Our flat inspection happened yesterday, but from what Dave said, it was more of a walk-through than an inspection. And really not even that.
In the morning I got a WhatsApp message from "Babs," the management company's inspection clerk, saying she would arrive between 1 and 3:30 p.m. ("That's an interesting name," I thought, imagining that I was about to be met by a Realtor from Long Island. I was picturing Barbra Streisand, honestly.) I arranged to leave work at 12:30 in order to be home for the first part of that window of time; Dave's day was ending at 2:10 so he could take the second shift. I got home just in time to welcome Olga back from her walk, and we hung out together until about 2:30, by which time Babs had not arrived. When Dave got home I went back to work.
As Dave related later, it turns out that Babs -- who showed up near the end of the window -- was actually a black man. And apparently he was terrified of dogs. He did a cursory inspection of the flat, taking note of a few things that Dave pointed out, but he wouldn't even enter the living room, where Olga was lying on the couch. Dave went to sit with her and hold her so Babs wouldn't be nervous, and tried to explain that Olga is ancient, partially toothless and not at all a threat, but of course Olga didn't help the situation by getting excited and wanting to get off the couch to go see the new visitor. (Everyone is a potential playmate.) Babs steered clear.
I suppose the inspection served its purpose, in that it proved to the property managers that we are not destroying the flat or running an illegal enterprise. But it doesn't sound like we're going to see any movement on our minor maintenance issues as a result.
On my way back to school on the tube, I noticed that Homebase, the big-box home improvements store where we used to buy all our gardening and household stuff -- and also King Zack -- has been torn down! It closed several months ago and the whole site, including an adjoining mall and movie theater, is due to be redeveloped. We now get our household stuff from a much smaller DIY shop on the high street (and if they don't have what we need, we go online).
I also noticed this rather interesting advertisement in the tube station. How do Muslim ideals of modesty intersect with a trip to the beach? Apparently by everyone staying entirely clothed -- everyone except Mom, that is, who doesn't go to the beach at all. (Or maybe she's taking the picture, while clad in a Burkini?)
Speaking of religion, I was perplexed by all the outrage from Republicans over the inaugural sermon given by Bishop Mariann E. Budde at the National Cathedral. Budde dared to ask Trump for "mercy" on behalf of several minority groups who feel threatened by his presidency. His reaction was indignation, demanding an apology and calling her "nasty," one of his favorite insults. But it's not like what she did was so shocking. A plea for mercy on behalf of society's downtrodden, the potentially fearful and insecure figures relegated to its fringes, is inherent in Christian teaching. What she said was consistent with every Christian message I ever heard when I went to church.
What this kerfuffle actually shows is that Trump and his followers don't have a clue what Christianity is about.
(Top photo: The red hellebore in our garden, finally blooming!)
He's a dangerous big baby. Previous cartoons depicting him in a tantrum and wearing a diaper are very apt. No mercy to be had as he does not understand the concept for anyone other than himself or his cronies.
ReplyDeleteThat's a hellebore? I didn't know they came in such a lovely colour.
ReplyDeleteNasty seems to be the favourite word of a certain person when referencing anyone who isn't whiter than white and male, or doesn't agree with what he is doing and saying.The "man" toddler has so much ignorance and arrogance.
Trump knows exactly what Christianity is about. It is a game that you play to look like the proper presidents who went before. You just use it to look good. Kudos to Bishop Budde for her bravery in the face of evil. I am tempted to become a Budde-ist.
ReplyDeleteI agree: kudos to Bishop Budde for speaking up (although, yes, what she said was basic Christian teaching). I'm sad to read that she is of course getting all kinds of death threats, etc., from Trump's followers.
ReplyDeleteWalk Through Or Completely Useless , Way Bother - Might As Well Have The Upstairs Russians Stop By For A Look Around - I Can Understand The Once Bitten Freak Out But Let's Use A Little Commons Sense For Phuc Sake - Oh Well - More Of The Same On The Horizon
ReplyDeleteHead Shaker ,
Cheers
P.S. Please Hide Three Or Four Treats Around The House For The Ferocious Olga Girl From Uncle T
From a skin cancer prevention point of view, the poster is sort of ok.
ReplyDeleteA local media outlet here showed a clip where an outraged person demanded that trump should talk to "that bishop's boss" to get her fired. I'd like to sit in should this happen.