What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been

Total Black: -$199.61
Total Red: $269,947.74

This is the end.  My only friends.  The end.  Of my elaborate plans.  The end.  Can’t you picture what could’ve been?  So limitless and free.  Desperately in need . . . of some . . . stranger’s hand.  In my desperate land.  It hurts to set you free.  But you’ll never follow me.  This is, after all, the end.   

Grown Ass Man

Total Black: -$164.84
Total Red: $269,947.64

I was chatting with a former law firm colleague today via gchat. At one point in the conversation she wrote that she wondered when her “real” life was going to start. She’s an adult, of course, but still feels like a kid. I’ve wondered about that too: when does adulthood finally arrive. Does it come in the middle of the night when you magically become eighteen? Like the Tooth Fairy? Does some “Adult Fairy” take your youth away while you sleep? Or does it happen when you finally leave home? Maybe when you get married? Or Have a child? What about when you earn your first degree? Or your last?

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Total Black: $1,055.46
Total Red: $235,259.75

Today I signed the lease for the new apartment and sent in three cashier’s checks, each for nine hundred dollars.  My new apartment is adorable.  And comes with an amazing view.  This will be my back yard. 

Finances, Finances

Total Black: $1,097.64
Total Red: $235,215.12

Co-Clerk’s advice, mentioned yesterday in A Nice Gesture has been weighing on my mind.  I’ve got to a lot to finance in a very short period of time: pack and move my belongings to Pennsylvania, fly myself (and probably another person) to the new location with two cats in tow, put down first month’s rent, security deposition, and possibly last—and, given what Co-Clerk mentioned in A Nice Gesture, probably second month’s rent too.  Just to be safe.  And then there’s any other incidental expenses along the way, like buying a car.  I’m starting to get more than a bit worried about financing this move to get to the clerkship.  But first I need to deal with my apartment.

Everyone Knows

Total Black: $2,096.80
Total Red: $235,294.78

Well, today I told the last few people left in the dark about my departure: the law firm I’m temping with and the landlord’s management company.  I figured it was time I let both know.  I needed to alert to the landlord that I’m leaving in order to find out what my options would be regarding my lease.  And as for the law firm, I needed to let them know I’d be out of two for a few days when I fly to the new location to check out apartments.

Cold Feet

Total Black: $235.60
Total Red: $226,342.25

As I walked home tonight from the contract attorney position, I started thinking about the opportunities I may soon be presented with.  Well . . . resumed thinking about them might be more accurate as I’ve not really been able to stop masticating over them.  But tonight a few coincidences occurred that caused me to think about things a bit differently.

Coming Back Around

Total Black: $426.61
Total Red: $225,563.13

I pushed myself to return to work today.  I would have preferred to stay home.  I wasn’t up to full speed.  But I need the money.  The day started late though because I had to run around town dolling out sums of money.

Buggin’ Me Again

Total Black: $1,026.10
Total Red: $228,920.93

They’re back. 

Wise or Unwise

Total Black: $1,551.96
Total Red: $229,283.54

Whether wise or unwise, I’ve done it: as set out in Resolutions For the New Year, one credit card will be paid off by the end of January.  That leaves me with another to pay off by the end of February and then a student loan by March.  And I can’t wait!  As odd as it may sound, I actually can’t wait to pay bills now.

Retardists

Total Black: $830.70
Total Red: $230,761.09

The new temporary attorney position I started today will be situated in the staffing agency’s review space.  The law firm we’re working for is nearby, but we’ll actually be reporting each day to this off-site location.  We had training all day today at the law firm but later stopped by the review space to scout out the location and take care of any last-minute paperwork.  I nearly fell back upon myself in a double-take when I walked into the conference room where the bulk of the document reviewers work.  At first I thought we had walked into an day care center for retarded adults.  And I could have sworn that Opie from Family Guy was reviewing documents there.

Almost Unemployed . . . Again

Total Black: $748.08
Total Red: $230,715.35

Today will be my last day working at New World Stages—at least for a month or so.  Two shows will close today: The Toxic Avenger Musical and Love Child.  Altar Boyz will close on January 10, 2009.  For the next month or so, only Avenue Q and the Gazillion Bubble Show will be the primary two shows performed at the location.

Once the new season starts, management assured me they’d call me back to resume working at the theatre.  More than a few ushers and management told me that I’m one of their favorite new hires.  That really feels good to hear.  It’s not something you’d hear from lawyers. 

Moving Out . . . or Up?

Total Black: $2,057.83
Total Red: $230,820.71

I’ve received a few comments and suggestions about my financial situation and one piece of advice that repeats is that I should move or change apartments.  So, I thought I’d address that option here.

Continues to Bug Me

Total Black: $1,143.86
Total Red: $230,820.71

The counterclaims I brought against the landlord for bedbugs in my apartment are not going away anytime soon, especially not after the way the landlord’s attorney treated me today in court.  When we were called before the judge’s court attorney this morning to discuss the case, this attorney refused to shake my hand.  Refused.  As if I had done him some personal affront.  After I lowered my untouched hand, he said he didn’t shake on bedbugs.  I don’t know whether he meant that he didn’t shake the hand of someone whose apartment had bedbugs or that he wouldn’t shake the hand of someone who brought suit because of them.  I suspect the latter because he proceeded to berate and belittle me, well to attempt to—I really didn’t care and don’t buckle under such tactics.  He insinuated that I only brought my counterclaims because I owed rent money and had been having financial difficulties.  Before we wrapped up the appearance, he had us wait while he stepped out to check something.  He returned to say that I hadn’t paid December’s rent yet.  It was due today.  I informed him that I had the check with me and was going to the management company once we finished.  He replied, “Good.  That way I don’t have to sue you for December’s rent too.”  I don’t understand what logical leap he expects with this line of “attack” because unlike many other tenants in housing cases, instead of withholding rent money, I paid mine in full.  During our appearance before the judge’s clerk he also asserted that no one in my building ever complained about bedbugs, that I’m the first person to mention it.  He also said that I’ve not allowed the landlord access to my apartment either.  All blatant misrepresentations.  Exterminators have been to my apartment a few times, most recently at the beginning of November when they sprayed for bedbugs.  And my complaints started in November 2008 when I informed the prior management company—the landlord switched management companies midway through this year.  So, clearly the landlord had at least one complaint, mine—that’s why we were in court—and therefore, logically speaking his assertion was flawed.  If you find just one instance of something then “never” is no longer correct.

Another Update on Efforts

Total Black: $1,316.20
Total Red: $230,870.71

I thought I’d take today, like I did back in September in Update on Efforts, to give another update on my various ventures, joint and several.  I had visit ten today for the medical experiment.  I believe there are a total of thirteen.  Two weeks separates most visits so that means another two months roughly until I earn the $540 or so.  The doctor today observed that I have “slight tremors” in my hands when I hold them out straight.  I wonder if its from stress or the drugs.  The only other complaint I have is just muscle aches and pains.  But that too can be a symptom of depression.  I’ve noticed my vision getting blurrier.  Not good, especially since I had LASIK done back in February 2008.  I wonder if the blurry vision comes from the experimental medication or doc reviewing.  Both seem hazardous for your health.

To Confess or Not to Confess

Total Black: $2,452.95
Total Red: $231,191.81

I arrived back in Scranton just after four o’clock.  My sister had sent me a text message at 1 p.m., while I was still in New York, telling me that my mother wanted her car back by 4 p.m.  It takes about two hours or so to drive from New York to Scranton.  Her abrupt text left me just barely enough time.  So, I grabbed a big bag of laundry, hopped in the car, and drove west.  Somewhere in the middle of New Jersey a flash of white heat overtook me when I realized that I had forgotten the paperwork that I had driven all the way out there to retrieve.  I actually found myself in a cold sweat.  I don’t think that has ever happened to me before.  And frankly it’s all because of my sister.  Or I suppose I should say because of the power I give her over me.

One Hundredth Post

Total Black: $173.95
Total Red: $231,084.38

In addition to bringing this, the second installment of my Ordinal Posts, Fiftieth Post being the first, today also brings my first reference by another blog.  Bitter Lawyer sent some sinners over to the confessional here.  The site’s post discussed the efforts of attorneys to gain employment through Craigslist and had me in stitches a few times because I’ve trolled the depths of Craigslist myself, as I noted in I Need a New Gig for example, and I’ve definitely come across the types of posts Bitter Lawyer referenced. Although most of my digital wanderings were through the gigs section, I do browse the Legal/Paralegal page from time to time and also run some targeted searches for “lawyer” or “attorney” through the “All Jobs” or “All Gigs” databases.  In fact, I’m not sure I ever mentioned it—I didn’t in the initial post, If You Find Yourself in a Hole—that I found my way to the Recession Art Sale through searching for “lawyer” on Craigslist.  But no, I haven’t found any legal work that way, well . . . other than legal temp work, that is.

Cutting Costs, Corners . . . and Concerns

Total Black: $435.42
Total Red: $230,977.94

I’ve received a lot of comments, questions, feedback, and suggestions over the past day or so.  Since the blog is just beginning to pick up traffic, I have the luxury of responding directly in a post to many of those responses.  First though I need to lay out my monthly expenses.  That’s something I haven’t done.

A Few Bits of Good News

Total Black: $64.24
Total Red: $230,807.75

I decided that today will be my last day of being unemployed.  After over a year, it’s been long enough.  And tomorrow I start a new contract attorney position.  I don’t know that I won’t need to go back on unemployment, but if I don’t declare an end to it, who will?  The project tomorrow pays $35.00 / hour.  That’s a decent wage: $5,600 a month, before taxes, assuming a forty-hour work-week.  After taxes, it will probably be around $3,000, but I’m not going to let that demoralize me before I even walk through the door.  It’s funny too which agency placed me.  I was two seconds shy of bolting from that building out of sheer fright and disgust.  I’d never been in a place that gave me the creeps like that had.  At first I thought it might have been a front for something else.  Once I found the correct floor, however, the atmosphere warmed considerably.  Glad I did not trust my instinct in that situation because I would not be working tomorrow. 

Chemical Sheets and Eleven Agencies

Total Black: $63.15
Total Red: $230,807.75

Not much to say today.  I spent much of the weekend cleaning my apartment.  Sort of the Fall version of spring cleaning.  Since the exterminators came by yesterday, I slept in insecticide last night because they sprayed down my mattress and sheets.  It didn’t make sense washing the sheets right afterward since residue of the chemicals remain to kill bedbugs.  Had I washed the immediately afterward their visit would have been a waste of time.  I washed them today though.  I just couldn’t stomach another night in chemical sheets.  It didn’t hurt or cause any problems, but just the thought of sleeping on dried chemicals made me uneasy.  So instead after washing the sheets and throwing the pillows and comforter in the dryer, I spread diatomaceous earth along the baseboards, around the bed posts, and then on top of the box spring.  If any bedbugs remain, they’ll have to crawl onto the bed from one of those entry points.  And when they do, the diatomaceous earth will stick to their waxy exoskeletons and kill ’em.  Dead.  Diatomaceous earth dehydrates insects.  It’s basically dried algae so it’s a natural pest control.  It’s just annoying to have to spread this flour-like substance all around.  I’m only hoping the cats don’t decide to play in it. 

My First Client

Total Black: $59.57
Total Red: $230,644.12

I met this afternoon with the former pro bono client to discuss her lawsuit.  I touched on this matter in Pro Bono Publico, but didn’t give the whole story.  She had been evicted in 2007 and spent much of that year trying to get her personal property out of her former apartment.  Her landlord, and the building superintendent, however, made life miserable for her and routinely denied her access.  Then one day the building superintendent removed her property and put it into a self-storage facility, but under his own name.  When she came by with a moving van to retrieve her property, neither the landlord’s management company nor the super would tell her where it was.  Instead they demanded money, presumably to cover the storage costs.  Using the process of elimination, she tracked down the storage company in the area and demanded return of her property.  But since the storage company had a contract for storage space under someone else’s name, they wouldn’t release her property.  Months later, after the storage bill went unpaid, the storage company sent out auction notices.  They were about to sell all of her personal belongings to the highest bidders to recoup the unpaid storage costs.  That’s when I, as an associate at a large law firm, was brought in to stop the auction and help her recover her property.  Unfortunately, it morphed into a lawsuit and now, over a year later, I’m back in the driver’s seat of this case, steering it to some sort of resolution.  Given my own recent interaction with corporate landlords, I’m determined to see her prevail.  When did running a business become anathema to decency and respect?  Or maybe they never went hand-in-hand?

Just Another Manic Monday

Total Black: $3,213.39
Total Red: $230,644.12

I’ve not been feeling very creative these past few days.  My entries have been more like detailed status updates rather than my elaborate observations on life, debt, and other things.  I suppose the muses too need their rest.  To that end then I note that I received a letter today in the mail from the landlord’s management company, informing me that they’ve received all of the rent for September and October and therefore will be discontinuing the legal action.  

The Days of My Life

Total Black: $3,164.09
Total Red: $230,663.35

I’ve been feeling like my life is a bit of a soap opera.  Kind of fitting to title a blog entry accordingly.

Eyes on the Prize

Total Black: $3,921.09
Total Red: $230,663.35

I had another interview with a temporary attorney staffing agency today.  That’s makes four interviews this week and five in the past seven days.  A lot of smiling faces and hopeful talk, but so far nothing’s materialized into a job.  But that’s clearly the wrong approach to take.

Landlord v. Laid-Off Lawyer

Total Black: $4,219.15
Total Red: $230,663.35

Well, it’s begun.  The suggestion in One Step Back, Two Steps Forward that I was just overreacting was unfounded.  I arrived home today from back-to-back interviews with attorney temporary staffing agencies to find a postcard in the mail from the Civil Court of the State of New York informing me that a lawsuit had been commenced against me and advising me to respond.  I guess the landlord’s attorneys have not discontinued their action against me, as I suspected in It Just Bugs Me, even though rent for September and October has already been sent in.

It Just Bugs Me

Total Black: $2,255.14
Total Red: $230,648.00

As typical of the past few months, I was awoken again this morning by the telephone ringing.  The first caller was SallieMae at 8:57am.  Surprisingly, however, the second caller was not.  SallieMae often calls from two different telephone numbers so they effectively call you twice as often.  Not sure how legal that is.  But today, the second call came from the landlord’s management company.  The letter I mentioned in Bring It On seems to have brought something on because within a half-hour of the landlord’s management company calling, their attorney telephoned as well.  His message indicated that he’d do his best to try to get the lawsuit for non-payment of rent discontinued.  Later in the day I received an email from the attorney slightly retracting that earlier message, claiming that I had said I’d be paid in full by this time and I’m not yet.  He also noted that they’re “looking into” my other complaint.  I replied and referenced only the financial issues and clarified that September’s rent had already been sent in, and should have been received already, and that half of October’s rent was coming.  Later in the day I received another telephone call, this time from someone else with the management company, telling me that he heard I had a “problem” with the apartment and he wanted to talk to me about it.  Isn’t it interesting that my “problem” all of a sudden is a concern of theirs?