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.
ReplyDeleteHe is so thin-skinned it's frightening. I'm sure he would consider mercy a form of weakness.
DeleteThat'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.
I was surprised he didn't say "nasty woman," which seems to be the common description.
DeleteTrump 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. She really spoke truth to power.
DeleteBishop Budde spoke well. It's a pity that the only one listening carefully appeared to be Mrs Vance.
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.
ReplyDeleteBecause God forbid a woman should speak to Mr. MAGA like that! (eye roll)
DeleteWalk 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
Ha! Yeah, the Russians would have done a much more thorough job and probably would have found a million things that need to be repaired.
DeleteFrom 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.
Ha! Dermatologist approved! Would the bishop's "boss" be the Archbishop of Canterbury?
DeleteI have a cousin who is an Episcopal priest. He posted Budde's sermon on line. It amazed me to no end that the first one to wade in was another cousin. He responded with a diatribe about Budde had evidently forgotten about the separation of church and state. She owes the American people an apology, he raged. This from the same man who believes that prayer should be in school and the ten commandments posted in every classroom. Another irony about all of this is that all these strong views are backed by his certainty that America is a CHRISTIAN country, built on Christian ideals. This is a man who does not attend church preaching a sermon on Christianity like he knows what he's talking about.
ReplyDeleteAnd how did your priest cousin respond? It's funny how some of the people who most stridently rail about Christianity seem to have very little personal experience with it.
DeleteI'm guessing Olga, the staffie, conjured up pitbull attacks in the inspector's mind. Also dogbites are an occupational hazard for people whose job takes them into homes. At every misfits delivery, I get a message reminding me to keep any dogs in the house for the safety of the driver.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't sound as if your maintenance requests will happen any time soon.
I totally understand why a repair or service person would be wary of dogs. But it seemed extreme that even with Dave holding the dog, Babs wouldn't enter the room. (I told Dave he should have put Olga in the bedroom. I'm not sure why he didn't think of that.)
DeleteSeparate comment, not wanting to mix Bishop Budde with Olga (!) What a shining example of literally speaking truth to power. I love the picture I've seen of this small woman with her Bishop's staff, looking up at the big scowling bully.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly. She is a hero.
DeleteI saw the post title and jumped instantly to Streisand myself!
ReplyDeleteThe Felon doesn't like being questioned or asked to have mercy by anyone, much less a woman.
A "nasty" woman who asked for mercy and compassion for the disenfranchised among us? How DARE she!
It just seems so elemental and even expected from a Christian minister, I can't imagine why anyone was shocked!
DeleteI had a chuckle about the quick home inspection and Olga. Regarding Trump and the Bishop, the Daily Mail today (Thursday) has a piece where a lip reader provided some insight into a few short comments Trump’s family made to each other and their body language when the Bishop spoke. Not a lot in the report, other than the fact that there was clearly a startled response carefully controlled in the group. Jean in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteI love that the Daily Mail paid someone (presumably) to do that analysis!
DeleteTrump is entirely self serving so I have no doubt that he wouldn't be able to pass a quiz on what being a Christian means. I didn't watch the inauguration at all so missed out on that flap... fortunately.
ReplyDeleteFunny, that entire peninsula probably has tons of beautiful beaches that go on for miles and yet, it never crosses my radar as a place to go to enjoy a beach.
I didn't watch it either. Just read about it. And yeah, the Arabian peninsula in general is not a place I'd seek out for a vacation.
DeleteA number of years ago I owned a house in Brooklyn and the city wanted to send an inspector. I was concerned since I had done some renovations in my apartment that were not code. I couldn't be there but friend Ned agreed to cover it. When the inspector arrived they started at the top of the house and all went well. When they got to my place (the garden apt.) my dogs barked. Neither dog was any threat, Aunt Mae was an elderly hound mix with a loud voice and Temp was a small yappy spitz. The inspector asked if they were friendly and Ned said yes but that he had never been there when I wasn't home so the thought he would just wait outside. The inspector allowed as how everything seemed fine and he could just skip it. I was saved a fine or worse.
ReplyDeleteHa! It pays to keep dogs! :)
DeleteThe only one of the Trump party who appeared to be listening and affected by Bishop Budde's address was Mrs Vance. Melania looked mutinous and Trump annoyed.
ReplyDeleteI heard JD Vance shook his head, as if in annoyance.
DeleteLily and Lauren's dog did indeed bite some sort of repair guy in their house which made them feel terrible of course. The guy told them it happens all the time so...
ReplyDeleteMaybe reason to worry about dogs.
Whether or not Trump and his minions know what Christianity is really about is a moot point. They have long ago decided to use "Christianity" as a brand and as such, means nothing to them except for more blind fools to follow him.
Oh, yikes. I've never owned a biting dog so it's hard for me to even imagine being bitten by one. I did have one nip at my ankles once, but it only bit my pant leg. Yes, Christianity to Trump is just a political tool.
DeleteWhat did we expect Frump to do? Of course, he responded as the unchristian idiot that he is. Many other church leaders have now spoken out in support of Bishop Budde and are asking for mercy for immigrants and people that Frump is targeting.
ReplyDeleteThere are many suits being filed already. What a mess it is.
I hope her words ignite a resistance movement. It's a new Civil Rights era.
DeletePoor Babs - how does he do his job? I'm sure lots of homes have dogs. I agree with you about Trump & his followers.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't know! The management office did say that if we had dogs we had to be there, but you'd think that would have been enough. Apparently not!
DeleteI've been hearing about that incident at the National Cathedral. You are right, DJT has no idea what Christianity is all about except as way to influence some and sell his lies to the easily conned.
ReplyDeleteGreat observation on that beach ad. There is nothing in that ad that makes me want to visit the beach. Love that January bloom!
It's a very peculiar ad, isn't it? The absence of a woman just jumped out at me right away.
DeleteNope. And as for DT, he always thinks everything is about him. (Which in a way this KIND of was, but it stretched beyond.) I say three cheers to her for speaking truth, not just her truth but the truth of a faith far larger. Pity they are taking no notice of your maintenance concerns. I wonder whatever happened to Babs to build that fear of dogs. We do wonder the next ill that will befall us here. How long before picking on the immigrants, Canadians, Mexicans and Chinese makes his supporters realize something is amiss?
ReplyDeleteI love how all his supporters are chanting "No more foreign wars" and yet Trump is the most internationally confrontational president we've had in years.
Deletetrump and is his minions are as far away from jesus as is possible.
ReplyDeleteExactly!!
DeletePoor Babs (who I was NOT expecting to be a black man!) and poor Olga. She just wanted to be friendly.
ReplyDeleteOur former priest posted part of Budde's message and I was proud of her. Being merciful shouldn't just be a Christian thing.
Yes, that's true too. Shouldn't we expect a president who acts with mercy, even if not from a Christian perspective? We should want that in a leader.
DeleteBudde is a brave soul. Too bad 47 can't hear the message.
ReplyDeleteIt really is all about him. He only perceives it as a personal attack.
DeleteBishop Budde had said she sees no reason why she should issue an apology. What is even sweeter, her 2023 book "How to Be Brave" sold out on Amazon and in bookstores in a single day, making it an overnight bestseller. I tried to order it myself but it was on backorder. Sounds like there are more people who appreciated her message than magats would like to admit. In their view, she should be deported. There's a slight wrinkle in that she is American born in the state of New Jersey, and white, to boot. I love her courage.
ReplyDeleteHa! Where should we deport her? Honestly, these people are out of their minds.
DeleteIt is quite a shocker to see that happening
ReplyDeleteIt sure makes us look great on the world stage. (sarcasm)
DeleteMany things are unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteEspecially with Trump in charge!
DeleteBishop Budde is my new hero. Great to see real leadership; it still exists!
ReplyDeleteOh man, the bullshit that we will have to endure is going to be an every day upstream swim! In a Burka swim suit, The sun is not my friend so I do not object.
ReplyDeleteBabs is such a fun name! Like something Flora would dream up . Glad you house met well with "inspection". Biggo waste of time i would say. Plus they did not play with Olga and that makes me hate them a little bit!!
She should have bitten him just for ignoring her. LOL
DeleteThe political insights are spot on. Better stay in the U.K.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but things are squirrelly here too. There's a rabid-right populist element in pretty much every country, it seems.
DeleteThe Babs anecdote made me laugh out loud.
ReplyDeleteTrump and his followers are very sick people in many ways. I can't believe what's happening; it makes me so frightened and angry. Glad that the "inspection" went well. I wonder if "Babs" had an unfortunate encounter with a dog.
ReplyDeleteHe must have at some point in the past.
Delete