[BRINDLEKIN TALES – Book 6: Chapter 2]
Re: Try this:
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 19, 2022 at 7:16 PM
> You can see the pile of food, but the doggy wants to give kisses and gratitude first:
> Only then does he/she dig in:
That is SO incredibly sweet, thank you!
Subject: Damn, I spelled “flak” wrong!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 19, 2022 at 10:53 PM
After I sent it off, I discovered I misspelled it “flack.” Otherwise, no typos in my points of defense. So Deek dropped by three hours ago, just had a largish-but-lightweight, battered old speaker to charge, a shoddy round palm-sized speaker, and a smartphone with many thin cracks in the screen. Of course I embraced and pet both doggies before taking his gadgets upstairs. He was very mellow, BTW, and we had a decent conversation.
It’s like he knows what I’m going through, and is being kind because of that. Assuming he’s one of my guardians, and this is all a script (and a surprise celebration for yours truly coming up very soon), then of COURSE he knows what I’m going through! As do my attorney, Ablablah’s attorney, the resident manager, et al.
When I heard him call his usual “Yo!” at my window, and I stuck my head out, he also exclaimed: “It’s Father’s Day!”
Deek loves holidays, every one of ’em, and who am I to dampen his spirit? So when I came downstairs, I wished him a happy Father’s Day, and he did likewise. Then showed me this gorgeous elephant statue resting atop a pile of crap in his shopping cart. It’s made of dark, polished wood, and tusks that look like genuine ivory…the size of half a breadbox.
“That’s quite a collectible, Deek!” I pointed out. “You should get good money for that.”
He also had aNOTHER statue made of lighter-toned wood but the same size: maybe a version of the Buddha, though black-bearded and standing with his arms raised towards the sky, palms up. There were some Chinese pictographs carved into the robe-draped lower back. This icon was also all the same color (that is, of lightly varnished wood) except for a few deft black and red strokes that accented the beard and head.
“That should get me a pretty penny or two, as well!” Deek remarked.
I nodded in agreement, “uh-huh,” while crouched over the concrete to caress my darling brindlekin once more. They both stood up to place their forepaws on my knee and shower me with doggy kisses, and I drew them in close with my right arm.
I then marched back upstairs, and Deek and hounds took off for parts unknown. I was surprised that Deek returned so soon to pick up his electronics: barely an hour later!
“Is it ready?” Deek called up, meaning the new 32 GB microchip I inserted into the phone to replace the old 16 GB chip, and which allowed me to include ALL 5,500+ of his still-growing collection of rap songs.
“Yes and no!” I replied, for the phone was nowhere near charged to the max. He usually waits at LEAST two hours before collecting his toys…but I guess he was jonesing for that higher capacity chip!
“Never mind, just bring it down!” he insisted.
Once I stepped outside to hand him these items, I said with a puzzled brow:
“You came back very soon, and this phone is only charged to fourteen percent!”
“Seriously?” he replied.
“Yeah,” I affirmed. “You’ve only been gone an hour, and that’s a slow-charging phone because the battery’s seen better days.”
“Well, lemme take it anyway,” he said. “I’ll figure somethin’ out.”
Then off they went, leaving me stunned with his noncombative statement and lack of frustration over the disappointing percentage.
“That’s not the Deek *I* know,” I thought to myself. “But I’ll take this one, he’s a much better model.”
I visited with Morey at the corner store this afternoon, and asked if they still have that video recording of the assault on their shop last year, in August. And possibly, a police report. He said he wasn’t there when it happened (though I know his brother was, and Sami). Long story short:
He evaded my request, including to talk with Sami, his skinny, elderly coworker:
“Oh I don’t think he wants to think about that right now,” he replied, “He’s dealing with cancer remission.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I told him. Anyway, the final outcome was that I should just look up Adisa’s name on the SFPD crime database, to see if there even IS a police report.
“Okay,” I obliged. “I may not even NEED to refer to that incident, regarding my lawsuit. I already have my own video of Myrtle’s son-and-friends’ harassment.”
I found Morey’s hesitancy kinda weird, because his brother said they have it all on tape, when I spoke with him on the day of the assault. And that Adisa and friends had knives on them. Since the young fools ran off before the cops showed up, I don’t think their names are known, thus won’t appear in the police report, if one was indeed filed. I didn’t even bring UP his brother, because I saw this conversation was gettin’ sticky. Morey even seemed NERVOUS that I brought this up. I sense our friendly association for countless months may have soured, now. But we’ll just have to wait and see, eh, Wattson?
It’s all part of the script, anyway, and Morey is just playing a role.
– Zeke K-Holmes
P.S.: I’m surprised Deek hasn’t returned tonight, to get those gizmos now fully charged. Though I think he carries has his own power strip to feed off a PG&E underground line, like Boulevard Joe does all the time, and taught him that trick. GOOD! I’m tired of him griping that my building has “slow” electricity. The only thing “slow” going on here is his learning curve.
Now, between pauses in typing this missive, I reflected upon the two statues Deek showed me today, of which he really made a point that I see them:
Ganesha the elephant god, remover of all obstacles, and the Buddha, or some other beloved wise figure in Chinese lore! They came through Deek’s hand to comfort me! Did Deek KNOW what he was doing, being the shaman/trickster I suspect he is?
This eviction crisis is the dragon’s face lowered just inches from mine, its steamy vapors swirling about my head, tongues of flames licking almost close enough to sear my skin! Yet I do not tremble in fear, but remain steadfast, staring into its orange-gold irises that gaze back upon my own hazel eyes. Arwyn! The Dragon! Just as he was in chapter one of Free Me From This Bond!
I am the Tarot card’s Fool, just stepped off a cliff in blithe disregard, free-falling through the air, downward, ever downward, but looking up into the cerulean sky and cottony clouds, in undying faith that I shall have a soft landing in a lovely meadow of orange poppies, with Flaco and Lucky delighted to see me again. And Deek, and so many others. I surmise that includes YOU as well, good physician!
Subject: Waiting to hear from my attorney…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 10:06 AM
…while I excoriate the bimbos on the MCN mailing lists. I just figured out why I couldn’t get more than just basic info on my Superior Court account:
I first need to pay a fee of $214 before they’ll unlock the remaining files, including the one where I register an appeal. That is where Bay Area Legal Aid comes in, they will cover all expenses.
I have a 5-day window in which I can register my appeal. But I don’t know if they count the days starting from when they snail-mail the notice, or when it arrives in my mailbox. Should it be the latter, I wonder how they know if it’s even shown up yet, since they don’t mail it certified, or hand deliver via courier?
But if I DON’T make an appeal on time, I have something like a week or less before the sheriff and deputies arrive to evict me…who allow me a scant 15 minutes to depart. Were I not so stolid in faith that the Fates are on my side, at this point I’d be a quivering glop of nerves, barely able to tie my shoes, let alone brush my remaining four teeth!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Waiting to hear from my attorney…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 10:36 AM
> Don’t forget that today is a holiday. Juneteenth. Official, I’m pretty sure. P.O. here is closed.
Well ain’t THAT a hilarious twist in the plot! Yes, I wasn’t paying attention (I’m frantically preoccupied with my OWN affairs), but just now looked it up: Juneteenth is indeed a federal holiday. That must tan the hide of all those right-wingers out there. GOOD!
So I’ll just have to wait until tomorrow before Ms. Elvensborn gets back to me. Glad you reminded me about this new holiday, I would’ve been biting my nails all day long, waiting on her call or email. Figuratively speaking, that is, as nail biting was my brother’s thing as a kid, not mine. He also sleep-walked.
Hmm, I’ve been wondering how Vance is doing these days, if he’s even still alive. Seeing as he claims to be such a good a friend to LGBTs, yet his political party of choice is out for our blood with a vengeance these days! NOT that I’m ever gonna pick up that phone and call him, or email, or text or whatever. But he told me he does have two gay friends, a married couple. No doubt they’re Republican, as well. But with this drastic turn of events against LGBTs, I’m curious how their relationship with Vance is holding up.
AFAIC all three of ’em should be dunked in a boiling pot of pig fat. But it WOULD be most entertaining to be a fly on the wall of my brother’s home, at this point in time.
– Zeke K-Holmes
P.S.: Holidays are bunching up around the end of June and into early July! Including Gay Pride or whatever it’s now called, I can’t keep up with the changes. Soon enough my OWN birthday, July 1st, will join the party! Seeing as I’m always late to one, that makes perfect sense.
Subject: Another worry bomb tossed my way!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 11:57 AM
Just a small one, though, see pic. My phone didn’t even ring, but vibrated to tell me I missed a call, so check my voicemail. But Tracfone said “no new messages.” I then duckduckgo’d “social security (866) 964-5051” to discover that yes indeed it’s the phone number for their office in San Franshitsco. Just for laughs, check out all the bad reviews for them, a far greater percentage than all other categories.
Though to be fair, only 80 total reviews does not a statistic make. For a few moments after receiving that mystery call, a dinky panic alarm went off in my midbrain region (and the amygdala…I believe they work together regarding anxiety bursts):
“Are my Social Security benefits now under threat, from this eviction fiasco? But why so soon?”
Then, a moment or so later, that sudden burst of anxiety subsided into:
“Well, I’ll just inform my attorney about this tomorrow; she should know.”
Then finally deflated to nothing, like a two-week leftover balloon from Mardi Gras, lying shriveled in the gutter:
“Nah, it’s a scam. While the number is correct, I imagine they have a way to pass it through to your message receipt while concealing the REAL number. Social Security never phones you out of the blue, and besides: this is a frikkin federal HOLIDAY…thank you Juneteenth, you’ve just benefited yet another white person of European descent!”
I’m tellin’ ya Wattson, if I ever get a tattoo it’s gonna be this.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Damn, I spelled “flak” wrong!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 1:01 PM
> I like a cerulean sky, cottony clouds and orange poppies.
So you like Howard Johnson’s too, I see! I loved it as a kid, beCAUSE of the colors. The food was fun, as well. LOVED those double cheeseburgers with special Ho-Jo sauce, and a double-squirt vanilla soda with a large scoop of buttercrunch ice cream floating atop. DECADENT!
> I’ll just go into suspended animation until it arrives….
That’ll work, too, though because today’s a holiday, you’ll have to hibernate an extra 24 hours before reanimating yourself, Wattson! No way around it, I’m afraid.
Speaking of “flak,” now a DUCK wants in on the action!
Re: Another worry bomb tossed my way!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 1:04 PM
> DEFINITELY a scam. SS does not make phone calls!
That’s right, they show up without warning and bang on your door like thunder, then kick it down and arrest you if you didn’t already die from a heart attack!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Another worry bomb tossed my way!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 2:05 PM
> No. They come in a hovercraft, lure you with fresh-baked strudel, abduct you and rub you with warm sesame oil, dip your feet in scented water and let tiny fish nibble away your calluses.
So all these years you’ve allowed me to believe you live in Mendocino, when you actually reside in Sweden. I shoulda figured that one out long ago.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Just got an email from Ms. Elvensborn!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 20, 2022 at 4:41 PM
“Mr Krahlin, I will contact you tomorrow, today is a holiday at BALA. Thank you.”
Nice!
Re: Thanks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Lenora Rausch
Bcc: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 21, 2022 at 9:26 AM
On 2022-06-21 08:58, Lenora Rausch wrote:
> Always enjoy your commentary and ability to get under the skins of many of the nutcase righties that inhabit the list. I’m done with the list, life is too short to deal with the likes of Schultz, Seward and Stanton. I cannot let them drag me down.
I understand, and thank you for your kind words, Lenora! I consider confronting these troglodytes as grist for my activist mill, sharpening my wits for greater conflicts to come, outside of cyberspace. It’s also very cathartic for me to do so. I have had to deal with such ugly people since day 1 of my getting on the Internet, starting with Usenet. There is no safe harbor for LGBTs in these horrendous times.
– Zeke
Texting with Wattson: 6/20/22-6/21/22
Subject: My attorney just emailed me…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 21, 2022 at 1:27 PM
…about ten minutes ago, with one question:
“Did you get any other papers besides these two pages?”
She’s referring to the Unlawful Detainer, which contains three pages, the last one I thought irrelevant, so I only sent her pages 1 and 2. So I replied:
“Just this one.” And sent off page 3, which you can also look at now.
Subject: I just got off the phone with my attorney…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 21, 2022 at 4:41 PM
…and here is what she said, in my OWN words, so they won’t be as well stated as they’d be coming from her own voice:
Ms. Elvensborn attempted to contact Ablahblah’s attorney, but he never called her back, and just proceeded with mailing me that Unlawful Detainer.
Normally, when they mail you an Unlawful Detainer, they also enclose the Court Summons…but in my case, they did not. They could CLAIM they did, but then fraud charges could be brought against them.
[I don’t know WHY they don’t use certified mail to cover their own asses; be that as it may, let me continue:]
So I may or may not receive the summons some time between tomorrow and whenever. And it WILL be delivered by hand, possibly by Ablahblah Realty’s attorney, or by some assigned courier…but definitely NOT by the landlord or the building manager.
[I get goosebumps just thinking about it: who WILL deliver the summons unto my trembling hand? Will he be a hottie, like Officer Ibarra?]
But if I don’t receive a summons by Monday, I should let Ms. Elvensborn know, and she will proceed preparing my defense just in case, to be one or two steps ahead. She assured me NO sheriff will show up out of the blue to kick me out…and that
5-day window where I can make an appeal doesn’t begin until the day AFTER I receive that summons, if it happens at all. But here’s the kicker:
Ablahblah’s relationship with this attorney is not your normal landlord/lawyer arrangement…and that this particular attorney who is attempting to sue me, recently had his license to practice law REVOKED, he’s been DISBARRED for awhile! The moment she said that, I cracked up, and she flung me a chuckle in return.
She then asked if I understand it all, and if I have any questions. So I said I find it peculiar that I have never been shown any REAL evidence of a dog bite…they just went ahead with a 30-day notice. She said she will be looking into that, soon, as well.
I told her thank you immensely for the update, and then continued to watch “Downton Abbey: A New Era” for a few more minutes before typing this missive to you, good physician. Delightful movie BTW, you MUST see it, dahling, while enjoying a cuppa tea and a crumpet!
AFTERTHOUGHTS
It’s a ruse by my bodhisattva guardians, after all is said and done. Having fun at my expense, and I’m sure Ms. Elvensborn is in on it. As are Deek, the building manager, Ablahblah Realty and Coyote the Trickster only knows WHO else! They all wanna be in my book.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: A quick update from my attorney, via email:
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 21, 2022 at 4:55 PM
Here’s what she wrote:
“The landlord has to personally serve you with the attached summons and complaint and then the 5 court days will start to tick to respond.”
And my reply:
“Interesting. Years ago I assisted Ablahblah Realty in evicting someone who was a REAL nuisance, and he had to show up in court where I was the main witness. I’ve also gotten some dangerous people removed, too, when whomever was manager at the time kept looking the other way…by my informing the landlord via certified mail. I have quite a history with this building I call Hotel California North! Thanks for the update!”
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Mel Porter
Bcc: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 21, 2022 at 10:06 PM
Wow, you’re right. I’ll see if the police will bother to act on this…though his identity is well concealed, they may not bother, ’cause can’t trace the message’s real origin. I’d like to report this to law enforcement in his region…would that be Ft. Bragg? Can you give me an email for them, or whatever other legal entity or entities you’d think best…like something on a county level?
Also, since I only get the list digest, I don’t have the header info that one can only get via his specific email. If you know how to do that, can you forward the message to me? You need to “show source,” or “show original” or “show header” via your email client, then copy it and send it off to me. Thanks!
What the FUCK is wrong with MCN admin?
On 2022-06-21 21:38, Mel Porter wrote: Zeke, I think this is worth a police report. Let them sort it out. FROM: discussion-bounces@lists.mcn.org <discussion-bounces@lists.mcn.org> on behalf of Spike Dewars DATE: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 9:27 PM TO: A Community List for Discussion SUBJECT: Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was "Disturbed" When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks And when civil war does come, I'll drag you out to the middle of Market St and slam a bullet in the back of your skull as a "parasite of the people", then leave you there for the dogs.
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Mel Porter
Date: June 21, 2022 at 10:14 PM
Also, this is not a personal clash, as Tanya Merang so absurdly claims. IOW, others on this list should ALSO report him to the local law enforcement. What would stop them from doing this, unless they are homophobic themselves? Or live in fear of that lunatic?
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 21, 2022 at 10:47 PM
Law enforcement probably won’t act on it, because of the stipulation “IF there’s a civil war.” Which is not considered a real threat, but a speculative one. Mr. Dewars knows how to push the envelope right to the very limit. I’m not worried, though, he’ll get his comeuppance soon enough.
However, there is nothing stopping other subscribers from reporting this to the sheriff up there. Just because he’s directed his threats to me, does not mean it isn’t anyone else’s business, because it IS in the public venue.
– Zeke
P.S.: Can you BELIEVE all the shit I’m going through these days? I had a GREAT conversation with my attorney today. She did her homework, to discover my landlord’s attorney has a history of corruption, and has been disbarred like a decade ago, for about a year. Here are some links…and oh, their attorney is a woman, though I assumed a man all along, because her name is gender neutral. She has one review on this page, just one star, and it says:
“Sleaze ball who was disbarred at least once, reprimanded by the bar at least twice. Very unprofessional.”
Subject: Since the landlord of my building must hand deliver the summons…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 22, 2022 at 9:44 AM
…and since I learned a few days ago from Charlie (that friendly clerk at Rosenberg’s) a few days ago that “Ablahblah” is a Palestinian family name:
I will be wearing my Palestinian covid mask when he knocks on my door. And maybe even a “Free Palestine” bumper sticker taped to that same door, which I can order from Amazon.
Though it likely won’t be delivered on time to achieve the desired effect.
Just a fun thought to start my morning right. Thank GOD yesterday’s heat wave is over…93 fukkin degrees! My room was like a sauna late into the night, and the radiator was HOT for a short while around 11 PM. Jeez!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: Since the landlord of my building must hand deliver the summons…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 22, 2022 at 12:43 PM
> Give me a simple, boiled down summary. “Busy” isn’t exactly the right word; more like desperately scrambling. Not just with work, but with stuff like plumbing breakdown (fixing it ourselves because calling a plumber is prohibitively expensive), ongoing dilemma of Van’s wife, and more…
WOW, unbelievable what you’re going through, Wattson! Anyway, it’s already a boiled down summary, takes but three minutes to read. Here ’tis, again:
[Dear Readers: removed because conversation w/attorney already posted above.]
Subject: I just ordered the Free Palestine bumper sticker…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: June 22, 2022 at 1:40 PM
…but item’s arrival isn’t until June 9th. However, orders often show up earlier than the date originally specified. Now, for this Deek-and-pups update:
What he did to the doggies two nights ago was heartbreaking…he pulled on their necks really hard to get them back into the ATM alcove, even though I was about to gently lift each dog back to their spot beside their master. They were eager to see me, so stepped around the shopping cart where I could hug and kiss them, which I guess made Deek jealous.
“No, stop that, Deek!” I admonished when he pulled firmly on Flaco’s neck, then Lucky’s, forcing them against their will. “You’re hurting them!”
“No I’m not,” he replied. “I know how to raise dogs.”
“I don’t think so, Deek,” I retorted. “If you knew how to raise dogs you wouldn’t yank on their necks!”
By then, the dogs were seated behind him, and he said, “Alright, alright.”
I was surprised he didn’t start his usual scream fest, but actually listened to me and responded in a calm fashion (albeit a poor excuse for such mistreatment…in fact there is NO excuse whatsoever for his crude action).
I then told him how much I like the dragon hat, but I’m not wearing it right now because I just washed it, and it’s hanging up to dry. After bringing his devices upstairs to recharge them, I brought water down for the pups, and addressed him once more:
“You could break their necks when you jerk their leashes like that. Or cause serious injuy by keeping that up, day in, day out. Why on earth would you even DO that to these sweet little doggies who have nothing but love for you? That is WICKED, shameful and disgusting! It makes you a MONSTER.”
Again, I expected Deek to start screeching like a wraith, but he did not. Instead, he remained silent.
In spite of the many GOOD things going on in my life, not the least of which are Deek’s overall improvements in many ways (including how he treats the pups better, for the most part), this ongoing abuse on their necks wipes out ANY respect I may have had for his impressive progress! I’m tellin’ ya, Wattson:
If the time should come where I COULD abduct Lucky & Flaco from his clutches and get away with it, I’d do it in a pinch and never look back. I have this image in my mind’s eye of becoming a celebrated activist with endless bodyguards and other admirers…some of whom would understand my situation with Deek’s hounds, and wrest them from Deek’s possession and bring them to me!
Of course, I’d need to be residing in a NEW location to pull this off…preferrably a dwelling with a fenced-in backyard. And Deek would have the fear of Cthulhu driven into his heart, where he dare not attempt in any way conceivable, to report the abduction to the police, or in any other way attempt to get them back. In fact, it would be perfectly fine with me if my protectors abducted HIM as well, and dumped him somewhere out in the boondocks, in some far-flung location hundreds of miles away from here, and never be allowed to return to San Francisco, or come anywhere within five miles of my presence. In short:
NOTHING Deek does to improve his behavior, his situation and/or continues to treat the dogs with greater respect and care, his refusal to stop yanking on their necks ERASES whatever appreciation and kind regard I hold for him. That is just too abominable a behavior to excuse for ANY reason.
Meanwhile, I have NO choice but to continue to feign amicable relations with him, in order to keep the brindlekin in my world.
Now, last night when he showed up he remained non-antagonistic, and showed kindness to the pooches in various ways. One of which was to lay out a large beach blanket by the bus stop, where they could rest without lying down directly on the dirty sidewalk. It was a hot day yesterday and into the night, so I moistened four microfiber rags and placed two on each doggy, that they be cooled down.
But Deek opposed me: “What are you doing? It’s not that warm anymore!”
“Yes it is,” I replied. “They have fur on them, you don’t. They LOVE when I do this on hot days when they’re visiting me. So long as the rags don’t drip, they’re not scared of the water.”
(I believe I told you some time ago, Wattson, that the mutts totally FREAK OUT over any water that wobbles, drips, sprays or splashes. So the best way to cool them down is to apply drenched cloth that has been slightly wringed out so it doesn’t drip, then rub it all over them to get their fur almost sopping wet.)
Even though the hounds seemed pleased with the damp, makeshift cloaks–and didn’t shake them off–Deek removed the rags and tossed them into his cart. But several minutes later after I returned hovel, I peered out the window to see he had draped the wet squares back onto his furry charges.
When it came time for me to return his gizmos, I told him:
“Someone gave me a bag of doggy treats two days ago. Would you like to have them?”
He said okay, so I brought down that two-pound sack of chicken-applesauce chews which I had purchased two months ago, and which the dogs go nuts over. It was barely a quarter full at this point. I extracted a wedge from the bag and placed it in my pocket before bringing it downstairs. (Each wedge is a large size, BTW, about four inches long and two at the widest…and soft enough to pull apart into smaller portions.)
“Here ya go,” I said as I handed it over…then approached the sweeties, knelt down and fed them that single wedge in eight separate pieces. Once done, they both searched around my knees to see if any more lay around.
I pet the dogs once more, then stood up, wished Deek an excellent rest-of-the-evening, and headed back upstairs to my overheated monk’s cell of an abode, and former sanctuary for two, beloved quadrupeds. In sum:
Deek has been sensibly no-drama for the past two weeks…and joking more. For example, yesterday when he requested a ginger ale after I brought the doggies water, and I returned with his drink a minute later, he snarked:
“My god, it’s about time you got back!”
Remember, it was a very hot day, and I’ve already climbed up and down the stairs for him several times.
“Oh C’mon,” I replied in exasperation. “I was only gone…”
But then I stopped, realizing he was just being silly…and chuckled:
“Ha-ha, you so funny!”
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 22, 2022 at 5:49 PM
> Invitation to new and more complex drama. Be certain of his background before you put up or wear anything. Even then, your involvement in his private life as a Palestinian, IF that is true, may very well not be welcome and can easily be misinterpreted. These people have been through unimaginable hell, as I think you know. Little games are not appreciated.
>
> Let your yay be yay and your nay be nay, for all else comes of evil.
You know what, Calvin? EXCELLENT advice when I think about it. I just canceled my order. Thanks!
– Zeke
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 22, 2022 at 6:49 PM
On 2022-06-22 18:18, calvin hope wrote:
> All cool, man. He’s learning the ways of American business. You’re helping him get it.
Ha ha, Ablahblah Realty has been around for DECADES, soaking up properties along the West Coast like soda from a straw! FYI here’s a letter posted to every resident’s door (except the manager’s) offering to start a tenants union for this building due to serious grievances against the resident manager. You’ll have to enlarge it on your screen, to read its contents. It’s not dated, but the letter was posted to my door around seven months ago.
It’s redacted for public consumption on my blog. Ironically, the fellow lives right next door to me, but we never talk. I did not bother to join the group, as I don’t do Facebook anymore, and I suspect ONE of his complaints may be about the homeless who often sleep around our building…and thus may blame me for attracting them here. Which I do NOT, it is just an ideal location for the Castro homeless, due to the bus stop, the wide open corner, the heavy foot traffic coming out of bars and clubs, the ATM alcove providing shelter and light almost below my window, and the tacky smoke shop (that also sells gross, huge, veiny dildos on display to all who pass by) right beside it, which stays open till three AM and attracts all sorts of slimy night life, most of them housed…who park their cars right out front and congregate while gangsta rap music booms from their vehicles’ speakers.
BTW, one of the problems with our building manager is he’s turning SENILE, with that signature erratic behavior including sudden bursts of anger. Last two years he shuffles about with a bent back and lowered head.
What a circus! Alcoholics, meth freaks, wealthy spoiled gay brats and vagrants. They make my homeless friend, Deek, look like an angel!
– Zeke
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 22, 2022 at 7:45 PM
On 2022-06-22 19:18, calvin hope wrote:
> Very interesting. Undeniably complex.
OMG yes.
> I’d want to know what has become of the “tenants group” without letting anyone know I’m looking.
Their Facebook page doesn’t exist anymore. I don’t think it ever went anywhere.
> I’d see if it’s possible to develop a trust with one of the other tenants who might fill me in.
NOT worth the trouble, high risk involved. I’m just an old fag with most of my teeth missing, living on a small stipend with rent control keeping my rent low, while most everyone else living there pays through the nose. IOW:
I’m like the old witch in the forest living on the edge of the village, that everyone’s afraid of, mostly because of unkind gossip. I even now have a mole growing from the side of my nose…ha, ha, just kidding.
> Is it possible the person who started this is in cahoots with the building owner?
YES! No question at this point…which is discussed in one of my presently unpublished chapters. Fascinating, how he thought he could trip me up, and now avoids me like the plague…and all I was was nice to him that day he approached me and asked a few pointed questions.
> The manager’s decline may have to do with the stress he’s under trying to be the middle man between the tenants and the owner.
That’s ALWAYS a building manager’s burden. But our present manager is too OLD to deal with it any more, and it’s causing disruption and anger among the chattel.
> I’ll bet the owner is one tough guy and may be mistakenly applying techniques he used against the Israelis against the tenants.
I don’t think so. They HAVE done some nice things for their occupants now and then, including for yours truly. When I lost my last job I’ve ever had (well, I actually walked out) and had to go on welfare as a prelude to collecting SSI, one of the forms I had to fill out required the landlord’s signed permission to allow me to stay, even though the gov’t could easily cover my rent. I was sweating beads for a few weeks until they said okay. They could’ve easily kicked me out. So it’s a mixed bag.
> For sure, he wants more money out of the building. That you can be certain of. The rest is speculative without more data. Do any of the people invested in that real estate company come around? Often? At all?
No, not at all! Last time the owner showed up was about 21 years ago, and that was just to accompanying the building inspector regarding smoke alarms and sprinkler system.
> Always know it’s not personal even if it feels that way. They just want to make more money out of that building and are trying various techniques to do that, basically to make it uncomfortable for the tenants paying the least, so they can get their rent roll evened up to the people playing the most.
Well, to the best of my knowledge, they have never harassed long term residents, including the elderly. It is usually the building manager and his nasty attitude that causes problems.
> To evaluate that, try to find out what the new tenants are paying and compare that to what long time tenants like yourself are paying.
I already know…it’s a GINORMOUS gap. I’m paying $302/month for a single room…which rooms now go for around $1,200. My rent would’ve gone up around 2 percent a year under rent control, but I and 12 other people won a lawsuit against them almost 14 years ago, and part of the settlement was never to increase my rent, so long as I choose to remain here. Were that not the case, my monthly rent by now would be around $372.
> There are also legal zoning code games that can be played, ie changing the building from a residential hotel to an apartment or the reverse that require a certain number of tenants to agree with the change or to leave. It’s all about the moolah.
I am surprised this building hasn’t gone up in flames or been resold and knocked down and replaced by a more modern apt. building years ago! It even survived the 1906 earthquake. I’ve been living in my monk’s cell since January 1, 1984! I’ll probably die here, and become just another ghost haunting the premises of what I like to call “Hotel California North.” Hmm, that might not be such a bad outcome when you consider there are WORSE places for a phantom to spend eternity. Like the Trump Towers.
– Zeke
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- MSNBC Analyst Was “Disturbed” When She Saw American Flags On Pickup Trucks
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 22, 2022 at 9:40 PM
On 2022-06-22 21:12, calvin hope wrote:
> I get the feeling that you are aware of the moving parts and how they work. That’s all anyone can be.
Pretty much.
> Good job with staying there and keeping your rent low.
I got sick and tired of having to move every year or two, because even housemates I got along with wanted to move to another city. So I decided to put an end to that by living alone. So I rented a room in this building, where a good friend of mine was already residing, and he recommended me to the manager. I never expected to be here anywhere near this long, but rents started to skyrocket, then rent control was enacted, and here I am after all these years! Just wish I had rented a studio instead, before rent control kicked in. But I didn’t have a crystal ball.
> That’s quite extraordinary actually.
I never planned it that way, Calvin…which makes it that much more hilarious.
> Underneath the drama, I think they like you.
Oh I know they do…they just have a weird way of expressing their fondness. They are my bodhisattva guardians playing my enemies, to set me up to become the hero in this real-life play. IOW they’re PUNKING me! I’ve gotten plenty of clues that’s what’s REALLY going on. Everyone in this building is saying nice hellos to me, even calling me “dear” and “sweetheart,” since the eviction threat began. Even the manager gives me a friendly hello, as I pass by and greet him kindly in return. Though we can’t actually talk to each other because of this legal process.
THEY’RE ALL IN ON IT, Calvin…including my attorney and Ablahblah Realty. Something’s gonna give, and I suspect a big celebration during LGBT Pride Week, in my honor for my many years’ dedication towards our homeless.
> You have a place to live. It sounds as if they are more content with the status quo than with the unknown risks of change. Capitalists dislike change.
Not only do I have a place to live, but I suspect I shall SOON have a bona fide HOME to live in, with a lovely backyard for the doggies…gratis the LGBT family.
> Are you suing someone? I feel that I should know but what is the nature of your lawsuit?
No, that’s not in the cards, but maybe later on down the line, if my attorney thinks I have a case worth pursuing. But that’s not on the top of the list, as what’s TRULY important to me is that I keep a roof over my head with very low rent, so I can continue helping Deek and the pups with dog food, leashes, and a weekly allowance for him…which is $100 broken into two $50 payments, one on Sunday, another on Thursday.
But if what I suspect is about to come true, not only will *I* have a free home, so will Deek and the dogs.
And that’s what my latest tales are all about; I’m documenting EVERYthing that’s going on in my life because it’s so damn intriguing and a BRILLIANT plot that is not my own creation by any means.
Have a glorious night, Calvin, you and your furry pals.
– Zeke
Re: [MCN-Announce]- An opinion piece from a vaccinated Australian writer:
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 22, 2022 at 10:09 PM
Wow! Thank you for your honest take on the matter, as it affected you personally. SO sorry you caught that horrid virus and suffered for it…but I am SO glad you’ve pulled through, and are still here with us, on this troubled, wobbly planet, Calvin. And yes, of course I’ll keep such a sensitive revelation to myself, with much gratitude that you opened up to me on this issue. Sleep well, my brother, MUCH better days are ahead, shortly. Humanity IS awakening, and for some totally strange but marvelous reason beyond my comprehension, I shall soon play a MAJOR role in this awesome-beyond-words transformation. I can only imagine how Fox News will treat me!
On 2022-06-22 21:36, calvin hope wrote: I don't give two figs about this argument. As an unvaccinated person who got covid, I know how devastating it was and still is, although I'm covid negative for over three weeks now. It's interesting that no one in any of the hospitals dissed me for my status. Each of the four had an intake interview with THE VACCINE QUESTION but no one except the last said or did anything other than make a note of my status. I don't know what any of that means. After Stanford was indifferent, I relaxed when I knew the question was coming. I was very open that I'd listened to bad advice and wished many times I was vaccinated but that had more to do with my personal reluctance to offend than any argument pro or con. Fortunately, as I say, for me, it didn't seem to make a difference, especially with the top end places with the best doctors. I've been in 4 hospitals this year and only noticed a problem at the lowest quality hospital, the local one where I live. I was there last, so I had regained some sense of myself and wasn't that fazed by their bad attitude. None of this do I consider a polemic one way or the other. I'm not vaccinated, have had covid very harsh and wish I had been vaccinated. That's all. It's between us. Not looking for publicity. Just musing over what my life has been this last year. I do know now that covid is closely connected to pneumonia. In fact, one of my prime docs simply calls it covid pneumonia. Interesting. I think lungs are very delicate and super important. I seem to be having more trouble with my lungs in recovery than with my heart.
Re: [MCN-Announce]- An opinion piece from a vaccinated Australian writer:
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: Calvin Hope
Date: June 22, 2022 at 10:52 PM
On 2022-06-22 22:27, calvin hope wrote:
> Very thoughtful and kind. Thank you, Zeke!
‘Tis a great pleasure and an honor!
> Sweet dreams to you tonight, too.
I sure hope so, after that heat wave that dragged into the night. I’m still a bit heat sick and feel crappy, but the cool, ocean air is a healing welcome. Deek and pups are asleep outside by the bus stop in front of my building. When he sleeps, nothing can wake him. I took a blanket out of his shopping cart, and laid it down right next to him, so the dogs could enjoy some comfort and warmth. They are now happily bundled up with their little noses poking out.
> I, too, sense that a large change for the better is on its way.
I am not an island unto myself…the extraordinary events swirling about me these days are a part of a much bigger phenomenon. I am but riding the crest of the wave. Many others will soon catch up, and I’m sure that includes you. Our planet is being reborn as we speak. Trumpism will very soon be washed down the drain, along with all other fascist jerkwads and movements. This is gonna be amazing!
– Zeke
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