Welcome to Chez Cliff!

Christmas is coming and I truly believe if I mention my impending trip one more time, my readership will revolt.

However this story needs to be shared.  This has been discussed before: being frugal versus quality of life.

All of my affairs have been moved into a house that has neither electricity nor gas.  With a Saturday departure my two challenges: (1) whose house I could stay at Friday and (2) how to get to the airport.  My departure: 9 a.m.  Arrival at the airport: 6 a.m.

Clifford: Hey buddy ol’ pal ol’ buddy, can I stay at your place Friday night?
Friend:  Sure, no problem.
Clifford:  Sweet.  And could you get up at 5 a.m. to take me to the airport?
Friend:  Um . . . who is this?  I don’t know you.  Don’t call here again!  Prank caller Prank caller!

Screw it.  Jettison that drama.  Get a hotel next to the airport. 

LAX has a slew of "un-cheap" hotels complete with airport shuttle service.  The average 2-star is $100 with prices creeping up to $140 for one night.  Paying this much for a room didn’t sit easy with me.

Visions of Captain Kirk, doing the crane technique and "name your own price" danced in my head.  These "low cheap websites" have burned me before.  But Priceline.com I’ve never used.

Why not?

Name your own price: OK let’s try $70.

Number of Stars:  3, thanks for asking.

Next, credit card information.  Yikes.  I’d like to see the hotel before I put my information in.  But if it’s a 3-star hotel for $70, does it matter which one?

The Plaza is normally $130.  I got it for $70. 

Not bad.  Not bad at all.

Following Steph’s and Connie’s lead, there isn’t much going on.  Everything is wrapping up nicely before my departure.

• Electrical Inspection:  Passed.  Now Edison has to hook up the electrical and everything will be honky-dory.
• Front House:  Nearly ready.  All the blinds and door knobs have been installed.  Two things remaining: shower door and back door.  Both of which are to be installed Thursday.
• Stackable Washer/Dryer:  I didn’t have the cash to buy a pair so I got a pair for free.  Thanks Karma!
• Moving:  everything that I absolutely don’t need is in the back house.
• New Tenant:  FedEx’ed the lease and deposit.  I should have it today.
• Current Tenants:  New leases will be signed today.
• The Appraiser came Saturday for final inspection.  She loved the carpet.

They work real good!	My transvestite Santa Claus

OK so Santa isn’t a transvestite.  He’s just older that dirt and the paint wore off around the eyes, giving him blue eye shadow.

Everything is a negotiation.

Here’s the situation: I won’t be back from my vacation until after the first of January, which is when the new tenant wants to move in.  Fearing to have to cut my vacation short, I suddenly had a moment of inspiration . . . or clarity depending on how many glasses of wine I had with dinner.

The contractor lock box.

An agreement has been worked out with the new tenant.  He is to send me the security deposit now.  In exchange, the keys to the house will be left in the lock box and he can let himself in.  Upon my return, I’ll collect the rent check from him.

There’s an answer to every question,
a solution to every riddle,
a way out of any box.

Sometimes you win . . .

Two strong candidates for the house.  The number one choice: someone who comes from money.  Dividend earning has paid her way through life and she feels teaching is her vocation.  Perfect credit.  The kind of tenant landlords kill their first born to get.  Number two: a successful entrepreneur from Chicago who wants to move back to the LA area.  Good credit, good income.

Number one choice held out for another property, a property slightly better than mine.  Unless the other landlord hates perfect credit and high income, she’ll snatch them up.  Then kill her first born.

I called number two.  He was ecstatic.

Sometimes you lose . . .

This coming Saturday, "wheels up" at 8 a.m.  My much needed vacation begins.  Four objectives before leaving: finding a tenant, connecting electricity, connecting gas, moving my affairs. 

The tenant: found.  The moving: nearly complete.  The rest: no go.

I guess I didn’t impress hard enough on the electrician the need for final inspection.  I was told it was complete when it wasn’t.  Monday, the city inspector comes.  Five days later, Edison comes to hook up the house and installs the new meter.  That same day, I’ll be in Michigan watching snow fall.

At least comfort can be taken in the fact that upon my return the back house will be ready for me to live in.

72 hours?

Try 24!

The guys were out and got the carpet installed.  I was hoping for a close this week and I got it.  Now the appraiser can come back out and finish the appraisal on the place.

What’s next?  Time to move yet again.  What is that: 3 times this year?