24 . . . ish
Posted on June 14, 2007 - Filed Under Rant |
The following takes place between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
9:05 WonderWoman calls "The truck is still here."
9:10 Clifford calls tow truck company.
9:45 WonderWoman calls "The truck is gone."
Since my arrival, I seem to have a constant battle on my hands. Cars and trucks being left in my yard by my neighbors.
It first started with Jailbird. Believe it or nuts, after his threats, he did come back and recover his car.
Next came the SUV. Parked in the driveway, this neighbor would come and go whenever she pleased. Until I parked right behind her and pinned her in. Her face was seven shades of red as she asked me to move my car.
But the worst was my neighbor with his BlueTruck.
Most of us, I believe, would probably move our car after the first request. However to my surprise, all WonderWoman got in response was a simply "OK" and he left his truck there. After the weekend, a note was left on his truck saying it would be towed if he left it there.
Which he did.
Now I wasn’t surprised when he asked SideKick where his truck was. What did surprise me was that BlueTruck didn’t think we were serious about towing his truck.
As BlueTruck started spilling his life story, he revealed that the apartments behind my house are actually his. Now, logic dictates that he have some level of responsibility, some kind of sensibility to recognize a request from a neighbor. He was not asked to donate a kidney or a million dollars.
Just move your truck.
He failed to do it. So I did it for him.
Guaranteed he won’t park there again.
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My name is Clifford. Making friends, influencing people.
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7 Responses to “24 . . . ish”
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Making friends and influencing people sure helped Lenny Bruce…
I think I would have blocked him with my car, as you did with the other neighbor. It would have been a little less painful, and the point would have been made. These people have probably been using your free parking for a long time. They have come to assume that the spaces are theirs.
Urban areas are filled with people that think “No Parking” signs don’t apply to them. Millions of dollars in tickets and towing fees are collected every year as a result.
AI - I spoke to him face to face on Friday, and advised him that the house was under new ownership and that he could no longer park his truck in the 2 alley side parking spots. I explained we were remodeling the house and needed the spots behind the house for our construction trucks and the delivery of materials. I also explained we were trying to clear out all the crap left there by the former tenants.
His reply? “Okay, and I won’t even charge for the use of the spaces.”
Monday, not only did he park there again, but parked in such a way that it was impossible to get either on of our trucks in the remaining spot.
A note was left, “Do not park here, you will be towed”.
On Tuesday, the truck was there, the note was gone.
One, parking to block him in would leave us in violation of blocking an alley through-way. Two, I’m not sure he even works for a living, as the truck was there all day Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, (after he got it back from impound). Three, it’s not just apartments behind Cliff’s, but an APARTMENT COMPLEX that he owns. I would hazard a guess that he rented out the parking place for his apartment, and used Cliff’s driveway for free.
Had he not been warned, not once, but twice, maybe some slack could have been offered. But his disrespect and his arrogance deserved a spanking.
Alley? Who owns the alley? Do you have an easement to use the alley? His statement to you on Friday implies he thinks he owns the parking places behind your house. Any chance that he does?
Funny post. You tried, he lied. Oh well. Sorry Blue Truck. It is exciting to see the progress on these houses. You are a great storyteller. I got a Tom Tom the a couple of weeks ago- thanks Cliff! -CAT
AI, speaking of “making friends” - I’m going to date myself by saying the name “Lenny Bruce” holds no meaning for me.
There is an alley on the back side of my property, which separates my property from that of BlueTruck. (1) I could not block him in without blocking the entire alleyway. Instead of him learning his lesson, my car would have been towed. (2) For him to “own the parking spots” the area in question would have to occupy a 20 by 15 swatch right in the middle of my property.
No, he knows full well those spots are mine. He chose to ignore our requests.
After being asked twice to park someplace else, he ignored our requests. How many times do I have to ask him to move before he will finally do it? Four? Seven?
With his truck parked in front of my gate, blocking access to the back yard, the area could not be cleaned out nor could supplies be delivered. My two contractors would go MIA because they couldn’t work.
I ask no more of my neighbor than I ask of myself. If someone were to ask the same of me, my vehicle would have been moved without further delay. Never would it have crossed my mind to say “OK” and walk away.
No, two warnings were adequate. “Disrespect” is an appropriate word to describe his demeanor.
AI
Here in the more developed parts of SoCal, most houses are built with the front door on a major road, the back yards/garages facing an alley. Most home owner’s driveways are accessed via the alleys. All utilities are run through the alleys. All trash and recycle are pick up in the alleys. They are owned by the city.
I handled it in a professional way. I advised him that what ever arrangements he had before were no longer valid as the house was under new ownership. Even if I could have blocked him in without blocking the alley, it is illegal to block in a vehicle and could have been subject to having MY vehicle towed.
Blue truck’s statement on Friday merely proved he is an arrogant, insolent, snot.
Clifford, you recommended a tom tom, when you know I own stock in Garmin?