Green Room - Week 23 - Day 3

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

It was a busy day for me - and a busy night for Idol.

The Idol stuff first:

We had results for Last Chance Idol: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/787170.html
and they also received their second topic/deadline to sign up: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/787501.html

and of course the main competition just launched into a new poll: http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/787328.html with enough great reading to keep you occupied for awhile. Go read them! Now!

***

Now that people are occupied doing something else, I know it's only the people who actually want to know what was going on and I'm not just bugging folks.

I typed up a couple paragraphs and then deleted them. Not because they weren't accurate, and funny, but more because I didn't want to get into the specific details here in Idol.

The upshoot is that I was sued by my ex-landlord in small claims court. I hired a lawyer who assured me that she didn't have a case at all, and that it was an easy win.

What wasn't factored in was that small claims court pretty much will bend over backward to amend/fix things for you, even if they wouldn't be allowed elsewhere. Because it's "the people's court" and people are (apparently) morons.

Things I learned from this process: Even if it's a year and half later, don't throw away those old pieces of paper you have in a box. Because those are receipts showing that you paid the crazy people - and if they crazy people come back at you, they can make up numbers (including for months when you weren't even living there)

If your landlord says it's OK to do something - like paint - get it in writing. Even if they see it many, many, many times in person. Even if you talk about it. Even if there are emails between the two of you talking about it - they will still try to get you for "damages" because they had to repaint.

Check to make sure your attorneys have actually gone to mediation before you hire them. Even if they are friends of friends giving you a deep discount rate for their services.

When in mediation - the person who is the most inflexible is going to win. Come in willing to work something out, even if you didn't think you did... and the inflexible one is going to make things extremely difficult and potentially expensive for you, to the point where a settlement seems like the best option.

And so the thing that I feared was going to fall on my head ended up falling. About $2,200 worth of hard. Fortunately, we did negotiate for an installment plan. But this pretty much puts the wedding off until it's done.

So, if you are someone sitting out there who has benefited from your time in Idol and has been saying "Damn it, I wish I could give back to Gary, for all he has done, in a financial way", this would be a fantastic time to do so!

If you are someone who enjoys burning effigies of people to make them suffer - I have a name or two to add to your list. Just ask. :)

Ultimately though, this means that I'm going to be in a weird mood for a bit until I figure this out. So be cool. OK? ;)

Being cool is always an appreciated donation/way of giving back!

Comments

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Man, that sucks big time - you have my sympathies, Gary! *Hugs*

[rejeneration.livejournal.com]

I'm with roina_arwen, and you know I am, we've talked about it. I'm so sorry, sugarface. =(

Have I ever explained what a wizard I really am at finding super awesome stuff super cheaply? If you guys have an idea of everything (and I mean like an itemized list) you want for your ideal special day, I'd be happy to see what I can get people do it for! This includes officiants, photogs, mimes, etc. You're having a very interesting wedding in my head! <3

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

It's less about "not being able to afford to pay for a wedding" because we were going super-cheap. It's another debt hanging over my head. I've been working on clearing them up... sure, they are "pre-marital debts", but as we've seen, just because something isn't reasonable doesn't mean that she couldn't be harassed because of me. Which is something that I don't want to happen, and I *know* she doesn't want either.

We haven't sat down and talked about it *officially* but there has been enough said that I know it's the case. I need to get my act together and pay this off, however I can.

"The ALICE VALENTINE AND REMENA PROPERTIES ARE DEFINITELY *NOT* GIANT SLUMLORDS - because I don't want to get sued again - AND I HOPE THEY CHOKE, WITH HAPPINESS, ON THE MONEY THEY ARE RECEIVING Fund"

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Is this regarding the place above the ice cream shop? If so, they deserve THE CONE OF SHAME.

*More hugs*



Damns LJ for not yet fixing the icon problem... argh!

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

It is.

As I posted on facebook, the ice cream shop shares a landlord - and I know people have been talking about never going there again. But they can't help who they pay rent to (well, they can... but I'm hoping that they buy the property. They would be much better at it) and make really good ice cream. So I hope people still go there.

There is a Pet Grooming place on that same property though that the landlord *does* own, that I wouldn't have recommended even before any of this happened. (especially after a dog fell off the table, which is why they changed their name)

[witchwife.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. So sorry to hear. Glad that there's an installment plan though. And appreciate hearing about your experience for my own renting situation. Can't imagine how frustrated you must be.

[flipflop-diva.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's horrible. I'm so sorry. And I'm really sorry it means you guys have to postpone the wedding. Sending lots of good thoughts your way <3333

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

:(

[oneonthefence.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear it. I hope I could help out just a little. Legal stuff is so tough to get around, and your life shouldn't have to go on hold because of some innocent mistakes. Fingers crossed that things work out quickly.

[itsjustc.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry that all this has happened and I'm really sorry it means you have had to postpone your wedding. Sending you both lots of good thoughts xx

[itsjustc.livejournal.com]

And also oh damn! I was really hoping we would have until Tuesday again like we did last week to write as I'm going away in a few minutes for a long weekend and I'm not back until late Monday afternoon!

I shall have to have a go at writing in a few hours for this round! It's not something I have done before but I shall have to have give it a try.

flippin' 'eck! After this weekend I have nothing in my calender for months!!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

As a writer my only thought is... this'll make a good story!

Eventually.

Meantime, it's an unpleasant experience. Here's hoping it passes with a minimum of ick. Not exactly how you want to go to the courthouse, I know.

Good wishes for good things!

[ashgaelsonaria.livejournal.com]

You can barrow my happy place.
There are whips and chains and the agonized screams of idiots and morrons in it.

With all dead and done probly not doing second chance.
Been extra stressed and not much up to anything.
A friend of my mothers has moved in temp with two of her children due to unemployment and loss of utilities.
Just not feeling like anything.

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

Bleah, I'm so sorry to hear that!! Love to both of you. Sorry about the crazy makers.

[aimercat.livejournal.com]

Gary - I'm sorry for what you're going through. I, myself, have been hit with a financial crisis recently (as i've been posting in green rooms here and there). My thoughts are with you. I know you can't pay anything with that, but just know I can relate. Of course, given my situation, I obviously can't donate any money (heck, I have my own GoFundMe to pay for my car repairs), but I hope moral support is helpful as well.

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

<3 Take care.

[muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com]

Huh, and here I thought mediation meant "both" parties had to negotiate. Sorry for the way this turned out, and as always, thank you for everything you do here!

Dan

[walkertxkitty.livejournal.com]

i am very sorry this happened to you. We used to refer to small claims as monkey court because of stupidity like this.

A friend of mine was sued for damages to the foundation of the house they rented --- because I had come over regularly.

See the fat joke there?

The landlord always wins. Money coming your way as soon as I get paid.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Oh cripes, not this whacko :shakes head: I had a feeling she might've tried something like this. I hate being right sometimes :(

I'm so, so sorry. And yeah, hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to keeping receipts and getting things in writing, but you didn't realize that at the time. Please don't beat yourself up over that.

[watching-ships.livejournal.com]

Ugh. So sorry to hear that.

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

Very sorry you're having to go through this ordeal.

[swirlsofblue.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* Sorry to hear this

[bleodswean.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear about this. :( Damn. And yeah, great advice about receipts and everything in writing. Hope you're able to put this behind you sooner than later.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's awful. :(

I'm sorry for both of you, and peeved once again at why people have to be such jerks. :(

[beeker121.livejournal.com]

I hate that: when the insufferable person gets some part of what they want because the reasonable person is reasonable.

Ugh, I'm sorry you're dealing with any part of it.


I want to start reading entries, but have an impressive headache which means I'm not in the best mood. Then again if I read everyone while having the headache, at least I'm consistent. Hrmm...

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Honestly? If you can prove you abided by rules and did what you say you did, see if you can appeal the thing on "Judge Judy." I'm not kidding - if they take your case, you have to be on TV, but I think the show covers your judgment and some expenses ... so even if you lose again, you don't have to end up paying it.

Couldn't hurt to ask, at least ....

[beldar.livejournal.com]

All I'm thinking is that this person is lucky that Gary is not as evil as his clauderainsrm LJI boss persona, or I would be able to see the smoke from here.

Still, I know that "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all" feeling...

[furzicle.livejournal.com]

I have a fix that would help your bruised emotions. My dad had sued a guy named Willis to get him to actually PAY the agreed upon amount of what he owed after buying my dad's business. My dad won the lawsuit but the guy still never paid what was owed (some $20,000 or more).

For Christmas that year I gave my dad a pair of boxers imprinted with the name Willis on the butt. I told him that way he could sit on Willis all day and even squirm around on him. Added bonus, no one will even know you're defaming him!

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[crisp-sobriety.livejournal.com]

Argh, that's terrible to hear. I really hope things look up for you guys soon.

[ryl.livejournal.com]

I shall add your former landlords to the Big Pile o' Effigies in my yard along with my former landlords who liked to talk out of both sides of their mouths.

Fortunately my current landlord is all right. This is especially important since he lives right above me.

I'm late to the "burning in effigy" party...

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

... as usual.

I'm sorry you had to deal with such crap, Gary.