Condo Politics

With this storm hitting transformers, wires, and whatever, I'm grateful of having a Condo Association that got the job done. Opinion varies but one thing that can get people's goat is favoritism. When I was at the pool, you had one lady talk about the tennis court getting too much attention due to its lights and surface even though our men's tennis team representing our condo got the semi's of the ALTA tennis C-4 tournament. But I told her to look closer, you will see cracks and slopes. She wanted a basketball court, allow people inside the clubhouse, a gym, and a pool table for teens.

Hey, I want all that too. She said the board being "runned" by old folks and not enough young folks. I mentioned a couple of "yungins". But she mentioned about the attitude particular on the old side. Which is true. I head crazy stories about sex on the pool table and according to one building manager it was inter-racial (so, she heard). So, the pool table had to be sold. I head stories that the previous building manager took funds from the association fees and ran off. Another lady at the pool, said if that was the case, the association should have gotten a lawyer to get the money back. Rumor had it, they located the lawyer but he gave it some of it back. So, that wasn't true. Finally, this small park with swings and tree house for kids has not been used and is need for repairs. It was rumored to be put there due to one old family wanting to see their grand-kids play in it. You decide if that is true. I'm not.

Next part came what should be done about. The first lady said about getting a group together or writing to a newspaper. I mentioned that the old folks that she detested are the only ones who read the paper. Then she talked to another guy who mentioned that his dad was this business guy with some connections. They got each other's number (or so it seemed). I said I was willing to not pay for the fees since the association or their bank took mine twice (that is on the bank statement). The other lady said that at least you get credit for the next time you pay. Also, what is the point of getting your head mixed into it, you will just go insane according to her. The only thing I wanted was the kids get a chance to play basketball and go into the clubhouse to play pool.

She then asked if that is what they wanted and give her examples. I told about this kid from Haiti. She said that his mom should come to meetings like she does and represents.  His mom works all the time, I mentioned. Well, he should come even if he is only 15. I tried to mention about their lack of knowledge of apartment politics and shyness. But she wasn't impressed. I have to agree with that somewhat but you also have to listen to the kids and be in position to listen to them as well.

My position is that we should replace that child's park with a basketball court, use the clubhouse for a gym, to play cards and a pool table for both youth and old with security and safety. I mentioned that most of the board know the local city politicians or the board.  Both ladies kept saying "what does that go to do with it" with the same cadence? Well, look at the buildings that are neat and the ones that aren't, filled with roaches and mildew. Who lives in the building and who do they do know? They still kept asking that question of "what does that have to do with it."

In short, you may not get anything by going to a board meeting but you can meet somebody. Its not what you know but who?  Maybe, even the mayor? Jokingly, when a neighbor complained about the power going out in our building for the third time and it would be until 1 a.m. in the morning for the power checked out, I told her to call the mayor. This was about a few minutes before 7 p.m. 7 p.m, the power came back on for power. Hmm?

Mr. Weiner

I'm not sure how to write this but I have to admire Anthony Weiner simply because he is married to a Muslim woman. I always thought to be accepted or succeed, you had to marry someone in your race or faith.  But to make a difference, you had to go outside of your box.  That require some craziness. I could careless about his politics and who he supports. A dude blamed his wife for his shenanigans due to her being a Muslim. But she is pregnant with his child. They just got married last year.

I feel he is a true leader because politics is a crazy business. He is well-grounded in his faith but took a leap of faith to marry someone outside of his faith. Forget Washington, Patton, Gandhi, and the rest. Everybody forgets what they have to say and repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Al Davis, now that is a leader. Goes outside the box, al the time but well-rooted. He is a difference maker. He fails many times but  he wins, baby. 

Back to Mr. Weiner. I hope he gets a second chance. Doubt it. But I would like to see it. I'm not a moralist. However, I do like to see him get punished for his shenanigans. Then again, if it was me. Well, the obvious. But who cares. I mean, you constantly have to sell to the people that you care for their well-being.  Most failed politicans be easily voted out or replaced if you are passive or lack effort.