In a big surprise to no one, I stewed for a long time last night about the contretemps with my management company. Standing up for myself is new and uncomfortable territory for me, and I'm not sure I'm doing it right. When I finally decided to stand up for myself about something, did I overreact?
It doesn't matter if I overreacted or not in this situation because I already threatened to sue. If I back off of that position now, I undermine any authority or credibility I have. I'm just asking the question to improve my standing-up-for-myself skills in future interactions. Frankly, in this case, I don't think I would have gotten anywhere with the management company without resorting to a threat of litigation. And while the management company professes shock and dismay at my actions considering our past good relationship, the management company itself is ruining that good relationship by keeping $150 for doing absolutely nothing.
Anyway, it's stupid to continue to obsess about it, even though I totally will. Standing up for myself is a skill and since it's not one that comes naturally to me, I'll probably have to work at it before I feel comfortable doing it.
And today...PERU!!!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Should I Give Up, Or Should I Just Keep Chasing Pavements Even If They Lead Nowhere? : Part Two
The representative from my management company responded to me, acting like I insulted him personally by advising that I plan to file suit if he doesn't refund the full amount. He said he was shocked and hurt that I would threaten him without giving him a chance to respond after we've had such a good relationship. Is it cynical that I think his shock and hurt are an act? As I understand the situation, there is a dispute over $150 that is currently in his possession. I think he should give it back to me, and he thinks he should keep it. I asked him to return it to me, and he indicated an unwillingness. That brings us to the end of what I personally can do to get him to give me back my money. He has the upper hand by virtue of the fact that the money is in his possession. If I ask him to return it, and he declines, then there isn't anything left for me to do except accept the money is gone or bring in a third party to resolve the dispute.
Should I Give Up, Or Should I Just Keep Chasing Pavements Even If They Lead Nowhere?
I am going to spend my entire life in a small claims court.
First, I have a dispute with my landlord back in Boston. I broke my lease to move out two months early. When he returned my last month's rent (there was no security deposit, and by the time I decided to break the lease, I had already paid for the last month I lived there), he deducted the broker's fee for re-renting the apartment. This resulted in my receiving back about half the amount of money I expected. I don't think the landlord is entitled to charge me the broker's fee or any portion of the broker's fee. Naturally, I can't find my lease. I remember reviewing it at my office when I initially contemplated breaking the lease, and I don't recall seeing anything about my bearing responsibility for the broker's fee if I broke the lease, but without the document in front of me, I can't be sure what it says. I do know that he failed to return to me the interest earned on the last month's rent, which he is required to pay. So, now I'm having a friend of a friend who knows landlord-tenant law assist me in drafting a demand letter for the return of this money. In the meantime, I can't cash the check for the amount he did send me (which, while not enough, is better than nothing) because to do so would indicate my acceptance that that was the amount he owed me.
Second, I now find myself at odds with the management company I used to oversee my apartment while my tenant occupied it. As part of the relationship, they retained $1000 in case of any emergency with the apartment, which makes sense. The tenant moved out at the end of last month, and they are now telling me that they will refund only $845 of the $1000. The tenant allegedly overpaid his rent by $5 one month, and they intend to charge me the $150 of management fees for the quarter beginning July 1. My contact person at the management company tells me that they normally require six months' notice for terminating the management contract. Six months. Mind you, the lease that the management company drafted requires the tenant to give only two months' notice of his intent to move out. So, basically, they have crafted these contracts so that they will more often than not receive payments for doing nothing. If they don't give me back my $1000 (or at least $995, since I understand the bit about the $5 overpayment), I'm taking them to small claims court in New Jersey for $150 plus costs.
I hate this shit. Seriously. Loathe. It may be weird for a lawyer to say this, but I detest the ugliness of lawsuits. It all seems so petty and grasping, and I hate arguing with people. At the same time, and more importantly, I need the money. I currently have no job. The total amounts at stake here add up to about $900, which is a good-size chunk of change even if I were working. Since I'm not working and I was counting on this money, its size and chunkness assume even greater prominence. At some level, I wish had the financial wherewithal to say "fuck it" and just let these thieves fleece me because it isn't worth it to quibble over the money. At another level, I think it's important to stand up for myself and demand they pay me what they owe me, even if it inconveniences me as much as it inconveniences them.
Inconvenience is really what both situations boil down to. These people held money of mine that they were supposed to return to me. They chose to withhold part of it for dubious reasons. Now, they hope that I will deem it too inconvenient to try to get the rest back and accept the amount they choose to refund. I, in turn, must endure some inconvenience and inflict some inconvenience on them as well in an effort to recoup what they stole. It is unlikely that I will be able to get back everything they owe me, but at least I hope to recover an amount that will make the inconvenience in getting it worthwhile.
First, I have a dispute with my landlord back in Boston. I broke my lease to move out two months early. When he returned my last month's rent (there was no security deposit, and by the time I decided to break the lease, I had already paid for the last month I lived there), he deducted the broker's fee for re-renting the apartment. This resulted in my receiving back about half the amount of money I expected. I don't think the landlord is entitled to charge me the broker's fee or any portion of the broker's fee. Naturally, I can't find my lease. I remember reviewing it at my office when I initially contemplated breaking the lease, and I don't recall seeing anything about my bearing responsibility for the broker's fee if I broke the lease, but without the document in front of me, I can't be sure what it says. I do know that he failed to return to me the interest earned on the last month's rent, which he is required to pay. So, now I'm having a friend of a friend who knows landlord-tenant law assist me in drafting a demand letter for the return of this money. In the meantime, I can't cash the check for the amount he did send me (which, while not enough, is better than nothing) because to do so would indicate my acceptance that that was the amount he owed me.
Second, I now find myself at odds with the management company I used to oversee my apartment while my tenant occupied it. As part of the relationship, they retained $1000 in case of any emergency with the apartment, which makes sense. The tenant moved out at the end of last month, and they are now telling me that they will refund only $845 of the $1000. The tenant allegedly overpaid his rent by $5 one month, and they intend to charge me the $150 of management fees for the quarter beginning July 1. My contact person at the management company tells me that they normally require six months' notice for terminating the management contract. Six months. Mind you, the lease that the management company drafted requires the tenant to give only two months' notice of his intent to move out. So, basically, they have crafted these contracts so that they will more often than not receive payments for doing nothing. If they don't give me back my $1000 (or at least $995, since I understand the bit about the $5 overpayment), I'm taking them to small claims court in New Jersey for $150 plus costs.
I hate this shit. Seriously. Loathe. It may be weird for a lawyer to say this, but I detest the ugliness of lawsuits. It all seems so petty and grasping, and I hate arguing with people. At the same time, and more importantly, I need the money. I currently have no job. The total amounts at stake here add up to about $900, which is a good-size chunk of change even if I were working. Since I'm not working and I was counting on this money, its size and chunkness assume even greater prominence. At some level, I wish had the financial wherewithal to say "fuck it" and just let these thieves fleece me because it isn't worth it to quibble over the money. At another level, I think it's important to stand up for myself and demand they pay me what they owe me, even if it inconveniences me as much as it inconveniences them.
Inconvenience is really what both situations boil down to. These people held money of mine that they were supposed to return to me. They chose to withhold part of it for dubious reasons. Now, they hope that I will deem it too inconvenient to try to get the rest back and accept the amount they choose to refund. I, in turn, must endure some inconvenience and inflict some inconvenience on them as well in an effort to recoup what they stole. It is unlikely that I will be able to get back everything they owe me, but at least I hope to recover an amount that will make the inconvenience in getting it worthwhile.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Paperback Writer
One of these days, I'm finally going to finish one of the novels I start writing. I usually start one about once or twice a year, but I can only get through about one-quarter to one-third of the way into it. I'm good with beginnings, but then I trail off. Or I just need to accept that I might be a good writer (I hope good enough to get this job I want so dearly) but my talent does not lie in the realm of fiction.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Times They Are A-Changin'?
I was asked to do a writing assessment for the dream job I mentioned. I really hope they like what I submit.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Times They Aren't A-Changin'
I am still woefully unemployed. On the up side, I'm zipping off to Peru this week to enjoy the splendors of the Amazon and Machu Picchu and other splendors of which I am not currently aware.
I applied for a job last week through a legal recruiter for which I would be the perfect choice. The main responsibilities are researching and writing legal articles. I love research and writing, and I flatter myself to think I'm good at it. My concern is that I'll be summarily dismissed without any consideration because my resume came through a recruiter. The employer has posted the position on its website, so it is certain that applicants without a recruiter's fee attached will apply. Sigh. I hate knowing about this job because I found out about it through a legal recruiter but that very fact will likely preclude me from being hired, and now that I know the job is out there, I want it desperately, and it will really disappoint me when I don't get it.
I applied for a job last week through a legal recruiter for which I would be the perfect choice. The main responsibilities are researching and writing legal articles. I love research and writing, and I flatter myself to think I'm good at it. My concern is that I'll be summarily dismissed without any consideration because my resume came through a recruiter. The employer has posted the position on its website, so it is certain that applicants without a recruiter's fee attached will apply. Sigh. I hate knowing about this job because I found out about it through a legal recruiter but that very fact will likely preclude me from being hired, and now that I know the job is out there, I want it desperately, and it will really disappoint me when I don't get it.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I am sofa king bored. Seriously, not having a job is the most boring thing in the whole wide world. It's even more boring than having a job, if only because I don't have any money coming in that I can spend on stuff to pass the time. Everyone else is at work all day, so I have a shortage of people to talk to and hang out with. Even on the weekends, everyone seems to be so busy. I haven't found how I fit into people's lives here now that I've moved back. It's very lonely.
Monday, July 13, 2009
M-I-A, another M-I, M-I-A-M-I spells Miami Beach...
I'm headed to Miami tomorrow for a job interview. I was supposed to go for two job interviews, both to work as a legal recruiter, but one place lamed out on me. The contact person told me he was going to get in touch with the head of their Miami operations and get back to me as to whether he could meet with me, and then he never responded. I hate that shit. Anyway, I'm not very excited about the other possibility, particularly since the job would be commissions-based, but I'm not in a position to turn down interviews at the moment, no matter what my level of interest in the job itself might be. Plus, as my mom put it, you never know what ripples you're sending out when you go on these things.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Il Me Dit des Mots d'Amour, des Mots des Tous les Jours
The guy from my college French class asked me for my phone number so we can get together. I like that. If he actually follows through with calling or texting me to make plans, I will like that even better.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Quand Il Me Prend Dans Ses Bras, Il Me Parle Tout Bas, Je Vois La Vie en Rose
A friend of mine from my Egypt trip invited me down to the boat house today to say hello while he supervised free kayaking. He didn't really act like he wanted me to come when he invited me, or so I assumed when he mentioned that I should come only if I was bored and that he would probably be busy. Even so, I was bored, and the boat house is about two blocks from my apartment, and I needed to walk Teh Doggeh. I was glad I went, and I was even more glad that I didn't look like shit while doing so. I spotted a guy that I was madly in love with in college.
The last time I saw this dude, he was headed off to Algeria. (Yes, he's a pretty religious Muslim. No, there is no need to feign surprise.) Of course, that was at least seven years ago, and apparently, he has found his way back. I've never been to Algiers, but I'm guessing that it lacks some of the amenities of New York or Paris, two other cities in which he has lived. He was shirtless and with three attractive, non-Muslim women, and I wasn't sufficiently sure it was he, so I didn't approach him at the boat house. Instead, I Facebook stalked him and messaged him. It turns out it was indeed he.
I'm hopeful that we might get together to catch up (read: make out). Even if we don't, I think it must be said that life is full of surprises and even the biggest city can feel like a small town at times. I didn't even get to talk to the friend who initially invited me because he was off kayaking, but I could not have cared less.
The last time I saw this dude, he was headed off to Algeria. (Yes, he's a pretty religious Muslim. No, there is no need to feign surprise.) Of course, that was at least seven years ago, and apparently, he has found his way back. I've never been to Algiers, but I'm guessing that it lacks some of the amenities of New York or Paris, two other cities in which he has lived. He was shirtless and with three attractive, non-Muslim women, and I wasn't sufficiently sure it was he, so I didn't approach him at the boat house. Instead, I Facebook stalked him and messaged him. It turns out it was indeed he.
I'm hopeful that we might get together to catch up (read: make out). Even if we don't, I think it must be said that life is full of surprises and even the biggest city can feel like a small town at times. I didn't even get to talk to the friend who initially invited me because he was off kayaking, but I could not have cared less.
Friday, July 10, 2009
No No No No No No No...Mama Mia, Mama Mia, Mama Mia, Let Me Go
Life is one big "no" right now. One. Big. No. It's quite depressing, really.
Every day, I spend the majority of my energy looking for a new job. And every day, the message I receive is that I have nothing to offer that anyone wants. It's simple supply and demand, like I learned in my high school economics class. Lawyers in my practice area are in copious supply and minimal demand, and I really don't have anything to offer to set me apart from the horde of nearly identical job seekers all vying for the same small handful of available positions.
Basically, I think I'm going to have to wait out the current economic depression (not to mention my current personal depression) before I have any chance of finding a job at a salary that will allow me to pay my mortgage and my usurious student loans. I just don't know how much longer I can deal with being told every day, multiple times per day, that every achievement I've worked so hard for (not to mention the money spent) is worthless.
Every day, I spend the majority of my energy looking for a new job. And every day, the message I receive is that I have nothing to offer that anyone wants. It's simple supply and demand, like I learned in my high school economics class. Lawyers in my practice area are in copious supply and minimal demand, and I really don't have anything to offer to set me apart from the horde of nearly identical job seekers all vying for the same small handful of available positions.
Basically, I think I'm going to have to wait out the current economic depression (not to mention my current personal depression) before I have any chance of finding a job at a salary that will allow me to pay my mortgage and my usurious student loans. I just don't know how much longer I can deal with being told every day, multiple times per day, that every achievement I've worked so hard for (not to mention the money spent) is worthless.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Machu? Picchu!
I booked myself a trip to Peru the first week in August (see #15 on my list) because Intrepid was having a sale. I'm totally excited to go and to check off another place from my list (thus finishing all the South American destinations), but I wish I had a job. In fact, I've spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out another trip I can go on to celebrate when I find a job, which I've decided is going to be this month.
I still haven't figured out where I'm supposed to be interviewing on Friday at 2. The place, wherever it may be, hasn't sent an email or made a phone call to confirm. It pains me to know I might be squandering a much-needed interview opportunity, but I have done everything I can possibly do to find out the identity of the place and have not succeeded.
As much as I love travel under any circumstances, I feel particularly desperate to travel now because it provides an escape. My life is pretty miserable at the moment, full of setbacks and disappointments. I know intellectually that it won't be this way forever, but that doesn't make the reality of now any easier. When I went to Ecuador, it was so relaxing to be in a place where I couldn't focus on finding a job. It was a mental break that I really needed. I am hopeful that Peru will serve the same purpose, if I am still looking for a job when I leave, which I hope I will not be.
Today, I met with a legal recruiter. I spent about two hours of my time plus round-trip fare on the subway and changed out of my pajamas into real clothes so he could tell me that it's a tough job market out there. I almost burst into tears in his office. No fucking kidding it's a tough job market out there. I have a great resume, I went to top schools, I've worked at top law firms, and I'm smart as a whip, and I am getting no offers. In a normal economy -- even in a halfway decent economy -- I would be deluged by places wanting to hire me. So, I am keenly aware of the fact that this is a tough job market. I think I should have been legally permitted to punch him in the windpipe for saying that. No wonder I'm wistfully researching trips to Bhutan.
I still haven't figured out where I'm supposed to be interviewing on Friday at 2. The place, wherever it may be, hasn't sent an email or made a phone call to confirm. It pains me to know I might be squandering a much-needed interview opportunity, but I have done everything I can possibly do to find out the identity of the place and have not succeeded.
As much as I love travel under any circumstances, I feel particularly desperate to travel now because it provides an escape. My life is pretty miserable at the moment, full of setbacks and disappointments. I know intellectually that it won't be this way forever, but that doesn't make the reality of now any easier. When I went to Ecuador, it was so relaxing to be in a place where I couldn't focus on finding a job. It was a mental break that I really needed. I am hopeful that Peru will serve the same purpose, if I am still looking for a job when I leave, which I hope I will not be.
Today, I met with a legal recruiter. I spent about two hours of my time plus round-trip fare on the subway and changed out of my pajamas into real clothes so he could tell me that it's a tough job market out there. I almost burst into tears in his office. No fucking kidding it's a tough job market out there. I have a great resume, I went to top schools, I've worked at top law firms, and I'm smart as a whip, and I am getting no offers. In a normal economy -- even in a halfway decent economy -- I would be deluged by places wanting to hire me. So, I am keenly aware of the fact that this is a tough job market. I think I should have been legally permitted to punch him in the windpipe for saying that. No wonder I'm wistfully researching trips to Bhutan.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Funemployment
I accepted a job interview for next Friday at 2, and I have no idea where this place is or even what the name of it is. The recruiting person called while my movers were packing up furniture, and I couldn't accurately hear the name of the firm or company over the noise the movers were making. Shitwhore.
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