Michele

Well done - I am tickled for them all!!!!!! What an amazing thing to ahve accomplished! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

But, what if I wanted to? I keep hearing about those music sites, but never would use them because of the potential to my 'puter....of course, that's "stealing" so I dunno, but still... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

O.K., so we all know I am about as computer savvy as a lettuce leaf. I don't go on sites like that because of that concern. Consequently, I don't get to use sites like that, either. And I would have no idea if I was doing that, you know? None at all. Teach me, the lettuce leaf, how to not share my whole life like that. I use a firewall, have my weekly virus scan, etc., but how does that protect me, and how can I take better measures? Not like I have porn or anything on my 'puter (you believe that, right???)....but I do have lots of stuff I wouldn't want to see out there. Thanks a lot, folks... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Dave - I don't think really not having the $$ or having to work should be considered chickening out. I'm sorry you think I have "chickened out". Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mostly Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, or Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Sometimes, some YoYo Ma...but not often. Sometimes Bach, Beethoven, but I have to be in the right mood... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Good deal, Hol! I'm thrilled for you! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, FireCat, and Johnny D... Sure thing. Denver - no problem. Wisconsin? No problem. the moon? Well, perhaps a wee small problem, but I'd find a way to work it out. PM me what you need, what you want and where, and your contact information, and when I get to the office tomorrow, I'll get to work on it. Thanks, guys - this helps more than you'd realize. There was a deal I missed (big money, too...) because I fell off the list... And yes, I'll jump with you, Cora, and Johnny, you get a ticket and a beer. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I was not on the jump, but I wanna say: Sam, you rawk!!!!!!!!!!! Good job getting the word out about what women can do when they set their minds to something. We can move mountains....chicks rule! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Dammmmmmmmmmittttttttttttttttttttttttttt! And you're local, too. Damn the luck! But I posted first!!! Oh, hell, where's the whine glass?????

Oh, man, I owe you a giant hug for that one, honey! Here ya go...

You take the good You take the bad You take them both, And there you have The Facts of Life! (Oh my gawd, I remember the words! Helllllllllllpppppppp me!!!!!!!) I used to babysit for the producer of that show. He was a jerk, but the cast/crew were fun...except for Rae. She's batty. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Jim... Nope, not misunderstood...however, I didn't speak clearly... What I meant was that it doesn't matter how much you pay in rent, you have the rights given as a tenent in this state. If you pay $5 per month to rent/lease a room, you have certain statutory rights. If you pay $2500 per month to rent/lease a room, you have those very same rights. Paying higher rent does not get you more tenents' rights, nor does paying less rent mean you have less rights. Rights are rights irrespective of how much you pay. And rights are irrespective of the quality of housing, as well. They are inherent once one is a formal tenent (paying $$ creates a tenency). Did that make more sense? And as for it costing him additional $$, if there is a way to demonstrate that because of a faulty valve which was reported in writing, his heating costs/gas bill rose, and the landlord has ignored the situation, thus creating further financial damage, Ed can submit those bills along with the cost of repairs, and expect remuneration thereof. But it all stems on being able to prove that the landlord was notified on XX day...and that they ignored the situation. Did that clarify it for you? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

May 3, 2001, I turned 36. May 6, 2001, FJC and AFF 1... Happy birthday to me!!!!!!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Seth - yes, you can. The difficulty with that is that you have to create an entirely new bank account, and some states require it to be a joint account - with the landlord as joint holder. Makes no sense that way. Then, problems also arise when people put the entire rent amount into the account, rather than the amount of repairs. Unless it's a huge repair (the kitchen blew up or something), generally speaking the $$ amount of repairs does not use the entire rent amount (at least in my area, where rents run about $1.20 per square foot...often more.) And lastly, the landlord can say it's because you can't pay the rent, so you're making excuses. Although the balance in the account is easily demonstrated, I've seen instances where the landlord refuses to look at it, and evicts because of non-payment of rent...which is his legal right to do so...and the balance has only come out in a courtroom...but that's after the move was done, the security deposit voided because of contractual claim, etc. The damage was done... If, as a last resort, someone chooses to escrow their rent account, there are very specific rules to it, and it can get dicey at best. If someone is in that position, it would be best to check with a local, well-known real estate lawyer or broker (brokers are generally free, whereas lawyers are not), and get the proper guidance. How's that for confusing? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Ed... You're talking about tenant's rights, which have nothing to do with the amount of rent you pay... Put it in writing. Have the guy who said you need a new heater put that down in writing, and write a quick cover letter, and submit it. Allow for a reasonable time to remedy the problem in the cover letter, and then, if they still don't correct the issue, indicate that you will have it done on your own, and use the next month's rent to cover the cost of the repair/replacement. Make sure you sumbit the bill for the replacement/repair, and deduct that amount from the rent owed. Also, if possible, photo the problem, and also photo the resolution. You may also indicate that standing water can create an issue of toxic mold, which is a very redhot legal issue these days...lots of lawsuits and whatnot...most landlords know about mold, and are scared of it. Generally, writing it out will resolve the issue, because then you have something to fall back on proving this is an ongoing issue, that you've made them aware of the problem (they can always deny a call...), and that you need steps to be taken to correct it. Landlords generally do In the alternative, you can do what LouDiamond suggests, and fry the heater. If, though, the landlord finds out you did this (although I'm not sure how they would...), they can charge you for the replacement heater, and if they're real jerks, can also charge you with vandalism. I think I'd go with the letter method....but whatever works for you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've been thinking a lot lately about something. If there is a God (and I think there is...) what do you think He'd ask you at the pearly gates? What criteria would be used to assess your character? ~Did you take enough chances in love? Did you risk your heart enough? I think the heart is the only thing we ever have to give which has lasting value, and which can be regrown. And I think that a few heartbreaks along the way only add to the depth and power of our love for others, if we but risk it one more time...put it out there once again. ~Did you smile enough? Or did you store them away, like the best china, to only be used at precious few times? Smiling at someone is the fastest way to show someone, known or not, that you care. One of my best memories is someone saying to me, as I walked past him with a dour look..."Hey, lady, you dropped something" When I wheeled around to find what I'd lost, and there was nothing there, he added "You dropped your smile"....and then he just walked away. I stood there, thinking about that. And learned to try hard to smile at people, even if I'm not in the mood to do so. ~Did you cry enough? Did you lose enough? For in the losing, I think, we learn what we had. And in the next go-round, we find a deeper appreciation of whatever it is. Some things are lost forever, but the impact they leave in the losing stretches us for the next thing. Tears water our lifegarden, I think, and without tears, it is a sparse garden indeed. ~Did you respect yourself enough to make hard choices? Did you trust yourself enough to survive the choices made? In choosing one thing over another, was it the right choice? Our lives, I think, are a direct result of our choices. Are we learning from them, and building on them? Were the results of previous choices made enough to lay a foundation for other choices? And were these choices honestly made? ~Did you sing and dance? Did you enjoy the sunsets, the dawns, the rain, the world? As we move through our day, how many times do we really see those around us? Do we just look through them, or do we see them as they are - fellow humans who share this planet, and are capable of everything we are? And do you see the sunsets? Do you dance in the rain? Do you sing at the top of your voice, for the sheer joy of singing? ~Did you give to others first? Kahlil Gibran says it like this: Generosity is not giving to me when I need it most, but giving to me when you need it more than I do. Did you give to people, even though it hurts? Did you share your time with a charity? Your family? Your friends? Did you contribute to them more than they contribute to you? ~Did you see what the world is? Or did you only see what your world is? Did you stop to think about how incredible this planet really is, how huge and glorious and big and varied? Did you listen to the music in the world, the sounds of the wind, the songs of the crickets, the feel of the dirt under your feet? ~ Did you say thank you enough? To others? To your enemies, for in conflict there is always a lesson to be learned...to your friends, for they will not always be around you? To your family, for they love you in a manner unspeakably deep? And to yourself? Do you ever thank yourself, acknowlege yourself? ~Did you judge too harshly? Did you judge too harshly those around you? Did you forgive them when they erred? Did you learn more about yourself through your judgments? ~Did you live your life from a position of fear or from love? And did you take actions based more in love than in fear? When you uncover the bottom emotion, there are only two, I've learned. Fear and love. Which one do you spend more time with? Which one do you act out on more? Which one is the primary base reality for you? I have made decisions from both positions. The ones which were right came from love. The ones which were sturdy, withstanding time and transient circumstances came from a position of love. Those made from fear were shortlived, frail and temporary...collapsing like a house of straws in the first mild breeze. And when I re-chose, from a different position, only then they were strong... Just some reflections on Wednesday, two weeks from Christmas. Celebrate yourself, and celebrate your life. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Have at it. (Good idea! And as a matter of fact, please check my sig....) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, Ed... How's by you these days? Anyway, if they're in the LA county area and may own property, I can always check public records for you against tax rolls. PM me with the names, and I'll give it a go (but if it's a fairly common name, it won't do much good...there are lots of joe Smith's around...). Other than that, I've never tried to find someone seriously. There are some phone books online for some cities that may give you info. Try going to the city information page and checking that way. Also, sometimes local rags publish stuff with names, name changes and whatnot. That may be another option. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, it is. Made me step back and think about what he said. He is a great guy. He came over here and read the thong adventure a while ago. He thought it was the funniest thing he'd read in a while. As to the movie you're making about me, hey, now, that'd be a horror flick, and a "b" one at best (if there was a "c" class, that would be the right one. Some weird cult classic thing...no market for it...) I am so gonna miss him. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It was my (now former) assistant broker's last day today. He and I have had a tumultuous relationship - our first meeting he fired me, I called his boss, who fired me, so I called their boss, who unfired me and basically wigged on both of them...it took a while, but we became friends. Good friends, purely platonic. Close enough for me to cry in his office several months ago. Close enough for him to cry on my shoulder when his mother died. Close enough for me to shoot rubber bands at him, flop into his office, and just be myself - bad language, jeans, jump stories and pix. We had laughs, shared shots of JD, and just generally screwed around with each other. He'd bag on me, I'd bag on him. It was all good - tons of respect and mutual admiration on both sides. I've never been better friends with someone who can withhold my check, you know? And it was with great dismay that I found out (before the rest of the office) that Ron was leaving. He had gotten a promotion, and was moving up. Not far, but it might as well have been on the other side of the moon. Different office, same company. No more teasing him about the soup he kept in his office (in case of earthquakes). No more water balloons in the parking lot...sneak attacks (from both of us). No more playing. No more blowing raspberries at him during office meetings. Sigh. Today was his final day. After the holiday tree trimming party, I helped Ron get out to his car with the last of his stuff, and told him that I would miss the hell out of him, and that his replacement sucked. Ron laughed, and told me I'll be alright, I'll have the new guy trained well and soon. I pointed out that the new guy isn't a playmate, too uptight and stiff, and he's not gonna let me wear jeans. I know more than the new guy anyway... Ron said "Michele, what's different about you is that you get it. They wear suits, and you have fun. You're professional, and it doesn't take a suit to be that way. They wear ties...you wear a smile. You live, Michele, they exist. Keep living...and don't let them make you wear suits." I'm gonna miss him, but wasn't that the kewlest thing to say? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Steve...perhaps you're right - they've been exporting it for years. But I haven't seen any headlines, and the Spanish aren't the ones who usually board/intercept. And remember the Karine-A last year? Wonder where the guys in the airline attack and hotel bombing last week got their stuff? Maybe it was the Karine B... Maybe I'm naive. Maybe I just haven't paid attention. But you know something? This worries me. Even if it's been done a dozen times a year for the last 5 decades, it still worries me. On several levels... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, Kriss, I've heard of that happening. It's gonna get wonky, I think, and will be for a while. It's chilling...and sobering. (edit: someday, I'll click the links and to my surprise will find the information I'm looking for...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yep, it's gonna get interesting quickly. I wonder how many shipments haven't been intercepted? And what those shipments contained.... .... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Earrings from when I was little. Nothing else. And no tats... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Julie I see your profile says you're in San Diego. If Otay doesn't offer them, how about either Elsinore or Perris? I am at Perris, and just completed that class. Great info. I hear the instruction at Elsinore is excellent, as well. If you come to Perris or Elsinore, Julie, and if it will help, let me know when you're coming up, and I'll meet you there. Nothing like a little ground support. Be happy to do that for you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~