[BRINDLEKIN TALES – Book 5 Chapter 18]
Texting w/Wattson: 5/23/22
Re: Cat Saves Infant’s Life
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 24, 2022 at 1:26 PM
> Way cool!!!
Definitely…especially if you ignore the mother’s failure to place a gate across the stairway landing to prevent the child from tumbling down. The CAT is more loving, and responsible!
> BTW, many thanks for the Chromebook info. Much appreciated. Can’t afford it just yet, but soon, I hope!
I was surprised at how tricky it can be, selecting a Chromebook…a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is expiration date. I just might wind up getting one that’s close to expiring, because it’s a really cheap price, and I can install Linux on it, and have it up and running the same day. What I’ll do is look at some of the low-end ones, then duckduckgo the model name and number, prefixed with the phrase, “can I install Linux on.” Or I can start here.
I’m enjoying the adventure, I love the challenge. But I’m in no rush, now that my Android tablet is functioning properly, again. The problem turned out to be the USB cord. So I replaced the cord: the device now remains at a hundred percent, even when I’m playing videos…so long as it stays on AC charge. Meanwhile:
It’s a warm, sunny day, so the pups are either crashed on the cot with the box fan blowing on medium in their direction…or they’ll lie down directly on the floor by the fridge or the door or in the box, which are the coolest spots in my hovel. It is NOT so warm that I need to drape a moist bandana on them…which they appreciate when it’s necessary.
Took the hounds for their solo walks this morning: amazing how quiet each one was, exiting and entering. I just wish other passersby besides our maintenance man, would see me carrying each one, and how placid they are when held. But so far, the hallway and lobby have been empty, other than that one exception.
You know, Wattson, it IS possible that our building manager asked my neighbor Asher to keep an eye on me and the dogs, as kind of a SPY. I have no problem with that, as I’m not doing anything wrong in the first place, and the potential for more occupants falling in love with the brindlekin increases. There is ALWAYS a path to win any battle when you’re on the side of righteousness, though the solution may not be apparent at first. But there actually ARE no battles, only challenges! Such is one of the many benevolent tenets of my Bodhisattva Premise.
Well looky here, I just returned from the fridge after pouring myself a chill cup of soda, to discover Flaco had scrambled from the box and onto my chair! Languishing now in the direct breeze arising from the fan two feet away. But I needed to sit down and get back to my typing, so I moved the fan behind me and aimed it towards the middle of the cot. With that, Flaco departed from my swivel seat and onto the bedding, to continue enjoying the cool zephyrs, alongside Lucky. They are SO blissful in their relaxation, stretched out and floppy as seals on a sea-sprayed rock, simply watching them brings much calm to THIS dog-loving pilgrim! See pic.
Subject: The Predictable Case of the Mangled Leashes
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 25, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Deek returned the pups this morning around 8:30, so they won’t suffer this second day of heat in a row. Just like he did the previous morning, for the first day. A wise decision. I was, however, disappointed to see BOTH leashes ruined: one BADLY frayed (as you can see in the photo), the other not so much, but nonetheless damaged. I knew better to even mention it to their master, but just accepted the dogs and his electronics, and rushed them upstairs.
Seeing as Flaco is the one constantly escaping her collar, I had the good sense to pocket that choke collar before exiting my room (it’s nylon, so easy to roll up). With that, I was able to quickly place it ’round her neck and switch the leash clip over, before opening the gate. I’d PREFER to bring the hounds inside one by one, but Deek screamed a fury when I attempted to do that last week:
“No! I’m in a hurry, don’t do this to me!”
Deek just shouted me down the moment I attempted to explain the logistics of Flaco slipping from her collar and running upstairs on her own, and the handful of bitches living here who look for any excuse to screw me over (including Kevin), should they see either dog run loose. Not to mention their barking with excitement to visit me again (albeit lasting for just seconds, and harmless). Not to mention my neighbor, Asher, who claims his dog is frightened when they bark like wild whenever our paths cross in the hallway (albeit this only happened TWICE so far, in the past several months). Not to mention the pooches are perfectly QUIET when I carry each one up the stairs, in my arms…thus averting the wrath of these few drama queen residents. EVERYONE ELSE in the building has no problem with the brindlekin…in fact, they adore them!
And he insists on my taking his devices at the same time he hands me the canines. So I now carry a light, tough plastic grocery bag looped around my elbow whenever I step out to see him, whereby he drops all his items in it while I hold onto the leashes. His gizmos have all been small and light-weight since I’ve begun doing this. But once he adds something heavier to the mix, I’ll just drop off the bag in the lobby and return downstairs to collect it, once the mutts are safely sheltered upstairs. But should he have another one of those LUGGABLE speakers that obviously CAN’T be dropped into a bag, Deek will have NO choice but allow me to take the dogs upstairs, first.
His always being in a rush whenever he drops by to deliver the pups has gotten old, and risks possible FURTHER conflict with some residents, as well as the manager. I TRIED explaining this to him more than once, but then he accuses me of failing to train his charges properly! So until I can get him to listen and follow through (re. bringing the dogs inside separately), I have to act like I’m going through some sort of boot camp training by my bodhisattva sergeant, who is Deek. I have to move FAST and precisely…no room for error. Jeezus fukkin k-rist!
At least, as of a week ago, he no longer stands right in front of the gate with the dogs, forcing me to stand there while he paws through his cart to dig up his latest electronics…increasing the likelihood of a confrontation with a resident coming or going. And it’s all on the lobby camera!
Again he neglected to return any remaining dog food, and his flurry like Warner Brothers’ Tasmanian Devil caused me to forget to ask him for it. Because I was SO FOCUSED on keeping the hounds beside me on a grip-shortened leash…and he scooted away promptly, once he plunked the devices into the sack dangling from my arm.
As for the frayed leashes: I have a backup pair on my loft, for just such emergencies. It is Lucky who occasionally gnaws on them, but sometimes the leashes last for MONTHS before he goes at it…as was the case this time around. However, ONE time last year, the leashes only lasted a week! I just ordered another pair, glad to be back on Amazon PRIME, as my purchases show up the next day, or sometimes within TWO. Prime cost me just $7.59/month; well worth it considering Deek’s unpredictable urgencies regarding the furry angels.
Well, Wattson, I just realized I MUST confront Deek about how bringing the doggies upstairs one by one is so IMPORTANT that he MUST abide, no two ways about it. I’ll start the conversation with something like:
“You know how you tell me about the assholes you have to deal with now and then? Well, I have assholes in my life, too, and a few of them live in my building.”
Anyways, the pups are now resting on my cot, delighted to have the box fan’s cooling breeze waft over them. I laid out their breakfast, but they weren’t interested: a good indication that Deek fed them recently (last night, at least). Though now, three hours later since they arrived, Flaco jumped down to the floor to eat her share. Lucky, however, remains asleep, beside THIS canine-devoted pilgrim at his work station, and listening to the end part of Marshall McGee’s latest “Memo of the Weird” podcast.
– Zeke K-Holmes
P.S.: Did you get to read the missive about my encounter with neighbor Asher yet? That was three days ago, May 22nd. I’d like to know what you think about it…I’m somewhat concerned. Just my rotten luck to have someone RIGHT NEXT DOOR with a dog he claims is scared of my brindlekin. Thanks!
Subject: THIS is the Chromebook I’m going for!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 25, 2022 at 12:52 PM
HP brand, 14″ screen, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, expiration date 2029. Just $130…for Prime members, that is. Don’t know if the deal also is good for non-Primers. I have enough money now to purchase it, with $50 still remaining in my bank account. But just in case a surprise expense crops up before this month is done, I’ll wait until my next Soc. Sec. deposit before ordering. I can run Linux on it side-by-side (no reboot required), with enough storage space that I won’t be cramped.
Re: The Predictable Case of the Mangled Leashes
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 25, 2022 at 1:39 PM
> A quickie before I get to work–I did read about the encounter with the neighbor. Sounds as if you’re winning hearts and minds. Plus, he strikes me as intelligent, a desperately refreshing quality in our seething idiocracy.
Yes, I believe you’re right…thanks for the input. Now hear this GREAT NEWS:
Deek dropped by barely two minutes ago to pick up his devices, so that is when I decided to tell him I need to bring the pups inside, one by one, starting with: “You know how you tell me you sometimes have to deal with assholes in your life?”
I told him that, just like HIS assholes, who are jealous, spiteful, and try to wreck his world, MY assholes are, too. But I also reminded him (as I have in the past):
“We have no enemies, only teachers, so this is nothing more than a challenge that I must overcome. And bringing the pups hovel individually, resolves the situation perfectly…the drama queens now have NO excuse to give me grief, anymore.
DEEK LISTENED, AND RESPECTED MY NEW RULE! Before departing, I called to him as he strolled into the Hohokum tobacco and porn shop:
“God bless you for hearing me out, and I hope you have an excellent day!”
> Some repuke congresscreep named Paul Gosar started a vile, baseless rumor that the school shooter in Texass yesterday was a “transexual leftist illegal alien,” and it’s spreading like monkeypox.
“RePUKE,” “CongressCREEP,” “TexASS:” right on! Our language is evolving.
They are out for queer blood, something which I predicted way back in the mid-90s because I foresaw this pogrom soon as Bill Clinton signed DOMA and DADT. I envisioned ALL the dominoes fall across the years into the near future, as a result. I ALSO foresaw the next civil war OVER the queer minority issue (and abortion/women’s rights), followed by this nation breaking up into numerous states, including a huge chunk of California, plus possibly all of Oregon, Washington and a considerable portion of Nevada…to form the world’s first queer sovereignty I like to call “Athenia.”
My wackadoodle prophecy doesn’t seem QUITE so wackadoodle anymore, now, does it, good doctor? But most importantly:
WE SHALL BE VICTORIOUS AGAINST ALL ODDS! AND HAVE FUN IN THE STRUGGLE, BY CRACKY!
– Zeke K-Holmes
P.S.: I was about to post this missive to you, when I paused to look out the window to see, of all people, Charlie, a clerk and very friendly fellow from Rosenberg’s, place packages into his vehicle that was parked almost below my window. So I called out: “Charlie!” He looked around to see who was summoning him, so I hollered again: “Over here!” He looked up to see me standing at my window, waving. He smiled and said, “Hi, how are you?” I held up my hand with an “okay” signal and called back, “Just fine!” Then I returned to append this P.S. and off this missive went to my greatest confidante.
Re: The Predictable Case of the Mangled Leashes ADDENDUM
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 25, 2022 at 7:19 PM
Just before I brought up with Deek the one-pup-at-a-time proposal, I told him I already have a fresh pair of leashes for the hounds. THAT made him smile almost ear to ear! Which no doubt softened his tendency to rebel whenever I set up a new rule.
Yesterday, I finally passed by an actual resident while carrying one of the mutts in my arms. He was walking down the stairs as I was climbing up, and was but two steps from the first landing when he appeared around the corner.
“Oops” I exclaimed as I stumbled from almost bumping into him, though quickly regained my posture. Lucky remained cool as a cuke, confident of my loving protection…staring out into space with a humorously blithe expression. The young fellow smiled at the charming, momentary tableau of doggy devotion as he slipped by.
And four afternoons ago (which was the first time I carried a pup to my hovel in this one-pooch-at-a-time experiment) I discovered another resident standing in the small alcove right by my door. I was startled, but kept Lucky pressed to my bosom, a bit annoyed since I was about to set him back down on the floor…but now I was afraid he’d start barking at this stranger so close by. It was Karlsen, the newish neighbor down the hall and across from where Adisa & mom once lived: the bow-legged fellow of advanced age who dresses Bohemian, and for whom an ambulance emergency crew showed up two months ago. And again, a few weeks ago…and again, last week. Don’t know WHAT his medical condition is, but it looks like I may have found a new friend in this building who, a year or two later, will die on me…just like my LAST newfound compatriot, Michael Collier, did, a few years back.
“Isn’t this 204?” he queried.
“Well, that’s the side door to their bedroom, which they never use,” I replied. Then, with Lucky still cradled in my arms, escorted Karlsen to the main hallway and stuck out my chin: “There it is, first door on your right.”
He said thanks, then rattled on how he’s lived in this building for a year and half now, and still doesn’t know anybody. So I quipped: “This is America, neighbors don’t WANNA know their neighbors. And this is a highly transient city, to boot. You’d have better luck making friends with the homeless!”
Little does he know how true that is when it comes to MY life story…eh, Wattson? (Dammit, I need to get a fresh batch of Brindlekin prayer cards for sure!)
Anyway, that made him bust a gut laughing…which made ME wonder if I should call an ambulance.
So it looks like Karlsen has been roaming the hallways, knocking on doors and introducing himself the past few days, at least. I was wondering what his frequent appearances in the hallway were all about. I now have my answer: he doesn’t just DRESS Bohemian, he beHAVES Bohemian!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: The Predictable Case of the Mangled Leashes ADDENDUM
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 25, 2022 at 10:29 PM
> Well, that all sounds pretty good!! I do like the image of you carrying those solid little doggies up and down the stairs.
They slip into some sort of blissful trance whenever I pick them up and carry them in my arms. Utterly charming.
> What do they weigh?
Lucky: 24 lbs. – Flaco: 25.
> Karlsen sounds like a fine chap!
I’d say so. Three months ago I allowed the pups to run upstairs on their own, and the moment they reached the 2nd floor, began barking like feral hobbits. It was Karlsen who they blocked from going down the stairs. Soon as I arrived seconds later I apologized and pulled them away. He said that’s okay, they’re really cute. He LOVES my brindlekin, barks and all!
Another day, much more recently, when he stepped outside I was just arriving hovel with the hounds…who began barking up a whirlwind upon seeing him exit and stand by the front gate, looking around at the local scenery and pedestrians under the twilit sky. I asked him to move a few feet over so I could get them inside with minimal fuss. He said oops, sorry, then laughed and exclaimed we need MORE watch dogs like them in this building!
Two days ago I was crossing 16th Street on my way to purchase my morning coffee, when I saw him approach from the opposite direction. A sparkly conversation ensued, where he brought up the theory that advanced intergalactic beings watch over and guide us. I told him that may or may not be true, as life has shown me that our progress is guided by natural law, with or without the participation of super intelligent life forms from far-flung worlds. Things fall into place in our lives that lead us in the right direction, hurling challenges along the way to trigger our growth to a higher level of awareness.
But if we HAVE such guardians, they don’t even need to be SUPER DUPER advanced, to accomplish their mission…just advanced enough will suffice. And that the SUPER DUPER advanced do their own thing, having NOTHING to do with homo sapiens’ evolution, but leave that to lesser life forms (although superlatively advanced compared to ourselves), and that are ALSO star travelers and all that rot.
A silly, fun palaver of a conversation. But we spoke of other things, too:
Karlsen is looking for a job, as his financial situation is less than stellar. At his age (around my own 71 years, I’m guessing) I was surprised to hear him bring up employment…but I kept that to myself and wished him speedy success. I also brought up my own work as an author, and how I found the perfect artist to draw my illustrations…but how her father died during her assignment, which slowed things down considerably. But the illustrations came out spectacular, on an extended deadline. Unfortunately, she died, too, several years later.
“I’m an illustrator, too,” he interjected. “Hire me!”
I told him I’d love to, but my income is solely Social Security, and I lack the funds these days to hire anyone for anything.
He replied, “Well, perhaps you’ll have the money in the future while I’m still around.”
Puzzling, good physician, what he meant by that. Was he talking about his current residence, or his life span on this wobbly orb? And on this note I end my latest missive:
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Deek dropped by this evening, to pick up the pups…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 12:49 AM
…around 7:30 PM. He gave me NO grief when I brought them downstairs, one by one. He looked very good, that is, clean and stable and in a pleasant mood. I asked if he needed more dog food, and he said no he didn’t, to my surprise. Then he tossed in this insult:
“I don’t know, Zeke, but every time you return them, they’re hungry as wolves!”
I told him that’s not true, he just likes to press my buttons. “Furthermore,” I added, “five days ago you took them well before 10 AM, before I had a chance to feed them breakfast. I gave you a fresh supply of dog food, but when you brought them back that night and returned the remaining food, YOU STILL HAD ALL THREE CANS, and the full bag of kibble. YOU DIDN’T FEED THEM FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, YOU STARVED THEM! They were hungry as fuck, so I fed them an extra handful of kibble and they licked their dishes clean!”
He turned away from me, lowered his head and muttered, “I don’t know about that.” Then deflected my accusation with a sudden outburst on how that guy who predicted the economy would collapse by 2020 and money would be worthless, and he was right, only it’s happening NOW instead of then.
“What guy was that?” I queried.
“I dunno,” he shrugged his shoulders.
“You need to stop listening to conspiracy crap your friends tell you,” I admonished, then went on to say yes, the news these days is horrible, but that doesn’t mean we should lose our heads over it. And I haven’t bothered to report the latest news to him, as I saw no point in causing him needless worry:
“Remember what I told you Deek, about dealing with your enemies: we have no enemies, only teachers. These are CHALLENGES, not threats, and your duty is to figure out a win/win solution for all people involved. And just as on the personal level, you should never lose your head over ANYthing, the same rule applies to BIGGER issues that impact MANY people, not just yourself.”
He then started to walk away with the dogs. “Do you hear me?” I called to him.
“Yes, yes I do!” he replied but didn’t look back. My last words before closing the gate and returning hovel were:
“Even Flaco can tell you that!”
So, while I was pleased he didn’t give me a hard time about bringing the pooches back outside one by one…he just showed up right at the gate (right after I finished the above paragraph), demanding I bring them in together.
I told him, “YOU GOTTA STOP DOING THIS, YOU WANT ME TO BE EVICTED?”
He then accused me (quite predictably) that’s because I didn’t train them properly.
“This IS my training!”
He then said he can’t deal with my bullshit, took off on the bike and left the dogs by the gate. So of course I took them inside, though infuriated at him for his crass behavior. Looks like I’ll have to confront him strongly on this matter, and tell him I can’t have the doggies over anymore, nor do I want to see him either, if he refuses to abide by a simple change in the routine.
All he has to do is wait by the bus stop, and I’ll take each hound in, first Flaco then Lucky. What IS his problem, Wattson? I do SO MUCH for him and he acts like an ingrate so often. Well, not so often any more, but this one takes the cake big time.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: I JUST GOT AN EVICTION NOTICE!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 11:23 AM
Kevin just delivered this to me, at my door.
Re: I JUST GOT AN EVICTION NOTICE!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 12:37 PM
> THREE DAYS???? Fucking Christ! And the heartless prick delivered it to you on a Friday, knowing any official help will be unavailable over the weekend. Oh, Jesus, this is truly awful.
Weekends don’t count for a 3-day notice. It’s the usual process, starting with a 3-day notice. He is claiming “just cause” for having the pups stay with me. However, I am DOG SITTING in a pet friendly building, they are NOT occupants. See the “just cause” page from the SF Tenant’s Union.
What Kevin is going for is THIS:
“3. Breach (violation) of a term of the rental agreement that has not been corrected after written notice from the landlord.”
Other people in single rooms have had small dogs live with them…even though the contract says no pets.
He’s also playing up the so-called “nuisance” to residents. He has already provided me with “fair warning,” claiming the dogs are vicious and I need to keep them out of the building.
This does not look good for me, but I have no choice but to fight it…as well as show Deek the notice, and tell him the pups can no longer stay with me, though it breaks my heart.
The earliest I can get counseling at SF Tenants Union is this Tuesday at 3 PM, for they are closed Sat., Sun. and Mon. I am perusing their site right now, just came up with the following “just cause” page.
Here are the two reasons for my eviction:
–quote:
Failure to cure a substantial breach of a rental agreement or lease;
Nuisance or substantial interference with the comfort, safety, or enjoyment of the landlord or other tenants in the building, the nature of which must be severe, continuing or reoccurring in nature;
–end
Again, I am dog sitting, not dog occupying. The breach must be “substantial,” and the nuisance must be “severe.” Accusation of a dog bit without proof is NOT viable. I also have clear evidence of a history of the manager harassing me, via the Adisa/mom case. When Kevin knocked on my door, the pooches were with me, and of course they barked. I took the envelope, said thank you and closed the door.
I have NO idea who to seek for legal assistance, other than waiting until Tuesday to go to the tenants’ union. I have my doubts they’ll be ANY help whatsoever.
There is also the SF Rent Board, which provides counseling by phone, Mon.- Fri.
My conclusion: I will probably lose my case, due to the “no pets” clause for single rooms in the contract. Proving that other SRO tenants have had a dog living with them may prove impossible. For it may no longer be the case under Kevin’s management, though it was with previous managers. Then again, dog-sitting is not the same as dog-occupying.
I am VERY sad at having to ban the doggies from my sanctuary. Today is the last day they stay over.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: I JUST GOT AN EVICTION NOTICE!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 12:50 PM
The second page of the eviction notice has to do with “rent ordinance.” It’s short, and doesn’t look like it will be ANY help whatsoever, in getting me a new rental unit.
Thus I take a deep breath, don’t panic and trust my Bodhisattva Premise to trust all shall turn out fine, and in my favor. The image of the Tarot card’s Fool on the Hill comes to mind, where he is happily about to step into the abyss because he actually knows he’ll get across unscathed. The world calls him a fool for such blind trust. At any rate:
I will show no anger or other negative attitude towards ANYONE in the building, simply because that is the wisest stance to take. We have no enemies, only teachers.
– Zeke K-Holmes
P.S.: It just occurred to me to seek my former friend, Chuck, for help in this matter. Even though I cut him off months ago, for his Trumpist insanity. For he LIVED here while his neighbor in a single room had a little doggy live with him. He can email me stating such, that I can show to whatever lawyer handles my case…if I can find one at all. I’ll post him promptly, and BCC it to you.
Re: I JUST GOT AN EVICTION NOTICE!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 2:43 PM
> Is there any sort of “official” (I know, usually another word for “useless”) call you can make before the weekend to buy some time? A counter chess-move?
Not that I know of. Though I WILL resubscribe to Facebook and see if that 9666 Tenants Union is still active…wherein residents are QUITE upset with Kevin. If so, I’ll tell them my situation with the dogs,give them links about my harassment by the manager re. the Adisa/mom issue, including that horrid video where he son and friends intimidate me by the front gate. I will include a link to Kevin’s letter about how the dogs are “vicious,” and some other material. Oh, yeah, such as the elevator crew not wearing masks, which I report to Ablahblah Realty, since Kevin did nothing about it. This may, however, backfire, but I gotta take that chance.
Maybe they already HAVE an attorney…I’ll keep my fingers crossed. And maybe one or more folks from that groups will speak to Kevin about my dogs, telling his he’s being a jerk.
A point in my favor is that I’ve been dog-sitting the hounds for almost two years, and the manager didn’t take any action against that…other than the false complaint by Adisa & mom, that one of my dogs bit her son.
> I’m glad you have a cool head; I’m really upset.
Keeping a cool head right now is urgently important. Deek dropped by an hour ago, I brought the dogs down, told him the bad news and showed him my eviction notice. I was STUNNED that he took it with great calm…he asked me what did the dogs do, several times. “Nothing, really,” I replied, “This is just pure wickedness on the manager’s part, and many OTHER residents are angry at him, because I’m not the only person he’s harassing.”
“I’m SO sorry, Deek, my heart is broken!” I told him.
“Nah, you’re cool. Just bring me down a larger supply of dog food, a razor, and charge these two devices,” he said in an astonishingly kind tone of voice. I did that, and upon my stepping back out, he queried:
“Can’t you just tell him the dogs are no longer visiting you?”
“I don’t think that will stop the eviction process at this point,” I confessed. “He already sent me a warning letter a few weeks ago. But I ignored it.” (Not true, Wattson, because that is when I sent him those two emails in defense of the pups.)
“Why didn’t you tell me about that?” he asked.
“I didn’t want you to worry, and I never believed he’d go this far,” I answered.
He then wished me well, said he’ll return in two hours to collect the devices, and off he went. That’s the thing about Deek: in a true emergency he’s a hero, but for minor conflicts he’s a real headache. Another example of his heroism: every time I need to have my room treated for bedbugs, he’s a champ and makes things as anxiety free for me, as possible.
So of course I’ll be searching the web today for any FREE legal counseling for urgent cases, here in San Franshitsco. Wish me luck, I sure need it! But before I do that, I’m gonna compose my email to Chuck in Philly, and see if that Facebook page for the 2306 Tenants’ Union is still up.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: SEEKING YOUR HELP, DESPERATELY, EVEN BEGGING YOU!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Chuck of Philly
Bcc: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 3:09 PM
I hope that, in spite of our sharp differences on political matters, that you can come to my rescue by sending me a simple email declaring that you know of at least ONE resident living in a single room, who had a dog living with him. This I can show to whatever lawyer will handle my case.
I know you had a neighbor with a cute little dog…plus there was that Asian lady in Max’s old room who kept THREE pit bulls there, for awhile. If there are any other SRO residents you know of who kept a pet, please include them, as well.
I was just served an eviction notice for keeping two small dogs with me, even though it’s been going on for almost two years now. But I am dog-SITTING, not living with me…for a homeless friend. Thus, they are not staying with me 24/7, just two or three days a week. Attached is a copy of this eviction notice.
False accusation by one person that one of the dogs bit him, which is NOT true. They are VERY sweet dogs that wouldn’t hurt a flea. However, you know how nasty drama queens can be…and in this case, it includes the building manager who participated in harassing me late last year. Please view my enclosed complaint to Ablahblah Realty.
In retaliation for my sending this complaint to the property owners, the day after the two neighbors who were harassing me (Heidi and her adopted son, Kamari) received my copy of the complaint, they ran to the building manager with a false complaint that one of my dogs bit her son. Please read the manager’s letter to me, attached to this email.
I told him in a letter back, that’s a lie, they’re just desperate, so retaliated…and the pups are NOT violent. There was NO bite, they have no evidence of one. Well, Chuck, after all this absurd brouhaha, Adisa and mom moved out all of a sudden like.
The building manager has been highly irresponsible with many things, upsetting residents, which one tenant has decided to start a union, out of frustration and anger. See attached document.
At any rate, Chuck, I’d be incredibly beholden to you, if you did me that favor. I hope you are doing well, and not losing your head over the crazy politics these days…and that you or anyone else you care about did NOT catch covid.
Your friend after all these years (in spite of our recent falling out),
Zeke
Re: SEEKING YOUR HELP, DESPERATELY, EVEN BEGGING YOU!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 5:36 PM
> Let me know if he answers.
Yes, of course, that goes without saying. I had previously asked him to do this, once I started having Lucky stay over, but he never replied. And this was BEFORE our breakup. So I’m not holding my breath.
Re: Fwd: SEEKING YOUR HELP, DESPERATELY, EVEN BEGGING YOU!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 8:55 PM
INTERESTING how I’m ALSO under attack on the announcement list, same day that the manager handed me the eviction notice. The shit is really being flung about, and there are some rising to my defense! I’m very PROUD of dealing with this in the midst of my doggy woes, rather than cowering in abject fear and misery. Hope you have the time to check it out! Especially my PRAISE for jwranglers’s latest poem, “Weep for Uvale!”
I’ve also friended Kind Warlock on his FB page, since he’s been MOST supportive and outspoken on my behalf. i messaged him earlier this evening:
“I got on FB after swearing I’ll never use it again last year, and unsubscribed. But I decided to rejoin, just to connect with you outside of the MCN announement list. Thanks for your excellent and compassionate words in my support!”
It seems quite synchronistic that I was motivated to rejoin FB in hopes of finding that tenants union. I did not, but instead joined Mr. Engel’s group per his invite in one of his recent posts. Curioser and curiouser.
Things are moving so fast…a flurry of emails, a crushing challenge that I’m already standing up to! I wouldn’t be surprised at all if angels (or whatever you wanna call ’em) came to me in a VIVID dream tonight to give me loving guidance…it’s all so incredibly intense today! And Deek’s peaceful, kind response to me was an act of true friendship to the max! SURELY this is all gonna work out in my favor. Here is one more quote from that page entitled “The Basic Rules of Sending a Tenant a Notice to Quit,” regarding the two ways they might respond, one being to accept the eviction and move, and the other:
–quote:
Tenant Disregards Notice: Sometimes you will serve a tenant a Notice to Quit and the tenant will disregard it. They understand that it can take more than a month to go before the court and get formally evicted. The tenant is trying to buy time because they have nowhere else to go or because they are willing to fight it out in court as they do not believe they have done anything wrong.
–end
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Fwd: SEEKING YOUR HELP, DESPERATELY, EVEN BEGGING YOU!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 27, 2022 at 10:51 PM
> I saw your praise of jwrangler. That was most magnanimous!
He most certainly deserved it.
> Also Warlock. He’s a big pain in the ass, but he has a certain…integrity!
The integrity outshines the rest.
> That final paragraph is helpful. I just don’t want the cops to come kicking your door down.
Not gonna happen: they CAN’T evict you in three days, they have to go to court first to file against you, then serve you with another (30-day) notice…at which point you have five days to respond. See the process diagram towards the bottom of this page.
I JUST found the “Senior Eviction Collective,” located on Bryant Street. Check out their site, you’ll be impressed.
So I just sent them this email:
–begin:
Subject: I got a 3-day notice today for dog-sitting for a friend
I live in San Francisco, and have been dog sitting two friendly little dogs for a homeless friend, for almost two years. He brings them over to stay with me two or three days a week. Especially if the weather is bad. This is a pet friendly building, and the dogs are NOT living with me, I am just dog sitting. However, my contract for my single room says “no pets.” However, other SRO tenants have had dogs live with them, no problem.
I am being accused of nuisance towards other residents, and a couple of false accusations of one of my dogs biting. They DO NOT bite, and there is NO evidence of anyone being bitten. This goes back to a neighbor’s son harassing me, and his teenage friends hanging out in the hallway right outside my door, for hours. The manager did nothing about it, and these kids refused to wear covid masks (this was from November last year to January this year). In retaliation of my sending a complaint about them, including the manager, to the property owner, the day after my harassing neighbors received a CC of that complaint I sent, they falsely accused one of my dogs biting her son, to the manager, in retaliation. And my harassing neighbors upped and left all of a sudden, a few months after this conflict began. They couldn’t prove it ’cause it didn’t happen, but the mgr. sent me a very nasty letter anyway, which I have kept. I have full documentation of these offenses…no one has come to me to claim one of my dogs bit them. The manager is simply being hostile.
The dogs are VERY quiet when visiting me, but they do bark in excitement when stepping out for their walks. Just that some residents are nasty and complain about everything. i have since started walking the pups separately, carrying them to and from my room…and in my arms they are totally silent. i consider this basically a non-issue, most people adore the little hounds.
The manager did not serve me with any official “cease and quit” notice, just a letter without the necessary details to make it official. Some days later (today) he deliver a three day notice to leave. It is my understanding that, even for a “just cause” matter, they cannot kick me out in three days, but must serve me with another eviction notice, which I have five days to respond to. Yet, since he failed to present me with a proper “cease and desist” form, I’m under the impression that this three-day notice is not valid. I have tons of videos of the pups on Youtube…anyone can see how harmless they are. Just go to YT and search for ‘Brindlekin Tales,’ it should be right on top of the results page. When you get there, select the playlist called “doggies” and you’re good to go.
My income is solely Social Security, and my unit is rent controlled…been living her for decades. So I’ll need a pro-bono arrangement. Thank you for your timely attention.
Ezekiel J. Krahlin
415-[xxx-xxxx]
–end
Subject: A New Day
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2022 at 9:57 AM
This pic was taken a short while ago, on my way to Rosenbergs. Apparently, Deek hanged out around my building for the entire night. Friday night is the noisiest, especially with the Hohokum Smoke Shop open so late to draw in the post-club/post-bar crowd…like maybe till 3 AM. Same for the taqueria shop right next door. Those two businesses, plus the well-lit ATM alcove are a weekend magnet for partiers, alcoholics and meth heads…some homeless, but they are not the main source for the cacophony.
It’s these revelers with roofs overtheir heads, some from as far away as the East Bay…pissing on the street between parked cars, screeching like they’re having more fun than anyone else on the planet (though I know better; their laughs are hollow), brawls breaking out (more for campy gay theatrics than anything serious; potential one-night stands gone wrong), some vagrant lunatic screaming up and down the block opposite (often with violent threats and anti-gay or racist epithets)…overall, a rather sad spectacle of humanity and, more specifically, of the internationally famed Castro District bound to disappoint most queer tourists from Europe and elsewhere, or even shock them with its dilapidated surroundings (many shops closed and boarded up; just boozy watering holes scattered about: a lame excuse for nightlife.
What the hell IS the attraction to this dumpy old, lackluster neighborhood, anyway? Beats me.
Deek was up late, with the dogs barking away on and off, till around 4 AM. Too many sketchy types walking by to keep them busy protecting their master. But I see nothing good in reminding him the hounds need their sleep, so why not camp out around the corner or a side street, where there’s much less foot traffic? I’ve told him that many times before, to no avail. I’m sure the residents of 9666 Market are pissed, but so be it. Their hatred of the homeless is unforgivable…they could talk to Deek and discover what a good guy he really is, in spite of his bipolar issues. Which, to my delight, ARE balancing out.
When I took that snapshot I stood by the curb, far enough away so as not to awaken the pooches. However, on my return hovel–even though I skirted around them from a distance, by walking along the street and not on the sidewalk–FLaco & Lucky raised their heads to look at me with eager anticipation of my hugs. But i ignored them and, as I turned the key in the gate, saw they were still gazing at me…in disbelief I did not stop to greet them with my usual, boundless appreciation. Deek was still sound asleep, and I did not want to disturb him…plus seeing as I can no longer provide sanctuary for his darling charges, it would be cruel to get their hopes up.
Deek continues his routine of handing me devices to charge, including newfound smartphones to set up for his particular needs, and uploading music to them. He has been VERY mature about this heartbreaking turn of events, and insists I spend a few moments sharing my affection with the furry angels whenever he drops by. I HATE having to depart without bringing them home to their former sanctuary…their loving eyes watching me disappear through the gate is devastating. And I went through this FOUR times in less than an hour last night, running my little errands for their guardian.
Deek is a rose in the weeds; his goodness is phenomenal. This conclusion was brought to crystalized realization in my mind’s eye, through tragedy. Though crisis is opportunity, and from tragedy arise new hope and gifts of the spirit. I will work overtime from now on, to remind him just what a remarkable human being he is, and to trust in God and the angels, that better things will soon come his way, including for his dogs. And myself. This present, sad outcome is NOT the end-all and be-all, not by a long shot.
His sharing and trusting the hounds to my care is beyond generous: it is a tremendously KIND gesture straight from the heart. So much goodness and joy from those wee canines has changed my world for the better, MUCH better…and that shall never diminish.
I’ve never met anyone living on the streets, so energetic in his tasks to drum up money via collecting recyclables and trading/selling found objects he comes across in the trash bins and on the sidewalks. Deek THRIVES. That day he showed up with a humongous load of produce for me, touched me deeply…he really bust his balls to lug that around till he finally showed up at my building! He also brings me other (non-food0 gifts now and then, which I must turn down for the most part, as my room would become impossibly cluttered. One day several months ago, he offered me this old-timey record player that actually works! I told him that’s a very nice gift, but I don’t have any space for it, nor any records to play. And it would be beyond my budget to start a record collection, anyway.
As for the eviction notice:
It’s a battle I’ll obviously lose; in fact, I’ve already lost it. So I’ll probably send an email to Kevin, like so:
—
Subject: My dog-sitting days are over.
Starting yesterday, I no longer allow the dogs to visit. BTW your three-day eviction notice to quit the premises is not valid, because you neglected to deliver an official “cease or quit” notice prior to that. Which requires you to include a ten-day warning, per San Francisco Rent Ordinance Section 37.9(c), among one or two other details you’ve missed. Quote:
“Before serving a tenant with the state required 3-day eviction notice for certain evictions, San Francisco landlords must provide a 10-day warning period, giving the tenant an opportunity to correct the problems.”
Be that as it may:
No need to present me with a “cease or quit,” as I have already ceased the so-called nuisance. May this unpleasant conflict lead to better things for all parties involved.
—
That’s it for now, Wattson…I’m exhausted but never defeated.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: He’s now around the corner…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: May 28, 2022 at 12:18 PM
…where he shoulda been in the first place, for the night. Quieter location, less foot traffic including assholes that cause the pups to bark like wild. He only moved to the spot two hours ago, because Super Duper Hot Dogs had to set up their outdoor seating.
Earlier, around 7:30 or so, the pups barked up a cyclone thanks to some really weird transient who sometimes walks around naked from the waist down, and is VERY annoying getting in people’s faces, asking for a dollar, a cigarette, some food, etc. When he neared Deek and the doggies and the barking erupted, he just STOOD there, going “Nah, nah, nah,” at them, so of course that just made things worse. On top of Deek waking up and yelling, “LUCKY! QUIET! FLACO!” at least several times. Right below my quasi-fascist neighbor down the hallway.
As for that vagrant strolling about naked below his jacket: plenty of stupid queers promenade througOUT the Castro TOTALLY naked but for a small piece of flesh tinted cloth stuck over their cocks. What an example to set for the psychologically crippled living on the streets!
– Zeke K-Holmes
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