham666]

Wanna borrow a morningstar mace?
I don't blame you for being furious. I would be too in your situation.

I prefer my bare hands. There's something very satisfying about your victim's eyeballs squirting under your thumbs.

Joking. Mostly

 

[R. Richard]

I prefer my bare hands. There's something very satisfying about your victim's eyeballs squirting under your thumbs.

Joking. Mostly

Interesting technique. I picked it up from the Russian Spetznaz. I does require some careful positioning. Did ou also get it from the Spetznaz?

 

[cloudy]

Go get 'em, Rob.

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks, cloudy.

 

[Liar]

My landlord recently decided, after twelve years, that things can no longer be stored in the basement.

This far, I guess he is legally in the clear. Check your rental contract with a lawyer.

By next Wednesday all items in the basement must be removed

Your landlord is still probably following the law. The law does not stop your landlord from being dickish.

or my landlord will toss them in the garbage.

That means they've claimed the right to destroy my books.

This, however, would be criminal. Theft or vandalism.

Or am I missing something?

 

[kendo1]

Good luck to you, Rob.

It is normally easier to come to an amicable arrangement though.
Maybe he'll help you move them?

 

[Emerald_Dragon]

bamboo sparring swords give a nice thwack and sting like the dickens, wanna borrow one?

Good luck!

 

[glynndah]

You need a few of these.

http://craphound.com/images/bibliochaise.jpg

 

[jomar]

Way too many books to fit in your apartment I guess. I wonder why the change. Good luck!

 

[rgraham666]

Way too many books to fit in your apartment I guess. I wonder why the change. Good luck!

Thanks all.

That's what I'm trying to find out, jomar.

I don't think they want to tell me though.

 

[glynndah]

Way too many books to fit in your apartment I guess. I wonder why the change. Good luck!

Thanks all.

That's what I'm trying to find out, jomar.

I don't think they want to tell me though.

A "garden" apartment in the landlord's future was my first thought.

 

[jomar]

A "garden" apartment in the landlord's future was my first thought.

Or a meth lab.

 

[davidwatts]

A lot of times the way people do things is worse than the actual act. What's the damn rush? Why not some reasonable advance notice? I was a victim of something similar a long time ago and I didn't understand the need for immediate action on something that had been there forever.

If there was an actual legitimate reason for the rush, that would be one thing. Then again, if there was one, they would have told you already.

Good luck.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Probably planning to reclaim the basement so he can turn it into another apartment. You sure your books are still good after being stored in a basement? Might want to check on them.

 

[rgraham666]

I lost a fair number to a sewer backup last fall.

The landlord claims it's a fire hazard. They claim that's always been the case. But there's never been anything said before. And there's been three cleanups in the time I've been here.

They can't fix the front window but they can destroy my books.

My landlord is supposed to be a charity, giving housing to people like me. Some charity.

 

[DesertPirate]

Rob, I really hope reason prevails, don't expect it but hope anyway.

Good luck!

 

[rgraham666]

It didn't.

I tried to arrange a meeting with the person who runs the charity. He's 'unavailable' and shall be for the next two weeks. My books go on Wednesday.

My housing worker will only say 'These are the rules'. Oh and 'Why don't you get rid of your books?' with a sotto voce slant of 'I don't understand why you value them. They aren't as important as the rules.'

So, I'll move my books and stuff to my room. It means I'll have have the living space I do now, but I don't have a choice.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

It didn't.

I tried to arrange a meeting with the person who runs the charity. He's 'unavailable' and shall be for the next two weeks. My books go on Wednesday.

My housing worker will only say 'These are the rules'. Oh and 'Why don't you get rid of your books?' with a sotto voce slant of 'I don't understand why you value them. They aren't as important as the rules.'

So, I'll move my books and stuff to my room. It means I'll have have the living space I do now, but I don't have a choice.

Crap......I wish I had space for you, my books are sacred...and not all mine, I have quite a few of Vana's too.

 

[rgraham666]

In this day and age books, like people, are disposable.

 

[tickledkitty]

Rob,

Your mention of a "fire hazard" makes me wonder if someone else hasn't said something. Meaning, some type of government person or whoever is in charge of building situations of that type.

I only mention this because my husband owns some rental properties, and from time to time, the "city code" people come out to inspect. There are things that are overlooked for years and then are suddenly noticed, and he's expected to fix them. Some of the inspectors are more lenient than others, as well.

Is it possible that something similar has happened with your building? Maybe the landlord really is an ass but is only following orders. Maybe it's been brought to his attention that the building could be shut down if things aren't cleaned up?

Another thing I'm thinking, and please believe I'm not trying to upset you, is that maybe it is time to get rid of some of your books. They are packed away and not bringing you or anyone else any joy right now. You said yourself that some of them were lost when the sewer backed up, which is a shame. A basement is not a good place to store them anyway, though I realize you haven't had much choice.

I'd imagine some of them are more precious to you than others. Maybe you could sort through them and sell some to a used bookstore? It's just a suggestion, and, again, I don't want to upset you further. I'm really trying to help.

I wish I had a better solution. *hugs*

 

[jomar]

Rob,

Your mention of a "fire hazard" makes me wonder if someone else hasn't said something. Meaning, some type of government person or whoever is in charge of building situations of that type.

I only mention this because my husband owns some rental properties, and from time to time, the "city code" people come out to inspect. There are things that are overlooked for years and then are suddenly noticed, and he's expected to fix them. Some of the inspectors are more lenient than others, as well.

Is it possible that something similar has happened with your building? Maybe the landlord really is an ass but is only following orders. Maybe it's been brought to his attention that the building could be shut down if things aren't cleaned up?

That makes perfect sense to me. Especially after not worrying about it for years. I wouldn't be surprised if he was given a deadline.

 

[Guest]

You need a few of these.

http://craphound.com/images/bibliochaise.jpg

OMG I need about a half-dozen of those for the living room!

I'm sure I could find a place for the other half as well.

Oh, Rob, I'd be happy to help with your situation *files nails* There are some things which are completely unacceptable.

Like your landlord - I'll throw HIM in the trash - and stomp him to wormfood so that he fits properly in the can.

 

[Carnevil9]

.......My landlord is supposed to be a charity, giving housing to people like me. Some charity.

Charity? Are you trying to imply that you live there for free? For twelve years? And you're squawking? What's the old saying about, "Beggars can't be....." I love my books, too (and my carcass), but I don't expect somebody to house them for nothing.