New desk. New phone number… or at least, to me it is… but throughout the past 2 days I’ve been getting a phone call from some creditor that is getting on my last nerve, and is quite annoyed with me too…
Here’s my conversation with him.

“Hi, is Jane Doe there?” the voice on the other end of the line asked as I picked up the phone.
“No, I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number,” I replied in my ‘client voice’ as my friend puts it.
“No, I don’t, because I’ve spoken with her at this number in the past. Please put her on.”
“No, really, you may have, but I just started last monday and this is my phone number now, and she’s not here.”
“Oh, just put her on, I’m done with this nonsense,” he replied, and sounded quite annoyed.
“Sir, there’s nobody here with that name, my name’s Ash. This may have been her phone number in the past, but now it’s mine. Please mark your records. Thanks.” And I hung up… because I’m at work, and I’m not about to spend time arguing with someone on the other line.

That was yesterday.
Today.

Phone rings… it’s the same number, I ignored it… it went to my voicemail, which blatantly says my name in it… here’s what he leaves.
“Oh, so your name is Ashley now? Whatever it is, you still owe us money. Either pay up, or we’ll be sending someone out to collect.” And then he hung up… and yes, I know it’s odd for me to say he hung up… but he hung up with such a force that I actually heard the phone slam together before it cut out.
I’m just hoping he doesn’t think that my full name is someone else, and that I’m pretending to be me…

Do you like something a bit out of the ordinary in jewelry? Or perhaps you’d like to experiment with vintage jewelry in a new way. Vintage sweater clips are the answer. They are easy to find, easy to wear and affordable. Here are three reasons you’ll want to add a versatile vintage sweater clip to your fashion repertoire.

1. Vintage sweater guards are a classic style that can be made fresh and new.

Sweater clips, also called sweater guards, have been popular since the 50’s as a way to hold a sweater or shrug on your shoulders without having to actually wear the sweater. They consist of two alligator type clips such as you would find on a tie clip or a fold over clip such as you would find on a vintage dress pin. The clips can be fancy or plain bars connected by one or more chains. Sweater clips may have evolved from chatelaine pins which consist of two pins connected by chain. Since there is such a wide range of designs in sweater clips you’ll have fun thinking of new ways to wear and update the look.

2. A cute sweater clip is a small investment that can perk up any outfit.

This under appreciated collectible can be used to add a touch of fun or a touch of elegance to any outfit for a modest sum. They will compliment a black evening jacket or a simple cotton shirt. Clips in gold metal or silver can be used to echo the color of metal buttons. Mink or fur sweater clips add a deluxe touch. Or try the faux pearl sweater clips to create a Donna Reed 50’s style. However you wear them, sweater clips will give your outfit some extra zing and be a conversation piece that will be noticed.

3. A sweater clip is uniquely yours.

Although there are some basic designs that are repeated, there is also a tremendous variety to be found in this unique kind of vintage jewelry. The way you put it together makes it uniquely your own. Wear it as a sweater or light jacket holder. Wear it hooked to the collar of a button up blouse or at each corner of a pocket. Add several chains and clips or a whimsical pin. Do you have a t shirt or top that is slightly too big? Try a sweater clip in the back to adjust the fit. A sweater clip can be used to lengthen a too short necklace. Try decorating a hat or a beret with a sweater clip, or a cloche with a clip and a pin. Clip it on a belt or waist band or even attach it to a shoe or boot.

Check flea markets, your neighborhood boutique and online sites to see prices and availability of vintage sweater clips. Or check the jewelry boxes of mom and grandma – they may have a sweater clip pushed to the back because it was out of style. Now you can polish it off and create your own sweater clip fashion. When you’re shopping, watch for quality touches like prong set rhinestones and maker marks on the back of the clip. Check that the clips close securely and that decorative elements are firmly attached. Check pearls for flaking or discoloration and that chains are clean and untarnished Enjoy the hunt for the perfect vintage sweater clip and your lucky find will never go out of style.

Fun fact: Miriam Haskell vintage sweater clips (or guards) are among the most collectible. They were very popular in the 50’s for their quality and designs. The gold leaf design is one of the most sought after. Haskell pieces are usually signed on the back and some sweater clips had pin backs so they could be detached from the chains and worn as separate pins.

When a Los Angeles hairstylist accepted a collect call from a customer, she had no idea it would run more than $45.

And no idea that’s just what collect calls from pay phones cost in the mobile age.

Barbara James gladly accepted the call from 84-year-old client Pat Devine, who said she was running late and called from a pay phone because her cell phone had died.

James’ bill from Network Communications International showed about $37 for the quick call, about $5 in regulatory fees and taxes, and about $3 for a “billing cost recovery fee.”

NCIC president Bill Pope says the tiny number of collect calls makes such prices inevitable.

Federal Communications Commission spokeswoman Rosemary Kimball says collect calls are largely unregulated since most major companies left the business.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I try hard to respond to every email I receive, but I receive more and more every week.  It is getting hard to keep up.  I started a forum that will address tenant debt and tenant screening issues to help answer the commonly asked questions.  Please help me get the forum off the ground by registering and posting your questions.

The forum url is: www.theinformedlandlord.com

Thanks,

Bill Gray

Bill@thelandlorddoctor.com

www.thelandlordoctor.com

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKING

1) Where to start

2) What should be archived

3) Whats the right way to collect

4) Storage and Preservation

5) Finance

6) Vision

Funding Streams

FURTHER DETAILED READING

a. Physical care of archives – By Archives in Museums SSN

b. Preservation Guidelines – By National register of archives for Scotland

All rights reserved. BAk99™ Photography 2009

Beer Swap is go...no thanks to collect+

Beer Swap update – beers remanded in custody!

Knut Albert recently posted that  some beers he was expecting went missing mid-transit, perhaps as the result of a thirsty beer gnome in Norway’s customs department.

I’ve had my own beer delivery fiasco tonight, whilst trying to collect my #beerswap beers. It seems that the experience of using collect+ to transport our regions finest ales around the UK is providing very different experiences – my first collect+ experience, a trial run for #beerswap, was was a doddle but second time not so lucky – this time the beers I’ve been sent for #beerswap proper have been remanded behind the counter by the newsagent and he is not authorised to relinquish them to my person!

My newsagent is pulling out of the scheme, much to my disappointment, and it’s no wonder when frustrated customers (me) turn up at 7pm on a Sunday evening asking him to hand over the beer!

Apparently the reason he can’t release the beers from his custody is due to an error code ‘payment cancelled’. Hmm, seems strange bearing in mind they’ve gone all the way through the collect+ system without any payment issues?!

So, I’ll be on the phone to collect+ in the morning and probably going around the houses to get my beer (which needs drinking this week!)

A small inconvenience in reality though, Beer Swap is a great example of how the beer community has really come together via the internet – can’t wait to get my beers soon and get writing about them!

UPDATE!!!! 25/11/09

Spoke to collect+ and the issue was apparently resolved, went back to newsagent, same error message. Grrr! Running out of #beerswap drinking time!!

I never found out what happened to Knut Albert’s beers but I hope they arrived and weren’t pinched by beer guzzling customs folk!

The poor economy has caused landlords and property managers to take drastic measures to lease units and keep them occupied. Some of the measures are understandable, considering the circumstances, but others make absolutely no sense at all.

This week I reviewed approximately 80 files from previous tenants who left a large residential property in Sarasota, Florida, owing money. I sat with the manager and discussed how the residential housing market has been turned on its ear, and in some ways seems to be in a downward spiral. I noted that not only had the number of debtor accounts more than doubled, the amount of the average debt had increased by at least a third.

The manager explained that the property had tried to increase its occupancy by allowing tenants to try and work out payment arrangements. As I looked at her over this mountain of files, I asked her, “How did that work out for you?” She understood my sarcasm and explained that the owners of the property had pressured her to do something to keep their residency rates up. She agreed that allowing tenants to pay late had only delayed the inevitable and increased the amount of bad debt the property must now write off.

I would argue that in such cases, if closely analyzed, the cost is actually even higher. The tenants she allowed to get behind on rent grew accustomed to management’s tolerance. When she finally drew the line and required payment, she was then often forced to file eviction proceedings before these tenants would leave the property. The cost of filing these evictions must be added to the lost rent and damages, etc. What if she had evicted the tenant after the very first month the rent was not paid and found a new tenant that did pay the rent on time? I realize this question is easy to ask in hindsight, but it is a question that should be asked when these kinds of management changes are considered.

I explained to her that not only had the new policy cost the property money in bad debt, the policy had also made the debt less collectible. As the amount each debtor owes increases, so do the odds that they will never pay. The amount becomes so high that many debtors will simply throw up their hands and live with the debt, rather than come up with a plan to pay it.

I understand that these are very trying times and difficult decisions must be made; but please make decisions with your eyes wide open and with an understanding of what the subsequent consequences could be.

Contact me with your tenant debt and screening issues.

Bill Gray

http://www.thelandlorddoctor.com

Bill@thelandlorddoctor.com

Chris Thorman from www.softwareadvice.com/property-management/ recently posted an interesting article about a program that could possibly turn thousands of homeowners into renters.  The twist is homeowners could be renting their own home from their mortgage company.  Here is a link to Chris’ article: http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/property-management/breaking-down-fannie-maes-deed-for-lease-program-1111609/

This article interests me in two ways.

1.  I own a home in Florida that I can not give away. I would be VERY happy to rent it from my mortgage company.

2.  If this program takes off it could be a windfall for property managers of single family homes.

Since I work exclusively with landlords regarding tenant debt and tenant screening, the idea of renting my home from my mortgage company raises some interesting questions.  Will I be screened and if so, by what criteria?  Could my mortgage company evict me if I am late on my rent?

As this program unfolds please email me anything you learn.  I am also very interested to hear from property managers as how you intend to capitalize on this opportunity to increase the number of rentals you manage.

Bill Gray

www.thelandlorddoctor.com

Bill@thelandlorddoctor.com

The Ethiopian Jewish community, called Beta-Israel, lived in seclusion for over 1,000 years, only reconnecting to the Jewish world in the late 20th century. According to Ethiopian tradition, their roots go back 3,000 years to the era of King Solomon. Like their brethren in many parts of the world, Ethiopian Jews suffered persecution for their beliefs and refusal to adopt Christianity. In the Middle Ages their lands were confiscated, villages plundered and many murdered. They were nicknamed Falash – intruders, homeless and without property. Despite the hardships, this community preserved their traditions with great devotion and generations were educated on the value of yearning for a return to Jerusalem, The Holy City, home of The Temple, pure and holy. The Sigd celebrations, Sigd meaning “to bow or prostate oneself”, convey their love and yearning for Jerusalem.

Traditionally the celebrations took place on a hilltop looking toward Jerusalem,signifying a renewal of the bond with God. Now, with a community of over 150,000 in Israel the main event takes place annually at the Sherover Promenade in Jerusalem, overlooking The Temple Mount.Thousands followed the Kessim, the religious leaders, and gathered in the late morning hours in colorful traditional garments or in whites signifying purity, to pray and give thanks. Guests of honor included Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

The yearning for Jerusalem has become a reality. Israeli-born offspring to Ethiopian Jews are finding it more and more difficult to identify with the aspirations of their forefathers. First signs are evident that this ancient ethnic celebration of hope and faith might one day be forgotten.

The 35mm f/2 was a pleasure to work with! Light and extremely mobile hanging on my neck – I could easily raise it quickly to get the shot I wanted without scaring off the subject. Some shots were even framed from the chest. I love the shallow depth of field! Most of the work was done at f2.5 ISO100 with very high shutter speeds.  Close and intimate!

nir

OK, I admit it – I’m a Bibliophile. What is a Bibliophile? Basically, a bibliophile is someone who loves books and loves collecting books. I am a book collector – but not in all topic areas. I only collect books in the areas that interest me.

I also love to read books – which I guess makes me a bookworm. Once again, I only read books in the areas that interest me.

See the article below for a discussion on Bibliophilia, etc:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliophilia

So what areas interest me – well the list below is not an exhaustive list, but it does cover the main areas of my literary interests:

• Theology

• Church History

• History

• Wilderness

• Genealogy

There are other areas into which I sometimes dip my toes, such as horticulture, cooking, etc. However, it is the above areas that really interest me.

My son is in heaven since the new season’s Match Attax collectable cards are out.

WorldMEGO: Where MEGOs Go! 24 Hours a Day!

Learn! Have fun! Contribute!

Dedicated to preserving, discussing, cataloging and hunting International MEGOs from the days of yore.

http://WorldMEGO.com

Come share in the WorldMEGOLove. Think beyond the 50 states.

MEGOs from around the world discussed on your computer screen!

URL : http://www.flashgame-girl.com/Puzzle-board/Rainbow-Collect.html

Game description :

Strategize to earn the most points in this fruit-collection task.

Game controls :

Using your mouse, click on fruits grouped with their own kind in as big of bunches as possible. Any unmatched fruit will subtract 100 points from your total.

We all love technology.  Check out these free and easy ways to utilize the web to make your earnings GROW!

Earth911.com is an online directory of recyclers, and you can add your location to the list!

1.  Go to their website.  Type in Earth911.com in your browser, or click here.

2. Click the “contact us” link at the bottom of the page, then the Submit/Update a Recycling Location link at the bottom of that page.  Or, click here.

3. Add your school or organization’s info to be listed as a recycler in your area.  When people near you search for recyclers and find you, your collection can grow!

Craigslist is a well-known site where you can list ads for anything, recycling included!

1. Go to the Craigslist site.  Click here to go right away.

2. Click your location, then the “Post to Classifieds” link on the top left.

3. Post an ad under “Service Offered” or “Item Wanted”.

4. Watch your collection grow!

**DON’T FORGET…MENTION ALL THE ITEMS YOU ARE COLLECTING AND THE PLACE TO DROP THEM OFF**

Put the internet to work for you, and let us know how it goes! Write to us at contact@cartridgesforkids.com.

PLEASE DON’T OPEN IT
What is inside we don’t know. To collect your favarite items. You need to buy several boxes. Challenge it!! We hope your luck!

Submitted by: Erin, via Flickr User: gruntzooki via Engrish Funny Submissions

quando si ara un campo e si semina una pianta si deve aspettare un certo tempo per poterla raccogliere e se ne ha lo stesso tempo prima che marcisca:

es: le fragole ci mettono 4 ore per maturare e se ne hanno altre 4 per raccoglierle;quindi dalla seminazione si hanno 8 ore prima che marciscano

es: le melanzane ci mettono 2 giorni per maturare e quindi si hanno altri 2 per raccoglierli;quindi dalla seminazione hai 4 giorni prima che marciscano

Gli alberi e gli animali al contrario non marciscono mai quindi non bisogna preoccuparsi di ricordarsi di raccoglierli però danno un guadagno molto minore rispetto alle seminazioni.

After a week of back and forth helping a client figure out what her website hosting account access information is and how to interpret the responses of the hosting company staff, I thought I’d write a quick post about it. For those of you who have a website, want to edit it but don’t know how, here are some quick & easy questions to ask your hosting company or website developer:

• what is the contact information for my website developer & hosting company?
• what is my account access information (login username and password) for hosting & domain name?

Once you have the hosting company’s information and your account information, you can start to determine what is the nature of the problem. Some common issues with website editing are:

• How do I figure out which file to edit?
• How can I edit the web pages myself?
• How can I collect names from my website?

If you or someone you know have any of the above questions at the moment, or know you will be addressing these questions in the near future, contact us today for your free situation analysis and suggestions overview.