I went to Talking Leaves tonight to buy a book with a gift certificate some people so thoughtfully purchased for me for my birthday.
I browsed the store for nearly an hour.
Fiction versus non-fiction. Standard literature versus classical literature. US author versus a foreign author translated into English. Travel book or food book or travel-food book. Book of Local Interest. Book I'll read again versus book I'll only read once. Number of pages of book versus cost of book.
I found myself overwhelmed at all the books and was unable to select one.
I had to leave book-less.
I'm such a dork.
Janelle's Journal
My Podcast Link
03/07/2009 21:08 #47979
Overwhelmed03/07/2009 11:43 #47974
House AssessmentSo...to all you home owners out there.... how did you make out on challenging your assessment? They increased the assessed value of our house by $15,000 originally. They knocked off $7000 after we challenged it. I fought the man and I won... sort of...
janelle - 03/07/09 21:01
It should always be implied that I kick ass. 'Cause, ya know, I do.
It should always be implied that I kick ass. 'Cause, ya know, I do.
james - 03/07/09 19:49
I should have also not implied, but rather explicitly said, that Janelle kicks ass.
I should have also not implied, but rather explicitly said, that Janelle kicks ass.
james - 03/07/09 19:12
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that tons of people got it rolled back and you, by virtue of your own stupidity, didn't manage to accomplish that simple task. Because it is hard as fuck and the home inspection would probably cost you what you would pay in taxes at the new assessed level.
I was just saying it wasn't impossible. Most people who challenged and had some supporting documentation had no change or had a reduction like you.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that tons of people got it rolled back and you, by virtue of your own stupidity, didn't manage to accomplish that simple task. Because it is hard as fuck and the home inspection would probably cost you what you would pay in taxes at the new assessed level.
I was just saying it wasn't impossible. Most people who challenged and had some supporting documentation had no change or had a reduction like you.
drew - 03/07/09 19:02
That was Janelle below, btw.
That was Janelle below, btw.
drew - 03/07/09 19:02
Thanks, James. I was feeling pretty good about it getting rolled back some....until you commented.
I knew that it would not have been rolled all the way back because I was honest about the work done on our porch which cost about $3500. I didn't want to be a big liar pants, considering that there were plenty of issues in the house to document.
I sent in a lot of pictures of our insides of the house, water in the basement, cracks in the walls, and the documentation from our home inspector that notes various work that needs done. I think that the home inspection documentation had to be the most helpful, backed up with pictures.
Thanks, James. I was feeling pretty good about it getting rolled back some....until you commented.
I knew that it would not have been rolled all the way back because I was honest about the work done on our porch which cost about $3500. I didn't want to be a big liar pants, considering that there were plenty of issues in the house to document.
I sent in a lot of pictures of our insides of the house, water in the basement, cracks in the walls, and the documentation from our home inspector that notes various work that needs done. I think that the home inspection documentation had to be the most helpful, backed up with pictures.
james - 03/07/09 18:05
My office just got results from all the assessments in the district. There were a bunch of people who got the assessment rolled back all the way.
The assessment process works like this. Some guy drives up to your house and takes a few photos and drives off. The interior could be all cinders and they would still think the place is worth 160k. Looking over the files, the ones who were successful in fighting it had photos of the interior with yummy things like mold, water damage, unfinished rooms, etc. A private assessment was done and the city-assessed value was compared to that number and other comparable homes' values per square foot.
Had I known this a few months ago Janelle I would have sent you an email.
My office just got results from all the assessments in the district. There were a bunch of people who got the assessment rolled back all the way.
The assessment process works like this. Some guy drives up to your house and takes a few photos and drives off. The interior could be all cinders and they would still think the place is worth 160k. Looking over the files, the ones who were successful in fighting it had photos of the interior with yummy things like mold, water damage, unfinished rooms, etc. A private assessment was done and the city-assessed value was compared to that number and other comparable homes' values per square foot.
Had I known this a few months ago Janelle I would have sent you an email.
janelle - 03/07/09 17:25
My understanding is that you can never get them to roll it back all the way. And I will take something over nothing.
Let's hope they don't reassess in a year or so again...
My understanding is that you can never get them to roll it back all the way. And I will take something over nothing.
Let's hope they don't reassess in a year or so again...
paul - 03/07/09 16:56
That's awesome. I can't wait till we have to deal with this ;(
That's awesome. I can't wait till we have to deal with this ;(
gardenmama - 03/07/09 14:57
Congratulations - sort of. From what I’ve been hearing you actually did pretty well. My understanding is there have been quite a number of people who haven’t had any luck getting them to reduce the amount of their initial set increase. I’d certainly say half less is definitely better than not at all.
Congratulations - sort of. From what I’ve been hearing you actually did pretty well. My understanding is there have been quite a number of people who haven’t had any luck getting them to reduce the amount of their initial set increase. I’d certainly say half less is definitely better than not at all.
03/06/2009 08:51 #47968
A taste of spring in the airLast night there was the smell of spring in the air. So I grabbed the dog and hit Elmwood for a walk down the avenue. I joined the other folks on the street who were also excited by the warm, soft feeling in the air. I landed at a friends' house where I made a surprise visit and we idly chatted away an hour of the evening on their front porch.
As I walked home after the visit I thought about why I didn't stop by my friends' house more often throughout the winter to say hello and I realized that warm weather is much more conducive to spontaneous social activities. I think next winter my goal will be to be more spontaneous through out the season. To keep a well stocked house full of food, DVDs, alcohol and games in order to be ready for last minute get togethers over the winter or for surprise drive bys at friends.
On the other hand, there is some I like about the rthym of coming together with friends slowly in the spring and being crazy busy with friends over the summer, then slowly falling away in the fall and hibernating in the winter.
As a side note, my friends requested that I bring my home made hummus to their upcoming cocktail party and it turned my sad day into a happy day. I love that my hummus is so well liked that someone would specifically request I bring it!
As I walked home after the visit I thought about why I didn't stop by my friends' house more often throughout the winter to say hello and I realized that warm weather is much more conducive to spontaneous social activities. I think next winter my goal will be to be more spontaneous through out the season. To keep a well stocked house full of food, DVDs, alcohol and games in order to be ready for last minute get togethers over the winter or for surprise drive bys at friends.
On the other hand, there is some I like about the rthym of coming together with friends slowly in the spring and being crazy busy with friends over the summer, then slowly falling away in the fall and hibernating in the winter.
As a side note, my friends requested that I bring my home made hummus to their upcoming cocktail party and it turned my sad day into a happy day. I love that my hummus is so well liked that someone would specifically request I bring it!
tinypliny - 03/15/09 18:25
I think you make awesome hummus!
I think you make awesome hummus!
metalpeter - 03/07/09 16:59
Well Just to add Now it is raining as if it is Spring. We shall see how long this not as frigid weather lasts.
Well Just to add Now it is raining as if it is Spring. We shall see how long this not as frigid weather lasts.
drew - 03/06/09 18:35
I love your hummous, and I am glad for your plans for our house. Summer party house = us! (I better clean up)
I love your hummous, and I am glad for your plans for our house. Summer party house = us! (I better clean up)
james - 03/06/09 09:26
Everything I have ever had at your house has been so good you can bring what ever you like over anytime you like. Seriously, I would clean the dishes with my tongue.
Everything I have ever had at your house has been so good you can bring what ever you like over anytime you like. Seriously, I would clean the dishes with my tongue.
03/04/2009 12:52 #47943
My favorite cut of meat is featured in the NY Times along with one of my favorite ways of prepping it. Mhhh... chicken fried steak ....
james - 03/06/09 09:22
That said, it is free to sign up and isn't Frank Rich worth that much?
That said, it is free to sign up and isn't Frank Rich worth that much?
janelle - 03/06/09 08:53
Thanks Vincent. I am automatically logged on to NY Times everytime I get on, so I forget that you have to sign up for it to see some of the article!
Thanks Vincent. I am automatically logged on to NY Times everytime I get on, so I forget that you have to sign up for it to see some of the article!
james - 03/04/09 15:18
The recipe for Bistec de Palomilla looks as delicious as it is easy. Yum yum.
The recipe for Bistec de Palomilla looks as delicious as it is easy. Yum yum.
02/22/2009 16:51 #47861
Sims as a model for human experimentsSince you are often limited in conducting true experiments with a control and a variable when using humans as test subjects, I've decided to use The SIMS as a model.
Subject A will be the Amin and Lydia Christian family that is currently working on having one child which they will be responsible for rearing through childhood up to college. They will have one and only one child.
Subject B will be a not yet known family that will adopt as many children as they can until they reach the status of elder. As soon as a baby becomes a toddler they will adopt a new baby and so on.
It should provide some grounds for observations on small family versus large family rearing as well as several future blog posts, I hope.
Subject A will be the Amin and Lydia Christian family that is currently working on having one child which they will be responsible for rearing through childhood up to college. They will have one and only one child.
Subject B will be a not yet known family that will adopt as many children as they can until they reach the status of elder. As soon as a baby becomes a toddler they will adopt a new baby and so on.
It should provide some grounds for observations on small family versus large family rearing as well as several future blog posts, I hope.
trisha - 03/04/09 13:11
that's really interesting... i work with some old women who have had, say, 8 or 9 kids, and say, well, today it's like having 2. i am never quite sure what they mean by that, i guess that the world itself is much more complicated?
i would like to have more, but then i think about how it would prevent us from a lot of family experiences, $$ wise, such as a weekly movie or going to yellowstone.
then i wonder how much do those things really make for a happy childhood.
so...in any case, i am interested very much in what you're doing there.....
that's really interesting... i work with some old women who have had, say, 8 or 9 kids, and say, well, today it's like having 2. i am never quite sure what they mean by that, i guess that the world itself is much more complicated?
i would like to have more, but then i think about how it would prevent us from a lot of family experiences, $$ wise, such as a weekly movie or going to yellowstone.
then i wonder how much do those things really make for a happy childhood.
so...in any case, i am interested very much in what you're doing there.....
james - 02/23/09 13:19
I look forward to reading your findings Dr.Janelle.
I look forward to reading your findings Dr.Janelle.
tinypliny - 02/22/09 17:24
Hehehe...
I can think of two real families who are exactly in these circumstances and should be easy to monitor.
Case Study A: (e:Janelle) and (e:Drew)
Means of Observation: Monitor self.
Case Study B: Brangelina etc.
Means of Observation: Monitor tabloids on any check-out line.
There!
Hehehe...
I can think of two real families who are exactly in these circumstances and should be easy to monitor.
Case Study A: (e:Janelle) and (e:Drew)
Means of Observation: Monitor self.
Case Study B: Brangelina etc.
Means of Observation: Monitor tabloids on any check-out line.
There!
Hahah - blow the money on coffee. Read books online!
get what you wouldn't just normally get yourself!
Not to Pick on you (e:mrmike) but there still are some record stores the ones that come to mind are Dorris Records, and Record Theatre. (e:Janelle) in terms of the books (not that I ever read them really) I have a couple ideas that will help you out a bit.
1. Chose what book or books you want before you go, that way you don't have to try and decide there
2. Once you have that list go to the counter or grab someone who works there and have them help you find them
3. Make sure you list is ranked so if they don't have #1 then you get #2 and so on.
4. Before you go to the book store decide are you only going to spend how much the gift was for or if that is a discount on how much you are going to spend.
-that is the same way you would use at say a nice place to eat. Would you go in and can only spend $50 or is your food and drinks going to cost $50.
Now you might say but Pete or (e:metalpeter) you don't buy books so what are you talking about, that is a good point, but that list there I kinda have done that in my head when going to buy CDs sometimes it was FYE, Target or New World Records.
Isn't it great to be able to lose yourself in that realm for awhile, even if you didn't take one home. Record stores used to give the same thrill, but no more.