Heating problems

Our building has had no heat or hot water since last night. There's a hand-written sign next to the elevator, dated last night, which just says "No heat. Boiler broken."

I just called the city of New York's main non-emergency number. Before you get to talk to someone, it tells you (a) if this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 911, followed by (b) alternate side of the street parking is in effect today and tomorrow. Then it connected me (quickly) to someone who asked me a couple of questions, and transferred me to "a specialist in the Department of Housing Preservation and Development." [I assume this is the old heat complaints line.]

That specialist took the information, including my phone number and name (yes, in that order), the borough, address, that we have neither heat nor hot water, and that the landlord is aware of the problem. (I base this on the sign in the super's handwriting.) She asked the name of the management company, which I gave her. Then she asked if we had a specific contact there. Yes, but I don't remember his name, it's Joseph something. "Joseph Lipson?" she asked me. Okay, that saved time and trouble, but I'm not at all sure it's a good sign. Ditto for her telling me that it's okay if I don't have this number handy, they have numbers for Samson Management.

[Anyone who responds to this by telling me to buy a house will be asked to contribute the down payment.]

Heating problems

Our building has had no heat or hot water since last night. There's a hand-written sign next to the elevator, dated last night, which just says "No heat. Boiler broken."

I just called the city of New York's main non-emergency number. Before you get to talk to someone, it tells you (a) if this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 911, followed by (b) alternate side of the street parking is in effect today and tomorrow. Then it connected me (quickly) to someone who asked me a couple of questions, and transferred me to "a specialist in the Department of Housing Preservation and Development." [I assume this is the old heat complaints line.]

That specialist took the information, including my phone number and name (yes, in that order), the borough, address, that we have neither heat nor hot water, and that the landlord is aware of the problem. (I base this on the sign in the super's handwriting.) She asked the name of the management company, which I gave her. Then she asked if we had a specific contact there. Yes, but I don't remember his name, it's Joseph something. "Joseph Lipson?" she asked me. Okay, that saved time and trouble, but I'm not at all sure it's a good sign. Ditto for her telling me that it's okay if I don't have this number handy, they have numbers for Samson Management.

[Anyone who responds to this by telling me to buy a house will be asked to contribute the down payment.]

That's better.

We have heat!

It is hissing happily from nice warm radiators all over the apartment.

That's better.

We have heat!

It is hissing happily from nice warm radiators all over the apartment.

(no subject)

I headed out this morning before the snow started, to deposit checks (a pleasantly reassuring activity) and exercise. By the time I was done at the gym, it was snowing, but the Midtown streets were only wet. I went down to the Village and had lunch at Paul's Heavenly Burgers, where the staff take you seriously when you say you want your burger "as rare as they're allowed to make it." When I complimented the waitress, afterwards, and noted that it had been a long time since I had a genuinely rare hamburger, she said they don't let the government tell them how to cook their food. We agreed that it's my own risk, for me to decide to take. I think, though, that I actually prefer medium-rare: it's so difficult to get anything rarer than medium that I'd forgotten that. The sweet potato fries were also good, as were the pickles. I thought, partway through, that I'd ordered too much food, but I ate it all, comfortably.

On a whim, I poked my head into K-Mart, hoping for long-sleeved casual shirts. No, too late. So I tried on jeans (which didn't fit) and bras (one of which did), and picked up printer paper, then trudged home, feeling somewhat out of things. Up here the ground was slippery, thanks to slightly cooler conditions or an additional hour for the snow to fall. I need new sneakers; the sole of my right sneaker leaks.

While I waited for the heat to come on, I made cakelings (because "preheat oven to 400°F") seemed like a wonderfully friendly sentence; now I have heat and seven cinnamon/orange/chocolate chip cakelings. And I am well exercised.

( gym details )

(no subject)

I headed out this morning before the snow started, to deposit checks (a pleasantly reassuring activity) and exercise. By the time I was done at the gym, it was snowing, but the Midtown streets were only wet. I went down to the Village and had lunch at Paul's Heavenly Burgers, where the staff take you seriously when you say you want your burger "as rare as they're allowed to make it." When I complimented the waitress, afterwards, and noted that it had been a long time since I had a genuinely rare hamburger, she said they don't let the government tell them how to cook their food. We agreed that it's my own risk, for me to decide to take. I think, though, that I actually prefer medium-rare: it's so difficult to get anything rarer than medium that I'd forgotten that. The sweet potato fries were also good, as were the pickles. I thought, partway through, that I'd ordered too much food, but I ate it all, comfortably.

On a whim, I poked my head into K-Mart, hoping for long-sleeved casual shirts. No, too late. So I tried on jeans (which didn't fit) and bras (one of which did), and picked up printer paper, then trudged home, feeling somewhat out of things. Up here the ground was slippery, thanks to slightly cooler conditions or an additional hour for the snow to fall. I need new sneakers; the sole of my right sneaker leaks.

While I waited for the heat to come on, I made cakelings (because "preheat oven to 400°F") seemed like a wonderfully friendly sentence; now I have heat and seven cinnamon/orange/chocolate chip cakelings. And I am well exercised.

( gym details )

(no subject)

I have a new icon, courtesy of pegkerr. I will probably use it sparingly, to either advise or encourage myself.

(no subject)

I have a new icon, courtesy of pegkerr. I will probably use it sparingly, to either advise or encourage myself.