A City of Transients

The U Hauls and moving vans are everywhere. August seems to be the month where everyone is getting out of town. But then, someone usually comes back to take their place - especially in our neighborhood. It is particularly more acute when there are renters in a shared community space. It always takes awhile for newcomers to learn the "rules" of sharing space. One of my pet peeves is leaving the door open for everyone and their brother to just wander in, and then leaving whatever vehicle that brought all the belongings in sitting in the driveway - overnight. There is a sign in the lobby that clearly states the drive is not meant to be a parking lot for many reasons including a fire hazard. But I have found since moving here that a lot of people prefer to ignore courtesy under any circumstance - even if it is clearly spelled out. I suppose the rules just don't apply to them. How was that determined?

New Tenants = Junk

It happens quite regularly in this neighborhood. People move in and out and while doing so, create problems for the regular "residents" who actually live in the building. Things have actually improved since we first moved here from Milwaukee. But some people really don't get group etiquette, or care to learn about it. Keeping the front doors wide open allows all kinds of unwanted vermin to enter the building - especially in the winter. Everyone wants to keep warm, and this is no exception. The garbage dump becomes full of containers that are not collapsed and then collect water. Invariably whatever junk that is no longer needed or wanted lands on the curb - and stays there for weeks. Some folks think it will miraculously disappear. Let's see how long this piece of junk stays in our front yard. Now that it has snow on it makes it even more appealing. I can't help but notice when this activity occurs because we live on that side of the building. But since we feel we own a piece of this place, we like to keep it orderly. I guess that's just the way we were brought up - group living or not.