Lowered Expectations

I am an expert at lowered expectations. Just when an outsider might think I have reached an new low, I find a way to rationalize, or accommodate, or blatantly ignore, and "make do". Some of the concessions I make are probably not that dramatic, just what you do when you are the wife, the mom or the employee who wants to see everything go smoothly. But sometimes I get really tired of being the one whose schedule, or needs, or interests, come last.

The last time I made a scene about it, I scored a minor point. I now get one Saturday a month to do my own thing. I go to a writers' group meeting, which is pretty interesting. Not a lot to show for it yet, but I have met some new people and at least started trying to write on a regular basis.

I am about to make a scene again. Not sure yet quite what point I want to make, and definitely not sure how it will turn out. But I have been thinking a lot about it, and I think I am going to start by expecting better, if not the best.

Making Amends

We used to have a tenant who was on meth. L talked with him a few times about either cleaning up, or moving out, and generally being a better tenant. The guy finally moved out, owing us a bit of money. L said he was sorry to see him go, as he seemed like a nice guy who just got in with some bad people, and he would have liked to see him get his act together.

Fast forward to the other night. The guy called, and is apparently coming off rehab and is in Narcotics Anonymous. Not sure off the top of my head what the "steps" are, but if they are close to AA they have something to do with accepting responsibility, making amends, etc. Long story short, he called to find out how much money he owed us so he could begin repaying his debt.

I am glad that he has taken steps to get clean. I sincerely hope it works out for him, even if we never see a dime.

Which Tony Did You Get?

We have a tenant who is bipolar. L used to complain about him because he was always calling for some weird reason. L was gone for awhile and I had to collect rent. T would call and ask if I was coming by, and he was always on time, and nice about it. I couldn't figure out why L didn't like him. That's when he told me that T was bipolar. Now we crack jokes about how schizo T always calls L, and normal T always calls me.

T collects disability, and doesn't work. He pays his rent on time, but in small bills. I asked L if he thought T was dealing, but he said no, he just works for cash. He's actually really smart, just can't work a lot of regular jobs because of his diagnosis.

"Really smart" apparently doesn't do him justice. L was talking to him the other day about his business idea. T has cash money, a lot of cash money, and is willing to invest in the business. So L was talking to me about it and says nothing is for sure yet, and of course he will get an agreement signed that lays out the terms.

My thoughts, in about this order: What kind of jobs does he do again, to have that kind of money sitting around? If he has that kind of cash around all the time, no wonder he is paranoid. And why the hell didn't Larry get something signed right then? You know, in case generous T isn't there on the day L is ready to go into business?