[BRINDLEKIN TALES – Book 6: Chapter 8]
Subject: THIS IS A SHOCKER IN MY FAVOR…MY ATTORNEY’S LATEST EMAIL!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 2, 2022 at 2:53 PM
The superb Ms. Elvensborn just posted this to me:
“I just talked to the landlord’s attorney, they kind of recognize that the dog is not really an issue anymore. I told the attorney to talk to his client to get the case dismissed because the dogs are gone. He promised to talk to the landlord. However, the attorney mentioned that the landlord has concerns about other issues. If they want to evict you over any other issues (besides the dog) they will have to start a new case though. He mentioned that homeless people are visiting you and showering at your place. I don’t see any problem with that. As long as these people don’t live with you and they don’t bother other tenants, I don’t think that would be a violation of the lease. The landlord’s attorney did ask though if you would be interested in moving out, I said that you would probably not be interested in moving, but that I would double check with you. You want to stay right Mr. Krahlin? If you want to stay, I think you should be able to stay, they are just making stuff up right now.”
And my reply:
“You are right, they are making stuff up. NO I DON’T EVER HAVE ANYONE OVER TO VISIT AND TAKE SHOWERS…not just the homeless, but NO ONE AT ALL! The false accusations pile up. I trust you are keeping all this on record, for I will definitely shoot for a cross-complaint if it comes to that. The building manager is likely GOSSIPING about me to other residents, and the landlord, causing further, unwarranted enmity. No, I do not want to move…I CAN’T AFFORD TO! Thank you for this most interesting update, Magdalena.”
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: THIS IS A SHOCKER IN MY FAVOR…MY ATTORNEY’S LATEST EMAIL!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 2, 2022 at 3:34 PM
> Outrageous flimsy lies. Homeless people taking showers. Jesus fucking Christ.
Bodhisattva Premise:
They WANT me to win my case, for they are all my bodhisattva guardians setting me up for victory. Otherwise, they would NOT make such flimsy accusations for which they have NO evidence whatsoever. Just like the dog bites. And Ablahblah Realty is in on it, as I suspect my own attorney. This is TOO well scripted to simply be a haphazard, real-life scenario. Victory is now falling into my lap without my so much as raising a finger.
I am now wondering if the landlord’s asking if I want to move, is an offer to set me up with a REAL apartment, at a ridiculously low rate (all utilities included) where I’d be allowed to have the dogs visit whenever I’d like. Woo-hoo!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: THIS IS A SHOCKER IN MY FAVOR…MY ATTORNEY’S LATEST EMAIL!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 2, 2022 at 4:21 PM
> I had a friend in NYC who’d had a rent-control apartment on E. 71st St. since the late 1960s. His rent started at $65/mo, and by the early 2000s, he was still paying only about $200/mo. His Greek landlord wanted him out of there so badly so he could jack up the rent with a new tenant that he started offering my friend big monetary bribes. Maybe something like that is in the works for you!
It’s just a room, though. I suspect the desire to kick me out is strictly a class elitist move, hatred towards the poor. However, in this age of Airbnb, the owner COULD benefit through very short-term rentals. Be that as it may:
I don’t see HOW they could increase profits (even via Airbnb) by offering me my own 1-bedroom at the same rent I’m paying now, with free utilities and a backyard for the doggies…for as long as I want. The contract would have to be ironclad, for me to even consider it. I might even push for just $100/month rental, or even a mere dollar…though this would eliminate food stamps.
Nor do I think anyone would rent to me, considering I have NO credit record to speak of, and only live on Social Security. Nor any REAL references I could rely on. It would HAVE to be another Ablahblah property. But as I said in my previous missive:
I think they’re playing a sweet game, as my guardians. They WANT me to have a really nice home where the dogs could have sanctuary.
Wait’ll you read my NEXT email to Ms. Elvensborn! Expect a copy in your mailbox later today. Woo-hoo!
– Zeke K-Holmes
P.S.: My own washer and dryer, too…NOT shared in a common room by other residents, if it’s an apartment building. Though of course, if I had a backyard it would most likely be a rental in a house, duplex, or something of that sort. Did I already say FREE UTILITIES?
Subject: I just sent another email to Ms. Elvensborn…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 2, 2022 at 4:21 PM
…accompanied by a text alert that I sent her another email today. You’ve read most of it already, but it’s been expanded, including a two-paragraph introduction. She’ll probably look it over some time tomorrow:
Subject: Some ideas in my defense, including possible settlement if it gets that far. I'd prefer you do not share any of this material with Ablahblah's attorney or anyone else cooperating with him, such as the building manager. Because this may halt any further false complaints against me on their part. I think it would be much better to leave that door open at this time, as additional accusations of that nature would benefit my own defense. What follows are three sections, (first) my addressing the main points in your last email, which number three...and then a rough draft of an out of court settlement, which I hope is not beyond the realm of possibility. For these two doggies mean everything to me, and are more important than my possibly suing them back for a monetary boon. If these little hounds don't resume sanctuary with me, I fear they may not survive the winter, and that would be an unspeakable tragedy. And part three is a brief rundown of my history as a resident of 2306 Market Street, as regards how my presence has been an asset rather than a liability. I realize that one or more of the suggestions I put forth may not suit your role as a lawyer who focuses on stopping evictions, but should be handled as a separate, civil suit by a different attorney. Be that as it may, these are my thoughts on this crisis, and how I can best deal with it to my advantage (or to the mutts' advantage, really). Hopefully, you can take at least one of my ideas and incorporate it into my eviction case. I do not expect you to respond to this email (except to say you've received it), unless you'd enjoy doing so, or find it important to provide any feedback. I only ask that you read this, to have a better idea of what I'm up against, and how I'd like things to turn out. Shouldn't take up more than five minutes of your time. ===== MY RESPONSE TO THREE POINTS IN YOUR PREVIOUS EMAIL 1) The dogs were never an "issue" but that a handful of residents made it so (including the building manager) for no justifiable reason. This smacks of prejudice against me, for being low income and an advocate for the homeless...with hateful gossip thrown into the mix for years. Exacerbating risks to my own safety, ability to make friends with other tenants, and my right to live in peace, in my own home (as humble as it is). 2) I do NOT have homeless people (or anyone else) visit me and/or use the restroom to clean up. There is a camera in the lobby and, were that true, the building manager would have sufficient evidence to match his claim. I am not about to disrupt the occupants who share our restroom from imposing additional use of it by outsiders, who are strangers to them. That would be a scary situation for them, and for myself if someone else did that (and I would certainly complain about it). Not to mention leaving behind a mess and bad odors. I used to have a few homeless friends drop over now and then, but that was many years ago, nor did they ever use my shower except for one person, and that was not often. They were friendly and never bothered anyone else in the building. But I never had a string of vagrants come inside to access the restroom, which seems to be what the grapevine gossip claims. 3) Who told the landlord or attorney that I have homeless people come over to use the shower? Unless they made it up themselves, I conclude that would be the building manager himself and, possibly, one or more residents in cahoots with him. If at all possible, I'd like you to find out their names, for building on my defense...and acquire copies of any written or voicemail complaints. I do not care to know who they are, this is just for legal purposes to assist my attorney. For my point is: If the building manager is willing to lie about that, then he is also willing to lie about the dogs (such as false claims about biting)...and the fact is: he has never provided any proof to me, of such. ===== OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT (ROUGH DRAFT) Assuming that strong evidence exposes the building manager and Ablahblah Realty’s attorney to false accusations and draconian threat of eviction, and that they would not care to be sued BACK, here is what I’ve deliberated upon as a possible settlement: 1. Allow me to continue dog sitting, with condition the hounds can visit me unconditionally, no limit to how many consecutive days. IOW: regard this as permission to have these little pups live with me. Though they WON’T be residing 24/7, but continue to visit 1-3 days/week. For there may be the occasional exception to this, such as an unusually long heatwave, rainstorm, their homeless owner gets hospitalized, and so forth. But (god forbid) should he wind up missing or dead, and the dogs are left stranded, I will have permission by the landlord to keep them with me, as their new owner. 2. The building manager will no longer act hostile towards the dogs, as he’s done now and then in the past, such as hollering “Shut up! Shut up!” at them. Easy request to follow, as he’s also been kind to them from time to time. Nor should he spread gossip about me to other residents, nor assign anyone to spy on me. 3. I believe the building manager keeps a dossier on each resident. Because of discrimination against me over many years, I suspect some rather false claims have been included in my dossier, by every person who's managed this building since I moved in, back in 1984. I'd like to see this dossier, and have whatever wrongful claims I find, struck out. 4. If all conditions above are agreed upon, I will drop my cross-complaint and/or pursuit of any other grievance related to abusive treatment against me or the dogs by the building manager. Likewise for Ablahblah Realty's attorney’s participation in this unwarranted charge against me. And of course I will continue to abide by all building rules regarding pets. ===== MY HALLOWED HISTORY OF PROTECTING THE RESIDENTS OF 2306 MARKET STREET This serves the purpose as counterargument against the gossip that's piled up on me over the years I've lived here. I have been an asset, not a liability, to this building and its occupants, as shown in my web blog entry from which I now quote: --quote I don’t want to spend excruciating hours by recalling details and approximate, if not exact, dates to all the incidents I will now describe in outline: 1) Strange, younger guy, Sandy, who lived in a single room like me, and on my floor, started hanging out in the vacant room beside me (which is no longer a single room today, but a second bedroom for the apartment next door). Don’t know why he had access to it (maybe sex trade with the manager?), nonetheless he played loud music from a boombox, and danced naked in the window. I never had the misfortune to see that, thank god, but pedestrians complained, so the managers (two older gay dudes, Jack and Don, who are long dead by now) asked me if I was standing naked at MY window, late at night. I said no, you got the wrong resident. At any rate, his disruption was a total stress-out and sleep killer...so I wound up going to court as key witness, along with the managers, to get him kicked out. Two representatives from Ablahblah were there as well. The outcome? Sandy was promptly evicted. 2) Some guy who moved in on the third floor, but never saw him or knew who he was, came rushing down the stairs with a long carving knife right at the moment I opened my door! He didn’t stop, or turn left to go down the next flight and into the lobby. Instead, he lunged right at me, but, fortunately, I had slammed and locked my door just before any damage could be done. I called 911, he was taken away, and permanently banned from entering this building the same day. 3) A terribly nasty, disturbed fellow who lived on the third floor about four years began threatening then-manager Ruth Harris (now deceased, in fact she died of cancer in a hospital, while still manager). He had threatened me a few times, as well, yet then-manager Moishe Rosenberg, did nothing about it, didn’t even talk with him...instead, he just told me NOT to hang out on the same floor where the lunatic lived. Which is bullshit because I’m not in the habit of “hanging out” on any floor. At any rate, Ruth became the next manager, and I befriended her, visiting her often in her office/apartment on the fourth level. After Mr. Screwball threatened her, that he’ll choke her to death (before myself and two other people) I decided to do something about it. Which was: befriending him in hopes I could persuade him to move out. WHICH ACTUALLY SUCCEEDED, to my surprise, and it only took several weeks to accomplish! I had told Ruth my plan, yet she gossiped to anyone else in the building who would listen, that she doesn’t understand why I’m now friends with him, after all this nut job’s villainous acts. Talk about getting stabbed in the back! Well, managers have gossiped vulgar lies against me since I moved in years ago, which made residents shun me, through no fault of my own. I believe they keep a dossier on every tenant, and I can’t imagine some of the things they’ve written about me...things that are NOT true, put me in a very bad light, and which I would like to expunge from their records! 4) Also while Ruth was manager, Ablahblah Realty had a young relation (maybe a nephew) fresh off the boat of some middle eastern Arab country, inhabit a room on my floor, so (much to my disgust) we shared the same restroom. His name was Tariq, I think, and his behavior was scary and outrageous, as if he were always high on speed or crack. One day when I stepped in I found him yelling at Ruth, and waving some kind of sharp object (don’t remember what it was; a carpentry tool, perhaps). So I jumped in between the two, and got him to back off...then sent a certified letter to Ablahblah, that he needs to be evicted ASAP, before anyone gets hurt. And that’s exactly what they did, thank Zeus. Ruth never thanked me for this, nor did she lift a finger to warn Ablahblah about him, but let his craziness thrive. I had to do it all myself! (Just like when I set my foot down recently, to STOP those mask-less teenagers from loitering in my hallway and possibly exposing residents to COVID-19. Unbelievable!) 5) Then there was the time when a 30-something gay white couple (Rob and Randy, long dead) began harassing one of the nicest people and friends I’ve ever known in my building, Peggy. She also had two lovely daughters, who were SUCH a pleasure to visit with, whenever they dropped by to see their mom. Sadly, Peggy has passed away some years ago, from advanced osteoarthritis. I hope their daughters are doing well, God bless them! They never stayed in touch with me, since Peggy moved up north somewhere in Humboldt County, after her deadly diagnosis. My friend of many years, and who also lived in this building, but on the third floor, Michael Betza, told me he sometimes hears her crying in her apartment, whose kitchen window opened to the back porch, which carried her cries up to the third-floor porch, and through his own SRO window. Anyway, I wrote about her incident with Rob and Randy, in a piece I call “The Tricks at 2306.” Just search for “randy” and you’ll find it. I had returned home one day, to find Randy saying mean things to Peggy, and threatening her. So I immediately confronted him with pepper spray in hand, and ordered him to get the hell outta here or I’ll give him what for...which he finally did...and Peggy was SO grateful I had shown up right at that time. I think the two losers got wrapped up in meth addiction, and a dangerous dealer, whom they welcomed into this already-troubled edifice. They were both evicted, for harassing and threatening both Peggy and her daughter. A few months later, Rob committed suicide, and Randy soon followed from a drug overdose. --end quote That's it, Magdalena...thanks for your patience!
Re: THIS IS A SHOCKER IN MY FAVOR…MY ATTORNEY’S LATEST EMAIL! ADDENDUM 2
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 2, 2022 at 10:52 PM
Out of court settlement will also include an apology to me, by the building manager, for calling my dogs “vicious and dangerous,” for gossiping to residents blatantly FALSE claims (such as saying I’m providing shower facilities for the homeless) and for triggering the eviction process, which is equivalent to a death sentence because I’d likely wind up homeless. This would be posted on the elevator door in the lobby in clear, bold type, for an entire month. Another apology would be posted right beside THAT one, by Ablablah Realty AND their attorney, for participating in this witch hunt without looking into matters one whit.
Subject: I saw Filipino Kai again, today!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 2, 2022 at 11:47 PM
We met in passing, at the corner of Market & Noe, where I was going to Morey’s shop to pick up another 2-liter bottle of Diet A&W Root Beer. He asked how my lawsuit was going, and I told him:
“Wonderful! Their lawyer blathered yet another false accusation about me to my attorney, over the phone! So my case is stronger than ever, and I think they’re gonna agree to an out of court settlement and meet all my demands, including allowing the dogs back in!”
I elaborated further, explained to him my Bodhisattva Premise, that they aren’t REALLY my enemies, but angels PLAYING enemies to make me into a hero. And that’s why they’re fuckin’ themselves over, so as to guarantee my victory!
He guffawed upon hearing that, and said: “Just keep doing your good works, as you are, and everything will fall into place for you.”
I told him it already is, and thanked him once more for his kind support and cheering me on so valiantly. I was then going to tell him my concern about Deek’s recent, foul behavior, how it’s hurting the dogs more than me…but he was in a rush to meet up with someone waiting for him, nearby.
BTW, Wattson, I forgot to mention that when Kai showed up only minutes after Deek arrived yesterday afternoon and I came downstairs, he stated several times in his presence:
“You’re a good man, Zeke!”
Yes, I suppose I am. The cat’s now outta the bag on THAT matter, broadcasting all over the neighborhood those same exact words, only in meow jargon.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: THIS IS A SHOCKER IN MY FAVOR…MY ATTORNEY’S LATEST EMAIL! ADDENDUM 2 ADDENDUM
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 3, 2022 at 7:06 AM
And the apology posted to the elevator door shall include a 2″x2″ image of Sylvester the Cat saying “Sufferin’ succotash!” for the building manager, and the same size image of Porky Pig saying “Th-th-th-that’s all folks!” for the landlord/attorney.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: THIS IS A SHOCKER IN MY FAVOR…MY ATTORNEY’S LATEST EMAIL! ADDENDUM 2 ADDENDUM
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 3, 2022 at 12:26 PM
> Apology posted to the elevator door, hell! I envision a permanent flashing neon installation.
Now yer tawkin! But why stop there? How about an animated apology on the bus stop stall right outside, in lieu of their usual ads? And how about a temporary billboard over The Lookout Bar, right across 16th Street and glaring boldly into the windows of those who occupy the corner units…including the building manager himself who resides on the top floor, so he’d view it first thing every morning, and before he goes to sleep?
His bosom lackey who lives two flights below him (and whom I call my quasi-fascist neighbor down the hallway) would also espy the billboard unobstructed, just as you see in the attached pic…at eye level! That billboard, of course, would include more revelatory info than the sample I created with a basic image editor.
Skywriting ALSO comes to mind, or flying banners. Hey, how about the Goodyear Blimp joining this cavalcade of aerial confessions? All expenses covered by Ablahblah Realty of course, per my settlement dictates. We can do this!
– Zeke K-Holmes
Re: [MCN-Discussion]- Upset over LGBTQ books, a Michigan town defunds its library in tax vote
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: MCN discussion
Date: August 4, 2022 at 1:44 PM
On Thu, 4 Aug 2022 00:34:43 +0000 Calvin Hope posted:
> This is what is to be expected when LGBTQ rights rush too far forward for conservative communities.
Surely you jest…a parody of right-wing Trumpturds, perhaps…or a Log Cabin Republican closet case…or an old-school queen who grew up in the McCarthy Era!
May I REMIND you that the so-called “conservative” community is sliding backwards, devolving, at a rapid clip. So we’re supposed to accommodate them by moving backwards as well, to a time when being LGBT was absolutely shunned and outlawed? So, accusing LGBT rights of rushing “too far forward” is nothing more than scapegoating US, and looking the other way when the right-wing devils have become VERY aggressive in their unwarranted enmity and attacks upon queers. Sounds JUST like what happened to the Jewish populace after the collapse of the Weimar Republic.
> These voters represent their community.
Umm…well they sure don’t represent a fair-minded democracy, Calvin! A “community,” especially a small one, can just as easily be an enclave of a single religious sect…a cult if you will. Are you saying there can legitimately exist certain pockets of the population who live outside democratic laws, and be whatever they want? Like Nazis? Like Charles Manson devotees? Like christo-fascist troglodtyes who choose to persecute LGBTs?
> They are most certainly not Bible thumping baboons. Using that language guarantees more division, sending LGBTQ rights backward.
No, they are not LITERALLY thumping bibles…the term is rarely used outside of the metaphorical. But in their hearts, they certainly ARE bible thumpers, who want to turn this whole COUNTRY into a theocratic dictatorship. And such kind ALWAYS target queers as their first step towards their desired conquest.
> It’s a time for compromise, not cheap invective. The loss of a few graphic novels to keep this library open makes sense in the context of the demographics of this community.
Right…they start with little steps, ones that appear innocuous on the surface, such as allowing bakeries to refuse to bake cakes celebrating gay marriage, and a chain store to eliminate abortion services from their employee health insurance. Our gov’t caves in to these little steps, and next thing you know, the red states pass ever more draconic laws against LGBTs, triggering violence against them that spreads across the nation. Eliminating LGBT marriage, allowing discrimination in the workplace, schools and other arenas.
Then comes denial of medical services of any sort (including emergency triage), Social Security benefits, housing, and so forth. Leading ultimately, of course, to the Final Solution. Need I spell THAT out for ya, Mr. Hopeless?
But GREAT mimicry of a right-wing troglodyte, Calvin…well done and BRAVO! Here’s a tip for ya:
Don’t bother visiting any nation in Western Europe, Canada or Australia, unless you’d enjoy being mocked and derided for your cowardly lack of support for gay people. Woo-hoo!
– Zeke
Subject: Deek gave me a rubber dragon bracelet yesterday…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 4, 2022 at 11:03 PM
…when he showed up in the morning for Sunday’s advance payment. See pic.
“Here, I know you like dragons,” he said to me as I was fondling the wee hounds right outside the gate. No matter how many times I’ve told him NOT to bring the pups right up to the front gate, he does it anyway. He’s got a cruel streak in him. But I have to accept that, like so many OTHER requests I’ve begged him to respect go IN one ear and OUT the other…even though it jeopardizes not only my OWN safety, but that of the dogs’. Such as;
– Frequently “loses” the dog food I give him, and doggy sweaters, etc., within a few days, sometimes even sooner than that…which costs me dearly, wallet-wise…and he doesn’t give a fuck.
– Goes out of his way to start arguments with bat-crap crazy vagrants while the dogs are with him, that could lead to an all-out, bloody fracas.
– Persists in flying off the handle and screeching right in front of my building, fomenting anger against me by certain residents.
– Leaves a pile of debris in front of or behind my building several times a month.
– Accuses me of “breaking” his devices whenever they stop functioning, or don’t function at all…the battered ones he finds on the street and expects me to work miracles, claiming they’re new when they obviously are NOT.
– Forces the dogs to rest for hours on the cold, dirty sidewalk when he could EASILY gather up some old, clean clothes for a comfy nest.
– Lets them shiver through a cold night sometimes, when likewise he can EASILY do something about it.
I could go on, but I’ll stop there. Makes me wanna beat the SHIT out of the dumb cracker; maybe some day I’ll get the chance! At any rate:
“Thank you, Deek,” I replied as I accepted the bracelet, pulled it onto my wrist and resumed petting the darling angels.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you, and all that,” he mumbled over me…to which I replied in one, terse word (without looking up at him, for I knew it best to curb my tongue…and besides, I have my doubts his apology MEANS anything beyond a half-day of contrite tenue):
“Great!”
I’m guessing someone (or ones) had a talk with him about his horrid offenses against me, and his heartless disregard of the doggies’ need for comfort and affection. Maybe one of ’em was Filipino Kai. Or maybe NO ONE confronted Deek, and it’s just my wishful thinking. Otherwise, not much to report, he’s been marginally decent towards me the last few days.
This afternoon I enjoyed another ten or so precious minutes with the mutts, as their master took off for the Chevron station to purchase munchies. How could ANYone hate these kind, joyful critters, brother and sister always eager to delight whoever shows them even a LITTLE kindness? Were they in their right mind, they’d praise Flaco & Lucky to the heavens! But they’re not…including some who reside in Hotel California North. When it comes to evil stepsisters, Cinderella has NOTHING over me.
I’m like a living litmus test of others’ morality…squeezed between Deek’s bipolar attacks and those of my neighbors. They will all go through changes thanks to my steadfast fidelity to noble ideals…kicking and screaming till they reach a better place. I would DIE for these doggies, as I know they would for me. Some wonder why our nation has turned so wicked and violent, blaming it all on those nasty Trumpsters, neo-Nazies, christo-fascists and the like.
But it is also they who call themselves “progressive,” for THEY are the ones attempting to wear me out and tear me down, as well. The others, the Reich-wingers, are nowhere NEAR me: they are on the computer screen, the radio and the tabloids. So I, for one, do NOT wonder why the world is in such a ghastly mess! Guess it’s all up to me now, to straighten everything out and get all hominids on the right track.
And so I will, Wattson…with a little help from my friend.
– Zeke K-Holmes
Subject: Felix went to Syria…ON VACATION !!?!??!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 5, 2022 at 12:46 PM
[Felix is the friendly fellow who works at Rosenberg’s…who I recently found out is also the owner.]
“This place lights up when you’re here!” I said to Sa’daa, while pouring java into a paper cup. She is Felix’s Friday-through-Sunday replacement until he returns: a very nice woman around 35, and I’ll miss her once she leaves.
I wasn’t aware that Felix went on vacation till this morning, just thought they rotated workers for various shops they run…some never to return, some showing up again later on down the line.
She laughed at my compliment, said “Oh, thank you so much!”
We’ve had many interesting discussions since she started working here, and she told me recently how much she enjoys our conversations. I can talk to Sa’daa (pronounced “SAH-dah”) like I do you, and she finds what I have to say, fascinating. I’m sure she also appreciates my pro-Palestinian stance and overall knowledge of–and appreciation for–the Arab culture. Credit for that goes to my college major in Cultural Anthropology, as well as a friendly old shopkeeper from years ago (and who ran a liquor/smoke shop on my block, same location as Hohokum) who hailed from Egypt and turned me on to Ibn Battuta, the Muslim world’s equivalent to the West’s own revered world traveler, Marco Polo.
Another customer had stepped in right behind me and, soon as I finished pouring the golden-brown elixir, he came up to the counter to make his purchase…at which point Sa’daa exclaimed:
“Felix will be back soon, from his vacation!”
“Oh that’s great,” he replied, “where’d he go?”
“Syria,” she answered back, “that’s where he’s from!”
They chatted a bit longer in friendly badinage before the customer departed, upon which I declared:
“SYRIA of all places. I had no idea you could even travel there from this country!”
“Yes you can,” she turned to me, “but it’s very DIFFICULT these days.” Sa’daa then expounded upon her own ordeal some months back, flying to Egypt to visit friends and relatives. Proof of vaccinations, booster shots, testing that YOU are charged for and almost DOUBLES flight expenses. I can imagine, Wattson, all the security questions and checks one has to go through when visiting the Middle East are stressful as well…though she didn’t bring that up.
“It’s like throwing your own money into the garbage!” she concluded with a tossing gesture of the hands. “It didn’t USED to be like that before covid, and now there’s aNOTHER virus to worry about!”
“Well SOMEone’s getting rich offa that,” I replied.
I certainly have a TON of questions for Felix aBOUT his trip to Syria. Hopefully, he won’t feel put out, but I am FASCINATED by the concept of visiting such a devastated region of the planet. Meanwhile, I searched online for “vacationing in Syria” and, sure enough, there’s a PLETHORA of travel agencies ready to host your visit there. Except the United Kingdom’s “Lonely Planet” site:
–quote:
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to Syria. At the time of writing, Syria was one of the most dangerous places on the planet. To put it simply, you can’t go. And if you can, you shouldn’t. The uprising against the Assad regime that began in early 2011 long ago became a civil war. Syrians themselves have paid the heaviest price: as many as 475,000 people have died in the conflict and millions have been forced into exile. Westerners, including journalists and aid workers, have also been targeted, very publicly, both for kidnapping and for execution. In addition to the human cost, entire cities have been laid waste and untold damage has been done to some of the Middle East's most important historical and archaeological sites. Put simply, Syria is a war zone, and peace seems as far away as at any time since war began in 2011.
–end
Though maybe they need to update that page? For it doesn’t show a date stamp anywhere on it. In conclusion, what can I say but
“Egads!”
– Zeke K-Holmes
ADDENDUM
Here we go:
Re: Deek gave me a rubber dragon bracelet yesterday…
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 6, 2022 at 10:01 AM
>> And so I will, Wattson…with a little help from my friend.
>
> I know you will!!!!!
It’s not as difficult as most people think. :)
Texting w/Wattson: 08/07/22-08/10/22
Subject: Latest email from my attorney:
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 10, 2022 at 5:09 PM
“Thank you for your comprehensive email detailing the things that happened at the property. You are right, I can’t assist you with any other lawsuit than defending you in this eviction case. Cross complaints are unfortunately not a possibility in an eviction case, so we can’t file that. Like I said, I can send you the attorney referral list again to see if you can find another attorney to start a lawsuit. With regards to the dogs, I don’t think it is realistic to request the landlord at this point in the litigation to allow you to keep the dogs to visit you. We could try to work on a request for a reasonable accommodation for you for an emotional support animal at a much later point – but right now it is going to backfire and put your housing further at risk since they are trying to evict you because of the dogs. Right now, we are still trying to prevent this eviction case from moving forward and trying to save your housing.
“I won the demurrer hearing set for tomorrow. This means that the landlord needs to file an amended complaint. This time they need to attach your lease agreement; they failed to do that. After that, we will have to file a written response to the complaint. I will draft one for you. Would you be able to hop by tomorrow between 3pm and 4pm or before 2pm? We can go over it together. Starting next week, please contact Kamma Dawoud and Shirley Kurniawan whenever you have questions because I am going to be out of the office 8/12-9/2. Kamma and Shirley are both attorneys in our housing team and they are cc’d in this email. Your case will not be set for trial when I am out because the court and landlord’s attorney know that I am unavailable.”
Re: Latest email from my attorney:
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 10, 2022 at 7:58 PM
> All good, sensible, solid. And nice of her to reassure you that nothing will happen while she’s gone. Just be sure (as I know you will) to reiterate all of this when you see her tomorrow.
Reiterate how, that she made good sense in her latest email? Otherwise, I’m not sure what you mean. Be that as it may:
This is the second time she’s suggested I apply for a service pet to keep me company…even though the first time around I told her that is not what I want: only Flaco & Lucky will do, as they are my best friends, and no other dog could replace them. Besides which:
How on earth could I afford to care for my OWN doggy, while doing that for Deek’s, as well? Anyway, it DOES bother me she seems to think another dog will suffice…and that’s just NOT the issue at all.
I emailed her back, said: “I’ll show up tomorrow shortly after 12 noon. Thanks!” Though it’s clear now that, if I want permission to have the dogs resume their visits, I’ll have to open a civil suit, whereby I’ll offer to waive all offenses against me, if they do just that. Otherwise, I’m gonna go full guns on ’em. But this is all with the assumption that a good attorney will TAKE my case, pro bono.
So from now on (assuming they can’t get me evicted this time around, based on FALSE accusations), the building manager will be constantly conjuring up sham complaints, spreading MORE gossip about me to other residents, in an attempt to finally get me removed from these premises. But if he does that, it would appear very OBVIOUS to any judge or lawyer, that this is a BLATANT case of harassment, due to their FIRST failed attempt. To start hammering away after a FAILED attempt doesn’t make them look very good.
However, what I’m REALLY sad about is that I may possibly NEVER be allowed to have the dogs over again. You shoulda seen Flaco’s hurt expression when Deek tugged her away from the front gate so I could step back inside. I turned to her and said, “I’m so sorry!” She looked devastated…broke my heart. Well, my heart breaks many times each day over this as you well know, Wattson. But it’s a GREAT PURPOSE that instills meaning and inspiration into my world, for which I owe Deek and his pups EVERYthing, regardless of their master’s horrific verbal abuse.
Earlier last evening when they showed up, Lucky gave me the sweetest “GROOOWL-O-ROO,” dropped to the sidewalk on his back and wriggled about in joy, so I scritched his belly…while Flaco stood up to place her front paws upon my legs. HIS way of saying how HAPPY he is to see me again. And two days ago, since Deek NEVER asks how the lawsuit is going, I offered to catch him up on it. But to my frustration, he barely listened, kept talking over me, wouldn’t shut up for one precious second. Though I did make it clear I’m willing to drop all charges against them, if in exchange I can have the doggies visit me, as they have for almost two years before this harassment started. His response? Unsurprisingly antagonistic:
“NO! My dogs aren’t SAFE in your building, someone could KILL them…just sue for big bucks, get what you can out of it!”
“You say that now, when the weather’s good,” I replied. “But what about when the rainy, cold season returns? The dogs need indoor shelter, breaks from being on the streets, especially when it rains or gets too cold…not to mention the occasional heat wave. I’m afraid they won’t survive this winter without that, and besides, you need your breaks from them, as well.”
I also made it CLEAR to him that the mutts will be perfectly safe in my building, just as they’ve been all along, that he’s just being a drama queen. And it makes them so HAPPY to spend time indoors with me.
“THE DOGS COME FIRST, as far as far as I’m concerned. They’re worth a million times MORE any money I could sue for, in exchange,” I finished.
Anyway, I realized Deek was just pressing my buttons, and doesn’t really mean what he said. I know him too well to conclude otherwise. He even said before I departed, “You know I’m joking with you, don’t you?”
He’s been reasonably amicable these past several days, and of course I hope that continues. ENOUGH of his angry outbursts in front of my building, which hurt the hounds more than they do me!
What this lawsuit all comes down to is HATRED by some people who despise the homeless, and anyone who, like me, reaches out to them on a personal level. And they see me almost every day or night, visiting out front with Deek. And sometimes sitting on the sidewalk with his doggies. I guess they think I’m responsible for attracting vagrants to this area, when in truth it’s the well lit, ATM recess, the smoke shop right next store that stays open till very late and draws the riffraff like moths to a flame…and the Castro in general, including the layout of this particular corner.
I spoke with a homeless black woman today, who has her act together…shows up every Wednesday when the Castro Farmers Market sets up shop through the dry season. Told her a bit about my lawsuit, and she exclaimed:
“Don’t know if you pray to the Lord, but *I* sure do…and when I pray, I pray STRONG…they will STOP bothering you starting toDAY!”
I told her thanks so much, she lifted my spirits immensely. But I also assured her I’m in a calm space as I KNOW I’ll be fine through it all, no one’s gonna evict me, and my enemies will go through changes as a result, and they will start being kind to the homeless, thanks to my headstrong stance, and the example I set. She heartily congratulated me for my activism on behalf of the LGBT homeless, reiterating she’ll pray for me big time tonight. VERY KIND of her to say that!
BODHISATTVA PREMISE:
My “enemies” are simply putting me through my paces, and would be VERY disappointed in me if I do NOT fight all the way for the sake of two lovely pooches. They are GIVING me my time to shine like never before. And it’s all on me if I fret my days away in worry and sorrow. “What, me worry?” as my childhood hero always loved to say. And he’s still around!
– Zeke K-Holmes
UPDATE: Right when I was about to post you this missive, Deek and pups showed up. It’s been an uncomfortably warm and humid day, just like the last few…and the pups were not too active as a result, but otherwise healthy and in good spirits. No-drama meetup, I took his two items upstairs to be charged, brought down fresh dog food, and spent some quality time sitting with the doggies on the sidewalk. I also brought downstairs a large, fluffy white bed cover I found on the back porch, and dropped it still crumpled beside the two shopping carts Deek now had (one small, the other normal size). He was chatting across from me by the ATM nook, with a couple of other vagrants who showed up several minutes ago. Flaco rested in my lap but kept looking over at her master, eager to sit by him, while Lucky lay content beside me, on a cloud of fluff. “Flaco wants to sit with you,” I told Deek, “she’s very loyal!” So he told me to untie the leash and let her come over, which I did, and she found a comfy cushion atop his thighs…whereupon I departed hovel to send this email off.
Subject: A Sultry Evening
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 10, 2022 at 8:26 PM
Just took this brief video from my window. Lucky is resting on the fluffy bed cover beside the shopping carts (upper left), and as the camera pans down you can see Flaco stretched across her master Deek’s legs, who is seated beside the cowboy hat on his left. A muggy, warm evening here in the Castro…I’ll be glad when things cool down, as will the doggies, I’m sure.
Subject: This seems awfully draconic!
From: Ezekiel Krahlin
To: My Dear Wattson
Date: August 10, 2022 at 9:40 PM
Cross-Complaints in California Unlawful Detainer Eviction Case
–quote:
Cross-complaints are not allowed in California unlawful detainer (eviction) cases. A tenant’s defenses to an unlawful detainer case are limited. This is because unlawful detainer eviction cases are summary proceedings in California and are meant to progress much faster than other types of court cases. If a tenant has affirmative claims against their landlord that cannot be addressed in the eviction case, the tenant would need to file a separate lawsuit against the landlord.
–end
You’d think San Francisco would have altered that law to a local one that allows cross-complaints to unlawful detainers! But no they didn’t, in spite of having impose OTHER protections for renters.
ZekeBlog 2.0 