Quietly June Ends?

The Fourth of July is conveniently on a Monday this year, and not only could one expect the usual loads of popping and maybe illegal fireworks already but more than the usual because it’s a long weekend. Of course, maybe it’s just that they have not been properly noticed.  …Or, maybe money’s tight these days.  Or, it’s possible yours truly is in some kind of dazed state.  There has been no thought beyond tomorrow, “the first,” not even to what July days there might be money coming.  A look at the calendar announced the obvious, if the first is tomorrow, i.e., Friday, then the fourth is Monday. 

With the realization that Monday is the fourth, there also came a realization the office for the apartment building underfoot will be closed; and, still later, came a realization that all offices more or less will be closed, after which it was recalled that there would be no mail delivery and the banks would be closed.  It should not take a half hour to come up with all those realizations. There have been lots of unsettling events recently, not the least of which is the frequent breakdowns of equipment (which is again in play; but a commentary can be written anyway as it might fall together again in the immediate future). 

Some instinct (not cold calculation or Johnny-on-the-spot thought) moved July’s rent payment into action today.  There would be no doing it in person not only Saturday and Sunday but also Monday.  A fine is levied for late payment.  Even then it almost didn’t happen.  The staff has been sort of moving out as they do near any weekend.  An attempt to make the payment near noon was defeated as another person was in the office.  It was best to wait outside, at which time both staff members left for lunch.  It took a third attempt.  Maybe it’s old age or the weather or the atmosphere of the place. (Written Thursday, June 30, 2011.)

People can be nice when things go well. 

Things That Need Fixing

In a house, even a new house, there are things that need at least tending to if not outright fixing all of the time.  It is true of other structures of different sorts and often just things, including little things as well.  If one owns the house, the things that need attention are handled as time, finances, necessity and factors of various sorts dictate.  If one rents space in something (such as the old folks’ home senior citizens’ retirement community underfoot) all those things figure in the picture; but, the picture may be in the hands of the property manager and (or) the maintenance department. 

Most often residents decide if and when to call on maintenance as, especially if it is an older building, maintenance can be in the place fixing things with much, much frequency, like most of the time.  Some “fixings” might be debatable.  If a faucet springs a leak and one knows how to replace a washer, it may pay off in time, effort, and agitation just to fix it; however, it should be in the “realm” of a maintenance repair.  Maintenance, of course, will have a list of priorities, and a leaky faucet may be far down on the list.  In fact, there’s a good chance of that being the case. 

At present yours truly has a small (?) problem with the telephone, meanwhile a case can be made for the heating and cooling unit.   The one that was in place last summer died and in an emergency call maintenance brought one that they more or less fixed into an operational state.  The problem is that the buttons for turning the thing on and off do not move easily.  In fact, most often a hammer-like thing is used to knock it into operation.  The question is, how long should a hammering technique be used before calling on maintenance with a complaint about rusty buttons?  The telephone is a major concern. 

Everyday brings new activities.