Y’know, there is one Karen who is not to be messed with.
That’s a parody news site that describes itself as “Toronto’s Least Trusted Source In News”.
The popularity of “Karen” as a baby name has plummeted in both Canada and the U.S., though.
If I may tag along about the “Don’t make me angry”
Had a plumbing flood at my house. Drywall falling to the floor, destroyed wood floor as well.
Drywallers came and did good work hanging rock and mudding it in. Cool.
The project manager asked if they could use the unopened gallon of paint I had that was the color. I had an extra. Ummm… OK.
The drywaller, all of a sudden turned painter had probably not seen a paint roller before. He thought two coats of paint was rolling over the same area twice, back and forth, on the first coat. And he painted it like you might mow a lawn.
And I don’t think he stirred the paint. Couldn’t have. It’s a mess.
Oh, and he did not speak a word of English. Nice fellow as far as I can tell. I installed a English to Spanish app on my phone to attempt to communicate. I only know vacation Spanish. He’s got a better phone than I and through my phone, I suggested that he install a Spanish to English app using my English to Spanish app.
So, the project manager (PM) called later to ask how it went (why is this my job?) I explained what a mess it was.
The PM called back and said they are not only to fix the mess they made, but they are going to repaint my nice new kitchen that has floor to ceiling cabinets.
The hell you are. Stay away from my kitchen.
Surprised me that a drywaller does not know how to paint. There is skill to it though. Never even thought about it. Parents bought a house a new house that was mostly exposed drywall when I was 9 years old. So I guess painting was my first trade.
Our local Scouts raised funds and bought a shipping container. A local farmer allows them to keep it in a corner of a field.
Our Scouts got a church to sponsor/shelter/put up with them.
Part of that is an unused storeroom for all the camping equipment.
And a huge church basement big enough for Scout meetings and the huge game of tag/kickball/rugby that comes afterwards.
Eh, this doesn’t really require its own thread, but it does go to the issue here (how to exercise power), so I’ll put it in this one.
Received an email last Wednesday from a guy who needed a room rental for his brother for 5 days. Since I effectively live with Inna now, no problem. We agreed to $30 a day, $150 paid up front.
Kid ‘moves in’ on Wednesday. Get paid $150. I get a text on Friday saying “hey, we found a permanent place, going to move out tomorrow, can we get the two days prorated and refunded?” I responded “sure, after he leaves and I do an inventory”.
So the kid moves out on Saturday, I come in Sunday morning to find I have no TP, no paper towels, and my roommate complaining about how he ate her cheesesticks. I refund $40, telling him (David) that there were expenses incurred, no big deal.
This was his response:
Yes, the SOB came to my house and he (and his girlfriend) took a hammer to my fence (I had just had repairs done on a few sections about 3 weeks ago, hence the unpainted slats) and she threw a rock at my door, breaking the glass.
I PULL IN while he was writing a note explaining what happened. He then accosts me in my car, whereupon I step out and start recording them. And yes, he and she confessed to everything, but it was still my fault because I offended his Christian sensibilities.
Fortunately, my neighbor called the PD while they were damaging my fence so about 2 minutes into this, a SAPD car rolls up. I had just asked for her name…
“And what is your name, ma’am?”
“We don’t need to tell you that.”
(I see SAPD pull up.)
“That’s all right. I’m sure the cop right behind you will get it.”
So, a bit of background. David is here from Nigeria on a student VISA. And that’s all I needed to know.
The PO gets out of his car and the two insist on talking to the cop first. And I’m like, “ok, you morons. Go ahead and confess to the PO, make my job easier” (thought, but unspoken). So they talk to the cop whereupon he gives them a rough lesson about life in America, handcuffing the both of them, telling them to sit on the curb.
The PO comes to me, I explain the situation, letting him know that I have the entire transaction history, that I have their confession on my phone, etc. (My neighbor also took pictures of them destroying the fence.)
The officer wants to know if I want to press charges. I asked “is this a decision I can make later? I still have yet to survey the damage as they immediately assaulted me upon arrival, making me fearful for my safety.” The officer says “yes, you have 7 days to provide more evidence, here is the case #”.
I then asked if I could address the couple. The officer looks at me, nods, and we approach them.
"I’m not interested in ruining your life over this, but you need to understand a few things:
"One, you are here on a student Visa. A criminal charge could very well mean your deportation.
"Two, he is charging you with a misdemeanor. However, a property damage felony here in Bexar County is $20,000. It may very well cost that alone for me to replace the Coolcrete you destroyed with the oil*.
"Three, you did this to a man who had two lawyers under retainer regarding legal actions against two family members. My consideration here is my hassle, not compassion.
"So, here is what is going to happen. I am getting some contractor quotes to price out repairs. Given you are here on a student Visa, I’m pretty sure your family has money, even if you don’t. We will make arrangements to have the damage fixed, at your expense, no later than Wednesday. If you balk or default, I will press charges and then you two get to explain who did what damage, which will not do your relationship any favors. I will also be able to use the estimates to determine if this rises to the level of a felony, and if it does, the decision to press charges may fall out of my hands - Bexar County’s DA is death personified when it comes to property damage cases.
"Lastly, any attempt by the both of you to come back to this location will result in my pressing these charges, as well as an additional charge for harassment/stalking.
"Understand, neither of you have a defense. You confessed to me, on video. You confessed to the police officer. You were both caught by my neighbor who has images of you committing this crime. But if you agree, I will ask officer Hudson to release you, so y’all can get the hell out of here and start making some begging calls to your family.
“Do we understand each other?”
"Yes sir, I’m sorry sir, I didn’t… "
I held up my hand.
“Officer, is everything I said about the process true and correct according to your professional experience?”
“Yes it is.”
“Very good. I will get the official report tomorrow, it will contain the contact information for both of them, and I will be by later this week to make my official statement and to add any additional evidence as needed. I will also give this to my attorney for his records, and…” facing the kids "… whatever my attorney charges me will also go on your bill.
“Do we have an agreement?”
“Yes, yes, thank you.”
He uncuffs the kids. I snap a picture of their car (so I can get the plates) and they shoot off like a bat out of Hell. I am about to head to the PD to pick up the report, and I have a General Contractor meeting with me later this afternoon.
Like I said: don’t make me angry.
- It won’t. But the idea is to scare these MFers.
Oh, and since y’all are going to ask, I am decommissioning the pool. I only got it because my ex-wife wanted it and the damn thing is expensive, expensive, expensive. Probably going to make a terrarium out of the damn thing or something.
Did the neighbors break out in applause?
No way. They were terrified of the glowing red eyes.
So, this kid and his girlfriend trashed your house (or at least, the parts they could reach) because they were upset you withheld $20 for damages?
Exactly, PG
I would assume that at least the police gave a standing ovation for the soliloquy.
Well, now, now, now, I’m just a country confabulist, officer, but I do believe I’ve summarized the law of this here jurisDICtion accurately, ain’t that right now.
Yes suh, yes suh I believe it is.
To be fair, he said it wasn’t about the money, but that I said “God bless you and be safe” in one of my texts and he then decided I wasn’t Christian enough.
I do have about 3 minutes of video of these people offering justifications (and confessions), but am not posting them as to keep their privacy.
Well maybe you should have turned that other cheek a little further
That’s some weapons grade crazy right there. You’re lucky he didn’t burn the place down.
That is truly bizarre. It’s good the police showed up, I’d have been afraid they might attack you. I might still be afraid of that.
The one estimate I have received is $5,600.
Your female roommate is okay with you renting to some guy sight unseen? Who proves to be a thief and also nuts? Seems very unsafe.
No, you are definitely right. Gonna take the L on that one and consider this a lesson learned.